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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report football-only Messageboard (updated style) for latest QPR Updates and QPR discussion throughout the day.>
Football League
Football League: March 31, 2010 - PLAYER OF THE MONTH NOMINATIONS
The nominations have also been announced for the Coca-Cola Player of the Month award for March: -
Championship
Graeme Dorrans - Midfielder - West Bromwich Albion
Peter Lovenkrands - Forward - Newcastle United
Gylfi Sigurdsson - Midfielder - Reading
Adel Taarabt - Midfielder - Queens Park Rangers
League 1
Peter Brezovan - Goalkeeper - Brighton & Hove Albion
Steve Morison - Forward - Millwall
Rickie Lambert - Forward - Southampton
Jo Kuffour - Forward - Bristol Rovers
League 2
Neil Bishop - Midfielder - Notts County
Shaun Harrad - Forward - Burton Albion
Davide Somma - Forward - Lincoln City
Gary Jones - Midfielder - Rochdale
Football League
QPR Official Site - TAARABT SHORTLISTED
Posted on: Wed 31 Mar 2010
- R's attacker Adel Taarabt has been named on the shortlist for the Coca Cola Championship Player of the Month award for March.
- The Tottenham Hotspur loanee has been in quite stunning form since the arrival of Neil Warnock in W12, contributing goals and assists, as the R's continue to impress under the new boss.
- The Moroccan scored from the spot against Plymouth at the start of the month, before making it two in as many matches with the R's equaliser at Bramall Lane - home of Sheffield United.
- His fine month continued with sublime performances against Reading and Derby, before he played provider twice in the R's 2-2 draw at Preston North End on Saturday afternoon.
- Taarabt's rivals for the award are West Bromwich Albion's Graeme Dorrans, Newcastle United front-man Peter Lovenkrands, and Reading midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson.
- The winner will be announced on Soccer AM on Saturday morning. QPR
- Manager of the Month Nominations
- QPR Supporter one of Those Found Guilty in Heathrow Robbery
- QPR Win Youth Alliance Final vs Peterbrough - Match Reports
- "On This Day" Flashback: QPR 6 Chelsea 0! (Also "On This Day" Sousa out and Waddock in stories)
- QPR Official Site: Choose The Club's "Greatest-Ever" Goal? - (Also: The Case Against This Competition Terminology!)
- Vote For Your QPR Player of The Year and Young Player of the Year
- Gordon Jago Still Active in Dallas
- Mike Keen Tribute/Charity Match, April 15 at Wycombe
- Snippet re Lakshmi Mittal/2012 Olympics
- Iain Dowie/Guardian Photoshop Entries
- Swansea (Slightly) Reduce Season Ticket Prices
- Hull's Uncertain Financial Future
PREVIOUSLY POSTED:
- A QPR Fan's very positive report on comments made at Monday night's Club's Platinum Fan Meet with Manager Neil Warnock and Assistant Mick Jones along with Mikele Leigertwood and Alejandro Faurlin
- Past Points Totals for Championship Relegation Trio...Past QPR Points Totals for Past Decade
- VIDEO: QPR's Two Goals vs Preston
- Alec Stock (RIP) - Born March 30, 1917. Would have been ninety-three. QPR Legend for all time
- VIDEO Flashback: Some QPR Goals from 1977 and 1978
- Year Flashback: Dexter Blackstock says was a Little Surprised at Being Loaned Out
- Clarke Carlisle Condemns Some Burnley Fans
- Looking for News of Nigel Quashie! Injured? Other? Last QPR Game February 9! (Also Looking for Marcus Bent Update -Post here Any Information welcome
Welcome to QPR REPORT - A completely unofficial and unaffiliated fan site focusing on G-d's Chosen Team, Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) FC. (Visit also QPR Report Messageboard and Follow on Twitter.) QPR Report accepts no sponsorship, advertising or financial contributions. In 2008, QPR Report was named as one of the top two blogs in the Football League
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Wednesday, March 31, 2010
QPR Report Football Snippets Wednesday: QPR Youth Win Final
-
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report football-only Messageboard (updated style) for latest QPR Updates and QPR discussion throughout the day.>
- Adel Taarabt Nominated for Championship Player of the Month
- QPR Win Youth Alliance Final vs Peterbrough - Match Reports
- "On This Day" Flashback: QPR 6 Chelsea 0! (Also "On This Day" Sousa out and Waddock in stories)
- QPR Official Site: Choose The Club's "Greatest-Ever" Goal? - (Also: The Case Against This Competition Terminology!)
- Vote For Your QPR Player of The Year and Young Player of the Year
- Gordon Jago Still Active in Dallas
- Mike Keen Tribute/Charity Match, April 15 at Wycombe
- Snippet re Lakshmi Mittal/2012 Olympics
- Iain Dowie/Guardian Photoshop Entries
- Swansea (Slightly) Reduce Season Ticket Prices
- Hull's Uncertain Financial Future
PREVIOUSLY POSTED:
- A QPR Fan's very positive report on comments made at Monday night's Club's Platinum Fan Meet with Manager Neil Warnock and Assistant Mick Jones along with Mikele Leigertwood and Alejandro Faurlin
- Past Points Totals for Championship Relegation Trio...Past QPR Points Totals for Past Decade
- VIDEO: QPR's Two Goals vs Preston
- Alec Stock (RIP) - Born March 30, 1917. Would have been ninety-three. QPR Legend for all time
- VIDEO Flashback: Some QPR Goals from 1977 and 1978
- Year Flashback: Dexter Blackstock says was a Little Surprised at Being Loaned Out
- Clarke Carlisle Condemns Some Burnley Fans
- Looking for News of Nigel Quashie! Injured? Other? Last QPR Game February 9! (Also Looking for Marcus Bent Update -Post here Any Information welcome
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report football-only Messageboard (updated style) for latest QPR Updates and QPR discussion throughout the day.>
- Adel Taarabt Nominated for Championship Player of the Month
- QPR Win Youth Alliance Final vs Peterbrough - Match Reports
- "On This Day" Flashback: QPR 6 Chelsea 0! (Also "On This Day" Sousa out and Waddock in stories)
- QPR Official Site: Choose The Club's "Greatest-Ever" Goal? - (Also: The Case Against This Competition Terminology!)
- Vote For Your QPR Player of The Year and Young Player of the Year
- Gordon Jago Still Active in Dallas
- Mike Keen Tribute/Charity Match, April 15 at Wycombe
- Snippet re Lakshmi Mittal/2012 Olympics
- Iain Dowie/Guardian Photoshop Entries
- Swansea (Slightly) Reduce Season Ticket Prices
- Hull's Uncertain Financial Future
PREVIOUSLY POSTED:
- A QPR Fan's very positive report on comments made at Monday night's Club's Platinum Fan Meet with Manager Neil Warnock and Assistant Mick Jones along with Mikele Leigertwood and Alejandro Faurlin
- Past Points Totals for Championship Relegation Trio...Past QPR Points Totals for Past Decade
- VIDEO: QPR's Two Goals vs Preston
- Alec Stock (RIP) - Born March 30, 1917. Would have been ninety-three. QPR Legend for all time
- VIDEO Flashback: Some QPR Goals from 1977 and 1978
- Year Flashback: Dexter Blackstock says was a Little Surprised at Being Loaned Out
- Clarke Carlisle Condemns Some Burnley Fans
- Looking for News of Nigel Quashie! Injured? Other? Last QPR Game February 9! (Also Looking for Marcus Bent Update -Post here Any Information welcome
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
QPR Report Tuesday: A Very Positive Fan Report on Club/Fan Meeting....Video: QPR's Preston Goals...Almost 20 Years Since QPR's Shock Win at Anfield!
-
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report football-only Messageboard (updated style) for latest QPR Updates and QPR discussion throughout the day.>
- AND A NEW UPDATE!- Tonight's QPR Youth Alliance Final Today vs Peterbrough is BACK ON! Only Now it's at 4:30 pm today at Harlington Training Ground
- Alec Stock (RIP) - Born March 30, 1917. Would have been ninety-three today. QPR Legend for all time
- A QPR Fan's very positive report on comments made at Monday night's Club's Platinum Fan Meet with Manager Neil Warnock and Assistant Mick Jones along with Mikele Leigertwood and Alejandro Faurlin
- VIDEO: QPR's Two Goals vs Preston
- VIDEO Flashback: Some QPR Goals from 1977 and 1978
- Year Flashback: Dexter Blackstock says was a Little Surprised at Being Loaned Out
- Teams of The Week (Two Ex-QPR in League One and League Two Teams)
- Patrick Agyemang Plays for Bristol City Reserves
- Clarke Carlisle Condemns Some Burnley Fans
- Iain Dowie Supposedly Set to be Made Hull Manager beyond this season
- Premier League's Richard Scudmore Rejects Criticism of the League re Portsmouth Finances
- Updated: Responses to Government Plans re Club Ownership and Fan Involvement/Ownership
- Past Points Totals for Championship Relegation Trio...Past QPR Points Totals for Past Decade
- The Return of Bradford Park Avenue (Bradford PA)
- Chester City Rebuilding from the ashes. Board Discussion/Memories of other out-of-the League clubs such as Barrow, Newport, Workington, and Bradford PA - The League Tables of 40 Years ago
- QPR Nostalgia: Photos/Programme Covers of QPR of Yesterday (Updated)
- Looking for News of Nigel Quashie! Injured? Other? Last QPR Game February 9! (Also Looking for Marcus Bent Update -Post here Any Information welcome
FLASHBACK! Saturday March 30, 1991; Football League Division One Liverpool v. Queens Park Rangers
Match Report
Liverpool: M.Hooper, G.Hysen, D.Burrows, S.Nicol, J.Molby, G.Ablett, P.Beardsley, R.Houghton, I.Rush, S.Staunton (R.Rosenthal), G.Gillespie.
QPR: J.Stejskal, D.Bardsley, R.Brevett, A.Tillson, D.Peacock, D.Maddix, R.Wilkins, S.Barker, L.Ferdinand, R.Wegerle (B.Allen), A.Sinton (C.Wilson).
Match Report: With the league season approaching the final furlong this was a crucial game for both sides but for very different reasons. Liverpool needed the three points to keep their title challenge going whereas QPR were still battling relegation.
Liverpool, the reigning champions, went into this game one point clear of Arsenal who they had lost at home to at the start of the month. Since that defeat, however, the Reds had won three games on the trot and their latest victory had been a 7-1 romp at Derby County.
Rangers would have been feeling grateful that only two teams were going to be relegated at the end of this season due to a restructuring of the top division and a seven game unbeaten run had taken them six points clear of the drop zone.
The opening exchanges were undistinguished as the sides traded long balls down the middle which brought no hint of a breakthrough. It was easy to understand such an approach from the visitors but it was surprising to see the home side so quick to launch balls forward.
Peter Beardsley got the ball down long enough to win the first corner of the game only to take it short and immediately surrender possession. Having intercepted down by his own corner flag Roy Wegerle proceded to dribble from the edge of one box to the other, drifting away from four challengers, before feeding Andy Sinton supporting to his left.
After such a wonderful burst Sinton's weak, low centre was almost criminal.
Glenn Hysen produced one excellent pass out of defence which ended with Liverpool winning another corner but once again this was taken short and wasted.
Liverpool would continue taking their corners short for the majority of the match even though the tactic was a total failure on the day.
QPR must have been encouraged by the lacklustre start made by the home side who looked short of attacking ideas without the injured John Barnes. The visitors were beginning to play some tidy football themselves as well with Ray Wilkins bringing his experience, and quality, to bear on proceedings.
The imposing Les Ferdinand sent Sinton away down the right with a clever back heel and this time his cross was a good one but David Burrows was able to head behind for a corner after Wegerle's initial flick.
Liverpool's first decent move saw Ian Rush launch a high centre beyond the far post from the right hand byeline which was retrieved by Beardsley and then helped on to Jan Molby by Ray Houghton.
Molby took aim from just outside the box but his low left footer skidded inches wide of the far post. The referee signalled a goal kick but it looked as though Jan Stejskal might just have got a touch as he dived to his left.
In general though Rangers were dealing comfortably with most of Liverpool's attacking efforts. The visitors had Darren Peacock sweeping up just in front of the centre halves, Maddix and Tillson, and this tactic was working a treat against some strangely uninspired attacking.
With only Wilkins, Sinton and Simon Barker patrolling the midfield areas the visitors should have been struggling in that area but Liverpool were generally unable to get anything going through the central areas and it was Rangers who showed the more controlled passing movements.
The visitors' first real effort on goal came after a scrappy period of play just inside the Liverpool half but when the ball was poked through to Ferdinand he struck for goal from 35 yards with an absolute screamer which Mike Hooper was at full stretch to turn away.
Ferdinand was definitely looking the part leading the Rangers' line even if his shorts were almost obscenely short.
Finally Liverpool managed some pressure but there was still no real fluency or conviction to their play.
Beardsley whipped over a fine centre from tight to the left hand byeline but there were no takers in the middle and then when Gary Gillespie tried to flick a low, driven free kick from Steve Staunton goalwards he actually managed to block the effort himself.
When the visitors could only half clear another Beardsley centre and Burrows picked out Rush in front of goal, however, Liverpool should have had the lead but the supreme finisher completely misjudged his header and ended up sending a feeble effort wide with his shoulder.
QPR relieved this pressure with a good move and when David Bardsley fed the ball into Butch Wilkins his sweet back heel presented Sinton with a shooting opportunity. From the angle, however, he blazed his shot over at the near post.
With Beardsley wandering to no real effect, Nicol and Staunton unconvincing out wide and Rush struggling to escape the clutches of Danny Maddix there was little cutting edge about Liverpool and it was typical that when Molby produced a superb pass inside Rufus Brevett it was Gary Gillespie trying to take advantage. The Rangers defence had no difficulty in recovering to snuff out the danger.
Gillespie then put in a fine pass of his own to send Beardsley scampering into space and his low centre looked dangerous but once again Maddix, who was growing in stature by the minute, was in the right place at the right time to intercept.
Liverpool suddenly put together a quick passing move which was much more in keeping with their normal style and ferried the ball from the right back position all the way to the left wing where Burrows was up in support to swing a centre to the back post.
Rush had peeled away from Maddix for once to find space and his instant volley from twelve yards was perfectly struck and destined for the bottom corner until Stejskal got down in a flash to parry away.
Rush went for the loose ball but his effort was blocked by Andy Tillson and when the ball then ran to Houghton his fierce drive was superbly charged down by Maddix.
The next five minutes saw a lull in proceedings as the gathering Liverpool storm subsided without trace and when Hysen gave the ball away inside his own half the home side were suddenly in trouble.
Wilkins and Sinton moved the ball left to Brevett and when Barker made a run down the line the full back played him in. The midfield player whipped a low ball across the box which Wegerle dummied and when the ball reached Ferdinand he turned Burrows and was suddenly face to face with Hooper.
The forward managed to evade the plunging keeper but had pushed himself wide of goal and his subsequent shot slammed against the face of the post.
Liverpool were unable to gather the loose ball which ended up with Bardsley on the right hand side. His cross went beyond the penalty area but reached Barker again and when he centred into the middle Ferdinand lunged in front of Ablett to head home off the inside of Hooper's right hand post.
It was a lead nobody could deny the visitors.
It would have been expected that Liverpool would respond swiftly to going behind but when they came forward a clever exchange between Rush and Steve Nicol on the right flank brought only a corner after Bardsley headed behind his own goal at the far post.
In truth the home side were lucky to get that much as there had been nobody in a red shirt inside the box. Once again the corner was taken short but only realised another corner and when this was taken short as well Rangers quickly snuffed out the danger.
The visitors had not panicked having taken the lead and their football continued to be far more cohesive and constructive than that of Liverpool's who looked distinctly rattled as they struggled to make any impression on a defence in which Danny Maddix was everywhere.
There was further danger for Liverpool when Wegerle sent Sinton racing away with a quick throw in and Burrows only just got to his low centre ahead of a Rangers forward.
Bardsley, Ferdinand and Sinton then combined to win a corner which was dropped into the near post for Darren Peacock to flick on and the ball ended up bouncing goalwards off Ferdinand from point blank range.
Fortunately for Liverpool the deflection sent the ball straight into Hooper's arms when a yard either side would surely have meant a second goal.
Steve Staunton sent in a centre from tight to the goalline that bounced along the top of the Rangers bar but the ball had already gone out in any case and Tillson was possibly fortunate to intercept a Beardsley pass intended for Houghton as Liverpool desperately tried to get their act together.
With the first forty five minutes almost up Stejskal sent a long punt upfield which Ablett just about managed to head clear under challenge from Ferdinand. The ball dropped to Staunton who played it back first time towards Burrows on the edge of his own box.
The full back decided to let the ball run through to Hooper but Wegerle had anticipated such an eventuality and was ready to pounce. The sprightly forward reached the ball first and sidestepped the plunging goalkeeper before rattling home a fine finish from the angle to put the visitors two up.
Liverpool managed one further attack before the break but Beardsley's centre was well taken underneath his crossbar by Stejskal and QPR had a deserved two goal lead going into the interval.
The visiting supporters, who had been growing in confidence and volubility throughout the half, were left to roar their approval at the half time whistle while there was the strange sound of booing filtering around the rest of Anfield as the teams left the field.
Half Time: Liverpool 0 Queens Park Rangers 2
While there had been murmurings of discontent as Liverpool left the field at half time the Kop was certainly willing to get behind their team at the start of the second half but the home side remained strangely lethargic as play resumed.
Beardsley was almost able to get Staunton away with an early pass but Danny Maddix showed that the break had done nothing to affect his concentration as he intercepted smartly.
Rangers responded with a more dangerous attack and when Sinton floated in a centre Ferdinand rose majestically to power in a header but the effort flashed narrowly wide.
Finally Liverpool were able to apply some sustained pressure although really incisive attacks were still few and far between.
Jan Molby sent a dinked ball into the area which fell nicely for Staunton who whipped in a good low shot but Stejskal was down in an instant to make the save.
