- Three Year Flashback: "Red Nose" Protest at Loftus Road against Flavio Briatore - as a Plummeting QPR Slump at home to Scunthorpe
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PHOTOS FROM QPR vs Manchester City
@IJTaylor81
- Harry Redknapp has added Yun Suk-Young to his #QPR squad, after the player penned a three-and-a-half year deal at Loftus Road. #QPR
- Suk-Young has been granted a work permit and will be eligible to play for the R's once he obtains a visa. #QPR
- Three Year Flashback: "Red Nose" Protest at Loftus Road against Flavio Briatore - as a Plummeting QPR Slump at home to Scunthorpe
- Reported QPR Target, Peter Crouch Turns 32 Today. (His Stats)
- Next: Norwich - Past Results/Old Photos/Played-for-Both-Teams
- QPR Bert Adinall (RIP) - Would have been 92 Today
- Reminder: QPR Fan Forum, February 7
-Parliamentary Report on Football Governance
QPR Vs Manchester City
| Club | Pld | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| Man Utd | 23 | 56 |
| Man City | 24 | 52 |
| Chelsea | 23 | 45 |
| Tottenham | 23 | 41 |
| Everton | 23 | 38 |
| Arsenal | 23 | 37 |
| Liverpool | 23 | 34 |
| Swansea | 24 | 34 |
| West Brom | 23 | 34 |
| Stoke | 24 | 30 |
| Sunderland | 24 | 29 |
| West Ham | 23 | 27 |
| Norwich | 23 | 26 |
| Fulham | 23 | 25 |
| Newcastle | 24 | 24 |
| Southampton | 23 | 23 |
| Wigan | 24 | 20 |
| Aston Villa | 24 | 20 |
| Reading | 23 | 19 |
| QPR | 24 | 16 |
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
HARRY: ANOTHER BIG POINT
R's boss reflects on Man City draw ...
We’ve put ourselves back within touching distance."
Harry Redknapp
HARRY REDKNAPP hailed another hard-earned point after QPR held Manchester City to a goalless draw on Tuesday night.
Rangers matched their illustrious visitors for long periods in a pulsating encounter as a stand-out display from goalkeeper Julio Cesar preserved a share of the spoils against the champions.
England’s number one Joe Hart came to City’s rescue at the other end, foiling Adel Taarabt after a surging run as the R’s came close to upsetting the odds once again.
“It was an excellent performance,” Redknapp told www.qpr.co.uk. “We defended well, we hit them on the counter-attack a couple of times and had a great opportunity in the first half with a great break from Adel.
“We defended fantastically all over the park, everybody worked hard.
“It was another solid performance, another clean sheet.
“It was another big point for us today.”
Tuesday’s draw continues the R’s unbeaten league run which has seen Redknapp’s side come away unscathed from outings against Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham.
After reducing the gap to safety to four points, the R’s boss admits the recent revival has breathed fresh life into the R’s bid for survival.
“It’s a fantastic run we’ve been on,” Redknapp said. “When you looked at the games coming and the amount of points we’ve taken and the way we’ve performed, it has been excellent.
“We’ve put ourselves back within touching distance.”
Despite waves of attacks at times from City’s front trio of Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and David Silva, the R’s weathered the pressure well.
Redknapp paid tribute to the work-rate of his players as the R’s centre-back pairing of Clint Hill and Ryan Nelsen held firm.
He said: “We’re working as hard as we possibly can and clawing out some points.
“Everybody did their jobs, you can’t ask for more than that.
“You look at the quality of the opposition tonight, they’re a fantastic team.
“They rip teams to pieces home and away. You’d take a point off them at any time.
“You have to give everything in these games and that’s what we’re doing.”
With a crucial clash at home to Norwich on Saturday on the horizon, Redknapp admitted a point against the Premier League holders was the perfect preparation.
“Norwich on Saturday is a massive game,” he added. “it’s a game we need to try to win.
“It won’t be easy but if we perform as well as we did tonight we’ve got a chance.” QPR
West London Sport/Dave McIntyre
Rangers secure deserved point against City
Bottom of the table they may be, but QPR are still alive and kicking – and still unbeaten in the league in 2013.
They had to absorb plenty of pressure against the champions, who went close when Pablo Zabaleta headed David Silva’s first-half cross against the bar.
Julio Cesar was also grateful to see Javi Garcia’s wind-assisted 35-yarder flash just wide as Manchester City continued to press.
Rangers, with Fabio on the right of midfield and Loic Remy making his home debut, struggled to create chances before a quick counter-attack brought Joe Hart into action six minutes before the break.
The England keeper raced from his line and produced a fine stop to deny Adel Taarabt after the Moroccan had skipped away from Gael Clichy.
