QPR REPORT

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

QPR Report Wednesday Update....Redknapp...Cook...Shittu...Taarabt....Sutherland Nominated Irish "Under-17 International Player of Year"

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

QPR Report Tuesday - Warnock: No Taarabt Sale...Flashback: Sinclair Out. Dowie & Kennedy In

Monday, January 24, 2011

QPR Report Monday: Compilation of Coventry Reports and Comments...Warnock Spoke to Mittal re Transfers

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Throughout the day, updates, comments and perspectives re QPR and football in general are posted and discussed on the QPR Report Messageboard...Also Follow: QPR REPORT ON TWITTER
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QPR Official Site - GAFFER 'STILL TALKING TARGETS'
Posted on: Mon 24 Jan 2011
- Neil Warnock has revealed he 'wouldn't be surprised' if he added to his squad before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.
- The R's gaffer has already boosted his ranks with the addition of Messrs Routledge, Miller and Chimbonda in the last 72 hours, and with the clock ticking towards the end of January, he added: "We're still talking with targets.
- "I spoke to Mr Mittal last week and he's been very supportive. Bernie and Flavio have supported me fantastically as well.
- "We're talking about players all of the time, but I'm just delighted we've been able to bring in these three players if I'm honest.
- "Anybody else would be a bonus to us, but I wouldn't be surprised if we get one more in before the deadline." QPR

- Year Flashback: Derek Buxton (RIP)

- On this Day in Football: January 24

- Blog Post: Des Bulpin: From Queens Park Rangers to India (via Uzbekistan, Philippines...)

- Sky Sports Presenters Sexism Comments & Aftermath

QPR vs Coventry Match Report & COMMENTS

- Just the Routledge Goal (and celebration)
-Little jumpy video - Overall game snippets

QPR 27 28 52
Cardiff 27 12 47
Norwich 27 9 47
Swansea 28 9 47
Leeds 28 7 45
Nott F 25 13 43
Watford 26 13 42 Table

QPR Official Site - Warnock's Comments - WARNOCK: 'AN IMPORTANT VICTORY'Posted on: Sun 23 Jan 2011

Neil Warnock was full of praise for his charges, after seeing them come from behind to beat Coventry City in front of the live Sky Sports cameras.

Marlon King gave the Sky Blues the lead, before skipper Adel Taarabt drew Rangers level with a typically top-notch finish.

And the icing on the cake arrived 11 minutes from time, when comeback kid Wayne Routledge converted Taarabt's sublime centre to cap a marvellous individual performance.

Warnock told www.qpr.co.uk: "I just think it's a really important victory, because with 19 games to go every point is vital at this stage of the season.

"It's so enjoyable watching us - it's end-to-end, chances galore and some of the football we play is magnificent at times.

"I thought we were better than them on the day and the goals were special - we finished them both really well."

With a goal and an assist to his name, Taarabt was the talk of the terraces once again at full-time, with Warnock commenting: "He's going to frustrate and disappoint, but what do you want him to do - win tackles or win football matches?

"His goal today was out of this world.

"He's great to have around the place."

The R's gaffer also revealed he had an inkling Routledge would prove to be the match-winner, adding: "I said to Wayne at half-time he'd get a goal for us.

"The way we play and the freedom he has - I fully expect him to get a few goals for us between now and the end of the season."
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~2274354,00.html

Yann Tear/Gazette - Zest is back for QPR after Warnock's 'most trying week'
NEIL WARNOCK believes QPR have rediscovered the zest that can carry them towards promotion.

The Rangers boss was buoyant after seeing his side overturn a 1-0 deficit to claim their first win of the new year in Sunday's lunchtime clash with Coventry City - and was in no doubt about its significance.

“I think today was important after yesterday's results. To get the points, to make a statement really," he said. "I think today we showed we are a good team and we want to be up there.

“We've had a difficult run, but we've come through that now and I think we've got that zest again – you saw that we enjoyed it today and I think there's more to come from us.

“I think we've been playing well. We just needed that extra bit, which we got today and I think we've got a squad to cope now with two or three games a week.”

The 2-1 victory was the perfect end to a trying week for Warnock, whose tireless efforts to land Wayne Routledge this week were rewarded when the striker bagged the winner.

“I've never worked as hard to sign players as I have this week and I'm talking like 18-hour days to get Routledge and [Ishmael] Miller,” he said.

“We lost Agyemang, Mackie and Walker in the space of a few days and it's bloody hard at our level to cover quality players like that. But without transfer fees, we couldn't have got anybody better than Routledge, Miller and [Pascal] Chimbonda and if I could get another defender in, I'd be absolutely delighted. That would be my lot and we'd have a go.”

Warnock again reserved special praise for Adel Taarabt, who inspired the win with a superb goal and a sublime piece of skill to create the winner.

“Either goal was fit to win a game today," he said. "They were starting to have a go at him before he scored one or two people, but I said to Curley [assistant coach Keith Curle] you can say what you like about Adel, but only he will score for us today. You could tell that.

“You are going to get frustrated with him at times but we're very lucky to have him on board.

“He was looking threatening today and you couldn't see a better ball for the second goal in any game in the world, let alone the Championship.” Fulham Chronicle

MAIL/Ivan Speck -QPR 2 Coventry 1: Adel Bowles over Rangers as leaders battle back in style
Billions in the bank do not guarantee promotion, but they do ensure the man who will take Queens Park Rangers to the Barclays Premier League cannot be poached.

Without Adel Taarabt, as Coventry manager Aidy Boothroyd agreed on Sunday, Rangers would be a mid-table Championship side.

With him they moved a comforting five points clear of their promotion rivals as the Moroccan inspired them to a dazzling comeback victory.

With Rangers drifting towards half-time, trailing to a Marlon King goal, Taarabt seized the ball on the left wing. Accelerating inside Richard Keogh, he drove into the area and lifted a curling shot beyond goalkeeper Keiren Westwood.

Eleven minutes from time, Rangers were beginning to stutter towards another draw when Taarabt gave in to his imagination once more.

Tracked into a siding along the left touchline, the 21-year-old lobbed a 40-yard pass with the outside of his right boot that dropped perfectly on Wayne Routledge's instep. A neat clipped finish later and Rangers were lording it over the Championship once more.

While Neil Warnock punched the air in delight, his opposite number Boothroyd could only contemplate the unfairness of it all.

'The difference between the sides today, the fact that they are top and we are mid-table, is Taarabt,' he said.

'We have played them twice and he's an exceptional player. I was tempted to run on the pitch and kick him myself at one stage.
Wayne's world: Winger Routledge gets the better of Coventry keeper Westwood to seal the points for QPR

'How do you stop him? Well, I'm not really bothered now if anyone else stops him. Even when he gets kicked, he gets up and smiles.

'With the talent he's got, you have to ask the question why he's here. But then, where this club are going, he's probably in the right company.'

In truth, Rangers might have been out of the match 10 minutes before the break. King had side-footed home a low Gary McSheffrey cross and Freddy Eastwood wastefully dragged his shot wide on another Coventry break.

But when a goal was needed, the home side turned to Taarabt.

They know a thing or two about playmakers at Loftus Road, yet in his unpredictability and daring to be different, Taarabt fits perfectly into the mould of Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles - a half-time guest on Sunday.

