Heaton Returning to Manchester United...Defender QPR May Be Interested In...Player Rankings Update...QPR on Sterling

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- SEE QPR1st REPORT on Meeting with The Club - Club on Role of Official Supporters Club (OSC)
- Non-League Goalie Trialing With QPR
- - A Goalie who did NOT sign for QPR
-- A QPR Fan Perspective/Preview of Sheffield Wednesday Game
- Next: Sheffield Wednesday:Previews and Flashbacks to Past QPR vs Sheffield Wednesday Games...On This Day: QPR 8 Sheffield Wednesday 2


- Player Rankings: Updated Actim Index for Championship Players: - Wayne Routledge #12...Jay Simpson #53....Radek Cerny #65


Dave McIntyre BBC 606 - The Heat is off (for now)
- With Tom Heaton due to return to Manchester United, Rangers may need to bring in another keeper on a short-term loan.
- Heaton’s three-month spell at Loftus Road finishes after this weekend’s game against Sheffield Wednesday.
- Rangers will look to bring him back, possibly on loan until the end of the season, but are unlikely to be able to do so before January and are preparing to be without him during the interim period.
- He is expected to return for a second loan stint – unless a small fee for his permanent signing can be agreed.
- Heaton’s contract at Old Trafford expires next summer. But as he will still be under 24, he will not be available on a Bosman free transfer, and any club that signs him without agreeing a deal with United could be ordered by a tribunal to pay a fee.
- His departure could leave Jim Magilton lacking cover for Radek Cerny, so a number of possible options for a short-term signing are being considered.
- Talking of cover, a left-back seemed an obvious requirement before the season started.
- - Ironically for a man frozen out by Paulo Sousa last term, Gary Borrowdale is the only outfield player to have played in every minute of every QPR league match this season.
- Top of the list to replace or compete with him has been Argentine left-sided player Lucas Licht, who is currently with Spanish club Getafe.
- In August he looked to be on his way to QPR, but the move did not materialise.
- The 28-year-old is said to have an Italian passport, which ought to make signing him easier.
- But his contract situation is unclear and a number of other clubs appear to be interested in him. Where his future lies seems to be anyone’s guess at the moment.
- Rangers were previously confident of getting their man. So much so that they pulled out of a deal to sign teenage left-back Patrick van Aanholt on loan from Chelsea, and he joined Coventry instead.That left Matt Connolly as the only (arguably) viable alternative to Borrowdale.
- Connolly being hit by glandular fever left Rangers open to a real problem were Borrowdale to become unavailable.
- The good news for them is that fears Connolly could be out for months rather than weeks have been allayed.
- He returned to full training this week and should be back in action soon, although glandular fever is unpredictable and can become a long-term health issue.
- I know. I had it years ago and am still affected by it from time to time. Some times more than others, it has to be said.
- Ever seen Fawlty Towers, when Basil’s getting flak so clutches the leg that’s supposedly got shrapnel in it?
- I’ve found that post-glandular fever syndrome, as it’s called, can strike just as suddenly.
- In all seriousness, for a professional sportsman in particular, the illness is no joke.
- Several footballers have felt the after-effects long after having the actual illness; a prime example being Marc Bircham, who was laid low from time to time during his Rangers career.
- I hope Connolly now goes from strength to strength. He’s a good player and a fine prospect - but definitely not a left-back. BBC606


QPR Official Site - STERLING SHINES FOR YOUNG LIONS
- R's teen sensation Raheem Sterling shone on his debut for the England Under-16's in the Victory Shield last night.
- The 14 year-old midfielder, who has featured regularly for the R's Under-18's this season, entered the fray as a second half substitute against Northern Ireland at the Deva Stadium and made an immediate impact.
- Sterling's trickery paved the way for Blair Turgott to notch the Young Lions' opening goal, before the R's youngster fed Matthias Fanimo to seal the win in stoppage-time.
- QPR's Head of Youth Development Steve Gallen told www.qpr.co.uk: "Raheem was excellent and he changed the game when he came on.
- "It was no surprise to me, in all honesty. I was at the game and spoke with him afterwards. As you can imagine, he was absolutely buzzing.
- "He was the youngest boy on the pitch, but it certainly didn't look like that. He plays in a way that belies his years.
- "He's clever, his decision-making was good and he is clearly a very talented lad."
- Sterling's development has led to speculation suggesting a number of Premier League outfits are interested in him. Gallen, however, is determined to see Sterling remain at QPR.
- "He wants to stay here, and his mum wants him to stay here," Gallen revealed. "He loves the place, and we all love him.
- "Everyone here is aware of him, from the Chairman through to Jim Magilton and John Gorman. I don't see any reason why he would want to leave."
- Despite increased coverage of the youngster's talent, Gallen believes keeping Sterling's feet on the ground won't be a problem.
- "That isn't going to be an issue," he added. "Sitting in the stand watching the game last night, I personally thought some of the lads had a bit of arrogance about them.
- "But I didn't see that in Raheem at all. He just loves to play football.
- "I have known him now for a number of years and there isn't an ounce of arrogance in him, none whatsoever.
- "He is a very important part of our team." QPR


