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Visit and sample the combination quasi-blog and messageboard of the QPR Report Messageboard - where the focus is solely on QPR and football-in-general
- QPR made it one point out of a possible nine with their loss today. After today, QPR are 5 points out of one playoff spot; 6 points from another; and 7 from another - So it's not yet over. Updated Table
QPR Official Site - ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE'
- QPR Manager Paulo Sousa refused to give up hope of a late push for the play-offs despite seeing his side defeated 2-1 by Barnsley at Oakwell.
- Speaking to www.qpr.co.uk, Sousa said: "This result hasn't damaged my ambitions. My goal this season is to build a solid base for the future. That future is next season. But, if you are in and around the play-offs, like we are, you must think play-offs. "
- Damien Delaney cancelled out Daniel Bogdanovic's opener, but Anderson de Silva made the most of havoc in the R's penalty area in an eventful first half. Rangers had lined up more adventurously for the trip to Barnsley, with Heidar Helguson joined by Dexter Blackstock in attack.
- Sousa revealed that he had tinkered with his formation, saying: "From the start, we wanted to win this match, and we went for the three points. But if you risk some things you risk losing control.
- "In the first half, we controlled the match better and could've scored more goals. Especially after we conceded, we continued to create chances and control the game. When we equalised, we could've gone in at half time leading but instead we conceded again.
- "In the second half, we wanted to risk a little bit more, trying to get back into the match, but ultimately we didn't manage to do that."
- Sousa was quick to dismiss speculation that the loss had damaged the R's promotion hopes, pointing to the fact that there were still matches to be won and points to be collected, starting with Norwich City on Tuesday: "What's important is that the teams around us all dropped points. So while we didn't capitalise on that, our position is still as it was.
- "Every time, we are looking for the three points and I am happy with the effort my players showed in trying to achieve that. We've got two home games now and that presents us with another chance to begin another run of results. Six points will help us a lot."
- Today's match also saw recent arrival Jordi Lopez make his Rangers bow and Sousa was quick to praise his newest signing: "I think he did well. He has good quality, great delivery, but he has not played a lot recently. He needs a few more games but that's the great thing about this league - there are matches coming thick and fast. He can help us a lot in those games."
- Lopez will have another chance to shine on Tuesday, and Sousa wanted to reassure fans that the match with Norwich presents a glorious opportunity: "In our league, everything is possible. We still believe we can achieve something this season and anything is possible. You need to believe that anything can happen and it will." QPR
SPORTING LIFE/Ian Parker - PA Sports
DAVEY HAILS TYKES' MIDFIELD TRIO
- Barnsley boss Simon Davey hailed his side's performance after they pulled further clear of trouble with an excellent win over fading QPR.
Man of the match Anderson de Silva scored the winner two minutes before half-time after Damien Delaney had earlier cancelled out Daniel Bogdanovic's opener.
Barnsley then went on to dominate the second half as De Silva and his midfield partners Hugo Colace and Andranik Teymourian ran QPR ragged, preventing the visitors from putting Heinz Muller's goal under any real danger.
"It was a good performance and I thought we thoroughly deserved the win," Davey said. "There was only one team in it in the second half and we were winning every challenge and gave them everything they could handle."
The Tykes started the stronger side as Colace and De Silva quickly took a stranglehold on midfield, and they got their reward in the 26th minute when Bogdanovic headed in Michael Mifsud's cross for his second goal in Barnsley colours.
QPR had struggled to create much at the other end, with Dexter Blackstock wasting the two chances that Wayne Routledge had managed to set up.
However, they drew level in the 35th minute as Delaney got up to head Matteo Alberti's cross in at the near post.
The Tykes got back in front as De Silva rifled in a loose ball following a set-piece.
After the break, the Tykes remained very much on top and continued to press QPR back inside their own half, although they failed to create too many more clear chances.
Davey had put the emphasis on results ahead of performances earlier this week, but got both as Barnsley made it seven points from the last nine available.
"It's always a bonus to get a good performance as well but we've got three points on the board and a little run going to get seven from nine and that's the main thing," he said.
Davey piled praise on his midfielders for the way they kept Rangers out of the game in the second half.
"You've got Anderson who was man of the match and Hugo and Andranik winning everything," he said.
"I'd back my midfielders against anyone in the division on their day. They're as good as anybody and we just have to make sure they are on their day more often than not. Today they were terrific. They won the battle and we won the game."
Davey was forced into a number of changes to his side, not least with Darren Moore and Jamal Campbell-Ryce suspended, but got a great response from the players he brought in as Adam Hammill impressed in his first start and Dennis Souza handled Blackstock well.
That will give Davey a selection dilemma going to Cardiff on Tuesday night, but not one he is concerned about.
"It's a nice problem to have," he said. "We've got seven points from nine and we can build on that."
While Barnsley have hit a rich vein of form to pull away from trouble, QPR are watching their own goals slip away as failure to win in their last four games has seen them drop away from the play-off race.
Paulo Sousa was disappointed with the result but praised his player's efforts and insisted his targets remain attainable this season.
- "It's always disappointing when you want the three points but I'm glad because my players showed a lot of effort to win the game," the Portuguese boss said.
- "I said when I first came here that my ambitions were to create a solid base for next season and we are still doing that.
- "When you get very close to the play-offs obviously you start to the think about the play-offs, but if you look at the results today a lot of our immediate rivals also dropped points.
- "When you see that Nottingham Forest win at Reading you can still believe it's possible." Sporting Life
Barnsley Official Site - Post Match Comments
- REDS boss Simon Davey gave his thoughts following today's thrilling win at Oakwell.
Simon said: "I thought it was a good entertaining game which we thoroughly deserved to win. There was only one team in it in the second half and we were always on the front foot. We won every challenge, which was good to see.
"QPR could not handle the pace of our game and it was nice to put that Charlton performance to bed. It is nice to perform well but the three points are all that were important. We have picked up seven points from nine and now have a big game on Tuesday.
"We were a little fortunate that two decisions did not cost us and I think I would be more upset if we had drawn the game or even lost it. Our front six were brilliant and I could not fault their workj today.
"I would back my three midfielders against any in the Championship. On their day they are as good as any in this league". Barnsley
QPR Official Site - Barnsley 2 QPR 1
In an evenly-matched contest, a resilient Barnsley side narrowly stole the points against an equally as hard-working QPR side.
In a match of few chances, Rangers could count themselves unlucky not to return south with at least a point, after Damien Delaney cancelled out an early Daniel Bogdanovic header. But Anderson de Silva fired home from close range to give the Reds a somewhat fortuitous win.
It could all have been so different had Dexter Blackstock's well-struck shot on the turn crept inside the post instead of just wide.
Finishing strongly - and buoyed by a very vocal away support - Rangers could not find a way past a determined Barnsley back-line and had to give up the points for only a third time under Paulo Sousa.
Knowing Rangers had to return to winning ways, Manager Sousa decided he needed extra firepower up front. Step forward R's leading hit-man Blackstock.
Just behind him, Icelander Heidar Helguson took up position just in front of a midfield quartet of Wayne Routledge, Liam Miller, Mikele Leigertwood - who donned the captain's armband - and Matteo Alberti.
In goal, Radek Cerny retained his starting jersey, whilst his defence consisted of Damion Stewart and Kaspars Gorkss at centre half, with Matt Connolly on the right, and Delaney taking up position on the left.
For Barnsley, on-loan Liverpool youngster Adam Hammill made his home debut, joining fellow loan stars Michael Mifsud and Andranik Teymourian, from Coventry City and Fulham respectively, in the 11.
It was the visitors who fashioned the first real chance of the match. When Connolly found Routledge on the left, the winger's early cross to the feet of Blackstock meant the big striker could turn and fire of a snap-shot. He lacked any real power to worry home keeper Heinz Muller however.
The hosts thought otherwise, and went close themselves some minutes later. A Hammill free-kick fizzed through a crowd before finding its way to Mifsud, who swivelled, shot, and watched as his effort cleared the cross-bar.
Blackstock, who failed to garner enough power on his first attempt, had no such problems with his second.
When Miller sent a deep cross onto the head of Helguson, the Iceland international nodded back to Blackstock, who held off his man and struck a well-hit strike on the turn. Unfortunately, it flew inches wide of the left-hand post.
Spurred on by nearly going a goal down, Barnsley took the initiative and took the lead themselves on 27 minutes.
Hammill broke in midfield and fed Mifsud who looked up, spotted his fellow countryman Bogdanovic and delivered an inch perfect cross for the Maltese striker to angle a header down and beyond Cerny.
The lead lasted all of eight minutes as Rangers equalised with a well-worked goal. Alberti skipped a challenge down the left, drove on and delivered a beautiful cross to the near post where it found an unlikely hero in Delaney to steal and touch it home.
Eager to regain the lead, the Reds went searching for a second. A Bobby Hassell long throw was punched by Cerny into the path of Teymourian who hooked an effort goalward, trying to catch the R's keeper out, but only succeeding in steering it wide.
Barnsley did take the lead minutes before half-time. A cross into the Rangers box from the right was not cleared and Anderson was on hand to smash the ball home.
In the second half, Barnsley picked where they'd left off, with Anderson in particular buoyed by his goal. But when Bogdanovic found Teymourian in space, the man from Iran had no hesitation in blazing wide from 20 yards.
Another chance came and went, this time Hammill drawing a save out of Cerny after a fine, mazy dribble.
With the second half ten minutes old, Sousa introduced Romone Rose, moving Alberti to the middle and taking off Miller. Rose, who made his Rangers debut in the FA Cup against Burnley this season, was making his League debut today.
On 69 minutes, Sousa made his second change, taking off Alberti and giving the impressive travelling support a first glimpse of Spanish midfielder Jordi Lopez, who was making his debut.
Some neat football from Barnsley nearly saw Mifsud add another goal following a fine pass from Hugo Colace, but Stewart removed the danger with an expert block.
Samuel Di Carmine replaced the industrious Helguson, but still Rangers could not find a way through a spirited Red wall, and it remained 2-1 to the home side.
Barnsley: Muller, Hassell, Kozluk, Colace, Foster, Hammill (Devaney 83), Bogdanovic (Macken 65), Teymourian, Anderson, Souza, Mifsud.
Subs: Steele, El Haimour, Rigters.
Goals: Bogdanovic (26), Anderson (43)
Bookings: Anderson (84) Sendings Off:
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Blackstock, Gorkss, Connolly, Miller (Rose 55), Alberti (Lopez 69), Helguson (Di Carmine 80). Subs: Mahon, Hall.
Goals: Delaney (35)
Bookings:
Sendings Off:
Referee: Mr R Shoebridge QPR
Barnsley Official Site - FULL TIME FROM OAKWELL
BARNSLEY 2 (Bogdanovic 26, Anderson 43)
QPR 1 (Delaney 36)
DANIEL Bogdanovic's stunning header and a fine finish by Brazilian Anderson gave the Reds a priceless three points at Oakwell.
With injury and suspension keeping out Marciano Van Homoet, Darren Moore and Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Reds boss Simon Davey was forced into three changes bringing back Rob Kozluk and Dennis Souza and handing a full debut to new boy Adam Hammill in midfield. Stephen Foster was, unsurprisingly, named in the starting eleven despite confusion over his fitness earlier this week.
After a cagey opening, Barnsley finally sprang into life with a neat interchange through midfield which saw Anderson putting Michael Mifsud through but the Maltese striker found himself crowded out of it and fired high over the bar.
QPR had a sight of goal themselves on ten minutes as Wayne Routledge did well to get the ball across to Dexter Blackstock but the striker's shot was blocked and trickled through to Heinz Muller.
Oakwell was incensed on 16 minutes as Bogdanovic's fine flick sent Mifsud through on goal only to have his run checked by last-man Damion Stewart's clumsy challenge. The referee gave a free kick right on the edge of the box but - inexplicably - let Stewart off without the red card he ought to have seen by the letter of the law. Hugo Colace's free kick only found the wall.
Routledge again got the better of the Reds on 18 minutes as he raced down the right wing to cross for Blackstock but the striker could not get a shot away after slipping.
QPR were at sixes and sevens again at the back seconds later when Hammill fizzed a free kick across the six yard box. The ball eventually fell to Mifsud at the back post but the striker could only fire over the bar from a tight angle.
Heidar Helguson's persistence gave QPR a great chance on 23 minutes as his knockback dropped on the six yard line for his strike partner to attack but Blackstock smashed his low drive a foot wide of the post with Muller stranded.
Things finally clicked spectacularly into gear on 26 minutes when Hammill's quick feet found Mifsud on the left touchline. The striker took his time before sending over a fine cross that Bogdanovic did wonderfully well to glance home from eight yards. It was a great header by the big Maltese striker that gave Radek Cerny no chance.
Barnsley switched off and were made to pay the ultimate price on 36 minutes when Matteo Alberti danced his way down the QPR left before crossing and Damien Delaney was unmarked to power a header past Muller's despairing dive.
Bogdanovic's quick thinking almost put the Reds back in front just two minutes later as he reacted to flick on Anderson's scuffed free kick but the ball bounced through and wide of the target.
Andranik almost grabbed a goal on 42 minutes as he reacted quickest after Cerny's punch had dropped in the area but the Iranian's effort flew a foot wide of an open goal.
The second goal finally came for the Reds just a minute later when Colace's free kick caused the QPR defence to panic and, in the scramble that followed, Anderson reacted to smash the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Stewart disgraced himself in stoppage time after swinging an arm into Anderson as the pair jostled in the area waiting for a corner. Anderson hit the deck but referee Rob Shoebridge - who gave a free kick - shocking let the QPR defender off without a red card yet again. It was an amazing decision and one that dumbfounded Oakwell.
Barnsley started the second half on the front foot and Andranik's burst through midfield had QPR backpeddling on 48 minutes. The Iranian did well but his shot from 25 yards was never going to trouble Cerny and flew wide. Cerny's kamikaze goalkeeping caused QPR more problems on 49 minutes as he came to punch Bobby Hassell's free kick. The ball fell the Andranik on the edge of the box but again the Reds midfielder could not hit the target under pressure.
Hammill raced at the heart of the QPR defence again on 51 minutes and bamboozled Stewart and Matt Connolly before getting through on Cerny but the flying winger - who had enjoyed a fine full debut - could only manage to force the Rangers keeper into a smart low save.
The game heated up with some flying challenges on half way, the worst of which saw Delaney scythe through Hammill but again referee Shoebridge seemed determined not to produce a card and let the Rangers full back away with a warning.
At the other end Blackstock blazed high and wide on 53 minutes after Rangers threatened before Kaspars Gorkss fine challenge denied Mifsud a certain goal six minutes later after the striker had raced onto Hammill's pass.
The Reds had a decent looking penalty shout waved away on 65 minutes as Mifsud's pass struck Gorkss arm in the area although the Rangers defender didn't really make an attempt to block the ball. Rangers were rattled although Ramone Rose threatened the spectacular on 66 minutes when he let fly from 30 yards but his dipping shot flew well wide of the mark.
Anderson and Colace combined well on the edge of the area on 74 minutes to put Mifsud through but the striker was denied a clean strike on goal by Stewart's lunging challenge. The loose ball just evaded Jon Macken at the back post. Hammill hammered a free kick high over the bar on 77 minutes
Barnsley were comfortable although Jordi Lopez' free kick gave the Reds a worrying moment on 78 minutes but Gorkss was crowded out of it at the back post.
Another clumsy challenge by Stewart gave the Reds a free kick two minutes later after he barged over Andranik but - yet again - the big defender got away without a caution. Barnsley almost made him pay the ultimate price when Hammill's free kick found Macken free at the back post but the home side just could not force the ball over the line.
Referee Shoebridge finally found his yellow card on 84 minutes after Anderson had tripped Leigertwood on the half way line. Connolly gave the Reds a scare on 86 minutes by firing one in from 30 yards but his effort struck Colace and flew wide. Rose then blazed wide of the mark a minute later after finding a yard of space right on the edge of the box.
A late, late corner gave QPR hope but Lopez blew his lines and hammered the ball well, well wide.
BARNSLEY: Muller, Hassell, Foster, Souza, Kozluk, Colace, Andranik, Anderson, Hammill (Devaney 82), Mifsud, Bogdanovic (Macken 67).