Cesar then atoned for some shaky early moments by diving to his right to push away Gareth Barry’s shot.
He also did well to hold a low shot from Silva midway through the second half and a similar effort from James Milner.
QPR had a shout for a penalty ignored by referee Phil Dowd with 16 minutes remaining, when Remy went down under a challenge from Joleon Lescott near the edge of the box.
Cesar pulled off another good stop late on, blocking from Silva at point-blank range following substitute Edin Dzeko’s low cross.
And City also had an appeal for a penalty waved away after Nedum Onuoha’s challenge on Scott Sinclair.
QPR (4-1-4-1): Cesar; Onuoha, Nelsen, Hill, Traore; Derry; Fabio, Mbia (Faurlin 90), Granero (Park 89), Taarabt; Remy (Zamora 90).
Subs not used: Green, Ben Haim, Murphy, Bothroyd. West London Sport
West London Sport/Dave Mcintyre
QPR boss Redknapp insists Mackie was injured for City clash
Harry Redknapp insisted Jamie Mackie was absent for QPR’s goalless draw with Manchester City because he has a back injury.
There are doubts about the forward’s future at Loftus Road as Redknapp looks to revamp his squad ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.
But the Rangers boss, who named two goalkeepers – Robert Green and Brian Murphy – among his substitutes, was adamant that Mackie was not fit enough to play.
DJ Campbell, meanwhile, missed the match for family reasons.
Mackie was not in the R’s squad.
And a number of the club’s youngsters featured in an Under-21 game earlier in the day.
“He [Mackie] is injured. He did his back. He collided with the goalkeeper in training. He did his back and couldn’t move,” said Redknapp.
“We had two keepers on the bench because we had no-one else,” he added.
Redknapp praised his players for their battling performance against the champions, who dominated much of the game.
City were denied by a combination of determined Rangers defending and important saves from keeper Julio Cesar.
“It was another solid performance and another clean sheet – another big point for us,” Redknapp declared.
“I’m happy with a point against the champions. We defended well and hit them on the couter-attack a couple of times and had a good chance with Adel Taarabt.
“Everyone did their job and you can’t ask for more – and that’s off the back of the games against Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham. We’re in good form at the moment.
“Cesar’s world class. You only have to look at his record. He’s won everything and is an amazing keeper.”
Ryan Nelsen was given a hero’s send-off by fans – and his team-mates, who formed a guard of honour as he left the pitch – after what is expected to be his final appearance for the club before leaving for Toronto.
Redknapp claimed he is “struggling” to get a centre-back in to replace him but then said: “I’m sure we’ll find someone.” West London Sport
West London Sport/Dave McIntyre
QPR boss unsure whether Crouch will return
Manager Harry Redknapp claims he is unsure whether QPR will be able to push through a deal to take Peter Crouch back to the club.
The England international, popular among R’s fans from his spell at Loftus Road as a youngster, is one of a host of players Redknapp has targeted ahead of this week’s transfer deadline.
Redknapp has long been hoping that Stoke boss Tony Pulis will make Crouch or Kenwyne Jones available if the Potters sign a forward before the window closes.
Pulis indicated after his team’s draw against Wigan – in which Crouch scored – that he would be willing to sell him.
“I’ve always took Crouchy wherever I’ve been. I took him from QPR to Portsmouth and had him at Southampton and Tottenham,” said Redknapp.
“I love him as a player, but whether Stoke will sell him I don’t know. Tony Pulis is a friend of mine. If they do sell Crouchy, I’ll be interested.” West London Sport
MANCHESTER CITY OFFICIAL SITE
Mancini Frustrated at Loftus Road Stalemate
Roberto Mancini ruled out making any last minute additions to his squad after a goalless draw at QPR.
City were on top for long periods against the Rs but a brilliant display from Julio Cesar in goal for the West London side denied the Blues a sixth-successive victory.“We did everything to win this game but we didn’t score,” said Mancini.
“When you play like this away and you don’t win, it’s incredible - we lost two points here and against West Ham, today was the same game.
...Roberto Mancini...“The pitch was wet, it was windy, it was difficult - we deserved to win but we have another 14 games to go.”
Cesar made a phenomenal save from Gareth Barry in the first-half and another from David Silva in the latter stages to deny the defending Premier League champions all three points.
It was no surprise to the former Inter manager who brought Cesar to Milan from Flamengo in 2005. “Julio Cesar saved everything and we made some mistakes – on another day maybe we could have scored four goals,” the 48-year old declared.
“Julio is one of the top goalkeepers in the world and he saved his team and I’m very happy for him because I know him very well – even though I’m so disappointed for us.
“I bought him when he was young for nothing and he did very well with me at Inter.”
Despite mounting speculation linking Mario Balotelli with a move to Milan, Mancini indicated that only defensive cover may be sought with two days of the transfer window remaining.
