-
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
-
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard
- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
_____________________________________________________________________________________
- On This Day in Football: February 14: QPR Crush Spurs Away...Waddock's First Managerial Defeat for QPR...Jackie Bass Exits QPR
- Managerial Trouble at The Anti-Christ/Demon Spawn!
- Past QPR Managerial Appointments: Where Came From
- The Premiership Compared to Other European Leagues
Sporting Life
FERNANDES: STARS MUST SAVE QPR
QPR owner Tony Fernandes has called on his players to hold up their end of the bargain in keeping the club in the Barclays Premier League.
Fernandes last month put his money where his mouth is, splashing out around £15million on Nedum Onuoha, Bobby Zamora and Djibril Cisse, as well as bringing in three others on loan in Federico Macheda, Taye Taiwo and Samba Diakite.
Fernandes, though, is being put through the wringer by his squad that has taken just six points from the last 39 on offer.
That sequence has left QPR in a position where only goal difference separates them from a place in the bottom three, and with 13 matches to save themselves.
They still have to play Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City, with the last three of those fixtures in their final four matches.
Assessing his side's seemingly troubled situation, Fernandes told Press Association Sport: "I always said from day one we would be in a relegation battle and our aim was to avoid relegation.
"Am I coping with the pressure? I'm not loving the pressure, but I'm loving the whole experience.
"I'm doing the best I can, and it's now up to the boys on the pitch and the manager to do what they can.
"We certainly have the players and ability to avoid relegation, but the Premier League is very tough, and only time will tell."
Fernandes certainly voiced his frustration over the weekend in the wake of his side's 3-2 defeat at relegation rivals Blackburn.
Fernandes turned to his Twitter account to let the fans know he was far from happy as he said: "Talent is one thing. Being able to cope with the pressures of talent is key.
"Everyone needs a spine to take the pressures of life. We need a spine in QPR. We need fighters not just talent."
Fernandes makes no apologies for using Twitter, a social media outlet that former boss Neil Warnock suggested had played a part in his own downfall.
Warnock felt Fernandes had read too many comments from fans before the axe was swung on his reign on January 8 after 22 months in charge.
Fernandes effectively went back on remarks made when he took over in the summer that he would not pull the rug from under Warnock's feet and that he would be given all the support he needed.
In his first interview since Warnock's departure and the subsequent appointment of Mark Hughes, Fernandes said: "That was the most difficult time I've encountered as a boss of any of my businesses."
The owner of Caterham F1 and airline AirAsia added: "I liked Neil, and I thought like with any of my employees it would be a long, long, long relationship.
"Sadly I ended up doing the one thing I said I wouldn't do, which is why it was tough.
"I'd rather not go into the reasons why I got rid of him. It was a decision that was made, and we've moved on from it."
Dismissing suggestions that he reacted to Tweets from fans, Fernandes said: "For people who have known me for a long time, my board and I will do what we think is right.
"We're not going to be pressurised by players, fans or anybody. We have to do what we think is right for the club in the long run.
"Like anything, though, I am in the public eye and I love transparency and openness, but there's a limit to what I can say and shouldn't say.
"That's because when you're in the public eye and say something it can affect other people, so you have to balance it."
Fernandes, meanwhile, seemingly has no qualms with another avid Tweeter in QPR captain Joey Barton.
The midfielder has been known for pushing the boundaries with his remarks on Twitter.
But Fernandes said: "Joey reports to the manager, and that's something for the manager and him to decide what's right and wrong."
However Fernandes added: "Again, when you're in the public eye, you have to be sensitive." Sporting Life
WEST LONDON SPORT - More to come from Taarabt, says QPR boss
Mark Hughes says he has been hugely impressed by Adel Taarabt – and believes there is plenty more to come from the Moroccan.
Taarabt was out of favour at QPR prior to Hughes’ appointment as manager and the club had been open to offers for him for some time.
Taarabt has impressed.
But the new boss is quick to point out the 22-year-old’s relative lack of experience and believes he can make him a better player.
Hughes said: “I’m enjoying working with him. He’s a very bright kid, he’s good around the place, and I’ve been really, really impressed with him.
“I think there’s more to come. With the right work and the right direction he could be more effective than he has been in the past.
