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Sunday Times/Roy Collins - Derby delight
QPR boss Iain Dowie said beforehand that he was beginning “to like the smell of his team’s dressing room”. But the air in there would have been bluer than Gordon Ramsay’s kitchen after Rangers became the first club to lose a home league match to Derby for 18 months. After a promising start to the season it was a second successive league defeat for QPR.
Fans of both sides were more worried by the nasty smell of profiteering, Derby fans preventing Rangers from putting a £10 increase on their seats after an appeal to the league. And though QPR are now in money terms the Manchester City of the Championship, their supporters are not keen to pay Eastlands prices, protesting outside against match banding that raises tickets to £50 for some matches.
Derby manager Paul Jewell would happily have paid 100 times that for his dugout seat if you had told him before kick-off that he would claim his first away bonus since taking over last November. Thanks to late goals from Martin Albrechtsen and substitute Emmanuel Villa, the laughing stocks of last year’s Premier League are now having a quiet chuckle.
“We’re making progress,” said Jewell, after four games without defeat. QPR had won all their previous four games at home but struggled to find any cohesion. Dowie admitted: “We never passed the ball with any fluency and that is something we normally pride ourselves on. But I could sense the players’ disappointment afterwards and that’s a good thing.”
Star man:Paul Green (Derby) Referee:A Taylor Attendance:14,311
QPR:Cerny 6, Connolly 6, Stewart 7, Hall 6, Delaney 6, Mahon 7 (Leigertwood 70min), Parejo 6, Rowlands 5, Ledesma 7 (Agyemang 76min), Buz-saky 6, Blackstock 6
DERBY:Carroll 6, Connolly 6, Leacock 6, Albrechtsen 6, Stewart 7, Barazite 6 (Davies 83min), Green 8, Addison 7, Pearson 7, Ellington 6 (Villa 75min), Hulse Sunday Times
Observer/Stuart Barnes - Jewell salutes his Derby heroes
Paul Jewell called the Football League's refusal to grant Queens Park Rangers permission to increase prices for Derby fans for this match as 'a victory for common sense.' He hailed this subsequent success as maybe the turning point for a beleaguered club.
Goals by Martin Albrechtsen and Emanuel Villa secured an unlikely but thoroughly deserved win. Derby are now unbeaten in four games since ending a record run of 36 without a league victory.
They have yielded eight points and while Jewell acknowledges there is still a long way to go to put the club back on the right track, the signs are a great deal more promising than they were a few weeks ago.
'We were terrific - dominant from start to finish,' said Jewell. 'The win over Sheffield United gave us some impetus and a couple of scrappy draws kept things going. Here we showed we are definitely getting better.
'What happened last season has been hanging over us in a big way. Relegation, and the way it happened, took a major toll on everyone. We were so easy to beat then. Now we are proving difficult to beat and if that happens you always have a chance.
'It's now important to consolidate. We are still well behind where I want us to be and I'm not going to make any rash predictions. The season is still in its infancy and this division could be as unpredictable as ever. I know it's a boring cliche, but we are going to take each game as it comes. But any team who can string two or three wins together can make a major move up the table.'
Jewell added: 'I'm really pleased for our supporters. They have travelled the length and breadth of the country, usually to see us beaten, so it's good that they can see a win as good as this one.'
Rangers went into the game brimful of confidence, complementing their bright start to the Championship campaign with a midweek Carling Cup win over Aston Villa which has been rewarded with a fourth round tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
But they rarely came to terms with Derby's tenacity and organisation and manager Iain Dowie said: 'We won plenty of second balls against Villa, but not today. There was no fluency about our play - maybe there were a few tired legs out there. Particularly disappointing was conceding from two set-pieces. If we had taken the best chance of the first half, it might have been different.
'But credit to Derby. They came and did a good job. Sometimes you have to take it on the chin and move on. I can sense the disappointment among the players and that's how it should be.'
Before the kick-off, Rangers chairman Flavio Briatore issued a statement denying a report that the club were considering changing their name to Queens Park City. 'Pure fabrication,' Briatore insisted.
His side survived an early scare when Paul Connelly's long, low cross from the right touch-line somehow skidded across the face of goal. Derby survived an even bigger one when Emanuel Ledesma played in Daniel Parejo. Striker Dexter Blackstock looked a racing certainty to turn the resulting low centre into a goal until the ball was scrambled clear.
But these were isolated goalmouth incidents in a first half lacking shape and substance. The second opened in much more promising fashion. Ledesma's shot was deflected against the far post with Roy Carroll scrambling across his line trying to cover it.
After that it was a much more eventful affair. Rob Hulse, clear on goal, was denied by a splendid challenge from Damion Stewart, scorer of the Rangers winner at Villa Park. Blackstock struck a post, while Derby went close again twice. Nacer Barazite, on loan from Arsenal, fired inches over, while Miles Addison hit the bar with a drive from almost 35 yards.
Derby's growing influence was rewarded when Barazite's corner came out to Albrechtsen who, from just inside the penalty area, scored through a crowd of players.
Barazite made way for Steve Davies, who matched the youngster by delivering the corner from the same flank for his side's second. This time it was a twisting header by substitute Villa, who had replaced Nathan Ellington, that did the trick. Guardian
SUNDAY PEOPLE/Chris Davies - QPR 0-2 DERBY
Coca Cola FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP Jubilant Jewell wins on the road
Paul Jewell finally got his first away win in the league as Derby boss and said: "This is a start. It gives us hope."
This victory was the Rams' first success on the road in the league since they won at Barnsley 18 months ago, having failed to win on their travels in the Premier League last season.
It was only two weeks ago that Jewell, appointed last November, tasted his first league win as manager when the Rams beat Sheffield United.
Yesterday, the long-awaited away win came and, with Paul Green pulling the strings in midfield, it was no fluke.
Derby were dubbed the worst Premier League side ever after one win all season.
But Jewell can see some light at the end of the tunnel after goals by Martin Albrechtsen and Emanuel Villa sank Rangers.
Jewell said: "We're getting better. I didn't realise the cloud of relegation would hang over for so long.
"We had no confidence - you get that by winning matches. In some ways we're still staggering off the ropes.
"We still have a long way to go and we're a way behind where we want to be, but this is a start. It gives us hope. We're becoming more difficult to beat and play against.
"This is a new team, the United win gave us some impetus and today we dominated the game. Roy Carroll hardly had a shot to save."
Derby fans had objected to the Loftus Road ticket prices which QPR, the Championship's richest club, tried to increase by £10.
"I'm pleased for the fans who have travelled the length and breadth of the country usually seeing us getting beaten," said Jewell. "When you win a game it's always money well spent."
Both goals came from corners on the right. The first, by Nacer Barazite in the 80th minute, was swept home by Albrechtsen at the far post.
With a minute remaining Steve Davies' corner was headed past Radek Cerny by substitute Villa.
Rangers boss Iain Dowie remained upbeat after their second successive league defeat but was unhappy with his side's sloppy display.
He said: "We didn't pass the ball with any fluency, we didn't win the second ball, we never clicked into gear and we gave up possession with unforced errors.
"We conceded from two set-pieces, which was poor. We had chances but we never really got going.
"But it is one we can bounce back from against Blackpool in midweek because we have a good bunch of lads. You have to take things on the chin - good luck to Derby."
Rangers' best chance came in the 22nd minute. A superb cross from the right by the dangerous Emanuel Ledesma saw Carroll just beat Daniel Parejo to the ball which bounced free. Paul Connolly managed to clear the danger as Dexter Blackstock tried to force the ball over the line.
Qpr: Cerny 6 - Connolly 6, D Stewart 7, Hall 6, Delaney 5 - *LEDESMA 8 (Agyemang, 78 mins), Mahon 7 (Leigertwood, 70mins, 5), Parejo 7, Buzsaky 6 (Cook, 57mins, 6) - Rowlands 6 - Blackstock 6.
Derby County: Carroll 7 - Connolly 7, Leacock 6, Albrechtsen 7, J Stewart 7 - Barazite 6 (Davies, 84mins), *GREEN 8, Addison 6, Pearson 7 - Ellington 6 (Villa, 76mins), Hulse 7.
Referee: A Taylor 7. Sunday People
Derby County Official Site - JEWELL: FEET STAY ON THE GROUND
Paul Jewell felt the Rams deserved their 2-0 success at Queens Park Rangers - but he's refusing to get too carried away.
Derby had the upper-hand for large periods at Loftus Road and earned a fine win against the mega-rich Hoops.
It took the unbeaten run to four games and while Jewell was delighted with the result, he is keen to keep everyone's feet on the ground.
"It is nice to be talking after another win and we are uneaten in four games, which is a big improvement," he said after the win in West London.
"I thought we were terrific today. We came here in the blazing-hot sun against a team with a 100 per cent home record but we controlled the game from start to finish.
"I said last week that at times it wouldn't be pretty so we have been digging and if you make yourself hard to beat it's a start.
"We are not creating millions of chances but we controlled things today.
"It was our first clean sheet in the league since the 0-0 draw with Sunderland in March but we are trying to put last year's results and experiences behind us.
"We have to look forward now and we are looking forward to the visit of Birmingham on Tuesday, which will be a difficult game but we can go into it with some confidence."
The victory at QPR was built on solid foundations with goalkeeper Roy Carroll enjoying a quiet afternoon and rarely being tested.
In front of him, centre-half Martin Albrechtsen opened the scoring with a goal almost identical to his strike against Cardiff City seven days ago.
Derby wrestled control of midfield away from the home side to give themselves the platform to earn their points.
"I thought both Martin and Deano were terrific at the back but so were the whole team," said Jewell.
"Greeny and Miles Addison were our tigers in midfield to control things for us and it was good to score from two set-pieces.
"We haven't done well enough from set-pieces since I have been at the club but our last goals have come from them, which is very important.
"The second was a nice corner from Steve Davies and Tito did what he does best. He had a cut ear but he won't feel the pain half as much after scoring his first goal of the season.
"We've got our first away win of the season but we are only early in the season and there is a long haul ahead of us yet.
"Of course we are pleased with the result but we are not going to get too carried away, and now we are looking forward to getting on with the job against Birmingham." Derby
QPR Official Site - DOWIE: WE MUST RESPOND
Iain Dowie failed to his disappointment, as the R's slipped to their first home defeat of the campaign.
Second half goals from Martin Albrechtsen and Emanuel Villa handed Derby County victory in W12, on an afternoon when Dowie's men failed to fire following their midweek victory against Aston Villa in the Carling Cup.
"We fell asleep twice on set-pieces and that's very unlike us," Dowie told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We had two crazy moments and its cost us today.
"Our passing wasn't anywhere near good enough. We gave it away far too often. They won far more second balls we did.
"These days are going to happen. It's a 46 rung ladder and we've slipped up on one of the steps.
"Good luck to them, they deserved the victory and we've got to move on."
Dowie is demanding a response from his side on Tuesday night, when Blackpool come to town.
"We had chances today and didn't take them, but we've got the chance to bounce back against Blackpool on Tuesday and we need to do that," he said.
"The Championship is good in that way, because the matches come so thick and fast. But we weren't anywhere near good enough today and we've got to respond." QPR
News Of The World/Steve Goodman - Paul Jewell off the ropes at last
DERBY boss Paul Jewell saw his team end their long away jinx and then joked: “Don’t back us for promotion yet.”
The Rams earned their first league win on the road for two seasons thanks to late goals from Martin Albrechtsen and Emanuel Villa.
It stretched their unbeaten run to four games after enduring a nightmare Premier League season and a hungover start to the current campaign — going 36 matches in all without victory.
But, at Loftus Road, Derby made nonsense of moneybags QPR’s top-flight dreams by winning with ease.
Jewell admitted: “We are just getting off the ropes. I won’t say we will now mount a promotion campaign.
“It’s important for us to consolidate this season and there’s a long way to go.
“I hadn’t realised the toll last season took on us. The way we got relegated, meant clouds hung over us all year.
“But our win over Sheffield United gave us an impetus. Since then we’ve drawn two matches and we dominated today.
“QPR were restricted to a few scrappy chances and we were terrific. Confidence comes from winning games.”
Derby got the Football League to overturn QPR’s bid to raise ticket prices for visiting fans to £40. But Jewell’s men performed so impressively that even £100 would have seemed value for money for the Rams’ success-starved followers.
Scares
Derby were fully worth their win after surviving a few scares.
Keeper Roy Carroll had to dive at Dexter Blackstock’s feet early on and Argentine youngster Emmanuel Ledesma saw his shot deflected onto a post.
Blackstock also hit the woodwork just past the hour but Rangers’ centre backs needed two last-ditch tackles to prevent Nathan Ellington and Rob Hulse scoring.
Derby went close again when Miles Addison’s 30-yard snap shot hit the top of the crossbar.
They finally broke through 11 minutes from time when on-loan Arsenal youngster Nacer Barazite’s corner found Albrechtsen at the far post.
The Danish centre back took one touch to control and another in drilling a low shot through a crowded penalty area.
Albrechtsen’s second goal in a week knocked the stuffing out of QPR and Derby made the game safe a minute from time with a near carbon-copy finish.
This time two substitutes combined, with Steve Davies’ corner picking out Villa for a far-post header.
Jewell added: “I’m really pleased for our long-suffering supporters.
“They’ll have a nice trip home up the M1 and, for once, they can say their ticket money was well spent.” News of The World
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
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Stan Bowles Criticizes QPR's Owners
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Stan Bowles' Perspective - At least, according to the Sunday People!
Sunday People/Peter Ward - 28 September 2008 - TIGHT Rs BLASTED
EXCLUSIVE
QPR legend Stan Bowles has branded the club's billionaire owners skinflints after being sidelined from his hospitality role.
"Billionaires? They're tighter than a coat of paint," said Bowles, 59, once voted Loftus Road's greatest ever player.
Rangers are owned by Formula One big wheels Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal.
Bowles said: "On the last day of last season Iwas asked on the pitch to draw a raffle. Then I was told there was no budget left to pay me.
"This season I was asked to unveil the new mascot, which was a man dressed up as a furry aeroplane - I suspect he was on more money than I was.
"I was handed £100 which didn't even cover my train fare"
He was due to act as a club ambassador again - but says the club have never got back to him. Sunday People
Stan Bowles' Perspective - At least, according to the Sunday People!
Sunday People/Peter Ward - 28 September 2008 - TIGHT Rs BLASTED
EXCLUSIVE
QPR legend Stan Bowles has branded the club's billionaire owners skinflints after being sidelined from his hospitality role.
"Billionaires? They're tighter than a coat of paint," said Bowles, 59, once voted Loftus Road's greatest ever player.
Rangers are owned by Formula One big wheels Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal.
Bowles said: "On the last day of last season Iwas asked on the pitch to draw a raffle. Then I was told there was no budget left to pay me.
"This season I was asked to unveil the new mascot, which was a man dressed up as a furry aeroplane - I suspect he was on more money than I was.
"I was handed £100 which didn't even cover my train fare"
He was due to act as a club ambassador again - but says the club have never got back to him. Sunday People
QPR - Mail "Humour"
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A day after having a Daily Mail story about a proposed QPR name change was categorically denied in a QPR official statement from Chairman Briatore....Some forced "humour" from the Mail's Patrick Collins
Daily Mail/Patrick Collins
PS...
RUMOUR suggests that Queens Park Rangers will shortly be renamed by the motor racing money men who purchased the club. QPR is such a dated, off-the-pace kind of name for those cutting-edge fellows from Formula One.
What they're after is something which epitomises a defiant little club determined to punch its weight, a club prepared to suffer punishment before whipping back with some savage blows of its own. Perhaps they'll call it 'Max'." Daily Mail
A day after having a Daily Mail story about a proposed QPR name change was categorically denied in a QPR official statement from Chairman Briatore....Some forced "humour" from the Mail's Patrick Collins
Daily Mail/Patrick Collins
PS...
RUMOUR suggests that Queens Park Rangers will shortly be renamed by the motor racing money men who purchased the club. QPR is such a dated, off-the-pace kind of name for those cutting-edge fellows from Formula One.
What they're after is something which epitomises a defiant little club determined to punch its weight, a club prepared to suffer punishment before whipping back with some savage blows of its own. Perhaps they'll call it 'Max'." Daily Mail
Saturday, September 27, 2008
QPR's Derby Loss - Dowie's Post-Match Comments
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QPR Official Site - DOWIE: WE MUST RESPOND
Iain Dowie failed to his disappointment, as the R's slipped to their first home defeat of the campaign.
Second half goals from Martin Albrechtsen and Emanuel Villa handed Derby County victory in W12, on an afternoon when Dowie's men failed to fire following their midweek victory against Aston Villa in the Carling Cup.
"We fell asleep twice on set-pieces and that's very unlike us," Dowie told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We had two crazy moments and its cost us today.
"Our passing wasn't anywhere near good enough. We gave it away far too often. They won far more second balls we did.
"These days are going to happen. It's a 46 rung ladder and we've slipped up on one of the steps.
"Good luck to them, they deserved the victory and we've got to move on."
Dowie is demanding a response from his side on Tuesday night, when Blackpool come to town.
"We had chances today and didn't take them, but we've got the chance to bounce back against Blackpool on Tuesday and we need to do that," he said.
"The Championship is good in that way, because the matches come so thick and fast. But we weren't anywhere near good enough today and we've got to respond." QPR
QPR Official Site - DOWIE: WE MUST RESPOND
Iain Dowie failed to his disappointment, as the R's slipped to their first home defeat of the campaign.
