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Ian Holloway's Blackpool close to a playoff Spot...
Barnsley 0 QPR 1 -
Updated TableQPR Official Site WARNOCK ON BARNSLEY Neil Warnock hailed skipper Mikele Leigertwood, after his wonder-goal ensured Rangers claimed all three points against Barnsley.
The R's midfielder let fly with a stunning left footed effort that flew in off the underside of the bar, as the R's sealed back-to-back away victories.
Warnock told www.qpr.co.uk: "It was a strike fit to win any game of football.
"Mikele's quite capable of that and he produces a strike like that every now and then.
"We were right behind it in the technical area and it was always going in from the moment he took aim."
Warnock added: "It was a typical end of season affair, but I was pleased with how we played.
"It was very scrappy at times, but we stuck at it and the attitude of the players was very good.
"The goal came at a time when we were dominating, so it was perfect for us.
"I thought we were a bit sloppy in the first half defensively, but we tightened up and got the clean sheet we were craving."
QPRSporting Life - Neil Warnock - fitting winner from Leigertwood.
WARNOCK LAUDS LEIGERTWOOD STRIKE QPR manager Neil Warnock could not hide his surprise after Mikele Leigertwood scored a superb winner to sink Barnsley at Oakwell.
The midfielder volleyed in his fifth goal of the season from 22 yards with his weaker left foot, giving home keeper Luke Steele no chance.
And Warnock said: "It was a fitting goal to win a game.
"He scores when you're not expecting them and produces something out of nothing. And to hit it with his left foot - that's usually just for standing on."
Keeper Radek Cerny made excellent saves from Jon Macken and Hugo Colace either side of that strike to make sure of the points, despite a second-half goal being disallowed for a handball by Akos Buszaky.
Warnock added: "The keeper played well. He's trained hard and I just told him he would be playing for the rest of the season."
With safety assured before the game, Warnock is already looking to next season and said: "I can't wait for the season to end and then I can bring in my own players. I want to bring in a striker.
"Next season is going to be exciting and I am looking forward to it.
"It's hard to motivate players when there's nothing at stake. In the first half we could have given away couple of goals but we played better in the second."
Barnsley boss Mark Robins said: "We got a reaction and created more chances than them. They scored with a shot which was speculative.
"One thing that we didn't do was pass the ball enough. We wanted to get the ball to Jacob Butterfield and Hugo Colace and push them further forward because when you've got two little ones up front that's your only option, but we didn't.
"It's our final home game and we're disappointed to be finishing with a defeat. I believe the players have given everything. Looking at the season as a whole I am delighted at where we are, but I am disappointed that we haven't got anything from the game."
Sporting LifeBarnsley Official Site - POST MATCH REACTION FROM OAKWELL BARNSLEY manager Mark Robins gave his thoughts following today's action at Oakwell.
Mark said: "I think we got a reaction from the players today. We created more chances than QPR - they fluffed one and scored one - but we had enough to put that game to bed which is frustrating. To be fair we did not pass the ball enough and if we could have done that then we would have won the match. QPR were mostly quiet.
"We tweaked things a little today and it worked for some of the time and at others it didn't. We made the wrong choices and wrong decisions at times and that was really the story of our afternoon. It was frustrating and to end on a defeat here today is a little disappointing but I think the players have given me everything this season. It was just a step too far to carry on that promotion form throughout the season. It is disappointing not to get something from the game.
"We did not pass it well enough today and we cannot go from back to front when you have two little ones up front.
"We now have one game left and then we can get on with the job in hand.
"I think our fans have been fantastic all season but I am just sorry that we could not come out and thank them at the end. We had said before that we did not want them on the pitch and the police would not let us back out for health and safety reasons. It is a real shame because the players wanted to come back and show their appreciation. Our supporters have been tremendous this season and right behind both the players and me since I have been here. I am looking forward to that continuing.
