QPR REPORT: August 2009

Monday, August 31, 2009

Ben Watson to QPR....Two QPR Players Make Football League's Championship Team of the Week

Taarabt on Redknapp, Loans and QPR

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- For cutting-edge, up-to-the-minute news about QPR, mixed in with "flasback" looks at QPR of a year ago or forty years ago, visit the combination blog and messageboard, QPR Report Messageboard. Add items of general football interest and posters' opinion - All views welcome.

- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

Daily Star - ADEL PLANS LAZ LAUGH ON HARRY
- ABOVE: Taarabt claims Redknapp blocked deals from Serie A and the Spurs 31st August 2009 By Jeremy Cross
- ADEL TAARABT could have been playing at Lazio this season instead of places like Glanford Park if it wasn’t for Harry Redknapp.
- The Moroccan striker was offered a dream move to the Serie A giants while Malaga were also interested in signing him from Spurs.
- But Taarabt, 20, claims Redknapp blocked the deals and insisted on him going out on a 12-month loan closer to home.
- Taarabt admits he is frustrated at White Hart Lane but he is now focusing on taking his frustrations out on Championship defences.
- He scored the only goal after just two minutes with a superb run and strike to hand Rangers their first league win under Jim Magilton.
- Taarabt said: “It was an important victory but there is still big pressure on us because we have some good players and people expect us to get in the play-offs.
- “That’s what we want. To do this we have to work hard and win games.
- “It was difficult for me at Tottenham.

“I wanted to leave permanently.
- “Lazio and Malaga wanted me but Harry Redknapp said I had to stay here in England.
- “I don’t think I have a future there.
- “They’ve spent too much money, signing players costing £20m.
- “If QPR get promoted this season then maybe I can sign for them permanently.”
- This was Scunthorpe’s third straight league defeat but manager Nigel Adkins said: “I’m bitterly disappointed to have come out of this with nothing.
- “If you campare the squads and finances, then consider the fact we dominated the second half, I think we can still take a lot of positives out of it.” Daily Star

- Simon Walton Moves from Plymouth to Crewe (Season long loan)

- The Actim Index: Top 100 Championship Players and Highest Rated Goalies, Defenders, Midfielders and Forwards

- Scunthorpe vs QPR: Comprehensive Compilation of Match Reports and Managerial Comments

- QPR's Sign Indian Striker, Sunil Cheetri. However fail to get work Permit. Further stories re Chhetri (and his Agent). Earlier this month, Celtic supposedly were interested in Chhetri, who trialed with Coventry in January

- The Masters Grand Final Being Held September 6. QPR's first game vs Middlesbrough

- The Fifty Worst Managerial Reigns List (Part I)

- England Squad Announced. Crouch returns. Owen Doesn't

- BBC's Football League Show: On at the Wrong Time?

- Two Years Ago: Mikele Leigertwood Signs: The first signing of the Briatore-Ecclestone Era

- Four Years Ago: Lomas Joins and Langley Rejoins QPR

- One Year Ago: Bernie Ecclestone Talking about QPR

- On This Day: Narrow Loss at Highbury. Brilliant Win at Craven Cottage:

PREVIOUSLY POSTED

- The QPR-Chelsea Connection: Past QPR vs Chelsea Games. Past Joint QPR & Chelsea Players

- QPR Away to Chelsea in the Carling Cup, September 21 or 22.

- Chelsea PR Offensive Ends in Jeers

- On This Day, four years, three years and two years, then-QPR Chairman Gianni Paladini

- Past QPR Financial Information

- On This Day, four years, three years and two years, then-QPR Chairman Gianni Paladini

- Routledge Linked to Cardiff Return

- Two Goals for ex-QPR Scott Donnelly (praised by Gary Waddock)

- Problem of Fan Hooliganism

- A black football pioneer playing in England a century ago

- Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) Action Week (October 15-27)

- John Terry's Contract Supposedly Guarantees Him Consideration as Chelsea Manager (Hope gets job!)

- Nottingham Forest Nathan Tyson could be in trouble for his action

- Q&A With Jim Magilton

- Ex-QPR's Fraser Digby Voted Swindon's greatest-ever goalkeeper

- VIDEO of QPR's 1979 Massacre of Burnley

- Danny Dichio Update

- John Spencer Honoured Today

- Portsmouth Finances Examined

- "Football Players Do Not Get Any Better"

- Examining Ipswich Under Roy Keane

- "What's Wrong With Football Clubs Breaking Even?"