Second half goals from Martin Albrechtsen and Emanuel Villa handed Derby County victory in W12, on an afternoon when Dowie's men failed to fire following their midweek victory against Aston Villa in the Carling Cup.
"We fell asleep twice on set-pieces and that's very unlike us," Dowie told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We had two crazy moments and its cost us today.
"Our passing wasn't anywhere near good enough. We gave it away far too often. They won far more second balls we did.
"These days are going to happen. It's a 46 rung ladder and we've slipped up on one of the steps.
"Good luck to them, they deserved the victory and we've got to move on."
Dowie is demanding a response from his side on Tuesday night, when Blackpool come to town.
"We had chances today and didn't take them, but we've got the chance to bounce back against Blackpool on Tuesday and we need to do that," he said.
"The Championship is good in that way, because the matches come so thick and fast. But we weren't anywhere near good enough today and we've got to respond." QPR
QPR Slump at Home
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A crowd of just over 14,000 saw QPR slump at home: QPR 0 Derby County 2. 0-0 at halftime. In the second half: A late Derby Goal. Then a second, even-later Derby goal.
League Table - Updated
Derby Official Site - Gareth Davis reports from Loftus Road
Martin Albrechtsen scored again with a carbon-copy of his goal against Cardiff and Tito Villa came off the bench to net as Derby earned a fine 2-0 win away to Queens Park Rangers.
Mega-rich Rangers are among the favourites for the Coca-Cola Championship but they looked ordinary for long periods against a Derby side who extended their unbeaten run to five games.
There wasn't a lot to choose between the teams in the first half but Derby stepped it up after the break and after a couple of scares when QPR saw shots deflected on to the post, Miles Addison smashed a long-range shot against the crossbar.
Home goalkeeper Radek Cerny - who produced a couple of good saves in the first-half - had no chance when Albrechtsen drove in Nacer Barazite's corner on 78 minutes.
And another flag-kick led to the Rams' second as Villa rose highest to power a header down and earn Derby an impressive - and deserved - three points.
Nathan Ellington made his return to the starting line-up as the Rams made one change for their trip to face West London's richest club.
The Duke was back in place of Tito Villa, who dropped to the bench, with boss Paul Jewell keeping to the same 16 on duty for the 1-1 draw with Cardiff City last week.
QPR named former Derby goalkeeper Lee Camp among their replacements and ex Pride Park loanee Dexter Blackstock in from the start as they looked to build on an as-yet perfect home record.
Bright September sunshine greeted the players and there was an early chance to the Rams as Martin Albrechtsen rose to meet a Nacer Barazite corner, though he couldn't get enough power on his effort to trouble Radek Cerny.
Derby's start had reflected the weather and they came within an inch of taking the lead on eight minutes when a low Paul Connolly cross caused chaos in the home defence and took two deflections before bobbling just wide of the far post.
The home side should have gone in front on 22 through Blackstock, who somehow failed to turn in an inviting low ball from Daniel Parejo as he met the delivery from close-range.
And they had a fortunate escape a few minutes later when Cerny inexplicably dropped a long ball in to the box - no doubt troubled byb the sun - but as it rolled out towards the touchline, no Derby player was close enough to take advantage.
Cerny was in action again shortly before the half-hour to palm out a Stephen Pearson shot after a well-crafted move, and the ball was cleared for a corner with Rob Hulse set to pounce.
Parejo was first into the notebook for a 36th-minute foul on Jordan Stewart out on the left that gave Derby another chance to put the home defence under pressure, but Barazite's cross was too near Cerny to make an impact.
QPR's first real shot in anger arrived five minutes before the interval through Emanuel Ledesma, who lined up an audacious volley from distance that never threatened to dip under Roy Carroll's crossbar.
The 2008/09 season - in association with BuyMobilePhones.net
The first threats of the second half centred on Derby's goal with Ledesma involved both times.
First, he saw a shot deflected against the post, and from the resulting corner - QPR's first of the game - he cracked a half-volley narrowly over the bar.
Leacock saw yellow for a foul on home skipper Martin Rowlands that again gave Ledesma the chance to threaten with a dangerous in-swinging free-kick that was met by a powerful Miles Addison clearing header.
And that was the cue for Rangers to make the afternoon's first change as they took off Akos Buzsaky and replaced him with Lee Cook, a firm favourite among the home fans.
Derby's best chance so far came just after the hour and it fell for Hulse, who read Ellington's clever flick-on and made ground into the area, but he took a split-second too long before getting his shot away and Damion Stewart was back to block.
QPR raced forward and Cook supplied Blackstock on the edge of the six-yard box, only for the front-man's shot to take a deflection and strike the post.
A spell of Derby pressure on 68 saw Barazite fire over the bar after his corner wasn't cleared but both sides were struggling to carve out any serious clear-cut opportunities.
And out of nothing an Addison drive from all of 30 yards smacked against the crossbar, leaving the teenager wishing for a bit of extra dip with Cerny beaten.
The Rams' first change followed with 15 minutes remaining as Villa took over in attack from Ellington.
And the opening goal arrived with 11 minutes remaining for Derby - in pretty much identical style to their goal last week against Cardiff.
Barazite's right-wing corner was allowed to bounce inside the QPR box and, with frightening coincidence, fell to Martin Albrechtsen who took a touch before smashing it past Cerny.
It was the Dane's second goal in as many weeks having only previously registered four in his career in England.
And the game was wrapped up with 90 seconds remaining thanks to another right-wing corner.
This time Steve Davies, on for Barazite, delivered superbly and Villa got up well to head down and into the bottom corner for his first goal of the season.
Derby fully deserved their victory, of that there is no doubt whatsoever.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, D Stewart, Mahon (Leigertwood 70), Hall, Parejo, Blackstock, Buszaky (Cook 55), Rowlands (C), M Connolly, Ledesma (Agyemang 76).
Substitutes: Camp (GK), Ramage.
Derby: Carroll, P Connolly (C), Green, J Stewart, Ellington (Villa 75), Hulse, Leacock, Addison, Barazite (Davies 84), Pearson, Albrechtsen.
Substitutes: Bywater (GK), Kazmierczak, Nyatanga.
Attendance: 14,311. Derby
QPR Official Site - QPR vs Derby County
QPR suffered from a League Cup hangover after Martin Albrechtson's volley and Emmanuel Villa's header gave Derby County all three points at Loftus Road.
After the dramatic night at Villa Park in midweek, Rangers players gave a frustrating performance in front of a boisterous home support.
Dexter Blackstock could've opened the scoring midway through the first half but Paul Connolly, the Derby Captain, executed a superb recovery tackle to keep his side in it.
As Rangers pressed on, they were caught out as the Danish international met Miles Addison's well taken corner to hand Derby the win, before Villa headed beyond Radek Cerny in the R's net to make it two.
For the visit of the Rams, Manager Iain Dowie made one change to the starting 11 that triumphed over Aston Villa in midweek. Patrick Agyemang made way for Blackstock, taking up a place on the bench instead.
He was joined by Lee Cook, who had missed the trip to Villa Park. Akos Buzsaky made his first home start of the season, much to the delight of the Loftus Road crowd.
Derby handed starts to several of their new summer signings, with strikers Rob Hulse and on-loan Nathan Ellington partnering up in attack, with Arsenal prospect and fellow loan-man Nacer Barazite lining up in midfield.
It was the visitors who threatened first as an early Barazite corner was headed goalwards by Albrechtson but the Dane could not muster the power required to trouble Radek Cerny.
Back came Rangers moments later, as Emmanuel Ledesma received a perfect long pass from Martin Rowlands and cut inside Jordan Stewart, only to see his shot from the edge of the box miss the target.
Absolutely brilliant football gave Rangers another chance seconds later, as first Daniel Parejo nut-megged Paul Green with a pass to Rowlands who turned and fed Blackstock. The big man turned and crossed for the onrushing Rowlands. The midfield marvel couldn't direct his effort however and the danger passed.
Paul Connelly then almost got lucky with a cross as he whistled in a ball that evaded everyone and just missed the post on its way out.
After 22 minutes Rangers should've scored. Smooth build up play involving Rowlands and Ledesma led to the Argentine clipping a perfect through ball over the Rams defence for Parejo who unselfishly squared for the charging Blackstock. Out of nowhere however, came Paul Connolly who somehow managed to hook a leg in front of the ball and stop the R's striker from sending it across the line.
Minutes later, it was Cerny's turn to keep the scores level as Stewart fed Stephen Pearson down the left hand side of the R's box. The Scot's right footed shot however was well gathered by a smothering Cerny.
Derby had a chance of their own to open the day's scoring eleven minutes before half time. Gavin Mahon was disposed by Green who fed Hulse. As the striker bore down on goal he was denied by a fantastic sliding tackle from Fitz Hall.
With the half drawing to a close, Ledesma tried the spectacular with a long range volley after the ball sat up invitingly for him 25 yards out. Carroll was never worried however, as the ball flew well over.
That proved the final act of a frustrating half for the Rangers faithful.
The second half opened with Rangers in a more determined mood. Parejo and Ledesma exchanged passes on the edge of the box before the latter curled a shot that struck a Derby body, clipped the post, and went out for a corner.
From the resultant set piece, Ledesma blazed a volley narrowly over the Rams bar. Minutes later the same player made a mess of an attempted chip, after he saw Carroll had wandered off his line.
Hall came to the rescue once again as Derby hit back, superbly blocking Hulse as the striker looked to score.
To inject some impetus into his side, Dowie introduced fans favourite Cook after 55 minutes.
It was, however, Derby's Green who tried his luck next as he sent a 25 yard shot toward Cerny but the Czech keeper saved comfortably.
Derby threatened again moments later as Ellington flicked on a long ball for his strike partner to chase. It looked like Hulse was a certainty to score but Damion Stewart, inspired by Hall next to him, slid in expertly to rob the Rams hit-man at the dying second.
Rangers, buoyed by this moment of brilliance countered, as Damien Delaney found Rowlands who escaped his man and crossed a superb ball for Blackstock. Our leading scorer in the League managed to get a foot to it but to the disbelief of the fans, the ball smacked off the post and away from danger.
Derby were just edging it this half and went close again. A corner from the right resulted in a period of pin-balling as the ball bounced around in the R's box. Eventually it fell to Dutchman Barazite who controlled and rifled a shot that only just flew over the home side's bar.
Derby had their best chance so far minutes later as Addison opened up from 25 yards with a shot that clipped the bar.
To try and match their opponents, Dowie replaced Ledesma with Agyemang and sent Rowlands out to the right in a 4-4-2 formation, with the sole aim to try and wrestle the initiative back Rangers way.
The change did not have the required effect however as seconds later, Derby took the lead. The Rams won a corner that was taken by Addison who found Albrechtson. The Dane made no mistake, firing home with a crisp half-volley.
Minutes later it was two as another corner was not dealt with and Villa rose to head past a stranded Cerny.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon (Leigertwood 70), Hall, Parejo, Blackstock, Buzsaky (Cook 55), Rowlands, Connolly, Ledesma (Agyemang 77).
Subs: Camp, Ramage.
Scorers:
Bookings: Ledesma (36)
Red Cards:
Derby County: Carroll, Connolly, Green, Stewart, Ellington (Villa 76), Hulse, Leacock, Addison, Barazite (Davies 83), Pearson, Albrechtsen.
Subs: Bywater, Kazmierczak, Nyatanga.
Scorers: Albrechtson (79), Villa (88)
Bookings: Leacock (54)
Red Cards:
Referee: Mr A Taylor
Attendance: 14,311 QPR
Sporting Life - First Part Report
Coca-Cola Championship promotion hopefuls QPR struggled to rediscover the form which saw them claim the cup scalp of Aston Villa in midweek as Derby edged a disappointing first half at Loftus Road.
Iain Dowie's side stunned Villa with a 1-0 win in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night, but Derby had the best of a goalless opening 45 minutes today in the London sunshine.
Stephen Pearson came closest for Paul Jewell's side, forcing Radek Cerny into a fine save, while Rams goalkeeper Roy Carroll was only tested once when he denied Dexter Blackstock from close range.
QPR boss Iain Dowie made a change to the side that won at Villa Park, with leading scorer Blackstock replacing Patrick Agyemang.
Jewell also opted for a change in the Derby forward line, with Nathan Ellington preferred to Emanuel Villa.
Derby started competitively and almost went in front after 11 minutes in when on-loan Arsenal midfielder Nacer Barazite put in a dangerous cross which was deflected wide for a corner.
The home side struggled to get into their stride and it was the Rams who were sharper in the tackle and winning the battle in midfield.
But QPR did manage to get in behind the visitors' defence after 15 minutes and only a brave save from Carroll prevented Blackstock from opening the scoring.
Pearson then had Derby's best chance to open the scoring just before the half-hour mark but Cerny produced an agile stop to turn the Scotland midfielder's drive past the post.
And five minutes later it took a last-ditch challenge from Damion Stewart to prevent Rob Hulse from bearing down on goal. Sporting Life
A crowd of just over 14,000 saw QPR slump at home: QPR 0 Derby County 2. 0-0 at halftime. In the second half: A late Derby Goal. Then a second, even-later Derby goal.
League Table - Updated
Derby Official Site - Gareth Davis reports from Loftus Road
Martin Albrechtsen scored again with a carbon-copy of his goal against Cardiff and Tito Villa came off the bench to net as Derby earned a fine 2-0 win away to Queens Park Rangers.
Mega-rich Rangers are among the favourites for the Coca-Cola Championship but they looked ordinary for long periods against a Derby side who extended their unbeaten run to five games.
There wasn't a lot to choose between the teams in the first half but Derby stepped it up after the break and after a couple of scares when QPR saw shots deflected on to the post, Miles Addison smashed a long-range shot against the crossbar.
Home goalkeeper Radek Cerny - who produced a couple of good saves in the first-half - had no chance when Albrechtsen drove in Nacer Barazite's corner on 78 minutes.
And another flag-kick led to the Rams' second as Villa rose highest to power a header down and earn Derby an impressive - and deserved - three points.
Nathan Ellington made his return to the starting line-up as the Rams made one change for their trip to face West London's richest club.
The Duke was back in place of Tito Villa, who dropped to the bench, with boss Paul Jewell keeping to the same 16 on duty for the 1-1 draw with Cardiff City last week.
QPR named former Derby goalkeeper Lee Camp among their replacements and ex Pride Park loanee Dexter Blackstock in from the start as they looked to build on an as-yet perfect home record.
Bright September sunshine greeted the players and there was an early chance to the Rams as Martin Albrechtsen rose to meet a Nacer Barazite corner, though he couldn't get enough power on his effort to trouble Radek Cerny.
Derby's start had reflected the weather and they came within an inch of taking the lead on eight minutes when a low Paul Connolly cross caused chaos in the home defence and took two deflections before bobbling just wide of the far post.
The home side should have gone in front on 22 through Blackstock, who somehow failed to turn in an inviting low ball from Daniel Parejo as he met the delivery from close-range.
And they had a fortunate escape a few minutes later when Cerny inexplicably dropped a long ball in to the box - no doubt troubled byb the sun - but as it rolled out towards the touchline, no Derby player was close enough to take advantage.
Cerny was in action again shortly before the half-hour to palm out a Stephen Pearson shot after a well-crafted move, and the ball was cleared for a corner with Rob Hulse set to pounce.
Parejo was first into the notebook for a 36th-minute foul on Jordan Stewart out on the left that gave Derby another chance to put the home defence under pressure, but Barazite's cross was too near Cerny to make an impact.
QPR's first real shot in anger arrived five minutes before the interval through Emanuel Ledesma, who lined up an audacious volley from distance that never threatened to dip under Roy Carroll's crossbar.
The 2008/09 season - in association with BuyMobilePhones.net
The first threats of the second half centred on Derby's goal with Ledesma involved both times.
First, he saw a shot deflected against the post, and from the resulting corner - QPR's first of the game - he cracked a half-volley narrowly over the bar.
Leacock saw yellow for a foul on home skipper Martin Rowlands that again gave Ledesma the chance to threaten with a dangerous in-swinging free-kick that was met by a powerful Miles Addison clearing header.
And that was the cue for Rangers to make the afternoon's first change as they took off Akos Buzsaky and replaced him with Lee Cook, a firm favourite among the home fans.
Derby's best chance so far came just after the hour and it fell for Hulse, who read Ellington's clever flick-on and made ground into the area, but he took a split-second too long before getting his shot away and Damion Stewart was back to block.
QPR raced forward and Cook supplied Blackstock on the edge of the six-yard box, only for the front-man's shot to take a deflection and strike the post.
A spell of Derby pressure on 68 saw Barazite fire over the bar after his corner wasn't cleared but both sides were struggling to carve out any serious clear-cut opportunities.
And out of nothing an Addison drive from all of 30 yards smacked against the crossbar, leaving the teenager wishing for a bit of extra dip with Cerny beaten.
The Rams' first change followed with 15 minutes remaining as Villa took over in attack from Ellington.
And the opening goal arrived with 11 minutes remaining for Derby - in pretty much identical style to their goal last week against Cardiff.
Barazite's right-wing corner was allowed to bounce inside the QPR box and, with frightening coincidence, fell to Martin Albrechtsen who took a touch before smashing it past Cerny.
It was the Dane's second goal in as many weeks having only previously registered four in his career in England.
And the game was wrapped up with 90 seconds remaining thanks to another right-wing corner.
This time Steve Davies, on for Barazite, delivered superbly and Villa got up well to head down and into the bottom corner for his first goal of the season.