"Daniel Bogdanovic has no chance really of being fit for West Brom but he is desperate for a five minute cameo; Anderson de Silva will not be fit enough to play again this season and Filipe (Teixeira) wants to play against his parent club next week but we will have to have that conversation and phone call later.
"The performance today was a little better".
BarnsleyQPR Official Site - Barnsley 0 QPR 1Mikele Leigertwood's unstoppable 20-yard drive sealed back-to-back wins on the road for QPR in their 1-0 win over Barnsley.
The stand-in Rangers skipper cut back on to his weaker left foot before firing home an effort that went in off the crossbar, following Hogan Ephraim's beautiful back heel.
The fixture - in truth - had the feel of an end of season fixture, with both sides assured of safety for another season in the Coca Cola Championship.
Though nonetheless, it was another fantastic win away from W12 for the Hoops, who moved within two points of the top half of the second tier league table.
Hoops boss Neil Warnock made two changes for the trip to Yorkshire.
Josh Parker was handed his first start in QPR colours, while Tamas Priskin also came into the starting XI.
Meanwhile, Adel Taarabt missed out owing to an ankle injury and Rowan Vine dropped to the substitutes' bench.
Radek Cerny was in goal for the R's.
Parker and Dusko Tosic occupied the full-back positions, while Peter Ramage partnered Kaspars Gorkss in the centre of defence.
Akos Buzsaky, skipper Leigertwood, Alejandro Faurlin and Ephraim were in midfield for QPR.
Priskin was up front with Antonio German.
Only moments had gone before Barnsley almost snatched an early lead at the start of the first half at Oakwell.
Iain Hume burst past both Gorkss and Ramage before unleashing a low drive that was superbly tipped onto the post and out for a corner by Cerny.
Soon after, the R's created their first chance to find the net.
After Buzsaky won a free-kick, he dusted himself down before firing an effort from 30-yards out straight at the keeper.
Chances were few and far between in the opening 20 minutes, though Rangers were enjoying more possession and time on the ball.
It was QPR's composure on the ball that helped carve open their first clear-cut opportunity of the afternoon.
Faurlin and Buzsaky combined before the latter flicked the ball on to Tosic. The Serbian left-back drove down the flank and into the penalty area before squaring for the unmarked German.
The young striker looked certain to find the target from just six-yards out, only to mistime his shot as the ball went under his foot before it was cleared up field.
Play then switched to the other end, and after Ramage misjudged a header, Hume received possession around 20 yards from goal before he smashed an effort just wide of Cerny's right-hand post.
Moments later, Hugo Colace's beautiful chip over the R's back four put Hume through on goal, before Ramage came across to block the Canadian international just before he was about to unleash an effort in at goal.
From the loose ball, Jon Macken looked certain to find the net from just 15-yards out, before Ramage was again on hand to block his shot on the line.
It was a missed chance that Barnsley would eventually pay for, as the R's raced into the lead on 27 minutes.
Ephraim's lovely back heel created the opening goal, after he sent the ball into Leigertwood's path following a Parker throw-in.
The rest was poetry in motion. Leigertwood cut in before sending home an unstoppable left-footed drive from 20-years out that hit the underside of the bar and bounced in to the net.
Soon after, Hammill burst down the left before sending over a cross for Macken, who rose highest before heading straight at Cerny.
The hosts should have replied just before half-time.
After an innocuous-looking through ball, Colace found himself in acres of space and through one-on-one with the keeper. The midfielder - in truth - rushed his effort, as he flashed a shot straight at Cerny from the edge of the box.
The second period started much like the opening 45 minutes, with not much in the way of chances.
It was Barnsley who were first on the attack. Hume picked up possession well into the R's half before squaring to Butterfield on the edge of the box, though his shot was well held by Cerny.
Minutes later, Ephraim breezed past Colace down the right, only to see his low cross caught by Steele for the Tykes.
The match had become a turgid affair, and with that, Warnock decided to introduce Cook in place of the impressive Ephraim for Rangers.