- Two More Big Sousa Signings for Swansea

- Fans Asked to Vote on Favourite League Cup Memories

- Interesting Ranking of Premiership Clubs for "Fan Stewardship" - How well owners are building for their club's future. Five categories: - putting the club first, 'long-termism', clarity of role and purpose, engagement of fans and passion"

- New Book re QPR "Hooped Dreams -Billionaires, QPR and the Premiership Promised Land." By Mick Kelly. (Foreword by Rodney Marsh) - Book Description

QPR Football Snippets Monday

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Additional QPR-Scunthorpe Reports...Chelsea Memories...QPR's Indian International Signing...Football Snippets Sunday

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- For cutting-edge, up-to-the-minute news about QPR, mixed in with "flasback" looks at QPR of a year ago or forty years ago, visit the combination blog and messageboard, QPR Report Messageboard. Add items of general football interest and posters' opinion - All views welcome.

- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

MSN - Chhetri's English dream over, work permit denied
- New Delhi: Indian striker Sunil Chhetri's dream of playing for English Championship side Queen's Park Rangers ended prematurely after the British government denied him work permit.
- Chhetri had signed a three-year contract with QPR a few weeks back, although it was kept under wraps.
- The club has been working to get Chhetri's work permit to play in England but on Friday, the Delhi lad's agent informed him that it was rejected by the British government.
- According to the newly launched website of Football Players Association of India, Chhetri was denied permit since India is not in the top 70 in the FIFA rankings and the British government does not grant permit to non-European Union players whose country is ranked below 70.
- Queen's Park Rangers, which is partly owned by steel magnate Laxmi Mittal, had been following Chhetri's career for over a year and were happy with his development as a player.
- QPR CEO had also come down to see Chhetri in Barcelona where the Indian national team had a month-long training tour recently in preparation for the ongoing Nehru Cup.
- Asked why he kept the contract with QPR under wraps, Chhetri said, "I had signed with QPR few weeks back and I knew I still would have had to wait for a work permit. So with lots of stories about me playing in Europe and with having a bad experience with the media in the Coventry case, I was skeptical," Chhetri said.
- "I am disappointed because the work permit is something that I can't do anything about, being so close and not getting it is indeed disappointing. But it's not the end of the world. I will still continue to work hard for my country and my club Dempo, who have been very supportive," he added.
- Indian captain and his strike partner in the national team, Bhaichung Bhutia said, "Sunil (Chhetri) would surely have done well in Queen's Park. He has the ability to play even in the premiership with one or two years of experience in the championship with QPR.
- "It's sad that Indian team does not play enough international matches and that is a big set back for our ranking as well as our development. This is also a reason why today Sunil is not playing in England," added Bhutia, who was the first Indian to have played in English professional league for Bury FC from 1999-2002. Report

- Additional Stories and background re Chhetri and his Agent. Earlier this month, Celtic supposedly were interesed in Chhetri, who trialed with Coventry in January

- Profile of Indian Striker,Sunil Chhetri

- Ex-QPR Giles Coke Talking

- The QPR-Chelsea Connection: Past QPR vs Chelsea Games. Past Joint QPR & Chelsea Players

- QPR Away to Chelsea in the Carling Cup, September 21 or 22.

- Past QPR Financial Information

- Routledge Linked to Cardiff Return

- Two Goals for ex-QPR Scott Donnelly (praised by Gary Waddock)

- On This Day, four years, three years and two years, then-QPR Chairman Gianni Paladini

- Problem of Fan Hooliganism

- A black football pioneer playing in England a century ago

- John Terry's Contract Supposedly Guarantees Him Consideration as Chelsea Manager (Hope gets job!)

- Nottingham Forest Nathan Tyson could be in trouble for his action

- Axed: Barnsley Manager Simon Davey

- QPR's Win at Scunthorpe: Compilation of Reports and Managerial Comments

ADDITIONAL MATCH REPORTS

Sunday People/Steve Bott - LET-OFF MURPHY COMES UNSTUCK WITH TAAR

Loan star Adel Taarabt's solo strike gave Rangers their first away win in the Championship this season, but it was overshadowed by more refereeing controversy.

Graham Salisbury bottled out of sending off home keeper Joe Murphy in the first minute.

He later booked Rangers' Wayne Routledge for allegedly diving in a bid to win an 87thminute penalty as Murphy went down at his feet in the box. The incident led to Rangers manager Jim Magilton being ordered to the stands after an altercation with the fourth official over that "diving" decision.

"Once again, it was an incidence of a fourth official getting involved needlessly in a nothing incident," said Magilton.