Former Tottenham player Taarabt did not do everything - Heidar Helguson ought to have headed Rangers in front from a Routledge cross in the 13th minute, Shaun Derry and substitute Ishmael Miller forced brilliant fingertip saves from Westwood, while Alejandro Faurlin's second-half free-kick struck the base of the post - but he was the game's dominant influence.

Warnock said: 'Adel thinks he should be playing for Real Madrid and he could do, but first of all he's got to help me finish my career in the right way. He has been bombed out by his two previous managers - quite rightly so - and when I was younger I wouldn't have entertained him.

'Not in a million years would I ever have dreamed of managing a player like him before.

'He excites me. He'll pull your hair out, but he sees things that none of the rest of us do. You couldn't see a better ball for the second goal in any game in the world.' Mail

Telegraph/Neil Tranis - Queens Park Rangers 2 Coventry City 1
The returning Wayne Routledge played a key part as Queens Park Rangers regained their bearings as Championship leaders.

Routledge was insatiable on the right, clearly determined to prove to Alan Pardew that he was wrong to allow him to momentarily leave Newcastle United.

The source of his goal which saw off a durable Coventry City was inevitably Adel Taarabt. A nonchalant swish with the outside of his right boot in the second half found Routledge breaking through to score.

“The difference between the two sides was Taarabt,” said Coventry manager Aidy Boothroyd. “He’s an exceptional player. I was tempted to run on and kick him at one stage. He was terrific. With the talent he has got you have to ask why he’s here, and that’s no disrespect to QPR.”

That last comment hinted at the Moroccan’s temperament when gracing grander stages. “You’re going to get frustrated with him at times but you won’t see a better ball for the second goal in the world,” said Neil Warnock, the QPR manager.

“Not in a million years have I ever dreamed of managing a player like him. He thinks he should be playing for Real Madrid. He could play for them but first of all he’s got to help me finish my career in the right way. He’ll probably end up playing in Saudi Arabia where they pay players a million pounds a game.”

Coventry competed with relish, inspired by goalkeeper Keiren Westwood. Athletic saves denied Shaun Derry and Ishmael Miller, an effervescent presence on his first appearance since arriving on loan from West Bromwich Albion.

Not for the first time this season, though, Taarabt indelibly marked a football match with his own brand of genius. His side trailed to an opportunist goal from Marlon King when he took down Paddy Kenny’s long goal-kick in an instant, slipped past Gary McSheffrey and Richard Keogh and curled a delicious shot into the top corner.

QPR are not quite one-dimensional but they labour when Taarabt is nullified or below par.

Nonetheless, victory was as much a reason for relief as it was celebration. QPR, after all, had taken just eight points from a possible 21 before this match and, considering the intolerance of demanding owners desperate for Premier League football, a fine start to the campaign had suddenly evaporated into a haze.

“I’ve not been concerned,” Warnock insisted. “We’ve been playing well. We now have a squad to cope with two games in a week. We couldn’t have got anyone better than Routledge, Pascal Chimbonda and Miller.”

QPR often take a stranglehold of games at Loftus Road and Coventry were instantly shunted back.

Routledge sped past McSheffrey and whipped in a cross that found Helguson, whose shot was blocked. When the ball ricocheted back into the area, Routledge reacted quickest and drilled in another delivery that Helguson nodded off target.

There was little hint that Coventry might get a foothold in the match, much less forge a lead, but QPR habitually offer glimpses of their susceptibility to direct football. King has divided opinion among Coventry followers since his move to the club in the wake of run-ins with the law and his every touch was greeted by boos. Yet that dissatisfaction soon melted away. A long punt downfield undid QPR and the ball was worked out to McSheffrey, whose low cross was missed by Matthew Connolly and converted by King.

For a while the game lay on a knife-edge. Freddie Eastwood dragged a chance wide and Alejandro Faurlin’s free kick struck a post.

Will they cut it in Premier League?

The squad
Championship experience has complimented youthful zest this season. And there has been Adel Taarabt trying to prove Spurs should have kept him. However, QPR are over-reliant on Taarabt, their leading league scorer with 12 goals. A 4-2-3-1 demands width from full-back but Bradley Orr and Clint Hill fail to penetrate even if Tommy Smith has impressed.

Tactics
Neil Warnock’s 4-2-3-1 has made QPR impenetrable. Defensive sturdiness in Kaspars Gorkss and Matthew Connolly blends with holding midfielders, Shaun Derry and Alejandro Faurlin, to liberate Taarabt to lead a three-pronged attacking midfield seeking to break beyond a lone forward.

Durability
A contrast between ruggedness and elegance has seen off Championship opponents but top-flight clubs will be a lot shrewder in countering such an approach. Taarabt takes a breather in games but his colleagues run for 90 minutes.

Plan B
Resilience and discipline are QPR hallmarks but the dependence on Taarabt for invention will be crippling. When he fails to play well, QPR struggle. A plan B will be required.

Match details

Queens Park Rangers (4-2-3-1): Kenny; Orr, Connolly, Gorkss, Hill; Derry, Faurlin; Routledge (Ephraim 90), Taarabt, Smith (Hall 83); Helguson (Miller 55).
Subs: Cerny (g), Clarke, Hulse, Moen.
Booked: Derry.
Coventry City (4-4-2): Westwood; Keogh, Cranie, Wood, O’Halloran; Baker, Gunnarsson, Doyle (Clingan 67), McSheffrey (Platt 79); Eastwood (Jutkiewicz 46), King.
Subs: Ireland (g), Bell, Clarke, Cameron.
Booked: Doyle, O’Halloran.
Referee: M Haywood (West Yorkshire). TELEGRAPH

Talksport - Exclusive - Warnock rules out move for Woodgate
* By Michael Wade
QPR boss Neil Warnock has told talkSPORT that rumours linking Jonathan Woodgate with a loan move to Loftus Road are wide of the mark.

Woodgate is just returning to full fitness following over a year on the sidelines with injury.

And Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is keen to loan him out in order to help him return to first-team football.

But Warnock quashed the speculation when saying that he believes the former England international is beyond them at the moment.

He told Sunday Exclusive: “If I could get another defender I would bring another defender in to help but other than that I’m quite happy with what we’ve got.

“I had a good chat with [Woodgate] when we played them last week in the reserves but I think he’s a bit beyond us at the minute.

“We’ve just got to concentrate on players that we know at Championship level and let’s worry about that next year.

“This year we’ve just got to graft for 19 games and try and get where we want to be.”
- CLICK TO LISTEN to WARNOCK

EXPRESS - ROUTLEDGE THE HERO IN QPR WIN
Wayne Routledge marked his second QPR debut with a goal as the npower Championship leaders came from behind to claim a 2-1 win over Coventry.

This time last year the winger left Loftus Road for Newcastle and helped guide the Magpies to promotion and the title. He looks eager to repeat the trick having rejoined Rangers on loan and got off to the perfect start by hitting the winner against the Sky Blues.

Adel Taarabt had earlier added another dazzling solo effort to his growing collection to cancel out a shock opener from Coventry's Marlon King. Rangers' early-season promotion charge may have slowed down to more of a canter - this was only their third win in eight outings - but they still sit a handy five points clear of the chasing pack.

Routledge set about Coventry from the off and almost set up an opening goal after 12 minutes. The winger turned Martin Cranie inside-out before crossing to Heidar Helguson, whose downward header bounced up and over the crossbar.

Yet against the run of play the visitors opened the scoring in the 25th minute with their first attack of the game.