Subs: Steele, El Haimour, Rigters.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS: Cerny, Alberti (Lopez 69), Routledge, Delaney, Blackstock, Helguson (Di Carmine 80), Connolly, Gorkss, Leigertwood, Miller (Rose 56), Stewart.
Subs: Mahon, Hall. Barnsley
Welcome to QPR REPORT - A completely unofficial and unaffiliated fan site focusing on G-d's Chosen Team, Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) FC. (Visit also QPR Report Messageboard and Follow on Twitter.) QPR Report accepts no sponsorship, advertising or financial contributions. In 2008, QPR Report was named as one of the top two blogs in the Football League
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Saturday, February 28, 2009
Teams: Barnsley vs QPR
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Visit and sample the combination quasi-blog and messageboard of the QPR Report Messageboard - where the focus is solely on QPR and football-in-general
Todays Teams
BARNSLEY: Muller, Hassell, Foster, Souza, Kozluk, Colace, Andranik, Anderson, Hammill, Mifsud, Bogdanovic. -- Subs: Steele, El Haimour, Macken, Devaney, Rigters.
QPR: Cerny, Alberti, Routledge, Delaney, Blackstock, Helguson, Connolly, Gorkss, Leigertwood, Miller, Stewart. -- Subs: Mahon, Lopez, Hall, Di Carmine, Rose.
Visit and sample the combination quasi-blog and messageboard of the QPR Report Messageboard - where the focus is solely on QPR and football-in-general
Todays Teams
BARNSLEY: Muller, Hassell, Foster, Souza, Kozluk, Colace, Andranik, Anderson, Hammill, Mifsud, Bogdanovic. -- Subs: Steele, El Haimour, Macken, Devaney, Rigters.
QPR: Cerny, Alberti, Routledge, Delaney, Blackstock, Helguson, Connolly, Gorkss, Leigertwood, Miller, Stewart. -- Subs: Mahon, Lopez, Hall, Di Carmine, Rose.
QPR's Playing Strip: Derided, Belittled and Mocked
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- Visit and sample the combination quasi-blog and messageboard of the QPR Report Messageboard - where the focus is solely on QPR and football-in-general
- From the UAE's The National (which of course is the country of QPR sponsors Gulf Air) - QPR Report is no fan of the striped/hooped socks!
The National (UAE) - February 28, 2009 - Dour Rangers should have put a sock in it
- They look like gondoliers or Oompa-Loompas. Give them straw hats and they could form a barbershop quartet.
- Queens Park Rangers of English football’s Championship wield what are surely the most embarrassing home kit in any sport.
- The blue and white hooped shirts would be tolerable were they not accompanied by ghastly socks of parallel construction.
- These befit an Austin Powers vixen more than a professional football team.
- Are they toe socks? They should be. This is hosiery no champion could wear.
- For some reason it makes me think of lemonade.
- I have not seen the bottom half of a kit so unmanly since the National Hockey League’s California Golden Seals, under the eccentric ownership of Charley Finley, wore white skates rather than black in the early 1970s. Mercifully, the Seals collapsed soon after and their gear was donated to Ice Capades – an ice-dancing show.
- Does any lad from London’s West End dream of someday pulling on the QPR socks? I doubt it.
- Perhaps he hopes that by the time he is old enough to make the team, they will have adopted more sensible colours: pink polka dots, for example.
- Poor, poor Rangers. They look like victims of a cruel student prank. They look like jugglers, or mimes, or lollipops.
- They look like escapees not so much from prison as from a prison musical. When they fall and flail, they look like clownfish. Eye-catching yet obnoxious, their uniform is the sartorial equivalent of Cristiano Ronaldo.
* Rob McKenzie The National
- Visit and sample the combination quasi-blog and messageboard of the QPR Report Messageboard - where the focus is solely on QPR and football-in-general
- From the UAE's The National (which of course is the country of QPR sponsors Gulf Air) - QPR Report is no fan of the striped/hooped socks!
The National (UAE) - February 28, 2009 - Dour Rangers should have put a sock in it
- They look like gondoliers or Oompa-Loompas. Give them straw hats and they could form a barbershop quartet.
- Queens Park Rangers of English football’s Championship wield what are surely the most embarrassing home kit in any sport.
- The blue and white hooped shirts would be tolerable were they not accompanied by ghastly socks of parallel construction.
- These befit an Austin Powers vixen more than a professional football team.
- Are they toe socks? They should be. This is hosiery no champion could wear.
- For some reason it makes me think of lemonade.
- I have not seen the bottom half of a kit so unmanly since the National Hockey League’s California Golden Seals, under the eccentric ownership of Charley Finley, wore white skates rather than black in the early 1970s. Mercifully, the Seals collapsed soon after and their gear was donated to Ice Capades – an ice-dancing show.
- Does any lad from London’s West End dream of someday pulling on the QPR socks? I doubt it.
- Perhaps he hopes that by the time he is old enough to make the team, they will have adopted more sensible colours: pink polka dots, for example.
- Poor, poor Rangers. They look like victims of a cruel student prank. They look like jugglers, or mimes, or lollipops.
- They look like escapees not so much from prison as from a prison musical. When they fall and flail, they look like clownfish. Eye-catching yet obnoxious, their uniform is the sartorial equivalent of Cristiano Ronaldo.
* Rob McKenzie The National
QPR at Barnsley Preview
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- Also visit the combination quasi-blog and messageboard of the QPR Report Messageboard - where the focus is solely on QPR and football-in-general
- Flashback to the season opener and QPR's Victory Over Barnsley: Match Reports: QPR's Team: Cerny, Ramage, Hall, Gorkss, Delaney, Agyemang (Parejo 72), Mahon, Leigertwood, Ledesma (Alberti 84), Cook, Blackstock. Subs Not Used: Camp, Connolly, Balanta.
- Almost exactly a year ago (February 26, 2008) QPR drew 0-0 at Barnsley (Match Reports) This was the QPR Team vs Barnsley for that game: Camp, Delaney, Mancienne, Blackstock (Vine 78), Buzsaky (Stewart 94), Rowlands, Connolly, Agyemang, Hall, Leigertwood, Balanta (Ephraim 63). Subs: Pickens, Lee.
- From Barnsley: Photos from Past QPR vs Barnsley Matches
- Barnsley's Stats this season
- QPR vs Barnsley: Head to Head/Past Results
QPR Official Site - THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: TYKES
- Rangers travel to Oakwell - the home of struggling Barnsley - on Saturday afternoon, for another crucial Championship encounter.
- Simon Davey's men currently lie perilously close to the relegation trap door, having registered just a solitary victory in their last eight outings in all competitions.
- Yet, with two games in hand on many of their closest rivals towards the foot of the table, the Tykes will be hopeful that they have enough gas in the tank to stave off the threat of demotion to the third tier.
- However, they may have to do so without the presence of inspirational skipper Stephen Foster, who could be sidelined tomorrow owing to a reoccurrence of a hernia problem.
- The 28 year-old underwent an operation to fix the problem, but aggravated it again last weekend and could miss the R's visit to Oakwell.
- Since Foster`s return to the side, the Reds have kept back-to-back clean sheets against Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton, picking up four points along the way.
- But his potential absence, coupled with the loss of suspended centre-half Darren Moore this weekend, could leave Davey with just Dennis Souza as the only natural central defender at the Club.
- Despite his defensive conundrum, Davey is in upbeat mood ahead of the visit of the R's, commenting: "We always want to play well and win in style but I would take picking up four points from six for the rest of the season like we have done in the last week.
- "Yes, it is important to put on a show, win and perform well, but at the moment the results are all important.
- "We want to go out and play well on Saturday and get the result - but I'm sure everybody will be happy if we win the game even if the performance isn't good."
- The R's have failed to win on their last seven visits to Oakwell, so what better time to start than this weekend, at a ground where the spoils were shared in a 0-0 draw last season.
- Team News
- Simon Davey will be without suspended duo Darren Moore and Jamal Campbell-Ryce for the visit of the R's to Oakwell.
- Skipper Stephen Foster faces a race against time to be fit owing to a hernia problem, and Marciano Dan Homoet has a groin injury and is unlikely to feature.
- Diego Leon (hamstring), Michael Coulson (knee) and Iain Hume (fractured skull) all remain on the sidelines.
- However, Dennis Souza could return, while Adam Hammill, Martin Devaney and Mounir El Haimour are all fighting for a place in midfield. QPR
See Also:
- Clive Whittingham/Loft for Words - Barnsley Preview
- Vital Football QPR - Barnsley Preview
- Also visit the combination quasi-blog and messageboard of the QPR Report Messageboard - where the focus is solely on QPR and football-in-general
- Flashback to the season opener and QPR's Victory Over Barnsley: Match Reports: QPR's Team: Cerny, Ramage, Hall, Gorkss, Delaney, Agyemang (Parejo 72), Mahon, Leigertwood, Ledesma (Alberti 84), Cook, Blackstock. Subs Not Used: Camp, Connolly, Balanta.
- Almost exactly a year ago (February 26, 2008) QPR drew 0-0 at Barnsley (Match Reports) This was the QPR Team vs Barnsley for that game: Camp, Delaney, Mancienne, Blackstock (Vine 78), Buzsaky (Stewart 94), Rowlands, Connolly, Agyemang, Hall, Leigertwood, Balanta (Ephraim 63). Subs: Pickens, Lee.
- From Barnsley: Photos from Past QPR vs Barnsley Matches
- Barnsley's Stats this season
- QPR vs Barnsley: Head to Head/Past Results
QPR Official Site - THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: TYKES
- Rangers travel to Oakwell - the home of struggling Barnsley - on Saturday afternoon, for another crucial Championship encounter.
- Simon Davey's men currently lie perilously close to the relegation trap door, having registered just a solitary victory in their last eight outings in all competitions.
- Yet, with two games in hand on many of their closest rivals towards the foot of the table, the Tykes will be hopeful that they have enough gas in the tank to stave off the threat of demotion to the third tier.
- However, they may have to do so without the presence of inspirational skipper Stephen Foster, who could be sidelined tomorrow owing to a reoccurrence of a hernia problem.
- The 28 year-old underwent an operation to fix the problem, but aggravated it again last weekend and could miss the R's visit to Oakwell.
- Since Foster`s return to the side, the Reds have kept back-to-back clean sheets against Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton, picking up four points along the way.
- But his potential absence, coupled with the loss of suspended centre-half Darren Moore this weekend, could leave Davey with just Dennis Souza as the only natural central defender at the Club.
- Despite his defensive conundrum, Davey is in upbeat mood ahead of the visit of the R's, commenting: "We always want to play well and win in style but I would take picking up four points from six for the rest of the season like we have done in the last week.
- "Yes, it is important to put on a show, win and perform well, but at the moment the results are all important.
- "We want to go out and play well on Saturday and get the result - but I'm sure everybody will be happy if we win the game even if the performance isn't good."
- The R's have failed to win on their last seven visits to Oakwell, so what better time to start than this weekend, at a ground where the spoils were shared in a 0-0 draw last season.
- Team News
- Simon Davey will be without suspended duo Darren Moore and Jamal Campbell-Ryce for the visit of the R's to Oakwell.
- Skipper Stephen Foster faces a race against time to be fit owing to a hernia problem, and Marciano Dan Homoet has a groin injury and is unlikely to feature.
- Diego Leon (hamstring), Michael Coulson (knee) and Iain Hume (fractured skull) all remain on the sidelines.
- However, Dennis Souza could return, while Adam Hammill, Martin Devaney and Mounir El Haimour are all fighting for a place in midfield. QPR
See Also:
- Clive Whittingham/Loft for Words - Barnsley Preview
- Vital Football QPR - Barnsley Preview
Friday, February 27, 2009
Kevin Gallen on His Time at QPR and His Continued Love for QPR...Other Snippets (Such as Season Ticket News)
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- Visit the new QPR Report Messageboard: A combination of quasi-blog and messageboard, where the focus is QPR and football-in-general. Nothing else! QPR Report Messageboard! REMINDER: Just a Few Hours Remaining to VOTE for your favourite QPR - or other! - fan sites! "Polls" Close at Midnight, GMT!
Barnsley Official Site - I KNEW MY TIME WAS UP - GALLEN
- FORMER Barnsley striker Kevin Gallen may have spend half a season at Oakwell but tomorrow's opponents QPR will always have a special place in his heart.
Kevin told www.barnsleyfc.co.uk: "Back in the summer of 2001 I was without a club and training with QPR after leaving Huddersfield. QPR never came forward and offered me anything and the new season was getting very close when Nigel Spackman rang up my agent and offered me the chance to come and train with Barnsley. I did that and the deal was done before the new season kicked off. It was a good move for me at the time because I was desperate to stay at Championship level as it is now and Barnsley was a good place to be. I liked the set up, the people and the training facilities are first class.
- "I got off to a good start with Barnsley and scored against Nottingham Forest in only my second game. Unfortunately I pulled my hamstring badly in the second half of that match and was out for something like six weeks. By the time I had made my way back into the first team - and scored a good goal at Sheffield Wednesday - we were struggling and Nigel was sacked shortly afterwards. It was a tough time for me after that. Steve Parkin came in and a new manger always has new ideas. When the manager gives you permission to go and talk to another club, as Steve did when QPR came in for me that November, you know your time is up.
- "I am disappointed that things did not work out at Barnsley but it did give me the chance to go back to QPR, which always will be my club and the team I have supported since I was a boy. I have the best five or six years of my career at QPR after that and we did a lot of good things there. We won promotion and it will always be my club. I have been going to watch games since before I can remember. My dad is still a season ticket holder at Loftus Road and goes there every week rather than come to watch me. That is what QPR means to my family".
- Kevin added: "I never, ever wanted to leave QPR. I was forced out really by John Gregory. It was the same old thing again about a new manager coming in and wanting to change things. That's football but I was very, very disappointed to leave like that.
- "I joined Luton initially on loan last year before making the switch from MK Dons a permanent one in January. We have a massive challenge at this football club after having 30 points docked in the summer. A lot has been written and said about it but it is very harsh on the new owners and the club to pay for other people's mistakes like this. The task we face is just getting more and more difficult as the games go by but I still believe we can do it. The manager and the rest of the team still believe and we will continue to go from game to game trying to claw those points back. It is a massive task but we can start working towards that miracle again against Port Vale tomorrow.
- "The QPR result is always the first one I look for after our match. Sometimes the gaffer tells me to shut up about QPR and remember I am playing for Luton".
- After starting out at QPR and enjoying a year with Huddersfield Town, Kevin arrived at Oakwell in July 2001. He made just ten appearances for the Reds, netting two goals, before returning to Loftus Road the following November. He then went on to hit 57 goals in 202 more matches for QPR before signing for Plymouth on loan in 2007. Kevin joined MK Dons that summer before making the switch to Luton in November 2008Barnsley
Ex-QPR John Curtiss Signs for Wrexham
- Daily Post /Mark Currie- Wrexham FC sign former United defender John Curtis
Wrexham have signed former Premiership defender John Curtis until the end of the season. The 30-year old full back began his career at Manchester United and made over 200 league appearances, the most recent of which was for Queens Park Rangers 18 months ago.
- Since then his career has been dogged by injury, but he has been training and playing for the past four weeks, and Dragons boss Dean Saunders, who worked with the player at Blackburn Rovers, said Curtis' pedigree and experience would stand the club in god stead as they bid to win promotion back to the Football League this season.
Dagenham Official Site - Chris Arthur signs on loan
- Rushden & Diamonds have today signed Chris Arthur on loan for one month from QPR. The nineteen-year-old midfielder signed a pro-contract with QPR in July 2008. He is yet to play a first team fixture for the Rangers, but is a regular in the reserves.
- Arthur was on loan at Blue Square Premier rivals Kettering Town earlier on in the season, being recalled to Loftus Road in January 2009.
- We would like to welcome Chris to Nene Park, he will be given squad number 16. Dagenham
QPR Official Site - SEASON TICKET PRICES FROZEN
-The Early Bird offer is back - and has frozen the price of your 2009/10 Season Ticket!
- That's right, for a limited time only you can buy next year's Season Ticket for the same price as your current one.
