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Happy 49th Birthday to Clive Allen!--
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QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!-
For continuously updated throughtout the day news about QPR - as well for football only-discussion: Also visit the football-only, QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog_____________________________________________________________________________________
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Flashack: Recalling The Outrageous Effort Nine Years Ago This Month to Merge QPR With Wimbledon-
QPR's Pre-Season Calendar: Add Harrow-
The Complete 2010 Guide to QPR Websites-
Ex-QPR Dexter Blackstock Turns 24-
Liberal Democractic MP Jeremy Browne: QPR Supporter-
Question of Fan Freedom of Speech at Walsall (and maybe of broader applicability) -
John Gregory Gets a new Coaching job in Israel - at FC Ashdod -
Ex-QPR Chairman Antonio Caliendo's 2010 Golden Foot Nominees (No QPR Players Included)-
Abramovich Still Owed (indirectly) almost 3/4 Billion Pounds by Chelsea-.
QPR Want Ambrose and Speroni-
QPR to Receive 2.2 Million Next Season From Premiership (as do all Championship Clubs)-
The Premiership's New "Homegrown" Rule-
Ex-QPR Ian Barraclough, now coaching at ScunthorpeHarrow Observer/Tim Edwards- Harrow Borough to host Birmingham City and QPR in pre-season friendlies - Harrow Borough are hoping to entice a second Premier League club to Earlsmead as their pre-season schedule takes shape.
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Birmingham City have already agreed to send a side to face the Ryman Premier League outfit on Tuesday, August 10 (7.45pm) while Neil Warnock will bring a strong Queens Park Rangers team in their final pre-season fixture on Monday, August 2 (7.30pm).- Borough boss David Howell, who has also pencilled in games with Potters Bar, Corinthian Casuals and Godalming Town, is hoping to finalise details with another Premier League club shortly.
- It is a tantalising line-up for Borough's squad, with the majority of players having committed their short-term futures following the recent end-of-season awards bash.
...Howell is looking forward to pitting his wits against his former club City and QPR and hopes the games will generate much needed revenue.
“We are restricted financially and these games will help us go a long way in getting through next season,” he added.
Harrow ObserverQPR SEEKING PROGRAMME FEEDBACK - QPR Official Site - IT'S YOUR PROGRAMME! - With the 2010/11 season already at the forefront of our thoughts, the QPR press and publications department would like input from YOU - the fans - on how we can improve the Club's award-winning matchday programme ahead of the new campaign.
- Hoops once again featured prominently in all the end of season programme awards, but we don't want to rest on our laurels and with your help, we want to make your programme experience even better next season!
*What new features would you like to see?
*Is there anything you don't like in the current programme?
*What have you seen in other programmes that you'd like to see us try to replicate next season?
- We want all your feedback - positive or negative - as soon as possible, so we can begin working on an even better publication for the new season.
Send us your suggestions now, by e-mailing iant@qpr.co.uk
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QPR Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Time for Rangers to go shopping... sensiblySINCE QPR kicked their last ball of the season, Neil Warnock has been unusually reticent about his plans to reshape Rangers' squad for the next campaign.
Warnock has stressed that he intends to make minimal use of the loan market, leading pundits to predict a frenzied and costly recruitment drive this summer - yes, another one.
But which areas of the squad genuinely require investment and which are already well-stocked? The Times takes a look at the current QPR playing roster to consider where the manager's energies should be focused:
GOALKEEPERS
WHETHER he can persuade Julian Speroni to follow him across London or not, there can be little doubt that Warnock needs to sign a goalkeeper before August.
Until the second half of last season, Radek Cerny's position appeared to be ring-fenced and many Rangers supporters remain convinced that he is a sound presence between the posts.
But Cerny's howlers have become too frequent and, with no obvious replacement within the squad at this stage, Rangers must secure Speroni or someone of his calibre to be their number one.
