QPR REPORT: July 2010

Saturday, July 31, 2010

QPR Report Saturday Snippets

Plymouth Site
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-For QPR and Football Updates throughout the day, also check the QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog. Join in or just read the various QPR and football-only discussions!

- An invitation to QPR Supporters across the globe! Whatever country. Whatever continent. Whatever age. Whatever Perspective: Come post on the growing, truly-International, QPR and football-only QPR Report Messageboard
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- VIDEO GEM: Norwich vs QPR from 1967/1968

- QPR 1 Plymouth 1: Match Reports, Comments and Photos
The key quote from Neil Warnock on the Official Site: "Despite the arrival of Bradley Orr from Bristol City earlier in the day, the Rangers gaffer readily admitted his work in the transfer market is 'ongoing,' adding: "I still want to bring in one or two strikers and I'm confident I can do that over the next eight days. "If we get the players I want, I'll be pleased with how we're set ahead of the season." QPR

- QPR XI (Reserves) Play Hampton and Richmond Today

- QPR Season Tickets Sales: Not Going to Meet Hoped-for Goal: (Currently Sold: 6,739) + Flashback Two Years "SEASON TICKETS SOLD OUT"

- Supporters Liaison Officers Required

- Two Years Ago Today Flashback: Parejo and Gorkss Join QPR

- Year Ago Yesterday: Pellicori Joined QPR

- The Punishment (Thus Far) for North Korea's World Cup Failing Team

- European Racism Claim

- Fulham Legal Action Vs Premiership Chairman Over Peter Crouch Sale to Spurs

- France U-19s Shock Win Over Spain in The Finals

- Two Due Dates for QPR Payment Coming Up?

- Stewart to Bristol City Posts
- Bristol Evening Post:
"...Jamaica international Stewart was in negotiations with QPR over a possible contract extension before a surprise decision by Neil Warnock to let him leave as part of the deal that saw Bradley Orr move in the other direction.
"I'm really excited about the new challenge." said Stewart. "I've been in London with QPR for the past four years but I'm looking for a new start and new challenge.
"City have been in and around the top six in recent season so hopefully we can go all the way this time around."
Hunt and Stewart are expected to make their debuts in today's final pre-season friendly against Premier League newcomers Blackpool at Ashton Gate (3pm). James will be paraded on the pitch but will not feature." Bristol Evening Post

From Dave McIntyre's New Blog
Dave McIntyre re Stewart, Orr and Hall
good bit of business

The friendly against Plymouth was, as expected, pretty dull stuff.

Nothing much to report. Franck Moussa (ex-Southend) came on as a sub for Rangers and will play against Hampton & Richmond on Saturday along with a couple of other trialists, apparently.

I’ve no idea who they are and there’s no point knowing really, as the chances of any being taken on are so slim.

Fitz Hall was taken off after taking a knock to his knee. It’ll be assessed but doesn’t look bad.

There was a debut for Bradley Orr, who looked exactly what he is: a perfectly decent Championship right-back, albeit a bit one-paced.

A lot of Rangers fans seem to feel that anything less than a couple of million quid doesn’t constitute spending money. But away from Planet QPR, £500,000 is a sizeable amount to pay for a player like Orr - and the club regularly pay that kind of fee like it’s loose change.

Three days ago, I’d have said that Orr was a fairly typical Rangers signing: a good Championship player, but not great value for money.

But the quickly-arranged sale of Damion Stewart in what was effectively a cash-plus-player deal makes this a very good bit of business. And boy it’s not often I say that about a Rangers signing.

I know Stewart has his admirers. He was voted player of the year the season before last, after all. And Paulo Sousa was undermined by his bosses - who of course knew better than him - when he tied to phase Stewart out.

For me, he was not only a liability, he was a symbol of the QPR farce in that the first player who should have been replaced after the 2007 takeover was one of only two players to remain. The other being Martin Rowlands, who of course has barely played.

Stewart, of all people, survived the cull when the likes of Lee Camp and Dexter Blackstock were booted out. Only at QPR could that have happened.

A few hundred grand, plus a solid defender in Orr, for a player nowhere near good enough for the Championship is a very good deal for Rangers to put it mildly.

It also helped them get Orr when Bristol City were beginning to have doubts about letting him go.

Rangers were still trying to get the Orr deal over the line when Neil Warnock, sensing that City were looking for a centre-back, threw Stewart into the equation to smooth things over.

He was more than happy to offload him, and rightly so. And Stewart got a three-year contract and a chance to play first-team football rather than the prospect of seeing out his Rangers contract as a fringe player. It was a good deal all round.

Some might say it would have been better had Hall gone instead, although his wages at Rangers are an obvious barrier.

But like Warnock, Sousa, Jim Magilton and Iain Dowie, I’d have Hall ahead of Stewart.

I’ve got no love for Hall. In my eyes, he’s the epitome of the overpriced, overpaid QPR signing.

And that’s not with hindsight, or jumping on the bandwagon now he’s a player everyone seems to love to hate. I said it as his move was happening, at a time when Rangers’ new board and new signings could do no wrong in many people’s eyes.

But Hall is still a more than capable Championship defender. His performances for Rangers haven’t been a sign of his ability, but the result of what happens when you pay the wrong players far too much.

In terms of attributes, Hall is in a different league to Stewart. He’s a proven quality defender at Championship level. He showed that before joining QPR and on loan at Newcastle, where his good performances shocked some but should have come as no surprise.

The guy is more than capable of playing in a top Championship team. He’s just lazy and sloppy, whereas Stewart simply isn’t good enough and had to go.

And for all the justified anger out there at the wages paid to the likes of Hall. What about Warnock’s whopping salary? To justify it, he has to be able to squeeze much-improved performances out of Hall - among others. That’s his job.

[Don't think the link works) http://wp.me/pFeRV-2O http://davidmcintyre.wordpress.com/2010/07/31/a-good-bit-of-business

Plymouth Site

Friday, July 30, 2010

QPR and Plymouth Draw...Warnock Satisfied and Notes Striker Signing Hopes

QPR-
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-For QPR and Football Updates throughout the day, also check the QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog. Join in or just read the various QPR and football-only discussions!

- An invitation to QPR Supporters across the globe! Whatever country. Whatever continent. Whatever age. Whatever Perspective: Come post on the growing, truly-International, QPR and football-only QPR Report Messageboard
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- Check Other Scores Tonight

QPR (squad v Plymouth Argyle): Kenny, Orr, Hill, Derry, Hall, Leigertwood, Clarke, Helguson, Buzsaky, Faurlin, Mackie, Gorkss, Connolly, Agyemang, Ramage, Cerny, Ephraim, Borrowdale, German, Parker, trialist.

QPR Official Site - Warnock NW: 'EXACTLY WHAT I EXPECTED'
Posted on: Fri 30 Jul 2010
Neil Warnock was pleased to see his side pushed all the way by Plymouth Argyle on Friday night, as the R's played out a 1-1 draw with the League One side.

Jamie Mackie - playing against his former Club for the first time since his summer move to Loftus Road - drew Rangers level late on, after Luke Summerfield handed the Pilgrims an early first half lead from the spot.

Warnock told www.qpr.co.uk: "Plymouth provided exactly the test I expected.

"That was just what we were after in terms of preparation for the opening day against Barnsley.

"It was a tough test against a very well organised side and it will stans us in great stead for next weekend."

Despite the arrival of Bradley Orr from Bristol City earlier in the day, the Rangers gaffer readily admitted his work in the transfer market is 'ongoing,' adding: "I still want to bring in one or two strikers and I'm confident I can do that over the next eight days.
"If we get the players I want, I'll be pleased with how we're set ahead of the season." QPR

QPR Official Site - QPR 1, PLYMOUTH 1
- Jamie Mackie's 82nd minute strike against his former side meant that honours ended even between QPR and Plymouth Argyle at Loftus Road.

A pre-season friendly of two halves, the R's fell behind early on in the first half when Luke Summerfield struck home from the penalty spot, after Matt Connolly was adjudged to have tugged back Steve McLean in the area.

Undeterred, Rangers came out the better side after the break, and they were duly rewarded with eight minutes left to play.

Mackie broke free following Bradley Orr's sublime pass from deep, tucking the ball home to give the R's a share of the spoils.

The R's began proceedings at Loftus Road in an unchanged 4-3-3 formation.

Paddy Kenny was in goal for the Hoops.

Orr - who today signed a four-year deal following his switch from Bristol City - was at right-back in defence, with stand-in skipper Fitz Hall and Connolly in the centre and Clint Hill on the left.

Rangers deployed a three-man midfield of Mikele Leigertwood, Alejandro Faurlin and Akos Buzsaky.