From the resulting corner Liverpool again went short and on this occasion they did at least end up having a shot at goal but Houghton's effort from the edge of the box was scuffed and bounced well wide.
Andy Tillson put his side under pressure when a bad touch presented the ball to Beardsley and he slipped an instant ball through the middle for Rush to run onto but Maddix was able to get back and force the striker away from goal.
Rush managed to feed the ball back for Molby to swing in a centre from the left but Tillson had recovered and was in position to head clear.
Molby was then involved in one of Liverpool's better moves which saw Beardsley played into space down the right hand side of the penalty area. Houghton was racing up in support and Beardsley pulled the ball back in his direction but the pass was onto his left foot rather than his right and the shot was blocked by Simon Barker.
David Burrows forced his way forward to win a corner and for the first time all day Liverpool sent it straight into the box where Hysen produced a soaring header that was cleared by a defender underneath his own crossbar.
At this stage the pressure was mounting but Rangers still looked fairly comfortable with Tillson meeting most things in the air and Maddix playing an inspired game as he mopped up everything on the deck.
The visitors were still looking to get the ball down and pass it when they could, however, and a good break by Wilkins and Sinton ended with Rufus Brevett putting in a dangerous centre that Hysen just about cleared behind his own goal at full stretch.
Hysen's next contribution was in the other direction as he stepped confidently out of defence before threading a fine pass through to Staunton who had a clear run to the byeline but, on his right foot, could not beat Maddix with his centre.
Rangers countered again quickly and Wegerle sent a delightful first time ball down the line for Sinton and after the winger had vaulted a challenge from Hysen he saw his attempted centre cannon back into play from the angle of post and bar with Hooper beaten.
Liverpool were still vainly looking for a way back into the game and there was more frustration when Beardsley could only slice his shot wide after Tillson had slipped to allow him a clear sight of goal.
Then Molby sent a lovely ball out to Nicol but his centre flew straight behind the goal.
With inspiration sadly lacking Liverpool suddenly received a helping hand. Having taken a free kick quickly Hysen fed Staunton who flicked the ball on inside the area. Brevett was covering and moved to clear but, off balance, he missed the ball and there was contact between ball and arm as he fell.
It was contentious but Liverpool, even though they weren't attacking the Kop, got the decision.
Jan Molby stepped forward and slotted home the penalty without any fuss and Liverpool were back in it.
The visitors immediately looked less composed than before and began giving the ball away far more cheaply than they had been in the habit of doing previously.
Could a below par Liverpool take advantage?
There was real promise for the home side as Houghton sent a defence splitting pass out to Gary Ablett on the left wing and when Nicol headed his deep centre down towards Burrows on the edge of the box there was an inviting shot on goal in the offing but Beardsley decided to take the ball off the full backs' toe and knock it deeper for Houghton whose drive was blocked at source.
Beardsley, nowhere near his best, then spoiled another opportunity when failing to control a superb ball over the top from Houghton which would have had him in the clear had he collected.
Liverpool were continuing to press without being able to really test Stejskal. Beardsley linked with Rush who set up Houghton for a shot and his strong effort seemed to strike Peacock on the arm as he deflected it behind.
Having given one dodgy spot kick the referee was not prepared to give another even though this one actually looked a better shout.
The visitors' faltering composure was highlighted when Barker collected a yellow card for a rash challenge on Gillespie and Don Howe made his first change as he sent on Bradley Allen for Wegerle.
Molby sent Beardsley to the byeline with a raking forward pass and his low centre across the face of goal was horrible for the defenders but Maddix made light of the situation with a beautifully cushioned back pass to Stejskal from five yards out.
Hooper had to be alert to beat Sinton to a through ball from Allen as Rangers broke from a Liverpool corner but the keeper just got there first.
Beardsley was again found by Molby close to the byeline and this time the forward, with everyone expecting a centre, went for goal and the ball slammed against the outside of the post before bouncing clear.
Then it was Stejskal's turn to dash from his line and avert danger as Ablett looked to get on the end of a Houghton pass.
Liverpool finally decided to make a change with Ronny Rosenthal coming on for Staunton but it was Rangers who threatened next.
Bardsley found Ferdinand in all sorts of space with a throw in and the striker exchanged passes with Barker before slicing his shot badly wide from the edge of the box.
With time running out Liverpool now began to apply some real pressure in their search for an equaliser.
Hysen produced another towering header when Houghton swung a corner into the mixer but Stejskal was able to punch clear on his goalline and when the ball was immediately sent back into the box Peacock was happy to head behind for another corner.
Peacock also nicked the ball away from Hysen as danger threatened again and then headed the resulting corner clear into the bargain as it became an all hands to the pump sort of effort from the visitors.
Again the ball came back quickly and when Bardsley fell over at the wrong moment Rosenthal was presented with a clear chance but his shot was sliced horribly and only found the side netting.
Rangers made their second change by sending Clive Wilson on for Sinton but now looked happy just to try and ride out the storm.
As they came under pressure again, however, the visitors suddenly unleashed a remarkable counter attack.
Simon Barker started it by winning possession near his own corner flag and nutmegging Gary Ablett as the Liverpool man tried to challenge. When Barker then darted past the attempted challenge of Gary Gillespie the break was really on.
Barker fed Allen who hoisted the ball down the right wing to Ferdinand who made ground before sending a torpedo of a centre across the Liverpool goalmouth.
Butch Wilkins had got forward and leapt for the cross but the ball was too high. Wilkins contented himself with an imaginary header as the ball cleared him but Steve Nicol didn't react at all at the far post and when the ball bounced off his body the substitute Wilson was stealing in to prod the ball home from point blank range and make the game safe for Rangers with his first touch.
This was basically game over as Wilkins seemed to realise as he jigged merrily in front of the Kop.
Maddix had to recover smartly to rob Rush after an error by Wilson but he had never really let the Welshman out of his pocket all afternoon and the final few minutes belonged to the visitors as they revelled in the unusual feeling of a triumph at Anfield.
Wilkins fed Ferdinand with one delightful pass and the striker powered inside before sending in a ferocious drive that was spectacularly saved by Hooper.
Then from the corner Wilkins lifted another clever ball into space for Allen who turned and smashed an equally fierce drive into the side netting with half the ground thinking it was a goal.
The game ended with Rangers producing a superb, flowing move out of defence that involved Wilkins, Wilson and Allen and was only ended by a heinous lunging foul on Rufus Brevett by Ablett as the overlapping defender was bursting completely clear down the left.
This was a yellow card for Ablett and seconds later the final whistle sounded to confirm a superb away win for the men from Loftus Road.
This victory confirmed that Rangers were too good to go down and was loudly celebrated by their travelling support who had been magnificent throughout.
As for Liverpool this defeat really knocked the stuffing out of their title challenge and Arsenal went on to claim the title comfortably.
Looking back on this game now, in fact, you could almost pick this as the day that a generation of Liverpool domination was well and truly smashed to pieces.
At the time of writing, sixteen years later, the Reds are still waiting for another league title. Despite the resounding nature of this defeat nobody would have predicted such a scenario at the time.
Full Time: Liverpool 1 Queens Park Rangers 3 Football England
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report football-only Messageboard (updated style) for latest QPR Updates and QPR discussion throughout the day.>
- AND A NEW UPDATE!- Tonight's QPR Youth Alliance Final Today vs Peterbrough is BACK ON! Only Now it's at 4:30 pm today at Harlington Training Ground
- Alec Stock (RIP) - Born March 30, 1917. Would have been ninety-three today. QPR Legend for all time
- A QPR Fan's very positive report on comments made at Monday night's Club's Platinum Fan Meet with Manager Neil Warnock and Assistant Mick Jones along with Mikele Leigertwood and Alejandro Faurlin
- VIDEO: QPR's Two Goals vs Preston
- VIDEO Flashback: Some QPR Goals from 1977 and 1978
- Year Flashback: Dexter Blackstock says was a Little Surprised at Being Loaned Out
- Teams of The Week (Two Ex-QPR in League One and League Two Teams)
- Patrick Agyemang Plays for Bristol City Reserves
- Clarke Carlisle Condemns Some Burnley Fans
- Iain Dowie Supposedly Set to be Made Hull Manager beyond this season
- Premier League's Richard Scudmore Rejects Criticism of the League re Portsmouth Finances
- Updated: Responses to Government Plans re Club Ownership and Fan Involvement/Ownership
- Past Points Totals for Championship Relegation Trio...Past QPR Points Totals for Past Decade
- The Return of Bradford Park Avenue (Bradford PA)
- Chester City Rebuilding from the ashes. Board Discussion/Memories of other out-of-the League clubs such as Barrow, Newport, Workington, and Bradford PA - The League Tables of 40 Years ago
- QPR Nostalgia: Photos/Programme Covers of QPR of Yesterday (Updated)
- Looking for News of Nigel Quashie! Injured? Other? Last QPR Game February 9! (Also Looking for Marcus Bent Update -Post here Any Information welcome
FLASHBACK! Saturday March 30, 1991; Football League Division One Liverpool v. Queens Park Rangers
Match Report
Liverpool: M.Hooper, G.Hysen, D.Burrows, S.Nicol, J.Molby, G.Ablett, P.Beardsley, R.Houghton, I.Rush, S.Staunton (R.Rosenthal), G.Gillespie.
QPR: J.Stejskal, D.Bardsley, R.Brevett, A.Tillson, D.Peacock, D.Maddix, R.Wilkins, S.Barker, L.Ferdinand, R.Wegerle (B.Allen), A.Sinton (C.Wilson).
Match Report: With the league season approaching the final furlong this was a crucial game for both sides but for very different reasons. Liverpool needed the three points to keep their title challenge going whereas QPR were still battling relegation.
Liverpool, the reigning champions, went into this game one point clear of Arsenal who they had lost at home to at the start of the month. Since that defeat, however, the Reds had won three games on the trot and their latest victory had been a 7-1 romp at Derby County.
Rangers would have been feeling grateful that only two teams were going to be relegated at the end of this season due to a restructuring of the top division and a seven game unbeaten run had taken them six points clear of the drop zone.
The opening exchanges were undistinguished as the sides traded long balls down the middle which brought no hint of a breakthrough. It was easy to understand such an approach from the visitors but it was surprising to see the home side so quick to launch balls forward.
Peter Beardsley got the ball down long enough to win the first corner of the game only to take it short and immediately surrender possession. Having intercepted down by his own corner flag Roy Wegerle proceded to dribble from the edge of one box to the other, drifting away from four challengers, before feeding Andy Sinton supporting to his left.
After such a wonderful burst Sinton's weak, low centre was almost criminal.
Glenn Hysen produced one excellent pass out of defence which ended with Liverpool winning another corner but once again this was taken short and wasted.
Liverpool would continue taking their corners short for the majority of the match even though the tactic was a total failure on the day.
QPR must have been encouraged by the lacklustre start made by the home side who looked short of attacking ideas without the injured John Barnes. The visitors were beginning to play some tidy football themselves as well with Ray Wilkins bringing his experience, and quality, to bear on proceedings.
The imposing Les Ferdinand sent Sinton away down the right with a clever back heel and this time his cross was a good one but David Burrows was able to head behind for a corner after Wegerle's initial flick.
Liverpool's first decent move saw Ian Rush launch a high centre beyond the far post from the right hand byeline which was retrieved by Beardsley and then helped on to Jan Molby by Ray Houghton.
Molby took aim from just outside the box but his low left footer skidded inches wide of the far post. The referee signalled a goal kick but it looked as though Jan Stejskal might just have got a touch as he dived to his left.
In general though Rangers were dealing comfortably with most of Liverpool's attacking efforts. The visitors had Darren Peacock sweeping up just in front of the centre halves, Maddix and Tillson, and this tactic was working a treat against some strangely uninspired attacking.
With only Wilkins, Sinton and Simon Barker patrolling the midfield areas the visitors should have been struggling in that area but Liverpool were generally unable to get anything going through the central areas and it was Rangers who showed the more controlled passing movements.
The visitors' first real effort on goal came after a scrappy period of play just inside the Liverpool half but when the ball was poked through to Ferdinand he struck for goal from 35 yards with an absolute screamer which Mike Hooper was at full stretch to turn away.
Ferdinand was definitely looking the part leading the Rangers' line even if his shorts were almost obscenely short.
Finally Liverpool managed some pressure but there was still no real fluency or conviction to their play.
Beardsley whipped over a fine centre from tight to the left hand byeline but there were no takers in the middle and then when Gary Gillespie tried to flick a low, driven free kick from Steve Staunton goalwards he actually managed to block the effort himself.
When the visitors could only half clear another Beardsley centre and Burrows picked out Rush in front of goal, however, Liverpool should have had the lead but the supreme finisher completely misjudged his header and ended up sending a feeble effort wide with his shoulder.
QPR relieved this pressure with a good move and when David Bardsley fed the ball into Butch Wilkins his sweet back heel presented Sinton with a shooting opportunity. From the angle, however, he blazed his shot over at the near post.
With Beardsley wandering to no real effect, Nicol and Staunton unconvincing out wide and Rush struggling to escape the clutches of Danny Maddix there was little cutting edge about Liverpool and it was typical that when Molby produced a superb pass inside Rufus Brevett it was Gary Gillespie trying to take advantage. The Rangers defence had no difficulty in recovering to snuff out the danger.
Gillespie then put in a fine pass of his own to send Beardsley scampering into space and his low centre looked dangerous but once again Maddix, who was growing in stature by the minute, was in the right place at the right time to intercept.
Liverpool suddenly put together a quick passing move which was much more in keeping with their normal style and ferried the ball from the right back position all the way to the left wing where Burrows was up in support to swing a centre to the back post.
Rush had peeled away from Maddix for once to find space and his instant volley from twelve yards was perfectly struck and destined for the bottom corner until Stejskal got down in a flash to parry away.
Rush went for the loose ball but his effort was blocked by Andy Tillson and when the ball then ran to Houghton his fierce drive was superbly charged down by Maddix.
The next five minutes saw a lull in proceedings as the gathering Liverpool storm subsided without trace and when Hysen gave the ball away inside his own half the home side were suddenly in trouble.
Wilkins and Sinton moved the ball left to Brevett and when Barker made a run down the line the full back played him in. The midfield player whipped a low ball across the box which Wegerle dummied and when the ball reached Ferdinand he turned Burrows and was suddenly face to face with Hooper.
The forward managed to evade the plunging keeper but had pushed himself wide of goal and his subsequent shot slammed against the face of the post.
Liverpool were unable to gather the loose ball which ended up with Bardsley on the right hand side. His cross went beyond the penalty area but reached Barker again and when he centred into the middle Ferdinand lunged in front of Ablett to head home off the inside of Hooper's right hand post.
It was a lead nobody could deny the visitors.
It would have been expected that Liverpool would respond swiftly to going behind but when they came forward a clever exchange between Rush and Steve Nicol on the right flank brought only a corner after Bardsley headed behind his own goal at the far post.
In truth the home side were lucky to get that much as there had been nobody in a red shirt inside the box. Once again the corner was taken short but only realised another corner and when this was taken short as well Rangers quickly snuffed out the danger.
The visitors had not panicked having taken the lead and their football continued to be far more cohesive and constructive than that of Liverpool's who looked distinctly rattled as they struggled to make any impression on a defence in which Danny Maddix was everywhere.
There was further danger for Liverpool when Wegerle sent Sinton racing away with a quick throw in and Burrows only just got to his low centre ahead of a Rangers forward.
Bardsley, Ferdinand and Sinton then combined to win a corner which was dropped into the near post for Darren Peacock to flick on and the ball ended up bouncing goalwards off Ferdinand from point blank range.
Fortunately for Liverpool the deflection sent the ball straight into Hooper's arms when a yard either side would surely have meant a second goal.
Steve Staunton sent in a centre from tight to the goalline that bounced along the top of the Rangers bar but the ball had already gone out in any case and Tillson was possibly fortunate to intercept a Beardsley pass intended for Houghton as Liverpool desperately tried to get their act together.
With the first forty five minutes almost up Stejskal sent a long punt upfield which Ablett just about managed to head clear under challenge from Ferdinand. The ball dropped to Staunton who played it back first time towards Burrows on the edge of his own box.
The full back decided to let the ball run through to Hooper but Wegerle had anticipated such an eventuality and was ready to pounce. The sprightly forward reached the ball first and sidestepped the plunging goalkeeper before rattling home a fine finish from the angle to put the visitors two up.
Liverpool managed one further attack before the break but Beardsley's centre was well taken underneath his crossbar by Stejskal and QPR had a deserved two goal lead going into the interval.
The visiting supporters, who had been growing in confidence and volubility throughout the half, were left to roar their approval at the half time whistle while there was the strange sound of booing filtering around the rest of Anfield as the teams left the field.
Half Time: Liverpool 0 Queens Park Rangers 2
While there had been murmurings of discontent as Liverpool left the field at half time the Kop was certainly willing to get behind their team at the start of the second half but the home side remained strangely lethargic as play resumed.
Beardsley was almost able to get Staunton away with an early pass but Danny Maddix showed that the break had done nothing to affect his concentration as he intercepted smartly.
Rangers responded with a more dangerous attack and when Sinton floated in a centre Ferdinand rose majestically to power in a header but the effort flashed narrowly wide.
Finally Liverpool were able to apply some sustained pressure although really incisive attacks were still few and far between.
Jan Molby sent a dinked ball into the area which fell nicely for Staunton who whipped in a good low shot but Stejskal was down in an instant to make the save.
From the resulting corner Liverpool again went short and on this occasion they did at least end up having a shot at goal but Houghton's effort from the edge of the box was scuffed and bounced well wide.
Andy Tillson put his side under pressure when a bad touch presented the ball to Beardsley and he slipped an instant ball through the middle for Rush to run onto but Maddix was able to get back and force the striker away from goal.
Rush managed to feed the ball back for Molby to swing in a centre from the left but Tillson had recovered and was in position to head clear.
