-
- Visit the "cutting-edge" QPR Report Messageboard: For a combination of QPR and football-related articles and board discussion along with old QPR photos and videos. ALL perspectives welcome! Try it! See Various Old QPR Videos from 1921 and 1923 and 1948 and 1967 and 1969 and 1970!....Ex-QPR Goalie, Matt Pickens Settling back in the MLS
UPDATE: Mail - QPR to demote current boss Sousa in shake-up this summer
[But just based on the Mirror story; not independently reporting]
- Queens Park Rangers will shake up their management team next season, with the Londoners on the hunt for a new man who will take over from Paulo Sousa at the helm.
Sousa, whose title is first team coach, has found it difficult to turn around the club's fortunes since replacing Iain Dowie in November, and has been told a new man will come above him at the end of the season.
- The club's wealthy owners are looking for a new manager or director of football, according to a report in the Mirror.
A new man will come in above current manager Paulo Sousa at QPR in the summer
QPR have fallen out of the play-off reckoning in recent weeks and currently sit in 11th place in the Championship table.
Among those who might be considered for the post are Paul Ince, out of work since being sacked by Blackburn, Bristol City's Gary Johnson and MK Dons boss Roberto Di Matteo.
Lawrie Sanchez and Alan Pardew are also managers currently out of work, who would surely jump at the chance to manage the London club. Mail
Daily Mirror/Alan Nixon - QPR to demote manager Paulo Sousa in summer shake-up
- QPR will shake up their management team next season - with Paulo Sousa being demoted in the new-look regime.
- Sousa, whose title is first team coach, has found it hard to turn round the club's fortunes and was told a new man will come in above him at the end of this campaign.
- He still has a year left on his contract and may stay on at Loftus Road, but in reality will not call the shots.
- The Portugal legend was the surprise replacement for axed Iain Dowie and came to west London as a big-name former player with fresh ideas. But he has failed to provide tactical inspiration and Rangers have slipped out of the Championship play-off race.
- The club, whose wealthy owners have seen other teams do far better with less cash, are looking for a new manager or director of football. Among possible targets are Paul Ince, Bristol City's Gary Johnson and MK Dons chief Roberto Di Matteo. Mirror
From BBC Gossip/Daily Mirror: "QPR manager Paulo Sousa looks set to be demoted in a new-look shake-up at the Championship club." (Daily Mirror) - BBC Gossip
- If the story is accurate (and supposedly several names are mentioned as to whom QPR might like to appoint as manager or Director of Football), one might well wonder whether Sousa would remain at QPR under those circumstances.
Discuss re Sousa
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
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
QPR 6 Chelsea 0 - "On This Day" Flashback
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- Visit the "cutting-edge" QPR Report Messageboard : For a combination of QPR and football-related articles and board discussion along with old QPR photos and videos. ALL perspectives welcome! Try it! See Various Old QPR Videos from 1921 and 1923 and 1948 and 1967 and 1969 and 1970!
- Twenty-Three Years ago today: One of the greatest results for QPR fans against Chelsea: QPR 6 Chelsea 0
QPR Team: Barron - Dawes, Fenwick, Wicks, McDonald- Fereday, Allen, James, Robinson - Byrne, Bannister - Sub: Rosenoir - Bannister 3, Byrne 2, Rosenoir
QPR Official Site FROM THE ARCHIVES 4 Jan 2008...- QUEENS PARK RANGERS 6, CHELSEA 0- Easter Monday, March 31 1986 - Canon League Division One
- A glorious Easter Monday as Rangers smashed home six goals to kill off Chelsea's League title hopes.
- The R's went into this match in 14th place in the table. Chelsea were fourth and needed the points to rekindle their faltering challenge for the championship - especially after a 4-0 defeat against West Ham at Stamford Bridge on the Saturday.
- It was a windy morning with intermittent rain showers peppering our Omniturf pitch, which had been much-criticised by Chelsea chairman Ken Bates earlier in the season.
- For the first time in the history of this fixture, advance ticketing arrangements meant that there were no Chelsea fans infiltrating the Loft terrace. Cash admission was not permitted on the day so Rangers enjoyed terrific support from the all-ticket home end.
- It took the Super Hoops only eight minutes to open the scoring. John Byrne's initial shot was charged down but Gary Bannister followed up to drill into the bottom right hand corner from an acute angle at the School End.
-Cries of "Bann-is-ter...Bann-is-ter...Bann-is-ter..." (to the American marching tune) and "You're Not Singing Anymore..." rang out from the Loft terrace as the 4,000 Chelsea fans at the other end looked on in stunned silence.
- Rangers doubled their advantage on 25 minutes. Byrne was involved again with a right wing cross, Terry Fenwick nodded the ball on and Bannister arrived in the six yard box to head home. A very noisy rendition of "Singing The Blues..." followed from the Loft.
- A minute before the break, John Byrne picked up possession just inside the Chelsea half and lost his marker with a deft drop of the shoulder. He then dribbled past another four startled defenders amidst an orgy of skill before lashing into the net from just inside the box.
- It was the most spectacular R's goal of the season and our fans rejoiced with versions of "John-ny Byrne, John-ny Byrne, John-ny Byrne" (against using the marching tune) and "Easy...Easy.."
- The fourth came on 58 when Bannister tore away from the shambolic Chelsea back line and sent a low bullet-like shot into the right hand corner. Even the QPR stewards on the side of the pitch at the Loft End jumped up and down to celebrate. Meanwhile, the electronic scoreboard declared: "GARY HAT-TRICK BANNISTER"
- Then on 64 minutes, Bannister whipped in a low cross from the right and Byrne provided a crisp finish for goal number five with the Chelsea rearguard in shreds. The Loft boys bounced around in unison with chants of "Blame The Pitch, Blame The Pitch, Blame The Pitch..." directed at the ashen-faced Ken Bates in the main stand.
- Chelsea had striker David Speedie sent off two minutes later for flattening Ian Dawes with his elbow. The Rangers fans waved theatrically while singing "Bye Bye Speedie, Bye Bye Speedie..." (to the tune of Auld Lang Syne) as he plodded dejectedly from the arena.
- The sixth blue and white hooped goal in Chelsea's net came in the 82nd minute. Substitute Leroy Rosenior ran from the halfway line through a wide open defence before firing firmly past despairing goalkeeper Steve Francis. The jubilant Loft bellowed "We Want Seven...We Want Seven..." as the visiting fans headed for the exits.
- Chelsea manager John Hollins said afterwards: "It's been a very bad Easter for us, but I want to give QPR full credit for their performance."
QPR
John Byrne Remembers - QPR Official Site, March 20 2008
- "Probably the best game was when we beat Chelsea 6-0 at Loftus Road on Easter Monday 1986," recalls Byrne.
- "I'll never forget that day! It was just one of those occasions when everything went right for us. Banna was on fire - he scored a hat-trick and I got a couple too.
- "I remember one of my goals where I picked up possession on the halfway line. It was funny on that plastic pitch, because bodies would fall all around you if you got into your stride. So eventually I wriggled free and slotted a shot into the bottom corner.
- "There were some big name players in the Chelsea line-up, including centre-back Doug Rougvie who seemed like he wanted to kill somebody when the score was 5-0! He was certainly looking for blood!
- "We had the Milk Cup Final coming up and I remember saying to Banna with about 15 minutes to go 'I ain't going anywhere near Rougvie'. And Gary replied 'Neither am I!' So we both ended up playing on the wings with no one in the middle!... QPR
- Were you at the Chelsea massacre? Have any memories to share: Feel free to share them!
- Visit the "cutting-edge" QPR Report Messageboard : For a combination of QPR and football-related articles and board discussion along with old QPR photos and videos. ALL perspectives welcome! Try it! See Various Old QPR Videos from 1921 and 1923 and 1948 and 1967 and 1969 and 1970!
- Twenty-Three Years ago today: One of the greatest results for QPR fans against Chelsea: QPR 6 Chelsea 0
QPR Team: Barron - Dawes, Fenwick, Wicks, McDonald- Fereday, Allen, James, Robinson - Byrne, Bannister - Sub: Rosenoir - Bannister 3, Byrne 2, Rosenoir
QPR Official Site FROM THE ARCHIVES 4 Jan 2008...- QUEENS PARK RANGERS 6, CHELSEA 0- Easter Monday, March 31 1986 - Canon League Division One
- A glorious Easter Monday as Rangers smashed home six goals to kill off Chelsea's League title hopes.
- The R's went into this match in 14th place in the table. Chelsea were fourth and needed the points to rekindle their faltering challenge for the championship - especially after a 4-0 defeat against West Ham at Stamford Bridge on the Saturday.
- It was a windy morning with intermittent rain showers peppering our Omniturf pitch, which had been much-criticised by Chelsea chairman Ken Bates earlier in the season.
- For the first time in the history of this fixture, advance ticketing arrangements meant that there were no Chelsea fans infiltrating the Loft terrace. Cash admission was not permitted on the day so Rangers enjoyed terrific support from the all-ticket home end.
- It took the Super Hoops only eight minutes to open the scoring. John Byrne's initial shot was charged down but Gary Bannister followed up to drill into the bottom right hand corner from an acute angle at the School End.
-Cries of "Bann-is-ter...Bann-is-ter...Bann-is-ter..." (to the American marching tune) and "You're Not Singing Anymore..." rang out from the Loft terrace as the 4,000 Chelsea fans at the other end looked on in stunned silence.
- Rangers doubled their advantage on 25 minutes. Byrne was involved again with a right wing cross, Terry Fenwick nodded the ball on and Bannister arrived in the six yard box to head home. A very noisy rendition of "Singing The Blues..." followed from the Loft.
- A minute before the break, John Byrne picked up possession just inside the Chelsea half and lost his marker with a deft drop of the shoulder. He then dribbled past another four startled defenders amidst an orgy of skill before lashing into the net from just inside the box.
- It was the most spectacular R's goal of the season and our fans rejoiced with versions of "John-ny Byrne, John-ny Byrne, John-ny Byrne" (against using the marching tune) and "Easy...Easy.."
- The fourth came on 58 when Bannister tore away from the shambolic Chelsea back line and sent a low bullet-like shot into the right hand corner. Even the QPR stewards on the side of the pitch at the Loft End jumped up and down to celebrate. Meanwhile, the electronic scoreboard declared: "GARY HAT-TRICK BANNISTER"
- Then on 64 minutes, Bannister whipped in a low cross from the right and Byrne provided a crisp finish for goal number five with the Chelsea rearguard in shreds. The Loft boys bounced around in unison with chants of "Blame The Pitch, Blame The Pitch, Blame The Pitch..." directed at the ashen-faced Ken Bates in the main stand.
- Chelsea had striker David Speedie sent off two minutes later for flattening Ian Dawes with his elbow. The Rangers fans waved theatrically while singing "Bye Bye Speedie, Bye Bye Speedie..." (to the tune of Auld Lang Syne) as he plodded dejectedly from the arena.
- The sixth blue and white hooped goal in Chelsea's net came in the 82nd minute. Substitute Leroy Rosenior ran from the halfway line through a wide open defence before firing firmly past despairing goalkeeper Steve Francis. The jubilant Loft bellowed "We Want Seven...We Want Seven..." as the visiting fans headed for the exits.
- Chelsea manager John Hollins said afterwards: "It's been a very bad Easter for us, but I want to give QPR full credit for their performance."
QPR
John Byrne Remembers - QPR Official Site, March 20 2008
- "Probably the best game was when we beat Chelsea 6-0 at Loftus Road on Easter Monday 1986," recalls Byrne.
- "I'll never forget that day! It was just one of those occasions when everything went right for us. Banna was on fire - he scored a hat-trick and I got a couple too.
- "I remember one of my goals where I picked up possession on the halfway line. It was funny on that plastic pitch, because bodies would fall all around you if you got into your stride. So eventually I wriggled free and slotted a shot into the bottom corner.
- "There were some big name players in the Chelsea line-up, including centre-back Doug Rougvie who seemed like he wanted to kill somebody when the score was 5-0! He was certainly looking for blood!
- "We had the Milk Cup Final coming up and I remember saying to Banna with about 15 minutes to go 'I ain't going anywhere near Rougvie'. And Gary replied 'Neither am I!' So we both ended up playing on the wings with no one in the middle!... QPR
- Were you at the Chelsea massacre? Have any memories to share: Feel free to share them!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Blackstock Surprised QPR Loaned Him to Nottingham Forest
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- Visit the "cutting-edge" QPR Report Messageboard : For a combination of articles and discussion only on QPR and football; along with old QPR photos and videos. ALL perspectives welcome! - [Posting/Registration Details]
- See Various Old QPR Videos from 1921 and 1923 and 1948 and 1967 and 1969 and 1970!
Nottingham Forest Official Site - -Dexter Rarin' To Go
- New City Ground striker Dexter Blackstock can't wait to play his part in Nottingham Forest's Championship survival fight.
- The on-loan Queens Park Rangers goalscorer took part in his first Forest training session today and revealed:
- "I just want to do everything I can to help the club out of the situation they are in.
- "We've got six very important games coming up, starting with a huge match against Barnsley on Saturday, and we have to get something from that.
- "But from what I know about Forest there is more than enough quality at the club for us to get out of trouble.
- "I'm just happy to be given the opportunity to come here, play games and hopefully play my part in what is such a vital time for the club."
- Blackstock, who has signed until the end of the season with Rangers having no recall on him, added: "It's purely a loan move at the moment. There has been speculation about it being made permanent but everyone will have to take a look at that again in the summer.
- "I was a little bit surprised that Rangers allowed me to come out on loan, particularly with Heidar Helguson being out injured, but I am very happy to be at Forest and want to do my very best for them...." Nottingham Forest
- Visit the "cutting-edge" QPR Report Messageboard : For a combination of articles and discussion only on QPR and football; along with old QPR photos and videos. ALL perspectives welcome! - [Posting/Registration Details]
- See Various Old QPR Videos from 1921 and 1923 and 1948 and 1967 and 1969 and 1970!
Nottingham Forest Official Site - -Dexter Rarin' To Go
- New City Ground striker Dexter Blackstock can't wait to play his part in Nottingham Forest's Championship survival fight.
- The on-loan Queens Park Rangers goalscorer took part in his first Forest training session today and revealed:
- "I just want to do everything I can to help the club out of the situation they are in.
- "We've got six very important games coming up, starting with a huge match against Barnsley on Saturday, and we have to get something from that.
- "But from what I know about Forest there is more than enough quality at the club for us to get out of trouble.
- "I'm just happy to be given the opportunity to come here, play games and hopefully play my part in what is such a vital time for the club."
- Blackstock, who has signed until the end of the season with Rangers having no recall on him, added: "It's purely a loan move at the moment. There has been speculation about it being made permanent but everyone will have to take a look at that again in the summer.
- "I was a little bit surprised that Rangers allowed me to come out on loan, particularly with Heidar Helguson being out injured, but I am very happy to be at Forest and want to do my very best for them...." Nottingham Forest
Old QPR Videos - From 1921 and 1923 and 1948 and 1969 and 1970
-
- Visit through the QPR Report Messageboard : For a combination of articles and discussion only on QPR and football; along with old QPR photos and videos. ALL perspectives welcome! - [Posting/Registration Details] Not interested in another QPR messageboard? Then just visit QPR Report Messageboard for the "cutting-edge" articles, videos and photos!
- Recent Posts: QPR Youth Defeat Aldershot.....2008/2009 Football League Award Winners....Match Summary of Clive Allen's Debut/Debut Hatrick vs Coventry...Flashback: Vinnie Jones Joins QPR and His QPR Debut....Clubs Will Do Ok Despite Recession...A Charlton Fan Ponders Becoming a QPR Fan!
SOME OLD QPR VIDEOS
- 1967 League Cup Triumph: The goals AND The Trophy Award and Victory Lap
- 1921 Video of QPR? Fans Celebrating
- 1923 Video - QPR vs Sheffield United
- 1948 Video - QPR vs Derby County
- 1970 Video: QPR FA Cup Tie vs Brian Clough's Derby County
- 1969 Video First Division QPR FA Cup Tie Against Tommy Docherty's Aston Villa
- 1948 Video: QPR Players Learning a (non-Football) Trade
- 1948 Video: Training at Loftus Road
- Growing QPR Compilation of Video Snippets
See Also Non-QPR Video posts:
Garrincha Video.....
Maradonna Video
Cruyff Video
Eusebio Video
Pele Video
Platini Video
- Visit through the QPR Report Messageboard : For a combination of articles and discussion only on QPR and football; along with old QPR photos and videos. ALL perspectives welcome! - [Posting/Registration Details] Not interested in another QPR messageboard? Then just visit QPR Report Messageboard for the "cutting-edge" articles, videos and photos!
- Recent Posts: QPR Youth Defeat Aldershot.....2008/2009 Football League Award Winners....Match Summary of Clive Allen's Debut/Debut Hatrick vs Coventry...Flashback: Vinnie Jones Joins QPR and His QPR Debut....Clubs Will Do Ok Despite Recession...A Charlton Fan Ponders Becoming a QPR Fan!
SOME OLD QPR VIDEOS
- 1967 League Cup Triumph: The goals AND The Trophy Award and Victory Lap
- 1921 Video of QPR? Fans Celebrating
- 1923 Video - QPR vs Sheffield United
- 1948 Video - QPR vs Derby County
- 1970 Video: QPR FA Cup Tie vs Brian Clough's Derby County
- 1969 Video First Division QPR FA Cup Tie Against Tommy Docherty's Aston Villa
- 1948 Video: QPR Players Learning a (non-Football) Trade
- 1948 Video: Training at Loftus Road
- Growing QPR Compilation of Video Snippets
See Also Non-QPR Video posts:
Garrincha Video.....
Maradonna Video
Cruyff Video
Eusebio Video
Pele Video
Platini Video
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Gerry Francis Flashback: Forty Years Ago Today Francis Made His QPR Debut...Old QPR Videos
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- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard : A combination of "cutting-edge" news articles; old QPR videos and photos; And discussion about QPR and football-related topics. ALL perspectives welcome - except for personal attacks!