Gary McSheffrey's ball across the face of goal was missed by Rangers defender Matt Connolly and King was left with a simple tap-in past Paddy Kenny.

The hosts could have found themselves two down when Freddy Eastwood burst into the area and got the better of Connolly, but the former Southend frontman dragged his shot wide.

Taarabt, the player who has had more shots than any other in the Championship this season, then took aim from 25 yards but his effort flashed past the post. But the Moroccan found his range in first-half stoppage time, jinking inside Richard Keogh before unleashing a stunning curler from the corner of the area beyond Westwood and into the net.

Rangers came agonisingly close to taking the lead six minutes after half-time when a free-kick from Alejandro Faurlin beat the dive of Westwood but came back off the inside of the post.

But they were not to be denied and with 11 minutes left Taarabt's lofted pass sent Routledge through and with a delightful first touch and finish he secured the three points http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/2248....#ixzz1BsQ1oCrC

GUARDIAN/Barney Ronay - Adel Taarabt sinks Coventry and gives QPR breathing space at the top
Led by the sublimely skilled Moroccan Adel Taarabt, Queens Park Rangers took a small but significant step towards promotion to the Premier League with their first win in 2011. Taarabt scored one goal, brilliantly, and made the other just as expertly to seal an entertaining victory against an energetic Coventry City that put Rangers five points clear at the top of the Championship.

With QPR stuttering, Neil Warnock has had cause to make some small but significant changes to his squad in the past week, most notably bringing in Wayne Routledge for a second stint at the club. Routledge started brightly here, scoring the winning goal and twinkling intermittently on the right wing, raising hopes he might be able to ease some of the creative pressure on Taarabt.

A succession of Routledge crosses narrowly evaded their targets before, in the 12th minute, he found Heidar Helguson unmarked on the corner of the six-yard box. The Icelander, who has scored once since early October, headed wide of the gaping goal.

The lively Marlon King threatened to make Rangers pay but his low shot after a neat turn was straight at the QPR goalkeeper, Paddy Kenny. Rangers continued to press with width but Coventry remained compact in defence and their opener, after 25 minutes came from a neat and incisive breakaway. Freddy Eastwood flicked on a long pass towards Gary McSheffrey. The left-winger crossed instantly towards King, who deflected a bouncing ball adroitly with his knee.

Warnock switched Taarabt into the centre from the left wing, a move that almost paid off immediately as he found space 30 yards out and shot just wide.

The equaliser came on the stroke of half‑time and it was executed with the kind of craft that has characterised Taarabt's season. Cutting in from the left, he jinked with almost outrageous ease past McSheffrey and Richard Keogh and curled a precise shot inside the far post.

Adrian Boothroyd responded by bringing on Lukas Jutkiewicz for Eastwood at half time and almost immediately the 21-year-old Southampton-born striker narrowly failed to make contact with McSheffrey's driven cross from the left.

Rangers came even closer on 51 minutes, Alejandro Faurlin curling a free-kick around the wall and on to the base of Keiren Westwood's right-hand post.

QPR's 79th‑minute winner, which was deserved for their second‑half pressure came when Taarabt played a sublime dinked pass over the Coventry defence with the outside of his left foot. Routledge, cutting in from the right, took the ball with one soft-pedalled touch and finished instantly.

Despite late pressure, Rangers held on for a victory that left Warnock punching the air with delight, and perhaps also relief.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jan/23/qpr-coventry-city-championship

MIRROR -Routledge the hero in QPR win *
*Wayne Routledge marked his second QPR debut with a goal as the npower Championship leaders came from behind to claim a 2-1 win over Coventry.

This time last year the winger left Loftus Road for Newcastle and helped guide the Magpies to promotion and the title. He looks eager to repeat the trick having rejoined Rangers on loan and got off to the perfect start by hitting the winner against the Sky Blues.

Adel Taarabt had earlier added another dazzling solo effort to his growing collection to cancel out a shock opener from Coventry's Marlon King. Rangers' early-season promotion charge may have slowed down to more of a canter - this was only their third win in eight outings - but they still sit a handy five points clear of the chasing pack.

Routledge set about Coventry from the off and almost set up an opening goal after 12 minutes. The winger turned Martin Cranie inside-out before crossing to Heidar Helguson, whose downward header bounced up and over the crossbar.

Yet against the run of play the visitors opened the scoring in the 25th minute with their first attack of the game.

Gary McSheffrey's ball across the face of goal was missed by Rangers defender Matt Connolly and King was left with a simple tap-in past Paddy Kenny.

The hosts could have found themselves two down when Freddy Eastwood burst into the area and got the better of Connolly, but the former Southend frontman dragged his shot wide.

Taarabt, the player who has had more shots than any other in the Championship this season, then took aim from 25 yards but his effort flashed past the post. But the Moroccan found his range in first-half stoppage time, jinking inside Richard Keogh before unleashing a stunning curler from the corner of the area beyond Westwood and into the net.

Rangers came agonisingly close to taking the lead six minutes after half-time when a free-kick from Alejandro Faurlin beat the dive of Westwood but came back off the inside of the post.

But they were not to be denied and with 11 minutes left Taarabt's lofted pass sent Routledge through and with a delightful first touch and finish he secured the three points. Mirror

INDEPENDENT/Arindam Rej - QPR indebted to the trickery of Taarabt Queen's Park Rangers 2 Coventry City 1

there were well-weighted passes, clever shimmies and tricky runs. Coventry could clearly see the danger Adel Taarabt posed before he unlocked their defence but, like so many Championship sides before them, they were powerless to shackle him.

When QPR are trailing and struggling to penetrate – as they were here – the mercurial Moroccan is the man they turn to and, once again, his two moments of eye-catching excellence turned this game.

First, there was the equaliser. A long goal-kick by Paddy Kenny landed at Taarabt's feet on the edge of the 18-yard box. Taarabt teased Gary McSheffrey and Richard Keogh with his footwork before slipping away from the pair of them and powerfully striking the ball beyond goalkeeper Keiren Westwood.

Then came the match-winning assist, a lofted pass with the outside of the right boot over the top of the defence for Wayne Routledge to finish.

The QPR manager, Neil Warnock, said: "You pay money to watch Taarabt. He thinks he should be playing for Real Madrid. He could play for them. Either goal was fit to win a game. The second goal was fit to win any game in the world, not just the Championship."

Match-winner Routledge was making a return to his former club's line-up after signing on-loan from Newcastle. The winger created the first serious danger for Coventry in the 12th minute, crossing for Heidar Helguson, whose downward header from eight yards bounced up and over.

QPR were frustrated again midway through the half when they had a penalty appeal for handball rejected as another Helguson header was blocked by Martin Cranie. But Coventry took the lead on a rare attack through Marlon King. McSheffrey supplied a low, curling cross from the left and King neatly knocked the ball beyond Kenny from the middle of the six-yard box.

Taarabt drifted out of the game in patches but still looked the man most likely to bring QPR back into the contest. Coventry did not heed the warnings though and he eventually equalised in first-half stoppage-time.

The visitors responded well after half-time but Rangers rattled them minutes later when Alejandro Faurlin's 25-yard free-kick struck a post. Kenny then received a deserved ovation when he made a fine double-save. First he kept out King's 25-yard shot before smothering Lukas Jutkiewicz's close-range follow-up.

QPR made the most of their fortune, probing diligently until Taarabt paved the way for Routledge, who snatched the lead with little more than 10 minutes remaining.

