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- QPR (and every other Premiership Club) 25 Man Squads have to be announced today...
- QPR's Les Allen Turns Seventy-Five
- On This Day in 1963, another QPR Great, Frank Sibley Made His QPR Debut
- Eight Years Ago: Reports that Ramon Diaz to Replace Ian Holloway! Fourteen Years Ago, QPR CEO Clive Berlin Exits the Club
- No Julio Cesar in the Brazil Squad
- The Official QPR Players and Staff (and Owners) Twitter List
- On This Day in 1963, another QPR Great, Frank Sibley Made His QPR Debut
- Eight Years Ago: Reports that Ramon Diaz to Replace Ian Holloway! Fourteen Years Ago, QPR CEO Clive Berlin Exits the Club
- No Julio Cesar in the Brazil Squad
- The Official QPR Players and Staff (and Owners) Twitter List
Sheffield Telegraph/Paul Thompson- SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Jay Bothroyd: My debt to boss Dave Jones
WEDNESDAY’S former England striker, Jay Bothroyd, has told of the debt he owes to Dave Jones.
The on-loan star from QPR will try to repay it by helping the Owls to challenge for Championship promotion, like Cardiff did when the pair were there.
“I owe him a lot,” Bothroyd told The Star. “He has a been a big influence. When I went to Cardiff I had a reputation as an inconsistent journeyman. But there I made myself indispensable, played every week and scored goals.
“I was disappointed when he got the sack. He had a positive influence on me. He’s a big reason why I came here. He managed us well at Cardiff.”
Jones built a Bluebirds side that narrowly missed the play-offs in one season and qualified for them in two others.
Bothroyd added: “I suppose the gaffer wants to make this team like Cardiff was: competing at the top end consistently.
“They definitely have the infrastructure here to do that. He hasn’t been here long, but he’s come a long way in that short time.”
The striker won his England cap in a three-year spell with the Bluebirds which included 41 league goals in 112 starts plus four sub appearances.
Jones has said the 30-year-old has work to do in his Hillsborough loan to put his career back on track after a lean time with Premier League QPR.
Bothroyd says: “As a footballer you always want to improve. I probably lost my confidence a bit at QPR.
“I didn’t get many opportunities at QPR. I came here to get more.” But he does not necessarily see it as an end to his Loftus Road career.
“I’m on loan until January. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future,” he said.
“I’m contracted to QPR. But I’m happy to be here. I can’t wait to get started. I’m excited to be playing again. All I can do is work hard, enjoy my football and see what happens.”
Bothroyd and other recent signings Martin Taylor and Paul Corry will be hoping for debuts in the near future. Defender Taylor, from Watford, and midfielder Corry, from Ireland, were on the bench last Saturday. Sheffield Telegraph
WEDNESDAY’S former England striker, Jay Bothroyd, has told of the debt he owes to Dave Jones.
The on-loan star from QPR will try to repay it by helping the Owls to challenge for Championship promotion, like Cardiff did when the pair were there.
“I owe him a lot,” Bothroyd told The Star. “He has a been a big influence. When I went to Cardiff I had a reputation as an inconsistent journeyman. But there I made myself indispensable, played every week and scored goals.
“I was disappointed when he got the sack. He had a positive influence on me. He’s a big reason why I came here. He managed us well at Cardiff.”
Jones built a Bluebirds side that narrowly missed the play-offs in one season and qualified for them in two others.
Bothroyd added: “I suppose the gaffer wants to make this team like Cardiff was: competing at the top end consistently.
“They definitely have the infrastructure here to do that. He hasn’t been here long, but he’s come a long way in that short time.”
The striker won his England cap in a three-year spell with the Bluebirds which included 41 league goals in 112 starts plus four sub appearances.
Jones has said the 30-year-old has work to do in his Hillsborough loan to put his career back on track after a lean time with Premier League QPR.
Bothroyd says: “As a footballer you always want to improve. I probably lost my confidence a bit at QPR.
“I didn’t get many opportunities at QPR. I came here to get more.” But he does not necessarily see it as an end to his Loftus Road career.
“I’m on loan until January. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future,” he said.
“I’m contracted to QPR. But I’m happy to be here. I can’t wait to get started. I’m excited to be playing again. All I can do is work hard, enjoy my football and see what happens.”