Recently Posted OLD QPR Videos
- 1923 Video of QPR vs Sheffield United
- 1948 Video of QPR vs Derby County
- 1969/1970 Video: QPR's 5th Round FA Cup Tie Vs Derby County
- 1969 QPR Vs Aston Villa in the FA Cup
- 1948 Video QPR Players Learning a Trade 'Documentary' (non-football)
- Various QPR Video Snippets
- Recently-Posted Articles include:
- Flashback: VINNIE JONES Joins QPR - What Was Said
- Football League Awards Shortlist
- Kevin Gallen Hits The Winner
- Experts Expect Clubs to Do OK Despite Financial Crisis
- Massive Size of Premiership Clubs Condemned
- One-Time QPR Managerial Applicant, Now Sudan's National Coach
FORTY YEARS AGO TODAY: GERRY FRANCIS MADE HIS QPR DEBUT
March 29, 1969: QPR's Penultimate Home Game at Home to Liverpool. Just under 17,000 there (when capacity was 35,000):
Like so many games in that 1968/69 season, QPR played well. Rodney Marsh played well. And QPR lost by a single goal: QPR 1 Liverpool 2. Barry Bridges scored scored for QPR. Tommy Smith 28' pen and Roger Hunt 78 for Liverpool.
QPR:
Spratley
Watson Hunt Keetch Harris
Wilks Leach Hazell
Bridges Clarke Marsh
Sub: Gerry Francis
And the Liverpool team:
1 Tommy Lawrence
2 Chris Lawler
3 Gerry Byrne
4 Tommy Smith
5 Ian Ross
6 Emlyn Hughes
7 Ian Callaghan
8 Roger Hunt
9 Alun Evans
10 Ian St John
11 Peter Thompson
Sub Bobby Graham on for Ian St John
- Francis Photo I from around 1969...Francis Photo II
- QPR Stats from that 1968/1969 Season
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard : A combination of "cutting-edge" news articles; old QPR videos and photos; And discussion about QPR and football-related topics. ALL perspectives welcome - except for personal attacks!
Recently Posted OLD QPR Videos
- 1923 Video of QPR vs Sheffield United
- 1948 Video of QPR vs Derby County
- 1969/1970 Video: QPR's 5th Round FA Cup Tie Vs Derby County
- 1969 QPR Vs Aston Villa in the FA Cup
- 1948 Video QPR Players Learning a Trade 'Documentary' (non-football)
- Various QPR Video Snippets
- Recently-Posted Articles include:
- Flashback: VINNIE JONES Joins QPR - What Was Said
- Football League Awards Shortlist
- Kevin Gallen Hits The Winner
- Experts Expect Clubs to Do OK Despite Financial Crisis
- Massive Size of Premiership Clubs Condemned
- One-Time QPR Managerial Applicant, Now Sudan's National Coach
FORTY YEARS AGO TODAY: GERRY FRANCIS MADE HIS QPR DEBUT
March 29, 1969: QPR's Penultimate Home Game at Home to Liverpool. Just under 17,000 there (when capacity was 35,000):
Like so many games in that 1968/69 season, QPR played well. Rodney Marsh played well. And QPR lost by a single goal: QPR 1 Liverpool 2. Barry Bridges scored scored for QPR. Tommy Smith 28' pen and Roger Hunt 78 for Liverpool.
QPR:
Spratley
Watson Hunt Keetch Harris
Wilks Leach Hazell
Bridges Clarke Marsh
Sub: Gerry Francis
And the Liverpool team:
1 Tommy Lawrence
2 Chris Lawler
3 Gerry Byrne
4 Tommy Smith
5 Ian Ross
6 Emlyn Hughes
7 Ian Callaghan
8 Roger Hunt
9 Alun Evans
10 Ian St John
11 Peter Thompson
Sub Bobby Graham on for Ian St John
- Francis Photo I from around 1969...Francis Photo II
- QPR Stats from that 1968/1969 Season
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Old QPR Videos: Videos of QPR Games From 1923 and 1948...and 1970: QPR Knocking Brian Clough's Derby Out of FA Cup
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- With no QPR game this weekend, take the time to scroll through the QPR Report Messageboard : A board focused only on football: A combination of copy/pasted articles re QPR and football in general along with old QPR photos and videos). And discussion about QPR and football-related topics. ALL perspectives welcome! - [Posting/Registration Details]
- Not interested in joining another messageboard? Then visit the QPR Report Messageboard just for the articles! Like this Blog, it makes a great 'cutting-edge' QPR/football-informational resource!
- Recent Posted Articles include: Ex-QPR/Loaned Simon Walton Speaking...Is Limiting Foreign Players Xenophobic?...Football League Awards Shortlist....One-Time QPR Managerial Applicant, Now Sudan National Coach...One Mittal Selling His Football Interest
- Video From 1923 - QPR vs Sheffield United
- Video From 1948: QPR vs Derby County
- Video: From 1970 FA Cup Tie vs Brian Clough's Derby County
- 1969 First Division QPR FA Cup Tie Against Tommy Docherty's Aston Villa
- Growing QPR Compilation of Video Snippets
- With no QPR game this weekend, take the time to scroll through the QPR Report Messageboard : A board focused only on football: A combination of copy/pasted articles re QPR and football in general along with old QPR photos and videos). And discussion about QPR and football-related topics. ALL perspectives welcome! - [Posting/Registration Details]
- Not interested in joining another messageboard? Then visit the QPR Report Messageboard just for the articles! Like this Blog, it makes a great 'cutting-edge' QPR/football-informational resource!
- Recent Posted Articles include: Ex-QPR/Loaned Simon Walton Speaking...Is Limiting Foreign Players Xenophobic?...Football League Awards Shortlist....One-Time QPR Managerial Applicant, Now Sudan National Coach...One Mittal Selling His Football Interest
- Video From 1923 - QPR vs Sheffield United
- Video From 1948: QPR vs Derby County
- Video: From 1970 FA Cup Tie vs Brian Clough's Derby County
- 1969 First Division QPR FA Cup Tie Against Tommy Docherty's Aston Villa
- Growing QPR Compilation of Video Snippets
Helguson Injury Confirmation....How QPR Are Doing: A Comparison With Previous Seasons
-
- With no QPR game this weekend, take the time to scroll through the QPR Report Messageboard : A board focused only on football: A combination of copy/pasted articles re QPR and football in general along with old QPR photos and videos). And discussion about QPR and football-related topics. ALL perspectives welcome! - [Posting/Registration Details]
- Not interested in joining another messageboard? Then visit the QPR Report Messageboard just for the articles! Like this Blog, it makes a great 'cutting-edge' QPR/football-informational resource!
- Recent Posted Articles include: Ex-QPR/Loaned Simon Walton Speaking...Is Limiting Foreign Players Xenophobic?...Football League Awards Shortlist....One-Time QPR Managerial Applicant, Now Sudan National Coach...One Mittal Selling His Football Interest
- Confirmation of Helguson Injury - Glasgow Record: "....Heidar Helguson will stay in London for treatment with Queens Park Rangers..."
QPR's Championship Finishes Over the Past Decade
- With six games remaining, QPR currently have 56 points from 40 games. Current table.
- In 2007/2008 with five games remaining, QPR had 53 points from 41 games. (8 points above a relegation spot).
- This is the same number of points (53 points) QPR finished with in 2006/2007 (when they took 7 points from their last 5 games in a season which began with Waddock and ended with Gregory). In 2006/07, after 41 games QPR had 46 points.
- In 2005-2006 (the season Holloway started in charge; and Waddock finished in charge) QPR ended the season with 50 points.
- And in QPR's first season back in the Championship, QPR ended 62 points
- In their more than a decade since their Premiership relegation (three seasons of which, of course, were spent in an even lower division)QPR have yet to get more than 66 points in this Division.
Pre-Relegation Seasons Finishes in this Division:
- [In 2000/2001, QPR's relegation season, QPR went down with 40 points.
- The season before, 1999-2000, under Gerry Francis, the team had gotten 66 points
- 1998/1999, saw Francis replace Ray Harford and stay up with 47 points.
- The season before that, 1997/1998 - a decade ago, in a season which saw Houston start and Harford finish, QPR again just stayed up with 49 points.
- Finally, QPR's first season after their relegation from the Premiership (Wilkins starting; Houston finishing) 1996-1997, QPR finished with 66 points.
Compared to 2008/09 and 2007/08
[The Gregory, Harford, De Canio, Dowie, Ainsworth, Sousa Period!]
2008/2009 RECORD
Pld W D L F A GD GFA GAA PpG Pts Rank
Home Record 20 11 5 4 25 17 8 1.25 0.85 1.90 38 7
Away Record 20 3 9 8 13 21 -8 0.65 1.05 0.90 18 17
Overall Record 40 14 14 12 38 38 0 0.95 0.95 1.40 56 11
2007/2008 RECORD
Pld W D L F A GD GFA GAA PpG Pts Rank
Home Record 20 9 5 6 29 23 6 1.45 1.15 1.60 32 9
Away Record 20 4 8 8 27 35 -8 1.35 1.75 1.00 20 14
Overall Record 40 13 13 14 56 58 -2 1.40 1.45 1.30 52 14
Football 365Stats
See Also:- Bottom Three Championship places Over Past Decade
- With no QPR game this weekend, take the time to scroll through the QPR Report Messageboard : A board focused only on football: A combination of copy/pasted articles re QPR and football in general along with old QPR photos and videos). And discussion about QPR and football-related topics. ALL perspectives welcome! - [Posting/Registration Details]
- Not interested in joining another messageboard? Then visit the QPR Report Messageboard just for the articles! Like this Blog, it makes a great 'cutting-edge' QPR/football-informational resource!
- Recent Posted Articles include: Ex-QPR/Loaned Simon Walton Speaking...Is Limiting Foreign Players Xenophobic?...Football League Awards Shortlist....One-Time QPR Managerial Applicant, Now Sudan National Coach...One Mittal Selling His Football Interest
- Confirmation of Helguson Injury - Glasgow Record: "....Heidar Helguson will stay in London for treatment with Queens Park Rangers..."
QPR's Championship Finishes Over the Past Decade
- With six games remaining, QPR currently have 56 points from 40 games. Current table.
- In 2007/2008 with five games remaining, QPR had 53 points from 41 games. (8 points above a relegation spot).
- This is the same number of points (53 points) QPR finished with in 2006/2007 (when they took 7 points from their last 5 games in a season which began with Waddock and ended with Gregory). In 2006/07, after 41 games QPR had 46 points.
- In 2005-2006 (the season Holloway started in charge; and Waddock finished in charge) QPR ended the season with 50 points.
- And in QPR's first season back in the Championship, QPR ended 62 points
- In their more than a decade since their Premiership relegation (three seasons of which, of course, were spent in an even lower division)QPR have yet to get more than 66 points in this Division.
Pre-Relegation Seasons Finishes in this Division:
- [In 2000/2001, QPR's relegation season, QPR went down with 40 points.
- The season before, 1999-2000, under Gerry Francis, the team had gotten 66 points
- 1998/1999, saw Francis replace Ray Harford and stay up with 47 points.
- The season before that, 1997/1998 - a decade ago, in a season which saw Houston start and Harford finish, QPR again just stayed up with 49 points.
- Finally, QPR's first season after their relegation from the Premiership (Wilkins starting; Houston finishing) 1996-1997, QPR finished with 66 points.
Compared to 2008/09 and 2007/08
[The Gregory, Harford, De Canio, Dowie, Ainsworth, Sousa Period!]
2008/2009 RECORD
Pld W D L F A GD GFA GAA PpG Pts Rank
Home Record 20 11 5 4 25 17 8 1.25 0.85 1.90 38 7
Away Record 20 3 9 8 13 21 -8 0.65 1.05 0.90 18 17
Overall Record 40 14 14 12 38 38 0 0.95 0.95 1.40 56 11
2007/2008 RECORD
Pld W D L F A GD GFA GAA PpG Pts Rank
Home Record 20 9 5 6 29 23 6 1.45 1.15 1.60 32 9
Away Record 20 4 8 8 27 35 -8 1.35 1.75 1.00 20 14
Overall Record 40 13 13 14 56 58 -2 1.40 1.45 1.30 52 14
Football 365Stats
See Also:- Bottom Three Championship places Over Past Decade
Friday, March 27, 2009
QPR Snippets
-
- With no QPR game this weekend, take the time to scroll through the QPR Report Messageboard - for football articles and discussion only on QPR football-related topics. ALL perspectives welcomed! Not interested in engaging in additional board posting? Nonetheless visit! You'll find it makes a great 'cutting-edge' football informational resource! - [Posting/Registration]
- Simon Walton Joins Blackpool
- QPR's Transfer Deadline Dealing - A Decade Ago
- Nostalgia: 41 Yrs Ago Yesterday - Rodney Marsh's Home Debut/Scored
- Fifty "Best-Ever" Defenders in England
- Football League Awards Shortlist
Danny Maguire at Yeovil - Somerset County Gazette/Steve Sowden
QPR young gun Maguire wants to "concentrate on football" at Yeovil Town
- TEENAGED midfielder Danny Maguire has admitted that the bright lights of London seem a long way away now that he has arrived in sleepy South Somerset.
- Maguire, 19, yesterday moved to Yeovil Town until the end of the season on loan from Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers.
- I'm still a boy really, but coming here could turn me into a man
- Midfielder Danny Maguire"I came down to Yeovil last night and the centre of town is very different to London!" he said.
- "But it is nice and quiet and I will be able to just think about football.
- "Getting away from London might be the best thing for me so I can just concentrate totally on football - it won't do me any harm being here."
- Maguire has not really had much of a look-in at QPR, but he is highly-rated and Crystal Palace have been sniffing after the central midfielder. - - And he is already looking forward to helping Yeovil pull away from the relegation zone in the Coca-Cola League One.
- "It is going to be a learning curve for me," he said. "I've been playing in the reserves at QPR, but there is nothing better than playing in front of a crowd at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. I want to play football and enjoy it.
- "There's no reason why Yeovil can't stay up - they are a great club.
- "It is in our own hands because the majority of the games left are at home. If we play well there is no reason why we shouldn't be staying up."
- He said that he was looking forward to getting into a relegation scrap with the Glovers.
- "It is going to be brilliant for me," he said. "I'm still a boy really, but coming here could turn me into a man."
- Maguire has described himself as an "all-round" midfielder who likes to get on the ball and go from "box to box."
- But he added that passing was his strength.
- He met his new team-mates earlier today and at lunchtime he had to "enjoy" the traditional welcome gift - he could sing a song of his choice in front of the players.
- "I'm a massive Oasis fan and so I sang Wonderwall," he said. "I know all the words, but I'm not really a very good singer."
- Maguire will no doubt be hoping that the Yeovil fans will be singing his name from the terraces between now and the end of the season. Gazette
- Bradford Telegraph and Argus/Simon Parker - Rehman chooses club over country
-Zesh Rehman has knocked back an international tournament to aid City’s play-off push.
- Rehman had been selected by Pakistan for three Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup qualifiers in Sri Lanka, starting next Saturday.
- But the on-loan QPR defender is staying put at Valley Parade for the season’s run-in.
- He said: “I had the call-up but I’ve put Bradford first. I’m out of contract in the summer and I’m playing regularly.
- “There’s no way I would jump ship now. Although it’s always an honour to play for your country, right now this is my bread and butter.
- “The next month is the most important of my life.
- “We’ve got a flexible agreement and the (Pakistan football) federation understand that.”
- Rehman has played in City’s last three defeats but believes a top-seven spot is still well within their grasp despite the untimely slump.
- He added: “If you look back at the stats against Port Vale we dominated the whole game. We just need that little bit of luck to change things.
- “We’ve had teams on the back foot and if we keep doing that, it will drop for us soon.
- “Being away tomorrow might suit us more because we’ve got players who can hurt teams on the counter-attack. I’m hoping that it does.
- “There are highs and lows in football and you’ve got to keep that middle ground.
- “Nobody gets carried away when we’re winning games and now is not the time to have your heads dragging on the floor.
- “We’re not that far off it. Every day we come in everyone’s positive and that starts with the manager.”
- And Rehman insisted Stuart McCall’s threat to quit if they missed the play-offs has not affected the dressing room.
- “As players, you just focus on your own job. You listen to what the manager wants in a game and concentrate on that.
-“The gaffer has been in football a long time, playing over 600 games, so he knows what it’s all about.
- “He’ll keep believing and we know nobody becomes a bad team overnight.
- “There’s always going to be pressure in football.
- “I’ve played in relegation battles and now I’m pushing for a play-off place and you always go out there with the same attitude to win matches.” Bradford Telegraph and Argus
Herts Advertiser - Kieron St. Aimie Update
City make trip to Thurrock
Thurrock v St Albans City Blue Square South - Saturday, March 28, 2009
- NEXT up for Steve Castle's side is a trip to lowly Thurrock, a team who have only won four games at home all season. - The home side are in desperate need of the points as they try and escape relegation from the Blue Square South but will be faced with a City team that's unbeaten in seven games.
- Players to Watch - Kieron St Amie will be keen to show Steve Castle what he missed out on when City visit on Saturday. The 19-year old failed to agree a deal with City earlier this month after he failed to show for training. The former QPR and Barnet man has since moved to Ship Lane and scored his first goal for the club in the 2-2 draw with Havant & Waterlooville...." Herts Advertizer
QPR Official Site - Martin Allen Remembers the birth of his child!
QPR Official Site - BLAST FROM THE PAST - MARTIN ALLEN
- The most talked about episode from Martin Allen's career at Queens Park Rangers was not a match he played in … but one that he missed!
It was 20 years ago this month - on March 11th 1989. Rangers travelled north for a First Division fixture at Newcastle United and our squad stayed in a hotel overnight before the game.
- Allen said: "I was sharing a room with our goalkeeper David Seaman. At two o'clock in the morning, David took a phone call from my dad saying that my wife Gabriella was about to give birth.
- "I found out there was a flight back to London at 7.30am and I told our Assistant Manager Peter Shreeves. He said 'Before you leave, check that she's still in labour. And if you are going to go, then get on the plane and good luck. But check first.'
"I rang from the hotel at 6.00am and Gabriella was settling in at the Royal Berks Hospital. So I got the plane from Newcastle Airport and arrived at Heathrow about 8.30am. From there, I was in the hospital at 9.30am and our baby George was born at 12.15pm.
- "I'll never forget the following Monday. I was just leaving for home after training when QPR Manager Trevor Francis handed me an envelope while I was getting in my car. I thought it was going to be a note of congratulations for having the baby. But it was a two week wages fine!
"It was quite shocking and disappointing. After that, my working relationship with Trevor broke down. I was eventually sold to West Ham a few months later.
"But I have no regrets about what happened. It was only human that I wanted to see the birth of my first child. Everyone has the right if they wish to do that - whether you are a footballer or whether you are a banker or a politician. It doesn't matter what you work as. You have that right.
