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Six months after QPR Chairman Gianni Paladini announced that Ugo Ukah had joined Italian club Nourese Calcio on a three year contract, Ukah is supposedly back at QPR, and according to messageboard posters who saw today's programme, given the number #40 shirt. (As of now he is NOT listed on the Official Site Playing Squad - Squad
Ukah played for QPR Reserves on Wednesday, Reserve report and his name was just listed on the Reserve Lineup but there has been no announcement on the official site about his having returned - or why he had returned.
In May of this year, QPR announced "The Club can confirm that Ugo Ukah has today joined Italian outfit Nourese Calcio on a free transfer. Ukah...has signed a three year contract with the Serie C2 side. Chairman Gianni Paladini confirmed the news to qpr.co.uk: "We've negotiated a fifty per-cent sell-on clause and we wish him all the best.'' Ugo A Go-Go
This of course is scarcely the first instance in recent months of events occurring at Loftus Road without any explanation being offered: To cite but three instances: The departure of Chief Operating Officer, Graham Mackrell after less than three months in the job; the departure of Chief Financial Officer, Chris Pennington; and the departure of Gary Waddock, just weeks after the club said he was staying on under a Gregory Managership.
Re Ugo: See also
Ukah
NB: The website of the Italian club, Nourese Calcio where QPR announced Ukah was going (The website obviously in Italian) Nourese
Welcome to QPR REPORT - A completely unofficial and unaffiliated fan site focusing on G-d's Chosen Team, Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) FC. (Visit also QPR Report Messageboard and Follow on Twitter.) QPR Report accepts no sponsorship, advertising or financial contributions. In 2008, QPR Report was named as one of the top two blogs in the Football League
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Managerial Comments: Gregory Unhappy
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QPR Official Site
John Gregory - PAIN IN THE RAIN
"..."It's a disappointing outcome after an equally disappointing display,'' Gregory told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We were poor, very poor, especially in the first half. I didn't recognise any of my players at all during the first 30 minutes.''
Gregory believes the pressure of the occasion got to the R's, commenting: "We gave the ball away far too easily and we were a shadow of the side that won at Cardiff last Friday.
"There was pressure to produce today and we failed miserably. We looked like a side under pressure and too many players didn't turn up.
"It's easy to be critical but we've got another game on Tuesday and it's important we bounce back now.''
Gregory concluded: "I learnt a lot about my players today and hopefully it's just a blip. Sunderland is a massive game for us now.''
Gregory
QPR Official Site
John Gregory - PAIN IN THE RAIN
"..."It's a disappointing outcome after an equally disappointing display,'' Gregory told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We were poor, very poor, especially in the first half. I didn't recognise any of my players at all during the first 30 minutes.''
Gregory believes the pressure of the occasion got to the R's, commenting: "We gave the ball away far too easily and we were a shadow of the side that won at Cardiff last Friday.
"There was pressure to produce today and we failed miserably. We looked like a side under pressure and too many players didn't turn up.
"It's easy to be critical but we've got another game on Tuesday and it's important we bounce back now.''
Gregory concluded: "I learnt a lot about my players today and hopefully it's just a blip. Sunderland is a massive game for us now.''
Gregory
QPR 0 Coventry 1
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QPR lost 0-1 to Coventry at Loftus Road today before a crowd of a little less than 13,000. League Table after today - Table
Blackstock was replaced with Jones in the first half. Adebola scored in the 48th minute. Nygaard and Bailey were replaced by Gallen & Rowlands.
Starting Line ups
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Rehman, Stewart, Mancienne, Ward, Smith, Bailey, Cook, Blackstock, Nygaard.
Subs: Thomas, Milanese, Gallen, Rowlands, Jones.
Coventry City: Marshall, Hall, Page, Ward, Doyle, Adebola, McKenzie, Cameron, Duffy, Clarke, Currie.
Subs: Gonzalez-Robles, Kyle, Birchall, Bischoff, Tabb
SPORTING LIFE - By Tom Collomosse, PA Sport
Dele Adebola struck three minutes after half-time to condemn QPR to their first defeat in six matches.
Rangers came into the match in buoyant mood after three successive victories, but it was Coventry who claimed their fourth away win in the Coca-Cola Championship this season.
Rangers were below par for most of the match and Coventry wasted several chances, with Leon McKenzie, Darren Currie and Colin Cameron all culpable - although Micky Adams' team did survive late Rangers pressure.
The home side had started reasonably well, but the visitors should have gone in front in the 19th minute when Adebola barged past Michael Mancienne to set up the unmarked Cameron, only for the Scot somehow to fluff his finish from five yards and the danger passed.
Rangers goalkeeper Simon Royce showed alertness in the 33rd minute to reach Elliott Ward's long through ball before Leon McKenzie could latch onto it.
At the other end, Lee Cook then created a 43rd-minute chance for Dexter Blackstock, whose shot on the turn following Jimmy Smith's lay-off was saved by Andy Marshall.
Rangers then suffered a blow when Blackstock went off injured two minutes later and was replaced by Ray Jones.
But Jones almost made an instant impact, shooting just wide from 10 yards in first-half stoppage time, before Marshall saved from Cook following a thrilling burst.
McKenzie missed a glorious chance to put Coventry ahead a minute after half-time, when he fired well wide from 10 yards after out-muscling Marcus Bignot inside the penalty area.
But the Sky Blues' disappointment lasted less than a minute. Adebola turned the shaky Zesh Rehman before charging into the area and shooting confidently beyond Royce with his left foot.
Rangers could not deal with Adebola's pace and strength, and in the 53rd minute he held off three men before sending McKenzie clear to guide over a cross which Mancienne had to divert behind for a corner.
Three minutes later, Darren Currie should have scored a debut goal after joining Coventry on loan from Ipswich, but he could only head McKenzie's excellent cross too high.
The home team were rocking, but they gathered themselves again and substitute Kevin Gallen's 25-yard effort flew just over following Nick Ward's clever dummy.
Coventry were content to hold their lead, but they continued to pose an attacking threat and McKenzie put a diving header wide in the 80th minute after Marcus Hall had picked him out.
Rangers' last chances disappeared when Marshall saved well from Gallen from 20 yards, and Jones just failed to reach Gallen's flick-on.
Sporting Life
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - MATCH REPORT
Rangers succumbed to their first defeat in six matches, as Dele Adebola bagged the Sky Blues' winner at Loftus Road.
The R's five match unbeaten run ended in disappointing fashion, on an afternoon when they failed to hit the heady heights of previous performances.
To their credit, Coventry were efficient and workmanlike and when Adebola struck early in the second half, you just sensed it wasn't to be for the R's.
It was all square at the break, despite both sides creating a flurry of goal-scoring opportunities.
Coventry probably deserved to be ahead on chances created, but Rangers certainly finished the half in the ascendancy, with substitute Ray Jones and Lee Cook both going close.
Nicky Ward was handed his first start under John Gregory, with Gareth Ainsworth ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Martin Rowlands returned to the R's substitute's bench, while Coventry gave a debut to loan signing Darren Currie.
Buoyed by last week's stunning victory in Wales, Rangers started on the front foot, with Damion Stewart heading over Cook's second minute set-piece.
In what was a really lively opening to the game, play soon switched to the other end, with Colin Cameron firing straight at Simon Royce from fully 30-yards.
Coventry created another chance on seven minutes, but thankfully for the R's, Richard Duffy's cross-come-shot flew wide.
The Sky Blues should have been in front four minutes later, but after great wide play from Currie, there wasn't a Coventry player in sight as the ball zipped across the six-yard box.
Rangers were struggling to find any fluency of sorts and after Stefan Bailey conceded posession all too cheaply in the heart of the R's midfield, the lively Dele Adebola shot tamely at Royce.
Coventry were orchestrating proceedings by now, but when Adebola cut the ball back from the by-line, Colin Cameron got his close range effort horribly wrong, skewing the ball wide for a throw-in.
Undeterred, Rangers were soon on the front foot themselves and when the ball eventually found it's way to Ward on the right flank, the Aussie's 18-yard effort was deflected inches wide of Andy Marshall's near post.
Michael Doyle thought he'd given Coventry the lead on 23 minutes, but after he rose tallest to power his back post header on target, the ball took a wicked deflection off a Rangers defender and went out of play for a corner.
Royce came to Rangers rescue again on the half hour, sprinting from his line to deny Leon McKenzie, after the former Norwich City striker escaped the last line of the R's defence.
Cook was becoming more and more involved as the half wore on, but all too often his crosses evaded the onrushing Marc Nygaard and Dexter Blackstock.
There was a brief scare for Cook a moment or two later, but after lengthy treatment from Rangers physio Prav Mathema, the much sought-after winger returned to the fray.
Jimmy Smith smashed a speculative 25-yard strike into the arms of Marshall on 40 minutes, before Blackstock's impromptu shot on the turn flew straight at the Coventry stopper.
Rangers finished the half strongly, with Zesh Rehman heading inches wide from another sublime Smith delivery, before the hosts were forced into their first change.
After an early clash of heads, Blackstock appeared to be suffering with concussion and he was forced to make way for Jones.
The Rangers substitute very nearly handed the R's the lead on the stroke of half-time, only to shoot inches wide after a piece of neat close control.
There was yet more to come for the hosts 20 seconds before the break and again it was that man Cook who provided the spark.
After leaving three defenders in his wake, the R's winger forced Marshall into a stunning full length save at his near post.
The second half was only 60 seconds old when McKenzie squandered a golden opportunity to put the visitors in front.
After holding off Marcus Bignot with ease, the pacy front-man was gifted with a free run on goal, only to fire over from an acute angle.
His strike partner made no mistake a minute later though, as Adebola made the most of the time and space he was gifted to fire past Royce from 12-yards, and hand Coventry a lead they probably just about deserved.
The goal sparked Rangers into life and when Bignot's cross drifted towards the back post, Nygaard headed onto the top of the bar with Marshall seemingly beaten all ends up.
The outstanding Currie almost notched the goal his performance deserved on 55 minutes, but after getting goal-side of Michael Mancienne, he headed over from the edge of the six-yard box.
Sensing the game was slipping from his side's grasp, Gregory responded with a double substitution on 56 minutes, introducing Martin Rowlands and Kevin Gallen at the expense of Bailey and Nygaard.
Gallen fired a brief warning shot with a rasping 25-yard drive midway through the half, before Cook's free-kick flew inches over with Marshall all at sea.
Rangers were growing in belief as the clock ticked down, but Marshall was rarely troubled, with Smith firing high and wide from 20-yards.
The lively McKenzie should have put the result beyond any doubt on 79 minutes, but with the goal at his mercy, he somehow glanced his header wide.
That miss almost came back to haunt the visitors four minutes from time, only for Marshall to grab Gallen's snap shot at the second attempt.
Rangers were throwing everything bar the kitchen sink at the visitors by now, but the goal they craved failed to materialise, with Jones just failing to add the all-important touch to Bignot's far post cross.
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Rehman, Stewart, Mancienne, Ward, Smith, Bailey (Rowlands 56), Cook, Blackstock (Jones 44), Nygaard (Gallen 56).
Subs: Thomas, Milanese.
Bookings: Ward 82
Coventry City: Marshall, Hall, Page, Ward, Doyle, Adebola, McKenzie, Cameron, Duffy, Clarke, Currie (Kyle 83).
Subs: Gonzalez-Robles, Birchall, Bischoff, Tabb.
Scorers: Adebola 47
Bookings: Duffy 25, Hall 68, Kyle 90
Referee: Mr C Penton
Attendance: 12, 840
Official SIte
COVENTRY PERSPECTIVE - OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT
oventry deservedly beat QPR by a goal to nil thanks to a battling display with Dele Adebola getting the only goal of the game.
The Sky Blues went through a far-from-average warm-up for this one, having had to desert their coach, get the tube to Shepherd's Bush and walk to Loftus Road. The players only emerged for their pre-match run-through half an hour before kick-off but the game still got underway at 3pm.
Darren Currie was named in the starting eleven for his Coventry City debut, playing on the left hand side of midfield, while Colin Cameron replaced the injured Don Hutchison and surprisingly lined-up on the right.
Clive Clarke played in his third position since joining the Club on loan little over a month ago at centre midfield. Elliott Ward was back at centre half having recovered from a back strain, with Jay Tabb dropping to the bench at his expense.
Cameron got City's first shot on goal in the second minute but it was easily gathered by Rangers goalkeeper Simon Royce. And the former Wolves man was presented with the best chance of the game in the 19th minute when Dele Adebola went on a mazy run and pulled a lovely ball back which Cameron scuffed across the face of goal when he should have at least hit the target.
The match was flowing end-to-end but it was the Sky Blues who were creating the best of the early opportunities, although they failed to take any of them to establish a lead.
City were working their socks off throughout the team and Adebola in particular was seeing a lot of the ball up front, while Cameron looked impressive in the engine room.
The home side started to impose themselves more on the tie as the first half came to an end and Andy Marshall had to be alert to make an excellent one-handed save to ensure the scores remained goalless while substitute Ray Jones shot just wide from 15 yards.
The Hoops had finished the first half the stronger side but City emerged completely fired up at the start of the second and after McKenzie had wasted a glorious one-on-one chance to give the Sky Blues the lead, the impressive Adebola put City ahead in fine style.
The powerful striker collected a square ball, span his marker and hammered a shot high into the net past the helpless Royce to make it 1-0 in the 47th minute with his 100th career goal. QPR went straight up the other end and nearly equalized as a Marc Nygaard header clipped the top of the crossbar.
But it was City who continued to apply all the pressure and Currie could have marked his debut with a goal when McKenzie floated in a beautiful cross but the loan man could not get over his header and placed it over the bar.
John Gregory made a double substitution with just over half an hour remaining introducing the experienced strike partnership of Kevin Gallen and Martin Rowlands.
As you'd expect from a side that had beaten the league leaders away from home last week, QPR were not going to take things lying down and threw everything at the Sky Blues to get back in the match.
With eleven minutes left on the clock City carved out a great move which nearly sealed the three points. Marcus Hall went on an overlap down the left and whipped in a superb cross which McKenzie connected with a diving header but unfortunately his effort flew just wide of the upright.
With six minutes remaining Adams made his first switch as Kyle replaced Currie who'd had a competent if unspectacular first appearance in a City shirt.
Marshall has been performing superbly in goal in recent weeks and he pulled out an excellent one-handed stop from Gallen in the 87th minute to preserve Coventry's slender advantage.
With five minutes of stoppage time signaled there was a nervy end to the tie but the Sky Blues continued to stand firm to pick up a superb victory after an extremely committed performance.
Coventry
And Earlier, OFF THE FIELD THIS CLUB STATEMENT
QPR can confirm that four members of the Youth Team are currently helping the British Transport Police with their enquiries following an incident at Earls Court tube station on Thursday.
The thoughts of everyone at QPR are with the families of those involved.
The Club will make no further comment relating to this incident at this time.
Statemen
QPR lost 0-1 to Coventry at Loftus Road today before a crowd of a little less than 13,000. League Table after today - Table
Blackstock was replaced with Jones in the first half. Adebola scored in the 48th minute. Nygaard and Bailey were replaced by Gallen & Rowlands.
Starting Line ups
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Rehman, Stewart, Mancienne, Ward, Smith, Bailey, Cook, Blackstock, Nygaard.
Subs: Thomas, Milanese, Gallen, Rowlands, Jones.
Coventry City: Marshall, Hall, Page, Ward, Doyle, Adebola, McKenzie, Cameron, Duffy, Clarke, Currie.
Subs: Gonzalez-Robles, Kyle, Birchall, Bischoff, Tabb
SPORTING LIFE - By Tom Collomosse, PA Sport
Dele Adebola struck three minutes after half-time to condemn QPR to their first defeat in six matches.