Up top, Hogan Ephraim and Mackie played just off Patrick Agyemang.

QPR started brightly with a mixture of neat interplay and controlled passing, though it was Plymouth who had the first effort on goal when Onismor Bhasera's stinging 30-yard free-kick was well held by R's keeper Kenny.

Bhasera was then involved only minutes later when he sent in a vicious corner from the left that was met by the head of Krisztian Timar, who saw his header go just past the left-hand post.

Argyle didn't have to wait a great deal longer for the opening goal of the evening, however, after Matt Connolly brought down Mclean in the area following a ball that was played deep from defence.

Summerfield stepped up from 12 yards and did the rest, tucking the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net past Kenny who had no chance.

After the opening strike the game became somewhat of a scrappy affair, though the R's went their closest yet when Buzsaky's in-swinging free-kick from the left was nodded back towards goal by Orr and into the direction of Mackie, who saw his scuffed effort blocked for a corner.

From the resultant set-piece, Buzsaky played a clever centre into Faurlin on the edge of the area, and when the Argentinean playmaker guided an effort towards the target, Agyemang somehow dragged his shot wide from 10-yards out.

Argyle were next on the attack, and after a free-flowing passing move, Summerfield's cross from the right was met at the back post by the head of Rory Fallon, whose effort was straight at Kenny in the R's goal.

Seconds before half-time, the R's went closer still when Faurlin picked up Leigertwood's blocked effort on the edge of the area, though he could only fire a left-footed drive wide of the right-hand post.

R's gaffer Warnock decided to freshen things up at the break, with Kaspars Gorkss, Shaun Derry, Josh Parker and Heidar Helguson replacing Connolly, Leigertwood, Buzsaky and Agyemang respectively.

It was a set of changes that almost instantly brought QPR to life, with Parker in particular making an impression early on with a notable driving run from midfield.

The Hoops were seeing a lot more of the ball in the second half, and substitute keeper Colin Doyle had to be alert to beat Faurlin's thunderous free-kick away from goal at his back post.

Play then switched to the other end, where Bhasera was unlucky to see his stabbed effort go wide following a mix-up in the R's ranks when a ball played from deep bounced in between the Hoops' last man and keeper.

However, Rangers were soon back on the attack, and after Ephraim sent over devastating centre from the right, an unmarked Gorkss could only head wide from 12-yards out.

The R's were edging ever-closer, and only a last-ditch tackle at the near post could prevent Helguson from tapping home after Parker did well to burst down the right and play over a lovely cross from the byline.

Plymouth could - and probably should - have doubled their advantage minutes later when Bhasera broke free down the left and found Fallon unmarked at the back post, but he could only nod agonisingly wide of Kenny's left-hand post.

At the other end, the R's missed a golden chance of their own when Parker's centre from the left handed Ephraim with a free-header 10-yards out, who headed an effort harmlessly over the bar.

QPR weren't to be beaten, however, and after Orr's stunning long-range pass from deep, Mackie nipped in behind the last defender before tucking the ball home into the bottom corner from 10 yards.

QPR: Kenny, Orr, Hill, Connolly (Gorkss 46), Hall (Ramage 72), Leigertwood (Derry 46), Ephraim (Trialist), Mackie, Agyemang (Helguson 46) (German 84), Buzsaky (Parker 46), Faurlin.
Subs: Borrowdale, Cerny.
Goals: Mackie (82)

Plymouth Argyle: Larrieu (Doyle 46), Johnson (Clark 46), Arnason (N'Gala 46), Fallon, Bhasera (Noone 63), Summerfield, Peterlin, Timar (Manuel 78), Molyneux, Zuber (Duguid 46), McLean (Bolasie 63).

Subs: R Patterson, Wright-Phillips, J Patterson, Seip.

Goals: Summerfield (pen 11)

Referee: Mr P Russell

Attendance: 2,844 QPR

Plymouth Official Site - QPR 1 ARGYLE 1

by RICK COWDERY

ARGYLE manager Peter Reid's understated observation that "we're getting there" after Wednesday's 1-0 victory at Hereford was franked by an eye-catching performance by the Pilgrims at Loftus Road 48 hours later.

Luke Summerfield's 11th-minute penalty, after Steve MacLean had been fouled in the process of finishing off Rory Fallon's headed through-ball, gave the Pilgrims the lead.

They held on to it for 70 minutes before Home Park old boy Jamie Mackie scored what can only be described as a typical Jamie Mackie goal, bustling his way on to a half-chance and slotting home from a difficult angle despite the attentions of Kári Árnason.

It was not so much the result against higher-grade opposition that raised hopes that improving pre-season form can be carried on to the opening npower League 1 match at Southampton next Saturday, but the sight of a squad obviously growing in confidence and ambition.

Much of the passing and movement was delightful; the commitment to the cause was reminiscent of cup-tie defending; and there was a courage and assurance about some of the decision-making. It was just a shame that the old failing of a lack of goals did not emphasise the effort in ,and quality of, the display.

Five of the Argyle starting line-up in Shepherd's Bush had begun on the substitutes' bench for the 1-0 victory at Hereford two days earlier.

Notable among the quintet was Stéphane Zubar, a defender from Guadelope lately plying his trade with SC Vaslui, in Romania's Liga 1. His brother, Ronald, played 23 times for Wolves in the Premier League last season.

Trialist Lee Molyneux was given a first start of this pre-season at left-back, while the match-winner at Hereford, MacLean partnered Fallon up front. Romain Larrieu was recalled in goal with trialist Colin Doyle on the bench.

There was a strong Argyle look to the Rangers' set-up, with last season's leading Pilgrims' scorer Mackie and Hungarian international midfielder Ákos Buzsáky being cajoled from a bench that included former manager Neil Warnock and his assistant Mick Jones.

Argyle started brightly and should have taken an early lead from Onismore Bhasera's eighth-minute corner.

The Zimbabwean's precise delivery to the near post was met by Kris Timár, who met the ball with a full-blooded header. Had the attempt been on target, it is doubtful whether goalkeeper Paddy Kenny would have had much of a chance, but it was not.

No matter, Argyle continued to press and were rewarded when MacLean was hauled down by Matthew Connolly in the penalty area as he raced on to Rory Fallon's inviting flick-on. Summerfield stepped up and became only the fourth Argyle player to find the net in pre-season, his penalty low and hard to Kenny's right.

The Pilgrims remained good value for their lead, but twice survived scares when they switched off to two Buzsáky set-pieces: a free-kick that was allowed to go all the way to the far post and across goal before being cleared; and a corner that was played short and ended with Patrick Agyemang poking the ball wide.

The best moves, though, came from Argyle, and Fallon was at the centre of a lot of them. He began the move that ended with a raking cross from Summerfield from the right wing that found the New Zealander's perceptive run for a header that was saved by Kenny at the foot of his post.

Doyle was one of four half-time substitutes made by Peter Reid, and he immediately showed his worth against an invigorated QPR by pawing away an on-target free-kick by Alejandro Faurlin.

Argyle responded with a quicksilver move that caught Rangers napping as Bhasera broke through and toed a lob over Kenny, who had rushed off his goal-line to meet the threat, and only just the wrong side of the post.

At the other end, Timár continued his pre-season renaissance with a massive tackle to deny Heidar Helguson on the edge of his six-yard box after Josh Parker crossed low and hard from the Rangers' right.

Fallon should have extended Argyle's lead midway through the second half when Chris Clark engineered a break for Yala Bolasie to cross. Fallon, whose marker Fitz Hall was lying injured in the centre of the pitch, was unmarked but sent his header wide.

That was the last we saw of Fallon as the inevitable slew of substitutions threatened to interrupt the game's flow.

One of the cast of extras, Craig Noone, nearly killed Kenny with an inswinging free-kick that the former Sheffield United man spilled, but the ball spewed out of his hands for a corner.

Argyle paid the price for earlier profligacy when Mackie squared the game, and the Pilgrims had to settle for a share of the spoils that was the least they deserved.

Queens Park Rangers: 1 Paddy Kenny; 2 Bradley Orr, 4 Matthew Connolly (16 Kaspar Gorkss half-time), 5 Fitz Hall (capt, 14 Peter Ramage 72), 3 Clint Hill; (12 Gary Borrowdale 85) 6 Mikele Leigertwood (17 Josh Parker half-time), 10 Ákos Buzsáky (18 Shaun Derry half-time), 11 Alejandro Faurlin; 8 Jamie Mackie, 9 Patrick Agyemang (20 Heidar Helguson half-time, 15 Antonio German 85), 7 Hogan Ephraim (19 A Trialist 78). Substitutes (not used): 13 Radek Cerny (gk).