- "I still get phone calls from newspapers about the incident - even now. My name always crops up when any top sportsman chooses to attend the birth of a child. Or even when they opt to stay and perform in their chosen sport when the wife is in labour.
"My famous - or infamous - son George is now 20 years-old. As I am talking to you on the phone for this interview, I am just driving him down to Bristol University where he is studying Maths & Philosophy. George is doing very well and enjoying his own life now."
'Mad Dog' originally came up through the youth ranks at Rangers. A total of 167 appearances followed for the First Team with 19 goals. His tenacious midfield play is fondly remembered at Loftus Road.
"We had a very strong youth policy when I first joined the R's," said Allen. "Chris Gieler was the Youth Development Officer and he was really ahead of all the other Clubs when finding young players. Chris invited me in for schoolboy training when I was 12 years-old after I had played for Reading Boys away to Oxford Boys one Tuesday afternoon.
"Then when I left school, I was delighted to be given an apprenticeship at the Club on a two year contract. I worked under a QPR Youth Team Manager called George Graham!
"I was surrounded in the R's set-up at that point by some of the best England Youth players. People like Dougie McClure, Gary Cooper and David Kerslake. They were all getting games for the Reserves and I wasn't. So I was probably at the bottom of the whole group and it really was a difficult time.
"Everyone knew the football name of 'Allen' and it was a bit of a hindrance for me as it brought high expectations and added pressures. My cousins Clive and Paul Allen were both doing very well in the game as teenagers but I was struggling and I wasn't quite ready to make the grade. I was a leggy youth player and I needed to fill out.
"So I did a lot of hard work with my father Dennis at Reading Athletic Club and Reading Boxing Club for seven weeks one summer. It was my dad's drive and determination that pushed me and worked me.
"When I went back for pre-season with the R's, I was much fitter, stronger and faster. The rest is history. But it wasn't easy as I didn't really come through and develop until I was 19.
"After that, there were two occasions with Queens Park Rangers that I will never forget and one that I have always wanted to forget!
"The first big memory was my full League debut away to Newcastle in April 1985. In the very first couple of minutes of that game, Glenn Roeder - the Geordies' defender - moved into midfield with the ball at his feet and was about five yards away from me when he did one of his famous step-overs. I went one way and Glenn went the other way. Rather than letting him go by, I stuck my leg out and got booked.
"All my family had travelled up to the North-East to see me play. So there were about eight of the Allen's sitting up at the back of the stand in St James' Park dreading my next tackle in case I got sent-off in my first game! But I managed to stay on the pitch and it really was an absolutely magical day for me.
"Another match I love to recall was the 1986 Milk Cup Semi-Final Second Leg away to Liverpool when we faced such a brilliant team.
"I still get reminded by many QPR supporters about the famous tackle I did on Liverpool's Alan Hansen. He was much quicker than me and he was dribbling back towards his own goal. But I lifted him about six feet in the air on the edge of their 18 yard box in front of a packed end of R's fans! Needless to say, I got another booking!
"In a dramatic finish, Liverpool scored two own goals to send us through to the Final. We got a standing ovation from the whole Anfield crowd at the end. That night was probably the highlight of my whole career.
"But we went on to lose 3-0 to Oxford United at Wembley Stadium and it was certainly the one game I've always wanted to wipe out. Going into that showpiece event, I felt on top of the world and on top of my game. Everyone - me included - just expected us to win the Cup.
"In the end, it was a massive letdown. I still don't feel great about it now as I didn't perform on the day. So I've always wanted to bury the memory of it."
Allen is now 43 years-old and has been Manager of Cheltenham Town FC in League One since September. But like all of our former players, he takes a keen interest in events here at Rangers.
"I absolutely love being a Manager. It is quite a challenge at Cheltenham, although one I am enjoying actually. Wages have been slashed here and we have had to make a lot of cut-backs, just like most companies in the outside world. So you are not going to be as efficient as before.
"However, this summer I will get the chance to wheel and deal in the transfer market. So I will have a very competitive team next season without a shadow of a doubt.
"Incidentally, since I've been a football Manager I've had several occasions when players' wives have been expecting babies. In fact, I've got one at the moment. So I sat the player down and asked him what he would like to do. He said he would prefer to be at the birth and I replied 'Well, you deserve that right.'
"Away from Cheltenham Town, I obviously still have a soft spot for QPR. I invariably get very well looked after when I want to go back to watch a match at Loftus Road. It's also nice that the Rangers supporters I bump into in the street are always very kind to me.
"The R's have moved up to a different level financially with their current backers and have a bright future. Although I believe you have to get the right 'chemistry' in the dressing room and within the Club from top to bottom.
"It's not just about having good players. The 'chemistry' I mentioned is so important - it can go a long way to making a successful squad and a good team. But that will all take time and patience as there have been a lot of changes at Loftus Road."
And what about the situation back in 1989 with Trevor Francis and the birth of baby George? Did that ever resolve itself?
Allen said: "Several years later, I played for West Ham away to Sheffield Wednesday - when Trevor Francis was Manager at Hillsborough. I got badly injured in the game, with cracked ribs and a punctured lung.
"I was rushed away in an ambulance as I was struggling to breathe and in a pretty bad way. About 10.30pm that night, there was a phone call to my ward at the hospital in Sheffield.
"The nurse came over and said 'Trevor Francis from Sheffield Wednesday just rang. He enquired how you are and if you are healthy.'
"Well at that point, I had to pinch myself to see if I was still alive. Because it was the first time that Trevor had communicated with me since I left the QPR team hotel at Newcastle!" QPR
- With no QPR game this weekend, take the time to scroll through the QPR Report Messageboard - for football articles and discussion only on QPR football-related topics. ALL perspectives welcomed! Not interested in engaging in additional board posting? Nonetheless visit! You'll find it makes a great 'cutting-edge' football informational resource! - [Posting/Registration]
- Simon Walton Joins Blackpool
- QPR's Transfer Deadline Dealing - A Decade Ago
- Nostalgia: 41 Yrs Ago Yesterday - Rodney Marsh's Home Debut/Scored
- Fifty "Best-Ever" Defenders in England
- Football League Awards Shortlist
Danny Maguire at Yeovil - Somerset County Gazette/Steve Sowden
QPR young gun Maguire wants to "concentrate on football" at Yeovil Town
- TEENAGED midfielder Danny Maguire has admitted that the bright lights of London seem a long way away now that he has arrived in sleepy South Somerset.
- Maguire, 19, yesterday moved to Yeovil Town until the end of the season on loan from Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers.
- I'm still a boy really, but coming here could turn me into a man
- Midfielder Danny Maguire"I came down to Yeovil last night and the centre of town is very different to London!" he said.
- "But it is nice and quiet and I will be able to just think about football.
- "Getting away from London might be the best thing for me so I can just concentrate totally on football - it won't do me any harm being here."
- Maguire has not really had much of a look-in at QPR, but he is highly-rated and Crystal Palace have been sniffing after the central midfielder. - - And he is already looking forward to helping Yeovil pull away from the relegation zone in the Coca-Cola League One.
- "It is going to be a learning curve for me," he said. "I've been playing in the reserves at QPR, but there is nothing better than playing in front of a crowd at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. I want to play football and enjoy it.
- "There's no reason why Yeovil can't stay up - they are a great club.
- "It is in our own hands because the majority of the games left are at home. If we play well there is no reason why we shouldn't be staying up."
- He said that he was looking forward to getting into a relegation scrap with the Glovers.
- "It is going to be brilliant for me," he said. "I'm still a boy really, but coming here could turn me into a man."
- Maguire has described himself as an "all-round" midfielder who likes to get on the ball and go from "box to box."
- But he added that passing was his strength.
- He met his new team-mates earlier today and at lunchtime he had to "enjoy" the traditional welcome gift - he could sing a song of his choice in front of the players.
- "I'm a massive Oasis fan and so I sang Wonderwall," he said. "I know all the words, but I'm not really a very good singer."
- Maguire will no doubt be hoping that the Yeovil fans will be singing his name from the terraces between now and the end of the season. Gazette
- Bradford Telegraph and Argus/Simon Parker - Rehman chooses club over country
-Zesh Rehman has knocked back an international tournament to aid City’s play-off push.
- Rehman had been selected by Pakistan for three Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup qualifiers in Sri Lanka, starting next Saturday.
- But the on-loan QPR defender is staying put at Valley Parade for the season’s run-in.
- He said: “I had the call-up but I’ve put Bradford first. I’m out of contract in the summer and I’m playing regularly.
- “There’s no way I would jump ship now. Although it’s always an honour to play for your country, right now this is my bread and butter.
- “The next month is the most important of my life.
- “We’ve got a flexible agreement and the (Pakistan football) federation understand that.”
- Rehman has played in City’s last three defeats but believes a top-seven spot is still well within their grasp despite the untimely slump.
- He added: “If you look back at the stats against Port Vale we dominated the whole game. We just need that little bit of luck to change things.
- “We’ve had teams on the back foot and if we keep doing that, it will drop for us soon.
- “Being away tomorrow might suit us more because we’ve got players who can hurt teams on the counter-attack. I’m hoping that it does.
- “There are highs and lows in football and you’ve got to keep that middle ground.
- “Nobody gets carried away when we’re winning games and now is not the time to have your heads dragging on the floor.
- “We’re not that far off it. Every day we come in everyone’s positive and that starts with the manager.”
- And Rehman insisted Stuart McCall’s threat to quit if they missed the play-offs has not affected the dressing room.
- “As players, you just focus on your own job. You listen to what the manager wants in a game and concentrate on that.
-“The gaffer has been in football a long time, playing over 600 games, so he knows what it’s all about.
- “He’ll keep believing and we know nobody becomes a bad team overnight.
- “There’s always going to be pressure in football.
- “I’ve played in relegation battles and now I’m pushing for a play-off place and you always go out there with the same attitude to win matches.” Bradford Telegraph and Argus
Herts Advertiser - Kieron St. Aimie Update
City make trip to Thurrock
Thurrock v St Albans City Blue Square South - Saturday, March 28, 2009
- NEXT up for Steve Castle's side is a trip to lowly Thurrock, a team who have only won four games at home all season. - The home side are in desperate need of the points as they try and escape relegation from the Blue Square South but will be faced with a City team that's unbeaten in seven games.
- Players to Watch - Kieron St Amie will be keen to show Steve Castle what he missed out on when City visit on Saturday. The 19-year old failed to agree a deal with City earlier this month after he failed to show for training. The former QPR and Barnet man has since moved to Ship Lane and scored his first goal for the club in the 2-2 draw with Havant & Waterlooville...." Herts Advertizer
QPR Official Site - Martin Allen Remembers the birth of his child!
QPR Official Site - BLAST FROM THE PAST - MARTIN ALLEN
- The most talked about episode from Martin Allen's career at Queens Park Rangers was not a match he played in … but one that he missed!
It was 20 years ago this month - on March 11th 1989. Rangers travelled north for a First Division fixture at Newcastle United and our squad stayed in a hotel overnight before the game.
- Allen said: "I was sharing a room with our goalkeeper David Seaman. At two o'clock in the morning, David took a phone call from my dad saying that my wife Gabriella was about to give birth.
- "I found out there was a flight back to London at 7.30am and I told our Assistant Manager Peter Shreeves. He said 'Before you leave, check that she's still in labour. And if you are going to go, then get on the plane and good luck. But check first.'
"I rang from the hotel at 6.00am and Gabriella was settling in at the Royal Berks Hospital. So I got the plane from Newcastle Airport and arrived at Heathrow about 8.30am. From there, I was in the hospital at 9.30am and our baby George was born at 12.15pm.
- "I'll never forget the following Monday. I was just leaving for home after training when QPR Manager Trevor Francis handed me an envelope while I was getting in my car. I thought it was going to be a note of congratulations for having the baby. But it was a two week wages fine!
"It was quite shocking and disappointing. After that, my working relationship with Trevor broke down. I was eventually sold to West Ham a few months later.
"But I have no regrets about what happened. It was only human that I wanted to see the birth of my first child. Everyone has the right if they wish to do that - whether you are a footballer or whether you are a banker or a politician. It doesn't matter what you work as. You have that right.
- "I still get phone calls from newspapers about the incident - even now. My name always crops up when any top sportsman chooses to attend the birth of a child. Or even when they opt to stay and perform in their chosen sport when the wife is in labour.
"My famous - or infamous - son George is now 20 years-old. As I am talking to you on the phone for this interview, I am just driving him down to Bristol University where he is studying Maths & Philosophy. George is doing very well and enjoying his own life now."
'Mad Dog' originally came up through the youth ranks at Rangers. A total of 167 appearances followed for the First Team with 19 goals. His tenacious midfield play is fondly remembered at Loftus Road.
"We had a very strong youth policy when I first joined the R's," said Allen. "Chris Gieler was the Youth Development Officer and he was really ahead of all the other Clubs when finding young players. Chris invited me in for schoolboy training when I was 12 years-old after I had played for Reading Boys away to Oxford Boys one Tuesday afternoon.
"Then when I left school, I was delighted to be given an apprenticeship at the Club on a two year contract. I worked under a QPR Youth Team Manager called George Graham!
"I was surrounded in the R's set-up at that point by some of the best England Youth players. People like Dougie McClure, Gary Cooper and David Kerslake. They were all getting games for the Reserves and I wasn't. So I was probably at the bottom of the whole group and it really was a difficult time.
"Everyone knew the football name of 'Allen' and it was a bit of a hindrance for me as it brought high expectations and added pressures. My cousins Clive and Paul Allen were both doing very well in the game as teenagers but I was struggling and I wasn't quite ready to make the grade. I was a leggy youth player and I needed to fill out.
"So I did a lot of hard work with my father Dennis at Reading Athletic Club and Reading Boxing Club for seven weeks one summer. It was my dad's drive and determination that pushed me and worked me.
"When I went back for pre-season with the R's, I was much fitter, stronger and faster. The rest is history. But it wasn't easy as I didn't really come through and develop until I was 19.
"After that, there were two occasions with Queens Park Rangers that I will never forget and one that I have always wanted to forget!
"The first big memory was my full League debut away to Newcastle in April 1985. In the very first couple of minutes of that game, Glenn Roeder - the Geordies' defender - moved into midfield with the ball at his feet and was about five yards away from me when he did one of his famous step-overs. I went one way and Glenn went the other way. Rather than letting him go by, I stuck my leg out and got booked.
"All my family had travelled up to the North-East to see me play. So there were about eight of the Allen's sitting up at the back of the stand in St James' Park dreading my next tackle in case I got sent-off in my first game! But I managed to stay on the pitch and it really was an absolutely magical day for me.
"Another match I love to recall was the 1986 Milk Cup Semi-Final Second Leg away to Liverpool when we faced such a brilliant team.
"I still get reminded by many QPR supporters about the famous tackle I did on Liverpool's Alan Hansen. He was much quicker than me and he was dribbling back towards his own goal. But I lifted him about six feet in the air on the edge of their 18 yard box in front of a packed end of R's fans! Needless to say, I got another booking!
"In a dramatic finish, Liverpool scored two own goals to send us through to the Final. We got a standing ovation from the whole Anfield crowd at the end. That night was probably the highlight of my whole career.
"But we went on to lose 3-0 to Oxford United at Wembley Stadium and it was certainly the one game I've always wanted to wipe out. Going into that showpiece event, I felt on top of the world and on top of my game. Everyone - me included - just expected us to win the Cup.
"In the end, it was a massive letdown. I still don't feel great about it now as I didn't perform on the day. So I've always wanted to bury the memory of it."
Allen is now 43 years-old and has been Manager of Cheltenham Town FC in League One since September. But like all of our former players, he takes a keen interest in events here at Rangers.
"I absolutely love being a Manager. It is quite a challenge at Cheltenham, although one I am enjoying actually. Wages have been slashed here and we have had to make a lot of cut-backs, just like most companies in the outside world. So you are not going to be as efficient as before.
"However, this summer I will get the chance to wheel and deal in the transfer market. So I will have a very competitive team next season without a shadow of a doubt.
"Incidentally, since I've been a football Manager I've had several occasions when players' wives have been expecting babies. In fact, I've got one at the moment. So I sat the player down and asked him what he would like to do. He said he would prefer to be at the birth and I replied 'Well, you deserve that right.'
"Away from Cheltenham Town, I obviously still have a soft spot for QPR. I invariably get very well looked after when I want to go back to watch a match at Loftus Road. It's also nice that the Rangers supporters I bump into in the street are always very kind to me.
"The R's have moved up to a different level financially with their current backers and have a bright future. Although I believe you have to get the right 'chemistry' in the dressing room and within the Club from top to bottom.
"It's not just about having good players. The 'chemistry' I mentioned is so important - it can go a long way to making a successful squad and a good team. But that will all take time and patience as there have been a lot of changes at Loftus Road."
And what about the situation back in 1989 with Trevor Francis and the birth of baby George? Did that ever resolve itself?
Allen said: "Several years later, I played for West Ham away to Sheffield Wednesday - when Trevor Francis was Manager at Hillsborough. I got badly injured in the game, with cracked ribs and a punctured lung.
"I was rushed away in an ambulance as I was struggling to breathe and in a pretty bad way. About 10.30pm that night, there was a phone call to my ward at the hospital in Sheffield.
"The nurse came over and said 'Trevor Francis from Sheffield Wednesday just rang. He enquired how you are and if you are healthy.'
"Well at that point, I had to pinch myself to see if I was still alive. Because it was the first time that Trevor had communicated with me since I left the QPR team hotel at Newcastle!" QPR
Thursday, March 26, 2009
QPR's Blackstock Joins Nottingham Forest on Loan - The Two Club Announcements
-
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for additional articles and where the discussion is only on football and all perspectives are welcome! -
- Recently Posted: Loanee Danny Maguire Speaks.... Ex-QPR Simon Walton Leaves Plymouth on Loan.... Football Fan Census: Fans & Current Economy....Recalling Rodney Marsh's Home Debut for QPR....QPR Loan Effort for Arsenal's Mark Randall?....Vine Backs Sousa/Calls for Patience....Chelsea Search for an Asian Star....World War I Footballers Honoured for Bravery....England's Best Ever Defenders?
QPR Official Site - BLACKSTOCK SEALS FOREST SWITCH
- R's front-man Dexter Blackstock has joined Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest on loan until the end of the season.
- The 22 year-old - who has notched 12 goals this season - will stay with Billy Davies' outfit until Sunday 3rd May 2009.