Molby was then involved in one of Liverpool's better moves which saw Beardsley played into space down the right hand side of the penalty area. Houghton was racing up in support and Beardsley pulled the ball back in his direction but the pass was onto his left foot rather than his right and the shot was blocked by Simon Barker.
David Burrows forced his way forward to win a corner and for the first time all day Liverpool sent it straight into the box where Hysen produced a soaring header that was cleared by a defender underneath his own crossbar.
At this stage the pressure was mounting but Rangers still looked fairly comfortable with Tillson meeting most things in the air and Maddix playing an inspired game as he mopped up everything on the deck.
The visitors were still looking to get the ball down and pass it when they could, however, and a good break by Wilkins and Sinton ended with Rufus Brevett putting in a dangerous centre that Hysen just about cleared behind his own goal at full stretch.
Hysen's next contribution was in the other direction as he stepped confidently out of defence before threading a fine pass through to Staunton who had a clear run to the byeline but, on his right foot, could not beat Maddix with his centre.
Rangers countered again quickly and Wegerle sent a delightful first time ball down the line for Sinton and after the winger had vaulted a challenge from Hysen he saw his attempted centre cannon back into play from the angle of post and bar with Hooper beaten.
Liverpool were still vainly looking for a way back into the game and there was more frustration when Beardsley could only slice his shot wide after Tillson had slipped to allow him a clear sight of goal.
Then Molby sent a lovely ball out to Nicol but his centre flew straight behind the goal.
With inspiration sadly lacking Liverpool suddenly received a helping hand. Having taken a free kick quickly Hysen fed Staunton who flicked the ball on inside the area. Brevett was covering and moved to clear but, off balance, he missed the ball and there was contact between ball and arm as he fell.
It was contentious but Liverpool, even though they weren't attacking the Kop, got the decision.
Jan Molby stepped forward and slotted home the penalty without any fuss and Liverpool were back in it.
The visitors immediately looked less composed than before and began giving the ball away far more cheaply than they had been in the habit of doing previously.
Could a below par Liverpool take advantage?
There was real promise for the home side as Houghton sent a defence splitting pass out to Gary Ablett on the left wing and when Nicol headed his deep centre down towards Burrows on the edge of the box there was an inviting shot on goal in the offing but Beardsley decided to take the ball off the full backs' toe and knock it deeper for Houghton whose drive was blocked at source.
Beardsley, nowhere near his best, then spoiled another opportunity when failing to control a superb ball over the top from Houghton which would have had him in the clear had he collected.
Liverpool were continuing to press without being able to really test Stejskal. Beardsley linked with Rush who set up Houghton for a shot and his strong effort seemed to strike Peacock on the arm as he deflected it behind.
Having given one dodgy spot kick the referee was not prepared to give another even though this one actually looked a better shout.
The visitors' faltering composure was highlighted when Barker collected a yellow card for a rash challenge on Gillespie and Don Howe made his first change as he sent on Bradley Allen for Wegerle.
Molby sent Beardsley to the byeline with a raking forward pass and his low centre across the face of goal was horrible for the defenders but Maddix made light of the situation with a beautifully cushioned back pass to Stejskal from five yards out.
Hooper had to be alert to beat Sinton to a through ball from Allen as Rangers broke from a Liverpool corner but the keeper just got there first.
Beardsley was again found by Molby close to the byeline and this time the forward, with everyone expecting a centre, went for goal and the ball slammed against the outside of the post before bouncing clear.
Then it was Stejskal's turn to dash from his line and avert danger as Ablett looked to get on the end of a Houghton pass.
Liverpool finally decided to make a change with Ronny Rosenthal coming on for Staunton but it was Rangers who threatened next.
Bardsley found Ferdinand in all sorts of space with a throw in and the striker exchanged passes with Barker before slicing his shot badly wide from the edge of the box.
With time running out Liverpool now began to apply some real pressure in their search for an equaliser.
Hysen produced another towering header when Houghton swung a corner into the mixer but Stejskal was able to punch clear on his goalline and when the ball was immediately sent back into the box Peacock was happy to head behind for another corner.
Peacock also nicked the ball away from Hysen as danger threatened again and then headed the resulting corner clear into the bargain as it became an all hands to the pump sort of effort from the visitors.
Again the ball came back quickly and when Bardsley fell over at the wrong moment Rosenthal was presented with a clear chance but his shot was sliced horribly and only found the side netting.
Rangers made their second change by sending Clive Wilson on for Sinton but now looked happy just to try and ride out the storm.
As they came under pressure again, however, the visitors suddenly unleashed a remarkable counter attack.
Simon Barker started it by winning possession near his own corner flag and nutmegging Gary Ablett as the Liverpool man tried to challenge. When Barker then darted past the attempted challenge of Gary Gillespie the break was really on.
Barker fed Allen who hoisted the ball down the right wing to Ferdinand who made ground before sending a torpedo of a centre across the Liverpool goalmouth.
Butch Wilkins had got forward and leapt for the cross but the ball was too high. Wilkins contented himself with an imaginary header as the ball cleared him but Steve Nicol didn't react at all at the far post and when the ball bounced off his body the substitute Wilson was stealing in to prod the ball home from point blank range and make the game safe for Rangers with his first touch.
This was basically game over as Wilkins seemed to realise as he jigged merrily in front of the Kop.
Maddix had to recover smartly to rob Rush after an error by Wilson but he had never really let the Welshman out of his pocket all afternoon and the final few minutes belonged to the visitors as they revelled in the unusual feeling of a triumph at Anfield.
Wilkins fed Ferdinand with one delightful pass and the striker powered inside before sending in a ferocious drive that was spectacularly saved by Hooper.
Then from the corner Wilkins lifted another clever ball into space for Allen who turned and smashed an equally fierce drive into the side netting with half the ground thinking it was a goal.
The game ended with Rangers producing a superb, flowing move out of defence that involved Wilkins, Wilson and Allen and was only ended by a heinous lunging foul on Rufus Brevett by Ablett as the overlapping defender was bursting completely clear down the left.
This was a yellow card for Ablett and seconds later the final whistle sounded to confirm a superb away win for the men from Loftus Road.
This victory confirmed that Rangers were too good to go down and was loudly celebrated by their travelling support who had been magnificent throughout.
As for Liverpool this defeat really knocked the stuffing out of their title challenge and Arsenal went on to claim the title comfortably.
Looking back on this game now, in fact, you could almost pick this as the day that a generation of Liverpool domination was well and truly smashed to pieces.
At the time of writing, sixteen years later, the Reds are still waiting for another league title. Despite the resounding nature of this defeat nobody would have predicted such a scenario at the time.
Full Time: Liverpool 1 Queens Park Rangers 3 Football England
Monday, March 29, 2010
QPR Report Monday Football Snippets
-
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Your views are welcome! - (View the new-look/same contents QPR Report Messageboard)---- Vote for Your "QPR Report" Logo Preference
- QPR Nostalgia: Photos/Programme Covers of QPR of Yesterday (Updated)
- Government Plans re Club Ownership and Fan Involvement/Ownership
- Looking for News of Nigel Quashie! Injured? Other? Last QPR Game February 9! (Also Looking for Marcus Bent Update -Post here Any Information welcome
- Past Points Totals for Championship Relegation Trio...Past QPR Points Totals for Past Decade
- Forty-One Years Ago: Sixteen Year old, Gerry Francis Makes his QPR Debut vs Liverpool
- Premiership Wages Compared to Other World Sports
- Sven Erikkson Takes Over Ivory Coast for the World Cup
- The Return of Bradford Park Avenue (Bradford PA)
- Chester City Rebuilding from the ashes. Board Discussion/Memories of other out-of-the League clubs such as Barrow, Newport, Workington, and Bradford PA - The League Tables of 40 Years ago
PRESTON VS QPR
The Times - Preston North End 2 Queens Park Rangers 2
- Tamas Priskin scored QPR’s fine equaliser, but he hailed the contribution of Adel Taarabt, a team-mate and fellow loanee at the club. A finish by Billy Jones and a contentious penalty that Callum Davidson converted seemed to be setting up Preston for a comfortable win but Taarabt, who is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, had other ideas. The forward’s long ball set up Peter Ramage for QPR’s first goal before he repeated his role as provider for Priskin, who thrashed home his first goal since joining on loan from Ipswich Town.
- “Taarabt is one of the best players in our team,” Priskin said. “Hopefully he will stay with us but he is a great player so I think he will go back to Spurs.”
- Darren Ferguson, the Preston manager, said: “Forget the play-offs. We are not safe yet.” The Times
Star/Chris Brereton - PRISKIN: I'LL PAIR UP WITH TAARABT
- QPR hero Tamas Priskin admitted he would love to pair up with Adel Taarabt on a full-time basis after the two starred in the Hoops’ brilliant comeback at Deepdale.
A strike from Billy Jones and a 50-50 penalty decision that went in Preston’s favour seemed to set them on the road to three points when Callum Davidson hammered home the spotkick.
But Neil Warnock’s men had other ideas.
Taarabt, who is on loan at Loftus Road from Spurs until the end of the season, was the best player on the pitch, leading the fightback with his tricks and turns.
A fine through-ball from the Moroccan allowed Peter Ramage to make it 2-1 before his vision set up fellow loanee Priskin, who smashed the ball past Andy Lonergan.
Priskin, on loan from Ipswich, said: “I’m really enjoying my time at QPR and delighted to be here.
“I want to score more goals for the team.
“Of course it would be nice to stay and play with Taarabt at this club.”
Preston should have had it in the bag when Kaspars Gorkss wrestled with Jon Parkin close to the edge of the box which allowed Davidson to make it 2-0 to Darren Ferguson’s side.
But the quick-brained and quicker-footed Taarabt was too much for North End.
And Preston goalscorer Jones admitted afterwards that even he had been impressed by what Taarabt was producing, despite trying to stop him.
He said: “There is a way to play those type of players and kill their threat – but we didn’t do that.
“His talent is there for everyone to see. He has great feet and can pick a pass.
“I know there was one point where I thought, ‘Wow, that was really good’ when he shaped to shoot and used his quick feet.
“We knew his threat but just did not stop him.” Daily Star
The Sun/Mike Ellis
DARREN FERGUSON saw his Preston side surrender a two-goal lead, then insisted: We can forget about the play-offs.
Ferguson's predecessor, Alan Irvine, took North End into the top six last season before being rewarded with the sack.
As a result, the Deepdale faithful had high hopes for the current campaign - but their side now lie in 14th spot, 10 points off the drop zone.
And Ferguson said: "We shot ourselves in the foot again and switched off at 2-0.
"We lost our shape and discipline and can forget about the play-offs now.
"We're not safe yet and need to be aware of that."
Ferguson's fortunes are in stark contrast to Neil Warnock, who has lost just one game in seven since he took charge at Loftus Road.
In fact QPR could have won it at the finish thanks to an inspired display from Adel Taarabt, on loan from Spurs.
Warnock said: "We had to work hard not to win it.
"Adel fits the bill and there are not many better players in the top flight.
"It is difficult to know where to play him but we'll enjoy him while he is here. Can we sign him for good? Spurs rate Adel at £4.5million so no."
Billy Jones and a Callum Davidson penalty, after Kaspars Gorkss fouled Jon Parkin, put Preston two up before Taarabt laid on goals for Peter Ramage and Tamas Priskin.
And then Rowan Vine missed an absolute sitter - courtesy of another Taarabt pass.
Preston's Jones said: "Next week's game against Watford is massive for us.
"We're still not safe even though, at 2-0, we thought we could win ugly."
SUN STAR MAN
ADEL TAARABT (QPR). Premier League quality The Sun
- See Also Earlier Preston v QPR Compilation: Preston 2 QPR 2: Compilation of Match Reports and Managerial Comments
- World Cup Schedule
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Your views are welcome! - (View the new-look/same contents QPR Report Messageboard)---- Vote for Your "QPR Report" Logo Preference
- QPR Nostalgia: Photos/Programme Covers of QPR of Yesterday (Updated)
- Government Plans re Club Ownership and Fan Involvement/Ownership
- Looking for News of Nigel Quashie! Injured? Other? Last QPR Game February 9! (Also Looking for Marcus Bent Update -Post here Any Information welcome
- Past Points Totals for Championship Relegation Trio...Past QPR Points Totals for Past Decade
- Forty-One Years Ago: Sixteen Year old, Gerry Francis Makes his QPR Debut vs Liverpool
- Premiership Wages Compared to Other World Sports
- Sven Erikkson Takes Over Ivory Coast for the World Cup
- The Return of Bradford Park Avenue (Bradford PA)
- Chester City Rebuilding from the ashes. Board Discussion/Memories of other out-of-the League clubs such as Barrow, Newport, Workington, and Bradford PA - The League Tables of 40 Years ago
PRESTON VS QPR
The Times - Preston North End 2 Queens Park Rangers 2
- Tamas Priskin scored QPR’s fine equaliser, but he hailed the contribution of Adel Taarabt, a team-mate and fellow loanee at the club. A finish by Billy Jones and a contentious penalty that Callum Davidson converted seemed to be setting up Preston for a comfortable win but Taarabt, who is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, had other ideas. The forward’s long ball set up Peter Ramage for QPR’s first goal before he repeated his role as provider for Priskin, who thrashed home his first goal since joining on loan from Ipswich Town.
- “Taarabt is one of the best players in our team,” Priskin said. “Hopefully he will stay with us but he is a great player so I think he will go back to Spurs.”
- Darren Ferguson, the Preston manager, said: “Forget the play-offs. We are not safe yet.” The Times
Star/Chris Brereton - PRISKIN: I'LL PAIR UP WITH TAARABT
- QPR hero Tamas Priskin admitted he would love to pair up with Adel Taarabt on a full-time basis after the two starred in the Hoops’ brilliant comeback at Deepdale.
A strike from Billy Jones and a 50-50 penalty decision that went in Preston’s favour seemed to set them on the road to three points when Callum Davidson hammered home the spotkick.
But Neil Warnock’s men had other ideas.
Taarabt, who is on loan at Loftus Road from Spurs until the end of the season, was the best player on the pitch, leading the fightback with his tricks and turns.
A fine through-ball from the Moroccan allowed Peter Ramage to make it 2-1 before his vision set up fellow loanee Priskin, who smashed the ball past Andy Lonergan.
Priskin, on loan from Ipswich, said: “I’m really enjoying my time at QPR and delighted to be here.
“I want to score more goals for the team.
“Of course it would be nice to stay and play with Taarabt at this club.”
Preston should have had it in the bag when Kaspars Gorkss wrestled with Jon Parkin close to the edge of the box which allowed Davidson to make it 2-0 to Darren Ferguson’s side.
But the quick-brained and quicker-footed Taarabt was too much for North End.
And Preston goalscorer Jones admitted afterwards that even he had been impressed by what Taarabt was producing, despite trying to stop him.
He said: “There is a way to play those type of players and kill their threat – but we didn’t do that.
“His talent is there for everyone to see. He has great feet and can pick a pass.
“I know there was one point where I thought, ‘Wow, that was really good’ when he shaped to shoot and used his quick feet.
“We knew his threat but just did not stop him.” Daily Star
The Sun/Mike Ellis
DARREN FERGUSON saw his Preston side surrender a two-goal lead, then insisted: We can forget about the play-offs.
Ferguson's predecessor, Alan Irvine, took North End into the top six last season before being rewarded with the sack.
As a result, the Deepdale faithful had high hopes for the current campaign - but their side now lie in 14th spot, 10 points off the drop zone.
And Ferguson said: "We shot ourselves in the foot again and switched off at 2-0.
"We lost our shape and discipline and can forget about the play-offs now.
"We're not safe yet and need to be aware of that."
Ferguson's fortunes are in stark contrast to Neil Warnock, who has lost just one game in seven since he took charge at Loftus Road.
In fact QPR could have won it at the finish thanks to an inspired display from Adel Taarabt, on loan from Spurs.
Warnock said: "We had to work hard not to win it.
"Adel fits the bill and there are not many better players in the top flight.
"It is difficult to know where to play him but we'll enjoy him while he is here. Can we sign him for good? Spurs rate Adel at £4.5million so no."
Billy Jones and a Callum Davidson penalty, after Kaspars Gorkss fouled Jon Parkin, put Preston two up before Taarabt laid on goals for Peter Ramage and Tamas Priskin.
And then Rowan Vine missed an absolute sitter - courtesy of another Taarabt pass.
Preston's Jones said: "Next week's game against Watford is massive for us.
"We're still not safe even though, at 2-0, we thought we could win ugly."
SUN STAR MAN
ADEL TAARABT (QPR). Premier League quality The Sun
- See Also Earlier Preston v QPR Compilation: Preston 2 QPR 2: Compilation of Match Reports and Managerial Comments
- World Cup Schedule
Sunday, March 28, 2010
QPR Report Sunday: Preston Reports...Nigel Quashie (and Marcus Bent)?...Spurs' Taraabt Price...Hart Reflects...Past Decade Relegation Points Totals
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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Your views are welcome!
- 1974/75 Video: Stan Bowles Substituted
- Looking for News of Nigel Quashie! Injured? Other? Last QPR Game February 9! (Also Looking for Marcus Bent Update -Post here Any Information welcome
- Preston 2 QPR 2: Compilation of Match Reports and Managerial Comments
- Past Points Totals for Championship Relegation Trio...Past QPR Points Totals for Past Decade
IMS Scouting - Tottenham want £4.5m to make Taraabt QPR move
- Following another outstanding display for QPR by Adel Taarabt , Loftus Road boss Neil Warnock revealed that Tottenham will only let the talented Moroccan leave permanently for £4.5m.
- The 20 year-old made both QPR goals as the West London side fought back from two goals down to secure a point at Preston North End. Taarabt has proven to be a thorn in Preston's side this season, having scored a wonder goal against them at Loftus Road earlier in the season.
- Taarabt has proven to be a hit at Loftus Road during a season long loan from Tottenham, scoring seven goals and often terrorizing Championship defences with his close control and dribbling ability.