Argyle: 1 Romain Larrieu (33 Colin Doyle half-time); 31 Stéphane Zubar (3 Bondz N'Gala half-time), 11 Kári Árnason (capt), 23 Krisztián Timár (18 Laurent Manuel 79), 28 Lee Molyneux (29 Jim Paterson 85); 20 Luke Summerfield (2 Karl Duguid half-time), 21 Anton Peterlin, 7 Damien Johnson (6 Chris Clark half-time), 15 Onismor Bhasera (17 Craig Noone 63); 32 Steve MacLean (19 Yannick Bolasie 63), 14 Rory Fallon (8 Rory Patterson 73). Substitutes (not used): 10 Bradley Wright-Phillips, 30 Marcel Seip.

Referee: Mick Russell (Hertfordshire). Plymouth

QPR Season Tickets Sales: Not Going to Meet Hoped-for Goal: (Currently Sold: 6,691)

Update: Orr Confirmed to QPR...Stewart Confirmed to Bristol City

QPR Dispute Bristol City Claim Damion Stewart Done Deal ...QPR Bostock Interest?

Bristol City Official Site
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-For QPR and Football Updates throughout the day, also check the QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog. Join in or just read the various QPR and football-only discussions!

- An invitation to QPR Supporters across the globe! Whatever country. Whatever continent. Whatever age. Whatever Perspective: Come post on the growing, truly-International, QPR and football-only QPR Report Messageboard
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- QPR Season Tickets Sales: Not Going to Meet Hoped-for Goal: (Currently Sold: 6,691)

- When Saturday Comes on London Club Rivalries

- Video: QPR vs West Ham (FA Cup 1988)

- QPR 2010/11Squad Numbers

- For Comparison: What the QPR Squad Numbers were a week ago (From Last Season)

- QPR's Spark Takes Part in Mascot Derby August 3!

- Journalist Dave McIntyre Joins the Blogging World

QPR Official Site - DAMION STEWART UPDATE
Posted on: Fri 30 Jul 2010
- Despite reports to the contrary, the Club would like to confirm that Damion Stewart's proposed move to Bristol City has not yet been completed.
- We will, of course, keep you updated on any developments throughout the day on www.qpr.co.uk QPR

BRISTOL CITY OFFICIAL SITE - CITY SNATCH QPR'S DAMION
- SMS Exclusive: Subscribers to bcfcSMS were the first to hear about this news. Be the first to know about all the latest exclusive news from City next time by signing up to bcfcSMS today - click here for more.
- City have agreed a deal to sign Queens Park Rangers defender Damion Stewart for an undisclosed fee.
- The six-foot, three-inch centre-half arrives on a three-year contract.
- Jamaican international Damion began his career in his own country with Harbour View before being snapped up by Bradford City in 2005 on a season-long loan.
- His excellent performances for the Bantams prompted QPR to pay a six-figure fee for the defender a year later.
- He played more than 150 times for QPR and earned their Player of the Year honour in 2008/09.
- The deal is subject to Football League clearance. Damion has passed a medical." Bristol City

- Flashback: Stewart Joins QPR

Bristol City Official Site

TEAMTALK/Marc Isaacs - QPR lining up loan move for Bostock
- Tottenham youngster John Bostock is poised to make a loan move to the Championship with QPR and Reading leading the chase for his signature.
Bostock, 18, has struggled to make any impact at White Hart Lane following his high profile move from Crystal Palace.
The England Under-19 midfielder was regarded as one of the brightest young talents in the game but has failed to find a way into the first-team and blamed the heavy influx of foreign signings for hindering his opportunities.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is unlikely to stand in his way if he wants to go out on loan next season.
QPR boss Neil Warnock is keen to strengthen his squad and has a good relationship with the north London club after working with Adel Taarabt on a similar deal last year.
Reading are also in the market for the best young talent and Bostock is hoping to finalise his future before the new season gets underway. Teamtalk

QPR: 2010 London Masters Champions!

QPR Report Friday: Damion Stewart to Bristol City...Orr Signed?...Tabloid: QPR Want Marlon King...Taarabt Open ..Plymouth...Flashback: Pellicori Joins

QPR: 2010 London Masters Champions!-
-
-For QPR and Football Updates throughout the day, also check the QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog. Join in or just read the various QPR and football-only discussions!

- An invitation to QPR Supporters across the globe! Whatever country. Whatever continent. Whatever age. Whatever Perspective: Come post on the growing, truly-International, QPR and football-only QPR Report Messageboard
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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- QPR Season Tickets Sales: NOT Going to Meet The Hoped-for Number (Currently: 6,691 Sold)

- 2010/11 Previews re Championship and QPR Chances

- Championship Club-by-Club Transfers Ins and Outs This Summer

- Scott Donnelly Recalls re QPR and after

- When Saturday Comes: on London Club Rivalries

- AFC Wimbledon and Exeter: Trust-Owned Clubs

- Video: QPR vs West Ham (FA Cup 1988)

- QPR 2010/11Squad Numbers

- For Comparison: What the QPR Squad Numbers were a week ago (From Last Season)

- QPR's Spark Takes Part in Mascot Derby August 3!

- Journalist Dave McIntyre Joins the Blogging World

- Ex-QPR Gordon Hill: Where He is Now and Looking Back

Mirror/James Nursey - QPR join Coventry in the race for jailbird Marlon King
- Striker King, 30, was released from prison yesterday after being jailed for 18 months last October.
He is free after serving nine months for sexually assaulting and causing actual bodily harm to a woman in December 2008.
The forward, who had 13 previous convictions, was immediately sacked by Premier League Wigan Athletic.
But King now intends to resume his professional career after staying in shape behind bars.
Coventry boss Aidy Boothroyd, who successfully managed King at Watford, is favourite to work with the striker again.
But QPR manager Neil Warnock is also willing to take a chance on the soccer bad-boy
Mirror

Bradley Orr Joins QPR?
- According to the Bristol Evening Post: "Hunt will serve as a like-for-like replacement for Bradley Orr, who last night completed his long-anticipated move to QPR... Bristol Evening Post

Bristol Evening Post - STEWART SET TO SEAL CITY MOVE
- BRISTOL City manager Steve Coppell hopes to complete the signing of Queens Park Rangers defender Damion Stewart today.
- Stewart, a 29-year-old 6ft 3in centre-back, has made 151 league appearances for the West London club and has been capped 36 times by Jamaica.
- He joined QPR from Jamaican club Harbour View after a season-long loan spell at Bradford City and is seen as an experienced replacement for Jamie McCombe, the 6ft 5in central defender who left to join Huddersfield last month.
- Coppell will hope Stewart's signing is the first part of a triple swoop, as he is also targeting a right-back and a goalkeeper. Right-back Nicky Hunt returns to Ashton Gate today to complete his transfer from Premier League Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer. And the Robins are still very much in the hunt to sign England goalkeeper David James, who has been offered a one-year deal at Ashton Gate after leaving Portsmouth.
- City face competition from Sunderland and Fulham for the 39-year-old former Aston Villa and Liverpool keeper's signature. But speculation that James has already agreed a deal with Black Cats boss Steve Bruce remains unsubstantiated.
- James, who last played in England's 4-1 World Cup defeat to Germany in South Africa a month ago, has yet to decide his future and is still considering City's offer.
- Hunt will serve as a like-for-like replacement for Bradley Orr, who last night completed his long-anticipated move to QPR.
- City's requirement for a tall, first-ball-winning central defender is equally pressing. The injury that has ruled Louis Carey out of pre-season, allied to McCombe's departure, has left City short of defensive cover and midfielders Cole Skuse and Kalifa Cisse have been forced to operate as makeshift centre-backs in a number of friendly fixtures.
- Having worked furiously behind the scenes all week in an attempt to strengthen a depleted squad, manager Coppell is confident he will have two new defenders on board in time for tomorrow's final dress rehearsal against Premier League newcomers Blackpool at Ashton Gate..." Bristol Evening Post

- Flashback: Damion Stewart Joins QPR (in May 2006): The same day as Armel Tchakounte! And the same day "THE TRIAL" began...