Rangers came into the match in buoyant mood after three successive victories, but it was Coventry who claimed their fourth away win in the Coca-Cola Championship this season.
Rangers were below par for most of the match and Coventry wasted several chances, with Leon McKenzie, Darren Currie and Colin Cameron all culpable - although Micky Adams' team did survive late Rangers pressure.
The home side had started reasonably well, but the visitors should have gone in front in the 19th minute when Adebola barged past Michael Mancienne to set up the unmarked Cameron, only for the Scot somehow to fluff his finish from five yards and the danger passed.
Rangers goalkeeper Simon Royce showed alertness in the 33rd minute to reach Elliott Ward's long through ball before Leon McKenzie could latch onto it.
At the other end, Lee Cook then created a 43rd-minute chance for Dexter Blackstock, whose shot on the turn following Jimmy Smith's lay-off was saved by Andy Marshall.
Rangers then suffered a blow when Blackstock went off injured two minutes later and was replaced by Ray Jones.
But Jones almost made an instant impact, shooting just wide from 10 yards in first-half stoppage time, before Marshall saved from Cook following a thrilling burst.
McKenzie missed a glorious chance to put Coventry ahead a minute after half-time, when he fired well wide from 10 yards after out-muscling Marcus Bignot inside the penalty area.
But the Sky Blues' disappointment lasted less than a minute. Adebola turned the shaky Zesh Rehman before charging into the area and shooting confidently beyond Royce with his left foot.
Rangers could not deal with Adebola's pace and strength, and in the 53rd minute he held off three men before sending McKenzie clear to guide over a cross which Mancienne had to divert behind for a corner.
Three minutes later, Darren Currie should have scored a debut goal after joining Coventry on loan from Ipswich, but he could only head McKenzie's excellent cross too high.
The home team were rocking, but they gathered themselves again and substitute Kevin Gallen's 25-yard effort flew just over following Nick Ward's clever dummy.
Coventry were content to hold their lead, but they continued to pose an attacking threat and McKenzie put a diving header wide in the 80th minute after Marcus Hall had picked him out.
Rangers' last chances disappeared when Marshall saved well from Gallen from 20 yards, and Jones just failed to reach Gallen's flick-on.
Sporting Life
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - MATCH REPORT
Rangers succumbed to their first defeat in six matches, as Dele Adebola bagged the Sky Blues' winner at Loftus Road.
The R's five match unbeaten run ended in disappointing fashion, on an afternoon when they failed to hit the heady heights of previous performances.
To their credit, Coventry were efficient and workmanlike and when Adebola struck early in the second half, you just sensed it wasn't to be for the R's.
It was all square at the break, despite both sides creating a flurry of goal-scoring opportunities.
Coventry probably deserved to be ahead on chances created, but Rangers certainly finished the half in the ascendancy, with substitute Ray Jones and Lee Cook both going close.
Nicky Ward was handed his first start under John Gregory, with Gareth Ainsworth ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Martin Rowlands returned to the R's substitute's bench, while Coventry gave a debut to loan signing Darren Currie.
Buoyed by last week's stunning victory in Wales, Rangers started on the front foot, with Damion Stewart heading over Cook's second minute set-piece.
In what was a really lively opening to the game, play soon switched to the other end, with Colin Cameron firing straight at Simon Royce from fully 30-yards.
Coventry created another chance on seven minutes, but thankfully for the R's, Richard Duffy's cross-come-shot flew wide.
The Sky Blues should have been in front four minutes later, but after great wide play from Currie, there wasn't a Coventry player in sight as the ball zipped across the six-yard box.
Rangers were struggling to find any fluency of sorts and after Stefan Bailey conceded posession all too cheaply in the heart of the R's midfield, the lively Dele Adebola shot tamely at Royce.
Coventry were orchestrating proceedings by now, but when Adebola cut the ball back from the by-line, Colin Cameron got his close range effort horribly wrong, skewing the ball wide for a throw-in.
Undeterred, Rangers were soon on the front foot themselves and when the ball eventually found it's way to Ward on the right flank, the Aussie's 18-yard effort was deflected inches wide of Andy Marshall's near post.
Michael Doyle thought he'd given Coventry the lead on 23 minutes, but after he rose tallest to power his back post header on target, the ball took a wicked deflection off a Rangers defender and went out of play for a corner.
Royce came to Rangers rescue again on the half hour, sprinting from his line to deny Leon McKenzie, after the former Norwich City striker escaped the last line of the R's defence.
Cook was becoming more and more involved as the half wore on, but all too often his crosses evaded the onrushing Marc Nygaard and Dexter Blackstock.
There was a brief scare for Cook a moment or two later, but after lengthy treatment from Rangers physio Prav Mathema, the much sought-after winger returned to the fray.
Jimmy Smith smashed a speculative 25-yard strike into the arms of Marshall on 40 minutes, before Blackstock's impromptu shot on the turn flew straight at the Coventry stopper.
Rangers finished the half strongly, with Zesh Rehman heading inches wide from another sublime Smith delivery, before the hosts were forced into their first change.
After an early clash of heads, Blackstock appeared to be suffering with concussion and he was forced to make way for Jones.
The Rangers substitute very nearly handed the R's the lead on the stroke of half-time, only to shoot inches wide after a piece of neat close control.
There was yet more to come for the hosts 20 seconds before the break and again it was that man Cook who provided the spark.
After leaving three defenders in his wake, the R's winger forced Marshall into a stunning full length save at his near post.
The second half was only 60 seconds old when McKenzie squandered a golden opportunity to put the visitors in front.
After holding off Marcus Bignot with ease, the pacy front-man was gifted with a free run on goal, only to fire over from an acute angle.
His strike partner made no mistake a minute later though, as Adebola made the most of the time and space he was gifted to fire past Royce from 12-yards, and hand Coventry a lead they probably just about deserved.
The goal sparked Rangers into life and when Bignot's cross drifted towards the back post, Nygaard headed onto the top of the bar with Marshall seemingly beaten all ends up.
The outstanding Currie almost notched the goal his performance deserved on 55 minutes, but after getting goal-side of Michael Mancienne, he headed over from the edge of the six-yard box.
Sensing the game was slipping from his side's grasp, Gregory responded with a double substitution on 56 minutes, introducing Martin Rowlands and Kevin Gallen at the expense of Bailey and Nygaard.
Gallen fired a brief warning shot with a rasping 25-yard drive midway through the half, before Cook's free-kick flew inches over with Marshall all at sea.
Rangers were growing in belief as the clock ticked down, but Marshall was rarely troubled, with Smith firing high and wide from 20-yards.
The lively McKenzie should have put the result beyond any doubt on 79 minutes, but with the goal at his mercy, he somehow glanced his header wide.
That miss almost came back to haunt the visitors four minutes from time, only for Marshall to grab Gallen's snap shot at the second attempt.
Rangers were throwing everything bar the kitchen sink at the visitors by now, but the goal they craved failed to materialise, with Jones just failing to add the all-important touch to Bignot's far post cross.
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Rehman, Stewart, Mancienne, Ward, Smith, Bailey (Rowlands 56), Cook, Blackstock (Jones 44), Nygaard (Gallen 56).
Subs: Thomas, Milanese.
Bookings: Ward 82
Coventry City: Marshall, Hall, Page, Ward, Doyle, Adebola, McKenzie, Cameron, Duffy, Clarke, Currie (Kyle 83).
Subs: Gonzalez-Robles, Birchall, Bischoff, Tabb.
Scorers: Adebola 47
Bookings: Duffy 25, Hall 68, Kyle 90
Referee: Mr C Penton
Attendance: 12, 840
Official SIte
COVENTRY PERSPECTIVE - OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT
oventry deservedly beat QPR by a goal to nil thanks to a battling display with Dele Adebola getting the only goal of the game.
The Sky Blues went through a far-from-average warm-up for this one, having had to desert their coach, get the tube to Shepherd's Bush and walk to Loftus Road. The players only emerged for their pre-match run-through half an hour before kick-off but the game still got underway at 3pm.
Darren Currie was named in the starting eleven for his Coventry City debut, playing on the left hand side of midfield, while Colin Cameron replaced the injured Don Hutchison and surprisingly lined-up on the right.
Clive Clarke played in his third position since joining the Club on loan little over a month ago at centre midfield. Elliott Ward was back at centre half having recovered from a back strain, with Jay Tabb dropping to the bench at his expense.
Cameron got City's first shot on goal in the second minute but it was easily gathered by Rangers goalkeeper Simon Royce. And the former Wolves man was presented with the best chance of the game in the 19th minute when Dele Adebola went on a mazy run and pulled a lovely ball back which Cameron scuffed across the face of goal when he should have at least hit the target.
The match was flowing end-to-end but it was the Sky Blues who were creating the best of the early opportunities, although they failed to take any of them to establish a lead.
City were working their socks off throughout the team and Adebola in particular was seeing a lot of the ball up front, while Cameron looked impressive in the engine room.
The home side started to impose themselves more on the tie as the first half came to an end and Andy Marshall had to be alert to make an excellent one-handed save to ensure the scores remained goalless while substitute Ray Jones shot just wide from 15 yards.
The Hoops had finished the first half the stronger side but City emerged completely fired up at the start of the second and after McKenzie had wasted a glorious one-on-one chance to give the Sky Blues the lead, the impressive Adebola put City ahead in fine style.
The powerful striker collected a square ball, span his marker and hammered a shot high into the net past the helpless Royce to make it 1-0 in the 47th minute with his 100th career goal. QPR went straight up the other end and nearly equalized as a Marc Nygaard header clipped the top of the crossbar.
But it was City who continued to apply all the pressure and Currie could have marked his debut with a goal when McKenzie floated in a beautiful cross but the loan man could not get over his header and placed it over the bar.
John Gregory made a double substitution with just over half an hour remaining introducing the experienced strike partnership of Kevin Gallen and Martin Rowlands.
As you'd expect from a side that had beaten the league leaders away from home last week, QPR were not going to take things lying down and threw everything at the Sky Blues to get back in the match.
With eleven minutes left on the clock City carved out a great move which nearly sealed the three points. Marcus Hall went on an overlap down the left and whipped in a superb cross which McKenzie connected with a diving header but unfortunately his effort flew just wide of the upright.
With six minutes remaining Adams made his first switch as Kyle replaced Currie who'd had a competent if unspectacular first appearance in a City shirt.
Marshall has been performing superbly in goal in recent weeks and he pulled out an excellent one-handed stop from Gallen in the 87th minute to preserve Coventry's slender advantage.
With five minutes of stoppage time signaled there was a nervy end to the tie but the Sky Blues continued to stand firm to pick up a superb victory after an extremely committed performance.
Coventry
And Earlier, OFF THE FIELD THIS CLUB STATEMENT
QPR can confirm that four members of the Youth Team are currently helping the British Transport Police with their enquiries following an incident at Earls Court tube station on Thursday.
The thoughts of everyone at QPR are with the families of those involved.
The Club will make no further comment relating to this incident at this time.
Statemen
Thirty Years Ago, QPR Were Marching Through Europe!
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Thirty Years Ago, yesterday: November 24, 1976, QPR Marched on in Europe: In the EUFA Cup, first leg QPR 3 FC Cologne 0. Scorers, Givens, Webb & Bowles.
Full Team: Parkes Clement Webb McClintock Gillard, Hollins, Masson, Leach, Thomas, Bowles and Givens.
QPR then lost the away leg in Cologne 1-4 and went through.
[In the Quarter Finals. QPR played AEK Athens...Winning the home game 3-0...Losing the Away game 0-3 and going out on penalties.!]
Thirty Years Ago, yesterday: November 24, 1976, QPR Marched on in Europe: In the EUFA Cup, first leg QPR 3 FC Cologne 0. Scorers, Givens, Webb & Bowles.
Full Team: Parkes Clement Webb McClintock Gillard, Hollins, Masson, Leach, Thomas, Bowles and Givens.
QPR then lost the away leg in Cologne 1-4 and went through.
[In the Quarter Finals. QPR played AEK Athens...Winning the home game 3-0...Losing the Away game 0-3 and going out on penalties.!]
Five Years Ago QPR Fans Were Protesting
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November 21, 2001 - This is Local London - QPR Protest
Rs fans angry at the ongoing fight for ownership of their club planned to form a ring around its Loftus Road stadium in South Africa Road last night (Nov 21).
Fans living abroad or who couldn't make the fixture were encouraged by supporters' trust QPR1st to e-mail the club at the same time.
The club is in the throes of being sold by ex-chairman Chris Wright. A consortium led by Brian Melzack is currently negotiating and fans are worried that a deal may involve selling the ground - This is Local Lonon
See also QPR 1st for November 20 and 22 2001 - QPR1st
Also LSA for November 2001 - LSA
BBC -Tuesday, 20 November, 2001, The fall and fall of QPR
Ian Holloway must lead QPR out of trouble
QPR fan Ian Pyke reveals the heartache of watching his beloved club plummet towards obscurty.
QPR's season of suffering hit its lowest point with the 4-0 FA Cup first round exit at Swansea City.
It meant support for the team from long-suffering supporters came in the shape of barracking for players and some club officials at every opportunity.
This may seem an unusual method of backing - but it is an understandable reaction from fans who have suffered three cup exits and a series of poor performances in recent weeks.
It was a season of high expectations at Loftus Road under manager Ian Holloway, despite relegation in the previous campaign.
A home victory against Stoke on the opening day of the season seemed to support the optimism, especially as it was followed by an away win at Bury.
If you've followed QPR over recent years, you will know an away win is rarer than an Englishman playing for Chelsea.
Obviously the league table and the number of free Saturdays until the end of the season show the picture has changed.
If you allow me to reminisce, it was only eight years ago QPR finished as top London club.
And although no one expected us to remain in this position forever, we didn't expect to now have only Leyton Orient below us.
QPR was regarded by as many as a model of how to run a relatively small club.
Alan Curbishley was once quoted as saying "I want Charlton to be the new QPR" when they were restructuring their club and looking to return to The Valley.
Charlton announced a profit this week, and look to have established themselves as a Premiership club.
So QPR now aspire to be like Charlton.
The fall and fall of QPR can mainly be attributed to the previous club owners and their lack of foresight.
When we parted company with the Premiership, we had a wage bill that was unsustainable in the First Division.
Alan Curbishley was once quoted as saying 'I want Charlton to be the new QPR' when they were restructuring their club and looking to return to The Valley
QPR fan Ian Pyke
Not only did we fail to reduce this, we went on to sign players with limited ability on relatively big contracts.
Although some may say we gambled to get back into the top flight, I would argue the real gamble should have taken place a year earlier when were still there.
Last summer saw almost 30 players leave the club and QPR go into admistration - and yet this summer the sales of season tickets increased.
I have on three occasions had to queue at 7am to get tickets for away games. This is a measure of QPR's fan base and the club's potential.
So my final word is about the fans.
Yes we have voiced our opinions against individuals recently, but after two relegations and being dumped out of the FA Cup in the first round for the first time in almost 50 years, we have had cause to complain.
OK enough moaning - a home win against Swindon at Loftus Road on Wednesday and a win at Brentford will make things look better.
I can dream. And this is why we still have a healthy home attendance and we queue for tickets for away games.
We all dream of better times.
Sadly, at the moment we are not too fond of reality.
BBC
At this point, five years ago, Brian Melzak looked the likely takeover winner, as a number of people/groups had been making various bids to buy QPR
This is Local London - October 10, 2001 - Brian Makes An Offer For Qpr
Edgware property developer Brian Melzack is taking his obsession with Queens Park Rangers FC so seriously that he is heading a consortium bidding for ownership of the cash-strapped Second Division team.