"I was upset over Wayne's booking and thought it was a penalty and my chewing gum flew out of my mouth as I was making my feelings known."

Despite all that, Rangers held on for three precious points and they looked good value for it as Taarabt, on loan from Spurs, strolled into the box and coolly slotted the ball past Murphy.

Murphy was lucky to be on the pitch because two minutes earlier, in the first minute, he had charged off his line and on to the left wing to scythe down Rangers' Jay Simpson, who is on loan from Arsenal.

The impressive Mikele Leigertwood should have scored later in the first half but he lobbed the ball just over the far post after a quicksilver turn in the box.

Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins put things into perspective after a week in which referees and diving have been in the spotlight.

"At the end of the day, the referee's decision is final and you have got to respect that," said Scunthorpe boss.

Scunthorpe: Murphy 7 - Spence 7, Byrne 6, Mirfin 6, Williams 6 - Sparrow 6 (Thompson 6, 70 mins), Togwell 5 (McCann 6, 60min), O'Connor 6 (*WRIGHT, 60mins, 8), Woolford 5 - Hayes 5, Hooper 5.

QPR: Cerny 6 - Ramage 7, Hall 7, Connolly 7, Borrowdale 6 - Routledge 6, *LEIGERTWOOD 8, Faurlin 6 (Mahon, 81mins), Taarabt 7 (Vine 6, 56mins), Ephraim 6 - Simpson 7 (Helguson 6, 70mins). Referee: G Salisbury 5. Sunday People

BBC - Scunthorpe 0 - 1 QPR

Adel Taarabt's early goal gave Queens Park Rangers their first league victory under manager Jim Magilton.

Taarabt, on loan from Tottenham, glided past a couple of defenders and rolled the ball beyond keeper Joe Murphy.

Scunthorpe's Cliff Byrne headed over and Grant McCann's free-kick was saved by Rangers keeper Radek Cerny as the home side rallied after the break.

Rangers thought they should have had a late penalty when Wayne Routledge was brought down by Murphy.

Routledge was booked for diving - to the disbelief of Magilton, who was sent to the stands for his protests.

Magilton's side could have won by a greater margin as they had a number of first-half chances after Taarabt put them ahead.

Mikele Leigertwood almost made it two but Murphy did well to block the midfielder's shot, before Rangers' Hogan Ephraim drove wide and on-loan Arsenal forward Jay Simpson headed Routledge's cross wide of the target.

After weathering the early storm without conceding a second goal, Scunthorpe got a foothold in the game and Paul Hayes, Gary Hooper and Jordan Spence all had shots saved by Cerny.

But Rangers were on top again after the interval and their Argentine midfielder Alejandro Faurlin fired narrowly wide before Simpson turned well in the area only to scuff his shot.

Murphy kept his side in the game on the hour mark with a fine save from Fitz Hall's volley, before Leigertwood again went close.

Byrne then had a chance and McCann was denied by Cerny, before referee Graham Salisbury ignored Scunthorpe's appeals for a penalty after Hayes went down in the area.

Rowan Vine had a late chance to cap Rangers' victory, but he blazed over.

Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins:
"It was a good performance but we did not get the result that we wanted.

"We paid the penalty for a slow start. That was just what we did not want. We knew the dangers that Rangers possessed but we had a couple of players who switched off, did not do their jobs, and we were a goal behind.

"It's difficult to come back from that sort of thing at Championship level and that is a lesson we have got to learn.

"We pressed strongly for an equaliser but in truth we did not test their goalkeeper often enough and that is down to Rangers' defence, who produced several good blocks to deny us."

QPR manager Jim Magilton:
"We got a bit nervous towards the end but we're finally up and running, and that's important.

"People were already looking at the league table and seeing us without that first victory, but this eases the pressure. And the good news is that we will get better.

"I thought the quality of our play in the first 10 to 15 minutes was very good. We'd also taken the lead during that time with a wonderful goal.

"But I did then think that we took our foot off the pedal and allowed Scunthorpe back into the game.

"This is a difficult enough place to come to without offering them that opportunity." BBC

Star/Steve Morgan - ADEL BOY IS WINNER WITH JIM

ADEL Taarabt helped Jim Magilton celebrate his first league victory as Queens Park Rangers manager with an early strike at Glanford Park.

Taarabt scored what proved to be the decisive goal after just two minutes as The Iron crashed to their third straight defeat.

The Spurs loanee waltzed past three Scunthorpe defenders before beating Joe Murphy with a low drive.

Mikele Leigertwood and Jay Simpson, on loan from Arsenal, both went close as Rangers threatened to run riot.