- Blackstock joined QPR in August 2006 and has scored 32 goals in 117 appearances in all competitions. QPR Official Site
Nottingham Forest Official Site - Billy Gets His Man
-Nottingham Forest have ended their search for a striker by swooping for Queens Park Rangers forward Dexter Blackstock.
- The 22 year old has been on Forest's radar for some weeks but hopes of clinching a loan deal for him looked to be fading.
- But only hours before today's closing of the loan window Forest man Billy Davies got his man.
- Blackstock has signed for the remainder of the season and Rangers have no recall on the player in that time.
-Forest have also agreed an undisclosed loan fee with the Londoners.
Blackstock signed for Rangers from Southampton in a £2.75m deal in August 2006.
- The former England under-21 striker has scored 32 goals in 94 starts during his time at Loftus Road.
- Blackstock started his career with Oxford, where he was born, but joined Southampton before making his debut." Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest Official Site - Billy Delighted
- Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies could not hide his delight at securing the services of Queens Park Rangers striker Dexter Blackstock.
- The 22 year old completed his loan move until the end of the season today and Davis enthused: "I'm sure he will prove to be a great acquisition.
- "It's no secret that we have been looking for a certain type of striker and Dexter certainly fits that bill.
- "I've been watching him with great interest for several seasons and he's got all the attributes of a top striker.
- "Most importantly he scores goals but he's also got presence and good movement in his play.
- "In addition to getting goals himself I'm sure he will provide a lot of openings for others."
- Blackstock will train with his new Forest team mates for the first time on Monday.
- Nottingham Forest
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for additional articles and where the discussion is only on football and all perspectives are welcome! -
- Recently Posted: Loanee Danny Maguire Speaks.... Ex-QPR Simon Walton Leaves Plymouth on Loan.... Football Fan Census: Fans & Current Economy....Recalling Rodney Marsh's Home Debut for QPR....QPR Loan Effort for Arsenal's Mark Randall?....Vine Backs Sousa/Calls for Patience....Chelsea Search for an Asian Star....World War I Footballers Honoured for Bravery....England's Best Ever Defenders?
QPR Official Site - BLACKSTOCK SEALS FOREST SWITCH
- R's front-man Dexter Blackstock has joined Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest on loan until the end of the season.
- The 22 year-old - who has notched 12 goals this season - will stay with Billy Davies' outfit until Sunday 3rd May 2009.
- Blackstock joined QPR in August 2006 and has scored 32 goals in 117 appearances in all competitions. QPR Official Site
Nottingham Forest Official Site - Billy Gets His Man
-Nottingham Forest have ended their search for a striker by swooping for Queens Park Rangers forward Dexter Blackstock.
- The 22 year old has been on Forest's radar for some weeks but hopes of clinching a loan deal for him looked to be fading.
- But only hours before today's closing of the loan window Forest man Billy Davies got his man.
- Blackstock has signed for the remainder of the season and Rangers have no recall on the player in that time.
-Forest have also agreed an undisclosed loan fee with the Londoners.
Blackstock signed for Rangers from Southampton in a £2.75m deal in August 2006.
- The former England under-21 striker has scored 32 goals in 94 starts during his time at Loftus Road.
- Blackstock started his career with Oxford, where he was born, but joined Southampton before making his debut." Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest Official Site - Billy Delighted
- Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies could not hide his delight at securing the services of Queens Park Rangers striker Dexter Blackstock.
- The 22 year old completed his loan move until the end of the season today and Davis enthused: "I'm sure he will prove to be a great acquisition.
- "It's no secret that we have been looking for a certain type of striker and Dexter certainly fits that bill.
- "I've been watching him with great interest for several seasons and he's got all the attributes of a top striker.
- "Most importantly he scores goals but he's also got presence and good movement in his play.
- "In addition to getting goals himself I'm sure he will provide a lot of openings for others."
- Blackstock will train with his new Forest team mates for the first time on Monday.
- Nottingham Forest
Football Fan Census of Fans in Present Economic Climate
-
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for additional articles and where the discussion is only on football and all perspectives are welcome! -Recently Posted: Recalling Rodney Marsh's Home Debut for QPR....QPR Loan Effort for Arsenal's Mark Randall?....Vine Backs Sousa/Calls for Patience....Chelsea Search for an Asian Star....World War I Footballers Honoured for Bravery....England's Best Ever Defenders?
The Football Fan Census
- The Football Fan Census has a short questionaire. Can be answered here
- If interested, feel free to also (but not instead!) post your answers on the the QPR Report Messageboard Census Question thread
Football Fan Census - Fans/Economic Climate
The survey is just 5 questions long. To participate you have to be registered with the FFC which, if you haven't done previously, you can do at the end of this survey and register the team you support.
Q1. Which of the following football merchandise do you plan to sacrifice (i.e. not purchase where you would normally do so) in the coming six months because of increasing living costs? (tick any that apply)
Scarf
Replica shirt
Kids' replica kit (incl strip, shorts and socks)
Programmes
T-shirts
Training jackets and/or trousers
Hat / cap
General branded household goods (e.g. towels, mugs, duvet, posters etc)
Club credit card
None of the above
I don't intend to sacrifice spending on club merchandise
If there are any other items that you would like to mention then please do so below:
Q2. How many fewer AWAY matches do you intend to travel to next season?
Non applicable, I don't go to away matches
I will stop completely
Less than 5 fewer
Between 5 and 10 fewer
Between 11 and 15 fewer
Between 16 and 20 fewer
I won't stop travelling to any away matches next season
Q3. How often would you buy ADDITIONAL matchday tickets if the price of the ticket was linked to the result? e.g. you pay more for your ticket upfront but get a full refund if your team loses.
Very often (10+ games a season)
Often (6-10 games a season)
Sometimes (3-5 games a season)
Rarely (1 or 2 games a season)
Never
Q4. Do you think that footballers should take a wage cut given the current economic climate?
Yes
No, but wage caps are a good idea
No, footballers are free to earn as much as they can
Q5. If you would like to make any further comment please do so below:
Football Fan Census Question
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for additional articles and where the discussion is only on football and all perspectives are welcome! -Recently Posted: Recalling Rodney Marsh's Home Debut for QPR....QPR Loan Effort for Arsenal's Mark Randall?....Vine Backs Sousa/Calls for Patience....Chelsea Search for an Asian Star....World War I Footballers Honoured for Bravery....England's Best Ever Defenders?
The Football Fan Census
- The Football Fan Census has a short questionaire. Can be answered here
- If interested, feel free to also (but not instead!) post your answers on the the QPR Report Messageboard Census Question thread
Football Fan Census - Fans/Economic Climate
The survey is just 5 questions long. To participate you have to be registered with the FFC which, if you haven't done previously, you can do at the end of this survey and register the team you support.
Q1. Which of the following football merchandise do you plan to sacrifice (i.e. not purchase where you would normally do so) in the coming six months because of increasing living costs? (tick any that apply)
Scarf
Replica shirt
Kids' replica kit (incl strip, shorts and socks)
Programmes
T-shirts
Training jackets and/or trousers
Hat / cap
General branded household goods (e.g. towels, mugs, duvet, posters etc)
Club credit card
None of the above
I don't intend to sacrifice spending on club merchandise
If there are any other items that you would like to mention then please do so below:
Q2. How many fewer AWAY matches do you intend to travel to next season?
Non applicable, I don't go to away matches
I will stop completely
Less than 5 fewer
Between 5 and 10 fewer
Between 11 and 15 fewer
Between 16 and 20 fewer
I won't stop travelling to any away matches next season
Q3. How often would you buy ADDITIONAL matchday tickets if the price of the ticket was linked to the result? e.g. you pay more for your ticket upfront but get a full refund if your team loses.
Very often (10+ games a season)
Often (6-10 games a season)
Sometimes (3-5 games a season)
Rarely (1 or 2 games a season)
Never
Q4. Do you think that footballers should take a wage cut given the current economic climate?
Yes
No, but wage caps are a good idea
No, footballers are free to earn as much as they can
Q5. If you would like to make any further comment please do so below:
Football Fan Census Question
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Vine Urges Patience and Giving Sousa Time...Blackstock Available (But Loan Window Closes Tomorrow)...QPR Reserves Lose
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- QPR Reserves Lose to Brighton
Sky/Chris Galea - Vine calls for patience QPR striker backs boss Sousa
- Queens Park Rangers striker Rowan Vine believes manager Paulo Sousa should be given time to transform the Hoops into a side capable of competing in the Premier League.
- The Hoops still have a chance of getting into the play-offs this season, as they currently sit seven points away from the top six and Vine believes that their recent victories over fellow play-off chasing Swansea and Bristol City have proved that Sousa is the right man for the job.
- "I think it is hugely important that Paolo is given time over the summer to form the foundations for a promotion push, as he was handed a tough task when he took over earlier this season," Vine told skysports.com.
- "He took over just before the Christmas period, which is always a tricky time of year, and he had to hit the ground running really.
- "He was trying to put his ideas across to the players, but it is difficult to do that quickly when there is a game every Saturday and Tuesday.
- "The summer will allow him to really put his ideas in motion and we have already seen the benefits that he has given the players with the recent results.
- "I really hope that Paolo is given the time that is needed for us to have a real good crack at getting into the Premier League next season."
- No stability
- The Hoops have had three different men at the helm this season, as Iain Dowie was replaced by Souza, with Gareth Ainsworth acting as caretaker in between, and Vine insists these changes may have cost them a play-off place this season.
- "There have been a lot of changes this season and we have had three different managers, including a caretaker, as well, and there are still new signings coming in nearly every week, so I don't think that sort of instability has helped our cause this season.
- "Success doesn't come over night and I think anything better than our 14th place finish last season should be seen as progress.
- "I think the manner in which we finish the season will judge whether we have done well this season, as a strong finish would give us a top ten place in the table and something to build on next season." SkySports
Dave McIntyre/Ealing Gazette - More doubts over Dexter's future
- QPR have rejected an approach from Nottingham Forest for Dexter Blackstock – but his days at Loftus Road look numbered.
- Rangers will listen to offers for Blackstock, who is now effectively up for sale after being overlooked by coach Paulo Sousa.
- Rowan Vine’s return from a broken leg will push the former Southampton forward further down the pecking order. And with Sousa keen to sign at least one striker this summer, Blackstock’s future appears to lie elsewhere.
- Sousa’s own position will be assessed at the end of the season, but Blackstock is not a favourite of Rangers boss Flavio Briatore either - despite scoring 12 goals in a season in which he has not been a first-team regular.
- Terms for a new long-term contract for Blackstock were agreed in January, but the deal was called off without him putting pen to paper and his future has since been in doubt.
- Forest have expressed an interest in taking Blackstock on an initial loan deal with a view to a permanent transfer at the end of the season, but Rangers are not keen.
- Goalkeeper Lee Camp joined Forest in a similar arrangement ahead of the January transfer window, but a permanent move never materialised and he ended up back at Rangers when his loan expired.
- At least one other Championship club is believed to be considering making an offer for Blackstock, who has been a key player for QPR since his move from Southampton in 2006.
- He scored 14 goals in his first season at Rangers, several of them coming in the crucial end-of-season run-in to help the club avoid relegation. Last season he endured a bad spell but finished the campaign strongly, netting four goals in seven matches.
- Blackstock is Rangers’ top scorer again this season, but has been in and out of the side and has not been helped by his last three managers preferring to play with a lone striker. Sousa believes January signing Heidar Helguson is more suited to that role.
- And Sousa has recently indicated that he would like to sign a target man to give Rangers a stronger physical presence in attack and to link up with the likes of Vine, Akos Buzsaky and Wayne Routledge next season. Ealing Gazette
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard : Where the discussion is only on football and all perspectives are welcome! - Recently Posted: Ex-QPR Player Starts His Managerial Career....Noting Who's Lopez's Agent ... Still Waiting for a QPR Fan Forum
- QPR Reserves Lose to Brighton
Sky/Chris Galea - Vine calls for patience QPR striker backs boss Sousa
- Queens Park Rangers striker Rowan Vine believes manager Paulo Sousa should be given time to transform the Hoops into a side capable of competing in the Premier League.
- The Hoops still have a chance of getting into the play-offs this season, as they currently sit seven points away from the top six and Vine believes that their recent victories over fellow play-off chasing Swansea and Bristol City have proved that Sousa is the right man for the job.
- "I think it is hugely important that Paolo is given time over the summer to form the foundations for a promotion push, as he was handed a tough task when he took over earlier this season," Vine told skysports.com.
- "He took over just before the Christmas period, which is always a tricky time of year, and he had to hit the ground running really.
- "He was trying to put his ideas across to the players, but it is difficult to do that quickly when there is a game every Saturday and Tuesday.
- "The summer will allow him to really put his ideas in motion and we have already seen the benefits that he has given the players with the recent results.
- "I really hope that Paolo is given the time that is needed for us to have a real good crack at getting into the Premier League next season."
- No stability
- The Hoops have had three different men at the helm this season, as Iain Dowie was replaced by Souza, with Gareth Ainsworth acting as caretaker in between, and Vine insists these changes may have cost them a play-off place this season.
- "There have been a lot of changes this season and we have had three different managers, including a caretaker, as well, and there are still new signings coming in nearly every week, so I don't think that sort of instability has helped our cause this season.
- "Success doesn't come over night and I think anything better than our 14th place finish last season should be seen as progress.
- "I think the manner in which we finish the season will judge whether we have done well this season, as a strong finish would give us a top ten place in the table and something to build on next season." SkySports
Dave McIntyre/Ealing Gazette - More doubts over Dexter's future
- QPR have rejected an approach from Nottingham Forest for Dexter Blackstock – but his days at Loftus Road look numbered.
- Rangers will listen to offers for Blackstock, who is now effectively up for sale after being overlooked by coach Paulo Sousa.
- Rowan Vine’s return from a broken leg will push the former Southampton forward further down the pecking order. And with Sousa keen to sign at least one striker this summer, Blackstock’s future appears to lie elsewhere.
- Sousa’s own position will be assessed at the end of the season, but Blackstock is not a favourite of Rangers boss Flavio Briatore either - despite scoring 12 goals in a season in which he has not been a first-team regular.
- Terms for a new long-term contract for Blackstock were agreed in January, but the deal was called off without him putting pen to paper and his future has since been in doubt.
- Forest have expressed an interest in taking Blackstock on an initial loan deal with a view to a permanent transfer at the end of the season, but Rangers are not keen.
- Goalkeeper Lee Camp joined Forest in a similar arrangement ahead of the January transfer window, but a permanent move never materialised and he ended up back at Rangers when his loan expired.
- At least one other Championship club is believed to be considering making an offer for Blackstock, who has been a key player for QPR since his move from Southampton in 2006.
- He scored 14 goals in his first season at Rangers, several of them coming in the crucial end-of-season run-in to help the club avoid relegation. Last season he endured a bad spell but finished the campaign strongly, netting four goals in seven matches.
- Blackstock is Rangers’ top scorer again this season, but has been in and out of the side and has not been helped by his last three managers preferring to play with a lone striker. Sousa believes January signing Heidar Helguson is more suited to that role.
- And Sousa has recently indicated that he would like to sign a target man to give Rangers a stronger physical presence in attack and to link up with the likes of Vine, Akos Buzsaky and Wayne Routledge next season. Ealing Gazette
Briatore: Doesn't Pick The Team...Can Always Walk Away...Crystal Palace Retain Maguire Interest
-
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard : Where all perspectives are welcome; alternate-view holding posters are not denigrated; and only QPR and football matters are focused on! Recently Posted: Briatore vs Ecclestone Conflict? .....Ex-QPR Player Starts His Managerial Career....Just Noting Who Lopez's Agent is ... Still Waiting for a QPR Fan Forum ... England's Best Ever Defenders List...Man Ut and Premiership Club Debts
Daily Express/Bob McKenzie - LET'S GET THIS CLEAR, I DON'T PICK THE TEAM
- CONTRARY to rumour, Flavio Briatore will not be standing in his pyjamas in the middle of the Melbourne night picking the Queens Park Rangers team – but he will be on the phone if they lose.
- “Let’s get this absolutely clear,” said Briatore, who is plotting a return to title-winning form for his Renault Formula One team when the season opens at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix.
- “I do not pick the team but I have an opinion on things because we have invested a lot of money.
- “I don’t pick the team, no way, no way. I go in the dressing room sometime after the match but I don’t know why this story is around. But this is our money and we want to be informed about what is going on. It is our investment. If the result is good, nobody puts their nose in.
- “ We want information – and if the results are not coming, then you want to ask why. I think this is normal and not unreasonable. The coach is working for QPR like the players.
- “If we don’t get results in F1, then I discuss with the Renault chairman Carlos Ghosh. Only in football do they think they should not be asked if the result is bad.
- “If the people [supporters] think someone is better to come over, then we have no problem. You need to keep your feet on the floor and have respect for the people who invest.”
- Briatore, with a bit of help from F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, bought the club for £14million in 2007 – but that included a £13m debt.
- They also brought in another billionaire, Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal making them, in theory, the richest club in the land. They have brought a jet-set crowd to the club too.
- Fans expecting a move into a “spend, spend, spend” era have, however, been disappointed. There has been no splashing the cash like Manchester City – that will not happen for a while.
- “We will not be spending money, no, no,” said Briatore. “The billionaires and millionaires are business people, they are not going to throw away money.
- “Money is not the answer. Manchester City is a very good example; they will be lucky to stay in the Premier League. They are like some in F1, people who have an astronomical budget and can’t win a race.”
- As he does in F1, where he has been hugely successful in creating teams with the right people at the right price, he believes a four-year plan is the best way forward. This is only year two.
- “There is no question of being fed-up. Lots of people are very enthusiastic, including us,” he said.
- “We started at QPR only a year ago in the middle of the Championship. The club was ready to pay a penalty of 10 points because, financially, it was not in great shape.”
- Despite their potential wealth, the club are currently 11th in the table, seven points from the play-off spots, but their form has started to pick up recently.
- Some believe that failure will be the end of the fifth coach in charge since the Briatore reign began, with Iain Dowie quitting early this season and hinting strongly at selection interference. Paulo Sousa is the current incumbent and Briatore sounds mildly optimistic about him.
- “I don’t think there is any problem at this moment,” he said.
- “We support Paulo. In the last two or three months, I am not happy with results and the coach knows that. But we have had a lot of injuries to key players. I respect the fact the sport can be like that.