QPR (4-4-1-1): Kenny; Orr, Gorkss, Connolly, Hill; Smith (Hall, 83), Derry, Faurlin, Routledge (Ephraim, 90); Taarabt; Helguson (Miller, 55). Substitutes not used Cerny (gk), Clarke, Hulse, Moen. Booked Derry.

Coventry City (4-4-2): Westwood; Keogh, Cranie, Wood, O'Halloran; Gunnarsson, Doyle (Clingan, 67), Baker, McSheffrey (Platt, 78); Eastwood (Jutkiewicz, h-t), King. Substitutes not used: Ireland (gk), Bell, Clarke, Cameron. Booked Doyle, O'Halloran.
Man of the match Taarabt.
Match rating 7/10.
Possession QPR 54 % Coventry City 46%.
Shots on target QPR 6 Coventry City 7.
Referee M Haywood (Yorkshire). Attendance 13,185. Independent

BBC QPR 2 - 1 Coventry
QPR moved five points clear at the top of the Championship after Wayne Routledge toasted his return to the club with the winner against Coventry.

In a fluid encounter Marlon King gave Coventry the lead when he poked in Gary McSheffrey's tantalising cross.

Adel Taarabt then scored his 13th goal of the season on 45 minutes by cutting inside two defenders to fire home.

But after Rangers had hit the post it was Routledge who was the difference as he slotted in Taarabt's fine pass.

The game had several other chances with Coventry keeper Keiren Westwood pulling off a host of smart saves to deny Neil Warnock's side a more convincing lead.

But the visitors contributed to an absorbing Sunday lunchtime game with King looking a threat on his return to the side after suspension.

Rangers made a positive start to the game as they looked to extend their league lead over second placed Cardiff, who were 4-2 winners against Watford on Saturday.

After a couple of half-chances, Heidar Helguson should have hit the target on 13 minutes when Routledge, who returned to the QPR side on loan this week, picked him out at the second attempt but the Icelandic striker headed into the ground and over the bar.

Coventry were content to absorb the early pressure with King their most potent outlet on the break, but the opening goal came from a more direct route.

Westwood kicked long, and after a King flick-on, the ball was set back to McSheffrey who delivered across the edge of the six-yard box for the former Watford striker to steer in.

Freddy Eastwood could have extended Coventry's lead after a quick break but scuffed his shot when well placed.

Just as it looked like the visitors would head into the break in front, the dangerous Taarabt collected Paddy Kenny's deep free-kick, cut inside two defenders and curled his shot into the far corner for a goal deadly in its precision.

QPR full-back Clint Hill then shot narrowly over as Coventry desperately held on before half-time.

The second half began in similarly open fashion with Alejandro Faurlin hitting a post from a curling free-kick before King's set-piece engineered a fine double save from Kenny, who also denied substitute Lukas Jutkiewicz from the follow up.

Warnock, who had also added Pascal Chimbonda and Ishmael Miller to his squad this week, then introduced the latter and the former West Brom striker again brought out the best in Westwood as he tipped round the post.

But the keeper was caught out by Taarabt's crafted pass for Routledge's goal, as the Moroccan forward sliced open the Coventry defence with a pass from the left touchline with the outside of his right boot.

Routledge marked a fine debut by controlling the ball superbly and coolly placing home to give Rangers a comfortable cushion at the top of the Championship.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/9364537.stm

QPR Official Site
COVENTRY City came away from Loftus Road empty handed after the league leaders came from behind to take all three points.

Marlon King returned to the starting line up after a three-match suspension to give the Sky Blues the lead midway through the first half but Adel Taarabt levelled for QPR on the stroke of half time with loan winger and former R Wayne Routledge grabbing the winner 11 minutes from time.

Sky Blues boss Aidy Boothroyd opted to make one change to a side that dominated against Sheffield United the previous week, re-introducing King into the line-up after the striker had served a three-match suspension in City's draw with Ipswich Town on New Years Day.

And City started off brightly with a strong tackle from Carl Baker on Taarabt to set the tone early on but it was QPR who fashioned the first two half chances of the afternoon after five minutes.

First loanee Wayne Routledge was picked out on a counter attack and ran at goal only to be caught by Martin Cranie and Stephen O'Halloran who snuffed out the danger.

Taarabt was then disappointed moments later as he latched on to a chipped ball into the area and tried to play a first time ball across the box to Heider Helguson only to put too much on the delivery and send it over the striker's head.

Helguson then had a chance to open the scoring for Rangers after 12 minutes when Routledge beat the offside trap to float a cross over the head of Keiren Westwood, City breathing a sigh of relief as Helguson's header at an near empty net was headed into the ground, the ball then bouncing over the bar.

The Sky Blues retuned fire two minutes later when King received a ball on the edge of the area, cutting inside and firing straight at Paddy Kenny who collected comfortably.

Westwood was forced into a good save on 17 minutes when Taarabt tried his luck from 20 yards, the City 'keeper forced into stopping the shot with his legs.

Shaun Derry then went close six minutes later from slightly further out when a bouncing ball sat up just right for him to unleash a half volley which flashed over Westwood's bar.

It was City who struck first though after 25 minutes when Gary McSheffrey whipped a low cross across the six-yard box which missed everybody but King who only needed the slightest of touches to direct the ball past Kenny.

Taarabt could of had a chance to level on the half hour when he chased a long ball over the top and then beat Richard Keogh at the byline to close in on goal although the acute angle forced him to fire into the side netting.

Freddy Eastwood then had the chance to double the advantage for City four minutes later as the Sky Blues caught QPR on the counter attack with Michael Dopyle playing an inch perfect through ball to set Eastwood on his way.

The City hitman then turned Derry inside out in the QPR area but pulled his final shot infront of goal just wide of the far post.

Taraabt went close again moments later, again trying his luck from range as his effort from just shy of 25 yards flew inches wide of the foot of Westwood's post.

The QPR man finally got onto the scoresheet though in the final minute of first half added time when he cut inbetween Keogh and Doyle before curling an effort over and around Westwood from just inside the City area.

The hosts then finished off the half with Clint Hill flashing a half volley just over the bar from 20 yards.

Boothroyd made a change at half time, bringing on Lukas Jutkiewicz inplace of Eastwood and it almost bore fruit straight away.

Baker made a scything run through the middle of midfielder before playing a through ball wide to McSheffrey whose low cross across the face of goal was just inches away from the boot of half time substitute Lukas Jutkiewicz who slid in at the back post.

Rangers even closer to taking the lead though five minutes after the restart when Alejandro Faurlin curled a low free kick at goal which bent around Westwood and hit the inside of the far post, forcing the ball to rebound across the face of goal and out for a goal kick behind the opposite post.

At the other end, Kenny was required to make an excellent double save a minute after the hour.

First off King thundered a free kick effort at goal which Kenny had to parry infront of him and then he recovered to get in the way of Jutkiewicz's goalbound follow up effort.

Westwood made a fantastic fingertip save at the other end on 69 minutes to deny loan substitute Ishmael Miller a debut goal, the striker trying to get around the outside of Richard Wood ebfore turning back on himself and aiming a low shot at the far bottom corner only for Westwood to get enough of his finger on the effort to steer it wide of the post.

The end-to-end nature continued of the game continued in the 71st minute when a long kick from Westwood found King whose first touch brought the ball into the path of McSheffrey who could not keep his effort down from just inside the QPR area.