DEFENCE
THERE'S certainly no need for Warnock to be looking at centre-halves - this is perhaps his strongest suit, with Kaspars Gorkss, Damion Stewart and Matthew Connolly likely to be joined against next season by Fitz Hall.
Peter Ramage must also be counted among the candidates for a central role after his successful transition from right-back, although the side-effect has been to leave a vacancy in that role.
Given time, Josh Parker could grow into the position, so Warnock may put off chasing another right-back for now. The left-hand side is another matter.
The Rs boss appears uninterested in trying to agree a permanent deal for Dusko Tosic and does not seem to rate Gary Borrowdale - so he must sign another left-back, preferably not the highly average Matt Hill.
MIDFIELD
MIKELE Leigertwood and Alejandro Faurlin have forged a promising partnership in the centre of the park and the returns of Martin Rowlands and possibly Gavin Mahon will provide competition for places.
It will be interesting to see whether Warnock continues to deploy Akos Buzsaky in a central position rather than wide, while Hogan Ephraim is another player who has been shoehorned into a winger's role that may not be the best vehicle for his talents.
If Lee Cook can recapture his best form and Angelo Balanta continues to push for a starting role, Rangers should have sufficient options on the left flank.
Warnock may consider searching for an old-fashioned winger to replace Wayne Routledge on the opposite side - but his track record suggests he is more likely to use a surplus striker - possibly Jamie Mackie - to fill in when necessary.
ATTACK
WARNOCK has made no secret of his desire to sign forwards this summer and it's hard to disagree that Rangers are in desperate need of new blood up front - but fans were probably hoping for better than Mackie.
They haven't had an effective target man since Paul Furlong left three years ago and Warnock must remedy that by bringing in someone with strong credentials at Championship level.
Much depends on whether the manager intends to field two specialist strikers or one playing off the target man - if the latter, he has men within the squad who can fill that role effectively.
If not, we can expect him to sign one more striker to compete with Patrick Agyemang and Antonio German - and whoever does check in at Loftus Road can hardly be worse than Tamas Priskin.
Kilburn TimesA TWO YEAR FLASBACK: IAIN DOWIE TALKING ABOUT HIS PLANS FOR QPRMay 20, 2008 - Ian Dowie Talks About His Plans for QPR-
Ian Dowie's views as new manager comments were broadcast on QPR World (subscription only). "DOWIE: PRESS CONFERENCE: Part One: Iain on his arrival, his previous spell with QPR, Zinedine Zidane, and much more!"
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Transcript of Dowie's press conference at
A couple of News Reports on Ian Dowie Looking ForwardBBC - Dowie targets the Premier LeagueQueens Park Rangers' new manager Iain Dowie says he knows he has to get the club back in the Premier League in the next two years.
He told BBC London 94.9: "My contract's two years so I hope it's realistic.
"We're going to be a very competitive team and I think within two years I'll have to bring success to this club.
"I want to make sure people at QPR think of me as a manager who knows how to get the job done and also brings attractive football to the club."
Dowie will be under pressure from owners Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone who stated the importance of QPR returning to the Premier League within the next three years when they took charge in September.
In terms of fan base and tradition it's a proper football club and these are exciting times
Iain Dowie
The former Rangers player said: "This job is about pressure, if you buckle under it, don't take the job, so I'll have to embrace that pressure.
"It would be foolish of me to say this is not a job that brings it's own pressure with it, this is a pressurised job, staying in the division."
Dowie, who was sacked as Coventry boss in February, says he is thrilled to be involved at Loftus Road.
"My first thoughts of being manager at the club with the richest owners in the world is 'wonderful', it's better to be that, than at the poorest."
He added: "I'm delighted to be back, it's a great club historically, I think in terms of fan base and tradition it's a proper football club and these are exciting times."
Dowie is already looking ahead to the start of the season and knows what he will be looking for in the squad.