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- FA to Livestream more Free Games

- Two of the Manager-of-the-Month Nominees: Swansea's Sousa Compared and Contrasted to Dave Jones/Cardiff



South Yorkshire Star/Paul Thompson - Owls face their Jay of reckoning
- Wednesday's new-found defensive steel is being readied for an attack by the striker who could have been on their side against QPR tomorrow.
- Arsenal's Jay Simpson was courted by the Owls for weeks in the summer; he even took up an invitation to visit the training ground.
- At one point, boss Brian Laws thought he had clinched the loan deal he was seeking, but the lure of a club much closer to home proved to be irresistible for the 20-year-old Londoner, and it is QPR who have benefitted from his talents.
-The good thing for Laws is that he will able to brief his defenders on exactly what to expect from six-goal Simpson, having assessed him closely when he was on the list of targets.
- "Simpson is going to be a threat," admits the Owls boss, though not lacking confidence in his team's chances tomorrow.
- "He likes to play on the shoulder; he's quick, and he's got an eye for goal; he's a poacher.
- "We worked so hard on getting him here. At one stage we thought we'd got him. But when QPR came in, it was a no-brainer for him. They were on his doorstep, and I could understand his decision.
- "He liked what he saw here, though. It was disappointing, but you move on. There will always be disappointments in the transfer market. But you'll also get breakthroughs."
- The Owls landed Luke Varney from Derby instead, and it is his top-class goal at Bristol City last week, allied to a much improved all-round show from the team and tighter defending, that give Laws and his players so much confidence for tomorrow's game, despite Rangers' reputation for goalscoring and outstanding individuals.
- "They're one of the best attacking teams I've seen in the championship; they're very quick and technically very good," Laws says.
- "This is going to be as stiff a test as I've seen since I've been at the club. They have players who can hurt you.
- "Adel Taarabt, who's on loan from Spurs, is a free spirit who has more tricks than I've ever seen. He's a strong boy.
- If you give him time and space, he's creative; he's got such good feet that he can waltz through you.
- "In the box, he's a bag of tricks. if you dive in, he'll win penalties.
- "But we're at home, where we've been very good. We've been very attack-minded and created a lot of openings.
- "Hillsborough is not an easy place to come to when we play our football. There are areas where we can hurt them.
- "While they're attack-minded, they do leave gaps.
- "There's an international break coming and before it we want to finish on a high."
- Laws has to decide whether to stick by last week's personnel and unusual 4-3-3 formation or go back to 4-4-2. Only Michael Gray is still ruled out; other illness victims are now back training, but energy levels were depleted by the bug and the Owls manager will have to assess fitness levels.
- "They've all given me the nod that, if called upon, they're ready," Laws added.
- "I don't think anybody would be surprised if I left the team as it was. But QPR are a different team (compared to Bristol City).
- "I was pleased with the way we defended and with our formation. But we are at home.
The Star


Raheem Football Association - U16s make it two wins from two
By Glenn Lavery at Deva Stadium - Thursday, 05 November, 2009
Kenny Swain's side defeat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Victory Shield
England 2-0 Northern Ireland Turgott 50, Fanimo 80+2

- For the second Victory Shield match in succession, England produced a sound second-half performance to claim another three points as a goal apiece for Blair Turgott and Matthias Fanimo gave the Young Lions a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland at Deva Stadium.
- Turgott received a through ball from Fanimo in the 50th minute and calmly lifted the ball over Conor Brennan for a debut goal. [b]Another debutant, Raheem Sterling, fed Fanimo in injury time for the West Ham forward to coolly seal the win.[/b]

The visitors began the match in positive fashion forcing England into the concession of a couple of early free-kicks, the second of which was drilled through a crowd of bodies by Paul George but George Willis was alert to the danger in the England goal and Adam Jackson completed the clearance.
- This was the first of three good chances in the opening moments as Kenny Swain's side built an attack down the right in the fourth minute. Nathan Redmond drove forward and slipped the ball through to Turgott who could only scuff his shot, under pressure from Ryan McLaughlin and Brennan was on hand to claw away. Almost immediately, Shay McCartan galloped down the left before cutting inside to test Willis with a swerving, dipping effort, but the Sheffield United stopper was equal to it and produced a confident save.

England won this fixture 6-0 last season but Kenny Swain conceded in his programme notes that he expected this encounter to be a lot tougher and he was proved correct. England were soon made aware that if they were to win the game they would have to overcome a very physical and competent Northern Ireland outfit.

The remainder of the first-half consisted of various half chances. Zak Ansah, England’s hero against Wales in October, had a header comfortably saved by Brennan and David Morgan fired two shots narrowly over the bar.

The Irish team were blessed with height but both sides were at their best when the ball was kept on the ground, though both defences appeared reluctant to be breached with England’s Callum McFadzean and Jackson and Northern Ireland’s Luke McCullough looking particularly stubborn.

