Snippets Wednesday...Scunthorpe Downplay QPR Hooper Bid...Deadline Day: One Loan In (None Out)...Danny Shittu Hits His Thirtieth Year!

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- A lot of transfer-day messageboard hype and a proclaimed million pound bid for Scunthorpe's Hooper. At the end of the day. One Loan in: Ben Watson - and some confusion about what happens in January when the loan expires. Meanwhile some striking praise from Manager Jim Magilton about Sporting Director Gianni Paladini's role in the Watson deal. (See below or Watson Signs and Speaks)

On the other hand...

Scunthorpe Telegraph - Wharton rebuffs claims of bid for Hooper
- IRON chairman Steve Wharton has played down claims Queen's Park Rangers have had a transfer deadline day bid for Gary Hooper rejected.
- He admits he had a chat with Rangers' sporting director Gianni Paladini about the striker after the two teams' Championship clash at Glanford Park last Saturday.
But he denies a fee had been mentioned.
- "After we played QPR on Saturday, they told us Hooper was a player that they had admired and asked me if he would be for sale," said the United chairman.
"I told them the answer was 'no'.
"If that constitutes a bid for him, then I suppose yes they have made one. But I have had no further conversation with anyone from QPR since then. Scunthorpe Telegraph


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From Yesterday
QPR Official Site - EXCLUSIVE: WATSON PENS LOAN DEAL
- Rangers have beaten off stiff competition from a host of Clubs, including two from the Premier League, to clinch the loan signing of Wigan Athletic midfielder Ben Watson.
- The 24 year-old, who has been heavily linked with a move to Loftus Road in the past, has put pen to paper on a deal until December 31st, although the R's do have the option of extending the deal when the January transfer window opens.
- Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, R's gaffer Jim Magilton expressed his pleasure at the news, commenting: "Ben will prove to be a fantastic addition to the squad.
- "He's got a proven track record in this division, as well as the Premier League, and I'm just delighted we've been able to bring him to the Club.
- "He's a box-to-box midfielder, who scores goals and puts his boot in - he's got all the attributes that you need to play in that central midfield role."
- Magilton was also keen to acknowledge the role that Gianni Paladini played in the deal, adding: "Gianni has worked around the clock over the last 48 hours or so to get this done, and I'm indebted to him for that.
- "There were a lot of other big, big Clubs in for him, but Gianni and the Board have pulled out all the stops, so I'm delighted."
- Watson made his Crystal Palace debut at the tender age of just 17 and went on to establish himself as a regular in the heart of the Eagles' midfield.
- He surpassed 150 appearances for the Eagles before his 23rd birthday, and also represented England at Under-21 level.
- A dead ball expert, who is also a specialist from the penalty spot, Watson moved to Wigan Athletic in January 2009 for a fee believed to be in the region of £2.5 million.
- He went on to feature in ten of the Latics' remaining Premier League matches that season, and scored his first league goal in the 2-1 away victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
- A second goal followed against Hull City a few days later, but a change in Manager at the Club over the summer months brought a change in fortunes for the midfielder, who has been restricted to just a solitary Carling Cup appearance to date this term.
- Watson - who will wear squad number 15 - becomes the sixth summer addition to Magilton's squad, following in the footsteps of Alejandro Faurlin, Adel Taarabt, Alessandro Pellicori, Tom Heaton and Jay Simpson.
- *To sponsor the R's new loan signing, contact our Sales Team now on 020 8740 2588. QPR


WIGAN OFFICIAL SITE - WATSON JOINS Q
- Ben Watson seals loan move to Queens Park Rangers
- Wigan Athletic can confirm that midfielder Ben Watson has moved to Championship side Queens Park Rangers on loan until January.
- The 24 year-old has failed to feature in any of Latics' Premier League games this season, his only appearance being at Blackpool in the Carling Cup.
- Watson made an immediate impact for Latics following his move from Crystal Palace last season, scoring on his debut in the victory at Sunderland before also scoring on his home debut, in the crucial win over Hull City.
- He made ten Premier League appearances in all last season.
- Martinez said: "I wish Ben all the very best at QPR. I believe Ben can have a big future at our club but he needs to play games and take full advantage of the match practice he will hopefully get in the coming months. We expect him to come back sharp and ready to play in January." Wigan


Ben Watson Talking - QPR Official Site
- WATSON: 'I'VE GOT A POINT TO PROVE'
- R's loan signing Ben Watson believes his new team-mates have all the attributes to be challenging towards the summit of the Championship table this season.
- The Wigan man has penned an initial four month loan at Loftus Road, but Rangers have the option of extending that deal once the January transfer window opens in 2010.
- Speaking exclusively to QPR Player - in an interview which can be seen here later today (Tuesday) - Watson said: "I'm delighted to be here.
- "The quality of the squad here is excellent and I see no reason why we can't be challenging for promotion this season."
- Watson spurned the advances of a number of top Clubs, including two sides from the Premier League, to join the R's and he can't wait to pull on the famous Blue and White hooped shirt for the first time.
- "Everything about the Club convinced me that this was the right move," he said.
-"I spoke with Flavio Briatore and Gianni Paladini, as well as the gaffer, and they all had a big influence on my decision.- "I'm here to play football, win games and improve as a player.
- - "I feel I've got something to prove and I intend to do that with QPR."
QPR


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