QPR: Where Did It All Go Right?...Taarabt's Perspective....QPR Reserves Draw With Orient...QPR's Declining Gates

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- Flashback: On This Day in 1972, Dave Thomas made his QPR debut. Alan Glover Turns fifty-nine today
- Year Flashback: Iain Dowie's last game: The goaless draw against Goalie-less Swansea


David McIntyre/BBC 606 21 October 2009 - Where did it all go right?
- It was interesting to hear Jim Magilton suggest after the win against Reading that a turning point in QPR’s fortunes was the Carling Cup game at Chelsea.
- Magilton feels the performance that night - and subsequent comments from Carlo Ancelotti and Ray Wilkins - gave his players real confidence after a difficult start to the season.
- That momentum, Magilton pointed out, was then taken into the Newcastle game and Rangers have grown in stature.
- I’ve also heard it said that the signings of Ben Watson and Jay Simpson were a turning point.
- Perhaps another pivotal moment was Magilton’s public criticism of Akos Buzsaky, which at the time seemed a risky, even foolish, move.
- Buzsaky’s form has since been excellent, which suggests Magilton made the right call.
- But it’s also worth remembering that as well as criticising Buzsaky, Magilton stood by him at a very important time.
- The period in which Buzsaky and Rowan Vine had to rediscover their sharpness was always going to be difficult – especially at a volatile club where new signings have been seen as the answer to every problem.
- Magilton handled this well, resisting moves to send Vine out on loan and weathering the early storm while giving both men enough game-time to build up their match fitness.
- It would have been very QPR to look elsewhere when they failed to make an instant impact on their return.
- Magilton didn’t stop short of criticising or dropping them to the bench, but he still kept them involved in those difficult but important early weeks of the season.
- The going was tough and the inevitable whispering about the manager’s future was starting.
- But Magilton – like Paulo Sousa before him – was adamant that getting Buzsaky, Vine and Martin Rowlands fully fit was crucial, and a necessary stage Rangers had to go through before coming out the other side.
- Yes Magilton slated Buzsaky, but he also never doubted that he and Vine were quality players who would in time be key men for Rangers again.
- And look at Buzsaky now; back to his brilliant best while Vine continues to feel his way back in after such a serious injury.
- It’s just a shame that Rowlands, another tremendous player Rangers were robbed of last season, has again been sidelined.
- His importance to the team cannot be overstated, but they can get by without him – especially if Alejandro Faurlin continues to flourish and Watson’s loan is extended.
- Kaspars Gorkss is another player in inspired form, and again I think a rocket from Magilton has done the trick.
- Gorkss was given some serious stick from the touchline during friendlies and the opening matches of the season. He was also left out at one stage.
- The criticism seemed harsh. But with hindsight, Gorkss was at times sloppy and cannot afford to be because, as is now obvious, he too is a vital player for Magilton.
- Gorkss is now razor-sharp – and he needs to be because of the way Magilton wants to play.
- Building from the back, primarily through Gorkss, is the starting point for so much of what this Rangers side do.
- He needs to be on the ball – in more ways than one – because opposing teams are now likely to target him, believing they must stop Rangers moving the ball into midfield where there are players capable of destroying any Championship team.
- So, talking of turning points, the second goal against Reading was in my view the most significant moment of the season so far.
- Rangers have been impressive, but I was looking to see what happened when opposing strikers pushed up on Gorkss and perhaps make him pass backwards or to Damion Stewart, who is less comfortable on the ball.
- I thought Preston would do this, but they didn’t. Neither have several other teams Rangers have enjoyed success against this season.
- But it was only a matter of time before teams, based on reports they’d been given on Rangers, set about jumping on Gorkss in this way rather than making the mistake of defending deep and allowing some seriously talented players to run at them.
- I felt watching Rangers take teams apart recently has been like watching a promising boxer, who has ability but won’t answer any real questions until his chin is tested.
- And although Reading were wide open and in many ways perfect for QPR, they did make a point of consistently trying to close down Gorkss and stop Rangers doing what they’re good at. They also had an extra man after Watson’s sending-off.
- So the second goal was telling, as well as superb.
- With no sign of the sluggishness which angered Magilton earlier in the season, Gorkss knew exactly what to do as he was charged down. The ball was quickly shifted out to the right and seconds later it was in Reading’s net. Brilliant.
- It wasn’t just a great move, it was a sign of a team that’s well coached and can adapt.
- It’s not all good news for Rangers. Another suspension for Watson will stretch them in midfield, especially as Mikele Leigertwood is a doubt for Saturday’s game at Derby despite being close to recovering from flu.
- And although Matt Connolly now seems to have made progress in his recovery from glandular fever, he is unlikely to play for a while yet.
- But while others hog the limelight, players like Peter Ramage and Gavin Mahon will have a massive role to play if Rangers are to sustain a promotion challenge.
- Their professionalism has been vital recently and may well be invaluable later in the season. BBC606


Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Adel's about turn
- ADEL Taarabt admits he considered walking out on QPR after a spat with the Loftus Road crowd at the end of last month.
- The Moroccan playmaker was booed by a section of supporters after shooting at goal instead of passing to a team-mate in a better position during Rangers' 5-2 win over Barnsley.
- But Taarabt was talked out of trying to cancel his season-long loan from Tottenham, made his peace with the fans and is back in favour after his starring role in last weekend's annihilation of Preston North End.
- "I was ill, so I was away for a couple of weeks and when I came back I was on the bench," he recalled.
- "When I came on, I tried to shoot and the fans wanted me to pass, but the game was already over so I didn't understand why they did this.
- "After the game I said I would never come back here but the chairman [sporting director Gianni Paladini] said 'relax'. They came and said 'sorry', I said 'OK' and I came back and showed them what I can do."
- Taarabt certainly underlined his credentials with a stunning opening goal against the Lilywhites, bringing the ball from halfway and beating several players before curling it into the far corner.
- "He has that ability in spadefuls - he's a genius, to be honest," declared QPR boss Jim Magilton. "We've given him more responsibility and he seems to be taking it in his stride."
- And, while the 20-year-old believes that result can be the springboard for a concerted push towards promotion, he is non-committal when asked if he would consider a permanent switch to QPR next year.
- "I don't think we'll speak about this yet - I have three years left at Tottenham," said Taarabt. "I came here because the club have a lot of quality players. Since I came here I think this was the best performance at home.
- "If we play like we showed we have a chance to go to the Premier League and that's why I'm here. Kilburn Times


QPR ATTENDANCE FIGURES

- QPR's gate yesterday was 11,900.