Fulham Chronicle/Paul Warburton - EXCLUSIVE - Spurs star Adel Taarabt open to QPR move
- ADEL [b]Taarabt revealed [/b]that QPR have been back for him in the last few days – but the midfielder doubts whether Rangers can afford his transfer fee.
- The £5million rated Moroccan was a huge hit during his two loan spells for Rangers, including a goal against Preston that was rated in the top two of the Championship last season.
- His dazzling performances in hoops garnered him lavish praise at Loftus Road, and the good news is the 21-year-old has already pleaded with Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp to let him go.
- But Taarabt doubts very much whether the Premiership club will make it easy for Rangers to secure a permanent deal.
- He said: “I know QPR want me – there has been contact this week. But I think Spurs want too much money for me and at the moment, I’m as lost as anyone else.
- “And I won’t lie to you – I want to play in the Premiership. So. If a club from there was interested, I would have to take that seriously.”
- For all that, the man who has seven caps for his country was impressed when Rs boss Neil Warnock came all the way to Marrakesh to ask if he fancied a permanent move to Rs three weeks ago.
- Taarabt said: “I had a great season at QPR – and sometimes it’s better to go where you are really wanted.[
“I’ve spoken to Harry (Redknapp) about leaving. He told me to go on tour with the team to America, and I did, and he’s asked me to wait a while and see what happens.
- “They are my club, so what choice do I have?” Fulham Chronicle

PLYMOUTH PREVIEW - QPR Official Site - WARNOCK: 'THE PERFECT TEST'
- Neil Warnock is relishing the opportunity to run the rule over his squad once again, when Plymouth Argyle come to town this evening.
- The R's gaffer - who spent two years at Home Park and still has a great affinity with the Club - told www.qpr.co.uk: "It will be a hard, competitive game, but one I'm really looking forward to.
- "They'll be very strong at the back and whilst I'd still like to add to our forward options, it will be a good chance for the lads we have got to make an impression ahead of the big kick-off.
- "I didn't want to play a top Premier League side who keep the ball for fun or a foreign team who play differently to the way the game is played in the Championship - I wanted to play a side who play similarly to the way teams in this division play.
- "This is the perfect kind of fixture for that."
- Warnock added: "I was delighted to help Plymouth out by agreeing to this fixture.
- "They weren't able to play on their own pitch, and they asked me if we would play them at Loftus Road.
- "I am more than happy to help out my former Club and I'm sure the London Branch of the Plymouth Argyle Supporters' Club will be particularly happy with this match!
- "I look forward to welcoming them and our own fans back to Loftus Road."
- The match kicks off at 7.30pm, and tickets are available at the following prices:
Adults: £5 Under 16s: £2 Under 8s: FREE To contact the Box Office, call 08444 777 007. QPR

YEAR FLASHBACK: QPR OFFICIAL SITE EXCLUSIVE: R'S SIGN PELLICORI
Posted on: Thu 30 Jul 2009
- Queens Park Rangers Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Italian striker Alessandro Pellicori.
- The 28 year-old, who has been on trial with Jim Magilton's First Team squad for the majority of pre-season, has penned a three year deal.
- Speaking to www.qpr.co.uk, Magilton expressed his delight at bringing the former Avellino front-man to Loftus Road.
- "Alessandro has done well with us during his trial period," said Magilton.
- "He's a natural goalscorer and we're delighted to add him to the already healthy attacking options we have at our disposal.
- "He'll take time to settle over here, but we're really excited by his arrival."
- Pellicori began his professional career at Cosenza, before moving on to Lecce in 2000.
- He made his Serie A top-flight debut in January 2001, before spending time on loan at a variety of Serie C Clubs, before settling down at Grosseto.
- Twenty-two goals in 52 starts represented a very decent return, but he was soon on the move again, this time signing for Serie B outfit Piacenza.
- However, he made just nine starts for Piacenza and penned a deal with Serie B rivals Cesena in January 2007.
- That summer he moved on to newly-promoted Avellino, scoring an impressive 18 goals in 38 starts.
- Pellicori will wear squad number 12.
- *You can see Pellicori's excellent goal against Kettering Town last night, exclusively on QPR Player on Friday QPR

- QPR's Spark Takes Part in Mascot Derby August 3!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

QPR Report Thursday: Orr Incoming....Squad Numbers Announced...Vine and Pellicori Outgoing

-
-For QPR and Football Updates throughout the day, also check the QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog. Join in or just read the various QPR and football-only discussions!

- An invitation to QPR Supporters across the globe! Whatever country. Whatever continent. Whatever age. Whatever Perspective: Come post on the growing, truly-International, QPR and football-only QPR Report Messageboard
_____________________________________________________________________________________
-
Sky -Orr heading to QPR
Full-back moves to Loftus Road on a three-year deal
-Skysports.com understands that QPR have signed full-back Bradley Orr from Bristol City.
- The 27-year-old has agreed a three-year deal with the West London club after passing a medical to move to Loftus Road.
Orr leaves the Robins after six years at the club, where he received great acclaim and was named in the 2007/08 Championship team of the season.
The former Everton trainee had only one year remaining on his current deal and was thought to be keen on pursuing a new challenge after moving to Ashton Gate in 2004.
City boss Steve Coppell confirmed on Monday that Orr was heading for the exit door and thanked him for his services to the club. Sky

- Ex-QPR Gordon Hill: Where He is Now and Looking Back

- No Scottish Job for Ali Russell

- QPR Season Tickets Sold: 6,691

- Video: QPR vs West Ham (FA Cup 1988)

- Jay Simpson Played for Arsenal XI vs Dagenham Last Night

- Ex-QPR Stefan Bailey, May Not be Signed on By Luton

- Three Year Flashback: QPR Chief Paladini to Sell Up?

- Mark Hughes: New Fulham Manager

- Bugs in the New Norwich Shirt

- Maradona on Being "Betrayed"

Bradley Orr Had His QPR Medical - Bristol Evening Post - "...The former England Under-21 international has been lined-up as a replacement for Bradley Orr, who should today complete his long-anticipated move to Queens Park Rangers in a deal thought to be worth £500,000. Orr had his medical with QPR yesterday." Bristol Evening Post

BBC/Dave McIntyre- Rowan Vine in talks to end stay at QPR
- Rowan Vine is discussing a financial settlement with QPR after being told he has no future at the Championship club.
- The 27-year-old forward, who was signed from Birmingham for £1m in 2008, has struggled to regain his best form since returning from a broken leg last year.
- "I'll treat him with the respect he's due," said Rangers boss Neil Warnock.
"He's a good player and a good pro but I like to be straight with people and I can't see him playing many games for us this season."
- Meanwhile, Italian striker Allesandro Pellicori is having talks with a number of clubs after also being told he is not in Warnock's plans.
- Pellicori, 29, was signed on a three-year contract from Avellino a year ago but was made available in January after failing to impress.
- And Warnock, who took over as QPR boss in March, believes the player is close to moving on.
- Vine's expected exit from Loftus Road comes after he was left out of the first-team squad for Rangers' pre-season matches.
- After establishing himself as a fans' favourite, the former Portsmouth and Luton man suffered a double leg fracture in training and spent a year on the sidelines.
- His return was much anticipated but he quickly fell out of favour and is now set to relaunch his career elsewhere.
- "I'll not be having him train with the youth team or anything like that. He's better than that and deserves to be treated properly," added Warnock. BBC

QPR Official Site - SQUAD NUMBERS REVEALED
Posted on: Thu 29 Jul 2010
As the new campaign draws ever closer, Rangers gaffer Neil Warnock has announced the R's squad numbers ahead of the 2010/11 npower Championship season.
Last season's Player of the Year, Alejandro Faurlin, has been rewarded for his excellent campaign by being handed the coveted number 11 shirt, whilst other notable changes see new signings Paddy Kenny and Shaun Derry given the number 1 and 4 jerseys respectively.
Fellow new signings Clint Hill, Leon Clarke and Jamie Mackie will wear numbers 3, 8 and 12 respectively.

The full squad list is as follows:
1. Paddy KENNY
2.
3. Clint HILL
4. Shaun DERRY
5. Fitz HALL
6. Mikele LEIGERTWOOD
7.
8. Leon CLARKE
9. Heidar HELGUSON
10. Akos BUZSAKY
11. Alejandro FAURLIN
12. Jamie MACKIE
13. Kaspars GORKSS
14. Martin ROWLANDS
15.
16. Matthew CONNOLLY
17. Lee COOK
18. Damion STEWART
19. Patrick AGYEMANG
20.
21.
22. Peter RAMAGE
23.
24. Radek CERNY
25. Hogan EPHRAIM
26. Gary BORROWDALE
27. Lee BROWN
28. Joe OASTLER
29.
30. Romone ROSE
31. Shirt retired in memory of Ray JONES
32. Elvijs PUTNINS
33. Antonio GERMAN
34.
35. Josh PARKER
QPR

- For Comparison: What the QPR Squad Numbers were a week ago (From Last Season)

Martin Rowlands Injury Update:- Fulham Chronicle/Paul Warburton - QPR star set for return
- MARTIN Rowlands has handed boss Neil Warnock a major fitness boost ahead of the new campaign.
- The QPR boss watched the deal to get Darren Ambrose from Crystal Palace go up in flames this week – but had the heat taken out of his quest for a midfielder after learning Rowlie can now join in contact training.
The crocked player has battled back from nearly a season out with cruciate damage, and given his manager hope he will be back in the first team by the end of August.
- Warnock said: “He’s as fit as he can be, and we’re hoping he can go on from here.” Fulham Chronicle

QPR Official SIte - CRAWLEY TOWN 2, QPR 0
Posted on: Wed 28 Jul 2010

Strikes either side of half time from Matt Tubbs saw the R's go down to a 2-0 defeat to Crawley Town at the Broadfield Stadium.