The home side went on to dominate for large spells, without creating many clear-cut chances.

Their best efforts fell to Gary Hooper and substitute Grant McCann who both forced fine saves out of Radek Cerny in the Rangers goal.

But Rangers were always in control and Murphy produced a stunning save to deny Fitz Hall before substitute Rowan Vine missed the best chance of the second half with nine minutes remaining. Star

News of The World/Nick Bradshaw - SCUNTHORPE 0 QPR 1
Adel Taarabt strike gives Rangers first league win of the season

BOSS Nigel Adkins was left fuming after his shot-shy Scunthorpe side failed to break down a battling QPR defence.

Adkins' team have struggled in front of goal since winning promotion from League One - netting just three goals in five games in the Championship.

And strikers Gary Hooper and Paul Hayes were guilty of missing chances for the Iron as on-loan Tottenham playmaker Adel Taarabt netted the only goal for the Hoops after three minutes.

Adkins said: "I'm bitterly disappointed, because we should have got something from the game.

"We started badly and conceded a poor goal from our point of view.

"We were well aware about the threat QPR had from playing a man in the hole, but haven't dealt with him (Taarabt) from the throw-in.

"It changed the complexion of the game and, while we dominated in the second half, we didn't get the fortune that we needed.

"We didn't test their keeper enough either and the top and bottom of it is we've gone and got beaten 1-0."

Scunthorpe had bounced back from a shaky start to the season to record an impressive 2-1 victory over Swansea in the Carling Cup in midweek.

But their familiar jitters returned as QPR - searching for their first league win of the season under Jim Magilton - took the lead.

Taarabt slid beyond a static Iron defence before hammering the ball into the back of the net to send a timely reminder to Spurs boss Harry Redknapp about his undoubted talent.

Almost immediately after the goal, Mikele Leigertwood was denied by keeper Joe Murphy's chest after a chipped cross had found the midfielder with time and space at the far post.

With Wayne Routledge looking lively down the right, the Hoops controlled the match. Scunthorpe were forced to change their shape, operating with a three-man midfield, in a bid to stifle Rangers' play - a tactic which seemed to work.

But, although it restricted them to just one more effort - Jay Simpson firing wide after easily turning Cliff Byrne four yards out - it did not help them going forward.

The Iron's best chance of forcing their way back before the interval came in the 34th minute. Hooper and Matt Sparrow combined to send Martyn Woolford racing down the left but, after he had cut inside, his low cross into the middle was too far ahead of Sparrow, allowing defender Gary Borrowdale to clear.

Scunthorpe had plenty of endeavour but lacked quality, allowing central defenders Fitz Hall and Matthew Connolly to dominate.

The Iron were indebted to keeper Murphy for a flying save to deny Hall on the volley after an hour.

Then Leigertwood chipped the ball over the bar after Marcus Williams had failed to clear.

Sub Rowan Vine squandered the last chance by firing over from 18 yards after great work by fellow replacement Heidar Helguson.

Rangers thought they should have had a late penalty when Routledge was brought down by Murphy.

Routledge was booked for diving - to the disbelief of Magilton, who was sent to the stands for his protests.

Boss Magilton said: "I'm going to reserve judgment on the penalty decision. There has been a lot in the Press about diving this week and, if certain things are mentioned in the Press, people are going to be more aware of them.

"The assessor has maybe said 'Be careful' or 'Watch out for people going over too easily'.

"They have to be careful, though, when they are judging players as being over-dramatic because those decisions can cost you." News of The World

P GD Pnts
West Brom 5 4 11
Cardiff 5 7 10
Middlesbrough 5 6 10
Newcastle 4 6 10
Bristol City 5 0 10
Preston 5 5 9
Sheff Utd 5 4 9
Sheff Wed 5 5 8
Leicester 4 2 8
Blackpool 5 3 7
Derby 5 0 7
Coventry 5 -1 7
Watford 5 0 6
Doncaster 5 0 6
QPR 5 0 6
Nottm Forest 5 -2 5
Reading 5 -3 5
Swansea 5 -3 5
Crystal Palace 4 -1 4
Scunthorpe 5 -10 3
Plymouth 5 -5 2
Ipswich 5 -5 2
Peterborough 4 -4 1
Barnsley 5 -8 1 - Table

PREVIOUSLY POSTED

- Q&A With Jim Magilton

- Ex-QPR's Fraser Digby Voted Swindon's greatest-ever goalkeeper

- VIDEO of QPR's 1979 Massacre of Burnley

- Danny Dichio Update

- John Spencer Honoured Today

- Portsmouth Finances Examined

- "Football Players Do Not Get Any Better"

- Examining Ipswich Under Roy Keane

- "What's Wrong With Football Clubs Breaking Even?"