...Roberto Mancini...“We don’t have anything planned for the last two days [in terms of strikers], it’s very difficult to get a good player now.” Manchester City Official Site
QPR BOARD COMMENTS
GUARDIAN Dominic Fifield
Júlio César saves the day as Queens Park Rangers hold Manchester City
Roberto Mancini offered a shrug on the final whistle and only disappointment mumbled through a rueful smile post-match but, on the night the champions sanctioned the sale of Mario Balotelli to Milan, there was something troubling that Manchester City could muster only a goalless draw against the Premier League's bottom team. An opportunity to cut the gap to Manchester United has been passed up. The title defence feels rather fraught once again.
The leaders can re-establish a seven-point advantage by beating Southampton on Wednesday, which would feel deflating given City had won their previous four matches to suggest they were building up a head of steam. Instead, they are back where they have been too often, peering over a gap that yawned this wide on Boxing Day when they last lost. It was certainly untimely to run aground on Queens Park Rangers' rugged defence on the day Balotelli finally flew the nest. Mancini will not be replacing his £17m compatriot before the cut-off and he admitted the striker may be missed over the remaining 14 games. If it was risky retaining Mario, it may be perilous letting him go.
It should be noted that the departing 22-year-old had managed only one league goal all season and was hardly guaranteed to have illuminated City's display in rain-swept west London. Rather, the visitors lacked Yaya Touré – or perhaps more specifically the rampaging, irrepressible Touré from their title-winning season – who might have driven QPR's midfield into retreat and prised the hosts open had he not been in South Africa with Ivory Coast. Yet this was still no time for Mancini's forward line to draw a blank. Presentable chances were created, despite the home side's impressive huff and puff. None was converted.
The lack of bite may ultimately prove costly. Júlio César thwarted them in eye-catching fashion here, the Brazilian goalkeeper's instinctive block from David Silva's close-range shot as the contest lurched into its closing moments confirmation he would not be beaten. Less forgivable was Joleon Lescott's volley over the bar after César's weak punch, or Pablo Zabaleta's thumped header against the woodwork from Silva's delivery.
Edin Dzeko was flung on to offer a focal point but Clint Hill and Ryan Nelsen were in no mood to be bypassed. The New Zealand defender departed through a guard of honour assembled by his team-mates with this likely to have been his final game in English football with a job as head coach at Toronto in Major League Soccer calling. He will be sorely missed.
It was QPR who blunted City here, their endeavour epitomised by those seasoned centre-halves, the frenetic energy of Stéphane Mbia and Shaun Derry's scuttling in central midfield. It was hard to equate this side's committed display with the shambolic surrender mustered by a second-string at home to MK Dons in the FA Cup on Saturday, though the reality that Harry Redknapp named Rob Green and Brian Murphy on the bench offered a reminder that reinforcements are needed if a four-match unbeaten league run is to be extended into a charge for survival. Nothing quite says "But look how stretched we are, Mr Chairman" quite as effectively as a trio of goalkeepers in an 18-man match-day squad.
Redknapp is waiting on positive news from the owner, Tony Fernandes, over Christopher Samba at Anzhi Makhachkala or Rolando at Porto, Peter Odemwingie at West Bromwich Albion or Peter Crouch at Stoke. Yun Suk-young, the South Korea left-back, should complete his move from Chunnam Dragons on Wednesday. "We could do with getting three or four more," said the manager. "We could get none. And none would leave us in trouble. We need a central defender, that's for sure. The chairman asked me a week ago whether I'd be interested if he could get me Samba. I've left it wholly in his hands. He's working on several options but we're short."
What they lack in quality they made up for here in effort. This is a more robust QPR side now than was the case recently and, having established some defensive solidity, they could probe at times on the counter. Nelsen's fine tackle on Lescott at a City corner sparked their best chance, Adel Taarabt sprinting the length of the pitch in possession to draw a fine save from Joe Hart. Löic Rémy, too, was slippery and will have more profitable evenings than this. Norwich City's visit on Saturday is significant and the recent run of encouraging draws must be converted into a sequence of wins.
Redknapp described this as a bonus point, wary that City can "rip teams to pieces, home or away", but the game to come is "massive". Their gap to safety is only four points. City's to glory could revert to seven on Wednesday night. Guardian
GUARDIAN- Barney Ronay
Manchester City miss Yaya Touré more than Mario Balotelli against QPR
The directness of the Ivorian midfielder, currently in South Africa, was needed to fire City's attack, not their departing
Manchester City are missing the powerful running of their midfielder Yaya Touré, currently with Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations. Photograph: Alexander Joe/AFP/Getty Images
A run of wins, they said. That's what Queens Park Rangers need to stay up. After a feverishly-fought 0-0 draw against Manchester City on a night of swirling rain at Loftus Road Harry Redknapp, in his role of emergency managerial defibrillator, was at least on the verge of delivering the next best thing: a run of draws. A third consecutive draw inches Rangers along at the bottom.