- There has been a COMPLETE FREEZE on the cost of all Season Tickets.
Under-8's will again be FREE in certain areas of the stadium, with QPR the only Club within the Championship to offer this fantastic deal for families.
But be quick, this price freeze offer is only available until 17th April 2009.*
- With the R's hopeful of mounting a play-off push in the closing months, you could be in line for a Premier League Season Ticket at a Championship price!
QPR Holdings Limited Vice-Chairman Amit Bhatia knows the importance of your support - and is keen to see you in your thousands at Loftus Road next year.
He told www.qpr.co.uk: "I am delighted that Queen Park Rangers will be re-establishing its Early Bird promotion for the forthcoming 2009/10 football season.
"In these challenging times we thought it essential to find an approach whereby the Club could make it financially easier for fans to support QPR in the new season.
"With this in mind the Board have implemented a price freeze within the Early Bird promotion with the hope that this action may ease your costs slightly.
"I would like to take the opportunity to thank our fans for their exceptional loyalty - QPR looks forward to tackling the new season with your continued passionate support."
You can purchase your Season Ticket NOW! Online - https://eticketing.co.uk/qpr - or by calling our Season Ticket Hotline - 08444 777 007.
To download a brochure, click Season Ticket brochure 09-10
To downloand an application form, click Season Ticket Application Form 09-10
To download a Zeba Finance form, click Zebra Finance 09-10
*Early Bird offer only available to current Season Ticket Holders, current Members, and previous Season Ticket Holders. To get To Links
QPR Official Site - NICK'S ALREADY GOT HIS - HAVE YOU?
- Boyhood R's fan Nick Barton was the first Rangers supporter to take advantage of our Early Bird Season Ticket offer, available to current Season Ticket Holders and Members, as well as previous Season Ticket Holders.
- The 33 year-old, who lives in Derbyshire, renewed his current South Africa Road Season Ticket just minutes after they went on sale earlier today (Friday).
- Speaking to www.qpr.co.uk, Nick, who as one of the first 1,000 supporters to take advantage of this offer will automatically receive an annual subscription to QPR: The Official Magazine, said: "I'm normally one of the most unorganised people in the world, but on this occasion I just wanted to renew it as soon as possible.
- "I'd like to think it will be good value for money, because next season promises to be a really interesting season.
- "We've built a solid foundation this season and if the Board allow the Manager to invest in one or two key players over the summer, we'll be in great shape to mount a real charge.
- "I never expected us to become an instant success overnight, but we've gradually improved this season and next season will really be the acid test for us." QPR
- Visit the new QPR Report Messageboard: A combination of quasi-blog and messageboard, where the focus is QPR and football-in-general. Nothing else! QPR Report Messageboard! REMINDER: Just a Few Hours Remaining to VOTE for your favourite QPR - or other! - fan sites! "Polls" Close at Midnight, GMT!
Barnsley Official Site - I KNEW MY TIME WAS UP - GALLEN
- FORMER Barnsley striker Kevin Gallen may have spend half a season at Oakwell but tomorrow's opponents QPR will always have a special place in his heart.
Kevin told www.barnsleyfc.co.uk: "Back in the summer of 2001 I was without a club and training with QPR after leaving Huddersfield. QPR never came forward and offered me anything and the new season was getting very close when Nigel Spackman rang up my agent and offered me the chance to come and train with Barnsley. I did that and the deal was done before the new season kicked off. It was a good move for me at the time because I was desperate to stay at Championship level as it is now and Barnsley was a good place to be. I liked the set up, the people and the training facilities are first class.
- "I got off to a good start with Barnsley and scored against Nottingham Forest in only my second game. Unfortunately I pulled my hamstring badly in the second half of that match and was out for something like six weeks. By the time I had made my way back into the first team - and scored a good goal at Sheffield Wednesday - we were struggling and Nigel was sacked shortly afterwards. It was a tough time for me after that. Steve Parkin came in and a new manger always has new ideas. When the manager gives you permission to go and talk to another club, as Steve did when QPR came in for me that November, you know your time is up.
- "I am disappointed that things did not work out at Barnsley but it did give me the chance to go back to QPR, which always will be my club and the team I have supported since I was a boy. I have the best five or six years of my career at QPR after that and we did a lot of good things there. We won promotion and it will always be my club. I have been going to watch games since before I can remember. My dad is still a season ticket holder at Loftus Road and goes there every week rather than come to watch me. That is what QPR means to my family".
- Kevin added: "I never, ever wanted to leave QPR. I was forced out really by John Gregory. It was the same old thing again about a new manager coming in and wanting to change things. That's football but I was very, very disappointed to leave like that.
- "I joined Luton initially on loan last year before making the switch from MK Dons a permanent one in January. We have a massive challenge at this football club after having 30 points docked in the summer. A lot has been written and said about it but it is very harsh on the new owners and the club to pay for other people's mistakes like this. The task we face is just getting more and more difficult as the games go by but I still believe we can do it. The manager and the rest of the team still believe and we will continue to go from game to game trying to claw those points back. It is a massive task but we can start working towards that miracle again against Port Vale tomorrow.
- "The QPR result is always the first one I look for after our match. Sometimes the gaffer tells me to shut up about QPR and remember I am playing for Luton".
- After starting out at QPR and enjoying a year with Huddersfield Town, Kevin arrived at Oakwell in July 2001. He made just ten appearances for the Reds, netting two goals, before returning to Loftus Road the following November. He then went on to hit 57 goals in 202 more matches for QPR before signing for Plymouth on loan in 2007. Kevin joined MK Dons that summer before making the switch to Luton in November 2008Barnsley
Ex-QPR John Curtiss Signs for Wrexham
- Daily Post /Mark Currie- Wrexham FC sign former United defender John Curtis
Wrexham have signed former Premiership defender John Curtis until the end of the season. The 30-year old full back began his career at Manchester United and made over 200 league appearances, the most recent of which was for Queens Park Rangers 18 months ago.
- Since then his career has been dogged by injury, but he has been training and playing for the past four weeks, and Dragons boss Dean Saunders, who worked with the player at Blackburn Rovers, said Curtis' pedigree and experience would stand the club in god stead as they bid to win promotion back to the Football League this season.
Dagenham Official Site - Chris Arthur signs on loan
- Rushden & Diamonds have today signed Chris Arthur on loan for one month from QPR. The nineteen-year-old midfielder signed a pro-contract with QPR in July 2008. He is yet to play a first team fixture for the Rangers, but is a regular in the reserves.
- Arthur was on loan at Blue Square Premier rivals Kettering Town earlier on in the season, being recalled to Loftus Road in January 2009.
- We would like to welcome Chris to Nene Park, he will be given squad number 16. Dagenham
QPR Official Site - SEASON TICKET PRICES FROZEN
-The Early Bird offer is back - and has frozen the price of your 2009/10 Season Ticket!
- That's right, for a limited time only you can buy next year's Season Ticket for the same price as your current one.
- There has been a COMPLETE FREEZE on the cost of all Season Tickets.
Under-8's will again be FREE in certain areas of the stadium, with QPR the only Club within the Championship to offer this fantastic deal for families.
But be quick, this price freeze offer is only available until 17th April 2009.*
- With the R's hopeful of mounting a play-off push in the closing months, you could be in line for a Premier League Season Ticket at a Championship price!
QPR Holdings Limited Vice-Chairman Amit Bhatia knows the importance of your support - and is keen to see you in your thousands at Loftus Road next year.
He told www.qpr.co.uk: "I am delighted that Queen Park Rangers will be re-establishing its Early Bird promotion for the forthcoming 2009/10 football season.
"In these challenging times we thought it essential to find an approach whereby the Club could make it financially easier for fans to support QPR in the new season.
"With this in mind the Board have implemented a price freeze within the Early Bird promotion with the hope that this action may ease your costs slightly.
"I would like to take the opportunity to thank our fans for their exceptional loyalty - QPR looks forward to tackling the new season with your continued passionate support."
You can purchase your Season Ticket NOW! Online - https://eticketing.co.uk/qpr - or by calling our Season Ticket Hotline - 08444 777 007.
To download a brochure, click Season Ticket brochure 09-10
To downloand an application form, click Season Ticket Application Form 09-10
To download a Zeba Finance form, click Zebra Finance 09-10
*Early Bird offer only available to current Season Ticket Holders, current Members, and previous Season Ticket Holders. To get To Links
QPR Official Site - NICK'S ALREADY GOT HIS - HAVE YOU?
- Boyhood R's fan Nick Barton was the first Rangers supporter to take advantage of our Early Bird Season Ticket offer, available to current Season Ticket Holders and Members, as well as previous Season Ticket Holders.
- The 33 year-old, who lives in Derbyshire, renewed his current South Africa Road Season Ticket just minutes after they went on sale earlier today (Friday).
- Speaking to www.qpr.co.uk, Nick, who as one of the first 1,000 supporters to take advantage of this offer will automatically receive an annual subscription to QPR: The Official Magazine, said: "I'm normally one of the most unorganised people in the world, but on this occasion I just wanted to renew it as soon as possible.
- "I'd like to think it will be good value for money, because next season promises to be a really interesting season.
- "We've built a solid foundation this season and if the Board allow the Manager to invest in one or two key players over the summer, we'll be in great shape to mount a real charge.
- "I never expected us to become an instant success overnight, but we've gradually improved this season and next season will really be the acid test for us." QPR
Sousa: Promotion in 2010...Bhatia on QPR Improvement
-
- Visit the new QPR Report Messageboard: A combination of quasi-blog and messageboard, where the focus is QPR and football-in-general. Nothing else! QPR Report Messageboard! REMINDER: Just a Few Hours Remaining to VOTE for your favourite QPR - or other! - fan sites! "Polls" Close at Midnight, GMT!
David McIntyre/Ealing Gazette - QPR's Sousa has on eye on 2010 promotion
- Coach Paulo Sousa still believes QPR can reach the play-offs - but admits he already has one eye on next season's promotion bid.
- Last weekend's dismal 3-1 defeat at home to Ipswich left Rangers 11th in the Championship table, where they remained after Wednesday night's 0-0 draw at Cardiff.
- Rangers are still in contention for a top-six finish but the loss to Ipswich was a particularly big blow.
- Sousa said: "My aim is still to create a good base looking to the future and I hope next season to be looking for [promotion to] the Premier League. But when you are close to the play-offs, you need to think about them."
- Saturday's debacle left Rangers under pressure to win at in-form Cardiff, where a draw would usually be a more than decent result.
- Wayne Routledge and Heidar Helguson missed chances to win it for the Rs, but Sousa insists their playoff bid is still very much alive.
- "There are five or six teams very close to each other," he said.
- "We played very well against a Cardiff team that wants to be in the Premier League next season and, after the bad performance against Ipswich, we showed we can play good football.
- "We played well and created a lot of chances but we still need to win these games. When we don't get three points after playing so well it is frustrating, but I'm always proud of the players."
- Finishing outside the top six would not be what many fans had expected, but vice-chairman Amit Bhatia has insisted that this season should still be regarded as a success even if Rangers fail to make the play-offs.
- Bhatia said: "I measure success by the question 'are we doing better?'
- "When we first got involved with the club we were last and we finished 14th, so that was success. If we finish seventh this season we will again definitely have shown an improvement.
- "Are we improving as a club? I think we are. I think we're heading in the right direction but just like any supporter, I want to do better than seventh and reach those play-offs and feel we can do it with a good run. "We're still on the right track. We've shown progressive success and as long as we continue to do well, there's no reason why we won't play in the Premier League and I hope we will."
- A win at Barnsley tomorrow (Saturday) would boost those hopes ahead of a vital home match against Norwich on Tuesday night.
- Spanish midfielder Jordi Lopez could well play a part in at least one of those games following his recent move to Loftus Road.
- The former Real Madrid and Sevilla player was on the substitutes' bench at Cardiff and was expected to play in a reserve game on Thursday, which was about to played as the Gazette went to press. Ealing Gazette
- Visit the new QPR Report Messageboard: A combination of quasi-blog and messageboard, where the focus is QPR and football-in-general. Nothing else! QPR Report Messageboard! REMINDER: Just a Few Hours Remaining to VOTE for your favourite QPR - or other! - fan sites! "Polls" Close at Midnight, GMT!
David McIntyre/Ealing Gazette - QPR's Sousa has on eye on 2010 promotion
- Coach Paulo Sousa still believes QPR can reach the play-offs - but admits he already has one eye on next season's promotion bid.
- Last weekend's dismal 3-1 defeat at home to Ipswich left Rangers 11th in the Championship table, where they remained after Wednesday night's 0-0 draw at Cardiff.
- Rangers are still in contention for a top-six finish but the loss to Ipswich was a particularly big blow.
- Sousa said: "My aim is still to create a good base looking to the future and I hope next season to be looking for [promotion to] the Premier League. But when you are close to the play-offs, you need to think about them."
- Saturday's debacle left Rangers under pressure to win at in-form Cardiff, where a draw would usually be a more than decent result.
- Wayne Routledge and Heidar Helguson missed chances to win it for the Rs, but Sousa insists their playoff bid is still very much alive.
- "There are five or six teams very close to each other," he said.
- "We played very well against a Cardiff team that wants to be in the Premier League next season and, after the bad performance against Ipswich, we showed we can play good football.
- "We played well and created a lot of chances but we still need to win these games. When we don't get three points after playing so well it is frustrating, but I'm always proud of the players."
- Finishing outside the top six would not be what many fans had expected, but vice-chairman Amit Bhatia has insisted that this season should still be regarded as a success even if Rangers fail to make the play-offs.
- Bhatia said: "I measure success by the question 'are we doing better?'
- "When we first got involved with the club we were last and we finished 14th, so that was success. If we finish seventh this season we will again definitely have shown an improvement.
- "Are we improving as a club? I think we are. I think we're heading in the right direction but just like any supporter, I want to do better than seventh and reach those play-offs and feel we can do it with a good run. "We're still on the right track. We've shown progressive success and as long as we continue to do well, there's no reason why we won't play in the Premier League and I hope we will."
- A win at Barnsley tomorrow (Saturday) would boost those hopes ahead of a vital home match against Norwich on Tuesday night.
- Spanish midfielder Jordi Lopez could well play a part in at least one of those games following his recent move to Loftus Road.
- The former Real Madrid and Sevilla player was on the substitutes' bench at Cardiff and was expected to play in a reserve game on Thursday, which was about to played as the Gazette went to press. Ealing Gazette
Final Day To Vote For Favourite Football Fanzine - (QPR or Other Club)
-
- REMINDERVOTING CLOSES TONIGHT (FRIDAY) AT MIDNIGHT - FOR YOUR FAVOURITE QPR (Or Other!) FOOTBALL FANZINE PUBLICATIONS:
From Football Fan Census (FFC)
"Just a quick reminder that Round 2 of this years Fanzine Awards - fans voting on which nominees should go forward to the shortlist stage - closes at midnight [tonight, Friday 27th February].
There's still time for fans to vote for your, or your favourite, fanzine, blog, writer or editor.
The New Football Pools Fanzine Awards 2009
Best of luck to all the nominees! Many thanks for your support The FFC Team
THE VARIOUS CATEGORIES TO VOTE FOR QPR FANZINE PUBLICATIONS
- Voting for your sites of choice in the Fanzine Awards
* “Best Football League - Print”
- A Kick Up The R's
- CLICK HERE TO VOTE
* “Best Football League - Online”
- QPR AKUTRS.co.uk
- QPR LoftForWords.co.uk
- QPR QPR.vitalfootball.co.uk
- QPR QPRNet.com
- CLICK HERE TO VOTE
* “Best Blog - Online”
- lofty-heights06.blogspot.com (Lofty Heights)
- qprnet.com
- qprreport.blogspot.com (QPR Report)
- qprtoday.net (QPR Today)
-CLICK HERE TO VOTE
* “Best Editor - Either Media”
- QPR Adam Boxer, Vital QPR
- QPR Clive Whittingam, Loft for Words
- QPR Dave Thomas, A Kick Up The R's
- QPR David Barton, QueenParkRangersfc.com
- CLICK HERE TO VOTE
* “Best Writer - Either Media”
- QPR Adam Boxer, Vital QPR
- QPR BOSH67, Loft For Words
- QPR Clive Whittingham, Loft For Words
- QPR Dave Thomas, A Kick Up The R's
- QPR David Barton, QueensParkRangersfc.com
- QPR Jamie Sellars, A Kick Up The R's
- QPR Mike, QPR Report
- QPR Sandydl, Vital QPR
- QPR The Blob, Loft For Words
- QPR Tony Gibson, Loft For Words
- CLICK HERE TO VOTE
VOTE TODAY: IT'S YOUR LAST CHANCE!