Derby fully deserved their victory, of that there is no doubt whatsoever.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, D Stewart, Mahon (Leigertwood 70), Hall, Parejo, Blackstock, Buszaky (Cook 55), Rowlands (C), M Connolly, Ledesma (Agyemang 76).
Substitutes: Camp (GK), Ramage.
Derby: Carroll, P Connolly (C), Green, J Stewart, Ellington (Villa 75), Hulse, Leacock, Addison, Barazite (Davies 84), Pearson, Albrechtsen.
Substitutes: Bywater (GK), Kazmierczak, Nyatanga.
Attendance: 14,311. Derby
QPR Official Site - QPR vs Derby County
QPR suffered from a League Cup hangover after Martin Albrechtson's volley and Emmanuel Villa's header gave Derby County all three points at Loftus Road.
After the dramatic night at Villa Park in midweek, Rangers players gave a frustrating performance in front of a boisterous home support.
Dexter Blackstock could've opened the scoring midway through the first half but Paul Connolly, the Derby Captain, executed a superb recovery tackle to keep his side in it.
As Rangers pressed on, they were caught out as the Danish international met Miles Addison's well taken corner to hand Derby the win, before Villa headed beyond Radek Cerny in the R's net to make it two.
For the visit of the Rams, Manager Iain Dowie made one change to the starting 11 that triumphed over Aston Villa in midweek. Patrick Agyemang made way for Blackstock, taking up a place on the bench instead.
He was joined by Lee Cook, who had missed the trip to Villa Park. Akos Buzsaky made his first home start of the season, much to the delight of the Loftus Road crowd.
Derby handed starts to several of their new summer signings, with strikers Rob Hulse and on-loan Nathan Ellington partnering up in attack, with Arsenal prospect and fellow loan-man Nacer Barazite lining up in midfield.
It was the visitors who threatened first as an early Barazite corner was headed goalwards by Albrechtson but the Dane could not muster the power required to trouble Radek Cerny.
Back came Rangers moments later, as Emmanuel Ledesma received a perfect long pass from Martin Rowlands and cut inside Jordan Stewart, only to see his shot from the edge of the box miss the target.
Absolutely brilliant football gave Rangers another chance seconds later, as first Daniel Parejo nut-megged Paul Green with a pass to Rowlands who turned and fed Blackstock. The big man turned and crossed for the onrushing Rowlands. The midfield marvel couldn't direct his effort however and the danger passed.
Paul Connelly then almost got lucky with a cross as he whistled in a ball that evaded everyone and just missed the post on its way out.
After 22 minutes Rangers should've scored. Smooth build up play involving Rowlands and Ledesma led to the Argentine clipping a perfect through ball over the Rams defence for Parejo who unselfishly squared for the charging Blackstock. Out of nowhere however, came Paul Connolly who somehow managed to hook a leg in front of the ball and stop the R's striker from sending it across the line.
Minutes later, it was Cerny's turn to keep the scores level as Stewart fed Stephen Pearson down the left hand side of the R's box. The Scot's right footed shot however was well gathered by a smothering Cerny.
Derby had a chance of their own to open the day's scoring eleven minutes before half time. Gavin Mahon was disposed by Green who fed Hulse. As the striker bore down on goal he was denied by a fantastic sliding tackle from Fitz Hall.
With the half drawing to a close, Ledesma tried the spectacular with a long range volley after the ball sat up invitingly for him 25 yards out. Carroll was never worried however, as the ball flew well over.
That proved the final act of a frustrating half for the Rangers faithful.
The second half opened with Rangers in a more determined mood. Parejo and Ledesma exchanged passes on the edge of the box before the latter curled a shot that struck a Derby body, clipped the post, and went out for a corner.
From the resultant set piece, Ledesma blazed a volley narrowly over the Rams bar. Minutes later the same player made a mess of an attempted chip, after he saw Carroll had wandered off his line.
Hall came to the rescue once again as Derby hit back, superbly blocking Hulse as the striker looked to score.
To inject some impetus into his side, Dowie introduced fans favourite Cook after 55 minutes.
It was, however, Derby's Green who tried his luck next as he sent a 25 yard shot toward Cerny but the Czech keeper saved comfortably.
Derby threatened again moments later as Ellington flicked on a long ball for his strike partner to chase. It looked like Hulse was a certainty to score but Damion Stewart, inspired by Hall next to him, slid in expertly to rob the Rams hit-man at the dying second.
Rangers, buoyed by this moment of brilliance countered, as Damien Delaney found Rowlands who escaped his man and crossed a superb ball for Blackstock. Our leading scorer in the League managed to get a foot to it but to the disbelief of the fans, the ball smacked off the post and away from danger.
Derby were just edging it this half and went close again. A corner from the right resulted in a period of pin-balling as the ball bounced around in the R's box. Eventually it fell to Dutchman Barazite who controlled and rifled a shot that only just flew over the home side's bar.
Derby had their best chance so far minutes later as Addison opened up from 25 yards with a shot that clipped the bar.
To try and match their opponents, Dowie replaced Ledesma with Agyemang and sent Rowlands out to the right in a 4-4-2 formation, with the sole aim to try and wrestle the initiative back Rangers way.
The change did not have the required effect however as seconds later, Derby took the lead. The Rams won a corner that was taken by Addison who found Albrechtson. The Dane made no mistake, firing home with a crisp half-volley.
Minutes later it was two as another corner was not dealt with and Villa rose to head past a stranded Cerny.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon (Leigertwood 70), Hall, Parejo, Blackstock, Buzsaky (Cook 55), Rowlands, Connolly, Ledesma (Agyemang 77).
Subs: Camp, Ramage.
Scorers:
Bookings: Ledesma (36)
Red Cards:
Derby County: Carroll, Connolly, Green, Stewart, Ellington (Villa 76), Hulse, Leacock, Addison, Barazite (Davies 83), Pearson, Albrechtsen.
Subs: Bywater, Kazmierczak, Nyatanga.
Scorers: Albrechtson (79), Villa (88)
Bookings: Leacock (54)
Red Cards:
Referee: Mr A Taylor
Attendance: 14,311 QPR
Sporting Life - First Part Report
Coca-Cola Championship promotion hopefuls QPR struggled to rediscover the form which saw them claim the cup scalp of Aston Villa in midweek as Derby edged a disappointing first half at Loftus Road.
Iain Dowie's side stunned Villa with a 1-0 win in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night, but Derby had the best of a goalless opening 45 minutes today in the London sunshine.
Stephen Pearson came closest for Paul Jewell's side, forcing Radek Cerny into a fine save, while Rams goalkeeper Roy Carroll was only tested once when he denied Dexter Blackstock from close range.
QPR boss Iain Dowie made a change to the side that won at Villa Park, with leading scorer Blackstock replacing Patrick Agyemang.
Jewell also opted for a change in the Derby forward line, with Nathan Ellington preferred to Emanuel Villa.
Derby started competitively and almost went in front after 11 minutes in when on-loan Arsenal midfielder Nacer Barazite put in a dangerous cross which was deflected wide for a corner.
The home side struggled to get into their stride and it was the Rams who were sharper in the tackle and winning the battle in midfield.
But QPR did manage to get in behind the visitors' defence after 15 minutes and only a brave save from Carroll prevented Blackstock from opening the scoring.
Pearson then had Derby's best chance to open the scoring just before the half-hour mark but Cerny produced an agile stop to turn the Scotland midfielder's drive past the post.
And five minutes later it took a last-ditch challenge from Damion Stewart to prevent Rob Hulse from bearing down on goal. Sporting Life
QPR Away to Manchester United - Carling Cup Draw
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The Fourth Round of the Carling Cup has been made.
QPR will play...Manchester United, Away.
Hopefully Deja vu for Ian Dowie, whose Coventry side got a shock victory at Old Trafford last season! Games are played week of November 10.
Manchester United Official Site Reds to Face QPR
Report by Nick Coppack
Sir Alex's men will face Championship side Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup fourth round.
The clubs have never met in the League Cup and last faced each other in the Premier League back in 1996.
The tie will be played in the week commencing Monday 10 November. Ticket news will be published on ManUtd.com as soon as it's known, so please check back regularly for updates.
Elsewhere, Arsenal and Chelsea were both handed home draws, while Liverpool travel to Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester United
QPR Official Site - IT'S MANCHESTER UNITED!
Iain Dowie's QPR side will travel to Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United, in the Fourth Round of the Carling Cup.
Following Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park, today's draw pitted the R's against Sir Alex Ferguson's reigning Premier League and UEFA Champions League holders.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, R's Assistant Manager, Tim Flowers, said: "What a draw!
"It's fantastic for the Football CLub and especially those supporters who travel the length and breadth of the country to support us.
"The lads will be buzzing, but the immediate focus is on Derby County.
"Manchester United will take care of itself when it comes round in early November."
The tie will be playing during the week commencing Monday 10th November 2008.
Further details will follow in due course. QPR
FULL DRAW - Carling Cup fourth round draw:
Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers
Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
Chelsea v Burnley
Swansea City v Watford
Manchester United v Queens Park Rangers
Stoke City v Rotherham United
Brighton & Hove Albion or Derby v Leeds United
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
BBC
The Fourth Round of the Carling Cup has been made.
QPR will play...Manchester United, Away.
Hopefully Deja vu for Ian Dowie, whose Coventry side got a shock victory at Old Trafford last season! Games are played week of November 10.
Manchester United Official Site Reds to Face QPR
Report by Nick Coppack
Sir Alex's men will face Championship side Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup fourth round.
The clubs have never met in the League Cup and last faced each other in the Premier League back in 1996.
The tie will be played in the week commencing Monday 10 November. Ticket news will be published on ManUtd.com as soon as it's known, so please check back regularly for updates.
Elsewhere, Arsenal and Chelsea were both handed home draws, while Liverpool travel to Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester United
QPR Official Site - IT'S MANCHESTER UNITED!
Iain Dowie's QPR side will travel to Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United, in the Fourth Round of the Carling Cup.
Following Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park, today's draw pitted the R's against Sir Alex Ferguson's reigning Premier League and UEFA Champions League holders.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, R's Assistant Manager, Tim Flowers, said: "What a draw!
"It's fantastic for the Football CLub and especially those supporters who travel the length and breadth of the country to support us.
"The lads will be buzzing, but the immediate focus is on Derby County.
"Manchester United will take care of itself when it comes round in early November."
The tie will be playing during the week commencing Monday 10th November 2008.
Further details will follow in due course. QPR
FULL DRAW - Carling Cup fourth round draw:
Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers
Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
Chelsea v Burnley
Swansea City v Watford
Manchester United v Queens Park Rangers
Stoke City v Rotherham United
Brighton & Hove Albion or Derby v Leeds United
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
BBC
QPR Statement - No Name Change Name Even Discussed
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QPR Official Site- CLUB STATEMENT
Following a report in one of today's national newspapers, titled 'QPC is definitely a move too far, Flavio,' QPR Holdings Ltd Chairman Flavio Briatore has issued the following statement:
"This is pure fabrication and I don't know where the story has come from. I haven't spoken to anybody about this subject.
"I don't know the journalist, but I know the story is totally untrue and we will be contacting our lawyers to pursue this matter further.
"I can categorically deny that there is any truth in this article."
The Club will be making no further comment. QPR
The Daily Mail Story which precipitated this response:
Daily Mail/Charles Sale - QPC is definitely a move too far, Flavio
The super-rich owners of London Championship team QPR have been discussing
changing the name of the club to Queens Park City in order to emphasis its location in the capital.
Renault boss Flavio Briatore, in Singapore preparing his Formula One team for the first night grand prix this weekend, has been openly debating the idea with friends in football and motor racing.
But Rangers fans, already not happy about the huge hike in prices at Loftus Road which has seen the introduction of the first £50 ticket in the Championship this season, won’t be impressed with losing a club name that has been in existence since 1887. The team was called St Jude’s for its first two years.
Nor will Briatore and his billionaire co-owners, Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal, whose combined wealth makes QPR currently the second richest club in the country behind Manchester City, find the Football League in agreement. Commercial motives for name changes are not approved in the lower divisions or the Premier League.
Briatore has also made public that the three owners, who easily have the resources to buy their way out of the Championship, would prefer to fine-tune their football vehicle outside the top flight and bide their time in reaching the top flight, especially in the current state of flux with club ownership. Daily Mail
QPR Official Site- CLUB STATEMENT
Following a report in one of today's national newspapers, titled 'QPC is definitely a move too far, Flavio,' QPR Holdings Ltd Chairman Flavio Briatore has issued the following statement:
"This is pure fabrication and I don't know where the story has come from. I haven't spoken to anybody about this subject.
"I don't know the journalist, but I know the story is totally untrue and we will be contacting our lawyers to pursue this matter further.
"I can categorically deny that there is any truth in this article."
The Club will be making no further comment. QPR
The Daily Mail Story which precipitated this response:
Daily Mail/Charles Sale - QPC is definitely a move too far, Flavio
The super-rich owners of London Championship team QPR have been discussing
changing the name of the club to Queens Park City in order to emphasis its location in the capital.
Renault boss Flavio Briatore, in Singapore preparing his Formula One team for the first night grand prix this weekend, has been openly debating the idea with friends in football and motor racing.
But Rangers fans, already not happy about the huge hike in prices at Loftus Road which has seen the introduction of the first £50 ticket in the Championship this season, won’t be impressed with losing a club name that has been in existence since 1887. The team was called St Jude’s for its first two years.
Nor will Briatore and his billionaire co-owners, Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal, whose combined wealth makes QPR currently the second richest club in the country behind Manchester City, find the Football League in agreement. Commercial motives for name changes are not approved in the lower divisions or the Premier League.
Briatore has also made public that the three owners, who easily have the resources to buy their way out of the Championship, would prefer to fine-tune their football vehicle outside the top flight and bide their time in reaching the top flight, especially in the current state of flux with club ownership. Daily Mail
"One QPR" Statement re Price Increases
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ONE QPR STATEMENT - GREAT FOOTBALL, SHAME ABOUT THE PRICES.
[One QPR is made up of, QPR LSA, QPR Official Supporters club, QPR 1st, Friends of QPR, Indy R’s.]
We are delighted by the football of the Superhoops so far this season. The victory over Villa on Wednesday was our best performance for years. We welcome the investment into the club, which has brought us exciting football and the hope of a return to the top tier of English football. However, we want all of our fan base to enjoy this success and not to be priced out of Loftus Road.
Price increases in the Loft were only withdrawn after opposition by Derby County and their fans, and the united action of QPR fans groups, with the aid of the Football Supporters’ Association. The Football League told QPR to honour its charter with away fans and to restore prices in the 'away end ' to their original levels. The club could have kept the prices in the Loft at the increased level, but pressure from fans and the coverage in the media thankfully persuaded the board to put prices in the Loft back to their original level. However, increases for other areas of the ground were not withdrawn, we demand that these too be restored to their original levels.
We want Loftus Road to be full every game and a return of the famous Rangers Roar. Let us make our ground a fortress. But to do this we need to fill the ground with fans, not price out our loyal fan base.
The club at our meeting with them on the 23 September, listened to our views and the views of the fans and promised to take those views back to the Board. We urge the board to now withdraw all price increases and match banding.
Printed and published by ONE QPR.
One QPR is made up of, QPR LSA, QPR Official Supporters club, QPR 1st, Friends of QPR, Indy R’s.
Posted on LSA and Posted on QPR 1st
ONE QPR STATEMENT - GREAT FOOTBALL, SHAME ABOUT THE PRICES.
[One QPR is made up of, QPR LSA, QPR Official Supporters club, QPR 1st, Friends of QPR, Indy R’s.]
We are delighted by the football of the Superhoops so far this season. The victory over Villa on Wednesday was our best performance for years. We welcome the investment into the club, which has brought us exciting football and the hope of a return to the top tier of English football. However, we want all of our fan base to enjoy this success and not to be priced out of Loftus Road.
Price increases in the Loft were only withdrawn after opposition by Derby County and their fans, and the united action of QPR fans groups, with the aid of the Football Supporters’ Association. The Football League told QPR to honour its charter with away fans and to restore prices in the 'away end ' to their original levels. The club could have kept the prices in the Loft at the increased level, but pressure from fans and the coverage in the media thankfully persuaded the board to put prices in the Loft back to their original level. However, increases for other areas of the ground were not withdrawn, we demand that these too be restored to their original levels.
We want Loftus Road to be full every game and a return of the famous Rangers Roar. Let us make our ground a fortress. But to do this we need to fill the ground with fans, not price out our loyal fan base.
The club at our meeting with them on the 23 September, listened to our views and the views of the fans and promised to take those views back to the Board. We urge the board to now withdraw all price increases and match banding.
Printed and published by ONE QPR.
One QPR is made up of, QPR LSA, QPR Official Supporters club, QPR 1st, Friends of QPR, Indy R’s.
Posted on LSA and Posted on QPR 1st
QPR vs Derby - Further Previews....Ex-QPR John Delve Turns 55
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Derby Evening Telegraph - Carroll: We Need to Stay Sharp
ROY Carroll feels understanding at the back is growing for Derby County but the experienced goalkeeper knows the Rams must stay on their toes.
Derby have named the same defence and keeper in the past five matches, and results have improved. The Rams have won two, drawn two and lost one.
Victories have come against Preston in the Carling Cup and Sheffield United in the Championship. Draws were recorded against Swansea and Cardiff, and the defeat was at Barnsley in a match Derby controlled for 70 minutes until Iain Hume's cracker set the Tykes on their way to a 2-0 win.