- Two More Big Sousa Signings for Swansea

- Chelsea PR Offensive Ends in Jeers

- Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) Action Week (October 15-27)

- Fans Asked to Vote on Favourite League Cup Memories

- Interesting Ranking of Premiership Clubs for "Fan Stewardship" - How well owners are building for their club's future. Five categories: - putting the club first, 'long-termism', clarity of role and purpose, engagement of fans and passion"

- New Book re QPR "Hooped Dreams -Billionaires, QPR and the Premiership Promised Land." By Mick Kelly. (Foreword by Rodney Marsh) - Book Description

Saturday, August 29, 2009

QPR's Supposed Indian Signing, Sunil Chhetri Rejected for Work Permit (Coventry and Celtic Interest)

QPR Gain First League Win of the Season at Scunthorpe (And FIrst League Away Win Since January) - Reports and Comments

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For up-to-the-minute QPR news - and QPR Nostalgia - visit the combination blog and messageboard, QPR Report Messageboard Throw in some eclectic football news. And post your own views. QPR Report is Updated throughout the day

- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!

- Axed: Barnsley Manager Simon Davey

- Strange report: QPR supposedly Signed Indian International, Sunil Chhetri. But Didn't Get Work Permit

- QPR Away to Chelsea in the Carling Cup, September 21 or 22.

- The QPR-Chelsea Connection: Past QPR vs Chelsea Games. Past Joint QPR & Chelsea Players

- Routledge Linked to Cardiff Return

- Updated League Table

SCUNTHORPE OFFICIAL SITE - BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED - NIGEL
- Iron boss Nigel Adkins felt his side should have got at least a point from the home game with Queens Park Rangers.
- United lost 1-0 after Adel Taarabt notched in the opening few minutes, with a goal that Adkins felt was poor from a defensive point of view.
- The hosts worked hard to get themselves back into the game, but couldn't find that elusive goal.
- "I'm bitterly disappointed," Adkins told The Iron Player.
- "We should have got something from the game. We started off badly and allowed them to score a poor goal from our point of view.
- "It was slack marking and we were well aware beforehand of Adel Taarabt getting in the hole just behind the striker. We didn't deal with it from a throw-in.
- "Usually that is one of the things that we do well and we've got to defend better than that in future.
- "That all of a sudden changed the complexion of the game.
- "They played with three in midfield and that tested us. When you step up to this level teams of QPR's quality keep good possession and give you problems.
- "That's why we've been looking away from home to change things a little bit.
- "After 20 minutes we got a foothold back in the game. Matt Sparrow had a great chance to score when Martyn Woolford put the ball in the six yard box and it just went over his foot.
- "Goals change games and, for me, we dominated the second half. We were dominant in the middle of the park when we made a couple of changes.
- "I felt we went up another gear then, and brought on Garry Thompson on the right to really go for it. We just couldn't find that goal we needed."
- See more from Nigel Adkins, Jim Magilton, Sam Togwell and Garry Thompson on The Iron Player. Scunthorpe Official Site

QPR Official Site - GAFFER: 'I'M DELIGHTED'
- Jim Magilton could not contain his joy, after Rangers did enough to secure their first win of the 2009/10 Coca-Cola Championship campaign against Scunthorpe.
- Adel Taarabt's goal was the deciding factor in the 1-0 victory, and Magilton told www.qpr.co.uk: "I'm delighted.
- "I think that the performance was good, we haven't picked up the points some of our performances have deserved.
- "Today is as bright as we've started any game. We know that Scunthorpe are a difficult side to get anything from, so I'm really pleased for the players.
- "We know we can be better, sometimes we lacked composure, but it was important to get a win. We've got a win and now we can really hit the ground running in September.
- "For me, the players have had a lot of games in a short space of time. For some, it (the international break) will be a time of recharging the batteries and for others, it will be a lot of hard work."
- Rangers Gaffer Magilton added: "We'll sit down and we'll analyse the performance, but above all, I'm so pleased for them (the players) as they've come under a bit of criticism, and they stood up and they said: 'we're tall, we're brave.'
- "We know we can be better as a group, and we will be.
- "There are still a lot of things I want to introduce, but we've got an honest bunch of players, who are very respondent to what we throw at them.
- "Once they cross the white line, we want them to be more composed, but that will only come through winning games.
- "I think that these lads going off for two weeks know that they can be better, but I'm certainly delighted with the result." QPR