- However, following yesterday's game, QPR manager Warnock revealed that Spurs' asking price for Taarabt may well be too high for Rangers, despite rumours that the Loftus Road boss will have a £10m summer war chest at his disposal.
- Warnock said, "Adel Taarabt is not an easy player to have in your side if I'm honest.
- "He's got tremendous skill but it's how you play him. We've got good players and he complements us. Will he go back to Tottenham at the end of the season? Oh aye, they want £4.5million for him."
- Taarabt joined Tottenham from French club Lens in 2006, but has managed only 9 Spurs appearances since then." IMS Scouting
- Sunday People - Paul Hart Looks Back on his Season at three clubs
"...I was only out of work about three weeks and the opportunity came round at QPR. Like any manager, you always think you can change things and get the club back to where it should be, but it proved not to be the case and we decided it would be best for me to leave. The lads were good. The expectations from higher up were probably not realistic but it was my choice to go in there and my choice to leave." Sunday People
- Sunil Chhetri's Kansas City Wizards (Chhetri NOT Playing) crushed DC United in the New MLS Season opener
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Striker, Sunil Chhetri Signs for Kansas City Wizards
- The Return of Bradford Park Avenue (Bradford PA)
- More re Portsmouth Official/Investigation
- Some Old QPR Video Snippets of Loftus Road (Non-Playing Moments)
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Your views are welcome!
- 1974/75 Video: Stan Bowles Substituted
- Looking for News of Nigel Quashie! Injured? Other? Last QPR Game February 9! (Also Looking for Marcus Bent Update -Post here Any Information welcome
- Preston 2 QPR 2: Compilation of Match Reports and Managerial Comments
- Past Points Totals for Championship Relegation Trio...Past QPR Points Totals for Past Decade
IMS Scouting - Tottenham want £4.5m to make Taraabt QPR move
- Following another outstanding display for QPR by Adel Taarabt , Loftus Road boss Neil Warnock revealed that Tottenham will only let the talented Moroccan leave permanently for £4.5m.
- The 20 year-old made both QPR goals as the West London side fought back from two goals down to secure a point at Preston North End. Taarabt has proven to be a thorn in Preston's side this season, having scored a wonder goal against them at Loftus Road earlier in the season.
- Taarabt has proven to be a hit at Loftus Road during a season long loan from Tottenham, scoring seven goals and often terrorizing Championship defences with his close control and dribbling ability.
- However, following yesterday's game, QPR manager Warnock revealed that Spurs' asking price for Taarabt may well be too high for Rangers, despite rumours that the Loftus Road boss will have a £10m summer war chest at his disposal.
- Warnock said, "Adel Taarabt is not an easy player to have in your side if I'm honest.
- "He's got tremendous skill but it's how you play him. We've got good players and he complements us. Will he go back to Tottenham at the end of the season? Oh aye, they want £4.5million for him."
- Taarabt joined Tottenham from French club Lens in 2006, but has managed only 9 Spurs appearances since then." IMS Scouting
- Sunday People - Paul Hart Looks Back on his Season at three clubs
"...I was only out of work about three weeks and the opportunity came round at QPR. Like any manager, you always think you can change things and get the club back to where it should be, but it proved not to be the case and we decided it would be best for me to leave. The lads were good. The expectations from higher up were probably not realistic but it was my choice to go in there and my choice to leave." Sunday People
- Sunil Chhetri's Kansas City Wizards (Chhetri NOT Playing) crushed DC United in the New MLS Season opener
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Striker, Sunil Chhetri Signs for Kansas City Wizards
- The Return of Bradford Park Avenue (Bradford PA)
- More re Portsmouth Official/Investigation
- Some Old QPR Video Snippets of Loftus Road (Non-Playing Moments)
Saturday, March 27, 2010
QPRs Preston Draw - Reports and Managerial Comments
-
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Your views are welcome!
- Looking for News of Nigel Quashie! Injured? Other? Last QPR Game February 9
- Some Old QPR Video Snippets of Loftus Road (Non-Playing Moments)
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Striker, Sunil Chhetri, has now Signed for Kansas City Wizards
- Raving Over Lee Camp!
- Flavio Briatore Still Managing (F1 Drivers)
PRESTON 2 QPR 2
Updated Table - QPR have 47 points with seven games remaining
QPR Official Site - Neil Warnock
- Neil Warnock was full of praise for his charges after QPR came from two goals down to grab a point against Preston at Deepdale.
Billy Jones fired North End into the lead on 37 minutes when Richard Chaplow's corner wasn't fully cleared, before Callum Davidson netted from the penalty spot on 56 minutes after Kaspars Gorkss was deemed to have fouled Jon Parkin in the penalty area.
Though Rangers weren't to be beaten, and after Peter Ramage slotted home just a minute later when put through on goal by Adel Taarabt, the Moroccan played provider for Tamas Priskin, who tucked the ball away for number two.
"Credit to the lads, we carried on playing in the second half. We got the first back and took the second goal very well," Warnock told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We played some lovely football. We tried to play it around in the right way and Adel was picking up all the loose balls and enjoying himself.
"I said to him if he played well then he could have a few days off - he's shooting off to Preston station as we speak!
"I'm not surprised that he was given so much room, it's the way we play. We get the ball a lot in midfield and people like Ali Faurlin give him the ball.
"He's got tremendous skill, but it's how you play him. We've got good players and he compliments us.
"We've worked on how we play with him, and he knows how we play."
Warnock added: "I think Darren Ferguson would be pleased with a point, even though they were 2-0 up.
"I thought that the penalty was a disappointing decision, but we showed great character.
"Overall, to be disappointed with a point when you're 2-0 down is typical to how we've been.
"It's good because we've been behind twice in the last three away games and come back.
"We're not far away. It was a great team performance." QPR
SPORTING LIFE TAARABT RESCUES POINT FOR RANGERS
By Ross Heppenstall, Press Association Sport
QPR boss Neil Warnock hailed Adel Taarabt's "tremendous skill" after the on-loan Tottenham playmaker inspired a stirring fightback in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Preston.
Billy Jones's clinical finish fired Preston ahead in the 37th minute and fellow full-back Callum Davidson doubled the advantage from the penalty spot 11 minutes after the restart.
Yet Neil Warnock's men refused to lie down and on-loan Tottenham playmaker Taarabt, 20, capped an outstanding display with assists for both Rangers goals.
First the Moroccan played in right-back Peter Ramage to rifle home a fine finish in the 57th minute and another clever pass allowed Tamas Priskin to level the scores nine minutes later.
Rangers boss Warnock said: "He's not an easy player to have in your side if I'm honest.
"He's got tremendous skill but it's how you play him.
"We've got good players and he complements us. Will he go back to Tottenham at the end of the season? Oh aye, they want £4.5million for him."
Rangers had chances to win the game that were spurned, with substitute Rowan Vine most culpable with a dreadful finish after Taarabt had played him in.
Warnock was not happy with the penalty decision which saw Kaspars Gorkss punished for hauling down Preston striker Jon Parkin.
The former Sheffield United boss said: "If you are giving penalties for that then you're going to be giving them all over the show.
"It was a sloppy one but all credit to the lads - we dominated the second half and got back into it and then we had the miss of the day through Viney. He still doesn't know how he's missed it."
The result stretched Preston's winless run to four matches and left boss Darren Ferguson bitterly frustrated again.
His side had also squandered a two-goal lead in their last home outing against Sheffield Wednesday on March 16.
Ferguson said: "We shot ourselves in the foot again and to be quite honest at 2-2 I would have taken a draw because they were well on top.
"That wasn't good enough today - nowhere near.
"At 2-1 we lost all shape and discipline and it hasn't a couple of times now - against Sheffield Wednesday when we were 2-0 up and against Nottingham Forest when we went 3-0 up but got away with it."
Ferguson conceded defeat in his side's slim bid to reach the play-offs and admitted his side are still not safe from relegation.
"We can forget about the play-offs," he said. "But we're not safe yet and we've got to be aware of that." Sporting Life
Preston Official Site - Darren Ferguson
'We Are Shooting Ourselves In The Foot'
Manager Darren Ferguson was extremely frustrating after experiencing a bout of déjà vu against Neil Warnock's Queens Park Rangers, losing a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 for the second game in succession.
"It is a case of déjà vu I think," said the gaffer. "Sheffield Wednesday two up; Forest three up - we managed to survive that one - I don't know what it is about us, whether it is getting into the players' heads?
"We lose a goal straight after going 2-0 up and even at 2-1 you're thinking it is comfortable, but then we lost another and, to be honest, it could have been a third or fourth and Lonners, at times, kept us in it.
"Key moments in the game, them scoring straight after we went two up, Mellor missing a great chance at 2-1, but it was a disappointing result and performance.
"We've had some good performances of late, but today I felt the atmosphere might have been a little flatter and it turned out that way and it was a bit low tempo and flat to begin the game. We went ahead and to go two had you think you will go on and win the game, but it didn't turn out that way and it is happening too many times.
"You can't play well in every game and I said to the players before the game that I wanted a good performance and if we didn't get that I wanted the win; it was a must win game for me and at 2-0 you think you will go on and win it and whether it is becoming a psychological thing I don't know, but it is not good enough.
"For their goal Taraabt's been allowed to bring the ball out of the air when he should be tackled and he caused us problems, but we'd talked about how he plays in between and we switched off."
The manager has talked at length about concentration in recent weeks and again he felt it was lacking: "We lost on composure and it took us 25 minutes to get it back after conceding a goal; which shouldn't be the case.
"In football things don't always go your way, it was a really scrappy affair and it was one of those days when you have to roll your sleeves up, get the win and go home, but they were poor goals to concede, the timing of the goals was poor and we are just shooting ourselves in the foot.
"The fans will be disappointed because they saw another lead slip away, but we have to get on with it. It may be a mental thing we need to tackle. They should feel both disappointed and angry because it was a bad result. It was an opportunity to get into the top half of the league. I want to finish in the top ten - the Play-Offs have gone - but I want to finish as high as we possibly can. We have to be realistic, we are still not safe. We can't just see this season out and today wasn't really good enough."
Ferguson has talked about needing goals from all over the pitch and on the day it was his full backs who grabbed the goals: "Billy got a knock down from a corner, Elliott Ward found him and he's smashed it in; Callum's taken a fantastic penalty and there's no chance of the keeper stopping that.
"People probably look at it and see that we are scoring goals, but we're conceding goals and for whatever reason that's happening. We have to cut out the lapses of concentration in the game because today we should again be taking three points out of here. We have to take responsibility on the pitch; it's a disappointing day again.
"We are giving too many points away, I am not happy with that. If you look at the draws we've had at home; today, Sheffield Wednesday, Doncaster, Blackpool there is eight points and all of a sudden we are in a different position. We need to have this place as a fortress and generally Preston's record at home is good."
The manager did have positive news with the fact that other than his long term injury misses - Nicholson and Parry - he expects a fully fit squad for the visit of Watford next Saturday.
"Paul [Coutts] was close to being available today and he'll be fit for Saturday, as will Tom Williams so we have plenty of options." Preston
QPR Official Site Preston vs QPR 2 - 2
Rangers fought back from two goals down to snatch a deserved point against Preston North End.
The R's, in truth, were unfortunate to be as many as two down - but they responded in emphatic style in a pulsating second period.
Preston took the lead just short of half-time. Richard Chaplow's teasing corner was cleared only as far as Billy Jones, who was on hand to fire the ball into the roof of the net.
The hosts doubled their lead soon after the break from the penalty spot, with Callum Davidson blasting home after Kaspars Gorkss was adjudged to have tugged back Jon Parkin in the box.
The Hoops were always a threat going forward, however, and they pulled one back when the irresistible Adel Taarabt - who was a constant menace throughout - sent Ramage through to slot home.
And the comeback was complete on 66 minutes. Taarabt was once again the provider, sending in Tamas Priskin this time who was coolness personified to tuck away the second.
QPR boss Neil Warnock made four alterations to the R's side for the trip to face North End.
Jay Simpson missed out with a hamstring strain, while Matt Connolly was unavailable after picking up an ankle injury in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Derby County at Loftus Road.
Lee Cook and Rowan Vine both dropped to the bench.
That meant Matt Hill, Hogan Ephraim, Antonio German and Priskin all came into the starting line-up for Rangers.
Carl Ikeme was in goal for QPR, behind a back four of Ramage, Damion Stewart, Gorkss and Hill.
Captain Mikele Leigertwood joined Alejandro Faurlin the centre of midfield, while Hogan Ephraim and Priskin occupied the wide positions.
Taarabt played just off striker German.
The match was a fairly even contest in the opening minutes, though Rangers didn't take long to fashion their first shot on goal.
Stewart won a header just past halfway, nodding down for Taarabt who latched on to the ball before shooting straight at Preston keeper Andy Lonergan from 18 yards.
Soon after, the magical Moroccan went even closer when he drove at the North End rearguard before unleashing a stinging low drive that was tipped away by Lonergan.
Darren Carter then won the ball on the edge of the box, touching the ball to Mellor who bent an effort just wide of Ikeme's left-hand post.
Moments later, Ross Wallace saw goal-bound his effort from just outside the penalty area blocked away for a corner.
Although there was nothing to separate the two teams, Preston were beginning to accumulate more possession.
Parkin found space down to left, sending over a dangerous low cross that was well held by Ikeme for Rangers.
It was the R's who soon went the closest yet, however, to finding an opening goal.
Taarabt's lovely cross from a corner kick was headed goalwards by Gorkss, before Neil Mellor was on hand to get his head on the ball.
This was real end-to-end stuff. Mellor sped down the right before crossing for Parkin, whose attempt smashed against the right-hand post before the ball was cleared.
Soon after, Faurlin's sliding intervention freed Taarabt just past midway, before the midfielder raced into the box and fired a low shot straight at keeper Lonergan.
Play then switched to the other end, where North End took a 37th minute lead.
Chaplow's corner from the left wasn't cleared fully, and when the ball broke to Jones just eight yards from the target, he made no mistake to blast the ball home.
Hoops gaffer Warnock introduced Rowan Vine for German at the break to give QPR some fresh impetus in the second half - and he was involved right from the start.
Faurlin's lovely pass was dummied by Vine for Taarabt, who looked up before bending an effort straight at Lonergan in the Preston goal.
Rangers were now firmly in control, though their spell of dominance couldn't prevent the hosts from adding a second in the 56th minute from the spot.
After a ball from deep was played into the penalty area, Gorkss was deemed by referee Mr Haines to have pulled down Parkin with his back to goal.
Davidson stepped up to take it and made no mistake, drilling the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net for North End.
Undeterred, the R's continued to attack and were rewarded with their first goal just a minute later.
It was Taarabt who was unsurprisingly in the thick of the action, driving from midway into the Preston half before sliding Ramage through on goal down the right.
With just the keeper to beat, Ramage stayed calm to slot home under Lonergan for his second goal of the season.
The match, by now, was an open contest.
Moments later, Carter won the ball down the right before he squared to Mellor in the box, who could only blast over the goal from close range.
Preston were knocking on the door for the third, and they should have got it.
A through ball from deep found Mellor one-on-one with Ikeme, though he could only fire straight at the keeper before Parker dragged a shot towards goal that was cleared by defender Gorkss.
The R's were still very active in their search for an equaliser, however, and they soon found a second goal.
Taarabt was once again the architect, exchanging passes with Faurlin before sending Priskin through on goal at a similar angle to what Ramage had.
The end product was exactly the same too, as the Ipswich loanee slid the ball home into the back of the net in the 66th minute.
Buoyed by their leveller, Rangers went in search of a winning goal.
Ephraim found space down the left to set up Vine, who cut in before seeing his shot blocked only as far as Faurlin.
With the goal at his mercy, Faurlin could only blast high and wide of the target.
Rangers went even closer just minutes later as great play once again by Taarabt found Vine in the area.
The striker looked certain to find the goal when free in the area, but he blasted just over the goal.
Preston almost grabbed a winner in injury time when Lonergan's long ball found Mellor, but Ikeme did well to block the striker's effort away for a corner.
Preston North End: Lonergan, Davidson, Chaplow, Carter (Sedgwick 60), St Ledger, Jones, James, Ward, Wallace, Parkin (Brown 72), Mellor.
Subs: Henderson, Hart, Mawene, Chilvers, Barton.
Goals: Jones (37), Davidson (56)
Bookings: Carter, Chaplow, St Ledger, Mellor
QPR: Ikeme, Ramage, Stewart, Leigertwood, Gorkss, Faurlin, Hill, Ephraim, German (Vine 46), Priskin, Taarabt (Buzsaky 90). Subs: Cerny, Cook, Balanta, Tosic, Oastler.
Goals: Ramage (57), Priskin (66)
Bookings: Hill, Taarabt Referee: Mr A Haines Attendance: 12, 080 QPR
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Your views are welcome!
- Looking for News of Nigel Quashie! Injured? Other? Last QPR Game February 9
- Some Old QPR Video Snippets of Loftus Road (Non-Playing Moments)
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Striker, Sunil Chhetri, has now Signed for Kansas City Wizards
- Raving Over Lee Camp!
- Flavio Briatore Still Managing (F1 Drivers)
PRESTON 2 QPR 2
Updated Table - QPR have 47 points with seven games remaining
QPR Official Site - Neil Warnock
- Neil Warnock was full of praise for his charges after QPR came from two goals down to grab a point against Preston at Deepdale.
Billy Jones fired North End into the lead on 37 minutes when Richard Chaplow's corner wasn't fully cleared, before Callum Davidson netted from the penalty spot on 56 minutes after Kaspars Gorkss was deemed to have fouled Jon Parkin in the penalty area.
Though Rangers weren't to be beaten, and after Peter Ramage slotted home just a minute later when put through on goal by Adel Taarabt, the Moroccan played provider for Tamas Priskin, who tucked the ball away for number two.
"Credit to the lads, we carried on playing in the second half. We got the first back and took the second goal very well," Warnock told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We played some lovely football. We tried to play it around in the right way and Adel was picking up all the loose balls and enjoying himself.