Bothroyd and other recent signings Martin Taylor and Paul Corry will be hoping for debuts in the near future. Defender Taylor, from Watford, and midfielder Corry, from Ireland, were on the bench last Saturday. Sheffield Telegraph
Mack me No.9: Jamie eyes striking role as Scotland begin 2014 quest
HAVING crunched the numbers, Jamie Mackie hopes to increase his chances of a starting slot by fighting it out with Miller and Rhodes to be named as Scotland’s main man.
JAMIE MACKIE last night threw his hat into the ring in the race to become the man to fire Scotland to Rio.
The QPR man is one of a whole host of exciting, gifted attacking options gathered together this week by manager Craig Levein as the clock ticks down to curtain up on our latest quest to qualify for a place at a World Cup finals.
It all begins on Saturday at Hampden against Serbia. But before then the manager must make some almighty decisions. Firstly, Levein will have to sift through a group of 11 of his most gifted options and pick just three of them to fill the forward roles in his chosen system.
Mackie and eight others – Graham Dorrans. James Forrest, Shaun Maloney, James Morrison, Matt Phillips, Robert Snodgrass, Ross McCormack and Steven Naismith – are all in contention to be deployed as wing men to a lone striker, with Kenny Miller and Jordan Rhodes looking to lead Levein’s frontline.
In other words, that’s nine options for two places. And just two for the No.9.
Having crunched a few numbers of his own, Mackie is hoping to increase his chances of a starting slot by making it a three-way fight with Miller and Rhodes to be named as Scotland’s man in the middle.
He said: “I’m having this constant battle the whole time as I play a lot out wide for QPR and I’ve had discussions with the manager there about my best position being right down the middle.
“I know the competition here – as it is at my club – is very competitive but I feel that’s my best position. I’ve played in a three a lot and I really enjoy it so I haven’t really got a problem with it. I’ll play anywhere to do well.
“But I do feel my strongest position is down the middle. Kenny’s scored a lot of goals at international level but there’s a lot of competition coming through with Jordan Rhodes who did well in the friendly and Ross McCormack also scoring.
“It’s a chance to stake a claim to be playing up there as well. However, I’m not really playing there for my club so it’s a hard one for me.
“I would love the chance to play up front but it’s not about me – it’s about what’s best for the squad.”
Which is exactly the kind of attitude Levein looks for every time he jots down the list of names for national duty. It’s why £15million Steven Fletcher – aka the striker who mustn’t be named – is not increasing the manager’s options still further. And it’s why Mackie is not of a mind to go rocking any boats at this time.
He added: “I’ve had a discussion with Craig Levein about playing down the middle in the past and I’ve had the chance to play there for Scotland. But the last couple of times I’ve played in a three and enjoyed that as well.
“I’m sure this week we’ll have a discussion and see where I fit in and where he feels I’m best for him. Every manager will have a different view and I’m fully prepared to play where I’m asked to.”
There is a sense around Levein’s camp that this is their time. After two and a half years of squad building and preparation, Scotland are top-loaded with genuine talent again and ready to go toe to toe with the best in the world.
Mackie said: “There is a lot of quality.There are some very good individual players and there is a lot of belief now. We did really well in the Australia friendly last month and I feel this could be a time for a lot of the players to shine in this qualifying campaign.”
It could even be argued that this time, such is the depth of quality at Scotland’s disposal, there can be no excuses should Levein fail to make a proper go of it.
Mackie is too smart to get suckered into that one. He said: “As players, we probably don’t think about it like that. The press and other football people will judge us on where we are.
“It is all about opinions and I’m sure the other squads in the past didn’t think like that. They will all have thought they were good players and they were equipped to do well.
“As players, we go out there and do our best. We can look around and see there is a lot of quality and we should start to do well now.”
First up then are the Serbs on Saturday. And with bigger and better tests to come – most notably from Croatia and the fast-emerging Belgians – Scotland must get off to a flier.
Mackie said: “It’s massive for the boys to be in front of a home crowd at Hampden. The atmosphere there is unbelievable.
“I experienced it in the qualifier against Spain. I can honestly say I have never heard anything like it before.
“I can’t wait to play at home and it’s important we make a good start. If we can get everyone behind us we could get a bit of momentum throughout the campaign. We all know it’s important to get off to a good start.”
Six points from six from the opening double header against Serbia and
Macedonia would seem like a plan. Then it’s Wales and the Belgians away.