QPR Official site - Scunthorpe 0 QPR 1
- Adel Taarabt's first-half strike was enough for the R's, who picked up their first league win of the season.
- He gave Rangers the lead on as early as three minutes, after a neat move saw him slot home when through on goal.
- Scunthorpe did put a certain amount of pressure on the visitors at stages, though it was not enough to beat a sturdy Rangers backline.
- R's Manager Jim Magilton made a total of seven changes from the side that progressed into the Carling Cup third round against Accrington Stanley, as Rangers went in search of their first league win of the campaign.
- Jay Simpson - after signing on loan from Arsenal this week - started in attack, whilst Taarabt - after an impressive performance from the bench in Tuesday night's 2-1 win - was also handed a place in the Rangers XI.
- Elsewhere, Hogan Ephraim kept his place in the side following his goal against Stanley, whilst Wayne Routledge - who also got on the scoresheet - started the game from the right.

As the game kicked-off at a windswept Glanford Park in front of a vocal R's gathering, in full voice following Rangers' Carling Cup third round draw away to Chelsea, it was the visitors who started the brighter - and how.
- Only a few minutes had passed on the clock when, after a good, early spell of possession, Rangers took a 3rd minute lead through Taarabt.
- After neat interplay with Alejandro Faurlin, the Tottenham loanee beat one man to put himself through on goal. The Moroccan made no mistake thereafter, coolly slotting past Joe Murphy in the Iron goal to put the R's into the driving seat.

The match, in this early stage, was being played solely in the hosts' half - and Rangers were starting to look good value for their early lead with a period of good possession.

Soon after, following a through ball down the right to Mikele Leigertwood from Faurlin, the midfielder sent in a rasping drive at goal, but Murphy was more than equal to that effort to beat the ball away.
- The pressure was mounting on the Scunthorpe defence, as the R's - who were now in total control -could have added a second when after a good pass from Taarabt, Ephraim beat his full-back before shooting just wide.

Moments later, it was the hosts on the attack for a brief moment, and when Paul Hayes cut-in past Peter Ramage, he could only fire the ball straight at Radek Cerny.

But it wasn't long before Rangers were back in the Scunthorpe half, and missed a great chance to put themselves two goals up.

After good play between Ramage and Routledge down the right-hand side, the winger sent in a teasing cross that landed to an unmarked Simpson, but he could only head wide from 10-yards out.

Even though Rangers seemed comfortable in defence, Scunthorpe were beginning to have a bit more of a say in proceedings.

When Martyn Woolford cut-in from the left just before half-time, his shot from near the edge of the area was only put wide for a corner by a trailing R's leg.

Moments before the break, Rangers could have double their advantage twice. When Faurlin's thundering shot after a Routledge cross looked destined for the net, that effort went just wide - before Simpson turned his marker from six-yards out, and scraped his effort off target.

As the players re-entered the field of play for the second period, it was the R's who continued to have the better of the game.

Though neither side were to create much in the opening minutes, and fully aware of this, Magilton sent on a fresh face, as Rowan Vine replaced the brilliant scorer Taarabt.

And it was a change that seemed to give Rangers a boost. Not least when after a superb corner from the left by Ephraim, the clearance fell to Fitz Hall, whose powerful shot was expertly tipped away by Murphy for Scunthorpe.

Not long after that chance, a Leigertwood effort went just over the bar after the ball was put in his direction near the area.

The game was now less of the intricate passing fixture that it had been for so much of the match, as the Iron went in search of a goal to level the game.

Scunthorpe had a good chance to do so too, but when Garry Thompson got the ball down the right, his attempt was well caught by Cerny.

Although Scunthorpe were now having more of the game, Rangers had a late chance to add a second when Vine could only blast over after a good lay-off from substitute Heidar Helguson.

The R's thought they had a good claim for a penalty when Routledge seemed to be brought down in the area, but the referee waved away the claim and booked him. Not so pleased with the decision was an understandably irate Magilton, and he was sent off after arguing his case on the touchline.

That didn't matter however, as Rangers saw out the rest of the game to get a vital first win of their league campaign.