Carroll is again set to line up behind full-backs Paul Connolly and Jordan Stewart, and centre-backs Martin Albrechtsen and Dean Leacock this afternoon as the Rams take on Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
"You need that understanding at the back. We have got a settled back four and we have been playing well together but there are still things to work on," said Carroll.
"There are a few minutes in the game when you can switch off and it can prove costly. So we need to keep on our toes.
"Against Cardiff last Saturday, I don't think they had a shot on target in the whole game and then we gave a penalty away. That was disappointing but we got a point out of the game.
"As long as we don't lose and keep building on the points tally, that is the main thing."
Carroll joined Derby from Glasgow Rangers in January and suffered with the rest of the team in the nightmare Premier League campaign.
He made 14 appearances and was beaten six times on three different occasions as the Rams were thrashed by Chelsea, Aston Villa and Arsenal on their way to relegation.
Derby lost three of their first four Championship matches and slumped to the foot of the table before a win against Sheffield United sparked an unbeaten run of three games.
Carroll, the Northern Ireland international, says there is now a renewed confidence in the camp.
"Last season has gone. The manager brought in a lot of players in the summer and from the first day back, everybody was looking forward to doing well in the Championship. Since we beat Sheffield United we have pushed on," he added.
"Confidence is important. The victory over Sheffield United got that run without a win off our back. It is a good feeling when you get a win under your belt.
"The players know what they can do and they are now more relaxed but there is still a long way to go. It's a long season and a very hard season as well.
"We are unbeaten in three but we are not getting carried away."
We've got a big game at QPR but the lads are working really hard and hopefully we will go there and get a good result.
"QPR put Aston Villa out of the Carling Cup but they got beat at Coventry last weekend. We are going there unbeaten in three and we are looking to keep the run going.
"If we can, it will add to the belief in the camp." Derby Evening Telegraph
QPR Official Site THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: RAMS
What else is there to say about Derby County? A disastrous Premier League campaign last term has given Paul Jewell's side an unwelcome tag as the Premiership's worst ever team.
That tag is something that Jewell has taken steps to remove and the Club's first victory in the League for 10 months against Sheffield United recently, 'bodes well for the future,' according the Rams' gaffer.
That win however, has only provided half of the points so far this season, after an opening day defeat by new-boys Doncaster Rovers was followed by draws with Bristol City, Cardiff City and Swansea City. Defeats against Southampton and Barnsley in recent weeks have continued to leave the Rams faithful frustrated.
A probable cause for this indifferent start to the season is the huge revolving door at the entrance of Pride Park, that has seen no less than 14 new players arrive and eight leave this summer, in a remarkable show of wheeling and dealing from Jewell.
Amongst the new faces are experienced campaigners and intriguing foreign talent.
Rob Hulse, a £1.75 million acquisition from Sheffield United, is a man who will get amongst the goals; Nathan Ellington has arrived from Watford after excelling under Jewell at Wigan; and ex-West Bromwich Albion defender Martin Albrechtsen adds presence and versatility to the backline.
Youngsters Liam Dickinson, Steve Davies and Nacer Barazite - the latest Arsenal prospect - have also arrived looking for a higher level at which to prove themselves.
From overseas, Polish winger Przemyslaw Kazmierczak has arrived on loan from Porto, joining Andrejs Pereplotkins and Aleksander Prijovic, as unknown quantities within the Derby squad.
With a brand new set of players all needing time to gel, Derby will look to the next few games to really prove their credentials as promotion hopefuls and, perhaps -more importantly - to rebuild a somewhat tarnished reputation.
Team News
Derby will again be without star midfielder Kris Commons, who is nursing a hamstring injury, while goalkeeper Roy Carroll is expected to overcome a back strain. QPR
See Also:
- Earlier QPR vs Derby Preview
- QPRNet's Ron Norris & Simon Skinner Derby Match Preview
Former QPR defensive Midfielder, John Delve Turns 55:
Born September 27, 1953. A "Home grown" player, John Delve was given his debut by Gordon Jago in December 1972 at Luton. Delve was a defensive midfielder who along with another home-grown youngster, John Beck, seemed to be the perennial substitute for much of our 1972/1973 season. For the next couple of season, Delve and Beck were QPR midfield back ups -especially to Gerry Francis - either when Francis was injured, or if Francis played forward (as he did a couple of times when Stan Bowles was suspended!).
For QPR's opening game back in Division One, (August 25, 1973: QPR 1 Southampton 1)
under Gordon Jago/Bobby Campbell, Delve replaced the suspended Gerry Francis.
Parkes - Clement Mancini Hazell Watson - Venables Delve Leach - Thomas Bowles Givens
Delve joned Plymouth in July 1974. He subsequently played for Exeter and Hereford totalling almost 500 league games. See Delve Career Stats and also Delve/Wikipedia
Carling Cup Draw being made just after Noon Today (Saturday) - Club Numbers for Draw (QPR Number 9). Games will be played Week of November 10 - Draw Details
Derby Evening Telegraph - Carroll: We Need to Stay Sharp
ROY Carroll feels understanding at the back is growing for Derby County but the experienced goalkeeper knows the Rams must stay on their toes.
Derby have named the same defence and keeper in the past five matches, and results have improved. The Rams have won two, drawn two and lost one.
Victories have come against Preston in the Carling Cup and Sheffield United in the Championship. Draws were recorded against Swansea and Cardiff, and the defeat was at Barnsley in a match Derby controlled for 70 minutes until Iain Hume's cracker set the Tykes on their way to a 2-0 win.
Carroll is again set to line up behind full-backs Paul Connolly and Jordan Stewart, and centre-backs Martin Albrechtsen and Dean Leacock this afternoon as the Rams take on Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
"You need that understanding at the back. We have got a settled back four and we have been playing well together but there are still things to work on," said Carroll.
"There are a few minutes in the game when you can switch off and it can prove costly. So we need to keep on our toes.
"Against Cardiff last Saturday, I don't think they had a shot on target in the whole game and then we gave a penalty away. That was disappointing but we got a point out of the game.
"As long as we don't lose and keep building on the points tally, that is the main thing."
Carroll joined Derby from Glasgow Rangers in January and suffered with the rest of the team in the nightmare Premier League campaign.
He made 14 appearances and was beaten six times on three different occasions as the Rams were thrashed by Chelsea, Aston Villa and Arsenal on their way to relegation.
Derby lost three of their first four Championship matches and slumped to the foot of the table before a win against Sheffield United sparked an unbeaten run of three games.
Carroll, the Northern Ireland international, says there is now a renewed confidence in the camp.
"Last season has gone. The manager brought in a lot of players in the summer and from the first day back, everybody was looking forward to doing well in the Championship. Since we beat Sheffield United we have pushed on," he added.
"Confidence is important. The victory over Sheffield United got that run without a win off our back. It is a good feeling when you get a win under your belt.
"The players know what they can do and they are now more relaxed but there is still a long way to go. It's a long season and a very hard season as well.
"We are unbeaten in three but we are not getting carried away."
We've got a big game at QPR but the lads are working really hard and hopefully we will go there and get a good result.
"QPR put Aston Villa out of the Carling Cup but they got beat at Coventry last weekend. We are going there unbeaten in three and we are looking to keep the run going.
"If we can, it will add to the belief in the camp." Derby Evening Telegraph
QPR Official Site THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: RAMS
What else is there to say about Derby County? A disastrous Premier League campaign last term has given Paul Jewell's side an unwelcome tag as the Premiership's worst ever team.
That tag is something that Jewell has taken steps to remove and the Club's first victory in the League for 10 months against Sheffield United recently, 'bodes well for the future,' according the Rams' gaffer.
That win however, has only provided half of the points so far this season, after an opening day defeat by new-boys Doncaster Rovers was followed by draws with Bristol City, Cardiff City and Swansea City. Defeats against Southampton and Barnsley in recent weeks have continued to leave the Rams faithful frustrated.
A probable cause for this indifferent start to the season is the huge revolving door at the entrance of Pride Park, that has seen no less than 14 new players arrive and eight leave this summer, in a remarkable show of wheeling and dealing from Jewell.
Amongst the new faces are experienced campaigners and intriguing foreign talent.
Rob Hulse, a £1.75 million acquisition from Sheffield United, is a man who will get amongst the goals; Nathan Ellington has arrived from Watford after excelling under Jewell at Wigan; and ex-West Bromwich Albion defender Martin Albrechtsen adds presence and versatility to the backline.
Youngsters Liam Dickinson, Steve Davies and Nacer Barazite - the latest Arsenal prospect - have also arrived looking for a higher level at which to prove themselves.
From overseas, Polish winger Przemyslaw Kazmierczak has arrived on loan from Porto, joining Andrejs Pereplotkins and Aleksander Prijovic, as unknown quantities within the Derby squad.
With a brand new set of players all needing time to gel, Derby will look to the next few games to really prove their credentials as promotion hopefuls and, perhaps -more importantly - to rebuild a somewhat tarnished reputation.
Team News
Derby will again be without star midfielder Kris Commons, who is nursing a hamstring injury, while goalkeeper Roy Carroll is expected to overcome a back strain. QPR
See Also:
- Earlier QPR vs Derby Preview
- QPRNet's Ron Norris & Simon Skinner Derby Match Preview
Former QPR defensive Midfielder, John Delve Turns 55:
Born September 27, 1953. A "Home grown" player, John Delve was given his debut by Gordon Jago in December 1972 at Luton. Delve was a defensive midfielder who along with another home-grown youngster, John Beck, seemed to be the perennial substitute for much of our 1972/1973 season. For the next couple of season, Delve and Beck were QPR midfield back ups -especially to Gerry Francis - either when Francis was injured, or if Francis played forward (as he did a couple of times when Stan Bowles was suspended!).
For QPR's opening game back in Division One, (August 25, 1973: QPR 1 Southampton 1)
under Gordon Jago/Bobby Campbell, Delve replaced the suspended Gerry Francis.
Parkes - Clement Mancini Hazell Watson - Venables Delve Leach - Thomas Bowles Givens
Delve joned Plymouth in July 1974. He subsequently played for Exeter and Hereford totalling almost 500 league games. See Delve Career Stats and also Delve/Wikipedia
Carling Cup Draw being made just after Noon Today (Saturday) - Club Numbers for Draw (QPR Number 9). Games will be played Week of November 10 - Draw Details
QPR Name Change?
-
Hopefully just media hype, although there were board rumours a few months ago, but then the talk was "London Rangers"
Daily Mail/Charles Sale - QPC is definitely a move too far, Flavio
The super-rich owners of London Championship team QPR have been discussing
changing the name of the club to Queens Park City in order to emphasis its location in the capital.
Renault boss Flavio Briatore, in Singapore preparing his Formula One team for the first night grand prix this weekend, has been openly debating the idea with friends in football and motor racing.
But Rangers fans, already not happy about the huge hike in prices at Loftus Road which has seen the introduction of the first £50 ticket in the Championship this season, won’t be impressed with losing a club name that has been in existence since 1887. The team was called St Jude’s for its first two years.
Nor will Briatore and his billionaire co-owners, Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal, whose combined wealth makes QPR currently the second richest club in the country behind Manchester City, find the Football League in agreement. Commercial motives for name changes are not approved in the lower divisions or the Premier League.
Briatore has also made public that the three owners, who easily have the resources to buy their way out of the Championship, would prefer to fine-tune their football vehicle outside the top flight and bide their time in reaching the top flight, especially in the current state of flux with club ownership. Daily Mail
Hopefully just media hype, although there were board rumours a few months ago, but then the talk was "London Rangers"
Daily Mail/Charles Sale - QPC is definitely a move too far, Flavio
The super-rich owners of London Championship team QPR have been discussing
changing the name of the club to Queens Park City in order to emphasis its location in the capital.
Renault boss Flavio Briatore, in Singapore preparing his Formula One team for the first night grand prix this weekend, has been openly debating the idea with friends in football and motor racing.
But Rangers fans, already not happy about the huge hike in prices at Loftus Road which has seen the introduction of the first £50 ticket in the Championship this season, won’t be impressed with losing a club name that has been in existence since 1887. The team was called St Jude’s for its first two years.
Nor will Briatore and his billionaire co-owners, Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal, whose combined wealth makes QPR currently the second richest club in the country behind Manchester City, find the Football League in agreement. Commercial motives for name changes are not approved in the lower divisions or the Premier League.
Briatore has also made public that the three owners, who easily have the resources to buy their way out of the Championship, would prefer to fine-tune their football vehicle outside the top flight and bide their time in reaching the top flight, especially in the current state of flux with club ownership. Daily Mail
Friday, September 26, 2008
Snippets: De Canio and other Ex-QPR Birthdays...More Praise for Damion Stewart...QPR vs Wolves on TV
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Birthdays:
- Kenny Sansom Turns 50 - Stats-
- Ex-QPR Loan, Martin Cranie, Turns 22 - Stats
- And apparently also...Luigi De Canio, Turning 51- "1957: Luigi De Canio (51) – Former Udinese, Napoli, Reggina and Siena coach, who most recently had a spell at English Championship side Queens Park Rangers. - Goal.com
Dave McIntyre - BBC 606 - Stewart on a roll
Damion Stewart is the man of the moment, defying expectations by holding down a place in the QPR team and winning praise for his recent performances.
Given the amount of money splashed out by Rangers and the number of players signed in 2008, it’s a surprise to many that Stewart is still at the club, let alone in the side.
Some people, myself included, believed he was the first player who ought to be axed and simply had to be replaced if Rangers were to stand any chance at all of being serious promotion contenders.
Kaspars Gorkss, outstanding for Blackpool last season, looked the ideal replacement – the kind of dominant, footballing centre-back Rangers have desperately needed.
But, short of match fitness after a pre-season ruined by the wrangling over his transfer, Gorkss made a woeful start to his R’s career.
He now faces a fight to establish himself, while Stewart is flavour of the month and is set to keep his place alongside Fitz Hall for Saturday’s game against Derby.
But the real test of Stewart is perhaps yet to come.
He has always been a good athlete; quick, strong and good in the air, and with those attributes, it’s understandable that successive managers have selected him.
He can, and has, had games and spells in a season where he’s able to put these assets to good use.
Some games just pan out in a way that means Stewart can head and tackle his way to rave reviews about his performance. Nothing’s changed in that respect.
But what has definitely improved is his concentration.
Gigi De Canio was convinced Stewart would be a competent defender if he maintained his concentration level for 90 minutes.
Even during a spell towards the end of the 2006-07 season, when Stewart was receiving much praise for his performances, he cost Rangers several points during their relegation battle by being found wanting in various situations, often at set-pieces and often late in games.
This season he has improved in this department and to see the job through against a forward like Aston Villa’s John Carew is a big achievement.
A few days before Rangers’ cup win at Villa Park, I saw Carew destroy West Brom’s defence and Leon Barnett, a centre-back who many in the game feel has real potential, was embarrassed by the big Norwegian.
But in many ways, a physical battle with the likes of Carew and a side peppering Rangers with crosses is right up Stewart’s street.
So too have been the recent away games in which QPR have had a man sent off.
Being reduced to 10 men at Bristol City and Norwich in a way helped Rangers, because it made those games less open.
It was a case of all hands to the pump, with Mikele Leigertwood and Gavin Mahon digging in and shielding the backline.
In more open games, as even 10-man Southampton recently showed, Rangers are more vulnerable and the centre of their defence still looks very poor.
Expect several Championships sides – including Derby this weekend – to focus on trying to isolate Stewart and force him to make decisions in a way he hasn’t had to in recent matches.
Balls into the channel can trouble him, especially when Damien Delaney surges forward.
And while he copes when the game is played out in straight lines, Stewart has all-too often been guilty of ball-watching or been far too easily turned in certain situations.
Those are the situations the likes of Derby, Birmingham and Reading will look to put him in in the coming weeks.
If he passes those kinds of tests, then even his fiercest critics will have to eat their words. BBC 606
QPR Official Site: QPR v WOLVES LIVE ON SKY
The R's Coca Cola Championship fixture at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers has been selected for live Sky Sports transmission.
The fixture on Saturday 6th December will now kick-off at 5.20pm. QPR
Birthdays:
- Kenny Sansom Turns 50 - Stats-
- Ex-QPR Loan, Martin Cranie, Turns 22 - Stats
- And apparently also...Luigi De Canio, Turning 51- "1957: Luigi De Canio (51) – Former Udinese, Napoli, Reggina and Siena coach, who most recently had a spell at English Championship side Queens Park Rangers. - Goal.com
Dave McIntyre - BBC 606 - Stewart on a roll
Damion Stewart is the man of the moment, defying expectations by holding down a place in the QPR team and winning praise for his recent performances.
Given the amount of money splashed out by Rangers and the number of players signed in 2008, it’s a surprise to many that Stewart is still at the club, let alone in the side.
Some people, myself included, believed he was the first player who ought to be axed and simply had to be replaced if Rangers were to stand any chance at all of being serious promotion contenders.
Kaspars Gorkss, outstanding for Blackpool last season, looked the ideal replacement – the kind of dominant, footballing centre-back Rangers have desperately needed.
But, short of match fitness after a pre-season ruined by the wrangling over his transfer, Gorkss made a woeful start to his R’s career.
He now faces a fight to establish himself, while Stewart is flavour of the month and is set to keep his place alongside Fitz Hall for Saturday’s game against Derby.
But the real test of Stewart is perhaps yet to come.
He has always been a good athlete; quick, strong and good in the air, and with those attributes, it’s understandable that successive managers have selected him.
He can, and has, had games and spells in a season where he’s able to put these assets to good use.