The group is headed by Mr Melzack, 44, from Highview Avenue, and friend Laurence Selman, 43, from Bushey, is favourite to buy the club, based at the Loftus Road stadium in west London, for around £10million.
Owner Chris Wright and club administrators BDO Stoy Hayward have formally accepted a bid from the group, which secured a three-week deal blocking rival bids.
Mr Melzack is a lifelong QPR fan, a member of Edgware and District Reform Synagogue and a founder member of the Maccabi side Temple Fortune. He was part of a consortium led by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Tim Razzall to try to buy the club before it went into administration at the end of last season with debts of around £10 million.
QPR had been linked to a takeover bid by the religious cult the Moonies, after the club admitted to holding a meeting with the Church of Unification.
Mr Melzack has also fought off bids from a consortium led by businessman Maurice Fitzgerald and a mystery bidder from overseas.
Loftus Road chief executive David Davies said in a statement: "We are pleased to announce we have entered into this exclusivity period with Brian Melzack and his consortium.
"Due to confidentiality agreements signed by both parties we will be unable to discuss this any further until the matter is resolved one way or the other."
This is Local London
And on the field, QPR were winning 4-0 vs Swindon with Gallen returning
BBC -Wednesday, 21 November, 2001, QPR 4-0 Swindon
Striker Kevin Gallen was the QPR hero on his return to Loftus Road as he scored one and had a hand in two others as Rangers thrashed Swindon.
Gallen re-signed for Rangers on a free transfer on Monday and he took just three minutes to make an impression as his clever flick put Doudou away and he slotted home.
On eight minutes Rangers made it two and Gallen was at the heart of it again.
He crossed to Steve Palmer to shoot and though Robins keeper Bart Griemink made a brilliant save, he couldn't prevent Oliver Burgess scoring from the rebound.
The game was all over before half time as on 36 minutes Gallen grabbed a debut goal.
He beat Andy Gurney before storming into the box and firing into the corner.
Swindon had most of the possession in the second half but it was QPR who had the last word when in injury time Karl Connolly put away Andy Thomson and he rounded the keeper before slotting in the fourth.
QPR: Digby, Forbes, Rose, Shittu, Palmer, Warren, Burgess, Bonnot, Connolly, Gallen, Dodou. Subs: Bruce, Bignot, Paquette, Thomson, Evans.
Swindon: Griemink, Mark Robinson, Heywood, Gurney, Ruddock, Steve Robinson, Duke, Hewlett, Carlisle, Sabin, Invincible. Subs: Willis, Osei-Kuffour, Grazioli, McKinney, McAreavey.
BBC
And Kenny Jackett was praising QPR
BBC - Jackett lauds QPR November 26, 2001
QPR's 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Swansea has brought about an immediate improvement in the team's performances, according to assistant manager Kenny Jackett.
Since that defeat, QPR have beaten Swindon 4-0 and drawn 0-0 with promotion-chasing Brentford.
"Anyone who saw our performance at Swansea will recognise we have come a long way in just a week," said Jackett.
QPR's assisant manager added that the return of of Danny Shittu and Matthew Rose, plus the arrival of Kevin Gallen, had had an positive impact on the club already.
But Jackett cautioned that QPR would have to accept that opposition teams would always raise their game when they played the London side.
"We have got to handle the fact that for Second Division teams, playing against QPR is a big thing, he said.BBC
BBC - November 24, 2001 - Brentford 0 QPR 0
Brentford missed the chance to move clear at the top of Division Two after they were held to a draw by QPR at Griffin Park.
In a disappointing match, the Bees had the better chances and came close after 19 minutes when Paul Evans fired the ball wildly over the bar from a good position.
.... Brentford: Gottskalksson, Dobson, Powell, Ingimarsson, Gibbs, Rowlands, Evans, Mahon, Hunt, Owusu, Burgess. Subs: Paul Smith, McCammon, Hutchinson, O'Connor, Sidwell.
QPR: Digby, Forbes, Shittu, Rose, Warren, Bignot, Palmer, Bonnot, Connolly, Gallen, Dodou. Subs: Bruce, Wardley, Paquette, Thomson, Evans.
BBC
November 21, 2001 - This is Local London - QPR Protest
Rs fans angry at the ongoing fight for ownership of their club planned to form a ring around its Loftus Road stadium in South Africa Road last night (Nov 21).
Fans living abroad or who couldn't make the fixture were encouraged by supporters' trust QPR1st to e-mail the club at the same time.
The club is in the throes of being sold by ex-chairman Chris Wright. A consortium led by Brian Melzack is currently negotiating and fans are worried that a deal may involve selling the ground - This is Local Lonon
See also QPR 1st for November 20 and 22 2001 - QPR1st
Also LSA for November 2001 - LSA
BBC -Tuesday, 20 November, 2001, The fall and fall of QPR
Ian Holloway must lead QPR out of trouble
QPR fan Ian Pyke reveals the heartache of watching his beloved club plummet towards obscurty.
QPR's season of suffering hit its lowest point with the 4-0 FA Cup first round exit at Swansea City.
It meant support for the team from long-suffering supporters came in the shape of barracking for players and some club officials at every opportunity.
This may seem an unusual method of backing - but it is an understandable reaction from fans who have suffered three cup exits and a series of poor performances in recent weeks.
It was a season of high expectations at Loftus Road under manager Ian Holloway, despite relegation in the previous campaign.
A home victory against Stoke on the opening day of the season seemed to support the optimism, especially as it was followed by an away win at Bury.
If you've followed QPR over recent years, you will know an away win is rarer than an Englishman playing for Chelsea.
Obviously the league table and the number of free Saturdays until the end of the season show the picture has changed.
If you allow me to reminisce, it was only eight years ago QPR finished as top London club.
And although no one expected us to remain in this position forever, we didn't expect to now have only Leyton Orient below us.
QPR was regarded by as many as a model of how to run a relatively small club.
Alan Curbishley was once quoted as saying "I want Charlton to be the new QPR" when they were restructuring their club and looking to return to The Valley.
Charlton announced a profit this week, and look to have established themselves as a Premiership club.
So QPR now aspire to be like Charlton.
The fall and fall of QPR can mainly be attributed to the previous club owners and their lack of foresight.
When we parted company with the Premiership, we had a wage bill that was unsustainable in the First Division.
Alan Curbishley was once quoted as saying 'I want Charlton to be the new QPR' when they were restructuring their club and looking to return to The Valley
QPR fan Ian Pyke
Not only did we fail to reduce this, we went on to sign players with limited ability on relatively big contracts.
Although some may say we gambled to get back into the top flight, I would argue the real gamble should have taken place a year earlier when were still there.
Last summer saw almost 30 players leave the club and QPR go into admistration - and yet this summer the sales of season tickets increased.
I have on three occasions had to queue at 7am to get tickets for away games. This is a measure of QPR's fan base and the club's potential.
So my final word is about the fans.
Yes we have voiced our opinions against individuals recently, but after two relegations and being dumped out of the FA Cup in the first round for the first time in almost 50 years, we have had cause to complain.
OK enough moaning - a home win against Swindon at Loftus Road on Wednesday and a win at Brentford will make things look better.
I can dream. And this is why we still have a healthy home attendance and we queue for tickets for away games.
We all dream of better times.
Sadly, at the moment we are not too fond of reality.
BBC
At this point, five years ago, Brian Melzak looked the likely takeover winner, as a number of people/groups had been making various bids to buy QPR
This is Local London - October 10, 2001 - Brian Makes An Offer For Qpr
Edgware property developer Brian Melzack is taking his obsession with Queens Park Rangers FC so seriously that he is heading a consortium bidding for ownership of the cash-strapped Second Division team.
The group is headed by Mr Melzack, 44, from Highview Avenue, and friend Laurence Selman, 43, from Bushey, is favourite to buy the club, based at the Loftus Road stadium in west London, for around £10million.
Owner Chris Wright and club administrators BDO Stoy Hayward have formally accepted a bid from the group, which secured a three-week deal blocking rival bids.
Mr Melzack is a lifelong QPR fan, a member of Edgware and District Reform Synagogue and a founder member of the Maccabi side Temple Fortune. He was part of a consortium led by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Tim Razzall to try to buy the club before it went into administration at the end of last season with debts of around £10 million.
QPR had been linked to a takeover bid by the religious cult the Moonies, after the club admitted to holding a meeting with the Church of Unification.
Mr Melzack has also fought off bids from a consortium led by businessman Maurice Fitzgerald and a mystery bidder from overseas.
Loftus Road chief executive David Davies said in a statement: "We are pleased to announce we have entered into this exclusivity period with Brian Melzack and his consortium.
"Due to confidentiality agreements signed by both parties we will be unable to discuss this any further until the matter is resolved one way or the other."
This is Local London
And on the field, QPR were winning 4-0 vs Swindon with Gallen returning
BBC -Wednesday, 21 November, 2001, QPR 4-0 Swindon
Striker Kevin Gallen was the QPR hero on his return to Loftus Road as he scored one and had a hand in two others as Rangers thrashed Swindon.
Gallen re-signed for Rangers on a free transfer on Monday and he took just three minutes to make an impression as his clever flick put Doudou away and he slotted home.
On eight minutes Rangers made it two and Gallen was at the heart of it again.
He crossed to Steve Palmer to shoot and though Robins keeper Bart Griemink made a brilliant save, he couldn't prevent Oliver Burgess scoring from the rebound.
The game was all over before half time as on 36 minutes Gallen grabbed a debut goal.
He beat Andy Gurney before storming into the box and firing into the corner.
Swindon had most of the possession in the second half but it was QPR who had the last word when in injury time Karl Connolly put away Andy Thomson and he rounded the keeper before slotting in the fourth.
QPR: Digby, Forbes, Rose, Shittu, Palmer, Warren, Burgess, Bonnot, Connolly, Gallen, Dodou. Subs: Bruce, Bignot, Paquette, Thomson, Evans.
Swindon: Griemink, Mark Robinson, Heywood, Gurney, Ruddock, Steve Robinson, Duke, Hewlett, Carlisle, Sabin, Invincible. Subs: Willis, Osei-Kuffour, Grazioli, McKinney, McAreavey.
BBC
And Kenny Jackett was praising QPR
BBC - Jackett lauds QPR November 26, 2001
QPR's 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Swansea has brought about an immediate improvement in the team's performances, according to assistant manager Kenny Jackett.
Since that defeat, QPR have beaten Swindon 4-0 and drawn 0-0 with promotion-chasing Brentford.
"Anyone who saw our performance at Swansea will recognise we have come a long way in just a week," said Jackett.
QPR's assisant manager added that the return of of Danny Shittu and Matthew Rose, plus the arrival of Kevin Gallen, had had an positive impact on the club already.
But Jackett cautioned that QPR would have to accept that opposition teams would always raise their game when they played the London side.
"We have got to handle the fact that for Second Division teams, playing against QPR is a big thing, he said.BBC
BBC - November 24, 2001 - Brentford 0 QPR 0
Brentford missed the chance to move clear at the top of Division Two after they were held to a draw by QPR at Griffin Park.
In a disappointing match, the Bees had the better chances and came close after 19 minutes when Paul Evans fired the ball wildly over the bar from a good position.
.... Brentford: Gottskalksson, Dobson, Powell, Ingimarsson, Gibbs, Rowlands, Evans, Mahon, Hunt, Owusu, Burgess. Subs: Paul Smith, McCammon, Hutchinson, O'Connor, Sidwell.
QPR: Digby, Forbes, Shittu, Rose, Warren, Bignot, Palmer, Bonnot, Connolly, Gallen, Dodou. Subs: Bruce, Wardley, Paquette, Thomson, Evans.
BBC
Friday, November 24, 2006
Coventry's Perspective of QPR Game
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Update: Coventry Rivals Perspective of QPR - Rivals
Coventry's perspective of tomorrow's game:
Coventry Official Site QPR v Coventry City
The Sky Blues are off to Loftus Road on Saturday to take on one of an ever-growing number of clubs where there has been a change of manager this season and whose results have taken an upturn since then.
John Gregory took over at the helm at QPR in September, having spent four-and-a-half years there as a player in the early Eighties, at a time when crisis point may have been an over-exaggeration but the warning bells were clearly audible.
Rangers were bottom of the Championship and having just been dumped out of the Carling Cup by Port Vale it was clear that change was needed.
Gary Waddock had been at the helm on a permanent basis since the summer, after taking over from the sacked Ian Holloway in February on a caretaker basis, but with only one win and a paltry return of just six points from the opening eight games of the season, Chairman Gianni Paladani stepped in before things got any worse.
The flamboyant Italian and Gregory had links during the latter's spell in charge at Derby which he left in 2003 and he has been out of management ever since but maybe football management is just like riding a bike because he's certainly done a good job at Rangers so far. Since taking they have won five, drawn three and only lost twice.
The pinnacle of their good form came last week with a superb 1-0 victory away at league leaders Cardiff and Sky Blues boss Micky Adams is well aware that Gregory's charges will be buzzing ahead of Saturday's game.
"Sheffield Wednesday came to the Ricoh last week full of confidence and I'm expecting QPR, having just gone and beaten the league leaders, to be full of beans and full of confidence. Let's hope that they underestimate us and that we go there and put on a performance."
In recent weeks too, it does not seem to matter how many goals their opponent scores - QPR will either match them or beat them.
"They score loads and concede a few whereas we don't score or concede many so it will probably be a boring 0-0!" joked Micky.
"I think from our point of view, we need to get on a run. We've not had one yet but we're not far off the top six so the signs are encouraging. We are still so close to the play-offs in terms of points and league table when we've not had a run, so when we do get a run going, we shouldn't be too far away, hopefully.
"There's no easy games but the league is such that we don't have to fear anybody. I think that most teams can beat anyone on their day so let's hope we have a good day."
QPR's top scorer is Dexter Blackstock with six, but goals have been coming from everywhere recently with Jimmy Smith and Martin Rowlands on five apiece, and no less than 12 separate players getting on the scoresheet this term.
Coventry would not mind a repeat of last season's encounter down in West London when they won 1-0 thanks to a late Gary McSheffrey penalty. The Sky Blues have only been beaten once in their last four visits to Loftus Road with two of those matches ending in a draw.
Coventry
More re QPR vs Coventry
Other QPR vs Coventry
Update: Coventry Rivals Perspective of QPR - Rivals
Coventry's perspective of tomorrow's game:
Coventry Official Site QPR v Coventry City
The Sky Blues are off to Loftus Road on Saturday to take on one of an ever-growing number of clubs where there has been a change of manager this season and whose results have taken an upturn since then.
John Gregory took over at the helm at QPR in September, having spent four-and-a-half years there as a player in the early Eighties, at a time when crisis point may have been an over-exaggeration but the warning bells were clearly audible.
Rangers were bottom of the Championship and having just been dumped out of the Carling Cup by Port Vale it was clear that change was needed.
Gary Waddock had been at the helm on a permanent basis since the summer, after taking over from the sacked Ian Holloway in February on a caretaker basis, but with only one win and a paltry return of just six points from the opening eight games of the season, Chairman Gianni Paladani stepped in before things got any worse.
The flamboyant Italian and Gregory had links during the latter's spell in charge at Derby which he left in 2003 and he has been out of management ever since but maybe football management is just like riding a bike because he's certainly done a good job at Rangers so far. Since taking they have won five, drawn three and only lost twice.
The pinnacle of their good form came last week with a superb 1-0 victory away at league leaders Cardiff and Sky Blues boss Micky Adams is well aware that Gregory's charges will be buzzing ahead of Saturday's game.
"Sheffield Wednesday came to the Ricoh last week full of confidence and I'm expecting QPR, having just gone and beaten the league leaders, to be full of beans and full of confidence. Let's hope that they underestimate us and that we go there and put on a performance."