Despite a busy opening 15 minutes for keepers at both ends, the clash was a turgid encounter that failed to spark into life, though Crawley - and Tubbs in particular - to their credit, were clinical when handed opportunities in front of goal.

Tubbs opened the scoring with a tap-in just past the quarter-hour mark, after he reacted first to Barry Cogan's rifled effort that was palmed into his path by R's keeper Radek Cerny.

On 66 minutes, Town doubled their advantage. Marvin Kamara's looped ball from the half-way line put Tubbs through on goal, and the hitman made no mistake from 12-yards out for the second.

The R's lined-up in a 4-3-3 formation in West Sussex.

Cerny was in goal for QPR, behind a back four of Max Ehmer, Lee Brown, skipper for the night Peter Ramage and Gary Borrowdale.

Jordan Hibbert, Joe Oastler and Romone Rose were in midfield for the Hoops.

In attack, Antonio German and Josh Parker were deployed in wider positions, with Patrick Agyemang playing through the middle.

The game had started at a frantic pace, and the R's fashioned the first chance of the opening period.

It was Rose with the effort, receiving possession following Agyemang's knock-down before firing an effort straight at Michel Kuipers.

QPR had started brightly, and moments later Ehmer drove from right-back and into the Crawley half before launching an effort from 30-yards out straight at the keeper.

Rangers were knocking on the door. This time, Rose picked up on a misplaced pass in the Town midfield, before driving at the hosts' defence and dragging an effort wide from 25 yards.

Play then switched to the other end, where Crawley almost broke the deadlock with their first effort on goal but for a spectacular save from Cerny, who did well to tip Steve Masterton's driven effort away past his right-hand post.

Soon after, Crawley were again on the attack, and after a corner was played in from the right, Craig McAllister was unlucky to see his nodded effort go just over the bar.

The balance of play had slightly swung in Town's favour, and on 15 minutes they took a first-half lead.

Sergio Torres won the ball in the centre of midfield before freeing Masterson, who in turn played Cogan through on goal.

The midfielder looked up before drilling in a low effort that Cerny could only tip into the path of the oncoming Tubbs, who made no mistake to tap the ball home from just six-yards out.

The R's then almost found a goal to draw them level.

Borrowdale was the architect, sending over a delicious and pinpoint cross from the right for Ramage, though the stand-in Captain could only nod harmlessly over the bar.

Seconds before the interval, Crawley could have added a second when Simon Rusk's cross bounced up into the path the path of goalscorer Tubbs on the edge of the box, but he could only smash wide of the target with the goal at his mercy.

The home side had the first chance as the second period got underway, though Cerny was equal to Masterson's driven free-kick from the right with a low save to his left.

Few chances were being created in the first 15 minutes of the closing half, though Cerny did well to claim Tubbs' dangerous cross from the right on 60 minutes after good work out wide from the Town frontman.

Moments later, Town doubled their lead.

When a ball was played from deep from Kamara up to Tubbs from the halfway line, the striker found himself through on goal with just the keeper to beat.

And Tubbs didn't disappoint thereafter, remaining coolness personified to lash the ball home past Cerny from 12-yards out.

Soon after, good work from Torres down the right saw him brush past his marker before crossing into the box for Kamara, who saw his effort held well by Cerny in the R's net.

Rangers tried to push forward in the closing 10 minutes, though Crawley held firm to claim a deserved win.

Crawley Town: Kuipers, Rusk, Quinn, Hall, Torres, Tubbs, Masterton, McAllister, Cogan, Mills, Howell.

Subs: Jordan, Hutchinson, Smith, Enver-Marum, Ryan, Malcolm, Flood, Napper, Brewer, Kamara.

Goals: Tubbs (15 & 66)

QPR: Cerny, Ehmer, Borrowdale, Oastler, Ramage, Brown, Hibbert, Rose, German, Parker, Agyemang.

Subs: Bulmer, Waters, Harriman, Fitzsimmonds, Andrade, Trialist, Trialist.

Referee: Mr W Atkin

Attendance: 1, 110 QPR

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

No Scottish Job For QPR's Ali Russell

QPR Report Wednesday Snippets...QPR to Taarabt: Please Join...Warnock on Crawley...Ambrose Happy

- Ex-QPR Goalie Chris Day Turns 35!

-For QPR and Football Updates throughout the day, also check the QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog. Join in or just read the various QPR and football-only discussions!

- An invitation to QPR Supporters across the globe! Whatever country. Whatever continent. Whatever age. Whatever Perspective: Come post on the growing, truly-International, QPR and football-only QPR Report Messageboard
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- Explaining the New Premiership League Squad Rule

- QPR Season Tickets Sold: Latest Number: 6,687

- Norwich Smash Season Ticket Sales Numbers with Over 20,000 Sold (No More Available!)

- Spain Crush England U-19s (with Dean Parrett)

- This Season's Ball

- Scottish Football Association Close to Announcing New Chief Executive (Sounds like will NOT be QPR's Ali Russell)

- Barcelona Lose £64 Million & Now Owe Almost £370 Million

- UEFA Licensing to Include Club-Supporters Relations

- Everton Statement re Dan Gosling and Agent

- Goodbye to Maradona!

- Gary Borrowdale Back on the Official Site's List of QPR Players (but without a number)

- QPR's Past Seasons Snippet Summaries 1949/50-1959/60-1964/65-1969/70-1974/75

- Video from October 1976: Sunderland vs QPR

Dave McIntyre/Kilburn Times - Taarabt urged to join QPR
- ADEL Taarabt should join QPR for the good of his career, according to Rangers' assistant manager Mick Jones.
- Boss Neil Warnock has been trying to convince Taarabt to return to Loftus Road, where the Tottenham youngster spent last season on loan.
- Spurs are happy to offload the 21-year-old Moroccan, who has long sought a move to Spain, but Jones is convinced Taarabt will make a mistake if he joins a club outside the Spanish elite.
- Jones said: "We'd like him to sign for us, and it could still happen. The thing is, he's keen to go to Spain.
- "I think he could get a move there. But he wants to join one of the really big clubs like Real Madrid or Barcelona, and I'm not sure that's going to happen.
- "My advice would be that if he wants to get to the top, then he should sign for QPR. Neil Warnock will help him get to the top. The way Neil would manage him, he'd be perfect for him.
- "All I can say is that Neil's still trying to sign him, and that I think he should sign. It'd be a good move for him - good for his career."
- After a spell on loan at QPR the season before last, Taarabt was reluctant to return last summer.
- Spain was again his preferred destination, and he believed a number of possible moves were blocked before Tottenham, whose manager Harry Redknapp is a friend of Rs chairman Gianni Paladini, sent him back to west London.
- Taarabt, who clearly has no future at White Hart Lane, is once again pursuing a move overseas. He produced some of his best performances towards the end of the season - after a number of European sides had agreed to send scouts to watch him.
- But no club is likely to come close to matching the wages he could command at QPR. Financially, neither the player nor Spurs can expect a better offer than Rangers'.
- The Rs are close to completing the £500,000 signing of Bristol City defender Bradley Orr - but their long-running bid to capture Darren Ambrose from Warnock's former club Crystal Palace is over.
- Ambrose, who had been keen to make the move, signed an improved contract at Selhurst Park this week after Palace made it clear they were not willing to sell.
- "Even without Darren Ambrose, we've still got good players here - and there are other players that we're interested in," Jones added. Kilburn Times