- REMINDERVOTING CLOSES TONIGHT (FRIDAY) AT MIDNIGHT - FOR YOUR FAVOURITE QPR (Or Other!) FOOTBALL FANZINE PUBLICATIONS:
From Football Fan Census (FFC)
"Just a quick reminder that Round 2 of this years Fanzine Awards - fans voting on which nominees should go forward to the shortlist stage - closes at midnight [tonight, Friday 27th February].
There's still time for fans to vote for your, or your favourite, fanzine, blog, writer or editor.
The New Football Pools Fanzine Awards 2009
Best of luck to all the nominees! Many thanks for your support The FFC Team
THE VARIOUS CATEGORIES TO VOTE FOR QPR FANZINE PUBLICATIONS
- Voting for your sites of choice in the Fanzine Awards
* “Best Football League - Print”
- A Kick Up The R's
- CLICK HERE TO VOTE
* “Best Football League - Online”
- QPR AKUTRS.co.uk
- QPR LoftForWords.co.uk
- QPR QPR.vitalfootball.co.uk
- QPR QPRNet.com
- CLICK HERE TO VOTE
* “Best Blog - Online”
- lofty-heights06.blogspot.com (Lofty Heights)
- qprnet.com
- qprreport.blogspot.com (QPR Report)
- qprtoday.net (QPR Today)
-CLICK HERE TO VOTE
* “Best Editor - Either Media”
- QPR Adam Boxer, Vital QPR
- QPR Clive Whittingam, Loft for Words
- QPR Dave Thomas, A Kick Up The R's
- QPR David Barton, QueenParkRangersfc.com
- CLICK HERE TO VOTE
* “Best Writer - Either Media”
- QPR Adam Boxer, Vital QPR
- QPR BOSH67, Loft For Words
- QPR Clive Whittingham, Loft For Words
- QPR Dave Thomas, A Kick Up The R's
- QPR David Barton, QueensParkRangersfc.com
- QPR Jamie Sellars, A Kick Up The R's
- QPR Mike, QPR Report
- QPR Sandydl, Vital QPR
- QPR The Blob, Loft For Words
- QPR Tony Gibson, Loft For Words
- CLICK HERE TO VOTE
VOTE TODAY: IT'S YOUR LAST CHANCE!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Assessment of QPR's Low Spending on Agents and High Spending re Players
-
- Visit the new QPR Report Messageboard: A combination of quasi-blog and messageboard, where the focus is QPR and football-in-general. Nothing else! QPR Report Messageboard! REMINDER: to VOTE for your favourite QPR - or other! - fan sites!
Dave McIntyre BBC606 - QPR score well in agents' fees report
- The reduction in fees paid directly to agents by QPR is reflected in the latest Football League Agents’ Fees Report.
- The report shows that Rangers committed £40,290 to agents between the start of July and end of December last year, compared to £211,000 during the same period for 2007.
- That may come as a surprise to some given the turnover of players at Loftus Road, which has been huge in recent seasons with more significant transfer activity taking place last year.
- The club – and sporting director Gianni Paladini in particular – has been criticised for their dealings with agents in the past.
- Much of this criticism has been unfair.
- More recently, QPR have made it clear that agents will be paid by their player – not the club.
- There was also a new regulation introduced by the Football Association, which prohibited clubs from making one-off payments to players which they could then use to pay their agent's fees.
- The FA suspended this rule during the recent transfer window, so whether this affects Rangers' next six-monthly figure for agents’ fees remains to be seen.
- At present, QPR tell players that payments to their agent must come from them.
- This may then be reflected in the player’s wage demands (given that he will be making a payment to his agent) and affect his salary and/or signing-on fee, although Rangers do have a salary cap in place.
- It means the cost of agents fees is absorbed within the players’ wages rather than paid directly to the agent by the club.
- The figures to really watch out for then are the ones in the annual accounts, which should put a stop to any criticism of the board for not investing heavily in the playing squad.
- Despite their reluctance to pay large transfer fees, Rangers’ 'big spenders' tag, which seems to annoy many fans, is more than justified – and the accounts should reflect this.
- A very large amount has been spent on players, and this has in some ways helped the club limit the amount paid to agents.
-Rangers are now usually able to offer players more money than they can get, or are getting, elsewhere.
- That means it’s usually in a player’s interests to agree to their terms.
- In the past, QPR’s hand was weaker and competition for each player’s signature usually much stronger.
- In theory, that meant they were more reliant on the agent's role in helping them complete a signing. BBC 606
- [See Also Latest Football League Agents Report - QPR Spending Relatively Little on Agents"
- Visit the new QPR Report Messageboard: A combination of quasi-blog and messageboard, where the focus is QPR and football-in-general. Nothing else! QPR Report Messageboard! REMINDER: to VOTE for your favourite QPR - or other! - fan sites!
Dave McIntyre BBC606 - QPR score well in agents' fees report
- The reduction in fees paid directly to agents by QPR is reflected in the latest Football League Agents’ Fees Report.
- The report shows that Rangers committed £40,290 to agents between the start of July and end of December last year, compared to £211,000 during the same period for 2007.
- That may come as a surprise to some given the turnover of players at Loftus Road, which has been huge in recent seasons with more significant transfer activity taking place last year.
- The club – and sporting director Gianni Paladini in particular – has been criticised for their dealings with agents in the past.
- Much of this criticism has been unfair.
- More recently, QPR have made it clear that agents will be paid by their player – not the club.
- There was also a new regulation introduced by the Football Association, which prohibited clubs from making one-off payments to players which they could then use to pay their agent's fees.
- The FA suspended this rule during the recent transfer window, so whether this affects Rangers' next six-monthly figure for agents’ fees remains to be seen.
- At present, QPR tell players that payments to their agent must come from them.
- This may then be reflected in the player’s wage demands (given that he will be making a payment to his agent) and affect his salary and/or signing-on fee, although Rangers do have a salary cap in place.
- It means the cost of agents fees is absorbed within the players’ wages rather than paid directly to the agent by the club.
- The figures to really watch out for then are the ones in the annual accounts, which should put a stop to any criticism of the board for not investing heavily in the playing squad.
- Despite their reluctance to pay large transfer fees, Rangers’ 'big spenders' tag, which seems to annoy many fans, is more than justified – and the accounts should reflect this.
- A very large amount has been spent on players, and this has in some ways helped the club limit the amount paid to agents.
-Rangers are now usually able to offer players more money than they can get, or are getting, elsewhere.
- That means it’s usually in a player’s interests to agree to their terms.
- In the past, QPR’s hand was weaker and competition for each player’s signature usually much stronger.
- In theory, that meant they were more reliant on the agent's role in helping them complete a signing. BBC 606
- [See Also Latest Football League Agents Report - QPR Spending Relatively Little on Agents"
Latest Football League Agents Report - QPR Spending Relatively Little on Agents
-
- Visit the new QPR Report Messageboard: A combination of quasi-blog and messageboard, where the focus is QPR and football-in-general. Nothing else! QPR Report Messageboard! REMINDER: to VOTE for your favourite QPR - or other! - fan sites!
- Flashback: "Ian Holloway Appointed QPR Manager: Eight Years Ago Today" - And continuing Additions to Old QPR Photos Nostalgia!
Latest Agents Report - For QPR:
"Total Amount Committed to Agents (1 July - 31 Dec 08) £40,290
Total Amount Committed to Agents (1 July - 31 Dec 07) £211,000
- See: Football League Agents Report
QPR Official Site - AGENTS' FEES REPORT
- The latest Football League Agents' Fees Report has revealed that the amount of money being committed to agents by League Clubs during the first half of the season has fallen by 28% on last year.
- In total, League Clubs committed to pay £5.7m to agents between August and December 2008, compared to £7.9m for the second half of 2007.A third of League Clubs (24) did not commit any money at all to agents.
-Football League Chairman, Lord Mawhinney, said: "Given the severe economic recession, it is encouraging to see these figure declining.
- "Part of this decrease is likely to be a consequence of the new agents' regulations introduced by the FA. These prohibit Clubs from making one-off payments to players which they then use to pay their agent's fees.The upshot is that, in some cases, agents' fees will have been absorbed into player salaries instead.
- "I am encouraged that the FA took the decision to suspend this element of their regulations during the recent transfer window and I would encourage them to continue to do so.
- "Overall, I believe the publication of agents' fees, along with the more recent decision to prohibit the practice of 'Dual Representation,' has brought much greater levels of transparency and integrity to the transfer system.
- "To most people it will seem sensible that where agents are working on behalf of players, they get paid by players. And when they work for clubs they get paid by Clubs."
- The report reveals that Clubs committed to pay agents in 9% (141) of the 1,650 player transactions that took place during the reporting period, collectively committing a sum of £5,707,695.
- Championship Clubs accounted for 84% (£4.8m) of this total, with League 1 and League 2 Clubs accounting for 13% (£740k) and 3% (£159k) respectively.
- To view the latest agents fees report, click here
QPR
FOOTBALL LEAGUE -
AGENTS' FEES FALL IN FIRST HALF OF 08/09 SEASON
The latest Football League Agents' Fees Report has revealed that the amount of money being committed to agents by League clubs during the first half of the season has fallen by 28% on last year.
In total, League clubs committed to pay £5.7m to agents between August and December 2008, compared to £7.9m for the second half of 2007. A third of League clubs (24) did not commit any money at all to agents.
Football League Chairman, Lord Mawhinney, said:
"Given the severe economic recession, it is encouraging to see these figure declining.
"Part of this decrease is likely to be a consequence of the new agents' regulations introduced by the FA. These prohibit clubs from making one-off payments to players which they then use to pay their agent's fees. The upshot is that, in some cases, agents' fees will have been absorbed into player salaries instead.
"I am encouraged that the FA took the decision to suspend this element of their regulations during the recent transfer window and I would encourage them to continue to do so.
"Overall, I believe the publication of agents' fees, along with the more recent decision to prohibit the practice of 'Dual Representation', has brought much greater levels of transparency and integrity to the transfer system.
"To most people it will seem sensible that where agents are working on behalf of players, they get paid by players. And when they work for clubs they get paid by clubs."
The report reveals that clubs committed to pay agents in 9% (141) of the 1,650 player transactions that took place during the reporting period, collectively committing a sum of £5,707,695.
Championship clubs accounted for 84% (£4.8m) of this total, with League 1 and League 2 clubs accounting for 13% (£740k) and 3% (£159k) respectively.
The 24 clubs that did not commit any money to agents during the last six months were: Accrington Stanley, AFC Bournemouth, Barnet, Cheltenham Town, Chester City, Chesterfield, Crewe Alexandra, Dagenham & Redbridge, Darlington, Exeter City, Gillingham, Grimsby Town, Hartlepool United, Hereford United, Macclesfield Town, Millwall, Northampton Town, Peterborough United, Port Vale, Rochdale, Scunthorpe United, Swindon Town, Tranmere Rovers and Wycombe Wanderers.
REPORT SUMMARY:
(Figures for July to December 2007 in brackets)
Overall Football League Figures
• Between July 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 Football League clubs engaged in 1,650 (1,913) player transactions (new registrations/player transfers, contract updates, contract cancellations and loans);
• Clubs committed to pay an agent in 141 (283) of these transactions;
• League clubs committed to spend £5,707,695 (£7,930,379) during the period of this report;
• 24 (19) clubs did not commit any money to agents during the last six months;
Championship
• In the Championship there were 578 (635) player transactions, 88 (151) involving payment to an agent;
• Clubs committed to spend a total of £4,809,035 (£6,684,759) on agents' fees during this period;
• 24 (23) clubs committed to pay for the services of a licensed agent.
League 1
• In League 1 there were 542 (607) player transactions, 35 (99) involving payment to an agent;
• Clubs committed to spend a total of £740,160 (£1,039,484) on agents' fees during this period;
• 14 (21) clubs committed to pay for the services of a licensed agent;
• 10 (3) clubs did not pay for the services of a licensed agent - Cheltenham Town, Crewe Alexandra, Hartlepool United, Hereford United, Millwall, Northampton Town, Peterborough United, Scunthorpe United, Swindon Town and Tranmere Rovers.
League 2
• In League 2 there were 530 (671) player transactions, 18 (33) involving payment to an agent;
• Clubs committed to spend a total of £158,500 (£206,136) on agents' fees during this period;
• 10 (9) clubs committed to pay for the services of a licensed agent;
• 14 (15) clubs did not pay for the services of a licensed agent - Accrington Stanley, AFC Bournemouth, Barnet, Chester City, Chesterfield, Dagenham & Redbridge, Darlington, Exeter City, Gillingham, Grimsby Town, Macclesfield Town, Port Vale, Rochdale and Wycombe Wanderers. Football LEague
- The Last League Agents Fees report, January - June 2008 (released in mid-August 2008) QPR Spending on Agents
- Prevous Reports on QPR Spending on Agents
-
- Visit the new QPR Report Messageboard: A combination of quasi-blog and messageboard, where the focus is QPR and football-in-general. Nothing else! QPR Report Messageboard! REMINDER: to VOTE for your favourite QPR - or other! - fan sites!
- Flashback: "Ian Holloway Appointed QPR Manager: Eight Years Ago Today" - And continuing Additions to Old QPR Photos Nostalgia!
Latest Agents Report - For QPR:
"Total Amount Committed to Agents (1 July - 31 Dec 08) £40,290
Total Amount Committed to Agents (1 July - 31 Dec 07) £211,000
- See: Football League Agents Report
QPR Official Site - AGENTS' FEES REPORT
- The latest Football League Agents' Fees Report has revealed that the amount of money being committed to agents by League Clubs during the first half of the season has fallen by 28% on last year.
- In total, League Clubs committed to pay £5.7m to agents between August and December 2008, compared to £7.9m for the second half of 2007.A third of League Clubs (24) did not commit any money at all to agents.
-Football League Chairman, Lord Mawhinney, said: "Given the severe economic recession, it is encouraging to see these figure declining.
- "Part of this decrease is likely to be a consequence of the new agents' regulations introduced by the FA. These prohibit Clubs from making one-off payments to players which they then use to pay their agent's fees.The upshot is that, in some cases, agents' fees will have been absorbed into player salaries instead.
- "I am encouraged that the FA took the decision to suspend this element of their regulations during the recent transfer window and I would encourage them to continue to do so.
- "Overall, I believe the publication of agents' fees, along with the more recent decision to prohibit the practice of 'Dual Representation,' has brought much greater levels of transparency and integrity to the transfer system.
- "To most people it will seem sensible that where agents are working on behalf of players, they get paid by players. And when they work for clubs they get paid by Clubs."
- The report reveals that Clubs committed to pay agents in 9% (141) of the 1,650 player transactions that took place during the reporting period, collectively committing a sum of £5,707,695.
- Championship Clubs accounted for 84% (£4.8m) of this total, with League 1 and League 2 Clubs accounting for 13% (£740k) and 3% (£159k) respectively.
- To view the latest agents fees report, click here
QPR
FOOTBALL LEAGUE -
AGENTS' FEES FALL IN FIRST HALF OF 08/09 SEASON
The latest Football League Agents' Fees Report has revealed that the amount of money being committed to agents by League clubs during the first half of the season has fallen by 28% on last year.
In total, League clubs committed to pay £5.7m to agents between August and December 2008, compared to £7.9m for the second half of 2007. A third of League clubs (24) did not commit any money at all to agents.
Football League Chairman, Lord Mawhinney, said:
"Given the severe economic recession, it is encouraging to see these figure declining.
"Part of this decrease is likely to be a consequence of the new agents' regulations introduced by the FA. These prohibit clubs from making one-off payments to players which they then use to pay their agent's fees. The upshot is that, in some cases, agents' fees will have been absorbed into player salaries instead.