- “It is disappointing but fans should be happy because we have done everything possible; we are there, especially at this moment when there are not so many people who want to buy a club. Everyone who gets their salary from QPR needs to respect who pays the salary.
- “Because QPR is not a profitable business, you need to be very careful. You have to have respect for people who are doing everything for success.”
- There was a time not long ago when he and Ecclestone were rumoured to be considering investing at Stamford Bridge. But Briatore said: “I don’t wish I had invested in Chelsea – that would be worse.
- “Football is a very expensive hobby. The bigger you are, the investment is more and the risk is bigger. We have invested at QPR, took over the debt, we have one of the best food and beverages in a ground in England, we have a great sponsor and great people, but you need to build the club.”
- Leaving the ground one night with Briatore, I heard a fan ask when they would be spending on players. It was mild in tone and most seem to appreciate this man has rescued the club.
- But does he ever get real trouble at Loftus Road?
- “If they give me hassle then I will walk away.
- “We do what we can, I enjoy it – when we win. I want to see more of that like any other fan.” Daily Express
Croydon Advertiser - Trialist could still fit like a Glove
- Palace will continue to monitor the progress of trialist midfielder Danny Maguire after the QPR starlet joined Yeovil on loan until the end of the season.
- The Advertiser exclusively revealed earlier this month that 19-year-old Maguire, who signed a one-year professional deal at Loftus Road last year, had joined the SE25 club on trial.
- Maguire made an instant impact, scoring on his Eagles debut as the reserves completed a comfortable 4-2 win over Millwall’s second string.
It is understood the teenager has no future at the west London club and is free to find another club.
- And despite his switch to Huish Park, Palace will continue to watch the youngster closely as they weigh up whether to move for him in the summer.
- Assistant coach Gary Issott, who worked with Maguire during his time in south London, said: “Danny is a good player who is comfortable on the ball. He showed plenty of potential while he was here.
- “The Yeovil offer was too good for him to turn down – but we’ll keep an eye on how he gets on.
- “But at the end of the day it’s up to the manager (Neil Warnock) on whether he wants to bring him here.” Croydon Advertiser
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard : Where all perspectives are welcome; alternate-view holding posters are not denigrated; and only QPR and football matters are focused on! Recently Posted: Briatore vs Ecclestone Conflict? .....Ex-QPR Player Starts His Managerial Career....Just Noting Who Lopez's Agent is ... Still Waiting for a QPR Fan Forum ... England's Best Ever Defenders List...Man Ut and Premiership Club Debts
Daily Express/Bob McKenzie - LET'S GET THIS CLEAR, I DON'T PICK THE TEAM
- CONTRARY to rumour, Flavio Briatore will not be standing in his pyjamas in the middle of the Melbourne night picking the Queens Park Rangers team – but he will be on the phone if they lose.
- “Let’s get this absolutely clear,” said Briatore, who is plotting a return to title-winning form for his Renault Formula One team when the season opens at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix.
- “I do not pick the team but I have an opinion on things because we have invested a lot of money.
- “I don’t pick the team, no way, no way. I go in the dressing room sometime after the match but I don’t know why this story is around. But this is our money and we want to be informed about what is going on. It is our investment. If the result is good, nobody puts their nose in.
- “ We want information – and if the results are not coming, then you want to ask why. I think this is normal and not unreasonable. The coach is working for QPR like the players.
- “If we don’t get results in F1, then I discuss with the Renault chairman Carlos Ghosh. Only in football do they think they should not be asked if the result is bad.
- “If the people [supporters] think someone is better to come over, then we have no problem. You need to keep your feet on the floor and have respect for the people who invest.”
- Briatore, with a bit of help from F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, bought the club for £14million in 2007 – but that included a £13m debt.
- They also brought in another billionaire, Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal making them, in theory, the richest club in the land. They have brought a jet-set crowd to the club too.
- Fans expecting a move into a “spend, spend, spend” era have, however, been disappointed. There has been no splashing the cash like Manchester City – that will not happen for a while.
- “We will not be spending money, no, no,” said Briatore. “The billionaires and millionaires are business people, they are not going to throw away money.
- “Money is not the answer. Manchester City is a very good example; they will be lucky to stay in the Premier League. They are like some in F1, people who have an astronomical budget and can’t win a race.”
- As he does in F1, where he has been hugely successful in creating teams with the right people at the right price, he believes a four-year plan is the best way forward. This is only year two.
- “There is no question of being fed-up. Lots of people are very enthusiastic, including us,” he said.
- “We started at QPR only a year ago in the middle of the Championship. The club was ready to pay a penalty of 10 points because, financially, it was not in great shape.”
- Despite their potential wealth, the club are currently 11th in the table, seven points from the play-off spots, but their form has started to pick up recently.
- Some believe that failure will be the end of the fifth coach in charge since the Briatore reign began, with Iain Dowie quitting early this season and hinting strongly at selection interference. Paulo Sousa is the current incumbent and Briatore sounds mildly optimistic about him.
- “I don’t think there is any problem at this moment,” he said.
- “We support Paulo. In the last two or three months, I am not happy with results and the coach knows that. But we have had a lot of injuries to key players. I respect the fact the sport can be like that.
- “It is disappointing but fans should be happy because we have done everything possible; we are there, especially at this moment when there are not so many people who want to buy a club. Everyone who gets their salary from QPR needs to respect who pays the salary.
- “Because QPR is not a profitable business, you need to be very careful. You have to have respect for people who are doing everything for success.”
- There was a time not long ago when he and Ecclestone were rumoured to be considering investing at Stamford Bridge. But Briatore said: “I don’t wish I had invested in Chelsea – that would be worse.
- “Football is a very expensive hobby. The bigger you are, the investment is more and the risk is bigger. We have invested at QPR, took over the debt, we have one of the best food and beverages in a ground in England, we have a great sponsor and great people, but you need to build the club.”
- Leaving the ground one night with Briatore, I heard a fan ask when they would be spending on players. It was mild in tone and most seem to appreciate this man has rescued the club.
- But does he ever get real trouble at Loftus Road?
- “If they give me hassle then I will walk away.
- “We do what we can, I enjoy it – when we win. I want to see more of that like any other fan.” Daily Express
Croydon Advertiser - Trialist could still fit like a Glove
- Palace will continue to monitor the progress of trialist midfielder Danny Maguire after the QPR starlet joined Yeovil on loan until the end of the season.
- The Advertiser exclusively revealed earlier this month that 19-year-old Maguire, who signed a one-year professional deal at Loftus Road last year, had joined the SE25 club on trial.
- Maguire made an instant impact, scoring on his Eagles debut as the reserves completed a comfortable 4-2 win over Millwall’s second string.
It is understood the teenager has no future at the west London club and is free to find another club.
- And despite his switch to Huish Park, Palace will continue to watch the youngster closely as they weigh up whether to move for him in the summer.
- Assistant coach Gary Issott, who worked with Maguire during his time in south London, said: “Danny is a good player who is comfortable on the ball. He showed plenty of potential while he was here.
- “The Yeovil offer was too good for him to turn down – but we’ll keep an eye on how he gets on.
- “But at the end of the day it’s up to the manager (Neil Warnock) on whether he wants to bring him here.” Croydon Advertiser
Lopez' QPR Future...Ramage's Perspective...Maguire Loaned to Yeovil
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- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard : Only QPR and football: Articles, opinions, videos and old photos. All perspectives re anything QPR, very welcome! Recently Posted: Briatore vs Ecclestone Conflict? .....Ex-QPR Player Starts His Managerial Career....Just Noting Who Lopez's Agent is ... Still Waiting for a QPR Fan Forum ... England's Best Ever Defenders List...Man Ut and Premiership Club Debts
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times re Jordi Lopez - Sign him up!
- JORDI Lopez is keen to stay at QPR next season - but the club have yet to decide whether they will offer him a new contract.
- The Spanish midfielder has impressed since arriving at Loftus Road six weeks ago and scored his first goal for the club in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Bristol City.
- But Rangers have so far made no overtures to Lopez about a deal for next season - and that could open the door for other interested clubs to snap up the former Sevilla and Real Mallorca man when his three-month contract runs out.
- Lopez's agent Alex Bonnot, who played for Rangers himself during the 2001-02 season, told the Times: "If there are things to be talked about, it will have to be quite soon.
- "Obviously we'll be waiting to see if QPR come and show some interest in keeping him. If they do - and I'd hope that they will - we'll discuss it then.
- "It's been very much an extended trial for Jordi, to sign for QPR and show if he could adapt to English football. He's doing his part and it's the club's part to say whether they are interested or not.
- "Jordi's happy at the moment. He speaks really well of his team-mates at QPR and also of Paulo Sousa - they have a good understanding."
- The Rs boss is known to be a fan of Lopez - along with winger Wayne Routledge, he is the only player brought into the club on Sousa's wishes since he succeeded Iain Dowie.
- Sousa's own future remains in the balance and ultimately, the coach's destiny is likely be a significant factor in whether or not Lopez is wearing a QPR shirt at the start of next season.
- But there is little doubt that the Loftus Road crowd have quickly warmed to the Spaniard, especially after his superbly placed free-kick that put the Rs ahead against Bristol City.
- Speaking through a translator, the 28-year-old confirmed: "Of course I'm very grateful that the coach wanted me to come.
- "I've settled in quickly and I'm enjoying it. I always wanted to come to England to play football and I'm really happy here. I want to keep on working and continue like this."
- Bonnot, who also spent two and a half years with Watford before his spell at Loftus Road, acknowledges that overseas players must learn to modify their game when they move to an English club.
- "I don't think it is difficult to adapt when you come to England, but it isn't only how you do, it's also how you are seen to be doing," he added.
- "You can have quality on the technical side of the game, but this would be useless if you don't also have the physical qualities. The main point is to keep your own quality but add other things. Kilburn Times
Kilburn Times - Matt's the man, says rival Ramage
- PETER Ramage has tipped the man who kept him out of the side for two months to be QPR's player of the year.
- Matthew Connolly's form at right-back left Ramage kicking his heels on the sidelines until defensive absences elsewhere brought the Geordie back into favour in recent weeks.
- Connolly, meanwhile, has been filling in more than adequately at left-back and centre-back, and Ramage admitted: "I think Connors has arguably been our player of the season so far - the last couple of weeks he's played in every position but goalkeeper.
- "Damion [Stewart] and Kaspars [Gorkss] formed a formidable partnership at the back and that was only broken because of injuries.
"I think it's testament to the back four that Radek Cerny's had hardly anything to do in the last couple of weeks, he's been a virtual spectator.
"We've got one of the best defensive records and that was one of the reasons I couldn't get in the team. It was frustrating on my part, but I could have no argument - the lads were playing well."
The summer signing from Newcastle was virtually an ever-present in the side during Iain Dowie's brief reign and continued to feature in the majority of matches until Rangers' FA Cup third round tie with Burnley.
But, with Connolly switching to right-back to accommodate the Stewart-Gorkss axis, Ramage found himself out of the picture until an injury to Damien Delaney indirectly opened the door at Doncaster earlier this month.
- "You try to keep your head right and keep right physically as well," Ramage recalled. "We've got a great bunch of lads who keep everyone's spirits up - there are a few jokers, even the lads that aren't in the team.
- "It's been frustrating for Fitz [Hall] as well. Both of us have played in the Premier League, we've come down and wanted to play week in, week out. Now my aim is to stay in the team and help the team to the play-offs."
- That target still remains just about feasible following Rangers' back-to-back wins over Swansea and Bristol City, but it would take an incredible extension of that form to haul them from 11th place into the coveted sixth.
- Even optimistic observers admit the Rs would have to win at least five of their remaining six games to have a chance, but Ramage insisted: "If we keep winning, we can go up there - there's no reason why not.
- "That's what we were aiming for at the start of the season and just because we're a little behind, I don't see why we can't still achieve it. Saturday was a very good win and it was important to carry on the form we showed against Swansea.
- "We've just got to concentrate on what we do and if we don't do it this season, I've every confidence we can really put a challenge in next season. Kilburn Times
Yeovil Official Site [Dany Maguire] Another loan signs on
- Yeovil Town have signed Queens Park Rangers central midfielder Danny Maguire on loan until the end of the season.
- 19 year old Maguire has come through the ranks at Rangers and has been at the club since he was 8 years old.
- During his time at the club he began to be noticed in the Youth side and last season was appointed captain of the under 18 side.
- Noted for his the strength of his passing and reading of the game Danny was offered his first professional contract at the end of last season." Yeovil
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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times re Jordi Lopez - Sign him up!
- JORDI Lopez is keen to stay at QPR next season - but the club have yet to decide whether they will offer him a new contract.
- The Spanish midfielder has impressed since arriving at Loftus Road six weeks ago and scored his first goal for the club in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Bristol City.
- But Rangers have so far made no overtures to Lopez about a deal for next season - and that could open the door for other interested clubs to snap up the former Sevilla and Real Mallorca man when his three-month contract runs out.
- Lopez's agent Alex Bonnot, who played for Rangers himself during the 2001-02 season, told the Times: "If there are things to be talked about, it will have to be quite soon.
- "Obviously we'll be waiting to see if QPR come and show some interest in keeping him. If they do - and I'd hope that they will - we'll discuss it then.
- "It's been very much an extended trial for Jordi, to sign for QPR and show if he could adapt to English football. He's doing his part and it's the club's part to say whether they are interested or not.
- "Jordi's happy at the moment. He speaks really well of his team-mates at QPR and also of Paulo Sousa - they have a good understanding."
- The Rs boss is known to be a fan of Lopez - along with winger Wayne Routledge, he is the only player brought into the club on Sousa's wishes since he succeeded Iain Dowie.
- Sousa's own future remains in the balance and ultimately, the coach's destiny is likely be a significant factor in whether or not Lopez is wearing a QPR shirt at the start of next season.
- But there is little doubt that the Loftus Road crowd have quickly warmed to the Spaniard, especially after his superbly placed free-kick that put the Rs ahead against Bristol City.
- Speaking through a translator, the 28-year-old confirmed: "Of course I'm very grateful that the coach wanted me to come.
- "I've settled in quickly and I'm enjoying it. I always wanted to come to England to play football and I'm really happy here. I want to keep on working and continue like this."
- Bonnot, who also spent two and a half years with Watford before his spell at Loftus Road, acknowledges that overseas players must learn to modify their game when they move to an English club.
- "I don't think it is difficult to adapt when you come to England, but it isn't only how you do, it's also how you are seen to be doing," he added.
- "You can have quality on the technical side of the game, but this would be useless if you don't also have the physical qualities. The main point is to keep your own quality but add other things. Kilburn Times
Kilburn Times - Matt's the man, says rival Ramage
- PETER Ramage has tipped the man who kept him out of the side for two months to be QPR's player of the year.
- Matthew Connolly's form at right-back left Ramage kicking his heels on the sidelines until defensive absences elsewhere brought the Geordie back into favour in recent weeks.
- Connolly, meanwhile, has been filling in more than adequately at left-back and centre-back, and Ramage admitted: "I think Connors has arguably been our player of the season so far - the last couple of weeks he's played in every position but goalkeeper.
- "Damion [Stewart] and Kaspars [Gorkss] formed a formidable partnership at the back and that was only broken because of injuries.
"I think it's testament to the back four that Radek Cerny's had hardly anything to do in the last couple of weeks, he's been a virtual spectator.
"We've got one of the best defensive records and that was one of the reasons I couldn't get in the team. It was frustrating on my part, but I could have no argument - the lads were playing well."
The summer signing from Newcastle was virtually an ever-present in the side during Iain Dowie's brief reign and continued to feature in the majority of matches until Rangers' FA Cup third round tie with Burnley.
But, with Connolly switching to right-back to accommodate the Stewart-Gorkss axis, Ramage found himself out of the picture until an injury to Damien Delaney indirectly opened the door at Doncaster earlier this month.
- "You try to keep your head right and keep right physically as well," Ramage recalled. "We've got a great bunch of lads who keep everyone's spirits up - there are a few jokers, even the lads that aren't in the team.
- "It's been frustrating for Fitz [Hall] as well. Both of us have played in the Premier League, we've come down and wanted to play week in, week out. Now my aim is to stay in the team and help the team to the play-offs."
- That target still remains just about feasible following Rangers' back-to-back wins over Swansea and Bristol City, but it would take an incredible extension of that form to haul them from 11th place into the coveted sixth.
- Even optimistic observers admit the Rs would have to win at least five of their remaining six games to have a chance, but Ramage insisted: "If we keep winning, we can go up there - there's no reason why not.
- "That's what we were aiming for at the start of the season and just because we're a little behind, I don't see why we can't still achieve it. Saturday was a very good win and it was important to carry on the form we showed against Swansea.
- "We've just got to concentrate on what we do and if we don't do it this season, I've every confidence we can really put a challenge in next season. Kilburn Times
Yeovil Official Site [Dany Maguire] Another loan signs on
- Yeovil Town have signed Queens Park Rangers central midfielder Danny Maguire on loan until the end of the season.
- 19 year old Maguire has come through the ranks at Rangers and has been at the club since he was 8 years old.
- During his time at the club he began to be noticed in the Youth side and last season was appointed captain of the under 18 side.
- Noted for his the strength of his passing and reading of the game Danny was offered his first professional contract at the end of last season." Yeovil
More Briatore re Sousa and Briatore's Involvement With QPR
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- Sporting Life - SOUSA HAS BRIATORE BACKING
- Queens Park Rangers co-owner Flavio Briatore insists Paulo Sousa's job is not under imminent threat.
- Rumours have been spreading for some time that the Portuguese coach will be relieved of his duties at the end of the season.
- Rangers were expected to be pushing for promotion from the Championship this term, following the arrival of F1 magnates Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone on the board, but that has not proven to be the case.
- They appear destined to miss out on the play-offs, with Sousa then expected to pay the price for failure.
- However, Briatore claims that there are no plans at present to implement managerial changes over the summer.
- "I don't think there is any problem at this moment," he said in the Daily Express.
- "We support Paulo. In the last two or three months, I am not happy with results and the coach knows that. But we have had a lot of injuries to key players. I respect the fact the sport can be like that.
- "It is disappointing but fans should be happy because we have done everything possible; we are there, especially at this moment when there are not so many people who want to buy a club. Everyone who gets their salary from QPR needs to respect who pays the salary.
- "Because QPR is not a profitable business, you need to be very careful. You have to have respect for people who are doing everything for success."