Already that trip to Brussels is shaping up as the big one. Suddenly Belgium – with the likes of Kompany, Hazard, Lukaku, Dembele, Fellaini, Mirallas and Vermaelen in the ranks – are the hottest ticket in town. But, like many others in Levein’s squad, Mackie is on nodding terms with almost all of them having come up against them in the Premiership. And he fears no one.
He said: “Belgium look strong and they’ve got some quality players. They’ve sort of crept up on people as a national side over the past couple of years and now their whole team it is packed with stars.
“But we’ll take that game when it comes round. We have to get some momentum going before we play them.
“I certainly won’t be fazed by playing against these guys. A lot of the Scotland lads are playing against these players week in week out in the Premier League so that’s not going to be a problem.
‘There is a actually a similarity between the two countries because these days, when I get the squad list through, you look at the players listed and the clubs they’re playing for. We’ve got some really good players here who do well every week in their respective leagues including the Premier League.
“It’s a very exciting time. It’s just a question of taking everyone’s club form into the international arena. There are a lot of reasons to be confident.” Daily Record
Daily Mail/Sami Mokbel - Green could top QPR clearout in plan to cut wage bill after summer spending spree
Queens Park Rangers will press ahead with plans to slash their wage bill when the emergency loan window reopens.
The Loftus Road club, who remain without a Premier League win this season, spent heavily during the summer transfer window on fresh talent.
High-profile players such as Park Ji-sung, Esteban Granero, Junior Hoilett, Jose Bosingwa and Julio Cesar have all joined Mark Hughes' revolution - but the signings have become a significant burden on a wage bill that was already inflated due to the spending sprees of the previous two transfer windows.
And owner Tony Fernandes will sanction a mini-clear out once the Football League loan window opens later this month, a task which will act as a prelude to a more extensive sale in January.
Short-lived: Rob Green looks set to leave QPR after only signing in the summer
Among others, the likes of Luke Young, DJ Campbell and Rob Hulse will be made available, while goalkeeper Robert Green could also head out on loan after his future at the club was thrown into uncertainty thanks to the capture of Cesar from Inter Milan.
Rangers have already started the cost-cutting exercise, sending out big-earners Joey Barton and Jay Bothroyd on loan to Marseille and Sheffield Wednesday, respectively, during the closing stages of last week's transfer window.
Barton, meanwhile, has been on the receiving end of a scathing attack from former Manchester City team-mate Ousamane Dabo. Daily Mail
CARDIFF OFFICIAL SITE
DEVELOPMENT RESULT: 1-4 QPR
Cardiff City vs Queens Park Rangers under-21 developmental side.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS MATCH WILL BE ON PLAYER ON TUESDAY
SNAPSHOT
A fantastic start for the young Bluebirds side soon turned sour against Queens Park Rangers on Monday night at the Cardiff City Stadium as the Hoops came away with a 4-1 victory.
Dekel Keinan opened the scoring for the home side on only two minutes from a Craig Conway corner.
The lead lasted just over thirty minutes as a big name and big man equalised for QPR. Rob Hulse's height and strength helped as he powered past Keinan and fired home on thirty three minutes.
The Bluebirds controlled the majority of the first half but found themselves behind going into the break after an impressive set piece from Frankie Sutherland was headed in by Taylor Parmenter. A fantastic performance from Aaron Lennox in the QPR goal was the main reason behind the lead the away side had going into half time with the young goalie continually frustrating Cardiff's forward line.
The away side came out for the second half in a determined mood and soon added a third goal through Mo Sharif. The midfielder placed the ball home after Tom Hitchcock had laid the ball off for him.
Rob Hulse was again on the score sheet two minutes later as he nodded home a good cross from Bruno Andrade. The score line somewhat flattered the Hoops though as Aaron Lennox performed heroics for his team.
CHRONOLOGICAL REPORT
It was a fantastic start for the Bluebirds with Dekel Keinan opening the scoring on just two minutes. The Israeli international met a great corner taken by Craig Conway and powered a header into the back of the net.
GOAL: CARDIFF CITY U21 1-0 QUEENS PARK RANGERS U21 (Dekel Keinan, 2 mins)
The impressive Declan John almost increased the lead from a corner on sixteen minutes; the left back curled a beautiful in-swinging ball into the box that almost caught out the Queens Park Rangers keeper Aaron Lennox, the keeper managed to manoeuvre his body and punch the ball to safety.