"I am encouraged that the FA took the decision to suspend this element of their regulations during the recent transfer window and I would encourage them to continue to do so.
"Overall, I believe the publication of agents' fees, along with the more recent decision to prohibit the practice of 'Dual Representation', has brought much greater levels of transparency and integrity to the transfer system.
"To most people it will seem sensible that where agents are working on behalf of players, they get paid by players. And when they work for clubs they get paid by clubs."
The report reveals that clubs committed to pay agents in 9% (141) of the 1,650 player transactions that took place during the reporting period, collectively committing a sum of £5,707,695.
Championship clubs accounted for 84% (£4.8m) of this total, with League 1 and League 2 clubs accounting for 13% (£740k) and 3% (£159k) respectively.
The 24 clubs that did not commit any money to agents during the last six months were: Accrington Stanley, AFC Bournemouth, Barnet, Cheltenham Town, Chester City, Chesterfield, Crewe Alexandra, Dagenham & Redbridge, Darlington, Exeter City, Gillingham, Grimsby Town, Hartlepool United, Hereford United, Macclesfield Town, Millwall, Northampton Town, Peterborough United, Port Vale, Rochdale, Scunthorpe United, Swindon Town, Tranmere Rovers and Wycombe Wanderers.
REPORT SUMMARY:
(Figures for July to December 2007 in brackets)
Overall Football League Figures
• Between July 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 Football League clubs engaged in 1,650 (1,913) player transactions (new registrations/player transfers, contract updates, contract cancellations and loans);
• Clubs committed to pay an agent in 141 (283) of these transactions;
• League clubs committed to spend £5,707,695 (£7,930,379) during the period of this report;
• 24 (19) clubs did not commit any money to agents during the last six months;
Championship
• In the Championship there were 578 (635) player transactions, 88 (151) involving payment to an agent;
• Clubs committed to spend a total of £4,809,035 (£6,684,759) on agents' fees during this period;
• 24 (23) clubs committed to pay for the services of a licensed agent.
League 1
• In League 1 there were 542 (607) player transactions, 35 (99) involving payment to an agent;
• Clubs committed to spend a total of £740,160 (£1,039,484) on agents' fees during this period;
• 14 (21) clubs committed to pay for the services of a licensed agent;
• 10 (3) clubs did not pay for the services of a licensed agent - Cheltenham Town, Crewe Alexandra, Hartlepool United, Hereford United, Millwall, Northampton Town, Peterborough United, Scunthorpe United, Swindon Town and Tranmere Rovers.
League 2
• In League 2 there were 530 (671) player transactions, 18 (33) involving payment to an agent;
• Clubs committed to spend a total of £158,500 (£206,136) on agents' fees during this period;
• 10 (9) clubs committed to pay for the services of a licensed agent;
• 14 (15) clubs did not pay for the services of a licensed agent - Accrington Stanley, AFC Bournemouth, Barnet, Chester City, Chesterfield, Dagenham & Redbridge, Darlington, Exeter City, Gillingham, Grimsby Town, Macclesfield Town, Port Vale, Rochdale and Wycombe Wanderers. Football LEague
- The Last League Agents Fees report, January - June 2008 (released in mid-August 2008) QPR Spending on Agents
- Prevous Reports on QPR Spending on Agents
-
QPR's Cardiff Draw - Reports and Comments: QPR Now Five Points Off Playoff Place
-
Visit the new QPR Report Messageboard: A combination of quasi-blog and messageboard, where the focus is QPR and football-in-general. Nothing else! QPR Report Messageboard! - REMINDER: VOTE for your favourite QPR - or other! - fan sites! VOTING CLOSES TOMORROW (Friday, Feb 27)
- See Also: "Ian Holloway Appointed QPR Manager: Flashback: Eight Years Ago Today" (And a Reminder of a High Point)
After the Cardiff draw, QPR have 13 games remaining! QPR are currently 11th with 48 points from 33 games: Five points behind Cardiff (31 games), Bristol City (34 games) and Preston North End (34 games) who are all in playoff positions - League Table
MANAGERIAL COMMENTS
Sousa /QPR Official Site SOUSA: WE DESERVED MORE
-Paulo Sousa was full of praise for his side following the 0-0 draw against promotion-chasing Cardiff City.
- Rangers enjoyed long spells of possession against the Bluebirds, and created a number of excellent opportunities in front of goal, much to the delight of their gaffer.
- "We lost two points today. We showed a lot of personality and character and created a lot of opportunities, playing fantastic football," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
- "After the game against Ipswich we received a lot of criticism. We didn't play well then, but today we sent out a very positive message to those people, with a good performance against a Club with big ambitions for the Premier League.
- "They have invested a lot and this is also a very difficult place to come, with a strong atmosphere. But we showed personality, playing fantastic football.
- "We could have won the game easily, but it didn't happen, but that is no fault of my players, who gave me excellent effort."
- Sousa singled out the efforts of stand-in skipper Gavin Mahon, who shone from start to finish in the heart of the R's midfield engine room.
- "Gavin showed what a good professional and good player he is tonight," said Sousa.
- "You can have bad moments sometimes, but it is how you respond and he showed great character."
- The draw left Rangers five points adrift of the top-six, with a game in hand on most of their nearest rivals, prompting Sousa to add: "We have always been very close to the top-six.
- "With two or three wins, you can go up the league significantly.
- "Playing like we played tonight, we need to believe that anything is possible.
- "I always say that to my players - believe in yourselves, because you can play very good football and win, just believe it.
- "We have overcome the barrier of winning away in recent months, and now we are playing good football too.
- "With good energy from everyone, and not criticism, we can make things possible."
QPR Official
Cardiff Official/Jones - DAVES VIEW: THE HOOPS
- City manager Dave Jones gave his post match reaction to the 0-0 draw against Queens Park Rangers at Ninian Park.
"They came with a game plan and unfortunately we didn't unlock the door. We had some good chances in the first half and some in the second half.
"But they weren't going to come out, I mean Gavin Mahon sat in front of the back four and probably my grounds man is a bit annoyed with him because he's done a ten yard rip of the pitch because that's all he's moved throughout the game.
"They did the job and they came with that plan and it worked, we have to accept that there's nothing we can do. We tried to break them down and unfortunately today we didn't do that.
"They had a chance at the end but I think today Mark Kennedy was the best player on the pitch, I thought he was magnificent today. We are trying to win the match and sometimes you leave yourself a little bit wide open.
"They strung five across and one up front and they made it really difficult for us. They wouldn't let our full-backs to get out. So they've done their job and we needed to score early just to get them to come out and it's very difficult. You've got to look at it as a point gained, that's the way to look at it because it's a clean sheet. If we can keep clean sheets then we've got a chance of going down the other end and scoring." Cardiff Official Site
Sporting Life - STALEMATE FRUSTRATES JONES
- Cardiff boss Dave Jones rued his team's lack of a cutting edge in their goalless stalemate with fellow promotion chasers QPR at Ninian Park.
Michael Chopra and Ross McCormack had a couple of fleeting scoring opportunities but the game's main danger man was former Cardiff loan player Wayne Routledge, whose speed had the home defence in trouble on a number of occasions.
"It was a hard game for us and it seems now that every game we play at home is hard," said Jones.
"They came with a plan and we couldn't open the door.
"We have to accept that we were unable to break them down, although we did create chances, but they have done their job and you have to look at it as another point gained.
"We do exactly the same when we play away from home and, though they tried to catch us on the break, they never really troubled us."
City could have been ahead as early as the fourth minute when a McCormack corner was met by Darren Purse but the ball was hacked off the visitors' line.
Routledge outpaced Mark Kennedy six minutes later and crossed to Liam Miller but Dimi Konstantopoulos came out quickly to block.
Despite jeers from home fans every time Routledge touched the ball, he was a dangerous outlet for Rangers and a clever back flick almost put Heidar Helguson through but Purse snuffed out the danger.
Roger Johnson came to City's rescue early in the second half with a tackle on Damien Delaney after the Rangers' full back was allowed to run free from the half-way line.
Midway through the second half, Chopra raced onto a miskick but, with only Radek Cerny to beat, he skewed his shot well wide.
Routledge fashioned a couple of chances that came to nothing late in the game as both sides had to settle for a point.
Rangers manager Paulo Sousa was very satisfied with his side's performance.
"We played very well against a team that wants to be in the Premier League next season," he said.
"After last week's poor performance against Ipswich, we showed everyone that we can play good football.
"We have played well and created a lot of chances but we still need to win these games.
"When we don't get three points after playing so well it is frustrating but I'm always proud of the players, especially after coming here to a difficult place and doing so well." Sporting Life
MATCH REPORTS
Daily Mail/Darren Witcoop - QPR boss Sousa still confident as Routledge misses his chance for revenge
- Wayne Routledge missed his chance to gain sweet revenge as promotion-chasing Cardiff were let off the hook in an error-strewn clash at Ninian Park.
- Cardiff have now gone seven home matches without conceding, but their stubborn defence should have been breached by Routledge.
- The winger, who was jeered after rejecting a move from Aston Villa to Cardiff in favour of the mega-rich Londoners last month, spurned a late chance to propel Rangers deservedly back into the play-off contention.
- Boss Paulo Sousa said: ‘It was a game we should have won. It would have been nice for him to score a goal after the treatment he had. But he is a good player. He has skill to win games for us. I believe he will score goals for us as well.
- ‘I’m proud of the players as they came to a difficult place and a difficult team and deserved to win. It was a great response from my players and I think we can still make the play-offs.’
- Cardiff had chances of their own after a poor game finally kick-started into life after the break. But striker Michael Chopra twice failed to hit the target when well placed before Ross McCormack blazed inches over.
- Yet it was the visitors who were in the ascendancy in the closing stages, only for Routledge to miss the target after a poor Dimi Konstantopoulos clearance.
- Cardiff boss Dave Jones saw his side fail to make ground on the top two, but said: ‘Every game we play is hard. QPR came with a game-plan but we didn’t lock the door. We had some good chances.
- ‘We are trying to win matches and you do leave yourself open at times. We needed to score early to get them to come out. We have to look at it as a point gained so I’m pleased with that.’ Daily Mail
SPORTING LIFE - BLUEBIRDS SURGE STALLED BY RANGERS
- Cardiff moved back up to fourth place in the Coca-Cola Championship after a dull stalemate with fellow play-off chasers QPR.
- The Bluebirds had four games in hand on leaders Wolves before the game and sat 12 points behind and will probably view this as a missed chance in their bid to gatecrash the automatic promotion places.
- Their best efforts came from Michael Chopra, but after a poor first half at Ninian Park, it was the visitors who had the better of the second half.
But they - like their opponents - were unable to create any clear-cut chances and Rangers stay 11th in the table.
A lacklustre first half was almost bereft of chances, although Chopra did force an early save from Radek Cerny in the Rangers goal, before Gavin Rae blasted wide of the target after a long ball had been cleared out to him.
QPR had offered next to nothing going forward in the first half, but they started the second-half the better and Cook had a shot blocked before being fouled by Rae but Miller slammed the resulting free-kick straight into the wall.
But Cardiff, too, showed much more initiative after the break and Chopra shot at Cerny before Ross McCormack blazed over from inside the box.
The home fans shouted for a penalty when Paul Parry went down under a challenge from Mahon, but the visitors almost won it right at the death when Routledge broke down the right but his cross evaded both Dexter Blackstock and Cook as Cardiff made it 13 league games unbeaten. Sporting Life
QPR Official Site
An entertaining clash between two good footballing sides ended in a 0-0 stalemate, as Cardiff City battled a Queens Park Rangers side eager to continue their fine form on the road.
Heidar Helguson had the best opportunity of the match, connecting with Mikele Leigertwood's fine cross, but could only steer his effort wide from eight yards.
But in truth, it was one of many Rangers chances, as the visitors dominated for large spells, silencing the Ninian Park faithful. Wayne Routledge, on his return to familiar territory, and Damien Delaney both had efforts that just failed to find the mark.
But it remained goalless, meaning Rangers continued their impressive form on their travels.
Paulo Sousa made three changes from the 3-1 defeat against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Radek Cerny, Damion Stewart and Helguson all returned, with Lee Camp, Fitz Hall and Samuel Di Carmine making way.
The latter two dropped to the bench, alongside Dexter Blackstock, Matteo Alberti and recent addition Jòrdi Lopez.
Bluebirds boss Dave Jones was forced into changes of his own, with defender Gabor Gyepes and key man Jay Bothroyd both missing out.
Jones drafted in Darren Purse and Chris Burke in their absence, which meant former Birmingham City loanee Quincy Owusu-Abeyie had to make do with a place amongst the City substitutes.
With both sides trading possession in the early exchanges, it was the home side who nearly broke the deadlock.
When Roger Johnson headed on a corner, Purse's well-hit volley deflected off a grounded Gavin Mahon and drew a fantastic reaction save out of the returning Cerny.
Rangers struck back, and Matt Connolly's long ball released Routledge down the right. His pull back found Liam Miller bursting into the box. Instead of shooting first time, the Irishman took a touch that took him too wide and Dimi Konstantopolous smothered well.
It was safe to say, however, that the Bluebirds were just about shading it. Damien Delaney's error allowed Ross McCormack a clear sight of goal, but fortunately for the left back, the Scot blazed over.
Seconds later, neat build-up handed Gavin Rae a similar opportunity, but he blasted his effort wide of the target. Cardiff were, however, getting closer.
Joe Ledley managed to squeeze in one last chance before the first half drew to a close. A cracking through-ball from local hero Michael Chopra released him driving into the box and as he let rip with his left foot, across flew Kaspars Gorkss to superbly block the attempt.
The second half opened with Chopra trying his luck from fully 25 yards, before McCormack once again sent a shot into the stands.
Those two efforts were quickly followed up by Connolly attempting a left-footed drive from 25 yards that flew harmlessly high and wide.
The long range thunderbolts were raining in thick and fast - Cardiff left-back Kennedy attempting a speculative right-footer, whilst Chopra fired high and wide out wide to the right.
Sousa made his first change minutes before the hour mark, hauling off the hard-working Miller and introducing Alberti.
Rangers very nearly fashioned their first real clear -chance of the half, as Delaney played a neat one-two with Helguson before bursting into the box. Before he could snap off a shot, the ball was swept from his feet by the covering Johnson.
Delaney was clearly in the mood as he tried again a couple of minutes later, only to fire high and wide.
Rangers were enjoying a spell of dominance and could've gone ahead but for a touch more luck. Mahon's deflected strike from 30 yards whizzed right into the grateful arms of Konstantopolous, whilst a thundering drive from Routledge, eager to silence the boo-boys, whistled narrowly over.
More was to come seconds later. Lee Cook's left-wing cross found an unmarked Helguson, but the Icelander miscued his left-footed volley and it bounced harmlessly wide.
Helguson should've scored some minutes later as he darted towards the near post for Leigertwood's centre, only to see his half-volley from eight yards roll wide.
With minutes remaining, Sousa threw on Blackstock and Di Carmine in a bid to snatch the points and make the most of Rangers' spell of domination. But despite Routledge's cross shot at the death flying wide of goal, it was not to be, as the R's were forced to settle for a share of the spoils."
QPR
CARDIFF OFFICIAL SITE/by Ashley James and Mark Denham
Snapshot
The Bluebirds moved up to fourth in the Coca-Cola Championship on Wednesday evening despite drawing 0-0 with QPR at Ninian Park. Darren Purse and Michael Chopra had chances to win the game for City, though the away side could have easily snatched the three points at the death with two good opportunites.
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Full match report to follow.
Team News: Cardiff made two changes from the side that started at Wolves just three days before; Chris Burke, a first-half replacement for Jay Bothroyd at Molineux continued in the strikers absence which meant Ross McCormack reverted to his usual position up-top alongside Michael Chopra. The other switch came at the back where Darren Purse returned to the starting XI in place of the injured Gabor Gyepes. Dimi Konstantopoulos made his first appearance at Ninian Park and with no other senior goalkeeper in the squad, Cardiff entered their second league match in a row without a safety net on the bench. The substitutes did feature Quincy Owusu-Abeyie though, who was yet to step onto a football field as a Cardiff City player.