Some games just pan out in a way that means Stewart can head and tackle his way to rave reviews about his performance. Nothing’s changed in that respect.
But what has definitely improved is his concentration.
Gigi De Canio was convinced Stewart would be a competent defender if he maintained his concentration level for 90 minutes.
Even during a spell towards the end of the 2006-07 season, when Stewart was receiving much praise for his performances, he cost Rangers several points during their relegation battle by being found wanting in various situations, often at set-pieces and often late in games.
This season he has improved in this department and to see the job through against a forward like Aston Villa’s John Carew is a big achievement.
A few days before Rangers’ cup win at Villa Park, I saw Carew destroy West Brom’s defence and Leon Barnett, a centre-back who many in the game feel has real potential, was embarrassed by the big Norwegian.
But in many ways, a physical battle with the likes of Carew and a side peppering Rangers with crosses is right up Stewart’s street.
So too have been the recent away games in which QPR have had a man sent off.
Being reduced to 10 men at Bristol City and Norwich in a way helped Rangers, because it made those games less open.
It was a case of all hands to the pump, with Mikele Leigertwood and Gavin Mahon digging in and shielding the backline.
In more open games, as even 10-man Southampton recently showed, Rangers are more vulnerable and the centre of their defence still looks very poor.
Expect several Championships sides – including Derby this weekend – to focus on trying to isolate Stewart and force him to make decisions in a way he hasn’t had to in recent matches.
Balls into the channel can trouble him, especially when Damien Delaney surges forward.
And while he copes when the game is played out in straight lines, Stewart has all-too often been guilty of ball-watching or been far too easily turned in certain situations.
Those are the situations the likes of Derby, Birmingham and Reading will look to put him in in the coming weeks.
If he passes those kinds of tests, then even his fiercest critics will have to eat their words. BBC 606
QPR Official Site: QPR v WOLVES LIVE ON SKY
The R's Coca Cola Championship fixture at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers has been selected for live Sky Sports transmission.
The fixture on Saturday 6th December will now kick-off at 5.20pm. QPR
Ex-QPR Gino Padula Doing Well in the American MLS
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MLS/Craig Merz - Padula a quiet leader for Crew
Columbus has 8-0-1 record with Argentinean defender in lineup
Gino Padula has missed nearly two-thirds of the season with an injury, but has still had an impact for the Crew.
COLUMBUS -- Good luck charm or just plain good? Maybe a little of both for the lesser known of the two Argentinean players for the Columbus Crew.
While forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto has put up gaudy numbers with six goals and a league-best 18 assists, the case could be made that defender Gino Padula is the team's most valuable player despite missing nearly two-thirds of the season.
- The Crew are 8-0-1 when Padula is in the lineup, including a 5-0-1 mark since his return Aug. 16 from injuries that had sidelined him for more than three months. Columbus is 6-6-4 when he doesn't play.
- "This is a good thing coming back to the team and winning games," Padula said. "The whole team has done a great job all season, not just the last six or seven games."
- Speaking of injuries, Schelotto will likely miss his third consecutive match Saturday at New England because of a left hamstring strain.
- "He's probably doubtful for the game," coach Sigi Schmid said after Thursday's practice. "We'll make a decision tomorrow and decide whether to take him or not."
- Having a healthy Padula defending helps ease the loss of an offensive player such as Schelotto. Padula brings stability to the left back spot by being solid, not flashy, and calm on the ball. He isn't careless with his passes or in his tackles.
- "He brings a lot of experience at left back with his possession and good talking out there. He helps settle us down and keeps us going when we come out on his side with ball," defensive midfielder Brian Carroll said. "He came in and was a little unlucky with the injuries but recovered from that and has done well to position himself to get ready for the pace and style of the league. The experience of where he played before he was here gave him all the tools needed to play well here."
- Columbus signed Padula from Montpellier HSC of the French Ligue 2 on March 24 and after sitting out the first two matches while his work permit was approved, he made his MLS debut April 12 against Chivas. He went 90 minutes in his first two games before suffering a knee injury in the April 26 game vs. Houston.
- He was one the comeback trail in mid-June when he strained his hamstring during a reserve match and missed a total of 14 league games.
- "It's hard when you're injured because you want to come back as soon as possible. When you couldn't play it's very hard, you feel sad," he said.
- Making it more difficult was transitioning to a new league, team, city and country.
- "I know this league now. I've watched so many games," said Padula. "I know my teammates. It's very important because when I was injured I did not train with them. Now, I enjoy the moment because there are only five games left. If we win the five games we finish first in the table."
- The Crew had a revolving door at left back in Padula's absence with Danny O'Rourke, Ryan Junge, Ezra Hendrickson and Jed Zayner filling in. Padula has played all but nine minutes in the past six games.
- "He helps us at left back. That was an area where we looked at the young guys," Schmid said. "Last year it was a committee of people. We played Stefani (Miglioranzi) there. We played Ezra there. We played Danny O'Rourke there and we were auditioning people. We added Gino at the start of the year because of that.
- "He helps us because he is an experienced defender. Positionally, his play is pretty good. He's a good passer of the ball out of the back and that helps us."
- Padula, 32, began his career with Argentinean side River Plate in 1996 before moving to Club Atletico Huracan the following year. He played in Spain in 1998 then went to English football from 1999 to 2006 with stops below the Premiership level in Bristol, Walsall, Wigan, Queens' Park Rangers and Nottingham Forest.
- His resume is exceeded on the backline only by that of U.S. World Cup veteran Frankie Hejduk on the right side.
- "It's a good combination right now," Hejduk said. "You have two experienced guys in the back. We've got two in the middle in Chad (Marshall) and Danny who are experienced players but are young and hungry. Especially the last few games our understanding of one another has gotten better and better. We all feel confident playing with each other. For a back four, that's what has to happen. If you know each other and are used to each other and know when to drop and you're on the same page there, that's what a good defense is all about."
- Hejduk said it's easy to see why the Crew have so much success when Padula is playing.
- "He knows how to play the position. He's been a left back his whole life so he knows the ins and outs of it. We all feel -- myself, Chad and Dan -- more confident in our play with him back there," said Hejduk. "We can play through him to get the ball out of the back rather than kicking it long all the time. With him and myself on the outside we can play a bit more. It also helps to have a guy whose naturally left-footed on the left side. A lot of times this year we've been asking guys who are right-footed to play out there. It makes it a little more difficult."
- Padula didn't know what to make of MLS prior to coming to Columbus but the league and his new home have grown on him.
- "Before I got here I thought in America you have too many sports; the fans wouldn't go out to Crew Stadium but we have 15, 18, 19,000 at games," he said. "This is very important. When we play the playoffs maybe the stadium will be full. The fans help out a lot. This league will improve a lot. It is a very good league right now.
- "I am happy here. My family is happy. That's very important to me. It's a new experience in my life. I would like to stay here a very long time." MLS
MLS/Craig Merz - Padula a quiet leader for Crew
Columbus has 8-0-1 record with Argentinean defender in lineup
Gino Padula has missed nearly two-thirds of the season with an injury, but has still had an impact for the Crew.
COLUMBUS -- Good luck charm or just plain good? Maybe a little of both for the lesser known of the two Argentinean players for the Columbus Crew.
While forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto has put up gaudy numbers with six goals and a league-best 18 assists, the case could be made that defender Gino Padula is the team's most valuable player despite missing nearly two-thirds of the season.
- The Crew are 8-0-1 when Padula is in the lineup, including a 5-0-1 mark since his return Aug. 16 from injuries that had sidelined him for more than three months. Columbus is 6-6-4 when he doesn't play.
- "This is a good thing coming back to the team and winning games," Padula said. "The whole team has done a great job all season, not just the last six or seven games."
- Speaking of injuries, Schelotto will likely miss his third consecutive match Saturday at New England because of a left hamstring strain.
- "He's probably doubtful for the game," coach Sigi Schmid said after Thursday's practice. "We'll make a decision tomorrow and decide whether to take him or not."
- Having a healthy Padula defending helps ease the loss of an offensive player such as Schelotto. Padula brings stability to the left back spot by being solid, not flashy, and calm on the ball. He isn't careless with his passes or in his tackles.
- "He brings a lot of experience at left back with his possession and good talking out there. He helps settle us down and keeps us going when we come out on his side with ball," defensive midfielder Brian Carroll said. "He came in and was a little unlucky with the injuries but recovered from that and has done well to position himself to get ready for the pace and style of the league. The experience of where he played before he was here gave him all the tools needed to play well here."
- Columbus signed Padula from Montpellier HSC of the French Ligue 2 on March 24 and after sitting out the first two matches while his work permit was approved, he made his MLS debut April 12 against Chivas. He went 90 minutes in his first two games before suffering a knee injury in the April 26 game vs. Houston.
- He was one the comeback trail in mid-June when he strained his hamstring during a reserve match and missed a total of 14 league games.
- "It's hard when you're injured because you want to come back as soon as possible. When you couldn't play it's very hard, you feel sad," he said.
- Making it more difficult was transitioning to a new league, team, city and country.
- "I know this league now. I've watched so many games," said Padula. "I know my teammates. It's very important because when I was injured I did not train with them. Now, I enjoy the moment because there are only five games left. If we win the five games we finish first in the table."
- The Crew had a revolving door at left back in Padula's absence with Danny O'Rourke, Ryan Junge, Ezra Hendrickson and Jed Zayner filling in. Padula has played all but nine minutes in the past six games.
- "He helps us at left back. That was an area where we looked at the young guys," Schmid said. "Last year it was a committee of people. We played Stefani (Miglioranzi) there. We played Ezra there. We played Danny O'Rourke there and we were auditioning people. We added Gino at the start of the year because of that.
- "He helps us because he is an experienced defender. Positionally, his play is pretty good. He's a good passer of the ball out of the back and that helps us."
- Padula, 32, began his career with Argentinean side River Plate in 1996 before moving to Club Atletico Huracan the following year. He played in Spain in 1998 then went to English football from 1999 to 2006 with stops below the Premiership level in Bristol, Walsall, Wigan, Queens' Park Rangers and Nottingham Forest.
- His resume is exceeded on the backline only by that of U.S. World Cup veteran Frankie Hejduk on the right side.
- "It's a good combination right now," Hejduk said. "You have two experienced guys in the back. We've got two in the middle in Chad (Marshall) and Danny who are experienced players but are young and hungry. Especially the last few games our understanding of one another has gotten better and better. We all feel confident playing with each other. For a back four, that's what has to happen. If you know each other and are used to each other and know when to drop and you're on the same page there, that's what a good defense is all about."
- Hejduk said it's easy to see why the Crew have so much success when Padula is playing.
- "He knows how to play the position. He's been a left back his whole life so he knows the ins and outs of it. We all feel -- myself, Chad and Dan -- more confident in our play with him back there," said Hejduk. "We can play through him to get the ball out of the back rather than kicking it long all the time. With him and myself on the outside we can play a bit more. It also helps to have a guy whose naturally left-footed on the left side. A lot of times this year we've been asking guys who are right-footed to play out there. It makes it a little more difficult."
- Padula didn't know what to make of MLS prior to coming to Columbus but the league and his new home have grown on him.
- "Before I got here I thought in America you have too many sports; the fans wouldn't go out to Crew Stadium but we have 15, 18, 19,000 at games," he said. "This is very important. When we play the playoffs maybe the stadium will be full. The fans help out a lot. This league will improve a lot. It is a very good league right now.
- "I am happy here. My family is happy. That's very important to me. It's a new experience in my life. I would like to stay here a very long time." MLS
Camp to Quit?....Stewart on Wembley...Parejo Speaking..Birmingham on Prices and QPR
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London Informer/Noam Friedlander - Lee's not a happy camper
Lee Camp could quit QPR in January if he doesn't get first-team football.
The 24-year-old shot-stopper faces the prospect of watching Saturday's match with old club Derby from the Rangers' dugout after losing his place to Radek Cerny.
Ironically, Camp only quit his hometown club for Loftus Road at the start of last season because he'd been left warming the bench at Pride Park after failing to dislodge Stephen Bywater from the number one Jersey.
Clearly, it's not a situation Camp intends to tolerate forever."I'd really like to play football - it's as simple as that," said Camp.
"It's fantastic the way the football club is going. It's geared for success, but I'm someone who doesn't like to sit around not doing anything. I like to work in the week and have a game on Saturday, and I want to be number one not number two.
"There are some goalkeepers who are happy to just sit there, be a number two and pick their money up - but that's not me."
The former Ram was brought back to west London, where he'd served two previous loan spells, by John Gregory, and remained an ever-present in the Rs side last season during the brief reign of Luigi De Canio.
However, new boss Iain Dowie wasted no time bringing in Cerny from Tottenham, and Camp hasn't had a look in since.
"I don't think I've done a lot wrong, but the manager has given his reasons," Camp added. "And whether I agree with them or not, that's what he's paid to do.But it's frustrating, as everyone wants to play football."
By contrast, Kaspars Gorks is likely to see action against his former club, with Blackpool due in west London on Tuesday night.
The 26-year-old Latvian centre-back played 57 games for the Seasiders before joining Rangers in a long drawn-out transfer deal in the summer.
His former club were expected to be the whipping boys of the Championship this season, but threw the form book out of the window with victory at then-leaders Birmingham on Saturday.
Gorks expects his former team to continue to confound the pundits and reckons they are famous for rising to the big occasion.He said: "Last season we played much better away to stronger teams than we did at home to weaker sides.
"I can't say I'm surprised at how they've started. People have been talking about them as a team that's going to go down, but it helps Blackpool when people say things like that.
"It takes the pressure off them and makes it easier for them to play. I think they will stay up again." London Informer
Little premature media talk! Anyway never forget, QPR want to concentrate on the League!
The Sun/Pat Sheehan -Stew: We R on our way to Wembley
DAMION STEWART reckons QPR can carry on creating Carling Cup shocks and get to the final.
The Rangers defender scored a terrific third-round winner at Aston Villa to stun Martin O’Neill’s impressive Premier League side.
But Stewart believes the fans ain’t seen nothing yet.
He is convinced the R’s have the quality to emulate Cardiff, who reached last season’s FA Cup final.
Stewart said: “We saw Cardiff City get to Wembley last season so we have to believe we can go all the way in this competition.
“Rangers were testing themselves against a top side.
“We did well and proved we can match anyone on the night.
“As a side we’re getting stronger and stronger and we’re getting better and better at defending.
“The team is doing well this season and we hope to keep that momentum going now.” The Sun
Daniel Parejo re Real Madrid. Unfortunately in Spanish. Translations welcome!
Parejo: "Venir del Real Madrid aquà impone mucho"
El canterano repasó su estancia en las islas Thursday, Por: Defensa Central -September 25
- Dani Parejo, una de las joyas de la cantera del Real Madrid, repasó en la web oficial del club blanco las sensaciones que está viviendo en su nuevo equipo, el QPR, de Inglaterra, en el que juega cedido por el equipo madridista: "Hemos jugado seis partidos de Liga y hemos ganado cuatro, empatado uno y perdido dos. Aquà se juega muy distinto a España, con un delantero alto al que van todos los balones y se busca mucho la segunda jugada. El balón va poco por el suelo", sentenció Parejo.
- Parejo habló muy bien de su nueva afición: "El público es increÃble, nuestro estadio siempre se llena. Me cantan algo, pero todavÃa no entiendo lo que me dicen. Los aficionados me tratan muy bien igual que la gente del Club. Quizá, el venir del Madrid les impone".
- El canterano blanco no quiso dejar pasar la ocasión de alabar a uno de sus jefes, Flavio Briatore: "La adaptación a la vida va muy bien. Vivimos a 20 minutos del campo de entrenamiento y del estadio. Al centro voy en tren. Estoy cerca de la estación de Waterloo y del Big-ben. Briatore es un tipo sensacional. Gracias a él pude ver la Formula 1 en Valencia. Conocà a Fernando Alonso", finalizó el de Coslada.
Report
Metro/Matthew Nash - September 25, 2008 Making a stand: Birmingham fans can expect cheaper tickets
Birmingham chairman David Gold insists ticket prices in football must come down.
In a week when Derby have won their battle with QPR over inflated entry fees for this weekend's Championship showdown at Loftus Road, St Andrew's chief Gold believes it is the duty of all clubs to price matches fairly.
Gold a self-made multi-millionaire and co-owner of City, reckons supporters pay over the odds to get into games - and the money is only going into the players' already inflated pay-packets.
'The trouble is, fans are contributing to what the players earn by paying their wages via the turnstiles and the club shop,' he said.
'Somehow we have to find a way of distributing the wealth of the players and reducing ticket prices is one way of doing that.
'As clubs we could all commit to a ten per cent reduction in Championship admission prices, that would keep the wages down for players.
'It can be done - it's only a question of us all getting together to agree it.'
Gold's comments come as his own club offer tickets starting from just £22 for the match with cash-rich QPR on October 4.
Birmingham's London rivals for promotion, however, are charging as much as £50 for Championship football this season.
But Gold admits he takes Rangers seriously as title contenders after backing from the likes of Formula One entrepreneurs Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore and London-based Indian billionaire industrialist Lakshmi Mittal.
The clubs are favourites to go up to the Premier League - despite City's 1-0 home defeat by Blackpool at the weekend - and Gold is eager to see how much more money QPR boss Iain Dowie will be allowed to spend in January. The former Crystal Palace manager brought in the likes of Tottenham keeper Radek Cerny, former Roma midfielder Damiano Tommasi and Real Madrid playmaker Daniel Parejo, on loan, during the summer but is expected to make more signings in the New Year.