However, all that either of the two sides could create was a Buzsaky effort that went wide 40 yards from goal, as the R's held out for the victory.
Barnsley: Steele, Hassell, Moore, Colace, Foster, Hume, Butterfield, Macken, Potter (Putzinson 69), Hammill (Devaney 40), Doyle (Taylor 81).
Subs: Kozluk, Preece, Adam, Shotton.
Bookings: Potter
QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Leigertwood, Buzsaky, Gorkss, Faurlin, Ephraim (Cook 81), Tosic, German (Simpson 56), Parker, Priskin (Brown 90).
Subs: Vine, Balanta, Oastler, Putnins.
Goals: Leigertwood (27)
Bookings: Buzsaky
Referee: Mr R Booth
Attendance: 11, 944 (574)
QPRBarnsley Official Site FULL TIME FROM OAKWELL Posted on: Sat 24 Apr 2010
BARNSLEY 0
QUEENS PARK RANGERS 1 (Leigertwood 28)
BARNSLEY had enough of the ball and the chances to bury Queens Park Rangers at Oakwell but the final home game of a fine season ended in disappointment.
There were more changes for the Reds as manager Mark Robins looked to give the home faithful one last performance and result with the end of a thrilling season looming large.
The final home match demands a performance was the message coming out of the Barnsley camp in the build up to the big game and Robins' selection showed three changes to the one beaten at Swansea City last time out. In came Jon Macken, Bobby Hassell and Jacob Butterfield while Andy Gray, Ryan Shotton and Martin Devaney dropped out of the starting eleven.
Carl Putzinson and Rob Kozluk returned from injury to take spots on the bench while rising star Alistair Taylor, who was named Academy Player of the Year earlier this week, was also included amongst the subs for the first time.
Barnsley were almost in front inside three minutes as Macken's neat flick put Iain Hume clear through on goal and the striker did everything right but was denied by Cerny's outstanding save. The Rangers keeper did magnificently well to turn his effort onto the post and away.
Rangers responded with an Akos Buszaky free kick on nine minutes that flew over the Barnsley wall but was easily held by Luke Steele.
The Reds had Luke Potter and Stephen Foster to thank on 19 minutes as Buszaky and Alejandro Faurlin put Antonio German away and in the clear but the Barnsley defenders managed to smother the ball away for a corner kick.
Steele was in brilliant form on 24 minutes as Buszaky skipped away down the left before pulling the ball back to give German a simple tap in five yards out but the Reds keeper pulled off a wonder save to deny the youngster. Barnsley broke quickly and Hume flashed a snap shot wide seconds later.
It was Barnsley's turn to go close on 26 minutes as Butterfield put Hume away behind QPR again but a combination of Peter Ramage and Cerny somehow managed to get in an important block. The ball broke kindly to Macken eight yards from goal but the striker's well-struck shot smacked into Ramage and bounced clear of the target.
Steele was helpless though to prevent Rangers snatching the lead on 27 minutes as Leigertwood took aim from 20 yards and smashed an unstoppable drive off the underside of the bar and into the back of the net. It was a fine, fine strike by the former Sheffield United midfielder.
Barnsley raised their game and the tempo on 34 minutes as first Macken brought a save from Cerny after rising highest to meet Adam Hammill's cross. Butterfield then split the Rangers defence wide, wide open to send Hugo Colace clear but the newly crowned Player of the Year could only drive straight at Cerny with the goal gaping.
The Reds were forced into a change five minutes before the break with Hammill limping out of the action following a blow to the head. Devaney came into the action to replace him in midfield.
A frustrated Nathan Doyle picked up the first booking on 42 minutes after hauling back Josh Parker. Parker then volleyed one high and very wide a moment later. Devaney's first involvement had Oakwell on its feet a minute later as he skipped past Leigertwood before bringing a smart low save from Cerny.
Barnsley opened up QPR again within two minutes of the restart as Butterfield did magnificently well to tee up Colace but the Argentine swung and missed his shot on the edge of the area.