- QPR average home attendance this season is just under 12,800 and ranks in the bottom third of clubs in the Championship. (See Club-by-club Average attendance in the Championship this season)

QPR's Seasons-by-Season Average Attendances

2009/10 - 12,800- (As of October - Magilton)

2008/09 - 14,003 + (Dowie/Ainsworth/Sousa/Ainsworth)

2007/08 - 13,958 (Gregory/Harford/De Canio)

2006/07 - 12,936 (Waddock/Gregory)

2005/06 - 13,440 (Holloway/Waddock)

2004/05 - 16,055(QPR's First back in the Championship)

2003/04 - 14,784(QPR Promotion Season)

2002/03 - 13,206 (QPR Playoff Season) -


QPR Official Site - IN RESERVE: GAZ ON TARGET
Posted on: Wed 21 Oct 2009
Gareth Ainsworth marked his first 90 minutes since returning from injury with a goal, as QPR Reserves were held to a share of the spoils against Leyton Orient.

Deployed in an unorthodox front role, the experienced campaigner opened the scoring just after the half hour mark with a well-taken strike from fully 20-yards.

Rangers were good value for their lead at that stage and Keith Ryan's side continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession and territory before the break, with Matteo Alberti going close.

The R's switched to a 3-5-2 formation early in the second half, with Fitz Hall at the heart of the defence.

And Ryan's side almost made it two on the hour , only for Ainsworth to be denied at point blank range following effective wide play from Alberti.

Ryan - with one eye on Saturday's trip to Derby County in the Championship - withdrew Hall from the fray 20 minutes from time.

But disaster struck late on for the R's, when Under-18 defender Daniel Bailey was adjudged to have sent his man tumbling to ground inside the box and Tom Heaton was sent the wrong way from the spot as honours ended even. QPR


ORIENT OFFICIAL SITE

Pires Penalty Earns Reserves Draw Posted on: Wed 21 Oct 2009
Leyton Orient 1 - 1 Queens Park Rangers
totesport.com Combination Central Division

LOICK PIRES' late penalty earned the O's reserve side a richly deserved point against Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday afternoon.

Pires scored from 12 yards with just eight minutes left on the clock to cancel out Gareth Ainsworth's first half opener and claim the reserves' second draw in succession.

Another plus point was the performance of Adam Chambers, who completed his first 90 minutes since returning from a calf injury.

O's keeper Lee Butcher was called into action early on when he saved Ainsworth's fifth minute shot, and the on loan Spurs man denied Ainsworth again nine minutes later.

Pires was the first to go close for the hosts, nodding over at the near post after trialist right back Takura Mtandari advanced to send over a cross in the 27th minute.

Six minutes later Pires shot across the face of the goal after holding off his man inside the area.

However, within 60 seconds the visitors had taken the lead with Ainsworth finding the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Pires came so close to responding before the break, smashing a long range effort against the crossbar following good work down the left by Cestor Mike.

Ainsworth forced an excellent reaction stop from Butcher as Rangers looked to increase their advantage at the start of the second half.

But Orient took over in the last half hour and Chris Benjamin had a shot deflected behind for a corner following Harry Baker's searching pass.

With 19 minutes left R's stopper Tom Heaton denied Jake Argent in a one-on-one situation and it looked as through the visitors would hold out.

But eight minutes from time Pires was hauled down in the box by Danny Bailey and he picked himself up to send Heaton the wrong way from the spot.

Orient: Lee Butcher; Takura Mtandari, Luke Ashworth, Rhys Coleman, Cestor Mike; Harry Baker, Adam Chambers, Harry Beautyman, Musa Manneh (Chris Benjamin 61); Loick Pires, Jake Argent
Subs: Jack Giddens (GK), Joe Boakye, Elliott Babbs, Michael Richardson Orient


QPR 4 Reading 1 - Reports and Comments
- Photos from the Game
- - QPR 4 Reading 1 - Other reports


- Updated re QPR/Leeds and Beckford - Leeds Cool

- Comparing QPR's Start to this Season With Previous Seasons

- Bernie Ecclestone's Perspective on a (non-QPR/non-football matter)

- Questions still about Birmingham's Owners while Notts County "Secret" Takeover Approved by the Football League

- Sepp Blatter Running for Reelection

- Gareth Southgate Sacked after 3 1/2 Years

- An Open Letter from News Now

- Needing to Win 11-0, nine goals in last 10 Minutes

- Updated: Dennis Wise Interest in Buying Charlton

- Martin Allen Suspended by Cheltenham and BBC


- Ken Bates' Leeds Bans the Guardian Newspaper from Elland Road (over The Guardian's coverage of 'Who Owns Leeds?')

- Telegraph - Queens Park Rangers' finance director Gavin Taylor quits football club to set up hedge fund

- Football Against Racism Week: October 15-27

- QPR's New Sponsor, Toyo: Who Are Toyo? (Various Possibilities - If anyone actually knows for sure...]