- While Briatore has left no-one in doubt as to who is charge at Loftus Road, he has again denied accusations suggesting he meddles too much in team affairs.
- "Let's get this absolutely clear. I do not pick the team but I have an opinion on things because we have invested a lot of money," said the Italian businessman.
- "I don't pick the team, no way. I go in the dressing room sometimes after the match but I don't know why this story is around. But this is our money and we want to be informed about what is going on. It is our investment. If the result is good, nobody puts their nose in.
- "We want results and if the results are not coming, then you want to ask why. I think this is normal and not unreasonable." Sporting Life
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- Sporting Life - SOUSA HAS BRIATORE BACKING
- Queens Park Rangers co-owner Flavio Briatore insists Paulo Sousa's job is not under imminent threat.
- Rumours have been spreading for some time that the Portuguese coach will be relieved of his duties at the end of the season.
- Rangers were expected to be pushing for promotion from the Championship this term, following the arrival of F1 magnates Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone on the board, but that has not proven to be the case.
- They appear destined to miss out on the play-offs, with Sousa then expected to pay the price for failure.
- However, Briatore claims that there are no plans at present to implement managerial changes over the summer.
- "I don't think there is any problem at this moment," he said in the Daily Express.
- "We support Paulo. In the last two or three months, I am not happy with results and the coach knows that. But we have had a lot of injuries to key players. I respect the fact the sport can be like that.
- "It is disappointing but fans should be happy because we have done everything possible; we are there, especially at this moment when there are not so many people who want to buy a club. Everyone who gets their salary from QPR needs to respect who pays the salary.
- "Because QPR is not a profitable business, you need to be very careful. You have to have respect for people who are doing everything for success."
- While Briatore has left no-one in doubt as to who is charge at Loftus Road, he has again denied accusations suggesting he meddles too much in team affairs.
- "Let's get this absolutely clear. I do not pick the team but I have an opinion on things because we have invested a lot of money," said the Italian businessman.
- "I don't pick the team, no way. I go in the dressing room sometimes after the match but I don't know why this story is around. But this is our money and we want to be informed about what is going on. It is our investment. If the result is good, nobody puts their nose in.
- "We want results and if the results are not coming, then you want to ask why. I think this is normal and not unreasonable." Sporting Life
Briatore's Supposed "Warning" to QPR Fans
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[The source of Briatore's supposed quote "'If they give me hassle then I will walk away" is unclear/unstated]
Daily Mail/HatchetMan - Bravo Briatore for making mega-rich QPR also-rans - then threatening to take his money away if QPR fans dare to criticise him
Flavio Briatore must inspire great confidence and unity at QPR.
With the team failing to live up to expectations, he has shown his ignorance about the game and warned that despite the billions of pounds available to the club's owners they will not be investing too much of it in the club.
-'We will not be spending money, no,' Rangers' Italian co-owner said. 'Money is not the answer. Manchester City are a very good example - they will be lucky to stay in the Premier League. They are like some in F1, people who have an astronomical budget and can't win a race.'
- The long and short of it...is that Flavio Briatore (left) and Bernie Ecclestone will leave QPR if the fans say bad things about the team
- Now City are 10th in the top flight (QPR are 11th in the division below) and into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup. Their efforts may be considered a considerable disappointment, even a failure given their outlay, but that doesn't make Briatore right - or explain why he wants to pick a fight with them.
The guy may have done well in Formula One but his idea of trying to get fans on side at Loftus Road leaves just a little to be desired.
- His message for supporters not keen on the way he and Bernie Ecclestone are running things? 'If they give me hassle then I will walk away,' he said.
Sounds like a thoroughly charming chap, doesn't he? - Daily Mail
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard : Only QPR and football: Articles, opinions, videos and old photos. All perspectives re anything QPR, very welcome! Recently Posted: Briatore vs Ecclestone Conflict? .....Ex-QPR Player Starts His Managerial Career....Just Noting Who Lopez's Agent is ... Still Waiting for a QPR Fan Forum ... England's Best Ever Defenders List...Man Ut and Premiership Club Debts
[The source of Briatore's supposed quote "'If they give me hassle then I will walk away" is unclear/unstated]
Daily Mail/HatchetMan - Bravo Briatore for making mega-rich QPR also-rans - then threatening to take his money away if QPR fans dare to criticise him
Flavio Briatore must inspire great confidence and unity at QPR.
With the team failing to live up to expectations, he has shown his ignorance about the game and warned that despite the billions of pounds available to the club's owners they will not be investing too much of it in the club.
-'We will not be spending money, no,' Rangers' Italian co-owner said. 'Money is not the answer. Manchester City are a very good example - they will be lucky to stay in the Premier League. They are like some in F1, people who have an astronomical budget and can't win a race.'
- The long and short of it...is that Flavio Briatore (left) and Bernie Ecclestone will leave QPR if the fans say bad things about the team
- Now City are 10th in the top flight (QPR are 11th in the division below) and into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup. Their efforts may be considered a considerable disappointment, even a failure given their outlay, but that doesn't make Briatore right - or explain why he wants to pick a fight with them.
The guy may have done well in Formula One but his idea of trying to get fans on side at Loftus Road leaves just a little to be desired.
- His message for supporters not keen on the way he and Bernie Ecclestone are running things? 'If they give me hassle then I will walk away,' he said.
Sounds like a thoroughly charming chap, doesn't he? - Daily Mail
Nottingham Forest Confirm Blackstock Interest
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Nottingham Evening Post - Davies: Blackstock is a Forest target
- NOTTINGHAM Forest are targeting a £2m move for QPR striker Dexter Blackstock.
But the powerful front-man is unlikely to arrive at the City Ground before the summer.
- Reds boss Billy Davies believes Blackstock can add some physical presence to his attacking arsenal at the City Ground.
- But he may have to pursue other targets to bolster their fight against relegation, with the 22-year-old unwilling to commit himself to a move until Forest's fate is confirmed.
- QPR's 12-goal striker is stalling on a new contract at Loftus Road and the London club are willing to do business – at a price.
- But while they might be willing to allow Blackstock to move to the City Ground on loan if a fee can be agreed for a permanent deal in the future, the player himself is understood to be concerned about the prospect of Forest being relegated.
- And manager Davies admits the former Oxford, Southampton, Plymouth and Derby player might have to be a target for the summer.
- "We are looking to bring in one or two before Thursday, but we are also putting one or two things in place for the summer as well," said Davies.
- "We are looking at several targets and making several enquiries and Dexter Blackstock is among one of those names we are asking about.
- "He is one of several players we are looking at.
"We know we have a rebuilding job to do, we know we have to plan for the future.
- "At this moment we are looking at possible targets and doing all we can to look at possible targets now.
- "We do not want to get to the summer and then be scrambling for possible targets. We need to get ahead of the game now."
- Davies admits that Forest are having to prepare a Plan A for a future in the Championship and a Plan B for if they are relegated.
- "That is the situation, we have to prepare for both eventualities (League One or the Championship) but there is no doubt which one I am preparing for more," he said.
- "I see the determination and spirit in that dressing room and it convinces me that we should be preparing for life in the Championship."
- Davies accepts that Forest's fight against relegation will be a negative influence as they try to sign players.
- "I am sure if you were the player, then you would like to wait to see what happens. You can understand that," he said.
- "But we will continue to identify possible targets, we will continue to make enquiries. But it will depend on where we are.
- "We just have to go and get the job done. Once we are through this season, we will not be too far away." Nottingham Evening Post
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard : Only QPR and football: Articles, opinions, videos and old photos. All perspectives re anything QPR, very welcome!
Nottingham Evening Post - Davies: Blackstock is a Forest target
- NOTTINGHAM Forest are targeting a £2m move for QPR striker Dexter Blackstock.
But the powerful front-man is unlikely to arrive at the City Ground before the summer.
- Reds boss Billy Davies believes Blackstock can add some physical presence to his attacking arsenal at the City Ground.
- But he may have to pursue other targets to bolster their fight against relegation, with the 22-year-old unwilling to commit himself to a move until Forest's fate is confirmed.
- QPR's 12-goal striker is stalling on a new contract at Loftus Road and the London club are willing to do business – at a price.
- But while they might be willing to allow Blackstock to move to the City Ground on loan if a fee can be agreed for a permanent deal in the future, the player himself is understood to be concerned about the prospect of Forest being relegated.
- And manager Davies admits the former Oxford, Southampton, Plymouth and Derby player might have to be a target for the summer.
- "We are looking to bring in one or two before Thursday, but we are also putting one or two things in place for the summer as well," said Davies.
- "We are looking at several targets and making several enquiries and Dexter Blackstock is among one of those names we are asking about.
- "He is one of several players we are looking at.
"We know we have a rebuilding job to do, we know we have to plan for the future.
- "At this moment we are looking at possible targets and doing all we can to look at possible targets now.
- "We do not want to get to the summer and then be scrambling for possible targets. We need to get ahead of the game now."
- Davies admits that Forest are having to prepare a Plan A for a future in the Championship and a Plan B for if they are relegated.
- "That is the situation, we have to prepare for both eventualities (League One or the Championship) but there is no doubt which one I am preparing for more," he said.
- "I see the determination and spirit in that dressing room and it convinces me that we should be preparing for life in the Championship."
- Davies accepts that Forest's fight against relegation will be a negative influence as they try to sign players.
- "I am sure if you were the player, then you would like to wait to see what happens. You can understand that," he said.
- "But we will continue to identify possible targets, we will continue to make enquiries. But it will depend on where we are.
- "We just have to go and get the job done. Once we are through this season, we will not be too far away." Nottingham Evening Post
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Briatore Urges Football Salary Cap...Rules Out Big Name/High Fee Transfers to QPR
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- Alessandro Poggi - Bloomberg - March 24
Queens Park Rangers’ Briatore Calls for Salary Cap in Soccer
- Flavio Briatore, co-owner of English second-tier soccer team Queens Park Rangers, called for a cap on salaries, saying players can’t be “untouchable” during the economic downturn.
- “The way the wages of the players are in this moment is completely wrong,” Briatore said in an interview yesterday. “A salary cap is fundamental. It’s not possible for people investing in football to make up the difference from their pocket every year.”
- Renault boss Briatore and fellow Formula One tycoon Bernie Ecclestone bought the west London team in September 2007, and three months later billionaire Lakshmi Mittal’s family acquired a 20 percent stake. Mittal is Britain’s richest man, according to the Sunday Times, which put his fortune at 27.7 billion pounds ($40.2 billion) last April.
- “Maybe the shareholder is quite a wealthy one, but the club has nothing to do with the shareholder,” Briatore said. “It’s difficult for me cutting the salaries of people working in Formula One or the employees of QPR, while the players are untouchable. It’s about principles.”
- In England, only League Two -- the fourth tier of the country’s soccer -- has a system under which a team’s spending on player wages is limited to 60 percent of total revenue. The higher leagues don’t have such a rule.
- Formula One is taking steps to curb its own spending as it seeks to stop carmakers from abandoning the sport. The FIA ruling body has said teams that adopt a budget of 30 million pounds will get more freedom to make engine and bodywork changes. Soccer needs reforms, too, Briatore said.
- Platini Proposal
- “We invest the money and we want to be in charge,” Briatore said. “We need to stay together and -- exactly like in Formula One -- we need to cut costs.”
- Michel Platini, president of European soccer’s ruling body UEFA, has said a limit on the percentage of clubs’ revenue that could be spent on player transfers and wages is one possibility. English Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore opposes such a policy, saying it would entrench the top clubs.
- Briatore ruled out splashing high transfer fees on “big names” players at QPR.
- “I don’t think any big names in this moment will help us. I want to stay away from the big names. The bigger the name, the more money you lose.”
- Briatore cited Ricardo Quaresma as an example of an expensive signing that hadn’t worked out. The Portuguese winger was signed by Inter Milan for 18 million euros ($24.5 million) last year. He was sent on loan to Chelsea after failing to make an impression at the San Siro.
- QPR is 11th in the Championship, seven points off a place in the playoffs, where teams compete for a place in the Premier League. QPR last played in the top division in 1996.
- To contact the reporter on this story: Alessandro Poggi in London at Apoggi1@bloomberg.net. Bloomberg
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for articles and opinions: All perspectives welcome! [Recent Posts of Interest: Briatore: Sousa’s Fate Decided at End of Season.....From the blog of former QPR Holdings Chairman, Antonio Caliendo: "Pay Your Debts".....Bernie Ecclestone Talking About Buying QPR, Finances and Watching Chelsea.]
- Alessandro Poggi - Bloomberg - March 24
Queens Park Rangers’ Briatore Calls for Salary Cap in Soccer
- Flavio Briatore, co-owner of English second-tier soccer team Queens Park Rangers, called for a cap on salaries, saying players can’t be “untouchable” during the economic downturn.
- “The way the wages of the players are in this moment is completely wrong,” Briatore said in an interview yesterday. “A salary cap is fundamental. It’s not possible for people investing in football to make up the difference from their pocket every year.”
- Renault boss Briatore and fellow Formula One tycoon Bernie Ecclestone bought the west London team in September 2007, and three months later billionaire Lakshmi Mittal’s family acquired a 20 percent stake. Mittal is Britain’s richest man, according to the Sunday Times, which put his fortune at 27.7 billion pounds ($40.2 billion) last April.
- “Maybe the shareholder is quite a wealthy one, but the club has nothing to do with the shareholder,” Briatore said. “It’s difficult for me cutting the salaries of people working in Formula One or the employees of QPR, while the players are untouchable. It’s about principles.”
- In England, only League Two -- the fourth tier of the country’s soccer -- has a system under which a team’s spending on player wages is limited to 60 percent of total revenue. The higher leagues don’t have such a rule.
- Formula One is taking steps to curb its own spending as it seeks to stop carmakers from abandoning the sport. The FIA ruling body has said teams that adopt a budget of 30 million pounds will get more freedom to make engine and bodywork changes. Soccer needs reforms, too, Briatore said.
- Platini Proposal
- “We invest the money and we want to be in charge,” Briatore said. “We need to stay together and -- exactly like in Formula One -- we need to cut costs.”
- Michel Platini, president of European soccer’s ruling body UEFA, has said a limit on the percentage of clubs’ revenue that could be spent on player transfers and wages is one possibility. English Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore opposes such a policy, saying it would entrench the top clubs.
- Briatore ruled out splashing high transfer fees on “big names” players at QPR.
- “I don’t think any big names in this moment will help us. I want to stay away from the big names. The bigger the name, the more money you lose.”
- Briatore cited Ricardo Quaresma as an example of an expensive signing that hadn’t worked out. The Portuguese winger was signed by Inter Milan for 18 million euros ($24.5 million) last year. He was sent on loan to Chelsea after failing to make an impression at the San Siro.
- QPR is 11th in the Championship, seven points off a place in the playoffs, where teams compete for a place in the Premier League. QPR last played in the top division in 1996.
- To contact the reporter on this story: Alessandro Poggi in London at Apoggi1@bloomberg.net. Bloomberg
Monday, March 23, 2009
Briatore Vague About Sousa's Fate
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["In Case You Missed it:" - Bernie Ecclestone Talking About Buying QPR, Football Finances and Going to Watch Chelsea....The photo in Sousa's Office.... From the blog of former QPR Chairman, Antonio Caliendo: "Pay Your Debts"
- Bloombergs/Alessandro Poggi - QPR Coach Sousa’s Fate Decided at End of Season, Briatore Says
- Paulo Sousa’s tenure at Queens Park Rangers may be in doubt after the soccer club’s co-owner Flavio Briatore said the coach’s fate will be decided at the end of the season.
- There was recent U.K. media speculation that Sousa, 38, might be replaced at the second-tier west London team after a run of nine games without a win. Two straight victories have eased the pressure, but his position still isn’t assured.
-“I don’t have a crystal ball, you never know what happens in life,” Briatore, who runs Formula One’s Renault team, said today in an interview. “It’s the results talking all the time. Let’s see at the end of the season: The end of the season is the right moment to see which kind of results have arrived, and if it’s possible to continue with Paulo or not.”
- Sousa, who joined in November, would be the fourth coach removed since Briatore and fellow Formula One tycoon Bernie Ecclestone bought the team in September 2007. After wins against Swansea and Bristol City, QPR stands 11th in the Championship. The club is seven points adrift of a playoff place that might offer promotion to the Premier League, England’s top division.
- “We are beating the teams at the top, and losing to teams at the bottom,” Briatore said. “Maybe our players aren’t concentrating enough.”
- As a player, Sousa won Europe’s Champions League with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund as well as representing Portugal 51 times. He later assisted in coaching his national squad before taking his first club coaching role at QPR. John Gregory, Luigi De Canio and Iain Dowie have left the club under the new owners.
-Working ‘Well’
- Sousa’s task is to achieve promotion back to the top division, where QPR last played in 1996, and he recently said his intention is to build a platform for a promotion challenge next season.
- “We are working together in this moment quite well,” Briatore added.
- Briatore has said he aims to make the club a global brand, and ultimately wants to qualify for Europe’s Champions League.
- Sousa was among the so-called “golden generation” of Portuguese players such as Luis Figo and Rui Costa. His clubs also included Benfica and Inter Milan, and he represented Portugal in the 1996 and 2000 European championships.
- Ecclestone isn’t the only billionaire at QPR. Three months after he and Briatore bought the team, metals tycoon Lakshmi Mittal’s family bought a stake.
- To contact the reporter on this story: Alessandro Poggi Bloomberg
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard : Only QPR and football: Articles, opinions, videos and old photos. All perspectives re anything QPR, very welcome! .
["In Case You Missed it:" - Bernie Ecclestone Talking About Buying QPR, Football Finances and Going to Watch Chelsea....The photo in Sousa's Office.... From the blog of former QPR Chairman, Antonio Caliendo: "Pay Your Debts"
- Bloombergs/Alessandro Poggi - QPR Coach Sousa’s Fate Decided at End of Season, Briatore Says
- Paulo Sousa’s tenure at Queens Park Rangers may be in doubt after the soccer club’s co-owner Flavio Briatore said the coach’s fate will be decided at the end of the season.
- There was recent U.K. media speculation that Sousa, 38, might be replaced at the second-tier west London team after a run of nine games without a win. Two straight victories have eased the pressure, but his position still isn’t assured.
-“I don’t have a crystal ball, you never know what happens in life,” Briatore, who runs Formula One’s Renault team, said today in an interview. “It’s the results talking all the time. Let’s see at the end of the season: The end of the season is the right moment to see which kind of results have arrived, and if it’s possible to continue with Paulo or not.”