In recent weeks too, it does not seem to matter how many goals their opponent scores - QPR will either match them or beat them.
"They score loads and concede a few whereas we don't score or concede many so it will probably be a boring 0-0!" joked Micky.
"I think from our point of view, we need to get on a run. We've not had one yet but we're not far off the top six so the signs are encouraging. We are still so close to the play-offs in terms of points and league table when we've not had a run, so when we do get a run going, we shouldn't be too far away, hopefully.
"There's no easy games but the league is such that we don't have to fear anybody. I think that most teams can beat anyone on their day so let's hope we have a good day."
QPR's top scorer is Dexter Blackstock with six, but goals have been coming from everywhere recently with Jimmy Smith and Martin Rowlands on five apiece, and no less than 12 separate players getting on the scoresheet this term.
Coventry would not mind a repeat of last season's encounter down in West London when they won 1-0 thanks to a late Gary McSheffrey penalty. The Sky Blues have only been beaten once in their last four visits to Loftus Road with two of those matches ending in a draw.
Coventry
More re QPR vs Coventry
Other QPR vs Coventry
Graham Mackrell: Three Months Ago Arrived...One Week Ago Departure Announced....Remains Listed on QPR's Staff Page
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[Update: An hour or two after initial posting this blog entry, the club removed Mackrell's name from the staff list. Updated List]
Three months ago, to the day, QPR with great fanfare, announced they were "delighted to announce the appointment of Graham Mackrell, as Chief Operating Officer..." Mackrell
Just over a week ago, QPR inserted a few sentences announcing Mackrell's "departure" into a broader statement "Bank on US' " "QPR are delighted to announce that the club will be teaming up with Barclays Bank and Deloitte & Touche.... Following the departure of Chief Operating Officer, Graham Mackrell, QPR will still have sound financial and business advice from two of the financial world's experts. QPR would like to thank Graham Mackrell for all of his hard work over the last few months....".QPR Statement
There was no explanation for why Mackrell should be leaving so soon after his arrival (just the latest of a number of QPR off-the-field staff who have moved on in the past 18 months. Another staffer who's name suddenly ceased to be listed on the Staff page, is Chief Financial Officer, Chris Pennington. Pennington's departure was announced at the beginning of the year. Then the club announced he was not going. And then without any announcement on the Official site, he just ceased to be listed. )
The official announcement about Mackrell came after days of messageboard rumours) and after a couple of brief stories in te Mail and Sun saying Mackrell had been fired. As reported in the Daily Mail and The Sun last Thursday (November 16)
Daily Mail "The Screamer" Mackrell sacked by QPR over compensation row - QPR have sacked chief operating officer Graham Mackrell following a row over compensation for former assistant boss Tim Breacker.
Breacker is still on gardening leave nine months after leaving the club at the same time as ex-manager Ian Holloway and chairman Gianni Paladini has accused Mackrell of blundering over pay-off negotiations. Breacker hopes to agree a settlement within 48 hours so he can join Holloway at Plymouth."
The Sun "QPR have sacked executive Graham Mackrell in the row over compensation for coach Tim Breacker. Former West Ham ace Breacker, 41, is still on gardening leave nine months after being relieved of his duties at the same time as ex-boss Ian Holloway. Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini has accused Mackrell of bungling pay-off negotiations. Breacker hopes to agree a settlement so he can link up again with Holloway at Plymouth. But Paladini said: “I was unhappy with Graham’s involvement. “I believe the pay agreement is back in place but I didn’t feel I can work with Mr Mackrell" Sun & Mail
Meanwhile over a week after his announced departure, Mackrell continues to be listed on QPR's website as Chief Operating Officer. Staff Directory
August 24, 2006 - QPR Statement Mackrell AppointedQPR are delighted to announce the appointment of Graham Mackrell, as Chief Operating Officer.
A qualified accountant, Mackrell will offer assistance to the board, with the focus on improving the Club's off-the-field activities.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge ahead,'' Mackrell told qpr.co.uk.
"QPR is a club with fantastic tradition and I'm excited about the prospect of working with the strong team we already have in place here.
"I'm here to add professionalism and my aim is to ensure the Club's off-the-field ambitions match those on it.''
Mackrell has worked in professional football for 25 years, including spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Luton Town, AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United.
He is also a Venue Director for UEFA.
Chairman Gianni Paladini is delighted to have Mackrell on board, commenting: "Graham will raise our profile within football thanks to his extensive work with UEFA and the League Managers Association.
"He is extremely well-known and respected within the game and also benefits from being a qualified accountant.
"I would like to wish Graham all the best and welcome him to QPR.''
QPR Official Statement
[Update: An hour or two after initial posting this blog entry, the club removed Mackrell's name from the staff list. Updated List]
Three months ago, to the day, QPR with great fanfare, announced they were "delighted to announce the appointment of Graham Mackrell, as Chief Operating Officer..." Mackrell
Just over a week ago, QPR inserted a few sentences announcing Mackrell's "departure" into a broader statement "Bank on US' " "QPR are delighted to announce that the club will be teaming up with Barclays Bank and Deloitte & Touche.... Following the departure of Chief Operating Officer, Graham Mackrell, QPR will still have sound financial and business advice from two of the financial world's experts. QPR would like to thank Graham Mackrell for all of his hard work over the last few months....".QPR Statement
There was no explanation for why Mackrell should be leaving so soon after his arrival (just the latest of a number of QPR off-the-field staff who have moved on in the past 18 months. Another staffer who's name suddenly ceased to be listed on the Staff page, is Chief Financial Officer, Chris Pennington. Pennington's departure was announced at the beginning of the year. Then the club announced he was not going. And then without any announcement on the Official site, he just ceased to be listed. )
The official announcement about Mackrell came after days of messageboard rumours) and after a couple of brief stories in te Mail and Sun saying Mackrell had been fired. As reported in the Daily Mail and The Sun last Thursday (November 16)
Daily Mail "The Screamer" Mackrell sacked by QPR over compensation row - QPR have sacked chief operating officer Graham Mackrell following a row over compensation for former assistant boss Tim Breacker.
Breacker is still on gardening leave nine months after leaving the club at the same time as ex-manager Ian Holloway and chairman Gianni Paladini has accused Mackrell of blundering over pay-off negotiations. Breacker hopes to agree a settlement within 48 hours so he can join Holloway at Plymouth."
The Sun "QPR have sacked executive Graham Mackrell in the row over compensation for coach Tim Breacker. Former West Ham ace Breacker, 41, is still on gardening leave nine months after being relieved of his duties at the same time as ex-boss Ian Holloway. Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini has accused Mackrell of bungling pay-off negotiations. Breacker hopes to agree a settlement so he can link up again with Holloway at Plymouth. But Paladini said: “I was unhappy with Graham’s involvement. “I believe the pay agreement is back in place but I didn’t feel I can work with Mr Mackrell" Sun & Mail
Meanwhile over a week after his announced departure, Mackrell continues to be listed on QPR's website as Chief Operating Officer. Staff Directory
August 24, 2006 - QPR Statement Mackrell AppointedQPR are delighted to announce the appointment of Graham Mackrell, as Chief Operating Officer.
A qualified accountant, Mackrell will offer assistance to the board, with the focus on improving the Club's off-the-field activities.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge ahead,'' Mackrell told qpr.co.uk.
"QPR is a club with fantastic tradition and I'm excited about the prospect of working with the strong team we already have in place here.
"I'm here to add professionalism and my aim is to ensure the Club's off-the-field ambitions match those on it.''
Mackrell has worked in professional football for 25 years, including spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Luton Town, AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United.
He is also a Venue Director for UEFA.
Chairman Gianni Paladini is delighted to have Mackrell on board, commenting: "Graham will raise our profile within football thanks to his extensive work with UEFA and the League Managers Association.
"He is extremely well-known and respected within the game and also benefits from being a qualified accountant.
"I would like to wish Graham all the best and welcome him to QPR.''
QPR Official Statement
Tim Breacker Talks about QPR, Gardening Leave, Coaching, Holloway and Plymouth
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After almost 300 days of Gardening Leave, Tim Breacker finally joined up with Ian Holloway (and Gary Penrice & Des Bulpin) at Plymouth. At a press conference yesterday, Breacker and Holloway welcomed his arrival at Plymouth.
As reported yesterday: Plymouth
And on QPR Report
Plymouth Official Site - Breaker Talks
"Tim Breacker has finally arrived at Home Park as the newest addition to manager Ian Holloway's coaching team.
The two men worked together at QPR before both being placed on gardening leave back in February.
Holloway was named the new manager of Argyle in the summer but ongoing contractual negotiations with QPR delayed Breacker's arrival until now.
"I must have a bigger garden than him," said Breacker.
"I was basically placed on gardening leave the same day as Ollie. A fax to him had my name on it and that was it.
"I am glad that side is over and I want to get back working. I enjoyed my time with Ollie before. He gave me a chance in the coaching side of the game when I finished playing.
"I want to achieve something here with Ollie and I am looking forward to the challenge.
"It is not a nice period and I know that Premiership clubs are not allowed to put people on gardening leave and it should be the same in every division.
"It is different for a manager. If the club does well, you get a lot of praise and when things go wrong you tend to look at yourself.
"A lot of the time it was a case of speaking to Ollie and reminding him that he did well and should be proud. He is a good manager and it will be shown in the future.
"You can understand how he was feeling but maybe the way QPR struggled after he left made him feel a bit better.
"It is a difficult time mentally for a manager."
Breacker has not spent his time in the footballing wilderness being idle. The former Luton and West Ham full-back has been busy watching games and working on his coaching license.
He said: "I have been able to use my time well, although it is not the same as being at a club.
"Once Ollie arrived here, I spent my time going to matches, watching players and also doing my Pro License.
"I have watched a lot of games on video and I have been speaking to Ollie and Gary [Penrice]. I also know a lot of the players from when we faced them at QPR. I think there was a lot of mutual respect between the two sides at the time.
"The challenge is to keep what was here before and try to add to it. If you can do that, you have every chance of doing well in this division.
"It was similar at QPR where we had a lot of the strengths from League One and we took that into the Championship.
"Wigan and Reading are good examples. They have both now gone into the Premiership and kept the same ethos and attitude, and you can see that in their play.
"I think Ollie wants me to look at all aspects of the club and advise him, but there is not an immediate need to do things.
"The chairman has been very good with me and very patient. He spoke about his vision for the future and it all sounds very good."
Breacker is not a complete stranger to the South West, having been married in Ashburton and spent a number summer holidays in Devon.
He said: "My ex-wife has family in Devon and I actually got married in Ashburton.
"My boys, Jamie and Sam who are 14 and 13, have a cousin who is a season-ticket holder and they always go to games when they are down here on holiday.
"I have told them that I can get tickets now that Ollie is here but they want to stand where they normally stand. They spent a lot of time on holiday down here when I was playing.
"I have a feeling for the area already and you can immediately see that it is a community club, and there is that feeling about the place."
Plymouth Official Site
Herald on Breaker and Holloway's Comments
"...[Tim]Breacker, 41, officially started work with the Pilgrims yesterday after finally completing his much-delayed move from Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers.
He was put on 'gardening leave' by QPR in February at the same time as Holloway, and it was always likely he would follow him to Home Park once Holloway became Argyle manager in the summer.
Breacker agreed a two-year contract with the Pilgrims earlier this season and it was hoped he would start work for them on October 1.
But the former Luton Town, West Ham United and QPR left-back has had to wait until now to take up his new role because of difficulties in resolving some contractual issues with Rangers
....Holloway, meanwhile, was thrilled that Breacker was now on board at Home Park.
His main role will be to coach the first team squad, although he will be closely involved with the youth set-up as well.
Breacker's arrival means Holloway has all his backroom staff in place.
Des Bulpin will also work with the first team squad while Gary Penrice will be the chief scout and specialist strikers' coach.
Holloway said: "It's fantastic Tim is here at last. It's just another piece in the jigsaw.
"When you are a manager it's about looking at the players you have already got, recruiting new ones and training them all. It's a huge thing.
"I'm the one who keeps them all going, so I need a certain structure and amount of staff to keep them training.
"Tim has helped me with it before and my whole staff set-up is to make the players better people first.
"We can only do that if we care about them and I choose my people very carefully," added the Pilgrims' boss.
Breacker was relieved the waiting was over and he could get stuck into work at his new club.
He said: "It has taken a very long time, even longer than it did with Ollie. I was put on gardening leave the same day as he was.
"The fax to him had my name on it and that was it. I'm just glad that side is over with and I want to get on with working.
"I enjoyed my time with Ollie previously. He gave me a chance on the coaching side when my playing career was coming to an end and I loved every minute of it.
"I just want to achieve something here with Ollie and I'm looking forward to the challenge."
This is Plymouth
After almost 300 days of Gardening Leave, Tim Breacker finally joined up with Ian Holloway (and Gary Penrice & Des Bulpin) at Plymouth. At a press conference yesterday, Breacker and Holloway welcomed his arrival at Plymouth.
As reported yesterday: Plymouth
And on QPR Report
Plymouth Official Site - Breaker Talks
"Tim Breacker has finally arrived at Home Park as the newest addition to manager Ian Holloway's coaching team.
The two men worked together at QPR before both being placed on gardening leave back in February.
Holloway was named the new manager of Argyle in the summer but ongoing contractual negotiations with QPR delayed Breacker's arrival until now.
"I must have a bigger garden than him," said Breacker.
"I was basically placed on gardening leave the same day as Ollie. A fax to him had my name on it and that was it.
"I am glad that side is over and I want to get back working. I enjoyed my time with Ollie before. He gave me a chance in the coaching side of the game when I finished playing.
"I want to achieve something here with Ollie and I am looking forward to the challenge.
"It is not a nice period and I know that Premiership clubs are not allowed to put people on gardening leave and it should be the same in every division.
"It is different for a manager. If the club does well, you get a lot of praise and when things go wrong you tend to look at yourself.
"A lot of the time it was a case of speaking to Ollie and reminding him that he did well and should be proud. He is a good manager and it will be shown in the future.
"You can understand how he was feeling but maybe the way QPR struggled after he left made him feel a bit better.
"It is a difficult time mentally for a manager."
Breacker has not spent his time in the footballing wilderness being idle. The former Luton and West Ham full-back has been busy watching games and working on his coaching license.
He said: "I have been able to use my time well, although it is not the same as being at a club.
"Once Ollie arrived here, I spent my time going to matches, watching players and also doing my Pro License.
"I have watched a lot of games on video and I have been speaking to Ollie and Gary [Penrice]. I also know a lot of the players from when we faced them at QPR. I think there was a lot of mutual respect between the two sides at the time.
"The challenge is to keep what was here before and try to add to it. If you can do that, you have every chance of doing well in this division.
"It was similar at QPR where we had a lot of the strengths from League One and we took that into the Championship.
"Wigan and Reading are good examples. They have both now gone into the Premiership and kept the same ethos and attitude, and you can see that in their play.
"I think Ollie wants me to look at all aspects of the club and advise him, but there is not an immediate need to do things.
"The chairman has been very good with me and very patient. He spoke about his vision for the future and it all sounds very good."
Breacker is not a complete stranger to the South West, having been married in Ashburton and spent a number summer holidays in Devon.
He said: "My ex-wife has family in Devon and I actually got married in Ashburton.
"My boys, Jamie and Sam who are 14 and 13, have a cousin who is a season-ticket holder and they always go to games when they are down here on holiday.
"I have told them that I can get tickets now that Ollie is here but they want to stand where they normally stand. They spent a lot of time on holiday down here when I was playing.
"I have a feeling for the area already and you can immediately see that it is a community club, and there is that feeling about the place."