Gold added: 'The question is: Will QPR want to spend £2million or £20m?
'There's always a dark horse, like a Bristol City or a Hull, but that aside, you have to say the other two relegated clubs [Reading and Derby] will be rivals for the title.
'I don't know if Nottingham Forest have done enough in the transfer market but I had Crystal Palace down as an outside bet to go up this year.'
Gold, however, is certain he has the right man to take his club straight back to the top flight in former Scotland coach Alex McLeish...." Metro
The New Shirts Are Coming
QPR Official Site - SUPER SUNDAY - 2ND & 3RD SHIRTS LAUNCHED
The QPR Superstore will be open on Sunday - as the new second and third shirts are launched. The Superstore will be open from 11.00am-4.00pm for R's fans to get their hands on the new shirts, ahead of our crucial Coca Cola Championship fixture against Blackpool on Tuesday night. The shirts are priced £39.99 (adults) and £32.99 (children) respectively. QPR
London Informer/Noam Friedlander - Lee's not a happy camper
Lee Camp could quit QPR in January if he doesn't get first-team football.
The 24-year-old shot-stopper faces the prospect of watching Saturday's match with old club Derby from the Rangers' dugout after losing his place to Radek Cerny.
Ironically, Camp only quit his hometown club for Loftus Road at the start of last season because he'd been left warming the bench at Pride Park after failing to dislodge Stephen Bywater from the number one Jersey.
Clearly, it's not a situation Camp intends to tolerate forever."I'd really like to play football - it's as simple as that," said Camp.
"It's fantastic the way the football club is going. It's geared for success, but I'm someone who doesn't like to sit around not doing anything. I like to work in the week and have a game on Saturday, and I want to be number one not number two.
"There are some goalkeepers who are happy to just sit there, be a number two and pick their money up - but that's not me."
The former Ram was brought back to west London, where he'd served two previous loan spells, by John Gregory, and remained an ever-present in the Rs side last season during the brief reign of Luigi De Canio.
However, new boss Iain Dowie wasted no time bringing in Cerny from Tottenham, and Camp hasn't had a look in since.
"I don't think I've done a lot wrong, but the manager has given his reasons," Camp added. "And whether I agree with them or not, that's what he's paid to do.But it's frustrating, as everyone wants to play football."
By contrast, Kaspars Gorks is likely to see action against his former club, with Blackpool due in west London on Tuesday night.
The 26-year-old Latvian centre-back played 57 games for the Seasiders before joining Rangers in a long drawn-out transfer deal in the summer.
His former club were expected to be the whipping boys of the Championship this season, but threw the form book out of the window with victory at then-leaders Birmingham on Saturday.
Gorks expects his former team to continue to confound the pundits and reckons they are famous for rising to the big occasion.He said: "Last season we played much better away to stronger teams than we did at home to weaker sides.
"I can't say I'm surprised at how they've started. People have been talking about them as a team that's going to go down, but it helps Blackpool when people say things like that.
"It takes the pressure off them and makes it easier for them to play. I think they will stay up again." London Informer
Little premature media talk! Anyway never forget, QPR want to concentrate on the League!
The Sun/Pat Sheehan -Stew: We R on our way to Wembley
DAMION STEWART reckons QPR can carry on creating Carling Cup shocks and get to the final.
The Rangers defender scored a terrific third-round winner at Aston Villa to stun Martin O’Neill’s impressive Premier League side.
But Stewart believes the fans ain’t seen nothing yet.
He is convinced the R’s have the quality to emulate Cardiff, who reached last season’s FA Cup final.
Stewart said: “We saw Cardiff City get to Wembley last season so we have to believe we can go all the way in this competition.
“Rangers were testing themselves against a top side.
“We did well and proved we can match anyone on the night.
“As a side we’re getting stronger and stronger and we’re getting better and better at defending.
“The team is doing well this season and we hope to keep that momentum going now.” The Sun
Daniel Parejo re Real Madrid. Unfortunately in Spanish. Translations welcome!
Parejo: "Venir del Real Madrid aquà impone mucho"
El canterano repasó su estancia en las islas Thursday, Por: Defensa Central -September 25
- Dani Parejo, una de las joyas de la cantera del Real Madrid, repasó en la web oficial del club blanco las sensaciones que está viviendo en su nuevo equipo, el QPR, de Inglaterra, en el que juega cedido por el equipo madridista: "Hemos jugado seis partidos de Liga y hemos ganado cuatro, empatado uno y perdido dos. Aquà se juega muy distinto a España, con un delantero alto al que van todos los balones y se busca mucho la segunda jugada. El balón va poco por el suelo", sentenció Parejo.
- Parejo habló muy bien de su nueva afición: "El público es increÃble, nuestro estadio siempre se llena. Me cantan algo, pero todavÃa no entiendo lo que me dicen. Los aficionados me tratan muy bien igual que la gente del Club. Quizá, el venir del Madrid les impone".
- El canterano blanco no quiso dejar pasar la ocasión de alabar a uno de sus jefes, Flavio Briatore: "La adaptación a la vida va muy bien. Vivimos a 20 minutos del campo de entrenamiento y del estadio. Al centro voy en tren. Estoy cerca de la estación de Waterloo y del Big-ben. Briatore es un tipo sensacional. Gracias a él pude ver la Formula 1 en Valencia. Conocà a Fernando Alonso", finalizó el de Coslada.
Report
Metro/Matthew Nash - September 25, 2008 Making a stand: Birmingham fans can expect cheaper tickets
Birmingham chairman David Gold insists ticket prices in football must come down.
In a week when Derby have won their battle with QPR over inflated entry fees for this weekend's Championship showdown at Loftus Road, St Andrew's chief Gold believes it is the duty of all clubs to price matches fairly.
Gold a self-made multi-millionaire and co-owner of City, reckons supporters pay over the odds to get into games - and the money is only going into the players' already inflated pay-packets.
'The trouble is, fans are contributing to what the players earn by paying their wages via the turnstiles and the club shop,' he said.
'Somehow we have to find a way of distributing the wealth of the players and reducing ticket prices is one way of doing that.
'As clubs we could all commit to a ten per cent reduction in Championship admission prices, that would keep the wages down for players.
'It can be done - it's only a question of us all getting together to agree it.'
Gold's comments come as his own club offer tickets starting from just £22 for the match with cash-rich QPR on October 4.
Birmingham's London rivals for promotion, however, are charging as much as £50 for Championship football this season.
But Gold admits he takes Rangers seriously as title contenders after backing from the likes of Formula One entrepreneurs Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore and London-based Indian billionaire industrialist Lakshmi Mittal.
The clubs are favourites to go up to the Premier League - despite City's 1-0 home defeat by Blackpool at the weekend - and Gold is eager to see how much more money QPR boss Iain Dowie will be allowed to spend in January. The former Crystal Palace manager brought in the likes of Tottenham keeper Radek Cerny, former Roma midfielder Damiano Tommasi and Real Madrid playmaker Daniel Parejo, on loan, during the summer but is expected to make more signings in the New Year.
Gold added: 'The question is: Will QPR want to spend £2million or £20m?
'There's always a dark horse, like a Bristol City or a Hull, but that aside, you have to say the other two relegated clubs [Reading and Derby] will be rivals for the title.
'I don't know if Nottingham Forest have done enough in the transfer market but I had Crystal Palace down as an outside bet to go up this year.'
Gold, however, is certain he has the right man to take his club straight back to the top flight in former Scotland coach Alex McLeish...." Metro
The New Shirts Are Coming
QPR Official Site - SUPER SUNDAY - 2ND & 3RD SHIRTS LAUNCHED
The QPR Superstore will be open on Sunday - as the new second and third shirts are launched. The Superstore will be open from 11.00am-4.00pm for R's fans to get their hands on the new shirts, ahead of our crucial Coca Cola Championship fixture against Blackpool on Tuesday night. The shirts are priced £39.99 (adults) and £32.99 (children) respectively. QPR
Next: Derby County at Loftus Road
-
QPR take on Derby County on Saturday. Derby recently got their first win in a long, long, time so that burden is now removed from their neck. One of the teams picked for promotion, if they beat QPR, that would be a good start for them. Over the years had various momentous games between the two clubs: Think Brian Clough and Dave Mackay getting knocked out of the FA Cup 5th Round in 1969...An incredible 5-1 win at Derby in 1975...A Phil Nutt goal at Loftus Road....(And several Derby victories, which we won't speak about!) See Head to Head Results between the two clubs. And of course, the two clubs shared a joint interest as both being recipients of loans from the mysterious ABC Company. Most recently Derby County complained about QPR's just-announced ticket price increase, and the Football League ruled against QPR. Derby apparently will not have Savage or Commons in the team on Saturday. Derby's results -- Derby's League Standing -- Derby's squad: (And of course accompanying all this, the question is whether or not the proposed fan protest against the ticket price increases goes ahead; and in what form; and of course, how many fans will take part (or will even know about it)
Derby Evening Telegraph - Road trips give Jewell's men hope as they aim to triumph at Loftus Road
DERBY County will tomorrow look to dent one of the three remaining perfect home records in the Championship when they take on Queens Park Rangers.
QPR shocked Premier League Aston Villa on Wednesday by winning at Villa Park in the Carling Cup but their impressive start to the season has been built on their form at Loftus Road.
Iain Dowie's side have beaten Barnsley, Doncaster Rovers and Southampton to collect maximum points from three home league games.
Reading and Wolverhampton Wanderers are the only other teams in the division to boast such a record.
For good measure, Dowie's men mauled Carlisle United 4-0 in a home tie in an earlier round of the Carling Cup.
Investment in the club has strengthened QPR's hand and confidence must be sweeping through the camp.
Striker Dexter Blackstock, who spent a loan spell at Derby in 2005, has hit five goals in eight appearances, while Patrick Agyemang provides power and pace up front.
Twenty-year-old Emmanuel Ledesma is also chipping in with goals.
The Argentine forward, on loan from Genoa, struck a hat-trick against Carlisle United and one in the victory over Doncaster.
The fixture is a test for Derby but Paul Jewell's team has shown plenty of character in an unbeaten run of three matches.
They have also shown plenty of fight on their travels.
Paul Green's equaliser earned a point against Bristol City at Ashton Gate and the Rams came away from Swansea with a 1-1 draw. Stephen Pearson's strike put them ahead before a sloppy goal was conceced from a corner 14 minutes from time, Ashley Williams escaping his marker to power a head past Roy Carroll.
Green headed the winner in the Carling Cup victory over Preston North End at Deepdale a few days before the one away defeat, the 2-0 setback at Barnsley, came in a game Derby bossed for 70 minutes.
"We have shown some character on the road, and the best performance was at Barnsley in a game we lost," said manager Paul Jewell.
"Sometimes it can be easier to play away from home because there is less expectation on you.
"We are not creating a host of chances at the moment but what we have to do is become hard to beat before we can move forward.
"We need to keep clean sheets but I believe we are getting more shape and balance in the team to make us harder to play against than we were in the past.
"I know we are playing against Championship players rather than Premier League players but if we had shown more resolve last season, we would not have been beaten five and six, and we might have held out in games rather than collapsing under pressure.
"There is definitely more resolve at this moment in time.
"It is nowhere near where I expect us to be but we are making slow progress."
QPR go into the game as favourites but the unpredictable nature of the Championship has already been seen in the early weeks of the season.
Many expected Derby to lose at Bristol City and Preston – they didn't.
Many thought Sheffield United would inflict more pain on the team and Jewell. They didn't and instead, the Rams recorded their first league win in 37 attempts.
And last weekend high-riding Birmingham City suffered their first defeat of the season at home to Blackpool.
Jewell went to watch QPR at Villa.
"I felt QPR, other than one chance when Gareth Barry got through, were quite comfortable," said Jewell.
"They have a way of playing and have got some good players.
"It will be top notch for us if we go and win there after three games unbeaten.
"Our run doesn't make all the problems go away but certainly you see a change in the players' demeanour.
"We've got a bit of fight about us now and when things go against us, we don't collapse like last year." Derby Evening Telegraph
The Rams - The Rams' no-risk policy on commons
Paul Jewell is keen for Derby County to sharpen their cutting edge but refuses to risk Kris Commons if the Derby County winger is not 100 per cent fit.
Commons is out of tomorrow’s trip to face Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road and is already a major doubt for Tuesday’s Championship clash against high-riding Birmingham City at Pride Park Stadium.
The Scottish international was an ever-present until he missed the last two matches with niggling calf and hamstring strains.
Derby are short of goals – they have scored five in seven League games – and Jewell believes the strikers are suffering from a lack of service.
Commons is one of the side’s creative players and Jewell says the former Nottingham Forest man is missed when he is not in the team.
“It’s disappointing for Kris because he’s picked up the injury and it keeps niggling him,” Jewell added.
"The injury is at the back of his knee, where the hamstring and calf are attached. He got a kick on it and it has turned into a strain.
"It’s not a major worry and he’s not a million miles away but he’s not right and we’ve got to make sure he is.
“He needs to be 100 per cent fit because if he plays on it and it goes, he will be out longer.”
Goalkeeper Roy Carroll is expected to face QPR and maintain his ever-present run in the side this season.
Carroll complained of a stiff back at half-time during the draw against Cardiff City last Saturday and has had treatment this week.
“He trained yesterday and should be OK,” said Jewell.
Australian international Ruben Zadkovich is working with the physios as he recovers from surgery on a groin injury.
The midfielder, who has yet to make his debut, could feature in the Reserve League Cup tie at Walsall on October 8.
“He is going to be another 10 days with the physios and all being well, he will be somewhere close for that game,” said Jewell.
Serbian striker Alexsander Prijovic could also face Walsall. The 18-year-old scored for the Academy team against Manchester United at the weekend.
Jewell said the Reserve fixture was likely to come round too soon for Giles Barnes, who is working his way back to fitness following knee surgery.
“Giles is training with the kids and is making progress,” added Jewell.
“It is very important we do not rush Giles. He has worked exceptionally hard, he has met all his targets and is on schedule but we definitely will not rush him back because he has had such a major injury and to rush him back would be crazy.” The Rams
Derby Evening Telegraph - Jewell: Loan would not rule Sav out of picture
ROBBIE Savage is set to sit out a sixth consecutive game tomorrow as Derby County take on Queens Park Rangers in the Championship.
The 33-year-old midfielder – he turns 34 next month – last featured for the Rams in the home defeat by Southampton on August 23.
He is currently not in the first-team plans and has been told he can go out on loan if the right offer comes in.
Savage has turned down a loan move to Brighton and there could be interest from one of his old clubs, Crewe Alexandra.
The former Welsh international was expected to be a key figure for the Rams in the Championship but he has slipped behind Paul Green, Miles Addison and Przemyslaw Kazmierczak in the battle for midfield places.
Jewell says Savage going out on loan would not necessarily rule him out of his thinking.
"No, it wouldn't," said Jewell.
"I have no problem with Sav, there is not an issue. People have tried to make an issue but there has never been an issue.
"Players can go out on loan and can come back and get back in the team. Lewin Nyatanga did it last season.
"Loans can suit both parties. If Sav is getting games and playing well, he could come back to Derby and try and get in the first team.
"Brighton asked about him but it was not for Sav.
"If a club comes on and Sav wants to do it and it suits us, we'll do it, but Sav did not want to go to Brighton on loan. That's no problem with me."
Asked about interest from Crewe, Jewell replied: "I have not heard from Crewe."
Savage, who cost £1.5m from Blackburn Rovers in January, has started two league games this season and the Carling Cup first round victory over Lincoln City.
Jewell says other players not in the first-team picture are also available for loan.
"Nobody likes not to be playing and there are players I think would be available, I know would be available, if other clubs came in for them," he said.
"We've got quite a big squad so if we could get some more out on loan I would be quite happy because that frees it up for me to go out and maybe exploit the loan market to bring players in.
"It has to benefit all parties. My interest is the club and the player, and obviously the club where we want to loan them want to get something out of it. So, if it suits everyone I don't see a problem." Derby Evening Telegraph
See Also:
- LoftforWord's Ashleigh Rose' Derby Connections and Memories
- LoftforWords - Derby Preview
QPR take on Derby County on Saturday. Derby recently got their first win in a long, long, time so that burden is now removed from their neck. One of the teams picked for promotion, if they beat QPR, that would be a good start for them. Over the years had various momentous games between the two clubs: Think Brian Clough and Dave Mackay getting knocked out of the FA Cup 5th Round in 1969...An incredible 5-1 win at Derby in 1975...A Phil Nutt goal at Loftus Road....(And several Derby victories, which we won't speak about!) See Head to Head Results between the two clubs. And of course, the two clubs shared a joint interest as both being recipients of loans from the mysterious ABC Company. Most recently Derby County complained about QPR's just-announced ticket price increase, and the Football League ruled against QPR. Derby apparently will not have Savage or Commons in the team on Saturday. Derby's results -- Derby's League Standing -- Derby's squad: (And of course accompanying all this, the question is whether or not the proposed fan protest against the ticket price increases goes ahead; and in what form; and of course, how many fans will take part (or will even know about it)
Derby Evening Telegraph - Road trips give Jewell's men hope as they aim to triumph at Loftus Road
DERBY County will tomorrow look to dent one of the three remaining perfect home records in the Championship when they take on Queens Park Rangers.
QPR shocked Premier League Aston Villa on Wednesday by winning at Villa Park in the Carling Cup but their impressive start to the season has been built on their form at Loftus Road.
Iain Dowie's side have beaten Barnsley, Doncaster Rovers and Southampton to collect maximum points from three home league games.