Chronological Report: Cardiff really needed a good start to alleviate any lingering disappointment that still existed from the closing stages of the Wolves match. After just four minutes Darren Purse very nearly gave them that perfect start only to be foiled by a stray Ranger's boot. Ross McCormack won a corner over on the left with some fine direct running and from the delivery Roger Johnson's flick-on found the swinging left-boot of Purse who drilled in a volley only to see it blocked by the boot of a defender just in front of Radek Cerny in the R's goal who had got down well to his left.
The visitor's first meaningful foray came after ten minutes when Wayne Routledge collected the ball wide on the right and found Liam Miller inside the box with his cut-back. The Irishman's first touch took him away from John son but allowed Konstantopoulos to rush out and smother the ball near the by-line.
The match was hardly fizzing with free flowing football as the ball spent the majority of it's time bogged down in an overflowing and highly combative midfield area or somewhere near the Ninian Park floodlights. There were brief reminders of the talent on display though with Routledge looking bright if not exactly eager to get involved while Cardiff carved open a half-chance after eighteen minutes. Chris Burke flighted in a pass from the right touchline which McCormack did well to control on his chest and turn on goal, his neatly disguised lay-off found Gavin Rae on the edge of the box but unfortunately his thunderous drive was of more direct concern to those in the Canton Stand than Ranger's 'keeper Cerny.
The first half continued to labour on by and just before the half-hour mark Routledge again provided a spark of inspiration for the visitors. He collected a sweeping pass out to him with a world-class first touch from the touchline which took him in behind Mark Kennedy. Our Irishman kept his footing as the two came together again unlike Routledge who went down just inside the area. From my vantage point it looked like a situation from which I've seen penalties given, luckily Referee Mr East didn't do so on this occasion.
Disjointed passage with Cardiff still yet to really get into the match or hold onto the ball for any length of time, really looked to be missing the hold up ability of jay while the extra body in the qpr midfield was working exactly as intended.
The last chance to break the first half milieu fell to the home side in the thirty-ninth minute. A great pass from Michael Chopra sprung Joe Ledley in behind the Ranger's defence, his first touch took him inside the box but his shot was brilliantly blocked by the sliding challenge of Kaspars Gorkss.
Half Time: CARDIFF CITY 0 - 0 Queens Park Rangers
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Cardiff City Substitution: Miguel Comminges for Kevin McNaughton (46mins)
The second half began in far more optimistic fashion as within the opening seconds Lee Cook had a bright direct run through the heart of the Cardiff midfield and had his ankles clipped by Ledley. Miller struck the set-piece from around twenty-five yards out and only succeeded in forcing the wall into doing their job, one which they did admirably.
With little being created through general means both sides spent the next ten minutes or so trading audacious long range efforts with mixed results. Chopra had a go with one that dipped awkwardly in front of Cerny from the left while McCormack also blazed over from that side of the box after gliding past two defenders. Matthew Connolly stepped up in repost for our visitors only to see his shot sail over like a sweetly struck rugby conversion while Kennedy rounded off the festivities with a high, wide and ugly effort from just off the left touchline.
Queens Park Rangers Substitution: Matteo Alberti for Liam Miller (53mins)
The hour mark brought about a chance for City as Paul Parry won a flick on which found Chopra down the right channel. He raced onto the ball on the right hand corner of the box and with Damion Stewart steaming across to close him down he struck his shot early by blazed over.
Cardiff looked desperate to push on a snatch a goal and with the game opening up chances began to arrive at both ends. A great rampaging run by Damien Delaney and a neat one-two with Heidar Helguson put the full back through on goal only for Roger Johnson to rescue the situation by getting across at the last second.
That had easily been the visitor's best chance to date and Cardiff's was quick to follow; a Burke cross deflected into the path of Chopra who otherwise would have been offside by a country mile, but with the goal at his mercy his scuffed his shot horribly wide across the six yard box. That would prove to be his last contribution as seconds later he hobbled off to be replaced by Peter Whittingham.
Cardiff City Substitution: Peter Whittingham for Michael Chopra (65mins)
Cardiff City Substitution: Quincy Owusu-Abeyie for Chris Burke (73mins)
Our visitors were struggling to really penetrate the Cardiff defence but in the seventy-sixth minute they were nearly handed a scoring chance by our misdoings. A poor back-pass from Kennedy needlessly put Konstantopoulos under pressure and meant he directed an equally poor clearance straight to Routledge twenty yards out on the right but luckily he flashed his shot wide.
In the last ten minutes Rangers created two genuinely great chances to claim all three points. Firstly Lee Cook led a break-away down the left and swung a cross over to Helguson at the back post who miss-hit his volley into the ground and wide not unlike Emanuel Adebayor's miss for Arsenal here a month or so before. The second chance also fell to Helguson and again it opened up down the left. This time it was Mikele Leigertwood who got forward well and hit his Icelandic striker at the near post who thankfully side-footed wide under Roger Johnson's challenge.
The second chance has come directly from a decent looking penalty claim by the Bluebirds. Whittingham fed McCormack at the edge of the area who himself found Parry just inside with the former going down over a trailing leg as he turned on goal. The referee disagreed much to Parry's disbelief while Rangers launched their attack.
Queens Park Rangers Substitution: Dexter Blackstock for Gavin Mahon (89mins)
Queens Park Rangers Substitution: Samuel Di Carmini for Heidar Helguson (90+1mins)
With time almost expired Cardiff were up to their old tricks again and allowed their visitors one final chance as Routledge finally shook free of Kennedy's shackles and flashed a vicious ball across the face of the goal which incredibly avoided taking a match winning touch off anyone.
Full Time: CARDIFF CITY 0 - 0 Queens Park Rangers
Cardiff City: Konstantopoulos, McNaughton (Comminges 46mins), R. Johnson, Purse, Kennedy, Burke (Owusu-Abeyie 73mins), Rae, Ledley, Parry, McCormack, Chopra (Whittingham 65mins).
Subs not used: Scimeca, E. Johnson.
Queens Park Rangers: Cerny, Delaney, Gorkss, Stewart, Connolly, Mahon (Blackstock 89mins), Miller (Alberti 53mins), Leigertwood, Cook, Routledge, (Helguson (Di Carmini 90+1mins).
Subs not used: Hall, Lopez.
Referee: R. East
Attendance: 17,340 Cardiff
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- See Also: "Ian Holloway Appointed QPR Manager: Flashback: Eight Years Ago Today" (And a Reminder of a High Point)
After the Cardiff draw, QPR have 13 games remaining! QPR are currently 11th with 48 points from 33 games: Five points behind Cardiff (31 games), Bristol City (34 games) and Preston North End (34 games) who are all in playoff positions - League Table
MANAGERIAL COMMENTS
Sousa /QPR Official Site SOUSA: WE DESERVED MORE
-Paulo Sousa was full of praise for his side following the 0-0 draw against promotion-chasing Cardiff City.
- Rangers enjoyed long spells of possession against the Bluebirds, and created a number of excellent opportunities in front of goal, much to the delight of their gaffer.
- "We lost two points today. We showed a lot of personality and character and created a lot of opportunities, playing fantastic football," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
- "After the game against Ipswich we received a lot of criticism. We didn't play well then, but today we sent out a very positive message to those people, with a good performance against a Club with big ambitions for the Premier League.
- "They have invested a lot and this is also a very difficult place to come, with a strong atmosphere. But we showed personality, playing fantastic football.
- "We could have won the game easily, but it didn't happen, but that is no fault of my players, who gave me excellent effort."
- Sousa singled out the efforts of stand-in skipper Gavin Mahon, who shone from start to finish in the heart of the R's midfield engine room.
- "Gavin showed what a good professional and good player he is tonight," said Sousa.
- "You can have bad moments sometimes, but it is how you respond and he showed great character."
- The draw left Rangers five points adrift of the top-six, with a game in hand on most of their nearest rivals, prompting Sousa to add: "We have always been very close to the top-six.
- "With two or three wins, you can go up the league significantly.
- "Playing like we played tonight, we need to believe that anything is possible.
- "I always say that to my players - believe in yourselves, because you can play very good football and win, just believe it.
- "We have overcome the barrier of winning away in recent months, and now we are playing good football too.
- "With good energy from everyone, and not criticism, we can make things possible."
QPR Official
Cardiff Official/Jones - DAVES VIEW: THE HOOPS
- City manager Dave Jones gave his post match reaction to the 0-0 draw against Queens Park Rangers at Ninian Park.
"They came with a game plan and unfortunately we didn't unlock the door. We had some good chances in the first half and some in the second half.
"But they weren't going to come out, I mean Gavin Mahon sat in front of the back four and probably my grounds man is a bit annoyed with him because he's done a ten yard rip of the pitch because that's all he's moved throughout the game.
"They did the job and they came with that plan and it worked, we have to accept that there's nothing we can do. We tried to break them down and unfortunately today we didn't do that.
"They had a chance at the end but I think today Mark Kennedy was the best player on the pitch, I thought he was magnificent today. We are trying to win the match and sometimes you leave yourself a little bit wide open.
"They strung five across and one up front and they made it really difficult for us. They wouldn't let our full-backs to get out. So they've done their job and we needed to score early just to get them to come out and it's very difficult. You've got to look at it as a point gained, that's the way to look at it because it's a clean sheet. If we can keep clean sheets then we've got a chance of going down the other end and scoring." Cardiff Official Site
Sporting Life - STALEMATE FRUSTRATES JONES
- Cardiff boss Dave Jones rued his team's lack of a cutting edge in their goalless stalemate with fellow promotion chasers QPR at Ninian Park.
Michael Chopra and Ross McCormack had a couple of fleeting scoring opportunities but the game's main danger man was former Cardiff loan player Wayne Routledge, whose speed had the home defence in trouble on a number of occasions.
"It was a hard game for us and it seems now that every game we play at home is hard," said Jones.
"They came with a plan and we couldn't open the door.
"We have to accept that we were unable to break them down, although we did create chances, but they have done their job and you have to look at it as another point gained.
"We do exactly the same when we play away from home and, though they tried to catch us on the break, they never really troubled us."
City could have been ahead as early as the fourth minute when a McCormack corner was met by Darren Purse but the ball was hacked off the visitors' line.
Routledge outpaced Mark Kennedy six minutes later and crossed to Liam Miller but Dimi Konstantopoulos came out quickly to block.
Despite jeers from home fans every time Routledge touched the ball, he was a dangerous outlet for Rangers and a clever back flick almost put Heidar Helguson through but Purse snuffed out the danger.
Roger Johnson came to City's rescue early in the second half with a tackle on Damien Delaney after the Rangers' full back was allowed to run free from the half-way line.
Midway through the second half, Chopra raced onto a miskick but, with only Radek Cerny to beat, he skewed his shot well wide.
Routledge fashioned a couple of chances that came to nothing late in the game as both sides had to settle for a point.
Rangers manager Paulo Sousa was very satisfied with his side's performance.
"We played very well against a team that wants to be in the Premier League next season," he said.
"After last week's poor performance against Ipswich, we showed everyone that we can play good football.
"We have played well and created a lot of chances but we still need to win these games.
"When we don't get three points after playing so well it is frustrating but I'm always proud of the players, especially after coming here to a difficult place and doing so well." Sporting Life
MATCH REPORTS
Daily Mail/Darren Witcoop - QPR boss Sousa still confident as Routledge misses his chance for revenge
- Wayne Routledge missed his chance to gain sweet revenge as promotion-chasing Cardiff were let off the hook in an error-strewn clash at Ninian Park.
- Cardiff have now gone seven home matches without conceding, but their stubborn defence should have been breached by Routledge.
- The winger, who was jeered after rejecting a move from Aston Villa to Cardiff in favour of the mega-rich Londoners last month, spurned a late chance to propel Rangers deservedly back into the play-off contention.
- Boss Paulo Sousa said: ‘It was a game we should have won. It would have been nice for him to score a goal after the treatment he had. But he is a good player. He has skill to win games for us. I believe he will score goals for us as well.
- ‘I’m proud of the players as they came to a difficult place and a difficult team and deserved to win. It was a great response from my players and I think we can still make the play-offs.’
- Cardiff had chances of their own after a poor game finally kick-started into life after the break. But striker Michael Chopra twice failed to hit the target when well placed before Ross McCormack blazed inches over.
- Yet it was the visitors who were in the ascendancy in the closing stages, only for Routledge to miss the target after a poor Dimi Konstantopoulos clearance.
- Cardiff boss Dave Jones saw his side fail to make ground on the top two, but said: ‘Every game we play is hard. QPR came with a game-plan but we didn’t lock the door. We had some good chances.
- ‘We are trying to win matches and you do leave yourself open at times. We needed to score early to get them to come out. We have to look at it as a point gained so I’m pleased with that.’ Daily Mail
SPORTING LIFE - BLUEBIRDS SURGE STALLED BY RANGERS
- Cardiff moved back up to fourth place in the Coca-Cola Championship after a dull stalemate with fellow play-off chasers QPR.
- The Bluebirds had four games in hand on leaders Wolves before the game and sat 12 points behind and will probably view this as a missed chance in their bid to gatecrash the automatic promotion places.
- Their best efforts came from Michael Chopra, but after a poor first half at Ninian Park, it was the visitors who had the better of the second half.
But they - like their opponents - were unable to create any clear-cut chances and Rangers stay 11th in the table.
A lacklustre first half was almost bereft of chances, although Chopra did force an early save from Radek Cerny in the Rangers goal, before Gavin Rae blasted wide of the target after a long ball had been cleared out to him.
QPR had offered next to nothing going forward in the first half, but they started the second-half the better and Cook had a shot blocked before being fouled by Rae but Miller slammed the resulting free-kick straight into the wall.
But Cardiff, too, showed much more initiative after the break and Chopra shot at Cerny before Ross McCormack blazed over from inside the box.
The home fans shouted for a penalty when Paul Parry went down under a challenge from Mahon, but the visitors almost won it right at the death when Routledge broke down the right but his cross evaded both Dexter Blackstock and Cook as Cardiff made it 13 league games unbeaten. Sporting Life
QPR Official Site
An entertaining clash between two good footballing sides ended in a 0-0 stalemate, as Cardiff City battled a Queens Park Rangers side eager to continue their fine form on the road.
Heidar Helguson had the best opportunity of the match, connecting with Mikele Leigertwood's fine cross, but could only steer his effort wide from eight yards.
But in truth, it was one of many Rangers chances, as the visitors dominated for large spells, silencing the Ninian Park faithful. Wayne Routledge, on his return to familiar territory, and Damien Delaney both had efforts that just failed to find the mark.
But it remained goalless, meaning Rangers continued their impressive form on their travels.
Paulo Sousa made three changes from the 3-1 defeat against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Radek Cerny, Damion Stewart and Helguson all returned, with Lee Camp, Fitz Hall and Samuel Di Carmine making way.
The latter two dropped to the bench, alongside Dexter Blackstock, Matteo Alberti and recent addition Jòrdi Lopez.
Bluebirds boss Dave Jones was forced into changes of his own, with defender Gabor Gyepes and key man Jay Bothroyd both missing out.
Jones drafted in Darren Purse and Chris Burke in their absence, which meant former Birmingham City loanee Quincy Owusu-Abeyie had to make do with a place amongst the City substitutes.
With both sides trading possession in the early exchanges, it was the home side who nearly broke the deadlock.
When Roger Johnson headed on a corner, Purse's well-hit volley deflected off a grounded Gavin Mahon and drew a fantastic reaction save out of the returning Cerny.
Rangers struck back, and Matt Connolly's long ball released Routledge down the right. His pull back found Liam Miller bursting into the box. Instead of shooting first time, the Irishman took a touch that took him too wide and Dimi Konstantopolous smothered well.
It was safe to say, however, that the Bluebirds were just about shading it. Damien Delaney's error allowed Ross McCormack a clear sight of goal, but fortunately for the left back, the Scot blazed over.
Seconds later, neat build-up handed Gavin Rae a similar opportunity, but he blasted his effort wide of the target. Cardiff were, however, getting closer.
Joe Ledley managed to squeeze in one last chance before the first half drew to a close. A cracking through-ball from local hero Michael Chopra released him driving into the box and as he let rip with his left foot, across flew Kaspars Gorkss to superbly block the attempt.