The Reds had Rangers rocking again two minutes later as Butterfield again did well to carve open the visiting defence but neither Hume nor Devaney could get a shot away at Cerny's goal. In the end Luke Potter smashed it well wide from the edge of the box.
The red storm continued to build in front of the QPR goal. Butterfield tested Cerny on 55 minutes with a stinging left-footer that the visiting keeper did well to hold before Potter had them rocking with an outstanding cross from the left six-minutes later but Kaspars Gorkss was in the right place to clear.
Putzinson made his return from a knee injury on 64 minutes as he replaced Potter at left back to a rousing reception from the Oakwell faithful.
The Reds were left feeling aggrieved by an atrocious linesman's decision on 74 minutes as Putzinson's pass sent Devaney clear away behind a tiring Leigertwood but a ridiculous flag denied the winger a run on goal much to the annoyance of Reds boss Robins.
There was a glimpse of the future at Oakwell on 79 minutes as youngster Taylor made his Barnsley debut. The promising winger replaced Doyle.
Referee Russell Booth was finding himself more and more in the spot light and should have awarded the Reds a stonewall penalty on 81 minutes as Gorkss elbowed Hume out of the path of Putzinson's raking pass. It was a blatant foul but the referee gave nothing.
Steele might as well have had a deckchair in the spring sunshine at Oakwell although the Reds keeper might have had more to worry about as Buszaky lined up a free kick on 85 minutes but the Hungarian's effort trickled well, well wide.
Barnsley's frustrations were summed up in one second half second as Bobby Hassell hammered a wasteful shot high into the stand from 35 yards. The full back was on the receiving end of a volley of his own from manager Mark Robins.
BARNSLEY: Steele, Hassell, Foster, Moore, Potter (Putzinson 64), Hammill (Devaney 41), Colace, Doyle (Taylor 80), Butterfield, Macken, Hume.
Subs: Preece, Shotton, Adam, Kozluk.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS: Cerny, Buzsaky, Gorkss, German (Simpson 57), Leigertwood, Ramage, Tosic, Faurlin, Ephraim (Cook 80), Parker, Priskin (Brown 90).
Subs: Putnins, Vine, Balanta, Oastler.
REFEREE
Russell Booth (Nottinghamshire)
ASSISTANT REFEREES
Paul Marsden (Lancashire) and Rob Merchant (Staffordshire)
FOURTH OFFICIAL
Jason Whiteley (West Yorkshire)
Attendance - 11,944
Match Report by Rob Knowles.
BarnsleySporting Life Barnsley 0 QPR 1Mikele Leigertwood's first-half goal was enough to ensure Barnsley's poor end-of-season form continued as they were beaten by QPR at Oakwell.
The 27-year-old lashed home an excellent effort effort against the run of play midway through the first half to settle a drab encounter devoid of many good opportunities.
QPR goalkeeper Radek Cerny had to be alert to deny Iain Hume and Hugo Colace in the first half but the hosts struggled to break down the stubborn visitors.
The defeat extended Barnsley's winless run to nine games, while QPR look to be ending their season on a high as they registered their third victory in four matches.
Barnsley boss Mark Robins made three changes to his side for their final home game of the season as Jon Macken, Bobby Hassell and Jacob Butterfield all came into the starting line-up.
Neil Warnock had resisted the temptation to play some of his youngsters against Watford on Monday, but midfielder Josh Parker made his first start for Rangers, while Tamas Priskin also came into the side.
The Tykes made a good start and Hume found space on the edge of the box and got his shot away but Cerny did well to parry the ball away.
QPR responded and Akos Buszaky tried his luck with a free-kick from 30 yards but Luke Steele in the Barnsley goal was equal to the effort.
Barnsley began to push for the opener and Hume dragged a shot wide from 20 yards before Jonathan Macken saw an effort well blocked by Peter Ramage.