Croydon Advertiser/Graham Moody - Ambrose: No QPR offer could match Palace
- No amount of money from Queens Park Rangers would have tempted Darren Ambrose away from an administration-free Crystal Palace this summer.
- The midfielder was almost sold to the West London club by joint administrator Brendan Guilfoyle in June to raise money for wages, but the move was stopped once Ambrose heard CPFC2010 were close to agreeing a rescue package.
- Despite constant speculation he was still set for the switch, the 26-year-old signed a new three-year deal on Monday and insisted he always wanted to remain at Palace.
- "I was close to signing for QPR," he admitted.
- "They accepted a bid and I went to speak to them but I was doing everything above board and everything the administrator was asking me to do but then we got the sniff of the takeover happening and it all fell through.
- "I had agreed terms and everything and it was about to be done but then me and my agent got a sniff the consortium was coming in so we held it back a little bit and it was the right thing to do.
- "Now I am standing here with a three-year contract still at Crystal Palace.
- "I am just delighted to still be here, from a personal point of view it was one of my best season's of my career last year and I am just hoping I can continue that this year.
- "I have spoken to Neil Warnock and he understands the situation.
- "He understands I enjoy myself here and he knows he can't compete with any offer Palace offered me because I was happy last year.
- "I am settled with my wife and my kids are settled in school so there was no other option but to sign for this club." Croydon Advertiser

Painful Headline re Ex-QPR Raheem Stirling:
Liverpool Official Site - Stirling impresses in Glasgow
27th Jul 2010 - Raheem Sterling gave a lively outing as Liverpool U18s lost 1-0 to Celtic in a friendly in Glasgow on Tuesday afternoon.
The former QPR trainee was playing his first game of pre-season and entertained the supporters with his direct style.
Rodolfo Borrell's side were up against an experienced Celtic side but they can be proud of their efforts, and they had several good openings that could have got them a deserved draw" Liverpool

MAil - QPR set to swoop for wantaway Reading midfielder Jobi McAnuff
- QPR will this week bid for Reading's unsettled winger Jobi McAnuff. And though Reading boss Brian McDermott is reluctant to sell, the Berkshire club will try and hold out for £1.45million.
- Rangers boss Neil Warnock dearly wants a penetrative wide man after finally losing out in trying to get Darren Ambrose to follow him from Crystal Palace for £750,000.
- In demand: but Neil Warnock has given up in his bid to sign Darren Ambrose
He sees former Palace, West Ham and Watford winger McAnuff as the next best alternative but will not like the price tag for the 28-year-old, after refusing to increase his bid for Ambrose.
- Reading have hotly denied this week that McAnuff has demanded a transfer but won't be surprised by the interest from the Championship favourites for promotion. Mail

QPR Official Site - INTERNATIONAL CALL-UPS
- R's duo Kaspars Gorkss and Heidar Helguson have been called up to represent their countries in friendly action on August 11th.
- Gorkss has been selected in the Latvia squad for their fixture against the Czech Republic in Liberec, whilst Helguson has been called up for a friendly against Liechtenstein.
- Both players will therefore miss the R's Carling Cup first round tie against Port Vale on Tuesday 10th August. QPR

CRAWLEY TONIGHT: QPR Official Site - NW: 'A CHANCE TO IMPRESS'
- Neil Warnock expects to blood a mixture of First Team and Reserve players for tonight's pre-season friendly against Crawley Town.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk this morning, Warnock revealed he is likely to start with Radek Cerny in goal, as well as including Peter Ramage, Damion Stewart and Patrick Agyemang in his starting XI.
"Raddy will probably start in goal," he said.
"[b]There'll be a few other First Team lads too, like Ram, Stewart, Borrowdale, Viney and Agyemang[/b], as well as Parker and German.
"It's a good chance for the lads to impress me.
"It's an opportunity for them to prove to me what they're capable of."
The match at The Broadfield kicks-off at 7.45pm.
For the latest ticket news, click here QPR

Crawley Town Official Site - CTFC - Posted 27th July 2010
- Championship Queens Park Rangers will bring a full strength first team squad to The Broadfield Stadium for tomorrow night's (Wednesday) prestigious pre-season encounter against Steve Evans men.

The R's have just returned from a very successful training camp in Italy and manager Neil Warnock will be looking to carry on with another excellent performance, like the Reds, his team are unbeaten in pre-season and he will want to take that level of result into their new campaign which kicks-off on Saturday week.

Neil Warnock said, ''Steve Evans teams will always give you a test, they will be organised, committed and Crawley Town have made some very useful signings. It is a further match that will take us nearer to being ready for the start of the season, I am looking forward to it after such a great exercise in Italy''.

Reds boss Steve Evans is expecting to face their strongest opponents of pre-season, he said, ''Queens Park Rangers will provide us with our toughest test in pre-season. Neil Warnock’s teams are always hard to play against, he signs very committed players who have lots of ability and that is a recipe to produce winning teams.

''Our performances in our matches recently have been excellent but Rangers will give us a real test, that is what we need at this stage''.

Supporters of both clubs can take advantage of a superb reduction in admission price!! It will be your choice whether you decide to sit in the West Stand or stand in the Terrace and offers great value.

ADMISSION PRICES v QUEENS PARK RANGERS

** Adults - £10.00

** Over 65's and Under 18's - £5.00

Those supporters who have purchased advance match tickets for the match can claim a full refund for the difference in price from the club ticket office, proof of purchase will apply.

The actions kicks - off at 7.45pm, supporters are further reminded that in the interests of safety and comfort they should arrive in plenty of time. Crawley

QPR Official Site - CRAWLEY PRICES REDUCED
Posted on: Mon 26 Jul 2010

On Wednesday evening QPR visit Crawley Town for our next pre-season fixture (kick off 7.45pm), and prices have been cut to just £10 for Adults and £5 for Under 18s / Over 65s.

Neil Warnock's men have been in excellent form so far this pre-season, scoring 23 goals in five fixtures.

With the new campaign less than two weeks away, the QPR Manager is now fine-tuning his squad for the big kick off.

If you have already purchased your ticket for this game, please be advised that Crawley Town FC will happily refund the difference.

All you need to do is bring your match ticket or proof of purchase to the Crawley Town Ticket Office on the day of the match, and the outstanding amount will be refunded in cash. QPR

- Can Listen Live if get QPR Player

- The Crawley Playing Squad - Including Ex-QPR Chris Flood

- "Flashback" to May 2010: "Saksena Hungry For Success"
- A Decade Ago Yesterday Peter Crouch Joins Queens Park Rangers

- Gareth Ainsworth Appointed Wycombe Captain
- Gareth Ainsworth Raves About Sousa: Leicester Mercury - Leicester City boss Paulo Sousa can 'change the face of football'= Leicester Mercury

- QPR's Conor Pepper Wins Foyles Tournament Player of the Tournament Award
- QPR Official Site - ARGYLE TICKET UPDATE QPR Official Site
- QPR Official Site - FAMILY FUN DAY IN W12! - QPR

- Good Luck to Spark: Football League - DAFFODIL DERBY MASCOTS

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

QPR Report Tuesday Snippets: Fun-Day on Sun-Day...Ainsworth Raves About Sousa...This Season's Ball

- Tesi Bakogun (Division Three South) - Photo Available From the Club-
-
-For QPR and Football Updates throughout the day, also check the QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog. Join in or just read the various QPR and football-only discussions!

- An invitation to QPR Supporters across the globe! Whatever country. Whatever continent. Whatever age. Whatever Perspective: Come post on the growing, truly-International, QPR and football-only QPR Report Messageboard
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- "Flashback" to May 2010: "Saksena Hungry For Success"

- A Decade Ago Today: Peter Crouch Joins Queens Park Rangers

- Gary Borrowdale Returns to the QPR Playing List

- England U-19s (with Dean Parrett) Play Spain Tonight

- Ex-QPR Dean Sturridge Turns 37

- Four Year Flashback: (Rare) Statements from Chairmen Caliendo and (Not so Rare) Paladini

- Results and Scorers From the London Masters (QPR Champions!)

- Gareth Ainsworth Appointed Wycombe Captain

- Paul The Octopus - and The Movie!