With another goal at one end or the other appearing to be on the cards though it was the hosts who grabbed it with 11 minutes to go.

Loan winger Routledge marked his debut for Rangers with the winner as he beat the offside trap to control a ball over the top from Taarabt with his first touch and thread it underneath Westwood with his second to hand the hosts all the points.
Attendance: 13,185 (464 Sky Blue Army)

Teams

Coventry City: Westwood, O'Halloran, Keogh, Cranie, Wood, Gunnarsson, Doyle (Clingan 66), Baker, McSheffrey (Platt 79), King Eastwood (Jutkiewicz 45)
Subs: Ireland (GK), Bell, Clarke, Cameron

QPR: Kenny, Orr, Hill, Derry, Taarabt, Helguson (Miller 54), Faurlin, Gorkss, Routledge (Ephraim 90), Connolly, Smith (Hall 82)
Subs: Cerny (GK), Clarke, Hulse, Vaagen Moen
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~53359,00.html

- Five Year Flashback: QPR Fail to Sign Non-leaguer Jeremy Beckford
- Four Year Flashback: No QPR Friendly against China at Loftus Road
- Year Flashback: Sunil Chhetri Wishes He Was QPR
- Changes to Premiership Youth Development and Teams...Raheem Sterling Highly Rated
- Video Flashback: Cambridge United vs QPR
- QPR vs Coventry: Coventry Fan Perspective

Sunday, January 23, 2011

TEAMS: QPR vs Coventry - Routledge Starts for QPR

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- Game Time "Live Chat" on the QPR Report Board for QPR versus Coventry
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Throughout the day, updates, comments and perspectives re QPR and football in general are posted and discussed on the QPR Report Messageboard...Also Follow: QPR REPORT ON TWITTER
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QPR vs COVENTRY - LINEUP

QPR: Kenny, Orr, Hill, Derry, Taarabt, Faurlin, Helguson, Gorkss, Routledge, Connolly, Smith.
Subs: Cerny, Hall, Clarke, Hulse, Vaagan Moen, Ephraim, Miller.

Coventry City: Westwood, Keogh, O'Halloran, Doyle, King, Eastwood, Cranie, Gunnarsson, Baker, McSheffrey, Wood.
Subs: Ireland, Clingan, Bell, Jutkiewicz, Platt, Clarke, Cameron.

- On This Day in Football: January 23

- Chelsea Youngster, Josh McEachran on loan? (according to his supposed Tweet.Of course if it's the twitter's not real McCoy...!)

- Five Year Flashback: QPR Fail to Sign Non-leaguer Jeremy Beckford

- Four Year Flashback: No QPR Friendly against China at Loftus Road

- Year Flashback: Sunil Chhetri Wishes He Was QPR

- Flashback: Pascal Chimbonda Joins Blackburn...Spurs...Sunderland...Spurs from Wigan

- Holloway's Weekly Column...Summer Football Switch Starting?...A Mystery Footballer writes about Tweeting

- Changes to Premiership Youth Development and Teams...Raheem Sterling Highly Rated

- "[Tony] Roberts howler hands Dons the win"

- Video Flashback: Cambridge United vs QPR

- QPR vs Coventry: Coventry Fan Perspective

QPR Report Sunday Update....QPR's Prospects and Loans

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Throughout the day, updates, comments and perspectives re QPR and football in general are posted and discussed on the QPR Report Messageboard...Also Follow: QPR REPORT ON TWITTER

- Game Time "Live Chat" on the QPR Report Board for QPR versus Coventry
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- On This Day in Football: January 23

- Chelsea Youngster, Josh McEachran on loan? (according to his supposed Tweet.Of course if it's the twitter's not real McCoy...!)

- Five Year Flashback: QPR Fail to Sign Non-leaguer Jeremy Beckford

- Four Year Flashback: No QPR Friendly against China at Loftus Road

- Year Flashback: Sunil Chhetri Wishes He Was QPR

- Flashback: Pascal Chimbonda Joins Blackburn...Spurs...Sunderland...Spurs from Wigan

- Holloway's Weekly Column...Summer Football Switch Starting?...A Mystery Footballer writes about Tweeting

- Changes to Premiership Youth Development and Teams...Raheem Sterling Highly Rated

- "[Tony] Roberts howler hands Dons the win"

- Video Flashback: Cambridge United vs QPR

- QPR vs Coventry: Coventry Fan Perspective

SUNDAY PEOPLE/Dean Jones - Loan Ranger Warnock tops the bill for QPR billionaires
-NEIL WARNOCK works for one of the richest clubs in the world – but has faced up to the fact he is leading QPR to the Premier League on a shoestring.
- In a week when Darren Bent joined struggling Aston Villa for a fee which could rise to £24million to try to steer them away from the threat of relegation, the boss of Championship leaders QPR has been working tirelessly on cheap loan deals to ensure his promotion dream does not blow up.
- Rangers’ owners, the Mittal family, are worth an estimated £20billion, yet the board told their manager last week he hasn’t got a penny to spend on transfer fees in this January transfer window.
- That might come as a surprise to fans who were expecting a Roman Abramovich-style attitude on their journey towards the promised land when they landed in west London 11 months ago.
- But for Warnock, old habits die hard.
- He added Pascal Chimbonda and Wayne Routledge on Friday, and Ishmael Miller from West Brom yesterday, but said: “My squad still costs less than Michael Chopra. I haven’t had much money to spend in my career. I remember spending a couple of million on Rob Hulse when I was at Sheffield United, but that’s been one of my most expensive signings.
- “People might have thought I’d be spending big money at QPR, but five or six million on one player? No chance!
- “I’ve never had money like that. I’m always the one who arrives to put fires out.
- “I went to my board last week and said, ‘look, we need three or four players in’. And even though they said there is no money to spend on fees, they did agree to let me bring some in on loan.
- “This is the way the owners think is right to run the club – and I like to think me and my staff are showing them we have a lot to offer. We’re not doing a bad job.
- “When I arrived, the bosses just said to me to make sure I avoided relegation. It was nerve-racking at times, believe me.
- “But some of the football we are playing is bloody brilliant, and we are top – I never expected us to be there at this stage.”
- Coventry boss Aidy Boothroyd admits he’s agonising over whether to recall bad-boy striker Marlon King at Loftus Road.
- King is available after a three-match ban but Boothroyd has been impressed with Freddy Eastwood, Lukas Jutkiewicz and Clive Platt in his absence.
- Boothroyd said: “I am thinking of bringing Marlon back in, but there is a temptation to stick with the same side because of how well they have done.” PEOPLE

Telegraph/Oliver Brown - Queens Park Rangers reluctant to be new Manchester City - for now
Oliver Brown examines the prospects for Queens Park Rangers, who are funded by Britain's richest man.

Could Queens Park Rangers be called the Manchester City of the Championship?

Not yet. Amit Bhatia, the QPR vice-chairman and son-in-law of club benefactor Lakshmi Mittal, Britain’s richest man, has intimated a commitment to earning promotion with restraint and respect for any Championship rivals.

Manager Neil Warnock has yet to enjoy the cushion of Mittal’s £20 billion fortune, being forced instead to patch up a limited squad with free transfers. He recently estimated the combined cost of his starting XI at around £2 million.

Will promotion this summer give Warnock licence to splash the cash?