Plymouth Official Site
Herald on Breaker and Holloway's Comments
"...[Tim]Breacker, 41, officially started work with the Pilgrims yesterday after finally completing his much-delayed move from Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers.
He was put on 'gardening leave' by QPR in February at the same time as Holloway, and it was always likely he would follow him to Home Park once Holloway became Argyle manager in the summer.
Breacker agreed a two-year contract with the Pilgrims earlier this season and it was hoped he would start work for them on October 1.
But the former Luton Town, West Ham United and QPR left-back has had to wait until now to take up his new role because of difficulties in resolving some contractual issues with Rangers
....Holloway, meanwhile, was thrilled that Breacker was now on board at Home Park.
His main role will be to coach the first team squad, although he will be closely involved with the youth set-up as well.
Breacker's arrival means Holloway has all his backroom staff in place.
Des Bulpin will also work with the first team squad while Gary Penrice will be the chief scout and specialist strikers' coach.
Holloway said: "It's fantastic Tim is here at last. It's just another piece in the jigsaw.
"When you are a manager it's about looking at the players you have already got, recruiting new ones and training them all. It's a huge thing.
"I'm the one who keeps them all going, so I need a certain structure and amount of staff to keep them training.
"Tim has helped me with it before and my whole staff set-up is to make the players better people first.
"We can only do that if we care about them and I choose my people very carefully," added the Pilgrims' boss.
Breacker was relieved the waiting was over and he could get stuck into work at his new club.
He said: "It has taken a very long time, even longer than it did with Ollie. I was put on gardening leave the same day as he was.
"The fax to him had my name on it and that was it. I'm just glad that side is over with and I want to get on with working.
"I enjoyed my time with Ollie previously. He gave me a chance on the coaching side when my playing career was coming to an end and I loved every minute of it.
"I just want to achieve something here with Ollie and I'm looking forward to the challenge."
This is Plymouth
QPR vs Coventry
-
15th Placed QPR at home to 11th Placed Coventry at Loftus Road.
Coventry's away record is 3 wins & 6 draws. Scored 6 conceded 10. Winning their games by 1 goal or losing their games by 1 or 2 goals.
(Coventry's Home Record is 5 wins 3 draws 1 defeat. Scored 12 conceded 7)
Table
Over the years been some great results against Coventry: Stan Bowles last (free) kick of the game FA Cup winner in 1974...Clive Allen's debut hatrick...Another 5-1 against Bobby Gould's Coventry...And then a number of single goal defeats...
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - TRIPLE BOOST
Rangers manager John Gregory has been boosted by the news that three key members of his squad have all returned to full training this week and are in the squad for Saturday's home match against Coventry City. Paul Furlong, Kevin Gallen and Martin Rowlands have all been declared fit to play, much to the joy of Gregory.... [Gregory] told qpr.co.uk: "I'm delighted that they are back. It gives me even better options for the next two very important matches."
QPR Official
QPR last played Coventry last December at Loftus Road (December 20) in a game shown on Sky. QPR lost 0-1 with Coventry scoring a penalty 5 minutes from time as Royce was sent off in a game that QPR completely dominated:
QPR's team that day: QPR: Royce; Bignot; Evatt; Shittu; Ainsworth; Rowlands; Santos (Bircham 82); Bean (Cook 67); Moore; Dyer; Langley. Subs (not used): Cole; Milanese; Rose
Booked: Rowlands (16); Santos (58) Sent-off: Royce (85)
Coventry: Fulop; Whing; Page; Shaw; Duffy; McSheffrey (Jorgensen 89); Doyle; Osbourne; Morrell (Impey 60); Adebola (Scowcroft); Hutchison. Subs (not used): Ince; Thornton
McSheffrey (18); Adebola (75)
Post Match Comments from the last Loftus Road game vs Coventry:
Besides talking about being in the dark about various off-the-field developments at Loftus Road, Holloway declared:
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
Ian Holloway was in a philosophical mood after seeing his Rangers side lose to an 86th minute penalty.
Rangers had bossed the game from the off, but when Simon Royce was given his marching orders for bringing down Gary McSheffrey, Coventry had a golden opportunity to seal the game.
They did just that with McSheffrey converting from the spot, but despite coming so close to winning, Holloway was calm and composed.
"I thought we dominated throughout but lacked the cutting edge. That's football and our lads have found out the hard way tonight.
"I'll admit it was a penalty but never in a million years is that a sending off - certainly not to the letter of the law anyway. Evatt was catching him and covering.
"But it was sloppy on our part because we conceded possession from our own throw-in and you just can't afford to do that at this level."
Ollie summed up the mood in the dressing room immediately after the game.
"The lads are gutted in the changing room and rightly so. We lacked the final ball but that was understandable given those we've got out injured at the moment."
With Simon Royce and Georges Santos now due to miss the Brighton game and with only Paul Furlong looking to be back, it will be a tough festive period.
"We can't go into the loan market for players anymore and I'd have certainly been in for some players this week if the circumstances were different.
"Our final third play wasn't good enough on the night and we paid the price. I don't know why we're not winning games at home. We were bright, so were the fans, but crazy things happen in football. It's a crazy game.
"We've got Jake Cole who is a professional at this club so we're not able to bring anyone else in. Simple as that.
"Paul Furlong will be back for Brighton but the others will all still be sidelined."
QPR
"QPR boss Ian Holloway:"Coventry had one shot - that was the penalty - and they scored a goal. I think they have had their Christmas present early.
"This is a results business and you need to win at home. Unfortunately we cannot buy a win at home at the moment.
"Stefan Moore's my only striker. Paul Furlong's suspensions have cost us."
Coventry boss Micky Adams:"Whether or not we deserved that is debatable but we'll take it. I'm not sure either side deserved to get all three points.
"My keeper certainly wasn't troubled and Royce wasn't either. We stood firm and got a bit of luck at the end.
"We didn't come to be defensive. QPR forced us backwards without creating too much. Then we had a lucky break."
BBC
Coventry's Results this season: Results
Coventry's PlayersCoventry City's First Team Squad
On Loan Transfer deadline day, Coventry signed the Ipswich winger, Darren Currie (relative of Tony Currie) - Currie
QPR PREVIEW - SKY BLUES
In his second full season in charge at the Ricoh Arena, Sky Blues gaffer Micky Adams will be quietly content with the start his charges have made to the 2006/07 Coca Cola Championship campaign. Sitting pretty in eleventh place and just four points off the top-six, the Sky Blues seem perfectly poised to mount a charge for the play-off's in the second half of the season.
However, if they are to reach the promised land of the Premiership - be it automatically or via the play-off's - Adams' men will need to drastically improve their form on the road.
While 16 points from 27 represents a decent return at home, the Sky Blues have averaged just a point per game on their travels.
......
Top scorer (league goals only): Stern John 5
Last league game: Coventry City 3, Sheffield Wednesday 1.
Coca Cola Championship.November 18th 2006.
Coventry City: Marshall, Duffy, Page, Hall, Clarke, Birchall (Andrews 74), Hutchison (Cameron 14), Doyle, Tabb, Adebola (Kyle 74), McKenzie.
Subs Not Used: Gonzlalez-Robles, Bischoff....
Superhoopsbet.co.uk match odds:
QPR 11/10 - Coventry City 11/5 -draw 11/5...
QPR wins: 32 Coventry City wins: 38 Draws: 24
Last meeting:
Queens Park Rangers 0, Coventry City 1.
Football League Championship.
December 19th 2005.
QPR
15th Placed QPR at home to 11th Placed Coventry at Loftus Road.
Coventry's away record is 3 wins & 6 draws. Scored 6 conceded 10. Winning their games by 1 goal or losing their games by 1 or 2 goals.
(Coventry's Home Record is 5 wins 3 draws 1 defeat. Scored 12 conceded 7)
Table
Over the years been some great results against Coventry: Stan Bowles last (free) kick of the game FA Cup winner in 1974...Clive Allen's debut hatrick...Another 5-1 against Bobby Gould's Coventry...And then a number of single goal defeats...
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - TRIPLE BOOST
Rangers manager John Gregory has been boosted by the news that three key members of his squad have all returned to full training this week and are in the squad for Saturday's home match against Coventry City. Paul Furlong, Kevin Gallen and Martin Rowlands have all been declared fit to play, much to the joy of Gregory.... [Gregory] told qpr.co.uk: "I'm delighted that they are back. It gives me even better options for the next two very important matches."
QPR Official
QPR last played Coventry last December at Loftus Road (December 20) in a game shown on Sky. QPR lost 0-1 with Coventry scoring a penalty 5 minutes from time as Royce was sent off in a game that QPR completely dominated:
QPR's team that day: QPR: Royce; Bignot; Evatt; Shittu; Ainsworth; Rowlands; Santos (Bircham 82); Bean (Cook 67); Moore; Dyer; Langley. Subs (not used): Cole; Milanese; Rose
Booked: Rowlands (16); Santos (58) Sent-off: Royce (85)
Coventry: Fulop; Whing; Page; Shaw; Duffy; McSheffrey (Jorgensen 89); Doyle; Osbourne; Morrell (Impey 60); Adebola (Scowcroft); Hutchison. Subs (not used): Ince; Thornton
McSheffrey (18); Adebola (75)
Post Match Comments from the last Loftus Road game vs Coventry:
Besides talking about being in the dark about various off-the-field developments at Loftus Road, Holloway declared:
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
Ian Holloway was in a philosophical mood after seeing his Rangers side lose to an 86th minute penalty.
Rangers had bossed the game from the off, but when Simon Royce was given his marching orders for bringing down Gary McSheffrey, Coventry had a golden opportunity to seal the game.
They did just that with McSheffrey converting from the spot, but despite coming so close to winning, Holloway was calm and composed.
"I thought we dominated throughout but lacked the cutting edge. That's football and our lads have found out the hard way tonight.
"I'll admit it was a penalty but never in a million years is that a sending off - certainly not to the letter of the law anyway. Evatt was catching him and covering.
"But it was sloppy on our part because we conceded possession from our own throw-in and you just can't afford to do that at this level."
Ollie summed up the mood in the dressing room immediately after the game.
"The lads are gutted in the changing room and rightly so. We lacked the final ball but that was understandable given those we've got out injured at the moment."
With Simon Royce and Georges Santos now due to miss the Brighton game and with only Paul Furlong looking to be back, it will be a tough festive period.
"We can't go into the loan market for players anymore and I'd have certainly been in for some players this week if the circumstances were different.
"Our final third play wasn't good enough on the night and we paid the price. I don't know why we're not winning games at home. We were bright, so were the fans, but crazy things happen in football. It's a crazy game.
"We've got Jake Cole who is a professional at this club so we're not able to bring anyone else in. Simple as that.
"Paul Furlong will be back for Brighton but the others will all still be sidelined."
QPR
"QPR boss Ian Holloway:"Coventry had one shot - that was the penalty - and they scored a goal. I think they have had their Christmas present early.
"This is a results business and you need to win at home. Unfortunately we cannot buy a win at home at the moment.
"Stefan Moore's my only striker. Paul Furlong's suspensions have cost us."
Coventry boss Micky Adams:"Whether or not we deserved that is debatable but we'll take it. I'm not sure either side deserved to get all three points.
"My keeper certainly wasn't troubled and Royce wasn't either. We stood firm and got a bit of luck at the end.
"We didn't come to be defensive. QPR forced us backwards without creating too much. Then we had a lucky break."
BBC
Coventry's Results this season: Results
Coventry's PlayersCoventry City's First Team Squad
On Loan Transfer deadline day, Coventry signed the Ipswich winger, Darren Currie (relative of Tony Currie) - Currie
QPR PREVIEW - SKY BLUES
In his second full season in charge at the Ricoh Arena, Sky Blues gaffer Micky Adams will be quietly content with the start his charges have made to the 2006/07 Coca Cola Championship campaign. Sitting pretty in eleventh place and just four points off the top-six, the Sky Blues seem perfectly poised to mount a charge for the play-off's in the second half of the season.
However, if they are to reach the promised land of the Premiership - be it automatically or via the play-off's - Adams' men will need to drastically improve their form on the road.
While 16 points from 27 represents a decent return at home, the Sky Blues have averaged just a point per game on their travels.
......
Top scorer (league goals only): Stern John 5
Last league game: Coventry City 3, Sheffield Wednesday 1.
Coca Cola Championship.November 18th 2006.
Coventry City: Marshall, Duffy, Page, Hall, Clarke, Birchall (Andrews 74), Hutchison (Cameron 14), Doyle, Tabb, Adebola (Kyle 74), McKenzie.
Subs Not Used: Gonzlalez-Robles, Bischoff....
Superhoopsbet.co.uk match odds:
QPR 11/10 - Coventry City 11/5 -draw 11/5...
QPR wins: 32 Coventry City wins: 38 Draws: 24
Last meeting:
Queens Park Rangers 0, Coventry City 1.
Football League Championship.
December 19th 2005.
QPR
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Breacker Joining Plymouth as Assistant Manager
-
Plymouth Official Site
TIM Breacker will be introduced to the media at Home Park today as the newest member of manager Ian Holloway's coaching team.
Breacker's arrival at Home Park had been delayed by continuing contractural negotiations with his former employers at QPR.
He was part of Holloway's management team at QPR before the pair were placed on gardening leave - a move that culminated in Holloway becoming Argyle's new manager in the summer.
Another member of that team at QPR, Gary Penrice, joined the Pilgrims as chief scout a couple of months ago and Breacker's arrival will give Holloway the coaching structure he has always wanted.
As a player, Breacker was a tough-tackling right-back. He began his career at Luton Town and made over 200 appearances for the Hatters before moving to West Ham for a fee of £600,000 in 1990.
He spent nine years at Upton Park and was the first choice right-back for most of the 1990's. Breacker finished his long playing career at QPR.
Watch this space for news from today's Press Conference...
Plymouth Official Site
Sporting Life - Breacker Appointed as Plymouth Assistant
Tim Breacker has become assistant manager to Ian Holloway at Plymouth.
Breacker's arrival at Home Park had been delayed by continuing contractural negotiations with his former employers at QPR. He was part of Holloway's management team at QPR before the pair were placed on gardening leave - a move that culminated in Holloway becoming Argyle's new manager in the summer. As a player, Breacker was a tough-tackling right-back. He began his career at Luton Town and made over 200 appearances for the Hatters before moving to West Ham for a fee of £600,000 in 1990.
Sporting Life
The Herald (Plymouth)- BREACKER FINALLY JOINS PILGRIMS
Tim Breacker has today become Plymouth Argyle's new assistant manager after finally reaching a settlement with his former club Queens Park Rangers.
The 41-year-old ex-Luton Town, West Ham United and QPR defender had hoped to start work at Home Park at the beginning of October, but his move was held up due contractual problems with Rangers.
Yet those problems have now been resolved and he was officially announced as part of Argyle's coaching staff this lunchtime... Herald
BBC - Breacker named Plymouth assistant
Tim Breacker has become assistant manager to Ian Holloway at Plymouth.
Breacker's arrival at Home Park had been delayed by continuing contract negotiations with his former employers at QPR.
He was part of Holloway's management team at QPR before the pair were placed on gardening leave - a move that led to Holloway becoming Argyle's boss.
BBC
[Previous Blog Posts re Tim Breacker at: Breacker
Plymouth Official Site
TIM Breacker will be introduced to the media at Home Park today as the newest member of manager Ian Holloway's coaching team.
Breacker's arrival at Home Park had been delayed by continuing contractural negotiations with his former employers at QPR.
He was part of Holloway's management team at QPR before the pair were placed on gardening leave - a move that culminated in Holloway becoming Argyle's new manager in the summer.