Scunthorpe United: Murphy, Williams, Togwell (McCann 61), Byrne, Sparrow (Thompson 70), Hayes, Hooper, Mirfin, Woolford, O'Connor (Wright 61), Spence. Subs not used: Lillis, Forte, Morris, Crosby. Bookings: Murphy (1)
QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Hall, Leigertwood, Routledge, Connolly, Faurlin (Mahon 81), Simpson (Helguson 70), Ephraim, Borrowdale, Taarabt (Vine 56). Subs not used: Heaton, Stewart, Buzsaky, Pellicori. Goals: Taarabt (3) Bookings: Routledge (87)
Referee: Mr G Salisbury Attendance: 5, 866 (682) QPR

Scunthorpe Official Site - Scunthorpe United 0-1 Queens Park Rangers
-Click here for a minute-by-minute analysis of the game
- The Iron lost 1-0 to Queens Park Rangers in their latest Championship home fixture.
- An early goal from Adel Taarabt settled a contest which had few real opportunities.
- Scunthorpe tried to fight their way back into the game, but a solid Rangers backline held firm in the final game before a two-week international break.

United headed into the home match with Queens Park Rangers making three changes from the side that won at Swansea on Tuesday evening.

Niall Canavan, who starred in that game, is ruled out with an ankle injury - meaning that Cliff Byrne returns to the fold in his capacity as captain.

Josh Wright and Jonathan Forte drop to the bench, and as a consequence, Michael O'Connor and Gary Hooper make the initial X1.
- Furthermore, there's no place in the starting lineup for Grant McCann; and veteran Andy Crosby has grabbed a place on the bench.
- Joe Murphy started the match in goal, with Jordan Spence, David Mirfin, Byrne and Marcus Williams forming the defence.

The midfield consisted of Matt Sparrow, Sam Togwell, O'Connor and Martyn Woolford, while Hooper partnered Paul Hayes up front.

Within the opening few seconds there was an incident as Murphy brought down Routledge flying down the right wing.

The Hoops then went ahead minutes later as attacker Adel Taarabt, on loan from Tottenham, eased his way through the back four and poked past the onrushing Murphy.

The hosts had a penalty claim denied on 10 minutes when Hooper liked to be brought down in the penalty area by Gary Borrowdale. Referee Graham Salisbury was having none of it, however.
- QPR were having the better of things going forward, and Hogan Ephraim was next toi come close when he cut inside and drilled a low effort goalwards which went just wide of Murphy's bottom left-hand post.

There was another opportunity for the visiting side 19 minutes in when Jay Simpson powered wide a header following Taarabt''s cross. Murphy was angry with his defence for allowing the visitors too much space.

Although they were working hard, United were struggling to impose themselves on the opposition and they worried for a moment when top scorer Gary Hooper picked up a head injury.
- After a short delay for treatment though he came back onto the pitch, and it was he who manufactured the next shot on goal for the home team.

The frontman found space down the right-hand side of the 18-yard box and sped into it before firing in a low shot which was well stopped by Radek Cerny.

Sparrow and Woolford linked up well on 34 minutes, with the cross from the latter after a one-two just failed to reach Sparrow.

Three minutes later, Spence's speculative volleyed shot, just after the Hoops had failed to clear properly, went high and wide of goal.

Simpson had one last chance for the hosts before half-time, but his low shot trickled past Murphy's bottom right-hand post.

Ther Iron had the final chance of the first half in the third minute out of four in first half stoppage time when Spence struck a low left footed shot after being set up by Williams on the left wing. It was a routine stop for Cerny though.

The hosts struggled to get going in the second half, and Fitz Hall's volley drew another excellent reaction stop from Murphy as he stopped the Hoops from doubling their lead.

From the subsequent corner, Mikele Leigertwood looped a shot just over the crossbar.

There was a double Iron alteration straight after to try and claw their way back into the game. O'Connor and Togwell were replaced by Grant McCann and Josh Wright.

Hooper had a chance to equalise three minutes later but was judged to be offside as he volleyed an attempt against the post.

Then Byrne, only just, failed to connect with Wright's free-kick from deep as the hosts looked to up the pressure.

Thompson came on for Sparrow on 70 minutes and had a good chance five minutes later when he was played into space down the right and sent the ball powerfully across goal. Cerny held on to it though.

Moments after that, Wright's curling free kick from the left was tipped out by Cerny for a corner.

After the Hoops had cleared, Wright's cross from deep was then headed well wide by Byrne.