The second half opened with Chopra trying his luck from fully 25 yards, before McCormack once again sent a shot into the stands.
Those two efforts were quickly followed up by Connolly attempting a left-footed drive from 25 yards that flew harmlessly high and wide.
The long range thunderbolts were raining in thick and fast - Cardiff left-back Kennedy attempting a speculative right-footer, whilst Chopra fired high and wide out wide to the right.
Sousa made his first change minutes before the hour mark, hauling off the hard-working Miller and introducing Alberti.
Rangers very nearly fashioned their first real clear -chance of the half, as Delaney played a neat one-two with Helguson before bursting into the box. Before he could snap off a shot, the ball was swept from his feet by the covering Johnson.
Delaney was clearly in the mood as he tried again a couple of minutes later, only to fire high and wide.
Rangers were enjoying a spell of dominance and could've gone ahead but for a touch more luck. Mahon's deflected strike from 30 yards whizzed right into the grateful arms of Konstantopolous, whilst a thundering drive from Routledge, eager to silence the boo-boys, whistled narrowly over.
More was to come seconds later. Lee Cook's left-wing cross found an unmarked Helguson, but the Icelander miscued his left-footed volley and it bounced harmlessly wide.
Helguson should've scored some minutes later as he darted towards the near post for Leigertwood's centre, only to see his half-volley from eight yards roll wide.
With minutes remaining, Sousa threw on Blackstock and Di Carmine in a bid to snatch the points and make the most of Rangers' spell of domination. But despite Routledge's cross shot at the death flying wide of goal, it was not to be, as the R's were forced to settle for a share of the spoils."
QPR
CARDIFF OFFICIAL SITE/by Ashley James and Mark Denham
Snapshot
The Bluebirds moved up to fourth in the Coca-Cola Championship on Wednesday evening despite drawing 0-0 with QPR at Ninian Park. Darren Purse and Michael Chopra had chances to win the game for City, though the away side could have easily snatched the three points at the death with two good opportunites.
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Full match report to follow.
Team News: Cardiff made two changes from the side that started at Wolves just three days before; Chris Burke, a first-half replacement for Jay Bothroyd at Molineux continued in the strikers absence which meant Ross McCormack reverted to his usual position up-top alongside Michael Chopra. The other switch came at the back where Darren Purse returned to the starting XI in place of the injured Gabor Gyepes. Dimi Konstantopoulos made his first appearance at Ninian Park and with no other senior goalkeeper in the squad, Cardiff entered their second league match in a row without a safety net on the bench. The substitutes did feature Quincy Owusu-Abeyie though, who was yet to step onto a football field as a Cardiff City player.
Chronological Report: Cardiff really needed a good start to alleviate any lingering disappointment that still existed from the closing stages of the Wolves match. After just four minutes Darren Purse very nearly gave them that perfect start only to be foiled by a stray Ranger's boot. Ross McCormack won a corner over on the left with some fine direct running and from the delivery Roger Johnson's flick-on found the swinging left-boot of Purse who drilled in a volley only to see it blocked by the boot of a defender just in front of Radek Cerny in the R's goal who had got down well to his left.
The visitor's first meaningful foray came after ten minutes when Wayne Routledge collected the ball wide on the right and found Liam Miller inside the box with his cut-back. The Irishman's first touch took him away from John son but allowed Konstantopoulos to rush out and smother the ball near the by-line.
The match was hardly fizzing with free flowing football as the ball spent the majority of it's time bogged down in an overflowing and highly combative midfield area or somewhere near the Ninian Park floodlights. There were brief reminders of the talent on display though with Routledge looking bright if not exactly eager to get involved while Cardiff carved open a half-chance after eighteen minutes. Chris Burke flighted in a pass from the right touchline which McCormack did well to control on his chest and turn on goal, his neatly disguised lay-off found Gavin Rae on the edge of the box but unfortunately his thunderous drive was of more direct concern to those in the Canton Stand than Ranger's 'keeper Cerny.
The first half continued to labour on by and just before the half-hour mark Routledge again provided a spark of inspiration for the visitors. He collected a sweeping pass out to him with a world-class first touch from the touchline which took him in behind Mark Kennedy. Our Irishman kept his footing as the two came together again unlike Routledge who went down just inside the area. From my vantage point it looked like a situation from which I've seen penalties given, luckily Referee Mr East didn't do so on this occasion.
Disjointed passage with Cardiff still yet to really get into the match or hold onto the ball for any length of time, really looked to be missing the hold up ability of jay while the extra body in the qpr midfield was working exactly as intended.
The last chance to break the first half milieu fell to the home side in the thirty-ninth minute. A great pass from Michael Chopra sprung Joe Ledley in behind the Ranger's defence, his first touch took him inside the box but his shot was brilliantly blocked by the sliding challenge of Kaspars Gorkss.
Half Time: CARDIFF CITY 0 - 0 Queens Park Rangers
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Cardiff City Substitution: Miguel Comminges for Kevin McNaughton (46mins)
The second half began in far more optimistic fashion as within the opening seconds Lee Cook had a bright direct run through the heart of the Cardiff midfield and had his ankles clipped by Ledley. Miller struck the set-piece from around twenty-five yards out and only succeeded in forcing the wall into doing their job, one which they did admirably.
With little being created through general means both sides spent the next ten minutes or so trading audacious long range efforts with mixed results. Chopra had a go with one that dipped awkwardly in front of Cerny from the left while McCormack also blazed over from that side of the box after gliding past two defenders. Matthew Connolly stepped up in repost for our visitors only to see his shot sail over like a sweetly struck rugby conversion while Kennedy rounded off the festivities with a high, wide and ugly effort from just off the left touchline.
Queens Park Rangers Substitution: Matteo Alberti for Liam Miller (53mins)
The hour mark brought about a chance for City as Paul Parry won a flick on which found Chopra down the right channel. He raced onto the ball on the right hand corner of the box and with Damion Stewart steaming across to close him down he struck his shot early by blazed over.
Cardiff looked desperate to push on a snatch a goal and with the game opening up chances began to arrive at both ends. A great rampaging run by Damien Delaney and a neat one-two with Heidar Helguson put the full back through on goal only for Roger Johnson to rescue the situation by getting across at the last second.
That had easily been the visitor's best chance to date and Cardiff's was quick to follow; a Burke cross deflected into the path of Chopra who otherwise would have been offside by a country mile, but with the goal at his mercy his scuffed his shot horribly wide across the six yard box. That would prove to be his last contribution as seconds later he hobbled off to be replaced by Peter Whittingham.
Cardiff City Substitution: Peter Whittingham for Michael Chopra (65mins)
Cardiff City Substitution: Quincy Owusu-Abeyie for Chris Burke (73mins)
Our visitors were struggling to really penetrate the Cardiff defence but in the seventy-sixth minute they were nearly handed a scoring chance by our misdoings. A poor back-pass from Kennedy needlessly put Konstantopoulos under pressure and meant he directed an equally poor clearance straight to Routledge twenty yards out on the right but luckily he flashed his shot wide.
In the last ten minutes Rangers created two genuinely great chances to claim all three points. Firstly Lee Cook led a break-away down the left and swung a cross over to Helguson at the back post who miss-hit his volley into the ground and wide not unlike Emanuel Adebayor's miss for Arsenal here a month or so before. The second chance also fell to Helguson and again it opened up down the left. This time it was Mikele Leigertwood who got forward well and hit his Icelandic striker at the near post who thankfully side-footed wide under Roger Johnson's challenge.
The second chance has come directly from a decent looking penalty claim by the Bluebirds. Whittingham fed McCormack at the edge of the area who himself found Parry just inside with the former going down over a trailing leg as he turned on goal. The referee disagreed much to Parry's disbelief while Rangers launched their attack.
Queens Park Rangers Substitution: Dexter Blackstock for Gavin Mahon (89mins)
Queens Park Rangers Substitution: Samuel Di Carmini for Heidar Helguson (90+1mins)
With time almost expired Cardiff were up to their old tricks again and allowed their visitors one final chance as Routledge finally shook free of Kennedy's shackles and flashed a vicious ball across the face of the goal which incredibly avoided taking a match winning touch off anyone.
Full Time: CARDIFF CITY 0 - 0 Queens Park Rangers
Cardiff City: Konstantopoulos, McNaughton (Comminges 46mins), R. Johnson, Purse, Kennedy, Burke (Owusu-Abeyie 73mins), Rae, Ledley, Parry, McCormack, Chopra (Whittingham 65mins).
Subs not used: Scimeca, E. Johnson.
Queens Park Rangers: Cerny, Delaney, Gorkss, Stewart, Connolly, Mahon (Blackstock 89mins), Miller (Alberti 53mins), Leigertwood, Cook, Routledge, (Helguson (Di Carmini 90+1mins).
Subs not used: Hall, Lopez.
Referee: R. East
Attendance: 17,340 Cardiff
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- Voting for your sites of choice in the Fanzine Awards
* “Best Football League - Print” - [A Kick Up The R's]
* “Best Football League - Online” - QPR AKUTRS.co.uk - QPR LoftForWords.co.uk - QPR QPR.vitalfootball.co.uk - QPR QPRNet.com
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Teams for QPR at Cardiff
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CARDIFF v QPR - TEAM NEWS
Cardiff City: Konstantopoulos, McNaughton, Rae, Purse, Parry, R Johnson, Ledley, Chopra, Kennedy, Burke, McCormack.
Subs: Whittingham, E Johnson, Owusu-Abeyie, Comminges, Scimeca.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon, Leigertwood, Routledge, Gorkss, Connolly, Cook, Miller, Helguson.
Subs: Hall, Blackstock, Lòpez, Alberti, Di Carmine
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CARDIFF v QPR - TEAM NEWS
Cardiff City: Konstantopoulos, McNaughton, Rae, Purse, Parry, R Johnson, Ledley, Chopra, Kennedy, Burke, McCormack.
Subs: Whittingham, E Johnson, Owusu-Abeyie, Comminges, Scimeca.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon, Leigertwood, Routledge, Gorkss, Connolly, Cook, Miller, Helguson.
Subs: Hall, Blackstock, Lòpez, Alberti, Di Carmine
Gorkss Happy....Balanta Can be Rare "HomeGrown" Who Actually Makes it at QPR...Post Ipswich Game
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Virgina Media -Gorkss relishing Rs return
QPR defender Kaspars Gorkss is relieved to have put a disappointing start to his Loftus Road career behind him, having cemented his place in the side.
Gorkss, who joined Rangers in the summer after a protracted transfer from Blackpool, struggled for form and fitness initially and found himself out of the side.
But an injury to fellow centre-half Fitz Hall in November prompted boss Paulo Sousa to hand the Latvian a recall and he has not looked back with some commanding displays at the heart of the Hoops' defence.
"I'm really pleased with my form at the moment," he said.
"I still think there's a long way for me to go personally, but I'm quite content with how I have settled into the side.
"The start of the season was very hard for me, but I've got my confidence back now and I'm really looking forward to the run-in." Virgin Media
Virgin Media - Stewart returns for Rs
Damion Stewart is likely to be recalled to the QPR defence for the trip to Cardiff.
The Jamaica international was rested for Saturday's visit of Ipswich, with Fitz Hall stepping into the back-line, but with Rangers slipping to a 3-1 defeat boss Paulo Sousa will be tempted into changes.
Goalkeeper Radek Cerny is still struggling with a hamstring injury so Lee Camp keeps his place in goal.
Striker Heidar Helguson came on during the second half against Ipswich following a calf injury and is pushing for a start.
Sousa must decide whether to take Gavin Mahon out of the firing line after the midfielder and stand-in skipper was barracked by his own fans following a poor display on Saturday.
Spanish midfielder Jordi Lopez is still waiting to make his debut after joining as a free agent last week and could be on the bench but captain Martin Rowlands, fellow midfielder Akos Buzsaky (both knee) and strikers Patrick Agyemang (thigh) and Rowan Vine (leg) are still out. " Virgin Media
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Angelo can be the exception
YOU can count on one hand the number of homegrown players who have fashioned anything resembling a QPR career during the past decade.
But Angelo Balanta is aiming to buck that trend after returning from his successful loan spell at Wycombe to try and nail down a place in the Rangers line-up.
And the teenage forward, who came on as a second-half substitute in the Rs' 3-1 defeat by Ipswich, says he is not worried about being weighed down by the expectation of fans keen to finally see an in-house talent flourish.
"I don't necessarily feel more pressure," Balanta told the Times. "There are people like Romone Rose and Joe Oastler coming through as well, so it isn't just up to me.
"It's about working hard and achieving your goals. Wycombe was a good experience for me - they were top of the league at the time and I got a few games and a few goals under my belt.
"Now I'm back at QPR and I want to get a few games here. Hopefully I'll get my opportunity to play football, because I love it."
The skilful 18-year-old was handed his first-team debut by former QPR boss Luigi de Canio just over a year ago, but has since notched up a further 20 appearances under Iain Dowie and Paulo Sousa.
And Balanta has been greatly encouraged by the words of the present Loftus Road coach since the end of his two and a half month stay with the League Two promotion hopefuls.
"Basically the gaffer said to me 'you're a good player, I don't have to tell you that, but you have to work hard to get in the team because there's a good squad, as you know. Work hard, sooner or later you'll get an opportunity and you have to take it.'
"Obviously you know that they could buy any player realistically, so it was good to hear that the gaffer liked me.
"He prefers to play with two wingers and that suits me as well, coming in off the left flank and getting shots in. But whatever position I end up in, I want to do my best for myself and the team."
Born in Colombia, Balanta grew up in London - and is still eligible for the country of his birth despite earning a recent call-up to the England under-19 squad.
But the youngster's roots are very much in west London and he first came to the attention of QPR while playing Harrow Sunday Youth League football for Fulham-based Brunswick Boys.
"There are a lot of talented footballers out there in the community who don't really get an opportunity," Balanta admitted. "But if they do, I'm sure they'll be keen to take it just as I was."
If Rangers are serious about their 'long-term project', they could certainly do worse than scour the streets and parks of west London to try and unearth a few more Angelo Balantas. Kilburn Times
Richard Langley/Kilburn Times On the Ball
ON Saturday QPR played Ipswich and unfortunately were on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline. With the play-offs in sight, this was a worrying result for all involved.
Games are running out and maintaining good home form is vital for this latter part of the season. With this in mind I can understand the frustrations of the fans.
But what I found concerning was the reaction of a section of fans who seemed disgruntled by the performance of skipper Gavin Mahon. Mahon was at fault for one of the goals and was subject to the boo-boys.
Having played at QPR for as long as I did, I know how loyal the fans are. By no means am I suggesting that this was anything but the minority at Loftus Road, but what these fans need to realise is that their voices will be heard loud and clear by players on the pitch. In my opinion it will do nothing but hinder the progress of the team they claim to support.
As a player, I know that the worst periods of my career have been when I had a drop in form. Getting through that is a tough process, but when you add the negativity of the fans it makes it a lot harder. The barracking of your own player has rarely proved conducive to better form, in my experience.
My point is that, even if Gavin doesn't allow this to affect his performance, there will be some players who will crumble under the pressure of their own fans. This in turn will prove to be detrimental for the team who need that player to be at his best for as much of the game as possible.
We all want to see success at QPR and so the fans need to remember that, at times like this, positivity is the only way to support your team. It is often said that the fans can prove to be the 12th man.
With seven home games remaining, the vocal support from the stands could play a big part in the team's performances.
It is to be hoped that Saturday's behaviour proves to be a one-off for the sake of the play-off push.
Come on you Rs!
IF you have any questions or comments to put to Richard, you can email us at nwl.sport@archant.co.uk Kilburn Times
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Paulo tells players to put it behind them
PAULO Sousa has ordered his players to put Saturday's setback behind them as they attempt to revive their promotion push this week.
QPR's 3-1 defeat by Ipswich was their first loss at Loftus Road since Sousa took charge three months ago - and only their fourth overall in that time.
"The manager's told us not to dwell on it because, if we do that, we're going to achieve nothing this year," Rangers winger Lee Cook told the Times.