Another member of that team at QPR, Gary Penrice, joined the Pilgrims as chief scout a couple of months ago and Breacker's arrival will give Holloway the coaching structure he has always wanted.
As a player, Breacker was a tough-tackling right-back. He began his career at Luton Town and made over 200 appearances for the Hatters before moving to West Ham for a fee of £600,000 in 1990.
He spent nine years at Upton Park and was the first choice right-back for most of the 1990's. Breacker finished his long playing career at QPR.
Watch this space for news from today's Press Conference...
Plymouth Official Site
Sporting Life - Breacker Appointed as Plymouth Assistant
Tim Breacker has become assistant manager to Ian Holloway at Plymouth.
Breacker's arrival at Home Park had been delayed by continuing contractural negotiations with his former employers at QPR. He was part of Holloway's management team at QPR before the pair were placed on gardening leave - a move that culminated in Holloway becoming Argyle's new manager in the summer. As a player, Breacker was a tough-tackling right-back. He began his career at Luton Town and made over 200 appearances for the Hatters before moving to West Ham for a fee of £600,000 in 1990.
Sporting Life
The Herald (Plymouth)- BREACKER FINALLY JOINS PILGRIMS
Tim Breacker has today become Plymouth Argyle's new assistant manager after finally reaching a settlement with his former club Queens Park Rangers.
The 41-year-old ex-Luton Town, West Ham United and QPR defender had hoped to start work at Home Park at the beginning of October, but his move was held up due contractual problems with Rangers.
Yet those problems have now been resolved and he was officially announced as part of Argyle's coaching staff this lunchtime... Herald
BBC - Breacker named Plymouth assistant
Tim Breacker has become assistant manager to Ian Holloway at Plymouth.
Breacker's arrival at Home Park had been delayed by continuing contract negotiations with his former employers at QPR.
He was part of Holloway's management team at QPR before the pair were placed on gardening leave - a move that led to Holloway becoming Argyle's boss.
BBC
[Previous Blog Posts re Tim Breacker at: Breacker
Very Nice Profile of Ray Jones & His Pre-QPR Days
-
Ilford Recorder/Luke Wilson -Profiles Ray Jones
"...[Ray Jones] hails just a stone's throw from Upton Park. Born and raised in East Ham,....
It has been a meteoric rise for the former Langdon School pupil who just 18 months ago was playing Sunday League football for Redwood FC.
His talent caught the eye of QPR's youth development officer John O'Brien, who offered him a trial and the rest, as they say, is history.
"At the moment it's still sinking in that in just 18 months I've gone from playing parks football to being in the QPR first team!" Jones admitted.
"At Sunday league level my team was pretty good and we used to play against academy teams from several professional clubs and so initially playing for QPR's youth team was not much of a step up.
"However when I started training with the first team it was a massive change.
"The physical aspect was the biggest difference as I was playing against much stronger and more experienced players and it seemed to just get harder and harder.
"There's a lot of players at the club that have been there and done it and played at the highest level but they've been very encouraging to me and have helped me settle into the first team."
Things could have been a lot different for the target man, who made his Championship debut against Watford back in May, for at the age of 12 he decided to quit playing 'serious' football....
"Basically I stopped playing youth league football because I wasn't enjoying it as much as I used to," he revealed.
"I was still playing nearly every day in the playground and, without wanting to sound big-headed, I used to run past people for fun!
"However my shooting was a little all over the place and so I thought to myself 'I need to get back to playing regularly'!"
One thing that you certainly could not accuse Jones of being is 'big-headed'.
Having made his full debut for the R's at the start of the present campaign, the striker was subsequently handed his first opportunity to represent his country when he came on as a substitute in the England under-19s' clash with Holland in September.
Such moments in the limelight would have undoubtedly inflated the egos of more impressionable characters but not Jones.
His down-to-earth demeanour will certainly keep his feet on the ground along with the help of his highly supportive family, who have served as an inspiration for the young goal-getter.
"My family have all been amazing and they're just over the moon for me," he beamed. "They're all really proud of what I've achieved and they've all really supported me.
"Everyone has been over to see me play for QPR - my mum, my nan, my uncle, aunt, sister and cousins - it's been amazing."
One person who Ray is certainly indebted to is his grandma Maureen, who has watched with pride as her grandson has matured into a Championship footballer.
She, like many of his family, has been there since his humble beginnings in youth football, even making a scrapbook with her daughter (Ray's mother) of all the appearances that their boy has made in the press from a young age.
"My nan used to make all my sandwiches and wake up at the crack of dawn to take me to games," he recalled.
"She even used to make sandwiches for my team-mates and that just sums up the type of amazing person she is!
"The people on our street have all been amazing as well and when I came back home after scoring my first goal for QPR (the winner against Northampton in August), everyone was telling me that they'd just seen my goal on Sky Sports News, that was really weird!"
Jones it seems has the perfect entourage to remain focused on realising his dreams and his humility stands out when posed the question of what the future might hold for him.
"I just want to be the best player I can," he replied. "I hope that I will play at the highest level and hopefully that will be with QPR."
One thing that is for sure though is that in allowing a player like Jones, whose physical presence and eye for goal look set to make him a force to be reckoned with in the future, to escape their grasp, the Hammers may regret the fact they failed to unearth such a hidden gem.
Ilford Recorder
Ilford Recorder/Luke Wilson -Profiles Ray Jones
"...[Ray Jones] hails just a stone's throw from Upton Park. Born and raised in East Ham,....
It has been a meteoric rise for the former Langdon School pupil who just 18 months ago was playing Sunday League football for Redwood FC.
His talent caught the eye of QPR's youth development officer John O'Brien, who offered him a trial and the rest, as they say, is history.
"At the moment it's still sinking in that in just 18 months I've gone from playing parks football to being in the QPR first team!" Jones admitted.
"At Sunday league level my team was pretty good and we used to play against academy teams from several professional clubs and so initially playing for QPR's youth team was not much of a step up.
"However when I started training with the first team it was a massive change.
"The physical aspect was the biggest difference as I was playing against much stronger and more experienced players and it seemed to just get harder and harder.
"There's a lot of players at the club that have been there and done it and played at the highest level but they've been very encouraging to me and have helped me settle into the first team."
Things could have been a lot different for the target man, who made his Championship debut against Watford back in May, for at the age of 12 he decided to quit playing 'serious' football....
"Basically I stopped playing youth league football because I wasn't enjoying it as much as I used to," he revealed.
"I was still playing nearly every day in the playground and, without wanting to sound big-headed, I used to run past people for fun!
"However my shooting was a little all over the place and so I thought to myself 'I need to get back to playing regularly'!"
One thing that you certainly could not accuse Jones of being is 'big-headed'.
Having made his full debut for the R's at the start of the present campaign, the striker was subsequently handed his first opportunity to represent his country when he came on as a substitute in the England under-19s' clash with Holland in September.
Such moments in the limelight would have undoubtedly inflated the egos of more impressionable characters but not Jones.
His down-to-earth demeanour will certainly keep his feet on the ground along with the help of his highly supportive family, who have served as an inspiration for the young goal-getter.
"My family have all been amazing and they're just over the moon for me," he beamed. "They're all really proud of what I've achieved and they've all really supported me.
"Everyone has been over to see me play for QPR - my mum, my nan, my uncle, aunt, sister and cousins - it's been amazing."
One person who Ray is certainly indebted to is his grandma Maureen, who has watched with pride as her grandson has matured into a Championship footballer.
She, like many of his family, has been there since his humble beginnings in youth football, even making a scrapbook with her daughter (Ray's mother) of all the appearances that their boy has made in the press from a young age.
"My nan used to make all my sandwiches and wake up at the crack of dawn to take me to games," he recalled.
"She even used to make sandwiches for my team-mates and that just sums up the type of amazing person she is!
"The people on our street have all been amazing as well and when I came back home after scoring my first goal for QPR (the winner against Northampton in August), everyone was telling me that they'd just seen my goal on Sky Sports News, that was really weird!"
Jones it seems has the perfect entourage to remain focused on realising his dreams and his humility stands out when posed the question of what the future might hold for him.
"I just want to be the best player I can," he replied. "I hope that I will play at the highest level and hopefully that will be with QPR."
One thing that is for sure though is that in allowing a player like Jones, whose physical presence and eye for goal look set to make him a force to be reckoned with in the future, to escape their grasp, the Hammers may regret the fact they failed to unearth such a hidden gem.
Ilford Recorder
QPR Win "Performance of the Week" Award for their Cardiff Victory
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QPR Official Site - HOOP-HOOP-HOORAY!
"The R's last-gasp victory against Cardiff on Friday has earned them the coveted F&C Investments Performance of the Week Award.
The League Managers Association five-man Performance of the Week panel - comprising Chairman Howard Wilkinson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Joe Royle, Dave Bassett and Barry Fry - were in agreement that this week, the F&C Investments Performance of the Week Award, should go to QPR....
Gaffer John Gregory will receive the specially engraved crystal football tomorrow (Friday), in a presentation to be screened on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday this weekend."
QPR Official Site
DETAILS RE F&C AWARD
"F&C are delighted to be working in partnership with the League Managers Association (LMA) and are committed to building a presence in the football world and to the sponsorship of the LMA.
Through our association with the LMA, F&C sponsor the F&C Performance of the Week, where a panel of experts including Sir Alex Ferguson and Howard Wilkinson select the outstanding performance from the previous week’s English football leagues with the winner announced on SKY TV every Saturday.
Our sponsorship of the LMA allows us to host a number of exciting events for our adviser partners including dinners at football grounds around the country with premiership league managers providing after dinner speeches and a golf day where up to 21 league mangers
F&C
QPR Official Site - HOOP-HOOP-HOORAY!
"The R's last-gasp victory against Cardiff on Friday has earned them the coveted F&C Investments Performance of the Week Award.
The League Managers Association five-man Performance of the Week panel - comprising Chairman Howard Wilkinson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Joe Royle, Dave Bassett and Barry Fry - were in agreement that this week, the F&C Investments Performance of the Week Award, should go to QPR....
Gaffer John Gregory will receive the specially engraved crystal football tomorrow (Friday), in a presentation to be screened on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday this weekend."
QPR Official Site
DETAILS RE F&C AWARD
"F&C are delighted to be working in partnership with the League Managers Association (LMA) and are committed to building a presence in the football world and to the sponsorship of the LMA.
Through our association with the LMA, F&C sponsor the F&C Performance of the Week, where a panel of experts including Sir Alex Ferguson and Howard Wilkinson select the outstanding performance from the previous week’s English football leagues with the winner announced on SKY TV every Saturday.
Our sponsorship of the LMA allows us to host a number of exciting events for our adviser partners including dinners at football grounds around the country with premiership league managers providing after dinner speeches and a golf day where up to 21 league mangers
F&C
No Pilgrims' Thanksgiving News! Still No QPR/Plymouth Deal re Tim Breaker
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Tim Breacker: Approaching 300 Days of Paid Gardening Leave!
And a week since QPR Chairman was quoted in the press as saying he was unhappy with the departed Chief Operating Officer, Graham Mackrell over Tim Breacker, and the Mail writing that Breacker hoped to have it resolved within 48 hours, thus far no announcement by Plymouth or QPR that the issue has been resolved.
As reported in the Daily Mail and The Sun last Thursday (November 16)
Daily Mail "The Screamer" Mackrell sacked by QPR over compensation row
QPR have sacked chief operating officer Graham Mackrell following a row over compensation for former assistant boss Tim Breacker.
Breacker is still on gardening leave nine months after leaving the club at the same time as ex-manager Ian Holloway and chairman Gianni Paladini has accused Mackrell of blundering over pay-off negotiations. Breacker hopes to agree a settlement within 48 hours so he can join Holloway at Plymouth.
The Sun "QPR have sacked executive Graham Mackrell in the row over compensation for coach Tim Breacker.
Former West Ham ace Breacker, 41, is still on gardening leave nine months after being relieved of his duties at the same time as ex-boss Ian Holloway.
Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini has accused Mackrell of bungling pay-off negotiations.
Breacker hopes to agree a settlement so he can link up again with Holloway at Plymouth. But Paladini said: “I was unhappy with Graham’s involvement.
“I believe the pay agreement is back in place but I didn’t feel I can work with Mr Mackrell"
Sun & Mail
See from a couple of weeks ago: Breacker/Non Plymouth Update - The various ups and downs
As Ian Holloway was quoted almost three weeks ago "Holloway wants to hire him, but an agreement that had almost been reached with the London club seems to have collapsed. "I feel for Tim at the moment," Holloway said. "QPR are being a bunch of idiots. They're still paying him, but they've reneged on certain things that they said they were going to do and there's no deal any more. I can't understand it, to be perfectly honest with you. I don't what QPR are doing. It's absolute madness. I don't think you should treat people like that, and I'm very, very, very disappointed, to say the least." Plymouth
Tim Breacker: Approaching 300 Days of Paid Gardening Leave!
And a week since QPR Chairman was quoted in the press as saying he was unhappy with the departed Chief Operating Officer, Graham Mackrell over Tim Breacker, and the Mail writing that Breacker hoped to have it resolved within 48 hours, thus far no announcement by Plymouth or QPR that the issue has been resolved.
As reported in the Daily Mail and The Sun last Thursday (November 16)
Daily Mail "The Screamer" Mackrell sacked by QPR over compensation row
QPR have sacked chief operating officer Graham Mackrell following a row over compensation for former assistant boss Tim Breacker.
Breacker is still on gardening leave nine months after leaving the club at the same time as ex-manager Ian Holloway and chairman Gianni Paladini has accused Mackrell of blundering over pay-off negotiations. Breacker hopes to agree a settlement within 48 hours so he can join Holloway at Plymouth.
The Sun "QPR have sacked executive Graham Mackrell in the row over compensation for coach Tim Breacker.
Former West Ham ace Breacker, 41, is still on gardening leave nine months after being relieved of his duties at the same time as ex-boss Ian Holloway.
Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini has accused Mackrell of bungling pay-off negotiations.
Breacker hopes to agree a settlement so he can link up again with Holloway at Plymouth. But Paladini said: “I was unhappy with Graham’s involvement.
“I believe the pay agreement is back in place but I didn’t feel I can work with Mr Mackrell"
Sun & Mail
See from a couple of weeks ago: Breacker/Non Plymouth Update - The various ups and downs
As Ian Holloway was quoted almost three weeks ago "Holloway wants to hire him, but an agreement that had almost been reached with the London club seems to have collapsed. "I feel for Tim at the moment," Holloway said. "QPR are being a bunch of idiots. They're still paying him, but they've reneged on certain things that they said they were going to do and there's no deal any more. I can't understand it, to be perfectly honest with you. I don't what QPR are doing. It's absolute madness. I don't think you should treat people like that, and I'm very, very, very disappointed, to say the least." Plymouth
Ex-QPRs: Murphy to Motherwell...King to Grays...Oli in England Squad
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Danny Murphy has now signed for Motherwell
Motherwell
[See also November 22, QPR Report
Andy King is the new manager of non-league Grays Athletics - BBC
Grays Athletic Announcement Nov 22 " Press Release
Due to Business and personal reasons Mike Woodward has today installed Andy King as first team manger at Grays Athletic, Mike Woodward will revert back to his Chairman role at the club. Andy King was formely at Swindon Town Football Club, he was a scout under Peter Reid at Sunderland and he has played for Luton, Everton, QPR, West Bromwich Albion, Wolves and Aldershot. Grays Athletic would like to welcome Andy and wish him all the best for the future with the club." Grays
Denis Oli has been selected for the 16 man squad for the England National Game XI versus Holland, November 29 in the European Challenge Trophy England Squad
Nov 22 - MOTHERWELL OFFICIAL SITE - Murphy signs on at Fir Park
The manager confirmed this afternoon that the contracts have been agreed and Murphy will be available to play from 1st January.