"We'll try and get good young players in here, we'll try, if we need to, get good established players at the club too and hungry players, that's the key element." BBC
SKY SPORTS/James Pearson - Dowie up for the challengeNew R's boss can handle promotion pressure
Iain Dowie insists he is relishing the challenge of getting Queens Park Rangers back into the Premier League.
The West Londoners have not been in England's top flight in 12 seasons following relegation to the First Division at the end of the 1995/96 campaign.
However, following a takeover by Formula One tycoons and multi-millionaires Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore last year, hopes of a Premier League return have been manifest.
Former caretaker manager and R's player Dowie succeeded Italian tactician Luigi Di Canio earlier this month and is excited about taking on the pressure of winning promotion.
Challenge
"It's a fantastic challenge," he told Sky Sports News. "I've played under one of the great legends in Gerry (Francis) so it's a club steeped in history.
"It has great tradition and a huge fan base. It's in a very exciting period in its history. To be challenged with getting them where they want to be is very exciting and is also a great honour."
Dowie is not planning a long-term strategy at Loftus Road; aware that unless he wins promotion he will soon be out of a job again.
QPR have already spent big during Di Canio's time at the helm and Dowie does not think the squad needs to undergo wholesale changes, in order to challenge for the automatic promotion places.
"The idea is (to win promotion) as soon as you can," he continued. "I've signed here for two years and clearly I'll have to bring success during my time here.
"I think it's nice to be coming in as manager of QPR knowing that they have to have success. That positive pressure is something that I embrace.
Progression
"We're going to have to show good progression throughout the year and hopefully be very competitive and I think we will be.
"I think this squad is a decent squad. It doesn't need a major overhaul, just tinkering with. It doesn't need major surgery.
"I would think two or three. It's not in the range of five or six. My view is two or three key personnel would make a huge difference to what is a very good squad.
"It's important I give everyone here a thorough once over and an opportunity to show what they can do.
"I don't know (how much money is available) and I've not asked. We'll sign the players that are right for the club. They'll fit into what the criteria of the club is." Sky Sports
Ealing Times-By Simon Mail - Dowie relishing fresh challengeIain Dowie has promised to bring entertainment and winning football to Queens Park Rangers.
The former Coventry City and Crystal Palace manager was unveiled today after his surprise appointment at Loftus Road last week.
Dowie said: "It's a great challenge. I want to bring smiles to QPR. They (fans) want to win but they want to see us playing stylish football."
The R's are expected to splash the cash this summer as they chase a return to the Premiership but Dowie insists there won't be radical changes.
"The squad doesn't need a massive amount of alteration," he said.
"There are one or two areas we need to strengthen and it's about getting hungry players in.
"There is no question there are Premier League sides that QPR can compete with and there are already A list players in this squad." Ealing Times
Dowie and Paladini's Involvement in QPR Transfers-
Ealing Gazette - David Mcintyre And Yann Tear
Iain gets straight down to transfer businessIAIN Dowie and Gianni Paladini met on Thursday to discuss possible transfer targets following Dowie's appointment as QPR boss.
Dowie, 43, was confirmed as Luigi De Canio's successor this week after Rangers' co-owner
Flavio Briatore was persuaded to appoint a British manager having previously favoured recruiting from abroad.
Despite holding De Canio's old title of first-team coach, Dowie's will be an English-style manager in all but name. Dowie, who had spells as a QPR player, coach and caretaker boss and was twice overlooked for the manager's job at Loftus Road, has signed a twoyear contract.
Paladini, with a dual role of club chairman and sporting director, will retain an involvement in transfer dealings.
But whereas De Canio's lack of knowledge of English players left Paladini to oversee signings during the January transfer window, Dowie has experience and extensive contacts of his own and will have a much bigger influence.
Dowie headed the list of British candidates, but his chances of landing the job depended on Briatore being convinced not to look overseas.
And at an all-important board meeting on Sunday evening, Briatore indicated that he was minded to turn to a manager with Championship experience.