- Sousa, who joined in November, would be the fourth coach removed since Briatore and fellow Formula One tycoon Bernie Ecclestone bought the team in September 2007. After wins against Swansea and Bristol City, QPR stands 11th in the Championship. The club is seven points adrift of a playoff place that might offer promotion to the Premier League, England’s top division.
- “We are beating the teams at the top, and losing to teams at the bottom,” Briatore said. “Maybe our players aren’t concentrating enough.”
- As a player, Sousa won Europe’s Champions League with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund as well as representing Portugal 51 times. He later assisted in coaching his national squad before taking his first club coaching role at QPR. John Gregory, Luigi De Canio and Iain Dowie have left the club under the new owners.
-Working ‘Well’
- Sousa’s task is to achieve promotion back to the top division, where QPR last played in 1996, and he recently said his intention is to build a platform for a promotion challenge next season.
- “We are working together in this moment quite well,” Briatore added.
- Briatore has said he aims to make the club a global brand, and ultimately wants to qualify for Europe’s Champions League.
- Sousa was among the so-called “golden generation” of Portuguese players such as Luis Figo and Rui Costa. His clubs also included Benfica and Inter Milan, and he represented Portugal in the 1996 and 2000 European championships.
- Ecclestone isn’t the only billionaire at QPR. Three months after he and Briatore bought the team, metals tycoon Lakshmi Mittal’s family bought a stake.
- To contact the reporter on this story: Alessandro Poggi Bloomberg
Former QPR Chairman Antonio Caliendo re "Pay Your Debts"
-
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard : Only QPR and football: Articles, opinions, videos and old photos. All perspectives re anything QPR, very welcome! .
["In Case You Missed it:" - Bernie Ecclestone Talking About Buying QPR, Football Finances and Going to Watch Chelsea....The photo in Sousa's Office.
- From the blog of former QPR Chairman, Antonio Caliendo- Entire Blog (including photos) "Pay Your Debts"
0 "Pay Your Debts"
- Photo 1
- Photo 2
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard : Only QPR and football: Articles, opinions, videos and old photos. All perspectives re anything QPR, very welcome! .
["In Case You Missed it:" - Bernie Ecclestone Talking About Buying QPR, Football Finances and Going to Watch Chelsea....The photo in Sousa's Office.
- From the blog of former QPR Chairman, Antonio Caliendo- Entire Blog (including photos) "Pay Your Debts"
0 "Pay Your Debts"
- Photo 1
- Photo 2
Sousa's Future Reportedly to Be Discussed in May
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- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard : Only QPR and football: Articles, opinions, videos and old photos. All perspectives re anything QPR, very welcome! .
["In Case You Missed it:" - Bernie Ecclestone Talking About Buying QPR, Football Finances and Going to Watch Chelsea....The photo in Sousa's Office.
Re Sousa's Future: Hopefully just tabloid "speculation" - or just a normal post-season assessment
- Update: The author of this article (which was also published in the Ealing Gazette) turns out to be Dave McIntyre, who goes beyond just "tabloid" reporting in his knowledge of QPR Developments. The article was also published in the Ealing Gazette
"...A run of nine games without a win recently led to the coach's position coming under scrutiny after just four months at Loftus Road.
Rangers' Flavio Briatore-led board will discuss Sousa's future in May and the former Portugal star may need a barnstorming finish to the season to keep his job..." Ealing Gazette
Mirror - RAMAGE'S OVER THE TOON FOR RANGERS 23/03/2009
- QPR 2 BRISTOL C 1
- Peter Ramage is desperate to play against his beloved Newcastle next season - in the Premier League.
- Ramage, who left St James' Park to join QPR last summer, still reckons the London side can sneak into the play-offs.
- And the Geordie defender is backing his former club to escape the drop.
- He said: "It was always my dream to play for Newcastle. If I play against them I want it to be in the Premier League, not the Championship."
- Ramage dashed home after QPR's victory on Saturday to watch Newcastle's defeat against Arsenal on television.
- Luckily for the 25-year-old, his current club had a better day, with on-loan Tottenham forward Adel Taarabt's late winner keeping their faint playoff hopes alive.
- Rangers are 11th in the table and need a miracle to finish in the top six.
- But Ramage declared: "We can definitely still make the play-offs. If we keep winning games we'll be right up there.
- "I know we're seven points off them now but if we keep plugging away then we can do it. A play-off place was our target at the start of the season and it's still our target now.
- "Just because we're a little bit behind at the moment doesn't mean we shouldn't still feel we can achieve it.
- "It would be nice to get a bit of help with the teams around us losing, but we've just got to concentrate on winning games and see where it takes us.
- "And if we don't do it this season then the way things are going here I'm very confident we can put a charge on next season."
- Spanish midfielder Jordi Lopez put Rangers ahead with a brilliant free-kick beyond goalkeeper Adriano Basso in the 65th minute, before Ivan Sproule crossed for Michael McIndoe to volley home a 77thminute equaliser.
- That looked like rescuing a point for City, but teenager Taarabt tucked away Damien Delaney's left-wing cross nine minutes from time to ease the pressure on QPR boss Paulo Sousa.
- A run of nine games without a win recently led to the coach's position coming under scrutiny after just four months in the job.
- But two wins in four days over fellow play-off chasers Swansea and now City have put a better gloss on the statistics.
- Rangers' Flavio Briatore-led board will discuss Sousa's future in May and the former Portugal star may need a barnstorming finish to the season to keep his job.
- Sousa insisted: "I don't have a doubt I will succeed. The players believe in me and we are building something here.
- "There have been a lot of critics, but now we have had two good results.
- "During a season, every team has a moment where results are not good. We had that but the important thing is to show spirit and unity, which we did."
- The City players were quick to quit the ground for their club coach and boss Gary Johnson moaned: "We didn't do ourselves justice and didn't deserve anything from the game.
- For some reason we kept lumping the ball forward. I didn't recognise what we were doing.
- "The pitch wasn't great and it wasn't easy to play good football on it, but it's the same for both teams.
- "The work rate was there but it was a bit misdirected at times.
- Qpr were solid at the back and deserved this win in my opinion.
- "This result has dented our hopes, but we've got to look to the next game, try to win it and then see how the other teams around us do. Every week it changes in this division."
COMPUTER
QPR BRISTOL CITY SOUSA'S SIDE LEAVE IT LATE
BALL POSSESSION
49% 51%
FACE TO FACE
4 Corners 6
2 Offside 3
14 Fouls 19
1 Cards 2
SHOTS
8 off target 2
8 on target 2
NEXT THREE GAMES
QPR
Sat Apr 4: Palace (h) Champ
Sat Apr 11: Burnley (a) Champ
Mon Apr 13: Sheff Utd (h) Champ
BRISTOL CITY
Sat Apr 4: Preston (h) Champ
Sat Apr 11: Forest (a) Champ
Mon Apr 13: Ipswich (h) Champ
MAN OF THE MATCH Adel Taarabt (QPR)
8 Great display from the loan star and deserved late winner
VILLAIN OF THE MATCH Alberti (QPR) 5 Looked out of his depth and was subbed at half tim
ANORAK Paulo Sousa has a win percentage of just 28 per cent as Rangers boss.
- Qpr: Cerny 6, Ramage 6, Connolly 6 (Helguson 61, 6), Gorkss 7, Delaney 6, Lopez 7, Leigertwood 7, Alberti 5 (Routledge 45, 7), Ephraim 7, Taarabt 8, Di Carmine 6 (Cook 72).
- Goals: Lopez 65, Taarabt 81
- Bristol City: Basso 7, Orr 7, McCombe 7, Fontaine 7, McAllister 6, Johnson 6 (Elliott 86), Sproule 6 (Styvar 85), Skuse 6, McIndoe 7, Maynard 5, Adebola 6. Goal: McIndoe 77
- Referee: G Hegley 6 ATTENDANCE: 14,059 Mirror
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard : Only QPR and football: Articles, opinions, videos and old photos. All perspectives re anything QPR, very welcome! .
["In Case You Missed it:" - Bernie Ecclestone Talking About Buying QPR, Football Finances and Going to Watch Chelsea....The photo in Sousa's Office.
Re Sousa's Future: Hopefully just tabloid "speculation" - or just a normal post-season assessment
- Update: The author of this article (which was also published in the Ealing Gazette) turns out to be Dave McIntyre, who goes beyond just "tabloid" reporting in his knowledge of QPR Developments. The article was also published in the Ealing Gazette
"...A run of nine games without a win recently led to the coach's position coming under scrutiny after just four months at Loftus Road.
Rangers' Flavio Briatore-led board will discuss Sousa's future in May and the former Portugal star may need a barnstorming finish to the season to keep his job..." Ealing Gazette
Mirror - RAMAGE'S OVER THE TOON FOR RANGERS 23/03/2009
- QPR 2 BRISTOL C 1
- Peter Ramage is desperate to play against his beloved Newcastle next season - in the Premier League.
- Ramage, who left St James' Park to join QPR last summer, still reckons the London side can sneak into the play-offs.
- And the Geordie defender is backing his former club to escape the drop.
- He said: "It was always my dream to play for Newcastle. If I play against them I want it to be in the Premier League, not the Championship."
- Ramage dashed home after QPR's victory on Saturday to watch Newcastle's defeat against Arsenal on television.
- Luckily for the 25-year-old, his current club had a better day, with on-loan Tottenham forward Adel Taarabt's late winner keeping their faint playoff hopes alive.
- Rangers are 11th in the table and need a miracle to finish in the top six.
- But Ramage declared: "We can definitely still make the play-offs. If we keep winning games we'll be right up there.
- "I know we're seven points off them now but if we keep plugging away then we can do it. A play-off place was our target at the start of the season and it's still our target now.
- "Just because we're a little bit behind at the moment doesn't mean we shouldn't still feel we can achieve it.
- "It would be nice to get a bit of help with the teams around us losing, but we've just got to concentrate on winning games and see where it takes us.
- "And if we don't do it this season then the way things are going here I'm very confident we can put a charge on next season."
- Spanish midfielder Jordi Lopez put Rangers ahead with a brilliant free-kick beyond goalkeeper Adriano Basso in the 65th minute, before Ivan Sproule crossed for Michael McIndoe to volley home a 77thminute equaliser.
- That looked like rescuing a point for City, but teenager Taarabt tucked away Damien Delaney's left-wing cross nine minutes from time to ease the pressure on QPR boss Paulo Sousa.
- A run of nine games without a win recently led to the coach's position coming under scrutiny after just four months in the job.
- But two wins in four days over fellow play-off chasers Swansea and now City have put a better gloss on the statistics.
- Rangers' Flavio Briatore-led board will discuss Sousa's future in May and the former Portugal star may need a barnstorming finish to the season to keep his job.
- Sousa insisted: "I don't have a doubt I will succeed. The players believe in me and we are building something here.
- "There have been a lot of critics, but now we have had two good results.
- "During a season, every team has a moment where results are not good. We had that but the important thing is to show spirit and unity, which we did."
- The City players were quick to quit the ground for their club coach and boss Gary Johnson moaned: "We didn't do ourselves justice and didn't deserve anything from the game.
- For some reason we kept lumping the ball forward. I didn't recognise what we were doing.
- "The pitch wasn't great and it wasn't easy to play good football on it, but it's the same for both teams.
- "The work rate was there but it was a bit misdirected at times.
- Qpr were solid at the back and deserved this win in my opinion.
- "This result has dented our hopes, but we've got to look to the next game, try to win it and then see how the other teams around us do. Every week it changes in this division."
COMPUTER
QPR BRISTOL CITY SOUSA'S SIDE LEAVE IT LATE
BALL POSSESSION
49% 51%
FACE TO FACE
4 Corners 6
2 Offside 3
14 Fouls 19
1 Cards 2
SHOTS
8 off target 2
8 on target 2
NEXT THREE GAMES
QPR
Sat Apr 4: Palace (h) Champ
Sat Apr 11: Burnley (a) Champ
Mon Apr 13: Sheff Utd (h) Champ
BRISTOL CITY
Sat Apr 4: Preston (h) Champ
Sat Apr 11: Forest (a) Champ
Mon Apr 13: Ipswich (h) Champ
MAN OF THE MATCH Adel Taarabt (QPR)
8 Great display from the loan star and deserved late winner
VILLAIN OF THE MATCH Alberti (QPR) 5 Looked out of his depth and was subbed at half tim
ANORAK Paulo Sousa has a win percentage of just 28 per cent as Rangers boss.
- Qpr: Cerny 6, Ramage 6, Connolly 6 (Helguson 61, 6), Gorkss 7, Delaney 6, Lopez 7, Leigertwood 7, Alberti 5 (Routledge 45, 7), Ephraim 7, Taarabt 8, Di Carmine 6 (Cook 72).
- Goals: Lopez 65, Taarabt 81
- Bristol City: Basso 7, Orr 7, McCombe 7, Fontaine 7, McAllister 6, Johnson 6 (Elliott 86), Sproule 6 (Styvar 85), Skuse 6, McIndoe 7, Maynard 5, Adebola 6. Goal: McIndoe 77
- Referee: G Hegley 6 ATTENDANCE: 14,059 Mirror
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Tabloid: Forest's £2+ Million Bid for Blackstock....QPR's Bristol City Win: Additional Reports
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- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard : Only QPR and football. All perspectives re anything QPR, very welcome!
- Recently-Posted: Forthcoming 'One QPR' Club Meeting....QPR1st's Letters re Season Ticket Prices and VAT....Chris Day off to Wembley ...Ex-QPR Matt Pickens, plays and loses Season Opener....Flashbacks:Vinnie Jones Leaves QPR ....Leonne Jeanne Makes His QPR Debut.
Sunday People - HOTLINE - FOREST 'S DEX SHOP
- Nottingham Forest have lodged a £2.2 million bid for QPR striker Dexter Blackstock.
- Billy Davies has been given permission by the club's board to sign the striker who cannot agree terms over a new contract with the Hoops.
- Davies would be looking to take the forward on loan until the end of the season initially and then make the move concrete during the close season.
- Boss Davies has added loan signings Isaiah Osbourne and Gary McSheffrey to his ranks and has also approached Everton's Iain Turner.
-However, his attempt to snatch Marlon Harewood from Aston Villa on loan has fallen through and he still wants to add more experience to his squad."
Sunday People :
QPR 2 Bristol City 1 - ADDITIONAL MATCH REPORTS
- See Also: - QPR and Bristol City Managerial Comments
- QPR and Bristol City Official Site Match Reports
- Photos from Game
- Vital Football QPR Match Report
SUNDAY MIRROR/Colin Malam - Robins' wings are clipped by loan star Taa
- Queens Park Rangers developed the winning habit that Bristol City were looking to claim themselves.
- Victorious in midweek for the first time in 10 games, QPR fully deserved to get the better of a City side aiming for the playoffs again.
- Rangers won with a late goal by Adel Taarabt, who is on loan from Tottenham and starred on the left of midfield.
- He replied to a goal against the run of play by Michael McIndoe that cancelled out Jordi Lopez's opener for QPR.
- Rangers manager Paulo Sousa said: "We showed a lot of spirit. We acted the right way when Bristol City equalised.
- "Adel Taarabt is a different kind of player, he helps us a lot with his quality.
- But today is not like 20 years ago - one player doesn't win the game alone." City manager Gary Johnson admitted to being very disappointed by his team's performance.
- "We didn't do ourselves justice," he said. "That wasn't my game we were playing out there.
- "We lumped it a little bit and today was a poor day for us. I didn't recognise anything we were doing and we didn't deserve anything anyway.
- "They won, they move on and we move out of here frustrated."
- Johnson had admitted in advance his team needed to win as many as possible of the seven fixtures left if they were to force their way into the top six. So, true to his word, City attacked Rangers with a bold 4-3-3 formation.
- They didn't make a lot of headway, though, against opponents who lined up 4-5-1.
- Most of the first-half chances were created by the home side, Adriano Basso making a flying save to keep out Samuel Di Carmine's fierce shot from Taarabt's clever reverse pass.
- It was only a matter of time before Rangers scored. They did so in the 65th minute from a freekick 25 yards out awarded when Jamie McCombe was very lucky not to be booked for fouling Di Carmine and abusing him verbally.
- Lopez took revenge by driving the dead ball over City's wall and into the top corner before wheeling away in triumph.
- But a lapse of concentration 12 minutes later let City back into the game.
- Ivan Sproule was allowed space on the right to deliver a deep cross that McIndoe volleyed home sweetly at the far post.
- Qpr responded again, Taarabt driving home a winner he merited from a cross by Damien Delaney.
- HOW THEY RATED
QPR
6 Cerny
6 Delaney
6 Connolly
6 Ramage
6 Gorkss
6 Leigertwood
6 Lopez
5 Alberti
6 Ephraim
8 Taarabt
6 Di Carmine
BRISTOL CITY
Basso 7
Orr 5
McAllister 5
Fontaine 5
McCombe 5
McIndoe 6
Skuse 5
Sproule 6
Johnson 5
Adebola 6
Maynard 5
SUBSTITUTES
Helguson (Connolly) 6,
Routledge (Alberti) 5
Cook (Di Carmine) 6
Elliott (Johnson) 5,
Styvar (Sproule) 5
MANAGERS
7 P SOUSA G JOHNSON 6
MAN OF THE MATCH 8 ADEL TAARABT
Clever feet and quick brain. Best player by a distance
Referee: G Hegley 6 http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/2009/03/22/robins-wings-are-clipped-by-loan-star-taa-115875-21217217/
BRISTOL EVENING POST - Bristol City suffer suckerpunch at QPR
- Bristol City's Championship play-off quest suffered a potentially fatal blow in west London.
- In need of three points to remain within touching distance of the top six, the Robins finished second best to Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
- A sterile encounter only came to life when Spanish midfield ace Jordi Lopez rammed home a brilliant free kick to break the deadlock in the 65th minute.
City thought they had salvaged a point when Michael McIndoe volleyed them level in thunderous fashion 13 minutes from time.
- But Rangers restored their lead four minutes later, Adel Taarbabt beating keeper Adriano Basso from close range to send City into the two-week break for international matches in low spirits.
- It was a sucker punch of the worst kind, reminiscent of the late winner Derby County poached at Pride Park earlier in the month.
- With six games to play, City require other results to go their way if there is to be any repeat of last season's march to the play-off final.