Malpas said, "I am delighted that we have got things sorted out and Danny has signed a two and a half year deal, particularly as we missed out in the summer.
"We have been able to sort things out in the last two or three days since the Irish season finished."
The deal is dependant upon a successful medical, but as Maurice added, "We don't envisage a problem as he has just completed a full season, it should just be about ticking the boxes."
Malpas is also pleased with the impact the signing will have on the squad, "It will allow us to move one or two about, Jim Paterson will be able to move forward again and we may be able to use Richie Foran up front.
"It will also be good for the squad in general as any signing brings a freshness to the squad."
24 year old Murphy has been voted into the PFAI Team of the Year for the second year in a row.
He was popular with the Cork fans who nicknamed the London born player "The Cockney Rebel".
He has previously played for West Ham, QPR, Swindon and Margate before crossing the Irish Sea.
Motherwell
Danny Murphy has now signed for Motherwell
Motherwell
[See also November 22, QPR Report
Andy King is the new manager of non-league Grays Athletics - BBC
Grays Athletic Announcement Nov 22 " Press Release
Due to Business and personal reasons Mike Woodward has today installed Andy King as first team manger at Grays Athletic, Mike Woodward will revert back to his Chairman role at the club. Andy King was formely at Swindon Town Football Club, he was a scout under Peter Reid at Sunderland and he has played for Luton, Everton, QPR, West Bromwich Albion, Wolves and Aldershot. Grays Athletic would like to welcome Andy and wish him all the best for the future with the club." Grays
Denis Oli has been selected for the 16 man squad for the England National Game XI versus Holland, November 29 in the European Challenge Trophy England Squad
Nov 22 - MOTHERWELL OFFICIAL SITE - Murphy signs on at Fir Park
The manager confirmed this afternoon that the contracts have been agreed and Murphy will be available to play from 1st January.
Malpas said, "I am delighted that we have got things sorted out and Danny has signed a two and a half year deal, particularly as we missed out in the summer.
"We have been able to sort things out in the last two or three days since the Irish season finished."
The deal is dependant upon a successful medical, but as Maurice added, "We don't envisage a problem as he has just completed a full season, it should just be about ticking the boxes."
Malpas is also pleased with the impact the signing will have on the squad, "It will allow us to move one or two about, Jim Paterson will be able to move forward again and we may be able to use Richie Foran up front.
"It will also be good for the squad in general as any signing brings a freshness to the squad."
24 year old Murphy has been voted into the PFAI Team of the Year for the second year in a row.
He was popular with the Cork fans who nicknamed the London born player "The Cockney Rebel".
He has previously played for West Ham, QPR, Swindon and Margate before crossing the Irish Sea.
Motherwell
38 Years Ago: Tommy Docherty's Only Victory and Ian Gillard's Debut
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November 23, 1968: Tommy Docherty's QPR won 2-1 at home to Nottingham Forest.In his month-long managerial QPR career (Stint I), Tommy Docherty achieved one victory in his four games in charge. (And QPR managed only four victories that entire season. In that Docherty victory, Rodney Marsh scored one of his four goals that season with Tony Hazell scoring the other goal - a true rarity for Hazell) Making his debut that day: 18 year-old Ian Gillard.
QPR's team vs Nottingham Forest had seven "home growns." The full team
Kelly
Clement Hazell Watson Gillard
Ian Morgan - Mcgovern - Sibley - Roger Morgan
Bridges Marsh
November 23, 1968: Tommy Docherty's QPR won 2-1 at home to Nottingham Forest.In his month-long managerial QPR career (Stint I), Tommy Docherty achieved one victory in his four games in charge. (And QPR managed only four victories that entire season. In that Docherty victory, Rodney Marsh scored one of his four goals that season with Tony Hazell scoring the other goal - a true rarity for Hazell) Making his debut that day: 18 year-old Ian Gillard.
QPR's team vs Nottingham Forest had seven "home growns." The full team
Kelly
Clement Hazell Watson Gillard
Ian Morgan - Mcgovern - Sibley - Roger Morgan
Bridges Marsh
Former Manager Alan Mullery Turns 64 - of Newcastle comeback and Partisan Belgrade defeat fame!
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Alan Mullery Turns 64: Born November 23, 1941 in Nottingham Hill
Not perhaps QPR's most successful manager, although supposedly a really nice person. Appointed in June 1984 to replace Terry Venables, which was obviously a very tough act to follow. Mullery managed QPR for just 17 games games. In December 1984, Chairman Jim Gregory fired Mullery and replaced him with Frank Sibley (after Don Revie's appointment fell through).
The Mullery "era" was certainly eventful six months: The period saw QPR's amazing 5-5 draw with Newcastle as QPR came from 0-4 to draw 5-5. It also saw Mullery turn a 6-2 "home" (actually played at Highbury because of QPR's "controversial" Plastic pitch) win versus Partisan Belgrade in the EUFA Cup; followed by a 0-4 loss in the second leg which saw QPR get knocked out of Europe - to never return!.
Among the players he signed for QPR were Gary Bannister and John Byrne. And his managership started so well with two wins and 2 draws including a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Mullery played for Fulham, Spurs and Fulham and England and managed Brighton, Charlton, Crystal Palace, and QPR.
Mullery
FourFourTwo reviewing "Mullery: the autobiography" writes ".... ....After initial success on the south coast, Mullery's managerial career fell into rapid decline, as he was forced to endure the machinations of QPR's tyrannical chairman Jim Gregory,....." FourFourTwo
Ex-QPR goalie, Peter Hucker was absolutely scathing in his comments about Mullery. "....Hucker's Comments
Now an after-dinner speaker and TV commentator
Remembering Mullery's Game: THE NEWCASTLE PERSPECTIVE OF THE 5-5 GAME
QPR 5 Newcastle 5
Alan Mullery Turns 64: Born November 23, 1941 in Nottingham Hill
Not perhaps QPR's most successful manager, although supposedly a really nice person. Appointed in June 1984 to replace Terry Venables, which was obviously a very tough act to follow. Mullery managed QPR for just 17 games games. In December 1984, Chairman Jim Gregory fired Mullery and replaced him with Frank Sibley (after Don Revie's appointment fell through).
The Mullery "era" was certainly eventful six months: The period saw QPR's amazing 5-5 draw with Newcastle as QPR came from 0-4 to draw 5-5. It also saw Mullery turn a 6-2 "home" (actually played at Highbury because of QPR's "controversial" Plastic pitch) win versus Partisan Belgrade in the EUFA Cup; followed by a 0-4 loss in the second leg which saw QPR get knocked out of Europe - to never return!.
Among the players he signed for QPR were Gary Bannister and John Byrne. And his managership started so well with two wins and 2 draws including a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Mullery played for Fulham, Spurs and Fulham and England and managed Brighton, Charlton, Crystal Palace, and QPR.
Mullery
FourFourTwo reviewing "Mullery: the autobiography" writes ".... ....After initial success on the south coast, Mullery's managerial career fell into rapid decline, as he was forced to endure the machinations of QPR's tyrannical chairman Jim Gregory,....." FourFourTwo
Ex-QPR goalie, Peter Hucker was absolutely scathing in his comments about Mullery. "....Hucker's Comments
Now an after-dinner speaker and TV commentator
Remembering Mullery's Game: THE NEWCASTLE PERSPECTIVE OF THE 5-5 GAME
QPR 5 Newcastle 5
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Ex-QPR's Danny Murphy Leaving Cork..Supposedly set for Motherwell
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Cork pair confirm Turners Cross exit
Eleven A die com. November 21, 2006
Cork City pair Danny Murphy and Neale Fenn have confirmed that they will be leaving the club with immediate effect, with Motherwell and Bohemians mooted to be their respective destinations.
Both players are out of contract following Cork’s final game of the 2006 eircom League season against Derry City last Friday.
Former QPR trainee Murphy, 24, joined City in 2004 and quickly became a real fans’ favourite with his combative performances at left-back.
He held talks with Motherwell in the summer and while a move failed to go through at that point, it is expected that he will be joining the Scottish Premier League in the New Year.....
News
Cork pair confirm Turners Cross exit
Eleven A die com. November 21, 2006
Cork City pair Danny Murphy and Neale Fenn have confirmed that they will be leaving the club with immediate effect, with Motherwell and Bohemians mooted to be their respective destinations.
Both players are out of contract following Cork’s final game of the 2006 eircom League season against Derry City last Friday.
Former QPR trainee Murphy, 24, joined City in 2004 and quickly became a real fans’ favourite with his combative performances at left-back.
He held talks with Motherwell in the summer and while a move failed to go through at that point, it is expected that he will be joining the Scottish Premier League in the New Year.....
News
A Year Ago: QPR's Home Defeat to Preston
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If it's six months to the day that Ugo Ukah's QPR departure was announced, it's exactly a year since QPR lost 0-2 at home to Preston - their fourth loss in a row. QPR's Team that night: Rangers: Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Evatt, Dyer, Ainsworth, Langley, Rowlands, Cook, Baidoo, Gallen. Subs: Cole, Milanese, Santos, Bean, Moore
Nov 22, 2005 QPR OFFICIAL SITE - SHABAZZ STARTS
Ian Holloway names an attacking side for tonight's game against Preston, including young Shabazz Baidoo.
The 17 year old steps into the starting line up after impressing down at Plymouth on Saturday when he scored after being on the pitch for just four minutes.
There is no place in the line-up for Marc Nygaard who suffered a set back in training yesterday.
But one man who makes the cut is Martin Rowlands, who starts his first game since August 13 after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury.
Elsewhere the back line is as you were, mimicking that of the last seven games.
Rangers: Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Evatt, Dyer, Ainsworth, Langley, Rowlands, Cook, Baidoo, Gallen
Subs: Cole, Milanese, Santos, Bean, Moore
Preston: Nash, Alexander, Davidson, Davis, Sedgwick, O'Neil, Agyemang, McKenna, Hill, Lucketti, Nowland
Subs: Ward, Mawene, Jones, Nugent, Dichio
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=19823530
Match Report - Sporting Life
David Nugent and Callum Davidson scored the goals that condemned QPR to a fourth straight defeat - and extended Preston's unbeaten run to nine matches.
Nugent was not expected to play due to a knee injury, but seconds after replacing Adam Nowland in the 58th minute, the England Under-21 striker used his first touch to break a scoring duck that had lasted since August.
And five minutes from time, Davidson took advantage of a dreadful error by Marcus Bignot to stroke home a second goal.
These are worrying times for QPR, who created the better chances before the break but faded badly after it - and were booed off by the majority of an unusually low crowd of 10,901 at Loftus Road.
Even so, the match had begun brightly for Rangers, with left-winger Lee Cook looking lively. He finished an adroit dribble with a right-footed shot from 20 yards that Carlo Nash saved well in the third minute.
Seven minutes later, Cook was involved again. After Chris Lucketti's attempted clearance had fallen to him 15 yards out, the former Watford player fired a shot that deflected off team-mate Shabazz Baidoo but was held on his line by Nash.
Young striker Baidoo - making his first start of the season after scoring his first goal for the club in the 3-1 defeat at Plymouth on Saturday - thought he had put his team in front in the 15th minute.
But referee Dermot Gallagher ruled Baidoo had used his shoulder to turn Kevin Gallen's cross into the net, and the goal was disallowed.
Baidoo looked confident against the Preston back-line, and tested Nash again on the half-hour, forcing the North End keeper to push his close-range effort around the post following an intelligent through-ball by Cook.
Neither side looked like making headway early in the second half, and it was no surprise that a mistake led to Preston's opener.
Lloyd Dyer - who looked shaky all night - failed to deal with Graham Alexander's ball down the right, allowing Patrick Agyemang to turn the ball across for Nugent to fire impressively into the roof of the net from eight yards.
Nugent posed plenty of problems for the Rangers defence, and went close twice shortly after his goal. First he was beaten to the ball by Simon Royce following more poor Rangers defending, and seconds later the QPR goalkeeper claimed Nugent's snap shot from 15 yards at the second attempt.
After their goal, Preston rarely looked troubled as the central midfield pairing of Paul McKenna and Brian O'Neil held sway - and they made sure of the points in the 85th minute.
Davidson robbed Bignot on the edge of the Rangers area, and produced a confident finish from 18 yards that gave Royce no chance.
Teams
QPR Royce, Bignot, Evatt, Shittu, Dyer, Ainsworth (Bean 77), Rowlands, Langley, Cook (Moore 69), Gallen, Baidoo (Santos 76).
Subs Not Used: Cole, Milanese.
Booked: Dyer.
Preston Nash, Alexander, Davis, Lucketti, Hill, Sedgwick, O'Neil (Mawene 84), McKenna, Davidson, Agyemang (Dichio 79), Nowland (Nugent 58).
Subs Not Used: Ward, Jones.
Booked: Hill.
Sporting Life
Ian Holloway's post-match comments can be heard at: Holloway-post-Preston
If it's six months to the day that Ugo Ukah's QPR departure was announced, it's exactly a year since QPR lost 0-2 at home to Preston - their fourth loss in a row. QPR's Team that night: Rangers: Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Evatt, Dyer, Ainsworth, Langley, Rowlands, Cook, Baidoo, Gallen. Subs: Cole, Milanese, Santos, Bean, Moore
Nov 22, 2005 QPR OFFICIAL SITE - SHABAZZ STARTS
Ian Holloway names an attacking side for tonight's game against Preston, including young Shabazz Baidoo.
The 17 year old steps into the starting line up after impressing down at Plymouth on Saturday when he scored after being on the pitch for just four minutes.
There is no place in the line-up for Marc Nygaard who suffered a set back in training yesterday.
But one man who makes the cut is Martin Rowlands, who starts his first game since August 13 after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury.
Elsewhere the back line is as you were, mimicking that of the last seven games.
Rangers: Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Evatt, Dyer, Ainsworth, Langley, Rowlands, Cook, Baidoo, Gallen
Subs: Cole, Milanese, Santos, Bean, Moore
Preston: Nash, Alexander, Davidson, Davis, Sedgwick, O'Neil, Agyemang, McKenna, Hill, Lucketti, Nowland
Subs: Ward, Mawene, Jones, Nugent, Dichio
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=19823530
Match Report - Sporting Life
David Nugent and Callum Davidson scored the goals that condemned QPR to a fourth straight defeat - and extended Preston's unbeaten run to nine matches.
Nugent was not expected to play due to a knee injury, but seconds after replacing Adam Nowland in the 58th minute, the England Under-21 striker used his first touch to break a scoring duck that had lasted since August.
And five minutes from time, Davidson took advantage of a dreadful error by Marcus Bignot to stroke home a second goal.
These are worrying times for QPR, who created the better chances before the break but faded badly after it - and were booed off by the majority of an unusually low crowd of 10,901 at Loftus Road.
Even so, the match had begun brightly for Rangers, with left-winger Lee Cook looking lively. He finished an adroit dribble with a right-footed shot from 20 yards that Carlo Nash saved well in the third minute.
Seven minutes later, Cook was involved again. After Chris Lucketti's attempted clearance had fallen to him 15 yards out, the former Watford player fired a shot that deflected off team-mate Shabazz Baidoo but was held on his line by Nash.
Young striker Baidoo - making his first start of the season after scoring his first goal for the club in the 3-1 defeat at Plymouth on Saturday - thought he had put his team in front in the 15th minute.
But referee Dermot Gallagher ruled Baidoo had used his shoulder to turn Kevin Gallen's cross into the net, and the goal was disallowed.
Baidoo looked confident against the Preston back-line, and tested Nash again on the half-hour, forcing the North End keeper to push his close-range effort around the post following an intelligent through-ball by Cook.