Reading and Wolverhampton Wanderers are the only other teams in the division to boast such a record.
For good measure, Dowie's men mauled Carlisle United 4-0 in a home tie in an earlier round of the Carling Cup.
Investment in the club has strengthened QPR's hand and confidence must be sweeping through the camp.
Striker Dexter Blackstock, who spent a loan spell at Derby in 2005, has hit five goals in eight appearances, while Patrick Agyemang provides power and pace up front.
Twenty-year-old Emmanuel Ledesma is also chipping in with goals.
The Argentine forward, on loan from Genoa, struck a hat-trick against Carlisle United and one in the victory over Doncaster.
The fixture is a test for Derby but Paul Jewell's team has shown plenty of character in an unbeaten run of three matches.
They have also shown plenty of fight on their travels.
Paul Green's equaliser earned a point against Bristol City at Ashton Gate and the Rams came away from Swansea with a 1-1 draw. Stephen Pearson's strike put them ahead before a sloppy goal was conceced from a corner 14 minutes from time, Ashley Williams escaping his marker to power a head past Roy Carroll.
Green headed the winner in the Carling Cup victory over Preston North End at Deepdale a few days before the one away defeat, the 2-0 setback at Barnsley, came in a game Derby bossed for 70 minutes.
"We have shown some character on the road, and the best performance was at Barnsley in a game we lost," said manager Paul Jewell.
"Sometimes it can be easier to play away from home because there is less expectation on you.
"We are not creating a host of chances at the moment but what we have to do is become hard to beat before we can move forward.
"We need to keep clean sheets but I believe we are getting more shape and balance in the team to make us harder to play against than we were in the past.
"I know we are playing against Championship players rather than Premier League players but if we had shown more resolve last season, we would not have been beaten five and six, and we might have held out in games rather than collapsing under pressure.
"There is definitely more resolve at this moment in time.
"It is nowhere near where I expect us to be but we are making slow progress."
QPR go into the game as favourites but the unpredictable nature of the Championship has already been seen in the early weeks of the season.
Many expected Derby to lose at Bristol City and Preston – they didn't.
Many thought Sheffield United would inflict more pain on the team and Jewell. They didn't and instead, the Rams recorded their first league win in 37 attempts.
And last weekend high-riding Birmingham City suffered their first defeat of the season at home to Blackpool.
Jewell went to watch QPR at Villa.
"I felt QPR, other than one chance when Gareth Barry got through, were quite comfortable," said Jewell.
"They have a way of playing and have got some good players.
"It will be top notch for us if we go and win there after three games unbeaten.
"Our run doesn't make all the problems go away but certainly you see a change in the players' demeanour.
"We've got a bit of fight about us now and when things go against us, we don't collapse like last year." Derby Evening Telegraph
The Rams - The Rams' no-risk policy on commons
Paul Jewell is keen for Derby County to sharpen their cutting edge but refuses to risk Kris Commons if the Derby County winger is not 100 per cent fit.
Commons is out of tomorrow’s trip to face Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road and is already a major doubt for Tuesday’s Championship clash against high-riding Birmingham City at Pride Park Stadium.
The Scottish international was an ever-present until he missed the last two matches with niggling calf and hamstring strains.
Derby are short of goals – they have scored five in seven League games – and Jewell believes the strikers are suffering from a lack of service.
Commons is one of the side’s creative players and Jewell says the former Nottingham Forest man is missed when he is not in the team.
“It’s disappointing for Kris because he’s picked up the injury and it keeps niggling him,” Jewell added.
"The injury is at the back of his knee, where the hamstring and calf are attached. He got a kick on it and it has turned into a strain.
"It’s not a major worry and he’s not a million miles away but he’s not right and we’ve got to make sure he is.
“He needs to be 100 per cent fit because if he plays on it and it goes, he will be out longer.”
Goalkeeper Roy Carroll is expected to face QPR and maintain his ever-present run in the side this season.
Carroll complained of a stiff back at half-time during the draw against Cardiff City last Saturday and has had treatment this week.
“He trained yesterday and should be OK,” said Jewell.
Australian international Ruben Zadkovich is working with the physios as he recovers from surgery on a groin injury.
The midfielder, who has yet to make his debut, could feature in the Reserve League Cup tie at Walsall on October 8.
“He is going to be another 10 days with the physios and all being well, he will be somewhere close for that game,” said Jewell.
Serbian striker Alexsander Prijovic could also face Walsall. The 18-year-old scored for the Academy team against Manchester United at the weekend.
Jewell said the Reserve fixture was likely to come round too soon for Giles Barnes, who is working his way back to fitness following knee surgery.
“Giles is training with the kids and is making progress,” added Jewell.
“It is very important we do not rush Giles. He has worked exceptionally hard, he has met all his targets and is on schedule but we definitely will not rush him back because he has had such a major injury and to rush him back would be crazy.” The Rams
Derby Evening Telegraph - Jewell: Loan would not rule Sav out of picture
ROBBIE Savage is set to sit out a sixth consecutive game tomorrow as Derby County take on Queens Park Rangers in the Championship.
The 33-year-old midfielder – he turns 34 next month – last featured for the Rams in the home defeat by Southampton on August 23.
He is currently not in the first-team plans and has been told he can go out on loan if the right offer comes in.
Savage has turned down a loan move to Brighton and there could be interest from one of his old clubs, Crewe Alexandra.
The former Welsh international was expected to be a key figure for the Rams in the Championship but he has slipped behind Paul Green, Miles Addison and Przemyslaw Kazmierczak in the battle for midfield places.
Jewell says Savage going out on loan would not necessarily rule him out of his thinking.
"No, it wouldn't," said Jewell.
"I have no problem with Sav, there is not an issue. People have tried to make an issue but there has never been an issue.
"Players can go out on loan and can come back and get back in the team. Lewin Nyatanga did it last season.
"Loans can suit both parties. If Sav is getting games and playing well, he could come back to Derby and try and get in the first team.
"Brighton asked about him but it was not for Sav.
"If a club comes on and Sav wants to do it and it suits us, we'll do it, but Sav did not want to go to Brighton on loan. That's no problem with me."
Asked about interest from Crewe, Jewell replied: "I have not heard from Crewe."
Savage, who cost £1.5m from Blackburn Rovers in January, has started two league games this season and the Carling Cup first round victory over Lincoln City.
Jewell says other players not in the first-team picture are also available for loan.
"Nobody likes not to be playing and there are players I think would be available, I know would be available, if other clubs came in for them," he said.
"We've got quite a big squad so if we could get some more out on loan I would be quite happy because that frees it up for me to go out and maybe exploit the loan market to bring players in.
"It has to benefit all parties. My interest is the club and the player, and obviously the club where we want to loan them want to get something out of it. So, if it suits everyone I don't see a problem." Derby Evening Telegraph
See Also:
- LoftforWord's Ashleigh Rose' Derby Connections and Memories
- LoftforWords - Derby Preview
QPR's Support for the Kiyan Prince Foundation
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Football League- QPR Support for Kiyan Prince Foundation
QPR BACK FOUNDATION FOR KIYAN
Queens Park Rangers are supporting a foundation in memory of teenager Kiyan Prince.
Former QPR youth team player Prince was stabbed to death aged 15 after a row at the London Academy in Edgware just over two years ago.
Since then, his father Mark has worked tirelessly to set up the Kiyan Prince Foundation with the aim of educating youngsters of the dangers of knife and gun crime.
Now his plans for a lasting tribute to his son have been taken to the next level thanks to help from QPR and Sky 1 show Noel's HQ.
The programme's producers have found a team of experts - including a child psychologist, business mentor and public relations guru - to work with the Foundation in developing its activities.
QPR have dedicated the London derby with Charlton Athletic on November 25 to the Foundation.
The charity will be given free advertising space in the programme and on the Loftus Road big screen and collection buckets will be situated around the ground.
In addition, the club has promised to embark on a more long-term relationship with the Foundation.
Mark Prince will be invited to lead six workshops during the 2008/09 season as part of the Kickz Scheme, which helps youngsters from deprived areas play organised sport.
QPR's Football in the Community Manager Andy Evans, said: "The enduring image associated with Kiyan is the picture of him in the QPR kit he loved.
"As a club, we are one hundred per cent committed to helping Mark Prince to continue with the outstanding work he has already undertaken.
"We will use the Charlton fixture to celebrate the life of Kiyan, who would have been celebrating his 18th birthday on that day, as well as to highlight the excellent work Mark is doing in the local communities."
For more information on the Kiyan Prince Foundation, please visit www.kiyan.org. - Football League
See Also:
- QPR Official Site - QPR & THE KIYAN PRINCE FOUNDATION
- Remembering Kiyan Prince
- Kiyan Prince Foundation
Football League- QPR Support for Kiyan Prince Foundation
QPR BACK FOUNDATION FOR KIYAN
Queens Park Rangers are supporting a foundation in memory of teenager Kiyan Prince.
Former QPR youth team player Prince was stabbed to death aged 15 after a row at the London Academy in Edgware just over two years ago.
Since then, his father Mark has worked tirelessly to set up the Kiyan Prince Foundation with the aim of educating youngsters of the dangers of knife and gun crime.
Now his plans for a lasting tribute to his son have been taken to the next level thanks to help from QPR and Sky 1 show Noel's HQ.
The programme's producers have found a team of experts - including a child psychologist, business mentor and public relations guru - to work with the Foundation in developing its activities.
QPR have dedicated the London derby with Charlton Athletic on November 25 to the Foundation.
The charity will be given free advertising space in the programme and on the Loftus Road big screen and collection buckets will be situated around the ground.
In addition, the club has promised to embark on a more long-term relationship with the Foundation.
Mark Prince will be invited to lead six workshops during the 2008/09 season as part of the Kickz Scheme, which helps youngsters from deprived areas play organised sport.
QPR's Football in the Community Manager Andy Evans, said: "The enduring image associated with Kiyan is the picture of him in the QPR kit he loved.
"As a club, we are one hundred per cent committed to helping Mark Prince to continue with the outstanding work he has already undertaken.
"We will use the Charlton fixture to celebrate the life of Kiyan, who would have been celebrating his 18th birthday on that day, as well as to highlight the excellent work Mark is doing in the local communities."
For more information on the Kiyan Prince Foundation, please visit www.kiyan.org. - Football League
See Also:
- QPR Official Site - QPR & THE KIYAN PRINCE FOUNDATION
- Remembering Kiyan Prince
- Kiyan Prince Foundation
Advocating Fan "Response" to QPR's Announced Price Increases
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Clive Whittingham of LoftforWords writing on the subject of the proposed increase in ticket prices and how QPR fans are responding (or not responding).
(Reposted with permission)
Clive Whittingham, LoftForWords - United we stand
Well I nearly fell off my seat when I heard that the Football League had told us we couldn’t raise our prices for away fans mid season. The Football League siding with the common fan and standing up against the outrageous pricing of football matches? Whatever next? I haven’t been so gob smacked since I heard QPR were introducing this rip off in the first place.
Credit where it’s due to the league, and to Derby County who took one look at the scandalous prices QPR wanted to charge their fans, stifled a laugh and then sent them straight back. I can well imagine plenty of clubs, ours included, would have mumbled a bit and sold them for £40 without asking any questions. Derby have done exactly the right thing by their fans, who will still pay prices a little on the expensive side this coming Saturday and if I was a Rams fan I’d be absolutely delighted with the way my club has stood up for me this week.
If only I could say the same of the club I do support. QPR never seem to be more than 20 minutes away from another idea designed to shaft me and you. Be it a ticket price rise, a £3.50 booking fee or making me pay to have my season ticket posted to me after shelling out £600 to buy it in the first place one thing QPR are not doing at the moment is any favours for the people that turn up to support them week after week and have done through thick and extremely thin times.
Amit Bhatia’s heartfelt thanks to the fans at Villa Park published on the club’s official website on Thursday was a lovely touch and much appreciated but it had a hollow ring to it coming as it did just two days after the same website had announced that, because of Derby’s objections and the league decision, ticket prices in the Loft would be returned to their previous level. News that was broken to us by way of a paragraph at the end of a story about how all the most expensive tickets for the Derby game had sold out. Those would be the platinum tickets we were told were sold out in the summer would they? A story published on the same website that said the club had experienced unprecedented demand for tickets to the Barnsley game (attendance 14,964)? How bloody stupid do they think we are?
The problem is, what are we going to do about it? I grew up among QPR fans, a tiny little mop haired dot among all these big blokes at football matches. It was the best time of my life. Back in those days QPR fans protested at the drop of a hat – mergers with Fulham and Wimbledon were fought off, a chairman was ousted after selling our best players, a blonde lady ran on the pitch and removed her shirt (but not her bra). The story goes that a week later at Sheffield Wednesday my Grandad told her we were all very proud but somewhat disappointed. Dirty old man.
Now the fan base seems to be fractured. There are that many groups and personalities that think they should have a say it really has become like the Life of Brian and the Judean People’s Front, or is that the People’s Front of Judea? In time I’d like to think that all these splinter groups and websites can come back under the banner of either the LSA or QPR 1st so when things like this happen in future we can speak with one voice.
The initial season ticket price rises were announced after the last match, presumably so we didn’t all kick up a fuss at Flavio’s big party before the West Brom match. In the end those increases, necessary to some extent but scandalously over cooked, went through and we quietly accepted them. Now just three home league games in we’re forced to swallow another increase and it seems we’re going to say nothing again.
A silent protest was muted, excuse the pun, for the first ten minutes this weekend. Some said this wouldn’t work, some wanted to know how this decision had been reached, others said it would detrimentally affect the team (do me a favour), and others said we shouldn’t offend our owners in case they pack up and leave us in the lurch. Purlease. Nobody is more grateful than me for what our board has done for this club – the team is excellent, the ground looks better although I do miss my members bar, the sponsorship deals are superb, we’re on the up and it’s absolutely bloody awesome after years of decline. But to raise prices in the summer by so much after telling us specifically they would be going up by “10 per cent or something normal” and then raise them again after three games to £40 for Championship football, again out of the blue with no consultation, and to insult us with spin on the official website. Well I’m sorry but something needs to be said about that.
The fact that we’ve won at Norwich and Aston Villa since the raises were announced, exhilarating though it was, makes not one bit of difference. We don’t want the board to leave but we need to show them somehow that we’re much more than “somebody who turns up once a week and pays £20” as Flavio Briatore has previously suggested. We deserve to be treated better than we have been over the past fortnight and the club needs to understand that we will not stand for things like this. Sadly, reading round the other message boards, it seems that apathy and some deluded sense of self importance about just how crucial it is that 300 people sing “you Northern scum” in the first ten minutes of the Derby match means that the silence protest is doomed to failure.
Fine. If a silence isn’t the way to go then I can accept that. Personally I’d go with banners and a few well targeted chants. However if a silence is the preferred method then as many people as possible should take part. The worst thing we can do this Saturday is do nothing, roll over and accept what has been handed to us. What is to stop this happening again if we do? What is to stop prices for say the last home game of the season being hiked to £60 or £70 each if it turns out to be a promotion decider? Grateful yes, but door mats no. This raise must not go unopposed and with the ITV cameras at Loftus Road this Saturday we have a terrific chance to make a point. A decade ago we wouldn’t have thought twice about it." LoftForWords
Clive Whittingham of LoftforWords writing on the subject of the proposed increase in ticket prices and how QPR fans are responding (or not responding).
(Reposted with permission)
Clive Whittingham, LoftForWords - United we stand
Well I nearly fell off my seat when I heard that the Football League had told us we couldn’t raise our prices for away fans mid season. The Football League siding with the common fan and standing up against the outrageous pricing of football matches? Whatever next? I haven’t been so gob smacked since I heard QPR were introducing this rip off in the first place.
Credit where it’s due to the league, and to Derby County who took one look at the scandalous prices QPR wanted to charge their fans, stifled a laugh and then sent them straight back. I can well imagine plenty of clubs, ours included, would have mumbled a bit and sold them for £40 without asking any questions. Derby have done exactly the right thing by their fans, who will still pay prices a little on the expensive side this coming Saturday and if I was a Rams fan I’d be absolutely delighted with the way my club has stood up for me this week.
If only I could say the same of the club I do support. QPR never seem to be more than 20 minutes away from another idea designed to shaft me and you. Be it a ticket price rise, a £3.50 booking fee or making me pay to have my season ticket posted to me after shelling out £600 to buy it in the first place one thing QPR are not doing at the moment is any favours for the people that turn up to support them week after week and have done through thick and extremely thin times.
Amit Bhatia’s heartfelt thanks to the fans at Villa Park published on the club’s official website on Thursday was a lovely touch and much appreciated but it had a hollow ring to it coming as it did just two days after the same website had announced that, because of Derby’s objections and the league decision, ticket prices in the Loft would be returned to their previous level. News that was broken to us by way of a paragraph at the end of a story about how all the most expensive tickets for the Derby game had sold out. Those would be the platinum tickets we were told were sold out in the summer would they? A story published on the same website that said the club had experienced unprecedented demand for tickets to the Barnsley game (attendance 14,964)? How bloody stupid do they think we are?
The problem is, what are we going to do about it? I grew up among QPR fans, a tiny little mop haired dot among all these big blokes at football matches. It was the best time of my life. Back in those days QPR fans protested at the drop of a hat – mergers with Fulham and Wimbledon were fought off, a chairman was ousted after selling our best players, a blonde lady ran on the pitch and removed her shirt (but not her bra). The story goes that a week later at Sheffield Wednesday my Grandad told her we were all very proud but somewhat disappointed. Dirty old man.