"I said to him if he played well then he could have a few days off - he's shooting off to Preston station as we speak!
"I'm not surprised that he was given so much room, it's the way we play. We get the ball a lot in midfield and people like Ali Faurlin give him the ball.
"He's got tremendous skill, but it's how you play him. We've got good players and he compliments us.
"We've worked on how we play with him, and he knows how we play."
Warnock added: "I think Darren Ferguson would be pleased with a point, even though they were 2-0 up.
"I thought that the penalty was a disappointing decision, but we showed great character.
"Overall, to be disappointed with a point when you're 2-0 down is typical to how we've been.
"It's good because we've been behind twice in the last three away games and come back.
"We're not far away. It was a great team performance." QPR
SPORTING LIFE TAARABT RESCUES POINT FOR RANGERS
By Ross Heppenstall, Press Association Sport
QPR boss Neil Warnock hailed Adel Taarabt's "tremendous skill" after the on-loan Tottenham playmaker inspired a stirring fightback in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Preston.
Billy Jones's clinical finish fired Preston ahead in the 37th minute and fellow full-back Callum Davidson doubled the advantage from the penalty spot 11 minutes after the restart.
Yet Neil Warnock's men refused to lie down and on-loan Tottenham playmaker Taarabt, 20, capped an outstanding display with assists for both Rangers goals.
First the Moroccan played in right-back Peter Ramage to rifle home a fine finish in the 57th minute and another clever pass allowed Tamas Priskin to level the scores nine minutes later.
Rangers boss Warnock said: "He's not an easy player to have in your side if I'm honest.
"He's got tremendous skill but it's how you play him.
"We've got good players and he complements us. Will he go back to Tottenham at the end of the season? Oh aye, they want £4.5million for him."
Rangers had chances to win the game that were spurned, with substitute Rowan Vine most culpable with a dreadful finish after Taarabt had played him in.
Warnock was not happy with the penalty decision which saw Kaspars Gorkss punished for hauling down Preston striker Jon Parkin.
The former Sheffield United boss said: "If you are giving penalties for that then you're going to be giving them all over the show.
"It was a sloppy one but all credit to the lads - we dominated the second half and got back into it and then we had the miss of the day through Viney. He still doesn't know how he's missed it."
The result stretched Preston's winless run to four matches and left boss Darren Ferguson bitterly frustrated again.
His side had also squandered a two-goal lead in their last home outing against Sheffield Wednesday on March 16.
Ferguson said: "We shot ourselves in the foot again and to be quite honest at 2-2 I would have taken a draw because they were well on top.
"That wasn't good enough today - nowhere near.
"At 2-1 we lost all shape and discipline and it hasn't a couple of times now - against Sheffield Wednesday when we were 2-0 up and against Nottingham Forest when we went 3-0 up but got away with it."
Ferguson conceded defeat in his side's slim bid to reach the play-offs and admitted his side are still not safe from relegation.
"We can forget about the play-offs," he said. "But we're not safe yet and we've got to be aware of that." Sporting Life
Preston Official Site - Darren Ferguson
'We Are Shooting Ourselves In The Foot'
Manager Darren Ferguson was extremely frustrating after experiencing a bout of déjà vu against Neil Warnock's Queens Park Rangers, losing a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 for the second game in succession.
"It is a case of déjà vu I think," said the gaffer. "Sheffield Wednesday two up; Forest three up - we managed to survive that one - I don't know what it is about us, whether it is getting into the players' heads?
"We lose a goal straight after going 2-0 up and even at 2-1 you're thinking it is comfortable, but then we lost another and, to be honest, it could have been a third or fourth and Lonners, at times, kept us in it.
"Key moments in the game, them scoring straight after we went two up, Mellor missing a great chance at 2-1, but it was a disappointing result and performance.
"We've had some good performances of late, but today I felt the atmosphere might have been a little flatter and it turned out that way and it was a bit low tempo and flat to begin the game. We went ahead and to go two had you think you will go on and win the game, but it didn't turn out that way and it is happening too many times.
"You can't play well in every game and I said to the players before the game that I wanted a good performance and if we didn't get that I wanted the win; it was a must win game for me and at 2-0 you think you will go on and win it and whether it is becoming a psychological thing I don't know, but it is not good enough.
"For their goal Taraabt's been allowed to bring the ball out of the air when he should be tackled and he caused us problems, but we'd talked about how he plays in between and we switched off."
The manager has talked at length about concentration in recent weeks and again he felt it was lacking: "We lost on composure and it took us 25 minutes to get it back after conceding a goal; which shouldn't be the case.
"In football things don't always go your way, it was a really scrappy affair and it was one of those days when you have to roll your sleeves up, get the win and go home, but they were poor goals to concede, the timing of the goals was poor and we are just shooting ourselves in the foot.
"The fans will be disappointed because they saw another lead slip away, but we have to get on with it. It may be a mental thing we need to tackle. They should feel both disappointed and angry because it was a bad result. It was an opportunity to get into the top half of the league. I want to finish in the top ten - the Play-Offs have gone - but I want to finish as high as we possibly can. We have to be realistic, we are still not safe. We can't just see this season out and today wasn't really good enough."
Ferguson has talked about needing goals from all over the pitch and on the day it was his full backs who grabbed the goals: "Billy got a knock down from a corner, Elliott Ward found him and he's smashed it in; Callum's taken a fantastic penalty and there's no chance of the keeper stopping that.
"People probably look at it and see that we are scoring goals, but we're conceding goals and for whatever reason that's happening. We have to cut out the lapses of concentration in the game because today we should again be taking three points out of here. We have to take responsibility on the pitch; it's a disappointing day again.
"We are giving too many points away, I am not happy with that. If you look at the draws we've had at home; today, Sheffield Wednesday, Doncaster, Blackpool there is eight points and all of a sudden we are in a different position. We need to have this place as a fortress and generally Preston's record at home is good."
The manager did have positive news with the fact that other than his long term injury misses - Nicholson and Parry - he expects a fully fit squad for the visit of Watford next Saturday.
"Paul [Coutts] was close to being available today and he'll be fit for Saturday, as will Tom Williams so we have plenty of options." Preston
QPR Official Site Preston vs QPR 2 - 2
Rangers fought back from two goals down to snatch a deserved point against Preston North End.
The R's, in truth, were unfortunate to be as many as two down - but they responded in emphatic style in a pulsating second period.
Preston took the lead just short of half-time. Richard Chaplow's teasing corner was cleared only as far as Billy Jones, who was on hand to fire the ball into the roof of the net.
The hosts doubled their lead soon after the break from the penalty spot, with Callum Davidson blasting home after Kaspars Gorkss was adjudged to have tugged back Jon Parkin in the box.
The Hoops were always a threat going forward, however, and they pulled one back when the irresistible Adel Taarabt - who was a constant menace throughout - sent Ramage through to slot home.
And the comeback was complete on 66 minutes. Taarabt was once again the provider, sending in Tamas Priskin this time who was coolness personified to tuck away the second.
QPR boss Neil Warnock made four alterations to the R's side for the trip to face North End.
Jay Simpson missed out with a hamstring strain, while Matt Connolly was unavailable after picking up an ankle injury in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Derby County at Loftus Road.
Lee Cook and Rowan Vine both dropped to the bench.
That meant Matt Hill, Hogan Ephraim, Antonio German and Priskin all came into the starting line-up for Rangers.
Carl Ikeme was in goal for QPR, behind a back four of Ramage, Damion Stewart, Gorkss and Hill.
Captain Mikele Leigertwood joined Alejandro Faurlin the centre of midfield, while Hogan Ephraim and Priskin occupied the wide positions.
Taarabt played just off striker German.
The match was a fairly even contest in the opening minutes, though Rangers didn't take long to fashion their first shot on goal.
Stewart won a header just past halfway, nodding down for Taarabt who latched on to the ball before shooting straight at Preston keeper Andy Lonergan from 18 yards.
Soon after, the magical Moroccan went even closer when he drove at the North End rearguard before unleashing a stinging low drive that was tipped away by Lonergan.
Darren Carter then won the ball on the edge of the box, touching the ball to Mellor who bent an effort just wide of Ikeme's left-hand post.
Moments later, Ross Wallace saw goal-bound his effort from just outside the penalty area blocked away for a corner.
Although there was nothing to separate the two teams, Preston were beginning to accumulate more possession.
Parkin found space down to left, sending over a dangerous low cross that was well held by Ikeme for Rangers.
It was the R's who soon went the closest yet, however, to finding an opening goal.
Taarabt's lovely cross from a corner kick was headed goalwards by Gorkss, before Neil Mellor was on hand to get his head on the ball.
This was real end-to-end stuff. Mellor sped down the right before crossing for Parkin, whose attempt smashed against the right-hand post before the ball was cleared.
Soon after, Faurlin's sliding intervention freed Taarabt just past midway, before the midfielder raced into the box and fired a low shot straight at keeper Lonergan.
Play then switched to the other end, where North End took a 37th minute lead.
Chaplow's corner from the left wasn't cleared fully, and when the ball broke to Jones just eight yards from the target, he made no mistake to blast the ball home.
Hoops gaffer Warnock introduced Rowan Vine for German at the break to give QPR some fresh impetus in the second half - and he was involved right from the start.
Faurlin's lovely pass was dummied by Vine for Taarabt, who looked up before bending an effort straight at Lonergan in the Preston goal.
Rangers were now firmly in control, though their spell of dominance couldn't prevent the hosts from adding a second in the 56th minute from the spot.
After a ball from deep was played into the penalty area, Gorkss was deemed by referee Mr Haines to have pulled down Parkin with his back to goal.
Davidson stepped up to take it and made no mistake, drilling the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net for North End.
Undeterred, the R's continued to attack and were rewarded with their first goal just a minute later.
It was Taarabt who was unsurprisingly in the thick of the action, driving from midway into the Preston half before sliding Ramage through on goal down the right.
With just the keeper to beat, Ramage stayed calm to slot home under Lonergan for his second goal of the season.
The match, by now, was an open contest.
Moments later, Carter won the ball down the right before he squared to Mellor in the box, who could only blast over the goal from close range.
Preston were knocking on the door for the third, and they should have got it.
A through ball from deep found Mellor one-on-one with Ikeme, though he could only fire straight at the keeper before Parker dragged a shot towards goal that was cleared by defender Gorkss.
The R's were still very active in their search for an equaliser, however, and they soon found a second goal.
Taarabt was once again the architect, exchanging passes with Faurlin before sending Priskin through on goal at a similar angle to what Ramage had.
The end product was exactly the same too, as the Ipswich loanee slid the ball home into the back of the net in the 66th minute.
Buoyed by their leveller, Rangers went in search of a winning goal.
Ephraim found space down the left to set up Vine, who cut in before seeing his shot blocked only as far as Faurlin.
With the goal at his mercy, Faurlin could only blast high and wide of the target.
Rangers went even closer just minutes later as great play once again by Taarabt found Vine in the area.
The striker looked certain to find the goal when free in the area, but he blasted just over the goal.
Preston almost grabbed a winner in injury time when Lonergan's long ball found Mellor, but Ikeme did well to block the striker's effort away for a corner.
Preston North End: Lonergan, Davidson, Chaplow, Carter (Sedgwick 60), St Ledger, Jones, James, Ward, Wallace, Parkin (Brown 72), Mellor.
Subs: Henderson, Hart, Mawene, Chilvers, Barton.
Goals: Jones (37), Davidson (56)
Bookings: Carter, Chaplow, St Ledger, Mellor
QPR: Ikeme, Ramage, Stewart, Leigertwood, Gorkss, Faurlin, Hill, Ephraim, German (Vine 46), Priskin, Taarabt (Buzsaky 90). Subs: Cerny, Cook, Balanta, Tosic, Oastler.
Goals: Ramage (57), Priskin (66)
Bookings: Hill, Taarabt Referee: Mr A Haines Attendance: 12, 080 QPR
TEAMS: Preston vs QPR
-
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Your views are welcome!
- Some Old QPR Video Snippets of Loftus Road (Non-Playing Moments)
- Preston vs QPR: Previews and Stats
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Striker, Sunil Chhetri, has now Signed for Kansas City Wizards
- Ex-QPR Lee Camp ranked in top Five Championship Goalies. Ex-QPR Dexter Blackstock ranked in Top Five Championship Forwards!
- Year Flashback: Dexter Blackstock Joins Nottingham Forest on Loan
- Raving Over Lee Camp!
- Flavio Briatore Still Managing (F1 Drivers)
- "Game Over For Football Sugar Daddies" + 60-pp Working Document
- Roy Keane to be Replaced by Alan Curbishley?
TEAMS PRESTON vs QPR
Preston: Lonergan, Jones, St. Ledger, Ward, Davidson, James, Chaplow, Carter, Wallace, Mellor, Parkin. Subs: Henderson, Hart, Mawene, Sedgwick, Brown, Chilvers, Barton.
QPR: Ikeme, Ramage, Stewart, Leigertwood, Gorkss, Faurlin, Hill, Ephraim, German, Priskin, Taarabt Subs: Toscic, Vine, Buzsaky, Cook, Balanta, Cerny, Oastler
- Teams and Minute by Minute Live Coverage
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Your views are welcome!
- Some Old QPR Video Snippets of Loftus Road (Non-Playing Moments)
- Preston vs QPR: Previews and Stats
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Striker, Sunil Chhetri, has now Signed for Kansas City Wizards
- Ex-QPR Lee Camp ranked in top Five Championship Goalies. Ex-QPR Dexter Blackstock ranked in Top Five Championship Forwards!
- Year Flashback: Dexter Blackstock Joins Nottingham Forest on Loan
- Raving Over Lee Camp!
- Flavio Briatore Still Managing (F1 Drivers)
- "Game Over For Football Sugar Daddies" + 60-pp Working Document
- Roy Keane to be Replaced by Alan Curbishley?
TEAMS PRESTON vs QPR
Preston: Lonergan, Jones, St. Ledger, Ward, Davidson, James, Chaplow, Carter, Wallace, Mellor, Parkin. Subs: Henderson, Hart, Mawene, Sedgwick, Brown, Chilvers, Barton.
QPR: Ikeme, Ramage, Stewart, Leigertwood, Gorkss, Faurlin, Hill, Ephraim, German, Priskin, Taarabt Subs: Toscic, Vine, Buzsaky, Cook, Balanta, Cerny, Oastler
- Teams and Minute by Minute Live Coverage
QPR Report Saturday - Neil Warnock on Loans and Summer Spending...Lee Cook Prepared to Switch Wings...Ex-QPR Camp and Blackstock Top-Five Ranked
-
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Your views are welcome!
- Some Old QPR Video Snippets of Loftus Road (Non-Playing Moments)
- Preston vs QPR: Previews and Stats
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Striker, Sunil Chhetri, has now Signed for Kansas City Wizards
- Ex-QPR Lee Camp ranked in top Five Championship Goalies. Ex-QPR Dexter Blackstock ranked in Top Five Championship Forwards!
- Year Flashback: Dexter Blackstock Joins Nottingham Forest on Loan
- Raving Over Lee Camp!
- Flavio Briatore Still Managing (F1 Drivers)
- "Game Over For Football Sugar Daddies" + 60-pp Working Document
- Roy Keane to be Replaced by Alan Curbishley?
Neil Warnock/The Independent - "What I Learned This Week"
"....3. I'll spend but I won't get £10m
- "With having so many loan players at the club it was difficult to take anyone else on board before the loan transfer window closed on Thursday so we went with what we have, except for the addition of a Serbian international left-back Dosko Tosic, who had been at Portsmouth. I don't normally sign players I've not seen but this is really a five-week trial. He's played for decent teams in France and Germany so should have something to offer us.
- It's a little bit frustrating at the moment for me as I want to do things yesterday but have to wait until the summer to get on with building my squad. I'm hoping to give everyone a chance before the end of the season, then start making decisions. Not that I'm going to be helped by stories in the red-tops that I have £10m to spend. I wish. I don't think I've spent £10m in my entire career. I've nothing near that and wonder where these stories come from. .." Independent
Uxbridge Gazette/Giles Lucas - Lee Cook ready to battle for QPR starting spot
- LEE Cook is willing to switch wings in a bid earn a regular starting spot at QPR.
- The former Fulham flyer has found himself behind Hogan Ephraim in the pecking order since new boss Neil Warnock took over.
- But Cook scored Rangers’ goal in the 1-1 draw with Derby on Tuesday night, and admits he will play on the right rather than his favoured left if needs be.
- He said: "I’ve played there before at Watford, and I got a few goals from that position. It’s a position I enjoy.
- "I’m really looking forward to trying to impress the manager and getting into that position to score goals and getting a few assists." Uxbridge Gazette
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Your views are welcome!
- Some Old QPR Video Snippets of Loftus Road (Non-Playing Moments)
- Preston vs QPR: Previews and Stats
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Striker, Sunil Chhetri, has now Signed for Kansas City Wizards
- Ex-QPR Lee Camp ranked in top Five Championship Goalies. Ex-QPR Dexter Blackstock ranked in Top Five Championship Forwards!
- Year Flashback: Dexter Blackstock Joins Nottingham Forest on Loan
- Raving Over Lee Camp!
- Flavio Briatore Still Managing (F1 Drivers)
- "Game Over For Football Sugar Daddies" + 60-pp Working Document
- Roy Keane to be Replaced by Alan Curbishley?
Neil Warnock/The Independent - "What I Learned This Week"
"....3. I'll spend but I won't get £10m
- "With having so many loan players at the club it was difficult to take anyone else on board before the loan transfer window closed on Thursday so we went with what we have, except for the addition of a Serbian international left-back Dosko Tosic, who had been at Portsmouth. I don't normally sign players I've not seen but this is really a five-week trial. He's played for decent teams in France and Germany so should have something to offer us.