“It’s his first season in the Premier League and we want to make sure he improves year on year. I think with my and my staff’s help he’ll be a better player.”
Taarabt’s recent display against Norwich was an encouraging sign and belied his reputation for immaturity.
With Rangers down to 10 men following the sending-off of Djibril Cisse he produced some of his best moments of the season – giving Hughes food for thought.
“I was pleased because he took on responsibility and that’s what you want from players,” Hughes explained.
“He understood the situation and that he had to really drive the game for us and that’s what he did.
“I like players who are able to understand what’s going on and are able to take responsibility in a game. Some shy away from it but he certainly didn’t.” West London Sport
SKY - RANGERS WILL BATTLE ON - BUZSAKY
Akos Buzsaky: We are strong enough to stay up
Akos Buzsaky has warned rivals that QPR will not give up their Premier League status without a fight.
The 29-year-old returned to the Rs' squad at Blackburn after an ankle complaint but could not prevent Mark Hughes' side slumping to a 3-2 defeat.
The result means only goal difference keeps QPR out of the relegation zone, leaving them in serious danger of an immediate return to the npower Championship.
Buzsaky has seen a lot of changes at the club since joining the west Londoners four years ago and believes the side can stave off relegation.
"When I came here, QPR were almost bottom of the Championship," he told Press Association Sport.
"A lot of things have changed and when I came there was a big, big thing about getting to the Premier League.
"There were big dreams about it and we wanted to get there within three or four years. That is what happened, we did it and we are in the Premier League.
"I think QPR deserve to be here and this is a club that does not want to go up and down, go up again and go down.
"We have done the hard bit and now we want to stay up and be an established Premier League side like Everton or Stoke.
"We definitely have a strong enough team to stay up, but you never know in football.
"Everyone knows we need to do our best because things can change.
"Even without the new signings, we shouldn't be fighting against relegation but we are because that is something we did not do properly.
"Everybody needs to look in the mirror and just give 100% from now on. I am sure under this new regime, we will be fine."
Buzsaky was little more than a bit-part player under previous manager Neil Warnock, making just five league appearances.
The Hungarian admits it was a frustrating time but believes the future is bright under current boss Hughes.
"It is really nice to be back in the team," he said. "I don't really want to talk about the past but if you're not playing, there is all sorts of things you think about.
"Things in football change so quickly; from one day to another everything could be different.
"I think it is promising [under Hughes] because the training has got better, the team shape has got better. We work a lot on that.
"I think everybody can see it is a positive impact he has made on the squad and on the players."
He added: "We have some big players now and they will help us.
"QPR do not want to fight against relegation. We want to be a good mid-table team in the Premier League.
"Because we are in the situation, the big players can always help with their experience and of course talent to get us as many points as we can."
While Hughes has brought Buzsaky back into the fold, the QPR boss has made no promises about his future at the club.
The midfielder is one of several players whose contract run out of the end of the season and the Rs boss revealed he will have to until the summer to discover whether he will get a new deal.
Buzsaky, though, remains philosophical about his future, adding: "At the moment I just want to play as many games as I can and help the team as much as I can. Things will take care of themselves." Football 365
- VIDEO Flashbacks including Extensive video of QPR's 1975-76 Finale vs Leeds United (Goal appropriately from Dave Thomas and Stan Bowles!). Also Andy McCulloch's Debut Goal for QPR
- Flashbacks: QPR Off to Portugal....QPR Assistant Manager Arrested....QPR Deny John Gregory to be New Manager..QPR Youth Team lose in Palermo Tournament. QPR Youth Coach Axed..."We Are QPR"
- Change at QPR Holdings...New Name Associated with the Mittals, Sudhir Maheshwari appointed
- "Must Watch" VIDEO! Highlights of London Football 1968-1989, including of course some QPR moments. NOT previously available on Video: One of the famed QPR Terry Venables/Gerry Francis Free Kicks of the early 1970s (15 minutes into video].......Part II of the Video: London Football 1968-1989
- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs
- Armel Tchakounte Update
- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!
- QPR and the Other 19 Premiership Clubs Sign Sports Charter Against Homophobia (Don't think been a separate QPR Announcement re this)