- Flashback: Some Briatore Statements on the QPR Official Site
- Video Snippet of QPR in Italy: Ravenna 1 QPR 2

- QPR's Conor Pepper Wins Foyles Tournament Player of the Tournament Award

QPR Official Site - ARGYLE TICKET UPDATE
Posted on: Tue 27 Jul 2010
QPR v Plymouth Argyle - Friday 30th July 2010 - 7.30pm kick-off - Pre Season Friendly
Tickets are now on general sale. Prices are: Adults: £5, Under-16's: £2, Under-8's: FREE.
10 Loyalty points will be awarded for tickets purchased before 5.00pm on the date of the fixture.
How to buy... To guarantee your seat …
*Call 08444 777 007
*Visit the QPR Box Office - QPR FC, Loftus Road Stadium, South Africa Road, London, W12 7PJ. QPR Official Site

- Season Ticket Sales Information

QPR Official Site - FAMILY FUN DAY IN W12!
- The Club is pleased to confirm details of our latest Family Fun Day at Loftus Road, as the countdown to the new campaign continues in W12.
- We will be holding our summer spectacular this Sunday at Loftus Road - and we want you to be part of it!
- This is the perfect opportunity for you to get closer to the action, as Neil Warnock puts the R's First Team squad through their paces ahead of the 2010/11 npower Championship season opener against Barnsley six days later.
- Both players and staff will be on hand throughout the day to sign autographs and pose for photos, whilst the appearance of our Club mascot, Spark, is sure to whet the appetite of the Junior Hoops in attendance.
- There'll be all the usual fun and games, including facepainters, Wii Pods, caricaturists, balloon artists, player meet-and-greets and much, much more!
- Entrance for the event is free for all Season Ticket holders and Members.
- Doors will open at approximately 10.45am.
- Thanks for your continued support - and come on you R's! QPR

Gareth Ainsworth Raves About Sousa
Leicester Mercury - Leicester City boss Paulo Sousa can 'change the face of football'
- One of Paulo Sousa's backroom team at QPR believes Leicester City can be at the forefront of a sea-change in playing styles in the English leagues.

Gareth Ainsworth says England's poor performance in the World Cup highlighted technical deficiencies which Sousa will try to address at the Walkers Stadium.

Former QPR player-coach Ainsworth worked closely with Sousa when the Portuguese international arrived at Loftus Road in October 2008.

Sousa lasted barely six months, but Ainsworth believes City have made a winning appointment in the man who last season guided Swansea to within a point of the play-offs.

"He is an advocate of football and, although he is Portuguese, in a way he will be pleased that Spain won the World Cup because it was a victory for football," said Ainsworth.

"And this is where things have to change with the English game. Being fit and strong in the Championship is now a given, but players need more.

"They need to retain the ball and be comfortable on it and I'm sure the Leicester lads will be happy that they are not constantly doing laps of the pitch.

"This is what Paulo will be instilling in them, but it will take time. It is also the way forward for the country."

Ainsworth, a vastly experienced player who also had spells with Wimbledon and Preston, believes that Sousa, who twice won the Champions League as a player, would have had an impact at the Belvoir Drive training ground from day one.

"Paulo is not what they would have been used to, this guy oozes charisma," said Ainsworth.

"He is intelligent and will have a lot of respect from the players who looked at his CV, but he would also be the first to say this is not what will make him a good manager.

"With respect to Swansea, Leicester are a bigger club and he has a chairman who wants to be successful.

"The players will learn so much from him as he is different from the majority of managers. He is so tactically aware."

But Ainsworth said it would be wrong of him to give too great an insight into Sousa's coaching methods.

Ainsworth, who at 38 is still playing with Wycombe in League Two, said: "I can't tell you too much about his style because Paulo always likes to keep things close to his chest.

"It would be unfair of me to reveal his secrets, but what I can say is that his techniques added to people's games.

"When you work with a legend like that, you can't help but be inspired.

"He has got great contacts around the world but there's no point bringing in foreign talents if you can't communicate with them. I've seen it before and it's a big problem.

"Paulo will go around and happily speak in Spanish one minute, English the next and then French.

"It means he can get across exactly what he wants to say and everyone benefits from it." Leicester Mercury

- This Season's Mitre Ball

- Good Luck to Spark: Football League - DAFFODIL DERBY MASCOTS

- Good Luck to Spark: Football League - DAFFODIL DERBY MASCOTS

Monday, July 26, 2010

Almost QPR...But Not! Darren Ambrose (Re) Signs for Crystal Palace

QPR Report Update: Good Luck to Spark

-For QPR and Football Updates throughout the day, also check the QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog. Join in or just read the various QPR and football-only discussions!

- An invitation to QPR Supporters across the globe! Whatever country. Whatever continent. Whatever age. Whatever Perspective: Come post on the growing, truly-International, QPR and football-only QPR Report Messageboard
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Video Snippet of QPR in Italy: Ravenna 1 QPR 2

- QPR's Conor Pepper Wins Foyles Tournament Player of the Tournament Award

Football League - DAFFODIL DERBY MASCOTS REVEALED
Posted on: 26.07.2010

With just over a week to go until the Daffodil Derby, the first group of competing Football League mascots at the event at Southwell Racecourse has been announced.

Currently, 22 Football League mascots - plus Daffy the Daffodil - have signed up to the race on Tuesday 3 August which has been designed to launch the fundraising for Marie Curie Cancer Care - the Official Charity Partner of The Football League for the 2010/11 season.

The confirmed mascots so far:

Queens Park Rangers Spark the Tiger
Northampton Town Clarence the Dragon
Peterborough United Peter Burrow
Derby County Rammie
Nottingham Forest Robin Hood
Leeds United Lucas the Kop Kat
Stockport County Animo
Accrington Stanley Winstanley
Hartlepool United H'Angus the Monkey
Stevenage Boro Bear
Portsmouth Nelson the Dog
Portsmouth Mary Rose
Leicester City Filbert Fox
Brighton & Hove Albion Gully
Sheffield United Captain Blade
Notts County Mrs Magpie
Tranmere Rovers Rover
Shrewsbury Town Lenny the Lion
Chesterfield Chester the Field Mouse
Preston North End Deepdale Duck
Lincoln City Poacher then Imp
Millwall Zampa the Lion

Starting at 7.45pm and forming part of the evening's racing schedule, prizes for the derby include a Day for Two with the Red Arrows and a year's subscription to World Soccer magazine.

There will also be prizes for the Mascot who can raise the most money for Marie Curie Cancer Care on the JustGiving website at www.justgiving.com/footballleague2010-11, with every £20 raised paying for an hour's nursing care for terminally ill people.

Both football and racing fans and their families are being encouraged to attend the racing and the evening's entertainment which sees five piece band 'Urban Intro' playing live in the grandstand.

For information on tickets in exchange for a donation to the charity, please contact David Hamilton, Corporate Fundraiser for Marie Curie Cancer Care, on 0207 599 7312 or email david.hamilton@mariecurie.org.uk.

To find out more about the partnership between The Football League and Marie Curie Cancer Care please click here

Proposed timings (subject to change) for the Daffodil Derby:

3.40pm Gates open
5-6pm Guests/Mascots arrive
5.55pm Official start of evening's racing
6.50pm Mascots leave marquee
7.05pm Mascots parade the ring
7.10pm Mascots walk to race course
7.30pm Horse race starts
7.45pm Mascot race starts
7.50pm Mascot race ends
7.55pm Mascots walk to winners podium
8.00pm Winners presentation at podium
8.05pm Next horse race

Marie Curie Cancer Care has been selected as the official charity partner of The Football League for the duration of the 20010/11 season click here for more information - Football League

- Last Year's Mascot Derby

QPR Report Monday: QPR Youth Wins "Player of Tournament" Award...Italy Video...Player Signs...Vine Wants Out?

- Italy Tour Photo
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-For QPR and Football Updates throughout the day, also check the QPR Report Messageboard/quasi-blog. Join in or just read the various QPR and football-only discussions!

- An invitation to QPR Supporters across the globe! Whatever country. Whatever continent. Whatever age. Whatever Perspective: Come post on the growing, truly-International, QPR and football-only QPR Report Messageboard
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- Video Snippet of QPR in Italy: Ravenna 1 QPR 2

- Ishan Saksena was one of the speakers at the India Business Forum, July 22.