For City this was a night of much possession, some fine interplay and a slight lack of incision that comes at a most inopportune time. Two points dropped here represents a stilling of the momentum that had kept Manchester United's lead at the top of the Premier League to five points. Separately this is a blank that coincides – yes always him: even now – with the departure of a £17m striker. City's attacks did lack a telling variation, although the absent ingredient was not Mario Balotelli but Yaya Touré, missed for the first time since his departure for South Africa. Touré's direct running would have provided an ideal attacking counterpoint to the embroidery of City's midfield as Rangers dropped deep and the pitch grew heavier.
Not that it seem likely to be an issue in the opening half hour. With Javi García providing a seamless stop-gap in central defence, Carlos Tevez, Sergio Agüero, and David Silva all seemed to fancy this wet Tuesday night from the off, arranging themselves in a rotating forward three of gnome-like industry. If this match was always likely to be in part Viking funeral for Balotelli's City career, the early stages threatened to emphasise the well-grooved striking riches that remain.
As the half wore on though Rangers' defenders accustomed themselves admirably to City's scurrying threat. City still have Edin Dzeko to provide a more direct route to goal, the Bosnian not only out-scoring Balotelli – provider of 20 goals in the Premier League over two and half years – but also providing a more adhesive presence. Dzeko duly arrived just before the hour, with the match at that stage resembling not so much champions against bottom club as a meeting of rough equivalents.
For the past couple of seasons this fixture has seemed to provide instead a poignant reflection of contrasting approaches to the billionaire's burden. City 2.0, for all the £930.4m total spend, somehow still manage to convey a sense of managed revolution. Rangers on the other hand are a lesson in how not to do it. Since Tony Fernandes bought the club in 2011 19 players have been recruited, many on embarrassingly overblown wages, the club resembling a footballing equivalent of the kind of lottery millionaire who blows it all on helicopters and model race tracks and ends up forgetting to buy a roof to sleep under.
The appointment of Redknapp at such a late stage resembled at first glance the managerial equivalent of tossing aside the empty ammo drums and charging over the top with bayonets fixed. Not so this evening. Rangers were solid at the back and disciplined in midfield, while throughout this rackety old shed of an urban football stadium resounded to chants of "Tony Fernandes".
Rangers' early midfield scuffles were applauded wildly and, Pablo Zabaleta's header on to the bar aside, Rangers had the most clearcut chance of the first half. Adel Taarabt, breaking from inside his own half, did everything right, stepping past Gaël Clichy and attempting a dinked finish. Joe Hart's sprint from his line to save at his feet was electrifying stuff.
With Redknapp putting his faith in Rangers' receding core of promotion‑season survivors, Shaun Derry was immensely busy in midfield, shuttling left to right in search of balls to snaffle, colleagues to upbraid. At one point, in danger of being bypassed, he simply sat on Samir Nasri. Along with Clint Hill, restored to the captaincy in place of the bafflingly ineffectual Park Ji-Sung, Derry provided the main sense of resistance while Júlio Cesar produced some outstanding saves throughout: one leaping, firm-wristed palm away from Gareth Barry's shot was the defining image of the night. A result that might yet provide a renewed shift of momentum at the top of the table depended in large part on the Brazilian's decisiveness at vital moments.
With Tevez removed on 73 minutes in favour of Jack Rodwell there was at last a sense City may have been briefly regretting the departure of a man who did, for all his flaws, provide the odd – albeit increasingly unexpected – moment of the unexpected. More than this though, they seemed to miss Touré's thrust on a night that was a reminder, towards the end, not of the fragile charms of the season's grandest striking disappointment, but instead of where the genuine strengths of City still lie. Guardian
A QPR REPORT PERSPECTIVE - CLUB RESPONSE AWAITED
The Club and its "Associations"
The Club and its "Associations"
An ongoing matter of continued "regret" to at least this blogger:
That Queen's Park Rangers FC continue to provide a forum on its Official
Match Day broadcast show to "QBlockPete" - Pete Davies.
Ultimately, obviously the owners and senior management of Queen's
Park Rangers Football determine who they want to employ or utilize.
But equally, QPR supporters - quite a few of whom have been
supporting QPR a lot longer than any of the current QPR owners,
employees, or "Associates" - retain the freedom to express their views
(whether supportive or critical) and concerns on matters pertaining to
QPR.
If you want to express any views on this matter either privately or publicly, pm me on the QPR Report Messageboard or email at qprreport@hotmail.com