Difficult to say. Bhatia, perhaps having seen one too many headlines about meddlesome foreign owners, is eager to ensure that neither Mittal nor his fellow stakeholders, Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, are seen in the same light. Mittal might have a budget to challenge even Sheikh Mansour’s at Manchester City, but caution is the watchword.

For the short term, at least, QPR have identified the Champions League as an ambition, should they win promotion this year, while Bhatia has signalled a willingness to confront City by admitting: “My father-in-law didn’t get to where he is by settling to finish fourth.” He should know; his wedding to Vanisha, Mittal’s daughter, was rumoured to have cost £34 million.

How do Warnock’s prospects look?

Remarkably healthy for a man who, barely 18 months ago, appeared at his wit’s end at Crystal Palace. Mittal et al have disclosed a desire to capture the quintessential Englishness of QPR and they could not have chosen a man better equipped to achieve this than Warnock, who cut his teeth in management on Notts County’s quagmire of a training pitch — all the while absorbing any advice that Brian Clough, across Nottingham at Forest, had to throw at him.

Warnock, normally the league’s most combustible manager, has been more diplomatic of late. That is, if we discount his contretemps with Blackburn’s El-Hadji Diouf, whom he likened to a “sewer rat.”

Where do Warnock’s squad’s need strengthening?

Such is QPR’s reluctance to spend extravagantly, the scope for improvement is considerable. Adel Taarabt, the engine of the attack, has been a revelation, but elsewhere Warnock has tended to rely on his favourite stalwarts: namely, Paddy Kenny, the goalkeeper whose gifts he cultivated at Sheffield United, and Clint Hill, once an ever-present midfielder for Palace.

The club owe much to the vibrancy injected up front by Jamie Mackie, acquired last year from Plymouth, and Tommy Smith. Alejandro Faurlín has added an extra dimension in midfield, while defender Matthew Connolly has flourished under Warnock’s guidance since his release by Arsenal.

But in so competitive a division, where QPR lead Swansea at the top by three points with a game in hand, complacency is lethal. Warnock has sought to shore up his side ahead of this lunchtime’s home game against Coventry by signing striker Wayne Routledge on loan from Newcastle and former Blackburn right-back Pascal Chimbonda.

How significant would QPR’s return to the top table be?

Neutrals should view QPR’s ascendancy in the Championship with relish. The club experienced four seasons in the Premier League between 1992 and 1996, but cemented their reputation in the Seventies, when they were perceived as one of the most technically advanced teams in the country.

Dave Sexton’s squad contained seven England players, Gerry Francis chief among them, with Dave Thomas and Don Givens the linchpins in their expansive play.

The significance of QPR’s restoration is not lost on Warnock. Betraying a nostalgic affection for Loftus Road, he acknowledges: “A whole generation haven’t seen Chelsea and Man Utd. That’s what we’re striving for, to let little junior Hoops see what the top teams are all about.”

That moment may not be long in arriving.

Six of the biggest bargain buys

Cheik Tiote

Few had heard of the Ivorian from his time in Holland, but he has proved a snip at £3.5m, helping Newcastle re-establish themselves in the top flight following promotion.

Rafael van der Vaart
The Dutchman always looked a canny acquisition from Real Madrid at £8m and his sublime range of skills have illuminated the Premier League.

William Gallas
Arsenal might not have felt the French defender was worth a hefty new contract, but Spurs were thrilled to snaffle him on a free transfer. He has even taken on the captaincy.

DJ Campbell
Few thought Campbell had top flight prowess prior to him joining Blackpool on a permanent basis for £1.25m in the summer, but eight goals represent a fine return.

Marouane Chamakh
Arsenal did not pay a penny for the French striker so this deal was a no-brainer for Arsene Wenger. Ten goals already show he was a shrewd acquisition.

Javier Hernandez
Not necessarily the cheapest buy for Man Utd at £7m, but the Mexican has already shown he is destined for big things, scoring nine goals. Telegraph

- Flashback from Early January: Routledge Linked to Liverpool in 8 Million pound move!
- Year Flashback: Routledge Leaves QPR for Newcastle and Talks re Move
- Two Year Flashback: Routledge Joins QPR (for the first time!)

- Video Snippet from last week's Burnley vs QPR

- Year Flashback: Nigel Quashie Returns to QPR(Played four games for QPR)

- Bucket Collection at Loftus Road, Sunday for 7 year old, Grace Murphy

Saturday, January 22, 2011

QPR Report Saturday Update...Miller Joins (WBA Recall Option)...Assessment of Signings...Routledge Flashback...Warnock's Weekly Column

"PIC: HAPPY MEMORIES...Miller lifts the Championship trophy at Loftus Road in May 2008"
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Throughout the day, updates, comments and perspectives re QPR and football in general are posted and discussed on the QPR Report Messageboard...Also Follow: QPR REPORT ON TWITTER

- Game Time "Live Chat" on the QPR Report Board: Today-Discuss today's non-QPR games
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- Flashback from Early January: Routledge Linked to Liverpool in 8 Million pound move!

- Year Flashback: Routledge Leaves QPR for Newcastle and Talks re Move

- Two Year Flashback: Routledge Joins QPR (for the first time!)

- Video Snippet from last week's Burnley vs QPR

- Year Flashback: Nigel Quashie Returns to QPR(Played four games for QPR)

- Flashback: Pascal Chimbonda Joins Blackburn...Spurs...Sunderland...Spurs from Wigan

- Gerrard Houllier's strange claim and Ken Bates in Court

Ishmael Miller Joins QPR - But WBA have a Recall Option

QPR Official Site EXCLUSIVE: MILLER TIME
Queens Park Rangers have clinched the loan signing of West Bromwich Albion striker Ishmael Miller.

The 23 year-old front-man has penned a 93 day deal that runs until April 24th 2011.
Gaffer Neil Warnock is confident the former Manchester City hit-man will have a positive impact in W12 over the next few months.

"Ishmael is a player I have been looking at for a long time. I have always liked him, and when it was put to me about bringing him in, I asked the Board to support me," he said.

"It is not guaranteed yet until the end of the season, but we are optimistic that before the end of January that might be the case."I thought he did very well in his first training session today - he looked good and fitted in well. We have got a good group here anyway, so it is always easy for people to fit in.

"Having won promotion with West Brom last season, he knows what it is all about.

"He gives us something that we haven't got, because we have lost Jamie Mackie for the season and Patrick Agyemang for a spell.

"Ishmael has got an abundance of pace, and we are glad to bring him in."

Miller - whose pace and power are key attributes to his game - is eager to get going in the famous Blue and White Hoops and told www.qpr.co.uk: "When a team like QPR - who are top of the league - come calling, you can't ask for much more.

"I've watched QPR play a few times this season, and the gaffer has assembled a great squad.

"Having met the lads today, you can see there's a great camaraderie within the squad.

"I'm here to get games and kick-start my career again."

Miller has been handed the number 29 shirt.
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2271032,00.html

WBA OFFICIAL SITE - Miller becomes a loan Ranger
ISHMAEL Miller has joined QPR on a three-month loan in search of some much-needed match action.

The Baggies have an option to recall the former Manchester City marksman after the initial 28 days of his loan.Miller will be hoping for a drastic upturn in fortunes at Loftus Road.

After making his return from a serious knee injury 12 months ago, he has struggled to get any momentum going due to a series of niggling injuries.