- It's a little bit frustrating at the moment for me as I want to do things yesterday but have to wait until the summer to get on with building my squad. I'm hoping to give everyone a chance before the end of the season, then start making decisions. Not that I'm going to be helped by stories in the red-tops that I have £10m to spend. I wish. I don't think I've spent £10m in my entire career. I've nothing near that and wonder where these stories come from. .." Independent
Uxbridge Gazette/Giles Lucas - Lee Cook ready to battle for QPR starting spot
- LEE Cook is willing to switch wings in a bid earn a regular starting spot at QPR.
- The former Fulham flyer has found himself behind Hogan Ephraim in the pecking order since new boss Neil Warnock took over.
- But Cook scored Rangers’ goal in the 1-1 draw with Derby on Tuesday night, and admits he will play on the right rather than his favoured left if needs be.
- He said: "I’ve played there before at Watford, and I got a few goals from that position. It’s a position I enjoy.
- "I’m really looking forward to trying to impress the manager and getting into that position to score goals and getting a few assists." Uxbridge Gazette
Friday, March 26, 2010
QPR Report Friday: QPR Chief Scout..Preston..Camp..Torquay Move Rejected..On This Day: Rodney Marsh Home Debut and Blackstock Loaned..Indian Striker
-
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Your views are welcome!
- Next: Preston
- Nostalgia! Forty-Two (42!) Years Ago Tody: Rodney Marsh's 6-1 Home Debut: P.Springett- Langley Hunt Sibley Watson- Lazarus Keen Collins Morgan- Marsh Allen: Rodney Marsh and QPR's Former Chairman Recall!
- Year Flashback: Dexter Blackstock Joins Nottingham Forest on Loan
- Raving Over Lee Camp!
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Striker, Sunil Chhetri, has now Signed for Kansas City Wizards
- A Chief Scout Incoming - David McIntyre - BBC Sport
- .... And with that in mind, he is about to make an important addition to his backroom team: QPR’s first full-time chief scout since 2004.
- Six years after Mel Johnson left Loftus Road and was not replaced, Rangers are set to appoint Kevin Randall, who is currently chief scout at Crystal Palace.
- Randall, 64, worked with Warnock at both Palace and Sheffield United, and will be an important part of the manager’s preparations for next season.
. BBC
- Kevin Randall Playing & Managin Stats
QPR Player Rejected Loan Move to Torquay - Herald Express - Transfer targets reject United
- TORQUAY UNITED manager Paul Buckle has thrown down the gauntlet to his current squad to keep the Gulls in the Football League – without any pre-deadline signings.
- After being foiled in his attempts to bring one Premier League and one Championship club player to Plainmoor on loan deadline day, Buckle said: "It's up to the lads we've got here now to go out and do the job.
"We have tried very hard to get in a couple of extra players to help them.
"We've been disappointed on that front...
- Buckle reported that players from a leading Premier League club and from QPR in the Championship both turned down the chance to join the Gulls because of geographical reasons.
He also thanked former United manager Neil Warnock, the new boss of QPR, for his role in the talks. "Neil was brilliant with us – he was willing to let us have one of his players, he set it up, but the player didn't want to move this far." This is South Devon
- Zola Bans His Owner/Co-Chairman!
- Seventy Percent of Premiership Clubs' Credit Ratings Suspended
- Fight Over Sky TV Dominance
- QPR Fans Involved in Violent Clashes?
- Bernie Ecclestone on Possible Briatore/F1 Role
- Hope For Stability at QPR
- Ex-QPR's Don Givens Quits as Republic of Ireland U-21 Coach, after a Decade
- Coming Up: Leicester City
- Mike Keen Tribute Match Update
QPR Official Site R'S SIGN DUSKO TOSIC
Posted on: Thu 25 Mar 2010
QPR Manager Neil Warnock has swooped to signed Dusko Tosic on loan from Premiership outfit Portsmouth until the end of the season, subject to Football League approval.
After initially preventing Portsmouth from registering Tosic, the Premier League sanctioned the move provided he was immediately loaned to a team outside the top-flight.
A host of Championship Clubs expressed an interest, but - having met with R's gaffer Warnock - the left back opted for a move to QPR.
"I am delighted to be here," Tosic told www.qpr.co.uk. "All I want to do is play games, and hopefully I will get that chance here with Queens Park Rangers.
"I didn't want to play for any Championship team, it had to be right. I have watched a couple of QPR matches and there are some very good players here.
"The Club has a great tradition also, which is important."
Serbian international Tosic, who can also play at centre back, is expected to go straight into the squad for Saturday's trip to Preston.
R's gaffer Warnock is pleased to have secured the services of the sought-after 25-year-old, telling www.qpr.co.uk: "This is a good opportunity to have a look at a young international footballer between now and the end of the season." QPR
QPR Official Site - DUSKO TOSIC: IN PROFILE
Posted on: Thu 25 Mar 2010
Dusko Tosic began his career with OFK Beograd in his native Serbia, making 80 appearances and scoring six goals before moving to French outfit Sochaux in 2006.
Tosic's reputation across the continent was growing by this stage and, as a result, he only spent one year in France before joining German giants Werder Bremen.
The left back, who is 6' 1", made 22 appearances for the Bundesliga side prior to joining Portsmouth in February of this year.
Tosic has made nine appearances for his national side to date, making his Serbia debut in November 2006 against Norway in a match which finished 1-1.
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Your views are welcome!
- Next: Preston
- Nostalgia! Forty-Two (42!) Years Ago Tody: Rodney Marsh's 6-1 Home Debut: P.Springett- Langley Hunt Sibley Watson- Lazarus Keen Collins Morgan- Marsh Allen: Rodney Marsh and QPR's Former Chairman Recall!
- Year Flashback: Dexter Blackstock Joins Nottingham Forest on Loan
- Raving Over Lee Camp!
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Striker, Sunil Chhetri, has now Signed for Kansas City Wizards
- A Chief Scout Incoming - David McIntyre - BBC Sport
- .... And with that in mind, he is about to make an important addition to his backroom team: QPR’s first full-time chief scout since 2004.
- Six years after Mel Johnson left Loftus Road and was not replaced, Rangers are set to appoint Kevin Randall, who is currently chief scout at Crystal Palace.
- Randall, 64, worked with Warnock at both Palace and Sheffield United, and will be an important part of the manager’s preparations for next season.
. BBC
- Kevin Randall Playing & Managin Stats
QPR Player Rejected Loan Move to Torquay - Herald Express - Transfer targets reject United
- TORQUAY UNITED manager Paul Buckle has thrown down the gauntlet to his current squad to keep the Gulls in the Football League – without any pre-deadline signings.
- After being foiled in his attempts to bring one Premier League and one Championship club player to Plainmoor on loan deadline day, Buckle said: "It's up to the lads we've got here now to go out and do the job.
"We have tried very hard to get in a couple of extra players to help them.
"We've been disappointed on that front...
- Buckle reported that players from a leading Premier League club and from QPR in the Championship both turned down the chance to join the Gulls because of geographical reasons.
He also thanked former United manager Neil Warnock, the new boss of QPR, for his role in the talks. "Neil was brilliant with us – he was willing to let us have one of his players, he set it up, but the player didn't want to move this far." This is South Devon
- Zola Bans His Owner/Co-Chairman!
- Seventy Percent of Premiership Clubs' Credit Ratings Suspended
- Fight Over Sky TV Dominance
- QPR Fans Involved in Violent Clashes?
- Bernie Ecclestone on Possible Briatore/F1 Role
- Hope For Stability at QPR
- Ex-QPR's Don Givens Quits as Republic of Ireland U-21 Coach, after a Decade
- Coming Up: Leicester City
- Mike Keen Tribute Match Update
QPR Official Site R'S SIGN DUSKO TOSIC
Posted on: Thu 25 Mar 2010
QPR Manager Neil Warnock has swooped to signed Dusko Tosic on loan from Premiership outfit Portsmouth until the end of the season, subject to Football League approval.
After initially preventing Portsmouth from registering Tosic, the Premier League sanctioned the move provided he was immediately loaned to a team outside the top-flight.
A host of Championship Clubs expressed an interest, but - having met with R's gaffer Warnock - the left back opted for a move to QPR.
"I am delighted to be here," Tosic told www.qpr.co.uk. "All I want to do is play games, and hopefully I will get that chance here with Queens Park Rangers.
"I didn't want to play for any Championship team, it had to be right. I have watched a couple of QPR matches and there are some very good players here.
"The Club has a great tradition also, which is important."
Serbian international Tosic, who can also play at centre back, is expected to go straight into the squad for Saturday's trip to Preston.
R's gaffer Warnock is pleased to have secured the services of the sought-after 25-year-old, telling www.qpr.co.uk: "This is a good opportunity to have a look at a young international footballer between now and the end of the season." QPR
QPR Official Site - DUSKO TOSIC: IN PROFILE
Posted on: Thu 25 Mar 2010
Dusko Tosic began his career with OFK Beograd in his native Serbia, making 80 appearances and scoring six goals before moving to French outfit Sochaux in 2006.
Tosic's reputation across the continent was growing by this stage and, as a result, he only spent one year in France before joining German giants Werder Bremen.
The left back, who is 6' 1", made 22 appearances for the Bundesliga side prior to joining Portsmouth in February of this year.
Tosic has made nine appearances for his national side to date, making his Serbia debut in November 2006 against Norway in a match which finished 1-1.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
QPR Bring in a Defender...Chief Scout Coming
-
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Feel free to comment on any of the articles in the linked stories below
- CHIEF SCOUT COMING - Dave McIntyre snippet "Volz offered deal til the end of season but has option abroad. Balanta loan considered. Chief scout coming in- will write something when I can - McIntyre
David McIntyre - BBC Sport
- Moritz Volz has been offered a contract until the end of the season, while Rangers may send Angelo Balanta out on loan before today’s deadline.
- Volz, who has been training with QPR for several weeks, is working his way back to fitness following a long-term groin injury.
- Having had some time to assess him, Neil Warnock has offered the full-back a deal until May but made it clear that Volz is unlikely to get much of an opportunity in the first team between now and then.
- Volz could therefore go elsewhere, with Denmark a possible destination.
- A Danish club has made him an offer, and he was due to inform Warnock of his decision some time later today.
- Volz has also attracted interest from League One clubs, as has Balanta.
- The youngster could leave on loan if QPR are given assurances that he will play. In which case, he will be monitored very closely by Rangers during any loan spell.
- Otherwise, he is one of several fringe players being lined up for a first-team place once Rangers are safe from relegation.
- Barring a loan move for Balanta, as of lunchtime it looked like the signing of Serbian left-back Dusco Tosic on a short-term contract would be the club’s only involvement in the transfer market.
- Tosic is a free agent having left Portsmouth, whose slide into administration led to his contract being cancelled only weeks after he had signed from German club Werder Bremen.
- Enquiries have been made about other players, but Warnock has previously stated that he will only consider loan deals if it involves an agreed price for a permanent transfer at the end of the season.
- The summer and beyond is where much of his focus lies.
- And with that in mind, he is about to make an important addition to his backroom team: QPR’s first full-time chief scout since 2004.
- Six years after Mel Johnson left Loftus Road and was not replaced, Rangers are set to appoint Kevin Randall, who is currently chief scout at Crystal Palace.
- Randall, 64, worked with Warnock at both Palace and Sheffield United, and will be an important part of the manager’s preparations for next season.
- In the meantime, Tosic’s arrival will give Warnock the chance to look at him and have extra cover in the left-back position.
- It could be needed, because Gary Borrowdale is on loan at Charlton and Matt Connolly has been struggling with an ankle problem.
- Connolly may have an injection ahead of Saturday’s game at Preston, where he could yet feature.
- If he is left out at Deepdale, which seems likely, he is expected to return for the following Saturday’s match against Sheffield Wednesday. BBC
- QPR Fans Involved in Violent Clashes?
- Bernie Ecclestone on Possible Briatore/F1 Role
- "On This Day" in Football
- Hope For Stability at QPR
- Ex-QPR's Don Givens Quits as Republic of Ireland U-21 Coach, after a Decade
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Strikers Signing for The MLS
- Coming Up: Leicester City
- Mike Keen Tribute Match Update
QPR Official Site R'S SIGN DUSKO TOSIC
Posted on: Thu 25 Mar 2010
QPR Manager Neil Warnock has swooped to signed Dusko Tosic on loan from Premiership outfit Portsmouth until the end of the season, subject to Football League approval.
After initially preventing Portsmouth from registering Tosic, the Premier League sanctioned the move provided he was immediately loaned to a team outside the top-flight.
A host of Championship Clubs expressed an interest, but - having met with R's gaffer Warnock - the left back opted for a move to QPR.
"I am delighted to be here," Tosic told www.qpr.co.uk. "All I want to do is play games, and hopefully I will get that chance here with Queens Park Rangers.
"I didn't want to play for any Championship team, it had to be right. I have watched a couple of QPR matches and there are some very good players here.
"The Club has a great tradition also, which is important."
Serbian international Tosic, who can also play at centre back, is expected to go straight into the squad for Saturday's trip to Preston.
R's gaffer Warnock is pleased to have secured the services of the sought-after 25-year-old, telling www.qpr.co.uk: "This is a good opportunity to have a look at a young international footballer between now and the end of the season." QPR
QPR Official Site - DUSKO TOSIC: IN PROFILE
Posted on: Thu 25 Mar 2010
Dusko Tosic began his career with OFK Beograd in his native Serbia, making 80 appearances and scoring six goals before moving to French outfit Sochaux in 2006.
Tosic's reputation across the continent was growing by this stage and, as a result, he only spent one year in France before joining German giants Werder Bremen.
The left back, who is 6' 1", made 22 appearances for the Bundesliga side prior to joining Portsmouth in February of this year.
Tosic has made nine appearances for his national side to date, making his Serbia debut in November 2006 against Norway in a match which finished 1-1.
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Feel free to comment on any of the articles in the linked stories below
- CHIEF SCOUT COMING - Dave McIntyre snippet "Volz offered deal til the end of season but has option abroad. Balanta loan considered. Chief scout coming in- will write something when I can - McIntyre
David McIntyre - BBC Sport
- Moritz Volz has been offered a contract until the end of the season, while Rangers may send Angelo Balanta out on loan before today’s deadline.
- Volz, who has been training with QPR for several weeks, is working his way back to fitness following a long-term groin injury.
- Having had some time to assess him, Neil Warnock has offered the full-back a deal until May but made it clear that Volz is unlikely to get much of an opportunity in the first team between now and then.
- Volz could therefore go elsewhere, with Denmark a possible destination.
- A Danish club has made him an offer, and he was due to inform Warnock of his decision some time later today.
- Volz has also attracted interest from League One clubs, as has Balanta.
- The youngster could leave on loan if QPR are given assurances that he will play. In which case, he will be monitored very closely by Rangers during any loan spell.
- Otherwise, he is one of several fringe players being lined up for a first-team place once Rangers are safe from relegation.
- Barring a loan move for Balanta, as of lunchtime it looked like the signing of Serbian left-back Dusco Tosic on a short-term contract would be the club’s only involvement in the transfer market.
- Tosic is a free agent having left Portsmouth, whose slide into administration led to his contract being cancelled only weeks after he had signed from German club Werder Bremen.
- Enquiries have been made about other players, but Warnock has previously stated that he will only consider loan deals if it involves an agreed price for a permanent transfer at the end of the season.
- The summer and beyond is where much of his focus lies.
- And with that in mind, he is about to make an important addition to his backroom team: QPR’s first full-time chief scout since 2004.
- Six years after Mel Johnson left Loftus Road and was not replaced, Rangers are set to appoint Kevin Randall, who is currently chief scout at Crystal Palace.
- Randall, 64, worked with Warnock at both Palace and Sheffield United, and will be an important part of the manager’s preparations for next season.
- In the meantime, Tosic’s arrival will give Warnock the chance to look at him and have extra cover in the left-back position.
- It could be needed, because Gary Borrowdale is on loan at Charlton and Matt Connolly has been struggling with an ankle problem.
- Connolly may have an injection ahead of Saturday’s game at Preston, where he could yet feature.
- If he is left out at Deepdale, which seems likely, he is expected to return for the following Saturday’s match against Sheffield Wednesday. BBC
- QPR Fans Involved in Violent Clashes?
- Bernie Ecclestone on Possible Briatore/F1 Role
- "On This Day" in Football
- Hope For Stability at QPR
- Ex-QPR's Don Givens Quits as Republic of Ireland U-21 Coach, after a Decade
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Strikers Signing for The MLS
- Coming Up: Leicester City
- Mike Keen Tribute Match Update
QPR Official Site R'S SIGN DUSKO TOSIC
Posted on: Thu 25 Mar 2010
QPR Manager Neil Warnock has swooped to signed Dusko Tosic on loan from Premiership outfit Portsmouth until the end of the season, subject to Football League approval.
After initially preventing Portsmouth from registering Tosic, the Premier League sanctioned the move provided he was immediately loaned to a team outside the top-flight.
A host of Championship Clubs expressed an interest, but - having met with R's gaffer Warnock - the left back opted for a move to QPR.
"I am delighted to be here," Tosic told www.qpr.co.uk. "All I want to do is play games, and hopefully I will get that chance here with Queens Park Rangers.
"I didn't want to play for any Championship team, it had to be right. I have watched a couple of QPR matches and there are some very good players here.
"The Club has a great tradition also, which is important."
Serbian international Tosic, who can also play at centre back, is expected to go straight into the squad for Saturday's trip to Preston.
R's gaffer Warnock is pleased to have secured the services of the sought-after 25-year-old, telling www.qpr.co.uk: "This is a good opportunity to have a look at a young international footballer between now and the end of the season." QPR
QPR Official Site - DUSKO TOSIC: IN PROFILE
Posted on: Thu 25 Mar 2010
Dusko Tosic began his career with OFK Beograd in his native Serbia, making 80 appearances and scoring six goals before moving to French outfit Sochaux in 2006.
Tosic's reputation across the continent was growing by this stage and, as a result, he only spent one year in France before joining German giants Werder Bremen.