Uxbridge Gazette/Jacob Murtagh - QPR star [Fitz Hall] rejects move
- FITZ Hall insists he will stay at QPR - even though his manager asked him this week if he wanted out of the Championship club.
- In fact, the central defender shunned overtures from two Championship clubs in the same breath by declaring his renewed loyalty, despite spending the second half of last season on loan at promoted Newcastle.
- Neil Warnock revealed he has fielded enquiries for the 29-year-old.
But the man signed from Wigan in January 2008 on a four-and-a-half-year deal is adamant he can help Rangers into the top flight.
Warnock said: "I asked Fitz what he wanted to do - and he reckons he wants to stay with us. He thinks the set-up here now will suit him, and that’s fine by me.
“When he’s on song, Fitz is one of the best readers of the game in our league, and I can see how he might be valuable to us." Uxbridge Gazette

QPR's Conor Pepper Wins Player of the Tournament Award

Belfast Telepgraph Thrilling finale to Foyle Cup tournament
Monday, 26th July 2010
- As the curtain came down on another successful tournament Ballinamallard’s under-10s were the toast of the town after seeing off Derry & District Colts in the final 2-0. The finals day began with Irish representative side NECSL (North East Counties Schools League) also securing their first ever title at under-16 level, claiming a 5-4 penalty shoot-out success over Queens Park Rangers — in front of a large travelling support from County Meath — after a 0-0 draw. QPR starlet Conor Pepper made up for that defeat by winning the coveted player of the tournament award....Belfast Telegraph

- QPR Youth Advance to the Final in Derry and lose

Dave McIntyre/ Kilburn Times - QPR Snap Up Midfielder (Jordan Hibbert)
QPR have signed former Chelsea trainee Jordan Hibbert on a six-month contract.
Midfielder Hibbert, who was released by Barnsley in January, has impressed since being handed a trial at Loftus Road and has now been given the chance to earn a longer-term deal.
Hibbert, 19, said: "It's a great opportunity for me and I'm just really grateful to Neil Warnock. It's up to me now to prove that I'm worth keeping at the club."
After leaving Chelsea in 2008, the south Londoner secured a move to Barnsley but he did not make a first-team appearance before his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
He subsequently had a trial at Leeds before being recommended to QPR boss Warnock's right-hand man Mick Jones. Kilburn Times

QPR Official Site - TOUR BLOG: FINAL PART
Posted on: Mon 26 Jul 2010
-
I'm writing this final blog entry as we prepare to the board the plane back to London at the end of a successful and at the same time thoroughly enjoyable pre-season tour to Milano Marittima.

Two wins in five days and more importantly, another 180 minutes game time under the belts of the majority of the squad, sets us up nicely for the countdown to the big Championship kick-off, which is remarkably just under two weeks away now.
- There were a variety of highlights on the final full day; none more so than the R's performance in a convincing win against Ravenna Calcio.
- But, as I have done so on this blog throughout the trip, I'm going to focus for one final time on something that happened off the pitch here in Italy.
- Ater one made up story after another in an attempt to get out of his inititation, Leon Clarke finally did his sing-song on Sunday night - and what a show he put on too.
- Despite admittedly being nervous in the hours prior to his rendition of Craig David's 'Seven Days,' Clarkey delivered the goods, just as Messrs Kenny, Hill, Derry and Mackie had done so 24 hours earlier.
A rapturous applause said everything you need to know, and once again served to reiterate the excellent spirit that exists within the R's camp.
That team spirit, for me, will be the abiding memory of the tour.
Well, that and the food, which has seen me and a few other members of the backroom team pile on one or two pounds over the last week.
See you at Crawley on Wednesday night ... I'll be the slightly bulky press officer in the media seats!(Blog entry by Ian Taylor) QPR

- Earlier Tour Blog Entries

Ealing Gazette/Chris Slavin - Rowan Vine seeks move away from QPR
- ROWAN VINE says he is seeking a move elsewhere after being frozen out of manager Neil Warnock's first-team plans.

The 27-year-old was left behind for the club's tour of Italy and the QPR forward believes that shows his opportunities will be limited at Loftus Road next season.

Vine, who still has two years left on his contract and is one of the club's highest earners, admits that he may have to move elsewhere, perhaps on loan, to get first-team football.

“I do not mind as I just want to play football,” he said. “I have not played much during the past two seasons and I would not rule anything out.

“I was available to go to Italy, but they took a selected number and I was not in that so I went down to Cornwall with Ronnie Jepson and the lads and played a couple of games down there instead.

“I am not in the immediate plans because I have not gone on the tour to Italy, which is quite significant.”

But Vine, who played 45 minutes in the 1-1 draw for QPR's second string at Hayes & Yeading on Saturday, says he is focused on putting his injury problems behind him and being fully fit if he is called upon for first-team duty.

“It was really good for me when I first joined QPR, but then I broke my leg and I have had a lot of injury problems since,” he added. “On a personal level, I have to keep myself fit so that I am available and see what happens.

“I have been training since the first day of pre-season and I am getting fitter. I am playing games, albeit with the reserves, and I have played three games in a week with the young lads now.” Ealing Gazette

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- Coming August 3rd: The Mascot Derby!

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- Various Championship Odds for 2010/11(Updated)

QPR Official Site - RAVENNA CALCIO 1, QPR 2
Posted on: Sun 25 Jul 2010

Hogan Ephraim's hot-streak continued, as Rangers rounded off their Italian tour with victory against Ravenna Calcio.

The in-form attacker bagged his seventh goal of a quite remarkable pre-season campaign to cancel out Piovaccari's opener, before Jamie Mackie added a second to seal the win.

Both sides ended the game with ten men when Fitz Hall and Fasano were both withdrawn at the referee's request following their involvement in a minor scuffle, as the Lega Pro Prima Divisione side exerted their physical presence on the tie with a series of x-rated challenges.
Neil Warnock was able to call on the fit-again Paddy Kenny and Hall for the R's final friendly in Italy.

Kenny replaced Radek Cerny, lining up behind back four of Peter Ramage, Hall, Matt Connolly and Clint Hill.

Mikele Leigertwood partnered Ali Faurlin in the middle of the park, with Ephraim buzzing around behind a front-three of Leon Clarke, Heidar Helguson and Mackie.

The R's could have been ahead as early as the second minute.

Clarke delivered an unbelievable cross from the left flank, but Helguson - with the net ready to burst - somehow saw his header blocked from the edge of the six-yard box.

Clarke was enjoying a bright start, and when he created space for himself 25 yards from goal just a couple of minutes later, home custodian Rossi had to be alert to tip his low drive round the right hand post.

R's skipper Leigertwood was next to try his luck from distance, but his attempt - after a driving 50 yard run - flew wide of the left hand upright.

Ravenna grew in stature as the half reached the quarter hour mark and they took a surprise lead with their very first attack of the contest on 17 minutes.

A deep cross from the right saw Piovaccari steal a march on the R's back four, before blasting a volley past Kenny from eight yards.

Rangers were denied what appeared to be the clearest of penalties in the 24th minute.

After the hosts could only half clear their lines, a Ravenna defender clearly handled the ball in the box, only for Mr Coccia to award a free-kick inches outside the area.

The R's players - as well as the seething Warnock in the technical area - were adamant a spot-kick should have been awarded, with Hall in particular voicing his frustrations.

Unfortunately for the Hoops, Ephraim's resultant free-kick curled inches over the bar, to the relief of the flat footed Rossi.

As it had been from the first whistle, it was pretty much all one-way traffic, with Helguson next to test Rossi with a deft downward header from Ephraim's out-swinging corner.

Faurlin's left footed strike from distance had Rossi scrambling across his goal on the half hour, but the ball flashed narrowly wide.

The Ravenna goal was living a charmed life, and when Clarke nodded back across goal for Helguson, the Icelandic front-man was against thwarted by Rossi, who expertly kicked the ball away from danger.

Quite how it remained 1-0 was a mystery to many in the stadium - even the locals who seemed embarrassed by the amount of chances Rangers were creating.

This time it was Hill who brought the best out of Rossi, saving the roaming left backs strike from point-blank range in the 42nd minute.

Undeterred, the R's finally drew level a minute before the break, thanks to that man Ephraim.

Mackie played provider, pulling the ball back from the byline and with time to set himself, Ephraim did the rest, sending the keeper the wrong way from 12 yards.

The small gathering of Rangers fans in attendance - most notably those from the Italian Supporters Club - didn't have to wait too long to see the R's grab a second.

The second period was just three minutes old when Mackie cut in from the right wing and deftly chipped the ball over Rossi from 15 yards.

Clearly frustrated by playing second fiddle for sustained periods, the hosts resorted to attempting to kick the R's quality out of their game.

Clarke and then Helguson were both hacked to ground from behind, sparking a flash-point between players from both sides, as things turned ugly.

As Clarke received treatment, another melee ensued and both Hall and Fasano were both withdrawn from the fray at the referee's request.

Warnock reacted by bringing off the battered and bruised Clarke, with Josh Parker coming on in his place.

And the youngster didn't take long to make an impression, teeing the ball up for Faurlin, whose weak curler was easily gathered by Rossi.

At the other end, Toledo smashed a thunderous effort from 30 yards off the bar, before the hosts made a plethora of substitutions.

Warnock followed suit by making three changes of his own midway through the half, but it did little to disrupt the visitors, who continued to dominate proceedings.

Antonio German's neat turn and strike forced sub keeper Menegatti into his first save since entering the fray five minutes from time, but it mattered little, as the R's coasted to the first whistle.

QPR: Kenny, Ramage, Hill (Gorkss 67), Connolly, Hall, Leigertwood (Borrowdale 67), Ephraim, Mackie, Helguson (German 67), Clake (Parker 58), Faurlin.

Subs: Cerny, Derry. QPR

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