The fact Albion have mainly operated with a lone striker this term and the form of summer signing Peter Odemwingie have also been key factors in Miller being restricted to only four Barclays Premier League substitute appearances.

In his absence, Roberto Di Matteo can call on the services of Marc-Antoine Fortune, Roman Bednar and Simon Cox.
http://www.wba.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~2272989,00.html

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - ISHMAEL MILLER: IN PROFILE
Ishmael Miller is a product of Manchester City's successful youth policy.

After joining City on schoolboy forms in 2000, his fine form for the Club's Academy and Reserve sides elevated him to the fringes of the First Team squad.

He went on to make his senior debut in March 2006 - just two weeks shy of his 19th birthday.

His involvement in the City squad continued thereafter and prior to his move to West Bromwich Albion on loan in August 2007, Miller made 20 senior appearances for the Manchester outfit.

Miller initially joined the Baggies on loan, before - following a successful spell - the deal was made permanent in August 2007, for a fee believed to be £900,000.

He went on to form a lethal partnership with Kevin Phillips, netting nine times in just 15 outings.

In an injury-interrupted campaign, he notched 16 goals in total, as the Baggies clinched promotion.

The former England Under-21 striker gradually grew into Premier League life during the 2008/09 season and bagged his first-ever top-flight goal against Newcastle United.

His season was cruelly cut short, however, when an accidental collision with David James curtailed his season.

He penned a new five-year deal in October 2009, before returning towards the end of last season to play a crucial role in Albion's promotion push.

To date, he has featured in seven fixtures in all competitions this campaign.
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2272288,00.html

David McIntyre Blog - The perfect fit
- The fact he was at QPR before is almost irrelevant. I’ve never been a huge fan of his, disagreed with the decision to sign him first time around, and thought the club were right to sell him. But by pure coincidence, the one player Rangers could really do with at this point in time happens to be Wayne Routledge.

It’s a loan signing (beyond that, I’d think twice) that works for so many reasons.

As a winger, Routledge is exciting but limited – as his unsuccessful forays into the Premier League have shown.

Part of that is because football’s changed. Fifteen years ago, Routledge would probably have played for England. But the days of a winger sprinting down the flank and slinging in crosses are gone. Defenders at almost every level are wise to it.

But Routledge is a perfect fit for Rangers because he is much more effective in the right-of-centre position he can play in at QPR. That role is made for him.

Coming in from the right wing rather than being glued to it, he can be devastating in the Championship and could yet make an impact at the next level in the future.

I’ve long thought that Routledge is a much greater threat when facing a centre-back rather than a full-back. And he’s dangerous when getting into space between the two, as well.

Jim Magilton felt this too, and moved him in from the wing. It didn’t work particularly well, but I reckon it will this time. Rangers are a different team now.

Routledge is also the perfect counter-balance on one side of a front three to what Tommy Smith offers on the other. Smith is a very clever player, while Routledge offers not only trickery but some much-needed pace, which is something Rangers have been lacking. Ishmael Miller offers this too and, if he can get fit, is capable of frightening the life out of defences.

And while Smith and Routledge are very different types of player, where they are similar is that they are equally capable both of pulling out wide and delivering a cross, and of offering a threat through the middle. That’ll be tough for teams to defend against.

Another reason – maybe the biggest – that getting Routledge makes sense is that his pace is now sure to affect the starting position of opposing defenders, who up until now have faced a side that are a bit one-paced. It’s likely to move defences back a few yards, and that will create more space for you-know-who behind the front three.

The signing also gives Rangers an attacking spark should Taarabt miss games, especially while Buzsaky attempts to get fit. And it simply sends out a message to the rest of the division, starting with Coventry, who already faced a tough task on Sunday and will now see the name of Wayne Routledge on the QPR team sheet.

Routledge is the right man at the right time. If I were in Neil Warnock’s shoes, especially since the injury to Jamie Mackie, I’d have been saying to the board: “Get me Wayne Routledge. Never mind what I said about him before.”

Whether it works in the longer term is harder to call, but for the coming months it’s the perfect arrival for Rangers, and the same can be said of Pascal Chimbonda.

He isn’t universally liked for reasons that have been well documented, but people who know Chimbonda well have told me there are few better players to have on board when he has something to aim for.

It’s when he gets comfortable that problems set in – which will be worth bearing in mind in the summer, when I expect Chimbonda to have been brilliant for Rangers and the calls for him to be given a longer contract to be deafening. For the time being though, he’s a magnificent player to have on board and Warnock has played a blinder to get him.

Chimbonda has never played outside the top division in this country, which speaks for itself. Ability-wise he’s an excellent player, and given Rangers’ position at this crucial time he’s an excellent signing as he can play anywhere across the back four. At Championship level, I fully expect him to be not just good, but awesome.

There might be some concern that these signings could change the atmosphere in the dressing room. I don’t think that’ll happen. Players arriving at this stage generally enter a dressing room where the atmosphere is already set in stone, and they have little choice but to go with the flow.

That should especially be the case at QPR, who are top of the league and on course to achieve their objective, and have good senior pros in the likes of Derry, Kenny and Hill.

I’m not used to praising QPR for their signings. It doesn’t happen very often. But 10 out of 10 for these, no question. - David McIntyre Blog

Independent - Neil Warnock: We didn't lose 9-2 to Spurs, it was actually 8-3. Mind you, if Beckham had played...
What I Learnt This Week

Saturday, 22 January 2011

I went to the reserve team's match at Tottenham on Tuesday. When I got there I thought, "I've never seen so many paparazzi at a training ground''. They were quite disappointed when I turned up.

Of course, they were there to take pictures of David Beckham. It just shows how fascinated people are by him. I had thought about taking William out of school for the day, just to meet him and see him play. In the end I decided that was the wrong idea, though I did see a few boys with their fathers waiting for photographs.

We had hoped Becks was going to play against us, but to the disappointment of our lads he didn't, though he was training on the next pitch. As you may have read, we lost, but Jeppo [Ronnie Jepson, our reserve team manager] wants you all to know it was not 9-2 as reported, but 8-3. Having lost two senior pros early in the day we were struggling to get a team out but Spurs were desperate to get the game on as Jonathan Woodgate and Jamie O'Hara needed a run-out. We ended up borrowing two young centre-halves off Tottenham.

I spoke to Jonathan afterwards and he seemed in good spirits. He asked about how Adel Taarabt was going on and we both smiled at the subject. I still don't think anyone at Tottenham can believe how well he is playing for us.

2. How to back a winner: put a fiver on all the horses running

We went to the races on Wednesday. I thought it was time we had a day away from football. I looked at a few possibilities but we couldn't find a lake which could accommodate us all for a day's fishing, and go-karting tends to be a bit dangerous at times. So we went to Kempton Park and were really well looked after. It was under lights, which made for a good atmosphere.

We had a good time, especially one of the lads who'd never been racing before but won race after race. He really made sure the other players knew each time he sauntered off to pick up his winnings. He was that confident that by the final race I decided to ask him which horse he was backing so I could get on it as well. He smiled and said "all seven of them, gaffer". That was his secret. He was backing all the horses.

For the first half-dozen races I tried to study the form, with devastating consequences – for me, not the bookies. In one race there was a horse called Jonny Ebeneezer. The form said he'd not won since 2004, and had a bad run last week. He was the outsider of 10. He romped home. It's a mug's game, isn't it?