The left back, who is 6' 1", made 22 appearances for the Bundesliga side prior to joining Portsmouth in February of this year.
Tosic has made nine appearances for his national side to date, making his Serbia debut in November 2006 against Norway in a match which finished 1-1.
QPR Report Thursday...Jay Simpson on Arsenal and QPR...Warnock's Summer Budget...Hope for Stability at QPR...Don Givens Quits After Decade
-
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Feel free to comment on any of the articles in the linked stories below
- Hope For Stability at QPR
- Ex-QPR's Don Givens Quits as Republic of Ireland U-21 Coach, after a Decade
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Strikers Signing for The MLS
- Coming Up: Leicester City
- "On This Day" in Football: March 25
- Mike Keen Tribute Match Update
The Sun/Paul Jiggins - NEIL WARNOCK has been handed a £10million war chest to take QPR into the Premier League.
- Rangers' new boss was informed of his summer transfer budget at a meeting with the club's board.
- Warnock has also been told he can use any cash raised from selling players this summer to strengthen his squad.
- And there is a promise of further funds next January if his side are still in the promotion race.
- Warnock plans to raid his old club Crystal Palace for keeper Julian Speroni, full-back Nathaniel Clyne and midfielders Neil Danns and Darren Ambrose.
- But current QPR players Gavin Mahon, Rowan Vine and Patrick Agyemang are among those set to be shown the door at Loftus Road at the end of this campaign. The Sun
Arsenal.com/Nick Teale
Simpson - Loan has given me vital experience
- Jay Simpson believes his season-long loan has given him the experience he needs to push on into the Arsenal first-team.
The striker has scored 13 times in 33 appearances for QPR this term and spoke to Arsenal.com after the Rs' 1-1 draw with Derby County on Tuesday night.
Five different managers have taken charge of QPR this season but Simpson insists the turbulent campaign at Loftus Road has not got in the way of his major goal - first-team experience.
"Out here you are playing for your career," he told Arsenal.com. "No matter what manager comes in you still have to perform otherwise you will be out.
"There have been a lot of ups and downs but I have tried to stay focused on the pitch and on scoring goals. I have enjoyed it, I have made a lot of good friends and it has been a good experience.
"In previous loans I have played in a few positions but I've mainly played up front at QPR so I have had a chance to score goals.
"As a striker you will always be judged on the goals you score so it is important to keep a good [goals to games] ratio."
The 20-year-old spent part of last season on loan at West Brom, making 13 Premier League appearances for the Baggies. Now, with his time at QPR drawing to a close, he is excited about returning to the top flight.
"I really enjoyed my last experience of the Premier League," said Simpson. "I am looking forward to playing in the Premier League again.
"I go back to Arsenal at the end of the season and I will talk to Arsène Wenger then. If he chooses to put faith in me [for next season] then I will do my best to repay that faith.
"But at the moment I am focused on QPR because we are still fighting relegation."
Earlier in the season Simpson revealed to Arsenal.com that he had set a target of 20 goals for the season. However, with eight games to go he is seven strikes short of the tally he had aimed for.
"I don't see why I can't get those extra goals," he declared. "I have to go into every game believing that I can score and I know it will be difficult to get nearly a goal a game but I am still aiming for that target."
After a promising start to the season QPR plummeted 17 places in the space of 16 matches. However, a recent upturn in form has seen them move seven points clear of the bottom three and Simpson is confident his loan spell won't end in relegation.
"We had a good run at the start of the season," he said. "But when Jim [Magilton, then manager] and John [Gorman, Magilton's assistant] left you could see on the pitch that our form dipped.
"But now things have picked up and everyone is enjoying themselves again. We are pushing to get to the 50-point mark as quickly as we can and then we can try and kick on from there.
"If you look at the players we have got and the manager we have I believe we will be safe." Arsenal.Com
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Feel free to comment on any of the articles in the linked stories below
- Hope For Stability at QPR
- Ex-QPR's Don Givens Quits as Republic of Ireland U-21 Coach, after a Decade
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Strikers Signing for The MLS
- Coming Up: Leicester City
- "On This Day" in Football: March 25
- Mike Keen Tribute Match Update
The Sun/Paul Jiggins - NEIL WARNOCK has been handed a £10million war chest to take QPR into the Premier League.
- Rangers' new boss was informed of his summer transfer budget at a meeting with the club's board.
- Warnock has also been told he can use any cash raised from selling players this summer to strengthen his squad.
- And there is a promise of further funds next January if his side are still in the promotion race.
- Warnock plans to raid his old club Crystal Palace for keeper Julian Speroni, full-back Nathaniel Clyne and midfielders Neil Danns and Darren Ambrose.
- But current QPR players Gavin Mahon, Rowan Vine and Patrick Agyemang are among those set to be shown the door at Loftus Road at the end of this campaign. The Sun
Arsenal.com/Nick Teale
Simpson - Loan has given me vital experience
- Jay Simpson believes his season-long loan has given him the experience he needs to push on into the Arsenal first-team.
The striker has scored 13 times in 33 appearances for QPR this term and spoke to Arsenal.com after the Rs' 1-1 draw with Derby County on Tuesday night.
Five different managers have taken charge of QPR this season but Simpson insists the turbulent campaign at Loftus Road has not got in the way of his major goal - first-team experience.
"Out here you are playing for your career," he told Arsenal.com. "No matter what manager comes in you still have to perform otherwise you will be out.
"There have been a lot of ups and downs but I have tried to stay focused on the pitch and on scoring goals. I have enjoyed it, I have made a lot of good friends and it has been a good experience.
"In previous loans I have played in a few positions but I've mainly played up front at QPR so I have had a chance to score goals.
"As a striker you will always be judged on the goals you score so it is important to keep a good [goals to games] ratio."
The 20-year-old spent part of last season on loan at West Brom, making 13 Premier League appearances for the Baggies. Now, with his time at QPR drawing to a close, he is excited about returning to the top flight.
"I really enjoyed my last experience of the Premier League," said Simpson. "I am looking forward to playing in the Premier League again.
"I go back to Arsenal at the end of the season and I will talk to Arsène Wenger then. If he chooses to put faith in me [for next season] then I will do my best to repay that faith.
"But at the moment I am focused on QPR because we are still fighting relegation."
Earlier in the season Simpson revealed to Arsenal.com that he had set a target of 20 goals for the season. However, with eight games to go he is seven strikes short of the tally he had aimed for.
"I don't see why I can't get those extra goals," he declared. "I have to go into every game believing that I can score and I know it will be difficult to get nearly a goal a game but I am still aiming for that target."
After a promising start to the season QPR plummeted 17 places in the space of 16 matches. However, a recent upturn in form has seen them move seven points clear of the bottom three and Simpson is confident his loan spell won't end in relegation.
"We had a good run at the start of the season," he said. "But when Jim [Magilton, then manager] and John [Gorman, Magilton's assistant] left you could see on the pitch that our form dipped.
"But now things have picked up and everyone is enjoying themselves again. We are pushing to get to the 50-point mark as quickly as we can and then we can try and kick on from there.
"If you look at the players we have got and the manager we have I believe we will be safe." Arsenal.Com
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Hope For Stability at Queens Park Rangers
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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day
- Year Flashback: Briatore Threatens to Walk!
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Strikers Signing for The MLS
- Mike Keen Tribute Match Update
- Ex-QPR Manager Makes League One Team of The Week!
- Sponsor QPR Fan in MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Marathon --- TO SPONSOR (No Amount too Small - or too big!)
When Saturday Comes (WSC)/Thom Gibbs - Hope for stability at Queens Park Rangers
24 March ~ After six games Neil Warnock is almost a third of the way through his tenure as QPR manager. Admittedly this prediction is based on the nebulous statistic that the club’s five "permanent" managerial appointments since Flavio Briatore's 2007 takeover have lasted on average 21 games, but another swift departure would be unsurprising given my club's recent track record.
As with anything in football a purely statistical analysis is misleading. Naked numbers barely do justice to the mad turmoil at Rangers since the buyout: 11 people have taken charge of the team, 47 players have been signed permanently or on loan and we've had six managers this season alone. These are crazy figures but they don't come close to evoking the tangible disquiet among the fanbase that has made Loftus Road a very unpleasant place for most of the last two seasons.
Becoming a joke club isn't as funny as it sounds. By the time of Paul Hart's farcical exit after just five games in January I'd given up trying to write replies to friends' text messages. I didn't want to talk about it, I felt appalled by the club. We'd become too absurd to be amusing, just churning out C-list material for the "breaking news" ticker on Sky Sports News.
While Warnock is due his P45 in mid-August statistically speaking, the new mood emanating from the club and its fans tells a different story. Briatore stepped down as chairman in February, improbably making way for the popular duo of Amit Bhatia and Ishan Saksena. Both are connected to the Mittal family, who increased their shareholding in the reshuffle. Saksena is the new chairman, saying when appointed "our fans are the real owners of this club". Not a controversial statement, but a long way from Briatore openly deriding the feelings of supporters who pay £20 a fortnight to watch the Rs.
Warnock appears a viable long-term appointment and he seems re-energised away from the misery of administration at Crystal Palace, speaking of "looking forward to every game" – quite a feat for a 61-year-old. With Bhatia and Saksena's sensible public statements preaching stability and more transparency between club and supporters the mood has predictably picked up on matchdays.
Another stat: 15,502 watched Rangers draw with Swansea on Saturday. The Swans brought a good travelling support, but that's up more than 2,000 on this season's average at a time when QPR have little to play for. Supporters around me, the sane ones at least, seem to be encouraging players when they would have been slating them a couple of months ago. Every member of the team suddenly seems to be doing a lot more running and purposeful pointing.
As Clive Whittingham has been saying for months on his excellent QPR site Loft For Words, it doesn't take a genius to work out that a well run club needs to appoint a good manager, assign him a realistic set of goals, support him financially and then leave him to get on with it. This is the blueprint Rangers must now follow in a potentially crucial period of the club's history. Worryingly the erratic Briatore remains an ominously large shareholder and divisive ex-agent-cum-charming-chairman-cum-liability Gianni Paladini is still at the club despite his foibles.
Extravagant millionaire owners promising Champions League football to a middling Championship club was never likely to end in glory, and there's every chance that this is false dawn number 104 of an ongoing series. For the time being I'm enjoying watching QPR again and it feels like, as our support has sung recently, "We’ve got our Rangers back". Thom Gibbs WSC
Wolves keeper staying put at QPR
Mar 24 2010 By Paul Warburton/Ealing Gazette
- QPR keeper Carl Ikeme will stay right up to the end of his loan agreement on April 6 and play the next three games.
- Neil Warnock had hinted the Wolves shot-stopper was on his way back to Molineux after Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Derby, but the man who has kept former number one Radek Cerny out since January will now go back after the Easter Monday away trip to Leicester.
- Warnock said: "It still gives me five games to have a look at Raddy, who if training is anything to go by, is chomping at the bit to get a start Gazette
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day
- Year Flashback: Briatore Threatens to Walk!
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Strikers Signing for The MLS
- Mike Keen Tribute Match Update
- Ex-QPR Manager Makes League One Team of The Week!
- Sponsor QPR Fan in MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Marathon --- TO SPONSOR (No Amount too Small - or too big!)
When Saturday Comes (WSC)/Thom Gibbs - Hope for stability at Queens Park Rangers
24 March ~ After six games Neil Warnock is almost a third of the way through his tenure as QPR manager. Admittedly this prediction is based on the nebulous statistic that the club’s five "permanent" managerial appointments since Flavio Briatore's 2007 takeover have lasted on average 21 games, but another swift departure would be unsurprising given my club's recent track record.
As with anything in football a purely statistical analysis is misleading. Naked numbers barely do justice to the mad turmoil at Rangers since the buyout: 11 people have taken charge of the team, 47 players have been signed permanently or on loan and we've had six managers this season alone. These are crazy figures but they don't come close to evoking the tangible disquiet among the fanbase that has made Loftus Road a very unpleasant place for most of the last two seasons.
Becoming a joke club isn't as funny as it sounds. By the time of Paul Hart's farcical exit after just five games in January I'd given up trying to write replies to friends' text messages. I didn't want to talk about it, I felt appalled by the club. We'd become too absurd to be amusing, just churning out C-list material for the "breaking news" ticker on Sky Sports News.
While Warnock is due his P45 in mid-August statistically speaking, the new mood emanating from the club and its fans tells a different story. Briatore stepped down as chairman in February, improbably making way for the popular duo of Amit Bhatia and Ishan Saksena. Both are connected to the Mittal family, who increased their shareholding in the reshuffle. Saksena is the new chairman, saying when appointed "our fans are the real owners of this club". Not a controversial statement, but a long way from Briatore openly deriding the feelings of supporters who pay £20 a fortnight to watch the Rs.
Warnock appears a viable long-term appointment and he seems re-energised away from the misery of administration at Crystal Palace, speaking of "looking forward to every game" – quite a feat for a 61-year-old. With Bhatia and Saksena's sensible public statements preaching stability and more transparency between club and supporters the mood has predictably picked up on matchdays.
Another stat: 15,502 watched Rangers draw with Swansea on Saturday. The Swans brought a good travelling support, but that's up more than 2,000 on this season's average at a time when QPR have little to play for. Supporters around me, the sane ones at least, seem to be encouraging players when they would have been slating them a couple of months ago. Every member of the team suddenly seems to be doing a lot more running and purposeful pointing.
As Clive Whittingham has been saying for months on his excellent QPR site Loft For Words, it doesn't take a genius to work out that a well run club needs to appoint a good manager, assign him a realistic set of goals, support him financially and then leave him to get on with it. This is the blueprint Rangers must now follow in a potentially crucial period of the club's history. Worryingly the erratic Briatore remains an ominously large shareholder and divisive ex-agent-cum-charming-chairman-cum-liability Gianni Paladini is still at the club despite his foibles.
Extravagant millionaire owners promising Champions League football to a middling Championship club was never likely to end in glory, and there's every chance that this is false dawn number 104 of an ongoing series. For the time being I'm enjoying watching QPR again and it feels like, as our support has sung recently, "We’ve got our Rangers back". Thom Gibbs WSC
Wolves keeper staying put at QPR
Mar 24 2010 By Paul Warburton/Ealing Gazette
- QPR keeper Carl Ikeme will stay right up to the end of his loan agreement on April 6 and play the next three games.
- Neil Warnock had hinted the Wolves shot-stopper was on his way back to Molineux after Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Derby, but the man who has kept former number one Radek Cerny out since January will now go back after the Easter Monday away trip to Leicester.
- Warnock said: "It still gives me five games to have a look at Raddy, who if training is anything to go by, is chomping at the bit to get a start Gazette
Almost-QPR Indian International Striker Set for Kansas
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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day
- QPR 1 Derby County 1: Match Reports and Managerial Comments
- QPR Stadium Tours Availability
- Chester City Fans Rebuilding From The Ashes
- Ex-QPR Manager Makes League One Team of The Week!
- Sponsor QPR Fan in MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Marathon --- TO SPONSOR (No Amount too Small - or too big!)
New York Times/Reuters - Indian Soccer Star Close to Kansas City Deal By REUTERS Published: March 24, 2010
- CHENNAI (Reuters) - India's Sunil Chhetri is close to signing for Major League Soccer (MLS) club Kansas City Wizards, local media reported Wednesday.
- Striker Chhetri left for the United States Tuesday and was likely to sign a long-term deal with the club after trialing with them earlier this month, the Hindustan Times broadsheet reported, quoting his team mates on the national team.
- India's top player missed an opportunity to play for English second division club Queens Park Rangers last year after being denied a work permit by the British government.
- (Reporting by Sanjay Rajan; Editing by Peter Rutherford) NYT
Goal.com Wednesday 24 March 2010 - Official: Sunil Chhetri To Join Kansas City Wizards
And 'The Great American' dream is realized...
Sunil Chhetri has become the third Indian player to play in foreign shores after Mohamed Salim (Celtic) and Bhaichung Bhutia (Bury FC) and would only be the eighth Asian to ply his trade in the MLS.
After Goal.com revealed about the Delhi boy having left the Indian capital on Tuesday evening to fulfil his American dream, Sunil Chhetri has almost completed his transfer to Kansas City Wizards as an official announcement of the same would be done on Thursday evening (US time) following a medical and a P-1 visa approval. A three-to-four year deal is likely to be agreed upon.
A video conferencing has been arranged for the Indian media in Bangalore as one of the owners of Kansas City Wizards - Neal Patterson, has his company's Indian arm based in the southern city.
The Indian international shot to prominence following his hat-trick in the AFC Challenge Cup finals against Tajikistan which ensured that the Men in Blue get an opportunity to play in the 2011 Asian Cup. He has scored 16 goals for the Indian national team in 35 appearances.
The 25 year old secured a release from Dempo SC, the current league leaders in the I-League, earlier this month while the club was left to rue as to why they didn’t have a transfer fee clause injected in his contract.
Chhetri had an unsuccessful trial with Coventry last January and was also linked with QPR during the last Nehru Cup in August 2009.
"One thing we really like about Sunil is that he's a crafty player," Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said.
- "Technically he's very sharp, and he's a guy that has good attacking tendencies."
- It is indeed a proud moment for Indians and Goal.com wishes Sunil all the very best in his American sojourn. Goal.com
FLASHBACK to ALMOST QPR:
QPR's REPORTED INDIAN SIGNING, SUNIL CHETRI...REJECTED FOR PERMIT
Football Players' Association of India (FPAI)
Sunil work permit gets rejected- Here is how India's star found and lost a golden opportunity to play for an English club
- Sunil had signed a three-year contract with Queen's Park Rangers few weeks back. The club since has been working to get its work permit for him to play in England. He was informed by his agent yesterday that It was rejected by the UK government. Since India is not in the top 70 in the FIFA ranking and the British government only permits non EU players if the player is playing for the country and the country is ranked below 70 in FIFA ranking.