"Everyone expected us to beat Ipswich and we were confident as well, but we've had an off day. A goal went in early and maybe we thought it was going to be a walk in the park.
"They were there for the taking and we let ourselves down. I think we were too deep and didn't squeeze enough, so their midfielders were getting too much time on the ball.
"But we've got to put that behind us, wipe it out and concentrate on the next two away games.
"Our away form's been good of late - we won at Blackpool and Derby and should have won at Forest. Hopefully we can get a couple of results to put us back on track."
Rangers travel to face play-off rivals Cardiff City tonight and are on the road again this weekend at struggling Barnsley - where they have failed to win in seven visits. Kilburn Times
- REMINDERFanzine Voting FOR FAVOURITE QPR (Or Other) Publications!:
- Voting for your sites of choice in the Fanzine Awards
* “Best Football League - Print” - [A Kick Up The R's]
* “Best Football League - Online” - QPR AKUTRS.co.uk - QPR LoftForWords.co.uk - QPR QPR.vitalfootball.co.uk - QPR QPRNet.com
* “Best Blog - Online” - lofty-heights06.blogspot.com (Lofty Heights) - qprnet.com - qprreport.blogspot.com (QPR Report)- qprtoday.net (QPR Today)
* “Best Editor - Either Media” - QPR Adam Boxer, Vital QPR - QPR Clive Whittingam, Loft for Words - QPR Dave Thomas, A Kick Up The R's - QPR David Barton, QueenParkRangersfc.com
* “Best Writer - Either Media” - QPR Adam Boxer, Vital QPR - QPR BOSH67, Loft For Words - QPR Clive Whittingham, Loft For Words - QPR Dave Thomas, A Kick Up The R's - QPR David Barton, QueensParkRangersfc.com - QPR Jamie Sellars, A Kick Up The R's - QPR Mike, QPR Report - QPR Sandydl, Vital QPR - QPR The Blob, Loft For Words - QPR Tony Gibson, Loft For Words -
Vote now!
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Virgina Media -Gorkss relishing Rs return
QPR defender Kaspars Gorkss is relieved to have put a disappointing start to his Loftus Road career behind him, having cemented his place in the side.
Gorkss, who joined Rangers in the summer after a protracted transfer from Blackpool, struggled for form and fitness initially and found himself out of the side.
But an injury to fellow centre-half Fitz Hall in November prompted boss Paulo Sousa to hand the Latvian a recall and he has not looked back with some commanding displays at the heart of the Hoops' defence.
"I'm really pleased with my form at the moment," he said.
"I still think there's a long way for me to go personally, but I'm quite content with how I have settled into the side.
"The start of the season was very hard for me, but I've got my confidence back now and I'm really looking forward to the run-in." Virgin Media
Virgin Media - Stewart returns for Rs
Damion Stewart is likely to be recalled to the QPR defence for the trip to Cardiff.
The Jamaica international was rested for Saturday's visit of Ipswich, with Fitz Hall stepping into the back-line, but with Rangers slipping to a 3-1 defeat boss Paulo Sousa will be tempted into changes.
Goalkeeper Radek Cerny is still struggling with a hamstring injury so Lee Camp keeps his place in goal.
Striker Heidar Helguson came on during the second half against Ipswich following a calf injury and is pushing for a start.
Sousa must decide whether to take Gavin Mahon out of the firing line after the midfielder and stand-in skipper was barracked by his own fans following a poor display on Saturday.
Spanish midfielder Jordi Lopez is still waiting to make his debut after joining as a free agent last week and could be on the bench but captain Martin Rowlands, fellow midfielder Akos Buzsaky (both knee) and strikers Patrick Agyemang (thigh) and Rowan Vine (leg) are still out. " Virgin Media
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Angelo can be the exception
YOU can count on one hand the number of homegrown players who have fashioned anything resembling a QPR career during the past decade.
But Angelo Balanta is aiming to buck that trend after returning from his successful loan spell at Wycombe to try and nail down a place in the Rangers line-up.
And the teenage forward, who came on as a second-half substitute in the Rs' 3-1 defeat by Ipswich, says he is not worried about being weighed down by the expectation of fans keen to finally see an in-house talent flourish.
"I don't necessarily feel more pressure," Balanta told the Times. "There are people like Romone Rose and Joe Oastler coming through as well, so it isn't just up to me.
"It's about working hard and achieving your goals. Wycombe was a good experience for me - they were top of the league at the time and I got a few games and a few goals under my belt.
"Now I'm back at QPR and I want to get a few games here. Hopefully I'll get my opportunity to play football, because I love it."
The skilful 18-year-old was handed his first-team debut by former QPR boss Luigi de Canio just over a year ago, but has since notched up a further 20 appearances under Iain Dowie and Paulo Sousa.
And Balanta has been greatly encouraged by the words of the present Loftus Road coach since the end of his two and a half month stay with the League Two promotion hopefuls.
"Basically the gaffer said to me 'you're a good player, I don't have to tell you that, but you have to work hard to get in the team because there's a good squad, as you know. Work hard, sooner or later you'll get an opportunity and you have to take it.'
"Obviously you know that they could buy any player realistically, so it was good to hear that the gaffer liked me.
"He prefers to play with two wingers and that suits me as well, coming in off the left flank and getting shots in. But whatever position I end up in, I want to do my best for myself and the team."
Born in Colombia, Balanta grew up in London - and is still eligible for the country of his birth despite earning a recent call-up to the England under-19 squad.
But the youngster's roots are very much in west London and he first came to the attention of QPR while playing Harrow Sunday Youth League football for Fulham-based Brunswick Boys.
"There are a lot of talented footballers out there in the community who don't really get an opportunity," Balanta admitted. "But if they do, I'm sure they'll be keen to take it just as I was."
If Rangers are serious about their 'long-term project', they could certainly do worse than scour the streets and parks of west London to try and unearth a few more Angelo Balantas. Kilburn Times
Richard Langley/Kilburn Times On the Ball
ON Saturday QPR played Ipswich and unfortunately were on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline. With the play-offs in sight, this was a worrying result for all involved.
Games are running out and maintaining good home form is vital for this latter part of the season. With this in mind I can understand the frustrations of the fans.
But what I found concerning was the reaction of a section of fans who seemed disgruntled by the performance of skipper Gavin Mahon. Mahon was at fault for one of the goals and was subject to the boo-boys.
Having played at QPR for as long as I did, I know how loyal the fans are. By no means am I suggesting that this was anything but the minority at Loftus Road, but what these fans need to realise is that their voices will be heard loud and clear by players on the pitch. In my opinion it will do nothing but hinder the progress of the team they claim to support.
As a player, I know that the worst periods of my career have been when I had a drop in form. Getting through that is a tough process, but when you add the negativity of the fans it makes it a lot harder. The barracking of your own player has rarely proved conducive to better form, in my experience.
My point is that, even if Gavin doesn't allow this to affect his performance, there will be some players who will crumble under the pressure of their own fans. This in turn will prove to be detrimental for the team who need that player to be at his best for as much of the game as possible.
We all want to see success at QPR and so the fans need to remember that, at times like this, positivity is the only way to support your team. It is often said that the fans can prove to be the 12th man.
With seven home games remaining, the vocal support from the stands could play a big part in the team's performances.
It is to be hoped that Saturday's behaviour proves to be a one-off for the sake of the play-off push.
Come on you Rs!
IF you have any questions or comments to put to Richard, you can email us at nwl.sport@archant.co.uk Kilburn Times
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Paulo tells players to put it behind them
PAULO Sousa has ordered his players to put Saturday's setback behind them as they attempt to revive their promotion push this week.
QPR's 3-1 defeat by Ipswich was their first loss at Loftus Road since Sousa took charge three months ago - and only their fourth overall in that time.
"The manager's told us not to dwell on it because, if we do that, we're going to achieve nothing this year," Rangers winger Lee Cook told the Times.
"Everyone expected us to beat Ipswich and we were confident as well, but we've had an off day. A goal went in early and maybe we thought it was going to be a walk in the park.
"They were there for the taking and we let ourselves down. I think we were too deep and didn't squeeze enough, so their midfielders were getting too much time on the ball.
"But we've got to put that behind us, wipe it out and concentrate on the next two away games.
"Our away form's been good of late - we won at Blackpool and Derby and should have won at Forest. Hopefully we can get a couple of results to put us back on track."
Rangers travel to face play-off rivals Cardiff City tonight and are on the road again this weekend at struggling Barnsley - where they have failed to win in seven visits. Kilburn Times
- REMINDERFanzine Voting FOR FAVOURITE QPR (Or Other) Publications!:
- Voting for your sites of choice in the Fanzine Awards
* “Best Football League - Print” - [A Kick Up The R's]
* “Best Football League - Online” - QPR AKUTRS.co.uk - QPR LoftForWords.co.uk - QPR QPR.vitalfootball.co.uk - QPR QPRNet.com
* “Best Blog - Online” - lofty-heights06.blogspot.com (Lofty Heights) - qprnet.com - qprreport.blogspot.com (QPR Report)- qprtoday.net (QPR Today)
* “Best Editor - Either Media” - QPR Adam Boxer, Vital QPR - QPR Clive Whittingam, Loft for Words - QPR Dave Thomas, A Kick Up The R's - QPR David Barton, QueenParkRangersfc.com
* “Best Writer - Either Media” - QPR Adam Boxer, Vital QPR - QPR BOSH67, Loft For Words - QPR Clive Whittingham, Loft For Words - QPR Dave Thomas, A Kick Up The R's - QPR David Barton, QueensParkRangersfc.com - QPR Jamie Sellars, A Kick Up The R's - QPR Mike, QPR Report - QPR Sandydl, Vital QPR - QPR The Blob, Loft For Words - QPR Tony Gibson, Loft For Words -
Vote now!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
QPR Vice Chairman Cites Club Improvements and Imminent Ticket Prices Announcement....Lee Cook Sounding a Little Desperate
--
Visit the new QPR Report Messageboard: A combination of quasi-blog and messageboard, where the focus is solely on QPR and football-in-general. No politics; no cliques; no "latest films;" "favorite foods;" or "most attractive women." Just QPR; QPR Nostalgia; and football: QPR Report Messageboard!
-- Among the items posted today: On This Day: The Nadir - Wimbledon .... Link to QPR Video from 1967/68 - And Memories of The Game/Match Programme....Notts County Directors Threatened With Criminal Charges....Cash Crisis Affecting Even Wealthiest Clubs
- REMINDERFanzine Voting FOR FAVOURITE QPR (Or Other) Publications!: Voting for your sites of choice in the Fanzine Awards
David McIntyre/Ealing Gazette - Bhatia hints at season ticket rethink
- QPR are “very close” to announcing their admission prices for next season, according to vice-chairman Amit Bhatia.
Last year’s dramatic increases resulted in uproar among supporters and disappointing attendances throughout this season.
And the economic downturn has further increased the need for a more sensible pricing structure for the 2009-10 campaign.
“There was discontent about the pricing," Bhatia conceded.
“We are very close to making an announcement about next season’s season tickets. We’re actually hoping to do so in the next couple of weeks, if not sooner.
“Hopefully mistakes have been learned from. I think the fans can appreciate what we are trying to achieve with this club and hopefully, going forward, we’ll have a stadium with satisfied fans.
“I can’t say more than that at the moment, because the reason we haven’t announced anything yet is that we are still finalising things.
“I regularly interact with the fans’ groups and they’ve expressed to me certain things that they wanted us to either reconsider or bring back.
“So, in trying to take into account all of those things, we’re hoping to come up with something that will make the fans happy.”
Despite their big spending, Rangers are currently 11th in the Championship table – not what some fans expected after such huge price hikes.
But Bhatia insists this season should still be regarded as a success even if Rangers fail to make the play-offs.
He said: “I measure success by the question ‘are we doing better?’
“When we first got involved with the club we were last and we finished 14th, so that was success. If we finish seventh this season we will again definitely have shown an improvement.
“Are we improving as a club? I think we are. I think we’re heading in the right direction but just like any supporter, I want to do better than seventh and reach those play-offs and feel we can do it with a good run.
“We’re still on the right track. We’ve shown progressive success and as long as we continue to do well, there’s no reason why we won’t play in the Premier League and I hope we will.” Ealing Gazette
Ealing Gazette/Paul Warburton - QPR must win next three games says Lee Cook
- QPR’S season depends on the next three games according to Lee Cook.
The Rangers winger admits he and the rest of the midfield were at fault in the 3-1 home defeat to Ipswich on Saturday – but Cook is adamant the side can bounce back at Cardiff tomorrow night.
With Rs playing a lone striker in a 4-5-1 system, more is required to make sure the hitman gets a frequent service of goal-scoring opportunities.
Cook said: “A lot of rotation from the midfield is required to get the through balls into the striker. We’ve got the players to do it – but it didn’t come off against Ipswich.
“The manager said we had a really off day on Saturday – and told us to clear our heads for Cardiff.
“We’ve got to try and win the next two away games as well as at home to Norwich on Tuesday, if we want to stand a chance of the play-offs.” Ealing Gazette
Visit the new QPR Report Messageboard: A combination of quasi-blog and messageboard, where the focus is solely on QPR and football-in-general. No politics; no cliques; no "latest films;" "favorite foods;" or "most attractive women." Just QPR; QPR Nostalgia; and football: QPR Report Messageboard!
-- Among the items posted today: On This Day: The Nadir - Wimbledon .... Link to QPR Video from 1967/68 - And Memories of The Game/Match Programme....Notts County Directors Threatened With Criminal Charges....Cash Crisis Affecting Even Wealthiest Clubs
- REMINDERFanzine Voting FOR FAVOURITE QPR (Or Other) Publications!: Voting for your sites of choice in the Fanzine Awards
David McIntyre/Ealing Gazette - Bhatia hints at season ticket rethink
- QPR are “very close” to announcing their admission prices for next season, according to vice-chairman Amit Bhatia.
Last year’s dramatic increases resulted in uproar among supporters and disappointing attendances throughout this season.
And the economic downturn has further increased the need for a more sensible pricing structure for the 2009-10 campaign.
“There was discontent about the pricing," Bhatia conceded.
“We are very close to making an announcement about next season’s season tickets. We’re actually hoping to do so in the next couple of weeks, if not sooner.
“Hopefully mistakes have been learned from. I think the fans can appreciate what we are trying to achieve with this club and hopefully, going forward, we’ll have a stadium with satisfied fans.
“I can’t say more than that at the moment, because the reason we haven’t announced anything yet is that we are still finalising things.
“I regularly interact with the fans’ groups and they’ve expressed to me certain things that they wanted us to either reconsider or bring back.
“So, in trying to take into account all of those things, we’re hoping to come up with something that will make the fans happy.”
Despite their big spending, Rangers are currently 11th in the Championship table – not what some fans expected after such huge price hikes.
But Bhatia insists this season should still be regarded as a success even if Rangers fail to make the play-offs.
He said: “I measure success by the question ‘are we doing better?’
“When we first got involved with the club we were last and we finished 14th, so that was success. If we finish seventh this season we will again definitely have shown an improvement.
“Are we improving as a club? I think we are. I think we’re heading in the right direction but just like any supporter, I want to do better than seventh and reach those play-offs and feel we can do it with a good run.
“We’re still on the right track. We’ve shown progressive success and as long as we continue to do well, there’s no reason why we won’t play in the Premier League and I hope we will.” Ealing Gazette
Ealing Gazette/Paul Warburton - QPR must win next three games says Lee Cook
- QPR’S season depends on the next three games according to Lee Cook.
The Rangers winger admits he and the rest of the midfield were at fault in the 3-1 home defeat to Ipswich on Saturday – but Cook is adamant the side can bounce back at Cardiff tomorrow night.
With Rs playing a lone striker in a 4-5-1 system, more is required to make sure the hitman gets a frequent service of goal-scoring opportunities.
Cook said: “A lot of rotation from the midfield is required to get the through balls into the striker. We’ve got the players to do it – but it didn’t come off against Ipswich.
“The manager said we had a really off day on Saturday – and told us to clear our heads for Cardiff.
“We’ve got to try and win the next two away games as well as at home to Norwich on Tuesday, if we want to stand a chance of the play-offs.” Ealing Gazette