However, just as it looked like the Tykes might break the deadlock, QPR went ahead with 27 minutes gone.
Hogan Ephraim did well down the right and played the ball to Leigertwood who made no mistake with a fine finish into the top left-hand corner from just outside the box.
Barnsley responded well to going behind with Adam Hammill and Macken both having efforts saved by Cerny.
Colace, who was named Barnsley player of the year this week, also had a 20-yard shot parried away by the former Spurs stopper.
The Tykes suffered a further blow before the break when Hammill was forced off injured and QPR almost compounded their misery but Priskin volleyed over.
Both sides made a tentative start to the second-half and the first meaningful chance fell to Butterfield who failed to test Cerny with a shot from 25 yards.
Warnock brought striker Jay Simpson on for Antonio German in a bid to give his side more impetus up front but the on-loan Arsenal man struggled to get into the game.
Barnsley pressed forward in search of the equaliser but the visitors were proving a tough unit to break down, much to the frustration of the Oakwell crowd.
Hassell fired over from 25 yards late on but the home side were unable to find a way through.
Teams:
Barnsley Steele, Hassell, Foster, Moore, Potter (Putzinson 64), Hammill (Devaney 40), Colace, Doyle (Taylor 81), Butterfield, Macken, Hume.
Subs Not Used: Preece, Shotton, Adam, Kozluk.
Booked: Doyle, Potter.
QPR Cerny, Ramage, Tosic, Gorkss, Leigertwood, Buzsaky, Ephraim (Cook 80), Parker, Faurlin, Priskin (Brown 90), German (Simpson 56).
Subs Not Used: Putnins, Vine, Balanta, Oastler.
Booked: Buzsaky.
Goals: Leigertwood 27.
Att: 11,944
Ref: Russell Booth (Nottinghamshire).
Sporting LifeTABLE (SPORTING LIFE)Newcastle 45 99 54 89 2-2 FT v Ipswich
West Brom 44 89 41 87
Nottm Forest 45 78 25 63 3-0 FT v Plymouth
Cardiff 45 76 21 73 3-2 FT v Sheff Wed
Leicester 45 73 14 59 1-0 FT v Preston
Blackpool 45 69 16 73 1-0 FT v Peterborough
Swansea 45 68 3 40 0-2 FT v Sheff Utd
Middlesbrough 45 62 10 58 1-1 FT v Coventry
Sheff Utd 45 62 4 59 2-0 FT v Swansea
Bristol City 45 62 -9 55 2-1 FT v Derby
Reading 45 60 2 64 0-3 FT v Watford
Doncaster 45 59 1 59 4-3 FT v Sc*n*horpe
QPR 45 57 -6 58 1-0 FT v Barnsley
Ipswich 45 56 -8 50 2-2 FT v Newcastle
Preston 45 54 -12 57 0-1 FT v Leicester
Coventry 45 54 -13 47 1-1 FT v Middlesbrough
Derby 45 53 -12 51 1-2 FT v Bristol City
Barnsley 45 53 -16 52 0-1 FT v QPR
Watford 45 51 -11 57 3-0 FT v Reading
Sc*n*horpe 45 51 -22 60 3-4 FT v Doncaster
Crystal Palace * 44 47 -3 47
Sheff Wed 45 46 -20 47 2-3 FT v Cardiff
Plymouth 45 41 -24 42 0-3 FT v Nottm Forest
Peterborough 45 31 -35 44 0-1 FT v Blackpool
Next Sunday's FixturesBlackpool v Bristol City 13.00
Coventry v Watford 13.00
Derby v Cardiff City 13.00
Ipswich v Sheff Utd 13.00
Leicester v Middlesbrough 13.00
Plymouth v Peterborough 13.00
QPR v Newcastle 13.00
Reading v Preston NE 13.00
Sc*n*horpe v Nottm Forest 13.00
Sheff Weds v C.Palace 13.00
Swansea City v Doncaster 13.00
West Brom v Barnsley 13.00