Now the fan base seems to be fractured. There are that many groups and personalities that think they should have a say it really has become like the Life of Brian and the Judean People’s Front, or is that the People’s Front of Judea? In time I’d like to think that all these splinter groups and websites can come back under the banner of either the LSA or QPR 1st so when things like this happen in future we can speak with one voice.
The initial season ticket price rises were announced after the last match, presumably so we didn’t all kick up a fuss at Flavio’s big party before the West Brom match. In the end those increases, necessary to some extent but scandalously over cooked, went through and we quietly accepted them. Now just three home league games in we’re forced to swallow another increase and it seems we’re going to say nothing again.
A silent protest was muted, excuse the pun, for the first ten minutes this weekend. Some said this wouldn’t work, some wanted to know how this decision had been reached, others said it would detrimentally affect the team (do me a favour), and others said we shouldn’t offend our owners in case they pack up and leave us in the lurch. Purlease. Nobody is more grateful than me for what our board has done for this club – the team is excellent, the ground looks better although I do miss my members bar, the sponsorship deals are superb, we’re on the up and it’s absolutely bloody awesome after years of decline. But to raise prices in the summer by so much after telling us specifically they would be going up by “10 per cent or something normal” and then raise them again after three games to £40 for Championship football, again out of the blue with no consultation, and to insult us with spin on the official website. Well I’m sorry but something needs to be said about that.
The fact that we’ve won at Norwich and Aston Villa since the raises were announced, exhilarating though it was, makes not one bit of difference. We don’t want the board to leave but we need to show them somehow that we’re much more than “somebody who turns up once a week and pays £20” as Flavio Briatore has previously suggested. We deserve to be treated better than we have been over the past fortnight and the club needs to understand that we will not stand for things like this. Sadly, reading round the other message boards, it seems that apathy and some deluded sense of self importance about just how crucial it is that 300 people sing “you Northern scum” in the first ten minutes of the Derby match means that the silence protest is doomed to failure.
Fine. If a silence isn’t the way to go then I can accept that. Personally I’d go with banners and a few well targeted chants. However if a silence is the preferred method then as many people as possible should take part. The worst thing we can do this Saturday is do nothing, roll over and accept what has been handed to us. What is to stop this happening again if we do? What is to stop prices for say the last home game of the season being hiked to £60 or £70 each if it turns out to be a promotion decider? Grateful yes, but door mats no. This raise must not go unopposed and with the ITV cameras at Loftus Road this Saturday we have a terrific chance to make a point. A decade ago we wouldn’t have thought twice about it." LoftForWords
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Carling Cup (League Cup!) Draw Details...QPR #9
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Strange that one particular club is not included in the category of "Giantkillers!"
Football League - WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER
The draw for Round 4 of the Carling Cup takes place on Saturday and there are no less than eight Football League clubs left in the competition.
Giantkillers Burnley, Rotherham United and Watford will all be hoping the draw is kind to them, either handing them a winnable tie in, order to progress, or a good money spinner.
The week's other giantkillers Brighton and Hove Albion are still a round behind, so they go into the draw along with their third round opponents Derby County.
The full numbers are as follows:
1.ARSENAL
2.BLACKBURN ROVERS
3.BURNLEY
4.CHELSEA
5.BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION or DERBY COUNTY
6.LEEDS UNITED
7.LIVERPOOL
8.MANCHESTER UNITED
9.QUEENS PARK RANGERS
10.ROTHERHAM UNITED
11.STOKE CITY
12.SUNDERLAND
13.SWANSEA CITY
14.TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
15.WATFORD
16.WIGAN ATHLETIC
The ties will be played during the week commencing 10th November with the draw taking place on Saturday, Sky Sports One, during the Soccer Saturday show from 12.15pm. Football League
Strange that one particular club is not included in the category of "Giantkillers!"
Football League - WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER
The draw for Round 4 of the Carling Cup takes place on Saturday and there are no less than eight Football League clubs left in the competition.
Giantkillers Burnley, Rotherham United and Watford will all be hoping the draw is kind to them, either handing them a winnable tie in, order to progress, or a good money spinner.
The week's other giantkillers Brighton and Hove Albion are still a round behind, so they go into the draw along with their third round opponents Derby County.
The full numbers are as follows:
1.ARSENAL
2.BLACKBURN ROVERS
3.BURNLEY
4.CHELSEA
5.BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION or DERBY COUNTY
6.LEEDS UNITED
7.LIVERPOOL
8.MANCHESTER UNITED
9.QUEENS PARK RANGERS
10.ROTHERHAM UNITED
11.STOKE CITY
12.SUNDERLAND
13.SWANSEA CITY
14.TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
15.WATFORD
16.WIGAN ATHLETIC
The ties will be played during the week commencing 10th November with the draw taking place on Saturday, Sky Sports One, during the Soccer Saturday show from 12.15pm. Football League
Vote For Championship Player of The Month
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Professional Footballers Association (PFA) - Vote for your favourite player - and meet the stars
PFA 2UP Fans’ Player of the Month Contenders: September 2008
The PFA's search for the Official PFA 2UP Fans' Divisional Players' of the Year Awards is now under way - and there are plenty of big names in the frame to succeed last year’s winner Cristiano Ronaldo as the fans' choice.
This season, we’ve launched a brand new website where fans can register to vote for their favourite player every month. And already there are some big names in the frame across all divisions of the best league in the world.
The PFA 2UP Divisional Fans Player Awards are the only official awards of the Professional Footballers’ Association that are voted for by the fans. The awards are also endorsed by The Fans Supporters Federation.
Steven Gerrard, a former winner of the Fans' Player of the Year award, has played himself into contention - not least for his heroics in Liverpool's 2-1 Champions League win against Marseille.
Premier League newcomer Deco has made a big impression in his opening games for Chelsea whilst Portsmouth's Lassana Diarra has also won many admirers.
In the Championship, Michael Kightly's contribution to Wolves' impressive start to the season has not gone unoticed - with Jermaine Beckford (League One) and Darren Anderton (League Two) showing their class for Leeds and Bournemouth, respectively. But it's not too late to change the standings.
Voting for this month's awards close on Sept 30th, and here's a good reason why you should do so....
* Every month of the football season, four fans who have voted for the divisional winners get the chance to present the PFA 2UP Player of the Month award to their football idol. This season, there are also runner-up prizes for voters including limited edition PFA Centenary books and keyrings.
PFA 2UP Fans’ Player of the Month Contenders: September 2008
Premier League
Steven Gerrard: Liverpool
Deco: Chelsea
Lassana Diarra: Portsmouth
Championship
Tommy Smith: Watford
Adam Lallana: Southampton
Michael Kightly: Wolverhampton
League 1
Jermaine Beckford: Leeds
Adam Virgo: Brighton
Jack Hobbs: Leicester
League 2
Darren Anderton: Bournemouth
Peter Thorne: Bradford
Rob Edwards: Exeter
Vote for your PFA 2UP Fans' Player of the Month now - and meet the stars!
PFA
Professional Footballers Association (PFA) - Vote for your favourite player - and meet the stars
PFA 2UP Fans’ Player of the Month Contenders: September 2008
The PFA's search for the Official PFA 2UP Fans' Divisional Players' of the Year Awards is now under way - and there are plenty of big names in the frame to succeed last year’s winner Cristiano Ronaldo as the fans' choice.
This season, we’ve launched a brand new website where fans can register to vote for their favourite player every month. And already there are some big names in the frame across all divisions of the best league in the world.
The PFA 2UP Divisional Fans Player Awards are the only official awards of the Professional Footballers’ Association that are voted for by the fans. The awards are also endorsed by The Fans Supporters Federation.
Steven Gerrard, a former winner of the Fans' Player of the Year award, has played himself into contention - not least for his heroics in Liverpool's 2-1 Champions League win against Marseille.
Premier League newcomer Deco has made a big impression in his opening games for Chelsea whilst Portsmouth's Lassana Diarra has also won many admirers.
In the Championship, Michael Kightly's contribution to Wolves' impressive start to the season has not gone unoticed - with Jermaine Beckford (League One) and Darren Anderton (League Two) showing their class for Leeds and Bournemouth, respectively. But it's not too late to change the standings.
Voting for this month's awards close on Sept 30th, and here's a good reason why you should do so....
* Every month of the football season, four fans who have voted for the divisional winners get the chance to present the PFA 2UP Player of the Month award to their football idol. This season, there are also runner-up prizes for voters including limited edition PFA Centenary books and keyrings.
PFA 2UP Fans’ Player of the Month Contenders: September 2008
Premier League
Steven Gerrard: Liverpool
Deco: Chelsea
Lassana Diarra: Portsmouth
Championship
Tommy Smith: Watford
Adam Lallana: Southampton
Michael Kightly: Wolverhampton
League 1
Jermaine Beckford: Leeds
Adam Virgo: Brighton
Jack Hobbs: Leicester
League 2
Darren Anderton: Bournemouth
Peter Thorne: Bradford
Rob Edwards: Exeter
Vote for your PFA 2UP Fans' Player of the Month now - and meet the stars!
PFA
QPR's Vice Chairman, Amit Bhatia Official Site Statement of Thanks...Rowlands Called up For Special Ireland Squad
-
Very nice words from the Vice Chairman - who perhaps unfortunately, is not the Chairman! Of course just to note, no mention of the ticket price issue or what the final resolution may be.
QPR Official Site - BHATIA: SIMPLY FAN-TASTIC
QPR Holdings Ltd Vice-Chairman, Amit Bhatia, has today (Thursday) issued the following message to QPR supporters.
Dear Supporters,
May I start by saying how ecstatic I am feeling by our triumph over Aston Villa in the Carling Cup last night.
I felt both proud and honoured watching this moment unfold, when we succeeded not only in defeating a Club which currently stands fourth in the Premiership, but also in enjoying success at a Premiership ground for the first time in 12 years.
It was a fantastic victory for Queens Park Rangers; an undeniable demonstration of a Club heading in the right direction.
The football which our players displayed last night was supreme; they strode out confidently - undeterred by the giants of Villa - and played to a high level and displayed great quality.
I am especially grateful to the supporters who tirelessly travelled to Villa Park to support the Club they love so dearly.
From where I was seated, I was overcome with emotion with the noise and raucous which you generated last night. You gave our team the boost they really needed to turn the match our way. Your enthusiasm was inspiring, your passion never ceasing. This was your win, as much as it was the players' and staff's.
I hope that we continue our success as the season progresses. QPR has a promising future ahead and results like those we have had so far this season make our dreams seem ever nearer.
Once again, my enormous thanks to all of you for contributing so much to the Club and being the essence of Queen Park Rangers.
Yours Sincerely,
Amit Bhatia
QPR Holdings Ltd Vice-Chairman QPR
Martin Rowlands included in special Ireland Squad:
Eleven A Side - Trap names fringe squad for friendly clash
Giovanni Trapattoni has named a squad of 22 for a friendly clash with Nottingham Forest in Dublin next month.
The game takes place at Dalymount Park on Thursday, October 9th - six days before Cyprus visit Croke Park for an important World Cup qualifier.
Several members of the fringe squad have already played senior internationals under Trapattoni, including Wolves forward Andy Keogh and Norwich midfielder Wes Hoolahan.
There are three Blackburn Rovers players in the party, with defender Eddie Nolan and winger Keith Treacy stepping up from the under-21 grade and Keith Andrews making the leap to international football a month after joining Rovers from MK Dons.
Stoke winger Liam Lawrence and Hull City striker Caleb Folan, both of whom were included in Irish squads under Steve Staunton but have yet to win a cap, are summoned once more, while Coventry City goalkeeper Keiren Westwood will be hoping to catch the eye after making a fine start to life with the Sky Blues and Reading’s Noel Hunt, the 25-year-old younger brother of senior international Stephen, receives a first international call since his under-21 days.
Trapattoni said: ”This game will give me an important opportunity to work closely with many of our talented players. We have another eight games ahead of us in our challenge for World Cup qualification and I have no doubt that some of this squad will be called upon to play their part.
”I want to thank our scouting team and our U-21 manager Don Givens for identifying many new players who are performing well this year. I have already worked with some of this squad during our time in Portugal and I look forward to working with those I have not already seen.
”The October 9th game will form part of an important build up to our first home World Cup qualifier match against Cyprus the following week.”
The match will kick off at 7.30pm on Thursday, October 9th, with tickets on sale from Monday September 29th in Dalymount Park (Adults €10, children €5 - open 10am to 6pm, Mon - Fri) or online from Ticketmaster.
Republic of Ireland squad (v Nottingham Forest, 9/10/2008)
Goalkeepers: Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe United), Keiren Westwood (Coventry City).
Defenders: Kevin Foley (Wolves), Alex Bruce (Ipswich Town), Darren O’Dea (Celtic), Paddy McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Eddie Nolan (Blackburn Rovers).
Midfielders: Darron Gibson (Manchester United), Stephen Ward, Darren Potter (both Wolves), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Martin Rowlands (QPR), Owen Garvan (Ipswich Town), Liam Lawrence (Stoke City), Keith Treacy, Keith Andrews (both Blackburn Rovers).
Forwards: Andy Keogh (Wolves), Shane Long, Noel Hunt (both Reading), Caleb Folan (Hull City), Sean Scannell (Crystal Palace), Anthony Stokes (Sunderland).
http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/news.asp?n=34183
Very nice words from the Vice Chairman - who perhaps unfortunately, is not the Chairman! Of course just to note, no mention of the ticket price issue or what the final resolution may be.
QPR Official Site - BHATIA: SIMPLY FAN-TASTIC
QPR Holdings Ltd Vice-Chairman, Amit Bhatia, has today (Thursday) issued the following message to QPR supporters.
Dear Supporters,
May I start by saying how ecstatic I am feeling by our triumph over Aston Villa in the Carling Cup last night.
I felt both proud and honoured watching this moment unfold, when we succeeded not only in defeating a Club which currently stands fourth in the Premiership, but also in enjoying success at a Premiership ground for the first time in 12 years.
It was a fantastic victory for Queens Park Rangers; an undeniable demonstration of a Club heading in the right direction.
The football which our players displayed last night was supreme; they strode out confidently - undeterred by the giants of Villa - and played to a high level and displayed great quality.
I am especially grateful to the supporters who tirelessly travelled to Villa Park to support the Club they love so dearly.
From where I was seated, I was overcome with emotion with the noise and raucous which you generated last night. You gave our team the boost they really needed to turn the match our way. Your enthusiasm was inspiring, your passion never ceasing. This was your win, as much as it was the players' and staff's.
I hope that we continue our success as the season progresses. QPR has a promising future ahead and results like those we have had so far this season make our dreams seem ever nearer.
Once again, my enormous thanks to all of you for contributing so much to the Club and being the essence of Queen Park Rangers.
Yours Sincerely,
Amit Bhatia
QPR Holdings Ltd Vice-Chairman QPR
Martin Rowlands included in special Ireland Squad:
Eleven A Side - Trap names fringe squad for friendly clash
Giovanni Trapattoni has named a squad of 22 for a friendly clash with Nottingham Forest in Dublin next month.
The game takes place at Dalymount Park on Thursday, October 9th - six days before Cyprus visit Croke Park for an important World Cup qualifier.
Several members of the fringe squad have already played senior internationals under Trapattoni, including Wolves forward Andy Keogh and Norwich midfielder Wes Hoolahan.
There are three Blackburn Rovers players in the party, with defender Eddie Nolan and winger Keith Treacy stepping up from the under-21 grade and Keith Andrews making the leap to international football a month after joining Rovers from MK Dons.
Stoke winger Liam Lawrence and Hull City striker Caleb Folan, both of whom were included in Irish squads under Steve Staunton but have yet to win a cap, are summoned once more, while Coventry City goalkeeper Keiren Westwood will be hoping to catch the eye after making a fine start to life with the Sky Blues and Reading’s Noel Hunt, the 25-year-old younger brother of senior international Stephen, receives a first international call since his under-21 days.
Trapattoni said: ”This game will give me an important opportunity to work closely with many of our talented players. We have another eight games ahead of us in our challenge for World Cup qualification and I have no doubt that some of this squad will be called upon to play their part.
”I want to thank our scouting team and our U-21 manager Don Givens for identifying many new players who are performing well this year. I have already worked with some of this squad during our time in Portugal and I look forward to working with those I have not already seen.
”The October 9th game will form part of an important build up to our first home World Cup qualifier match against Cyprus the following week.”
The match will kick off at 7.30pm on Thursday, October 9th, with tickets on sale from Monday September 29th in Dalymount Park (Adults €10, children €5 - open 10am to 6pm, Mon - Fri) or online from Ticketmaster.
Republic of Ireland squad (v Nottingham Forest, 9/10/2008)
Goalkeepers: Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe United), Keiren Westwood (Coventry City).
Defenders: Kevin Foley (Wolves), Alex Bruce (Ipswich Town), Darren O’Dea (Celtic), Paddy McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Eddie Nolan (Blackburn Rovers).
Midfielders: Darron Gibson (Manchester United), Stephen Ward, Darren Potter (both Wolves), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Martin Rowlands (QPR), Owen Garvan (Ipswich Town), Liam Lawrence (Stoke City), Keith Treacy, Keith Andrews (both Blackburn Rovers).
Forwards: Andy Keogh (Wolves), Shane Long, Noel Hunt (both Reading), Caleb Folan (Hull City), Sean Scannell (Crystal Palace), Anthony Stokes (Sunderland).
http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/news.asp?n=34183
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