- Queen's Park Rangers is also partly owned by Mittal Group. The club had been following Sunil's career for over a year and they were very happy with the way he has been progressing and playing. The club CEO had also come to see him in Barcelona. Sunil though did not train initially in Barcelona but joined in the later stage. The amount of training and two matches he played were very impressive. Sunil has been on the radar of a lot of scouts over the years. His performances have been outstanding for the club and the country. It was rather unfortunate that he got injured during the end of the I- league, which kept him out for a month and half. There has certainly been lot of interest in Indian players over the past few years and it was quite a set back for him to be out in the initial part of the Barcelona tour.
- It would defiantly have been a major step forward for Indian football had his work permit gone through. Queen's Park is a massive club and are currently playing the championship league. They are one of the favourite to win the league. Indian captain says, "Sunil 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."
- Asked why was this contract with Queen's Park was kept under wraps, Sunil says, "I had signed with them 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. 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 working hard for my country and my club Dempo, who have been very supportive."
- Players reaction
Steven Dias: I feel sorry for Sunil. Even I am trying to play outside India. His going there could've helped open opportunities for players like me. I am sure he along with others players will play overseas soon.
- Renedy Singh: Its so unfair to have a ranking issue. They need to look into quality of players then national team ranking. It would help if talented players like Sunil and others make it big.
- Mehrajuddin Wadoo: His playing would boost Indian football and help the game immensely. He surely has the talent to play with the best. FPAI
GOAL.COM - Failure To Get Work Permit Halts Sunil Chhetri's Move To QPR
- Indian international Sunil Chhetri would have donned the Queen's Park Rangers jersey in the upcoming season but the failure to get a work permit halted his dreams for now...29-Aug-2009
- Sunil had signed a three-year contract with Queen's Park Rangers few weeks back. The club since has been working to get its work permit for him to play in England.
- He was informed by his agent yesterday that It was rejected by the UK government. Since India is not in the top 70 in the FIFA ranking and the British government only permits non-EU players if the player is playing for the country and the country is ranked below 70 in FIFA ranking.
- Queen's Park Rangers is also partly owned by Mittal Group. The club had been following Sunil's career for over a year and they were very happy with the way he has been progressing and playing.
- The club's CEO had also come to see him in Barcelona. Sunil though did not train initially in Barcelona but joined in the later stage. The amount of training and two matches he played were very impressive.
- Sunil has been on the radar of a lot of scouts over the years. His performances have been outstanding for the club and the country. It was rather unfortunate that he got injured during the end of the I- league, which kept him out for a month and half. There has certainly been lot of interest in Indian players over the past few years and it was quite a set back for him to be out in the initial part of the Barcelona tour.
- It would definitely have been a major step forward for Indian football had his work permit gone through. Queen's Park is a massive club and are currently playing the championship league. They are one of the favourites to win the league.
- "Sunil 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 setback for our ranking as well as our development. This is also a reason why today Sunil is not playing in England," said Indian skipper Bhaichung Bhutia.
- Asked why was this contract with Queen's Park was kept under wraps, Sunil says, "I had signed with them 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 sceptical.
- "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 working hard for my country and my club Dempo, who have been very supportive." Goal.com
From January 2010 - Indian International Wishes Was at Loftus Road...
- I wish, I had my QPR career: Sunil Chhetri
Times of India - Marcus Mergulhao, TOI Crest, 23 January 2010,
- The one thing Sunil Chhetri would change in his life/career if he could:
- I was close to realizing my European dream when I had a three-year contract with English first divisioners Queens Park Rangers (QPR). But my dream was kept on hold after the British government denied me a work permit.
- The rejection hurts to this day and it is something that I would have loved to change, if it was in my hands!
- Being so close and not getting there is disappointing. I still have a lot of football ahead of me and, hopefully, such opportunities will come knocking again. It’s not the end of the world, I know, but that one thing means a lot to me.
- Apart from the rejection, I am content with the way my life and career has shaped up. Times of India
Times of India
We need to lift our game to beat Syria in final: Houghton- NEW DELHI: India coach Bob Houghton on Saturday said his boys will have to lift their game on Monday to beat Syria in the final of the Nehru Cup international football tournament.
- Houghton admitted that his boys lost to a team which played better on Saturday but said they can still beat Syria in the summit clash.
- "We played well today and we lost by a small margin. That too through a goal from set play," Houghton said after India sans captain Bhaichung Bhutia lost 0-1 to Syria in their last round-robin fixture.
- "Syria are a strong side. We have to lift our game on Monday to beat them. The good crowd and the good environment and I think we can beat them in the final," he added.
- "It was a difficult game for the reserve players as they had not played much in the tournament and they had to prove they are also contributing for the team."
- The Englishman lost his cool when a scribe apparently laughed at a fellow journalist trying to ask a question.
- When asked why striker Sunil Chhetri could not get work permit to play in English Championship side Queens Park Rangers, Houghton retorted, "What can I say. It is a fact that India are ranked below 70 in FIFA chart and that is why Chhetri could not get work permit. What can I say more."
- "You have to change your whole domestic structure if you want to improve. It is a pity that Chhetri could not play for QPR. He deserves to play there. If you go on continuing tournaments like Santosh Trophy Indian football will not improve," Houghton said. Times of India
EARLIER: TRIAL WITH COVENTRY
Goal.com -January 2009 - Exclusive: Sunil Chhetri To Go For Coventry City Trials -
- Indian striker Sunil Chhetri is all set to become the third Indian player to head to Europe after having being called by Coventry City for trials, which is a second division English club.
- Speaking exclusively to Goal.com, Sunil’s father, Mr.Kharga Chhetri confirmed the news saying, “Yes, he has indeed received a call from Coventry City for trials. He (Sunil) got a call on the 16th of this month after coming back from Hong Kong and the concerned authorities informed him of the trials.”
- After Mohammed Salim played for Celtic in 1937 and football icon Bhaichung Bhutia donned the colours of English side Bury FC, the Delhi lad will be the third Indian following in their footsteps if he manages to impress in the trials.
- “He was supposed to go for the trials on the 22nd but now, he shall play the match for East Bengal on the 24th. Thereafter, he shall fly to Delhi and head to England for the trials,” informed Chhetri Senior.
- The agent who has arranged the trials for the Indian international is Middlesex based Yogesh Joshee who works for Matchworld. How and when did Sunil get in touch with this agent remains a mystery and is dad doesn’t want to speak about this. “This is something which I am not much aware of.”
- So has the news of Sunil going to England sunk in yet?
- “To be honest, I couldn’t believe it but now that it is all true, I am very happy for my son. It will be great if he manages to impress at Coventry and thereby move abroad,” said Sunil’s father who had every reason to feel proud.
- At the start of this season when Sunil signed for East Bengal from JCT, he included a clause which stated that the Kolkata giants wouldn’t create much fuss if he receives an offer from any foreign club. This has been done only in the case of Sunil and not the other players who have been linked recently...." Goal.com
Goal.com Jan 30, 2009 - Footballer Sunil Chhetri not to play for Coventry
- New Delhi: Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri's dream of being the third Indian player to play in Europe will have to wait.
- Coventry's interest in Chetri seems to be over. He was on a one-week trial at the club and at some time, it appeared as though Chhetri stood a fair chance to be able to play for them eventually.
- But it has now emerged after the trials that Coventry are not keen on signing the East Bengal striker.
- Club Coventry is currently placed 14th in the Championship table and its management feels that Chhetri isn't the answer to their club's problems. Goal.com
See also:
- QPR Report
- Kansas City Chiefs
- MLS
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day
- QPR 1 Derby County 1: Match Reports and Managerial Comments
- QPR Stadium Tours Availability
- Chester City Fans Rebuilding From The Ashes
- Ex-QPR Manager Makes League One Team of The Week!
- Sponsor QPR Fan in MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Marathon --- TO SPONSOR (No Amount too Small - or too big!)
New York Times/Reuters - Indian Soccer Star Close to Kansas City Deal By REUTERS Published: March 24, 2010
- CHENNAI (Reuters) - India's Sunil Chhetri is close to signing for Major League Soccer (MLS) club Kansas City Wizards, local media reported Wednesday.
- Striker Chhetri left for the United States Tuesday and was likely to sign a long-term deal with the club after trialing with them earlier this month, the Hindustan Times broadsheet reported, quoting his team mates on the national team.
- India's top player missed an opportunity to play for English second division club Queens Park Rangers last year after being denied a work permit by the British government.
- (Reporting by Sanjay Rajan; Editing by Peter Rutherford) NYT
Goal.com Wednesday 24 March 2010 - Official: Sunil Chhetri To Join Kansas City Wizards
And 'The Great American' dream is realized...
Sunil Chhetri has become the third Indian player to play in foreign shores after Mohamed Salim (Celtic) and Bhaichung Bhutia (Bury FC) and would only be the eighth Asian to ply his trade in the MLS.
After Goal.com revealed about the Delhi boy having left the Indian capital on Tuesday evening to fulfil his American dream, Sunil Chhetri has almost completed his transfer to Kansas City Wizards as an official announcement of the same would be done on Thursday evening (US time) following a medical and a P-1 visa approval. A three-to-four year deal is likely to be agreed upon.
A video conferencing has been arranged for the Indian media in Bangalore as one of the owners of Kansas City Wizards - Neal Patterson, has his company's Indian arm based in the southern city.
The Indian international shot to prominence following his hat-trick in the AFC Challenge Cup finals against Tajikistan which ensured that the Men in Blue get an opportunity to play in the 2011 Asian Cup. He has scored 16 goals for the Indian national team in 35 appearances.
The 25 year old secured a release from Dempo SC, the current league leaders in the I-League, earlier this month while the club was left to rue as to why they didn’t have a transfer fee clause injected in his contract.
Chhetri had an unsuccessful trial with Coventry last January and was also linked with QPR during the last Nehru Cup in August 2009.
"One thing we really like about Sunil is that he's a crafty player," Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said.
- "Technically he's very sharp, and he's a guy that has good attacking tendencies."
- It is indeed a proud moment for Indians and Goal.com wishes Sunil all the very best in his American sojourn. Goal.com
FLASHBACK to ALMOST QPR:
QPR's REPORTED INDIAN SIGNING, SUNIL CHETRI...REJECTED FOR PERMIT
Football Players' Association of India (FPAI)
Sunil work permit gets rejected- Here is how India's star found and lost a golden opportunity to play for an English club
- Sunil had signed a three-year contract with Queen's Park Rangers few weeks back. The club since has been working to get its work permit for him to play in England. He was informed by his agent yesterday that It was rejected by the UK government. Since India is not in the top 70 in the FIFA ranking and the British government only permits non EU players if the player is playing for the country and the country is ranked below 70 in FIFA ranking.
- Queen's Park Rangers is also partly owned by Mittal Group. The club had been following Sunil's career for over a year and they were very happy with the way he has been progressing and playing. The club CEO had also come to see him in Barcelona. Sunil though did not train initially in Barcelona but joined in the later stage. The amount of training and two matches he played were very impressive. Sunil has been on the radar of a lot of scouts over the years. His performances have been outstanding for the club and the country. It was rather unfortunate that he got injured during the end of the I- league, which kept him out for a month and half. There has certainly been lot of interest in Indian players over the past few years and it was quite a set back for him to be out in the initial part of the Barcelona tour.
- It would defiantly have been a major step forward for Indian football had his work permit gone through. Queen's Park is a massive club and are currently playing the championship league. They are one of the favourite to win the league. Indian captain says, "Sunil 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."
- Asked why was this contract with Queen's Park was kept under wraps, Sunil says, "I had signed with them 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. 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 working hard for my country and my club Dempo, who have been very supportive."
- Players reaction
Steven Dias: I feel sorry for Sunil. Even I am trying to play outside India. His going there could've helped open opportunities for players like me. I am sure he along with others players will play overseas soon.
- Renedy Singh: Its so unfair to have a ranking issue. They need to look into quality of players then national team ranking. It would help if talented players like Sunil and others make it big.
- Mehrajuddin Wadoo: His playing would boost Indian football and help the game immensely. He surely has the talent to play with the best. FPAI
GOAL.COM - Failure To Get Work Permit Halts Sunil Chhetri's Move To QPR
- Indian international Sunil Chhetri would have donned the Queen's Park Rangers jersey in the upcoming season but the failure to get a work permit halted his dreams for now...29-Aug-2009
- Sunil had signed a three-year contract with Queen's Park Rangers few weeks back. The club since has been working to get its work permit for him to play in England.
- He was informed by his agent yesterday that It was rejected by the UK government. Since India is not in the top 70 in the FIFA ranking and the British government only permits non-EU players if the player is playing for the country and the country is ranked below 70 in FIFA ranking.
- Queen's Park Rangers is also partly owned by Mittal Group. The club had been following Sunil's career for over a year and they were very happy with the way he has been progressing and playing.
- The club's CEO had also come to see him in Barcelona. Sunil though did not train initially in Barcelona but joined in the later stage. The amount of training and two matches he played were very impressive.
- Sunil has been on the radar of a lot of scouts over the years. His performances have been outstanding for the club and the country. It was rather unfortunate that he got injured during the end of the I- league, which kept him out for a month and half. There has certainly been lot of interest in Indian players over the past few years and it was quite a set back for him to be out in the initial part of the Barcelona tour.
- It would definitely have been a major step forward for Indian football had his work permit gone through. Queen's Park is a massive club and are currently playing the championship league. They are one of the favourites to win the league.
- "Sunil 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 setback for our ranking as well as our development. This is also a reason why today Sunil is not playing in England," said Indian skipper Bhaichung Bhutia.
- Asked why was this contract with Queen's Park was kept under wraps, Sunil says, "I had signed with them 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 sceptical.
- "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 working hard for my country and my club Dempo, who have been very supportive." Goal.com
From January 2010 - Indian International Wishes Was at Loftus Road...
- I wish, I had my QPR career: Sunil Chhetri
Times of India - Marcus Mergulhao, TOI Crest, 23 January 2010,
- The one thing Sunil Chhetri would change in his life/career if he could:
- I was close to realizing my European dream when I had a three-year contract with English first divisioners Queens Park Rangers (QPR). But my dream was kept on hold after the British government denied me a work permit.
- The rejection hurts to this day and it is something that I would have loved to change, if it was in my hands!
- Being so close and not getting there is disappointing. I still have a lot of football ahead of me and, hopefully, such opportunities will come knocking again. It’s not the end of the world, I know, but that one thing means a lot to me.
- Apart from the rejection, I am content with the way my life and career has shaped up. Times of India
Times of India
We need to lift our game to beat Syria in final: Houghton- NEW DELHI: India coach Bob Houghton on Saturday said his boys will have to lift their game on Monday to beat Syria in the final of the Nehru Cup international football tournament.
- Houghton admitted that his boys lost to a team which played better on Saturday but said they can still beat Syria in the summit clash.
- "We played well today and we lost by a small margin. That too through a goal from set play," Houghton said after India sans captain Bhaichung Bhutia lost 0-1 to Syria in their last round-robin fixture.
- "Syria are a strong side. We have to lift our game on Monday to beat them. The good crowd and the good environment and I think we can beat them in the final," he added.
- "It was a difficult game for the reserve players as they had not played much in the tournament and they had to prove they are also contributing for the team."
- The Englishman lost his cool when a scribe apparently laughed at a fellow journalist trying to ask a question.
- When asked why striker Sunil Chhetri could not get work permit to play in English Championship side Queens Park Rangers, Houghton retorted, "What can I say. It is a fact that India are ranked below 70 in FIFA chart and that is why Chhetri could not get work permit. What can I say more."
- "You have to change your whole domestic structure if you want to improve. It is a pity that Chhetri could not play for QPR. He deserves to play there. If you go on continuing tournaments like Santosh Trophy Indian football will not improve," Houghton said. Times of India
EARLIER: TRIAL WITH COVENTRY
Goal.com -January 2009 - Exclusive: Sunil Chhetri To Go For Coventry City Trials -
- Indian striker Sunil Chhetri is all set to become the third Indian player to head to Europe after having being called by Coventry City for trials, which is a second division English club.
- Speaking exclusively to Goal.com, Sunil’s father, Mr.Kharga Chhetri confirmed the news saying, “Yes, he has indeed received a call from Coventry City for trials. He (Sunil) got a call on the 16th of this month after coming back from Hong Kong and the concerned authorities informed him of the trials.”
- After Mohammed Salim played for Celtic in 1937 and football icon Bhaichung Bhutia donned the colours of English side Bury FC, the Delhi lad will be the third Indian following in their footsteps if he manages to impress in the trials.
- “He was supposed to go for the trials on the 22nd but now, he shall play the match for East Bengal on the 24th. Thereafter, he shall fly to Delhi and head to England for the trials,” informed Chhetri Senior.
- The agent who has arranged the trials for the Indian international is Middlesex based Yogesh Joshee who works for Matchworld. How and when did Sunil get in touch with this agent remains a mystery and is dad doesn’t want to speak about this. “This is something which I am not much aware of.”
- So has the news of Sunil going to England sunk in yet?
- “To be honest, I couldn’t believe it but now that it is all true, I am very happy for my son. It will be great if he manages to impress at Coventry and thereby move abroad,” said Sunil’s father who had every reason to feel proud.
- At the start of this season when Sunil signed for East Bengal from JCT, he included a clause which stated that the Kolkata giants wouldn’t create much fuss if he receives an offer from any foreign club. This has been done only in the case of Sunil and not the other players who have been linked recently...." Goal.com
Goal.com Jan 30, 2009 - Footballer Sunil Chhetri not to play for Coventry
- New Delhi: Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri's dream of being the third Indian player to play in Europe will have to wait.
- Coventry's interest in Chetri seems to be over. He was on a one-week trial at the club and at some time, it appeared as though Chhetri stood a fair chance to be able to play for them eventually.
- But it has now emerged after the trials that Coventry are not keen on signing the East Bengal striker.
- Club Coventry is currently placed 14th in the Championship table and its management feels that Chhetri isn't the answer to their club's problems. Goal.com
See also:
- QPR Report
- Kansas City Chiefs
- MLS