The set pieces of Frankie Sutherland began to trouble the home side; the midfielder drove a free kick into the box for Taylor Parmenter to meet with a diving header that looked destined for the back of the net. Elliot Parish however managed to save well under a lot of pressure.
On thirty three minutes though the Hoops did have their equaliser as experienced forward Rob Hulse fired home, Hulse managed to beat Keinan after a tussle and smash the ball past Parish to level the scores.
GOAL: CARDIFF CITY U21 1-1 QUEENS PARK RANGERS U21 (Rob Hulse, 33 mins)
The home side though did not let this goal perturb them and continued to pressure. Jesse Darko tested Lennox from twenty yards with a stinging drive that the keeper had to push over the bar, the talented keeper frustrating the Bluebirds and it was another impressive QPR player that created their second goal. Sutherland again with a free kick and this time Parmenter planted his header past Parish who had no chance.
GOAL: CARDIFF CITY U21 1-2 QUEENS PARK RANGERS U21 (Taylor Parmenter, 39 mins)
Lennox in the QPR goal continued to impress and keep the Bluebirds at bay before the half time whistle. Saving superbly from a Conway free kick as well as a powerful shot from the winger, Joe Ralls also tried his best to beat Lennox but the keeper kept the home side out as Queens Park Rangers led going into half time.
HALF TIME: CARDIFF CITY U21 1-2 QUEENS PARK RANGERS U21
Cardiff had controlled the majority of the first half and were unlucky to be behind going into half time but they soon found themselves further behind as the away side grabbed a third goal. Tom Hitchcock managed to get behind the home defence wide on the left and cut the ball back for Mo Sharif to fire home.
GOAL: CARDIFF CITY U21 1-3 QUEENS PARK RANGERS U21 (Mo Sharif, 51 mins)
A fourth Queens Park Rangers goal soon followed as Rob Hulse grabbed his second goal of the night. Dangerous winger Bruno Andrade crossed the ball superbly from the right wing and Hulse's heading prowess was again on show as he nodded the ball into Parish's goal.
GOAL: CARDIFF CITY U21 1-4 QUEENS PARK RANGERS U21 (Rob Hulse, 53 mins)
Substitution Queens Park Rangers: Angelo Balanta on for Tom Hitchcock (65 mins)
Substitution Queens Park Rangers: Troy Hewitt on for Rob Hulse (69 mins)
Substitution Cardiff City: Curtis Watkins on for Kane Owen (76 mins)
The home side struggled to make many chances in the second half but Joe Ralls again was unlucky to not be on the score sheet. The midfielder with a rasping shot only to see Aaron Lennox again frustrate him with an incredible save. Without the heroics of Lennox the game could easily have seen both sides score four.
FULL TIME: CARDIFF CITY U21 1-4 QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Cardiff City U21: Elliot Parish, Kevin Sainte-Luce, Declan John, Theo Wharton, Dekel Keinan (Ben Watkins, 89), Adedeji Oshilaja, Kane Owen (Curtis Watkins, 76), Joe Ralls, Jesse Darko, Nat Jarvis, Craig Conway. Subs not used: Yora Enzam, Thomas Burridge, Cameron Clarke.
QPR U21: Aaron Lennox, Sam Magri, Mike Harriman, Fred Champion, Taylor Parmenter, Max Ehmer, Mo Sharif, Frankie Sutherland, Rob Hulse (Troy Hewlitt, 69), Tom Hitchcock (Angelo Balanta, 65), Bruno Andrade. Subs not used: Jamie Sendles-White, Brad Simmonds, Tomasso Tranni.
Cardiff Official Site
- Other Michael Wale Report QPR Profiles at the Bushman Photo Archives
PAUL FURLONG RETURNS TO LOFTUS ROAD
- "Senior coaches brought in to work with the club’s newly-formed Academy"
- "Senior coaches brought in to work with the club’s newly-formed Academy"
Paul Furlong Flashback (from Bushman Photo Archives)
Back row: Greg Costello, Justin Channing, Darren Woodhurst, Gary Woodhurst, Brian Law, Ian Radford, Paul Furlong
- Front row: Andrew Cronin, Bradley Wright, Robert Herrera, John Murray, Mark Fleming, Steven Lynch
- Front row: Andrew Cronin, Bradley Wright, Robert Herrera, John Murray, Mark Fleming, Steven Lynch