Dowie, who started his managerial career at Oldham, led Crystal Palace to the Premiership via the playoffs in 2004.
Although relegation followed in 2005, he was generally feted for his attempts to keep the Eagles up.
Since leaving Palace, he has had short and unsuccessful spells in charge of Charlton and Coventry.
The spell at The Valley was particularly acrimonious, with Dowie accused by Palace supremo Simon Jordan of lying to break his contract at Selhurst Park when he said he wanted to move up north to be with his family.
Jordan was furious when he agreed to release Dowie, only to find that the former Northern Ireland international had cut down his trips up north by a mere seven and a half miles after pitching up at Palace's unloved rivals Charlton.
"I'm very privileged to have been given the opportunity under the new ownership to return to the club where I served my managerial apprenticeship," said Dowie, who was a popular figure during his time at Loftus Road. "QPR is a fantastic club, with a steep and successful history and I'm going to relish the challenge that lies ahead."
De Canio's sudden departure means Dowie is Rangers' fifth manager in the space of less than two-and-a-half years - six if you include caretaker boss Mick Harford.
He is also the ninth former QPR player to manage the club in the past 30 years.
De Canio left the club last week after previously insisting that he would remain in charge for the start of next season.
His exit surprised even the backroom teamhe brought to west London from Italy after his arrival.
The futures of coaches Paolo Pavese and Luri Bartoli are unclear, but scouts Fhilippo Orlando and Gianni de Marzio have indicated that they would like to stay on under the new regime.
Former England goalkeeper Tim Flowers, who played for Southampton along with Dowie and was his assistant at Coventry, is expected to join him at QPR.
Meanwhile, Rangers have formally completed the signing of Newcastle defender Peter Ramage on a Bosman free transfer and sealed the capture of keeper Radek Cerny.
Ramage, 24, has signed a three-year contract while Cerny, 34, (pictured) has agreed a two-year deal.
Cerny, who had been on loan at Tottenham from Slavia Prague, will become the third Czech keeper to play for the Rs, following in the footsteps of Jan Stejskal and Ludek Miklosko.
Rangers were this week also expecting to complete the signing of right-winger Matteo Alberti, 19, from Italian side Chievo and are still talking to Portsmouth about signing Martin Cranie.
Defender Cranie, who had a loan spell at Rangers ended by a broken leg last season, has been lined up for a year-long loan move, but a deal for his permanent signing is still possible.
In other news, both Martin Rowlands and Damien Delaney have been selected by Giovanni Trapattoni for a slimmed-down Republic of Ireland squad that will play two friendlies later this month. Ealing Gazette
QPR Official Site - 'A GREAT APPOINTMENT'Gareth Ainsworth believes the appointment of Iain Dowie as First Team Coach is 'fantastic' news for Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, the R's Club Captain expressed his delight at the arrival of the former Crystal Palace and Coventry City boss.
"It's a great appointment - fantastic news for the Football Club," he said.
"Iain is a very passionate man, who demands 110 per-cent from his players and staff.
"He is very methodical in his approach and is a forward-thinking Manager.
"His organisational skills and work ethic are exceptional and I'm really looking forward to working under him."
Ainsworth, who is currently working towards his UEFA B licence during a week-long course at Cobham, added: "We've had a taste of the continental Manager and we learnt a lot from Luigi and his staff. But I think an English Manager, who is proven at this level, will prove to be the right man to get us back to where we - as players and supporters of this Club - want to be." QPR Official Site
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Ex-QPR Coach, Des Bulpin to India?-
Ex-QPR Keith Rowland Update-
Ex-QPR Chairman Antonio Caliendo's 2010 Golden Foot Nominees-
Ali Russell Wanted Back in Scotland? -
Torquay Cost-Cutting: Axe Their CEO-
Mackie's Signing from Plymouth: Various Statements and Assessments