- Forced into making changes by injury and suspension, Bristol City boss Gary Johnson recalled Dele Adebola, Cole Skuse and Ivan Sproule in place of Louis Carey, Stern John and Gavin Williams, in the process reverting to the 4-3-3 formation which served his team well in games against Watford and Crystal Palace at Christmas.
And there was a surprise on the substitutes' bench in the form of midfielder Marvin Elliott, restored to the first team squad for the first time since tearing a groin muscle at Plymouth Argyle in January.
- Rangers' top scorer Dexter Blackstock failed a late fitness test, but winger Wayne Routledge had recovered sufficiently from the injury which ruled him out of the 1-0 midweek win over Swansea to return to the bench.
- This was a game neither side could afford to lose, given their positions outside of the play-off zone. Defeat would all but end Rangers' slim hopes of achieving a top-six finish, while City, four points adrift of the play-off places before kick-off, required victory to put pressure on the likes of Burnley, Preston and Cardiff.
Just as they did last season when they beat the Robins 3-0 at Loftus Road, the home side started brightly and twice threatened during the opening exchanges, Mikele Leigertwood shooting wide from range and Matteo Alberti testing Adriano Basso with a low shot which the keeper went down to gather.
- City quickly reasserted themselves and had claims for a penalty turned down by referee Graham Hegley after the ball appeared to brush Jordi Lopez on the upper arm during the melee which ensued following a Lee Johnson corner kick.
When Rangers midfielder Adel Taarabt went to ground a little too easily under challenge from Skuse in the other 18 yard box moments later, the referee issued the first yellow card of the afternoon.
- The home crowd came to life on 22 minutes, Hogan Ephraim taking advantage of weak challenges from Bradley Orr and Liam Fontaine to put Taarabt through on goal. But Basso was equal to his angled shot, hurling himself to his left to push the ball behind for a corner.
- Although the Loftus Road playing surface was hard and bumpy, it was not entirely to blame for City's poor passing at times, a shortcoming which caused several promising situations to fizzle out.
- Ephraim's direct running was causing City some concern and another thrust deep into enemy territory presented Alberti with a clear sight of goal, only for the Italian's shot to be smothered by Basso.
City carved out the clearest chance so far on the half hour, Adebola out-jumping Kaspars Gorkss and directing a header into the path of Nicky Maynard, who was left with only keeper Radek Cerny to beat. But the striker snatched at his shot from 15 yards and sent the ball sailing high and harmlessly into the crowd, who responded in derisive fashion.
- Opportunity beckoned for the visitors on the stroke of half-time, Adebola going down under duress from Damien Delaney to earn a free kick in a threatening position on the edge of the 18 yard box. On the scoresheet against Coventry recently, Jamie McAllister's shot lacked accuracy on this occasion and flew some distance wide of the target.
- Bristol City emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and almost took the lead in the 49th minute, Adebola ghosting in behind a static home defence and sending his shot from an acute angle flashing across the face of goal.
There followed a lengthy delay while Adebola and strike partner Maynard received treatment following a clash of heads which left the pair sprawled flat out inside the six yard box. Fortunately, both were deemed fit to continue.
City experienced another moment of anxiety when the impressive Lopez surged into space just outside the penalty area and let fly with a rising drive which narrowly cleared Basso's cross bar.
- When left-back Matthew Connolly tried his luck from a similar distance moments later, his effort also sailed over the target. Lopez fared rather better from a free kick 20 yards from goal, but his shot lacked the power to trouble Basso unduly.
There was nothing Basso could do when the Spaniard found his range with another free kick on 65 minutes. Jamie McCombe fouled Sam Di Carmine on the edge of the penalty area and Lopez sent his set-piece effort curling into the top left-hand corner of the net to finally breathe life into a contest which had become becalmed.
- City required an instant response and McIndoe and Sproule both had shots charged down as the visitors swarmed forward. Johnson then conjured their first on-target effort, Cerny going down on one knee to save comfortably.
- Ephraim wasted a heaven-sent opportunity to put the game beyond City's reach on 69 minutes, steering his first-time shot wide of a gaping target after neat approach play from Lopez and Di Carmine had opened up the Robins defence.
City survived that scare and restored parity 13 minutes from time with a moment of rare quality. In space wide on the right, Sproule launched a deep cross over the heads of the entire Rangers defence to McIndoe, whose ferocious volley from 12 yards out made the net bulge in front of where the travelling fans were massed.
- But parity lasted less than four minutes, substitute Lee Cook crossing from the left for Taarabt to beat Basso with a well-executed finish from close range.
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/sport/Bristol-City-suffer-suckerpunch-QPR/article-787981-detail/article.html
SKY SPORTS QPR seal late show
Rangers leapfrog Doncaster after narrow home win
- Queens Park Rangers came out on top of a frantic second half to take all three points in a 2-1 win over Bristol City at Loftus Road.
- The win puts QPR level on points with Ipswich but the Tractor Boys remain ahead on goal difference as Rangers stay in 11th position.
- The home side took the lead on 65 minutes when Jordi Lopez's well struck shot found the top corner from 25 yards.
- The lead was short lived, however, as Michael McIndoe levelled the scoring just 12 minutes later after some good work by Ivan Sproule on the right.
- Incredibly, within four minutes the home side were ahead again after Adel Taarabt restored their lead on 81 minutes and that proved to be the winner as the home side held out to full time.
Chances
The visitors flew out of the blocks with Nicky Maynard sending a snapshot wide of the post but Rangers soon grew into the contest with Taarabt drilling in two efforts and Matteo Alberti testing Adriano Basso with a long-range sighter.
- Genuine chances were hard to come by, though, with Samuel De Carmine's effort from the edge of the area that Basso did well to claw round the post the closest either side had come.
- Basso remained busy, having to fend away another attempt from Di Carmine, while at the other end Ivan Sproule should have done better when rifling a loose ball over the bar from close range.
- Alberti chanced his arm once more with Basso again equal to the shot, with Maynard volleying wide when well set inside the area for City.
- Gary Johnson's Bristol side should have gone ahead three minutes after the restart, but Dele Adebola could only power his header wide of the post when well-placed inside the area, while Rangers only remained a threat from outside the area with Lopez and Taarabt again the next to send efforts wide of the upright.
Flurry
- The 27-year-old Spaniard was finally able to make one of his efforts count, though, when the opening goal came.
- Jamie McCombe was penalised for a foul on Di Carmine and Lopez stepped up to bend a 25-yard effort into the top right corner, finally breaking Basso's resolve.
- The goal signalled the start of a flurry of chances, with Rangers substitute Heidar Helguson twice going close with a couple of drilled efforts, while Lee Johnson should have done better for the visitors when he could only direct McIndoe's cross into the hands of Radek Cerny.
- McIndoe was able to redress the balance himself shortly after, though, when he crept in at the back post to drill home from 10 yards after Sproule's cross went across the box.
- But the parity only lasted for four minutes as Taarabt slotted home his first goal in English football before Wayne Routledge went close to adding a third with a fine late volley.
http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3005164,00.html
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Sunday People - HOTLINE - FOREST 'S DEX SHOP
- Nottingham Forest have lodged a £2.2 million bid for QPR striker Dexter Blackstock.
- Billy Davies has been given permission by the club's board to sign the striker who cannot agree terms over a new contract with the Hoops.
- Davies would be looking to take the forward on loan until the end of the season initially and then make the move concrete during the close season.
- Boss Davies has added loan signings Isaiah Osbourne and Gary McSheffrey to his ranks and has also approached Everton's Iain Turner.
-However, his attempt to snatch Marlon Harewood from Aston Villa on loan has fallen through and he still wants to add more experience to his squad."
Sunday People :
QPR 2 Bristol City 1 - ADDITIONAL MATCH REPORTS
- See Also: - QPR and Bristol City Managerial Comments
- QPR and Bristol City Official Site Match Reports
- Photos from Game
- Vital Football QPR Match Report
SUNDAY MIRROR/Colin Malam - Robins' wings are clipped by loan star Taa
- Queens Park Rangers developed the winning habit that Bristol City were looking to claim themselves.
- Victorious in midweek for the first time in 10 games, QPR fully deserved to get the better of a City side aiming for the playoffs again.
- Rangers won with a late goal by Adel Taarabt, who is on loan from Tottenham and starred on the left of midfield.
- He replied to a goal against the run of play by Michael McIndoe that cancelled out Jordi Lopez's opener for QPR.
- Rangers manager Paulo Sousa said: "We showed a lot of spirit. We acted the right way when Bristol City equalised.
- "Adel Taarabt is a different kind of player, he helps us a lot with his quality.
- But today is not like 20 years ago - one player doesn't win the game alone." City manager Gary Johnson admitted to being very disappointed by his team's performance.
- "We didn't do ourselves justice," he said. "That wasn't my game we were playing out there.
- "We lumped it a little bit and today was a poor day for us. I didn't recognise anything we were doing and we didn't deserve anything anyway.
- "They won, they move on and we move out of here frustrated."
- Johnson had admitted in advance his team needed to win as many as possible of the seven fixtures left if they were to force their way into the top six. So, true to his word, City attacked Rangers with a bold 4-3-3 formation.
- They didn't make a lot of headway, though, against opponents who lined up 4-5-1.
- Most of the first-half chances were created by the home side, Adriano Basso making a flying save to keep out Samuel Di Carmine's fierce shot from Taarabt's clever reverse pass.
- It was only a matter of time before Rangers scored. They did so in the 65th minute from a freekick 25 yards out awarded when Jamie McCombe was very lucky not to be booked for fouling Di Carmine and abusing him verbally.
- Lopez took revenge by driving the dead ball over City's wall and into the top corner before wheeling away in triumph.
- But a lapse of concentration 12 minutes later let City back into the game.
- Ivan Sproule was allowed space on the right to deliver a deep cross that McIndoe volleyed home sweetly at the far post.
- Qpr responded again, Taarabt driving home a winner he merited from a cross by Damien Delaney.
- HOW THEY RATED
QPR
6 Cerny
6 Delaney
6 Connolly
6 Ramage
6 Gorkss
6 Leigertwood
6 Lopez
5 Alberti
6 Ephraim
8 Taarabt
6 Di Carmine
BRISTOL CITY
Basso 7
Orr 5
McAllister 5
Fontaine 5
McCombe 5
McIndoe 6
Skuse 5
Sproule 6
Johnson 5
Adebola 6
Maynard 5
SUBSTITUTES
Helguson (Connolly) 6,
Routledge (Alberti) 5
Cook (Di Carmine) 6
Elliott (Johnson) 5,
Styvar (Sproule) 5
MANAGERS
7 P SOUSA G JOHNSON 6
MAN OF THE MATCH 8 ADEL TAARABT
Clever feet and quick brain. Best player by a distance
Referee: G Hegley 6 http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/2009/03/22/robins-wings-are-clipped-by-loan-star-taa-115875-21217217/
BRISTOL EVENING POST - Bristol City suffer suckerpunch at QPR
- Bristol City's Championship play-off quest suffered a potentially fatal blow in west London.
- In need of three points to remain within touching distance of the top six, the Robins finished second best to Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
- A sterile encounter only came to life when Spanish midfield ace Jordi Lopez rammed home a brilliant free kick to break the deadlock in the 65th minute.
City thought they had salvaged a point when Michael McIndoe volleyed them level in thunderous fashion 13 minutes from time.
- But Rangers restored their lead four minutes later, Adel Taarbabt beating keeper Adriano Basso from close range to send City into the two-week break for international matches in low spirits.
- It was a sucker punch of the worst kind, reminiscent of the late winner Derby County poached at Pride Park earlier in the month.
- With six games to play, City require other results to go their way if there is to be any repeat of last season's march to the play-off final.
- Forced into making changes by injury and suspension, Bristol City boss Gary Johnson recalled Dele Adebola, Cole Skuse and Ivan Sproule in place of Louis Carey, Stern John and Gavin Williams, in the process reverting to the 4-3-3 formation which served his team well in games against Watford and Crystal Palace at Christmas.
And there was a surprise on the substitutes' bench in the form of midfielder Marvin Elliott, restored to the first team squad for the first time since tearing a groin muscle at Plymouth Argyle in January.
- Rangers' top scorer Dexter Blackstock failed a late fitness test, but winger Wayne Routledge had recovered sufficiently from the injury which ruled him out of the 1-0 midweek win over Swansea to return to the bench.
- This was a game neither side could afford to lose, given their positions outside of the play-off zone. Defeat would all but end Rangers' slim hopes of achieving a top-six finish, while City, four points adrift of the play-off places before kick-off, required victory to put pressure on the likes of Burnley, Preston and Cardiff.
Just as they did last season when they beat the Robins 3-0 at Loftus Road, the home side started brightly and twice threatened during the opening exchanges, Mikele Leigertwood shooting wide from range and Matteo Alberti testing Adriano Basso with a low shot which the keeper went down to gather.
- City quickly reasserted themselves and had claims for a penalty turned down by referee Graham Hegley after the ball appeared to brush Jordi Lopez on the upper arm during the melee which ensued following a Lee Johnson corner kick.
When Rangers midfielder Adel Taarabt went to ground a little too easily under challenge from Skuse in the other 18 yard box moments later, the referee issued the first yellow card of the afternoon.
- The home crowd came to life on 22 minutes, Hogan Ephraim taking advantage of weak challenges from Bradley Orr and Liam Fontaine to put Taarabt through on goal. But Basso was equal to his angled shot, hurling himself to his left to push the ball behind for a corner.
- Although the Loftus Road playing surface was hard and bumpy, it was not entirely to blame for City's poor passing at times, a shortcoming which caused several promising situations to fizzle out.
- Ephraim's direct running was causing City some concern and another thrust deep into enemy territory presented Alberti with a clear sight of goal, only for the Italian's shot to be smothered by Basso.
City carved out the clearest chance so far on the half hour, Adebola out-jumping Kaspars Gorkss and directing a header into the path of Nicky Maynard, who was left with only keeper Radek Cerny to beat. But the striker snatched at his shot from 15 yards and sent the ball sailing high and harmlessly into the crowd, who responded in derisive fashion.
- Opportunity beckoned for the visitors on the stroke of half-time, Adebola going down under duress from Damien Delaney to earn a free kick in a threatening position on the edge of the 18 yard box. On the scoresheet against Coventry recently, Jamie McAllister's shot lacked accuracy on this occasion and flew some distance wide of the target.
- Bristol City emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and almost took the lead in the 49th minute, Adebola ghosting in behind a static home defence and sending his shot from an acute angle flashing across the face of goal.
There followed a lengthy delay while Adebola and strike partner Maynard received treatment following a clash of heads which left the pair sprawled flat out inside the six yard box. Fortunately, both were deemed fit to continue.
City experienced another moment of anxiety when the impressive Lopez surged into space just outside the penalty area and let fly with a rising drive which narrowly cleared Basso's cross bar.
- When left-back Matthew Connolly tried his luck from a similar distance moments later, his effort also sailed over the target. Lopez fared rather better from a free kick 20 yards from goal, but his shot lacked the power to trouble Basso unduly.
There was nothing Basso could do when the Spaniard found his range with another free kick on 65 minutes. Jamie McCombe fouled Sam Di Carmine on the edge of the penalty area and Lopez sent his set-piece effort curling into the top left-hand corner of the net to finally breathe life into a contest which had become becalmed.
- City required an instant response and McIndoe and Sproule both had shots charged down as the visitors swarmed forward. Johnson then conjured their first on-target effort, Cerny going down on one knee to save comfortably.
- Ephraim wasted a heaven-sent opportunity to put the game beyond City's reach on 69 minutes, steering his first-time shot wide of a gaping target after neat approach play from Lopez and Di Carmine had opened up the Robins defence.
City survived that scare and restored parity 13 minutes from time with a moment of rare quality. In space wide on the right, Sproule launched a deep cross over the heads of the entire Rangers defence to McIndoe, whose ferocious volley from 12 yards out made the net bulge in front of where the travelling fans were massed.
- But parity lasted less than four minutes, substitute Lee Cook crossing from the left for Taarabt to beat Basso with a well-executed finish from close range.
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/sport/Bristol-City-suffer-suckerpunch-QPR/article-787981-detail/article.html
SKY SPORTS QPR seal late show
Rangers leapfrog Doncaster after narrow home win
- Queens Park Rangers came out on top of a frantic second half to take all three points in a 2-1 win over Bristol City at Loftus Road.
- The win puts QPR level on points with Ipswich but the Tractor Boys remain ahead on goal difference as Rangers stay in 11th position.
- The home side took the lead on 65 minutes when Jordi Lopez's well struck shot found the top corner from 25 yards.
- The lead was short lived, however, as Michael McIndoe levelled the scoring just 12 minutes later after some good work by Ivan Sproule on the right.
- Incredibly, within four minutes the home side were ahead again after Adel Taarabt restored their lead on 81 minutes and that proved to be the winner as the home side held out to full time.
Chances
The visitors flew out of the blocks with Nicky Maynard sending a snapshot wide of the post but Rangers soon grew into the contest with Taarabt drilling in two efforts and Matteo Alberti testing Adriano Basso with a long-range sighter.
- Genuine chances were hard to come by, though, with Samuel De Carmine's effort from the edge of the area that Basso did well to claw round the post the closest either side had come.
- Basso remained busy, having to fend away another attempt from Di Carmine, while at the other end Ivan Sproule should have done better when rifling a loose ball over the bar from close range.
- Alberti chanced his arm once more with Basso again equal to the shot, with Maynard volleying wide when well set inside the area for City.
- Gary Johnson's Bristol side should have gone ahead three minutes after the restart, but Dele Adebola could only power his header wide of the post when well-placed inside the area, while Rangers only remained a threat from outside the area with Lopez and Taarabt again the next to send efforts wide of the upright.
Flurry
- The 27-year-old Spaniard was finally able to make one of his efforts count, though, when the opening goal came.
- Jamie McCombe was penalised for a foul on Di Carmine and Lopez stepped up to bend a 25-yard effort into the top right corner, finally breaking Basso's resolve.
- The goal signalled the start of a flurry of chances, with Rangers substitute Heidar Helguson twice going close with a couple of drilled efforts, while Lee Johnson should have done better for the visitors when he could only direct McIndoe's cross into the hands of Radek Cerny.
- McIndoe was able to redress the balance himself shortly after, though, when he crept in at the back post to drill home from 10 yards after Sproule's cross went across the box.
- But the parity only lasted for four minutes as Taarabt slotted home his first goal in English football before Wayne Routledge went close to adding a third with a fine late volley.
http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3005164,00.html
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