Swain made two changes at the break with Sterling and Jack Barmby, son of Nick, getting their first taste of international football and the former almost created a dream debut for himself. Just five minutes into the second half, Sterling was found by Matthias Fanimo 20 yards from goal and he unleashed a rasping effort which Brennan expertly turned behind for a corner.

However, on 50 minutes Turgott did experience debut delight when he gave England the lead. Sterling picked the ball up on the inside right channel and bamboozled the Northern Ireland defence with a couple of quick step-overs. He laid the ball to Fanimo, whose clipped pass was latched onto by Turgott and he lifted the ball over Brennan and into the back of the net.

This match followed a similar pattern to England’s game against Wales, with the visiting side having the better of the opening 40 minutes before a couple of half-time substitutions came on to have an immediate impact for England.

Dessie Currie’s side were rattled by this goal and it took them another ten minutes to regain their composure. It was again left to Morgan to drive the Irish forward and he produced a third long distance shot which bounced wide. Luke Conlan followed suit moments later and as the visitors sought a route back into the game.

The second half was disrupted by a few injuries, notably to George and Shay Facey, but when the game got back underway, Fanimo again attempted to create another England goal, but his through ball was just out of Ansah’s reach. Shortly after, Northern Ireland skipper, McCullough, almost restored parity with a thunderous free-kick, but it had slightly too much height and fizzed just over Willis’ bar.

Northern Ireland rallied with a couple of free-kicks late on but England broke on the counter attack with Sterling the main threat. He slipped the ball square to Fanimo and the young Hammer found the corner of the net to wrap up the win.

England now face Scotland at Tynecastle on 26 November for a winner-takes-all encounter.
England 1 George Willis, 2 Shay Facey (16 Stephen Arthurworrey 67), 3 Callum McFadzean, 4 Elikem Amenku (14 Jack Barmby, 41), 5 Sam Magri (C), 6 Adam Jackson, 7 Nathan Redmond (18 Raheem Sterling, 41), 8 Nick Powell, 9 Zak Ansah (15 Adil Nabi, 71), 10 Matthias Fanimo, 11 Blair Turgott (17 Bradley Jordan, 62)
Substitutes not used 12 Robbie Cotton, 13 Jordan Pickford Head Coach Kenny Swain
Northern Ireland 1 Conor Brennan, 2 Ryan McLaughlin, 3 Matthew Clarke, 4 Luke McCullough (C), 5 Joseph Jones, 6 Douglas Wilson (17 Aaron Rogan, 76), 7 Paul George, 8 David Morgan, 9 Shay McCartan, 10 Noel Lawless (16 Joshua Barton, 64), 11 Luke Conlan (15 Paul McElroy, 70)
Substitutes not used 12 Gareth Deane, 13 Shane McKinney, 14 Matthew Deighan, 18 Dominic Ball, 19 Conall McGrandles, 20 Thomas Healey
Manager Dessie Currie Referee Paul Tierney
Assistant Referees Lee Metcalfe & Paul Marsden
Fourth Official Robert Madley - FA


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Sheffield Wednesday Official Site - Ron Springett profile
- Sheffield Wednesday legend Ron Springett will be back at Hillsborough on Saturday as the Owls take on his former club Queens Park Rangers.
- The ex-Wednesday and England goalkeeper finally received a World Cup winner's medal in the summer after being part of England's successful 1966 squad. At the time of England's triumph only the 11 who played in the final were honoured.
- The London-born keeper joined Wednesday in March 1958 after then manager Eric Taylor agreed to let him live and train in London and commute up to Sheffield for games.
- Springett's arrival at Hillsborough signalled the end of the club's search for a quality goalkeeper. He was the fifth player to appear in goal for Wednesday in the 1957-58 season, a campaign that ultimately ended in relegation to the old Division Two.
- Ron immediately became first choice at Hillsborough and after helping the club return to the top flight he was also part of the first Wednesday team to take part in competitive European football.
- It wasn't long before Springett took the next step. He made his England debut against Northern Ireland at Wembley in November 1959 and was unchallenged for the national side until the emergence of Gordon Banks.
- He made his last appearance for England against Norway in June 1966 just before the World Cup finals began.
- 1966 was a bittersweet year for Springett, as well as being part of the World Cup squad he was also the goalkeeper for Wednesday in the FA Cup final which that the Owls lost 3-2 to Everton after leading 2-0.
- Ron left Hillsborough in the summer of 1967, moving back to QPR in a swap deal involving his younger brother Peter joining Wednesday. Later that year the club held a testimonial game for Ron with Wednesday fans contributing over £5,000 to his fund.
- He spent the second half of that match as a centre forward and had, a year before, scored four goals in Derek Wilkinson's testimonial. Ron went on to play nearly 50 more games for Rangers before retiring from football and setting up his own sports goods business in London. Sheffield Wednesday

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- Comparing QPR's Current League Position With Past Three Seasons - Virtually same as last season at this point.