McCann then took a free-kick from 30 yards which was tipped out blow to his left by Cerny.
- The visitors were always a danger on the break, and Rowan Vine smashed a shot over the crossbar on 80 minutes.
- They also had a penalty shout denied when Routledge took a tumble under pressure from Murphy. The referee showed him a yellow card though.
- With two minutes left tot go, McCann's free-kick from the edge of the 18-yard box found MIrfin, whose header went just wide.
- Just before that, QPR boss Jim Magilton had been sent to the directors' box after disagreeing with a decision.
- There were five minutes of stoppage time, and Scunthorpe continued to seek an equaliser. McCann clipped a free-kick into the box and Hooper attempted to score with an overhead kick. However, he missed the ball and it drifted wide. That proved to be the last chance of the game.
- United are next in action in a fortnight's time when they visit Crystal Palace.
Attendance: 5,866 (682 away).
Iron Bar man of the match: Paul Hayes.
Sponsors' man of the match: Jordan Spence. Scunthorpe

SPORTING LIFE
- QPR's season finally got up and running after Adel Taarabt's early goal secured a first win under Jim Magilton.
- The on-loan Tottenham forward conjured up a moment of Premier League class to lift the pressure on Magilton, the latest manager tasked with guiding Flavio Briatore's Rangers to promotion.
- The visitors should have won more comfortably, with Iron goalkeeper Joe Murphy denying Fitz Hall and Mikele Leigertwood, but Magilton will not be complaining despite having to watch the final few minutes from the stands.
- The Irishman was unhappy after his side were denied a late penalty when Wayne Routledge appeared to be felled by Murphy - only to be booked for a dive.
- Murphy was already on a yellow card after bringing down Jay Simpson, Rangers' new loan signing from Arsenal, who had burst clear inside the opening 30 seconds.
- But the Londoners' lightning start was rewarded in the third minute when Taarabt picked up possession some 35 yards out, glided past a couple of Iron defenders into the area and coolly rolled the ball past Murphy for his first goal of the season.
- Leigertwood almost made it two but Murphy did well to block the midfielder's shot, before Hogan Ephraim drove wide and Simpson headed Routledge's cross the wrong side of the post.
- But Scunthorpe weathered the early storm without conceding a second, and as they got a foothold in the game Paul Hayes, Gary Hooper and Jordan Spence all had shots saved by Radek Cerny.
- Shortly before the break Alejandro Faurlin fired narrowly wide before Simpson turned well in the area only to scuff his shot off target.
- Murphy kept his side in the game on the hour mark with a fine reaction save from Hall's volley after a half-cleared corner fell to the big centre-half.
- Leigertwood chipped over the crossbar as Rangers threatened again, but as the second half progressed without a killer second goal the visitors got edgy.
- Scunthorpe felt they could have had a penalty when Hayes tumbled in area but referee Graham Salisbury was not interested.
- Cliff Byrne headed over and Grant McCann's free-kick was blocked by Cerny as the hosts searched for a leveller.
- At the other end Rangers substitutes Heidar Helguson and Rowan Vine linked well in the area, but the latter blazed over the crossbar.
- Routledge then rounded Murphy and appeared to be brought down by the keeper, only to earn a booking for his troubles to the disbelief of Magilton, who was sent to the stands for his protests...." Sporting Life

- Ex-QPR's Fraser Digby Voted Swindon's greatest-ever goalkeeper

- Video of QPR's 1979 Massacre of Burnley

- Q&A With Jim Magilton

- Danny Dichio Update

- John Spencer Honoured Today

- August 29 Flashbacks: Opening Game...QPR Go Top Division Two...QPR Go Top Division One

- "Football Players Do Not Get Any Better"

- Problem of Fan Hooliganism

- Examining Ipswich Under Roy Keane

- "What's Wrong With Football Clubs Breaking Even?"

- Ex-QPR Ricky Sappleton Loaned Out

- Birthdays: Ray Jones (RIP) and Jamie Cureton

- Year Ago: Talk of Campbell to QPR and Ledesma Signing

- Portsmouth Finances Examined

- Two More Big Sousa Signings for Swansea

- Chelsea PR Offensive Ends in Jeers

- QPR vs Scunthorpe

- Ex-QPR Chris Arthur Trialing With Grimsby

- Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) Action Week (October 15-27)

- Fans Asked to Vote on Favourite League Cup Memories

- Interesting Ranking of Premiership Clubs for "Fan Stewardship" - How well owners are building for their club's future. Five categories: - putting the club first, 'long-termism', clarity of role and purpose, engagement of fans and passion"

- New Book re QPR "Hooped Dreams -Billionaires, QPR and the Premiership Promised Land." By Mick Kelly. (Foreword by Rodney Marsh) - Book Description

The BIG One: QPR Away to Chelsea in the Carling Cup...Recalling Past Encounters & Past Joint Players

QPR Football Snippets Saturday...Cup Draw Made Today (QPR #25)

Pages

Monday, August 31, 2009

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Saturday, August 29, 2009