Neither side looked like making headway early in the second half, and it was no surprise that a mistake led to Preston's opener.
Lloyd Dyer - who looked shaky all night - failed to deal with Graham Alexander's ball down the right, allowing Patrick Agyemang to turn the ball across for Nugent to fire impressively into the roof of the net from eight yards.
Nugent posed plenty of problems for the Rangers defence, and went close twice shortly after his goal. First he was beaten to the ball by Simon Royce following more poor Rangers defending, and seconds later the QPR goalkeeper claimed Nugent's snap shot from 15 yards at the second attempt.
After their goal, Preston rarely looked troubled as the central midfield pairing of Paul McKenna and Brian O'Neil held sway - and they made sure of the points in the 85th minute.
Davidson robbed Bignot on the edge of the Rangers area, and produced a confident finish from 18 yards that gave Royce no chance.
Teams
QPR Royce, Bignot, Evatt, Shittu, Dyer, Ainsworth (Bean 77), Rowlands, Langley, Cook (Moore 69), Gallen, Baidoo (Santos 76).
Subs Not Used: Cole, Milanese.
Booked: Dyer.
Preston Nash, Alexander, Davis, Lucketti, Hill, Sedgwick, O'Neil (Mawene 84), McKenna, Davidson, Agyemang (Dichio 79), Nowland (Nugent 58).
Subs Not Used: Ward, Jones.
Booked: Hill.
Sporting Life
Ian Holloway's post-match comments can be heard at: Holloway-post-Preston
Six Months Ago Today, QPR Said Goodbye to Ugo Ukah...Last Night Ukah Played for QPR Reserves
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QPR Reserves lost 3-0 to Millwall Reserves at Loftus Road, last night. In the QPR team (without any further elaboration/"clarification") was a certain Ukah. Presumably, that's the same Ugo Ukah whose departure from QPR was announced exactly six months ago. Whether the player is just training with QPR while he looks for another club, or what, wasn't announced. QPR's team last night: Thomas, Ukah, Goode, Milanese, Hislop (Howell 56), Baidoo, Rose (Folkes 78), Donnelly, Watanabe, Czerkas, Jones (O'Brien 60). Subs: Crowther, Coyne.
Playing in goal for Millwall, was ex-QPR's Chris Day...
22-May 2006 Ukah's Departure from QPR - QPR Official Site "UGO A GO-GO"
The Club can confirm that Ugo Ukah has today joined Italian outfit Nourese Calcio on a free transfer. Ukah, who made just two appearances for the R's, has signed a three year contract with the Serie C2 side. Chairman Gianni Paladini confirmed the news to qpr.co.uk: "We've negotiated a fifty per-cent sell-on clause and we wish him all the best.''
The Nigerian defender, who joined the club in the summer of 2005, figured in back-to-back 3-0 defeats against Coventry City and Northampton Town in August...
QPR
QPR Official Site - LIONS ROAR TO WIN
Millwall cantered to a deserved 3-0 victory at Loftus Road, on a night to forget for QPR Reserves.
The Lions dominated from start to finish, as Rangers - despite the presence of first team squad members Ray Jones, Matthew Rose, Shabazz Baidoo and Mauro Milanese - failed to deliver the goods.
Millwall made a positive start, with Sean Thomas on hand to hold Gavin Grant's powerful right footed drive inside the opening 60 seconds.
Grant was proving a constant threat early on, with the winger seeing his fifth minute shot deflected round the post after Matthew Rose had conceded possession all too easily in the heart of the R's midfield.
The one-way traffic continued and Thomas again on hand to deny the roaming Kevin Braniff on seven minutes.
Rangers' first chance arrived three minutes later, but Ray Jones was unlucky to see his snap shot fly over the bar, via the aid of a deflection.
The visitors squandered a glorious chance to open the scoring on 10 minutes, with Grant picking the wrong pass with Marvin Williams ready to pounce on the edge of the six-yard box.
Undeterred, the breakthrough the Lions deserved duly arrived on 13 minutes, as Grant smashed an unstoppable half-volley past the unsighted Thomas.
The R's should've been on terms seven minutes later, but after being gifted the freedom of the 18-yard box, Adam Czerkas' strike from an acute angle flew high and wide.
As the half wore on, the impressive Sammy Mewene curled an effort inches over, while at the other end, referee Mr Phillips waved away vocal appeals for a spot-kick after Taku Watanabe went to ground inside the box.
The Lions were really good value for their lead and they were soon two goals to the good on the half hour.
Grant provided the assist, laying the ball on a plate for Braniff to fire home from close range.
The small gathering of R's fans in the South Africa Road stand were made to wait until a minute before the break to witness the hosts first shot on goal.
After neat build-up play involving skipper Scott Donnelly and Czerkas, the ball eventually found its way to Shabazz Baidoo, who fired straight at former Rangers keeper Chris Day.
Millwall were on the front foot immediately at the start of the second period.
Indeed, the half was only 25 seconds old when Williams' thunderbolt flew just wide from fully 20-yards.
Millwall were orchestrating proceedings and after Williams fired straight at Thomas, Grant's piercing drive was blocked on the line by Mauro Milanese.
Baidoo could've handed Rangers a lifeline with 28 minutes to go, but after evading the last line of the Lions defence with ease, he fluffed his lines, firing straight at Day.
Rangers improved as the half wore on, with Czerkas unfortunate to see his measured 66th minute effort tipped round the post by Day.
But their profligacy in the final third proved costly a minute later, when Filipe Morais fired an unstoppable 20-yard effort past Thomas to all but seal victory for the Lions.
The hardworking Czerkas went close again 15 minutes from time, but few could deny the Lions deserved their three goal victory margin.
QPR: Thomas, Ukah, Goode, Milanese, Hislop (Howell 56), Baidoo, Rose (Folkes 78), Donnelly, Watanabe, Czerkas, Jones (O'Brien 60).
Subs: Crowther, Coyne.
Millwall: Day, Fuseini, Bakayogo, Mawene, Payne, Phillips (O'Rourke 68), Grant, Williams (Noel 83), Braniff, Trotter, Morais.
Subs: Crowther, Ebsworth.
QPR
Friday's hero of the hour Ray Jones starts for the Reserves against Millwall at Loftus Road tonight (Tuesday).
The teenager partners Adam Czerkas up front, as the R's lock horns with the Lions in the Pontins Holidays Combination League fixture at 7.00pm.
QPR: Thomas, Ukah, Goode, Milanese, Hislop, Baidoo, Rose, Donnelly, Watanabe, Czerkas, Jones.Subs: Crowther, Coyne, Howell, O'Brien, Folkes....QPR
QPR Reserves lost 3-0 to Millwall Reserves at Loftus Road, last night. In the QPR team (without any further elaboration/"clarification") was a certain Ukah. Presumably, that's the same Ugo Ukah whose departure from QPR was announced exactly six months ago. Whether the player is just training with QPR while he looks for another club, or what, wasn't announced. QPR's team last night: Thomas, Ukah, Goode, Milanese, Hislop (Howell 56), Baidoo, Rose (Folkes 78), Donnelly, Watanabe, Czerkas, Jones (O'Brien 60). Subs: Crowther, Coyne.
Playing in goal for Millwall, was ex-QPR's Chris Day...
22-May 2006 Ukah's Departure from QPR - QPR Official Site "UGO A GO-GO"
The Club can confirm that Ugo Ukah has today joined Italian outfit Nourese Calcio on a free transfer. Ukah, who made just two appearances for the R's, has signed a three year contract with the Serie C2 side. Chairman Gianni Paladini confirmed the news to qpr.co.uk: "We've negotiated a fifty per-cent sell-on clause and we wish him all the best.''
The Nigerian defender, who joined the club in the summer of 2005, figured in back-to-back 3-0 defeats against Coventry City and Northampton Town in August...
QPR
QPR Official Site - LIONS ROAR TO WIN
Millwall cantered to a deserved 3-0 victory at Loftus Road, on a night to forget for QPR Reserves.
The Lions dominated from start to finish, as Rangers - despite the presence of first team squad members Ray Jones, Matthew Rose, Shabazz Baidoo and Mauro Milanese - failed to deliver the goods.
Millwall made a positive start, with Sean Thomas on hand to hold Gavin Grant's powerful right footed drive inside the opening 60 seconds.
Grant was proving a constant threat early on, with the winger seeing his fifth minute shot deflected round the post after Matthew Rose had conceded possession all too easily in the heart of the R's midfield.
The one-way traffic continued and Thomas again on hand to deny the roaming Kevin Braniff on seven minutes.
Rangers' first chance arrived three minutes later, but Ray Jones was unlucky to see his snap shot fly over the bar, via the aid of a deflection.
The visitors squandered a glorious chance to open the scoring on 10 minutes, with Grant picking the wrong pass with Marvin Williams ready to pounce on the edge of the six-yard box.
Undeterred, the breakthrough the Lions deserved duly arrived on 13 minutes, as Grant smashed an unstoppable half-volley past the unsighted Thomas.
The R's should've been on terms seven minutes later, but after being gifted the freedom of the 18-yard box, Adam Czerkas' strike from an acute angle flew high and wide.
As the half wore on, the impressive Sammy Mewene curled an effort inches over, while at the other end, referee Mr Phillips waved away vocal appeals for a spot-kick after Taku Watanabe went to ground inside the box.
The Lions were really good value for their lead and they were soon two goals to the good on the half hour.
Grant provided the assist, laying the ball on a plate for Braniff to fire home from close range.
The small gathering of R's fans in the South Africa Road stand were made to wait until a minute before the break to witness the hosts first shot on goal.
After neat build-up play involving skipper Scott Donnelly and Czerkas, the ball eventually found its way to Shabazz Baidoo, who fired straight at former Rangers keeper Chris Day.
Millwall were on the front foot immediately at the start of the second period.
Indeed, the half was only 25 seconds old when Williams' thunderbolt flew just wide from fully 20-yards.
Millwall were orchestrating proceedings and after Williams fired straight at Thomas, Grant's piercing drive was blocked on the line by Mauro Milanese.
Baidoo could've handed Rangers a lifeline with 28 minutes to go, but after evading the last line of the Lions defence with ease, he fluffed his lines, firing straight at Day.
Rangers improved as the half wore on, with Czerkas unfortunate to see his measured 66th minute effort tipped round the post by Day.
But their profligacy in the final third proved costly a minute later, when Filipe Morais fired an unstoppable 20-yard effort past Thomas to all but seal victory for the Lions.
The hardworking Czerkas went close again 15 minutes from time, but few could deny the Lions deserved their three goal victory margin.
QPR: Thomas, Ukah, Goode, Milanese, Hislop (Howell 56), Baidoo, Rose (Folkes 78), Donnelly, Watanabe, Czerkas, Jones (O'Brien 60).
Subs: Crowther, Coyne.
Millwall: Day, Fuseini, Bakayogo, Mawene, Payne, Phillips (O'Rourke 68), Grant, Williams (Noel 83), Braniff, Trotter, Morais.
Subs: Crowther, Ebsworth.
QPR
Friday's hero of the hour Ray Jones starts for the Reserves against Millwall at Loftus Road tonight (Tuesday).
The teenager partners Adam Czerkas up front, as the R's lock horns with the Lions in the Pontins Holidays Combination League fixture at 7.00pm.
QPR: Thomas, Ukah, Goode, Milanese, Hislop, Baidoo, Rose, Donnelly, Watanabe, Czerkas, Jones.Subs: Crowther, Coyne, Howell, O'Brien, Folkes....QPR
Stefan Bailey Profiled/Interviewed - Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times (and other papers)
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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Stefan Bailey
"...Stefan Bailey is junior to every one of his midfield rivals....Yet Bailey - who actually lives in Luton, having spent his formative years in Park Royal - is anything but daunted by the challenge of trying to win a place ahead of senior professionals like Steve Lomas and Marc Bircham.
"My goal now is to cement a place in the first team," Bailey told the Times. "There are a lot of good midfielders at the club, but that's more of an incentive for me to do well on the pitch. "I take bits and pieces from all the senior players and try to put them into my own game, particularly Steve Lomas. I'm trying to base my game around him because he's played at the top level for a long time and he's been a great help. "He's always very encouraging and, when he needs to, he'll give me what I suppose you'd call constructive criticism as well.
"I never expected to be playing week in, week out, but hopefully I can start to be more of a regular now and I've set myself a target of playing 15 games this season.
"I thought Jimmy and myself did well together and showed age hasn't got much to do with it - willingness to work and the determination to win are more important."...
Starting out with Middlesex County League side Willesden Constantine, he was signed by QPR at the age of 15 and made his first-team debut at Sheffield United in April 2005. Constantine have a proud tradition of producing professional footballers,....
Richard Langley's father Mike served as Constantine's first manager and Bailey recalled: "I knew Richard through the club and I also played in the same team as Showunmi.
"At one stage, it looked like he was going to sign for QPR as well, but he ended up going to Luton instead. Our manager, Larry Bascoe, knew one of the scouts at QPR and he arranged for them to come down and see us.
"After that I went to Reading for a trial, but I pulled a ligament in my ankle and was out for two months. Fortunately QPR were still interested and I signed.
"I try and stay in contact with people from Constantine, although it's not easy to see them play now. Hopefully I'll try and get down there later in the season."
....And Bailey genuinely believes he can be part of a squad competing at the upper end of the Championship table later in the campaign. "John Gregory's come in and changed things dramatically," he added. "The aim for this season is obviously to stay up first and then finish in mid-table - if not make the play-offs. "That's not out of the question at all - the table is tight at the moment and, as we've seen, anyone can beat anyone.
Kilburn Times
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Stefan Bailey
"...Stefan Bailey is junior to every one of his midfield rivals....Yet Bailey - who actually lives in Luton, having spent his formative years in Park Royal - is anything but daunted by the challenge of trying to win a place ahead of senior professionals like Steve Lomas and Marc Bircham.
"My goal now is to cement a place in the first team," Bailey told the Times. "There are a lot of good midfielders at the club, but that's more of an incentive for me to do well on the pitch. "I take bits and pieces from all the senior players and try to put them into my own game, particularly Steve Lomas. I'm trying to base my game around him because he's played at the top level for a long time and he's been a great help. "He's always very encouraging and, when he needs to, he'll give me what I suppose you'd call constructive criticism as well.
"I never expected to be playing week in, week out, but hopefully I can start to be more of a regular now and I've set myself a target of playing 15 games this season.
"I thought Jimmy and myself did well together and showed age hasn't got much to do with it - willingness to work and the determination to win are more important."...
Starting out with Middlesex County League side Willesden Constantine, he was signed by QPR at the age of 15 and made his first-team debut at Sheffield United in April 2005. Constantine have a proud tradition of producing professional footballers,....
Richard Langley's father Mike served as Constantine's first manager and Bailey recalled: "I knew Richard through the club and I also played in the same team as Showunmi.
"At one stage, it looked like he was going to sign for QPR as well, but he ended up going to Luton instead. Our manager, Larry Bascoe, knew one of the scouts at QPR and he arranged for them to come down and see us.
"After that I went to Reading for a trial, but I pulled a ligament in my ankle and was out for two months. Fortunately QPR were still interested and I signed.
"I try and stay in contact with people from Constantine, although it's not easy to see them play now. Hopefully I'll try and get down there later in the season."
....And Bailey genuinely believes he can be part of a squad competing at the upper end of the Championship table later in the campaign. "John Gregory's come in and changed things dramatically," he added. "The aim for this season is obviously to stay up first and then finish in mid-table - if not make the play-offs. "That's not out of the question at all - the table is tight at the moment and, as we've seen, anyone can beat anyone.
Kilburn Times
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