Critique of QPR's Youth Scouting...Manager Post: Boothroyd or De Canio....Mahon Praises Balanta

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Kilburn Times/Ben Kosky - Rangers' scouting net is full of holes
- QPR are missing out on young talent right under their noses, according to the manager of one of north-west London's most successful boys' teams.
- Vince Purdue, a Rangers fan who manages Mill Hill Rangers in the Harrow Youth League, has helped to develop players now making their mark with the likes of Tottenham and West Ham.
- Spurs winger John Bostock spent a summer playing for Purdue's team, while midfielder Josh Payne originally joined the club as a nine-year-old and recently made his Premier League debut for the Hammers.
- Payne, now 18, spent time on the books at Crystal Palace, Southampton and Portsmouth before West Ham offered him an apprenticeship - but the Rs could have snapped him up first.
- "I offered Josh to QPR and had discussions with [sporting director] Gianni Paladini about him, but they only wanted to give him a six-week trial," said Purdue.
- "He's a brilliant player and I'm surprised he hasn't been called up yet for an England side. I'm very happy that Mill Hill Rangers are producing good players, but gutted that QPR ignored him.
- "I haven't seen one QPR scout at an under-15 game, even though we've won the league for the fourth time in five years, plus the county cup and league cup.
- "There are scouts from Luton Town, Millwall, Norwich City - but not QPR, even though we're QPR-mad. Everyone at the club is, that's why we're called Rangers."
- Three other graduates of Mill Hill Rangers - Michael Kalou, Loni Manie and Matt Warner - are currently in the youth team at Watford, while a fourth, goalkeeper Joe Day, made his first-team debut for Rushden & Diamonds last season.
- But QPR have taken on one of Purdue's players - right-winger Bruno Andre from Colindale, who has been offered a four-year scholarship at Loftus Road.
- By contrast, Payne signed a one-year scholarship with West Ham and is now halfway through a two-year pro deal - and Purdue believes the Rs should be offering similar terms to 15-year-old Andre.
- "QPR obviously rate him and he loves it down there as well - he gets the train over to Harlington, while the boys at Watford get picked up by cab!" added Purdue.
- "But QPR are trying to sort out a deal before agents get involved, which I'm sure they will when Bruno turns 16 in October, and I don't think they want anyone else to see him.
- "They're trying to nick the kid for peanuts and I think he's worth more than that. I think QPR need an overhaul of their youth set-up - when I started watching them there were kids coming through all the time, now that just isn't happening.
Kilburn Times


Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Rangers appeal for Aid... or Gigi
- QPR are set to offer former Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd the chance to succeed Paulo Sousa in the Loftus Road hot-seat.
- Rangers are anxious to appoint a new boss rapidly to try and reverse a severe slump in season ticket sales - and preferably without having to fork out compensation.
- Boothroyd fits the bill on that score, having been out of work since his exit from Vicarage Road last November and, just as importantly, boasts a CV that includes promotion to the Premier League.
- But, if the Rs fail to convince Boothroyd to become their seventh permanent boss in three years, they will turn their attention to one of the previous six - Lecce coach Luigi de Canio.
- De Canio left London for personal reasons just a year ago after hauling QPR from the relegation zone to mid-table safety - aided by a £6m spending spree - but is likely to be available again after failing to save Lecce from the drop to Serie B.
- But Boothroyd, who coached youth teams at Peterborough, Norwich and West Brom and also worked with the first-team at Leeds before joining Watford in 2005, is thought to be the board's first choice...." Kilburn Times


Kilburn Times/Ben Kosky - Balanta's R one for the future
- QPR midfielder Gavin Mahon is tipping teenage team-mate Angelo Balanta for a bright future in Championship football.
- Balanta made 13 appearances for Rangers last season and, at the age of 18, is generally regarded as the best prospect to emerge from the youth team in several years.
- The experienced Mahon, who filled in as Rs captain on several occasions last year, said: "I train day in, day out with these players and if you look at Angelo, he's got everything.
- "He's got two good feet and he's well-balanced for a youngster. If he keeps his feet on the floor, which I'm sure he will - that's the sort of character he is - he can have a good future in the game.
- "This isn't an easy league, whether you're an older pro or a youngster coming in, and with youngsters you have to give them encouragement instead of going on at them.
- "They're going to make mistakes, as we all do, but if you can play in this league and handle the physical side and the hustle and bustle, you'll be good enough."
- Balanta, who can play as an orthodox striker or in a wide role, also spent a successful two-month loan with Wycombe Wanderers last season on their way to promotion from League Two.
- The teenager could be lining up against Wycombe when Rangers travel to Adams Park for a pre-season friendly on Tuesday July 28, kick-off 7.45pm.
- The teams last met two years ago to the day, with the Rs winning courtesy of a Martin Rowlands free-kick. Kilburn Times