So eventually I went back to picking horses because I liked their names. In the last race I chose West Leake because I used to drive through a place with a name like that when I played for Sc**thorpe. I told all the boys but nobody backed it, so you can imagine my delight when I shouted it home at 6-1.

3. Somebody has tightened the elastic on my trousers

Sharon and I went to the Football Writers' Association tribute night to Thierry Henry at the Savoy Hotel on Sunday. Sharon was really looking forward to it, not because of Thierry, but because she saw a TV programme about the revamp of The Savoy and was keen to see the hotel. I have to say we were not disappointed, it really is superb.

I'd not been to a black-tie do for nearly a year and I made the mistake of not trying the DJ on until 20 minutes before we were leaving. You know what's coming. Yes, I couldn't get that button to fasten on the trousers. It was a devastating blow, but I suppose we've all been there. I was convinced the elastic had been tightened, unfortunately it hadn't.

As I went into the dinner someone suddenly thrust a hand at me and said, "Hello Neil". I accepted the hand, shook it, then realised it was Graham Poll. I didn't really know what to do, but I suppose life moves on, and he is a QPR fan after all.

Gérard Houllier said a few nice words about Thierry, a few more than Steve Bruce said about Gérard this week after Darren Bent joined Aston Villa. Knowing the move was about to happen must explain why Gérard was in such a good mood at the dinner. He did well to keep the secret because no one else knew about it, not Sunderland or even Bent apparently.

When I heard Niall Quinn's comments regarding the way Bent had been in the last two or three weeks on the training ground, I thought how often I had experienced similar things with players before they were involved in a move. I honestly don't believe there is one transfer that happens these days where the player and the buying club don't know it will happen before an approach is made. As a manager it happens for you, and happens against you, so we can't really complain.

Someone pointed out that Steve must know how it is, having left three clubs to enhance his own management career; in fairness there's not a lot he can say about that.

4. A great day for the referees – until Mike Dean's blunder

I spent Sunday afternoon in front of the television watching football, the Birmingham and Liverpool derbies, then Spurs v Man United. At half-time in the third game Sharon asked me what the games were like. I said: "You'll never believe this, but the best thing about them all has been the quality of the referees." I thought Mark Clattenburg was excellent at St Andrew's, and Phil Dowd superb at Anfield, despite giving a corner wrongly for an Everton goal. Then Mike Dean was having a great game at White Hart Lane when, on 73 minutes, disaster struck. I found myself saying out loud, "Please don't send him off for that," after Rafael collided with Assou-Ekotto.

I saw Harry compared it to the Mary Decker-Zola Budd incident and thought, "that's exactly what it was". There was no intention of bringing him down, Rafael never broke stride once. Mike really should have given him the benefit of the doubt. So although I like Tottenham, I was glad Man U held on.

5. Freedman's fine signing

Astonishingly, no manager in England has got the sack in the last week, at the time of writing anyway, which is a relief given the way things were going. Hopefully, everything has quietened down now and Avram can get down to the business of keeping West Ham in the Premier League, which seemed impossible at this time last week.

One new manager, Dougie Freedman who has taken over at Palace, has made the best signing he's ever likely to make by bringing in Lennie Lawrence. Dougie will be able to learn an enormous amount from Lennie in the coming months.

6. Well done, Skye, you deserve it. Now can I have a table?

Congratulations to my fellow Independent columnist Skye Gyngell, who writes for the Sunday paper, on winning a Michelin star for her work at one of our local restaurants, Petersham Nurseries. I'm not surprised as the food is fantastic, the only problem is I can never get a table when I ring up and it will be even harder now. So if you're reading this, Skye, please swing a table for me now and then.

It was just as hard trying to get into The Savoy today. We're training this morning as our game against Coventry is on TV tomorrow lunchtime. I'm going to relax with the kids and we thought about going to The Savoy for afternoon tea. I tried to swing it by telling them who I was and what I did. You will be pleased to know it didn't work.

7. Family's sporting success makes for a good night's sleep

It's been another good sporting week for the kids. Amy won her netball 11-1 and Will scored a try in a victory at rugby. He had a swimming gala afterwards, competing in the crawl, breaststroke and relay. Did he sleep well that night! I've never seen him hit the pillow and go out so quickly. If you could bottle that every parent would use it.

8. Clarke Carlisle, proof that not all footballers are thick

At Burnley last week we came across one of the most intelligent centre-halves in the country, if not the most intelligent, Clarke Carlisle. As anyone watching Question Time on Thursday night will have seen, he's a very articulate young man and I'm so pleased at how well he has done these last few years.

I tried to sign him at Sheffield United in 2004. He was confronting the problems he had with alcohol and had attended Tony Adams' Sporting Chance clinic. I was disappointed when he chose Leeds instead of ourselves, though in fairness to him his wife did come from that area – I told him Sheffield wasn't far away but he didn't have any sway. I kept an eye on his progress and was delighted when he played in the Premier League with Burnley and that he's still holding his own at Championship level. He's the answer to all those people who say that footballers haven't got much between their ears. Independent

QPR Official Site - EXCLUSIVE: ROUTLEDGE RETURNS
R's boss Neil Warnock has swooped to bring former Rangers winger Wayne Routledge back to the Club on loan.

The 26 year-old - who only left the R's to join Newcastle United last January - has penned a deal until the end of the season.

Routledge's arrival represents a major coup for Warnock, who has always admired the former England Under-21 attacker.

Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, the R's gaffer expressed his delight at sealing the loan swoop, commenting: "I think Wayne just needs an arm around him. He is a super lad and a super player.

"He has always had a soft spot for QPR and I am delighted to bring him back to the Club.

"He hasn't done much training this week so we will have a look at him on Saturday and make a decision with regards to Sunday's game against Coventry."

Routledge - who made 49 appearances in all competitions in his previous spell in W12 - has been handed the number 15 jersey.

He told www.qpr.co.uk: "I'm really pleased to be back here.

"QPR have made a great start to the season and I'm really looking forward to playing some games and helping the Club push on during the remainder of the season."
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2270979,00.html

Newcastle Official Site - Wayne Heads Rout On LoanWayne Routledge By Anthony Marshall

Wayne Routledge has joined Queen's Park Rangers on loan until the end of the season.

The winger, 26, heads back to Loftus Road, where he spent 12 months between January 2009 and 2010, and is expected to play a big role in the Rs' push for promotion out of the Championship.

Routledge has been at Newcastle a year, having signed from QPR towards the end of last year's January transfer window, and has made 36 appearances at St. James' Park to date. http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20110121/wayne-heads-rout-on-loan_2281670_2273034

QPR Official Site - EXCLUSIVE: CHIMBONDA SIGNS

R's gaffer Neil Warnock has strengthened his defensive options with the signing of French international Pascal Chimbonda.

The 31 year-old defender - who was named in the France World Cup squad in 2006 - has signed a short-term contract until the end of the season and will link up with his new team-mates on Saturday morning.

Chimbonda - whose contract at Blackburn was terminated earlier this week - has a wealth of Premier League experience, with spells at Wigan Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and recently Rovers to his name.

The R's beat off stiff competition from a number of Clubs to sign the former Le Havre and Bastia player, to the delight of Warnock: "It was important we added to our full back options when Kyle Walker returned to Spurs," he told www.qpr.co.uk.

"I had to bring someone in to give Bradley Orr and Clint Hill competition.

"To get someone of Pascal's experience and quality at this stage of the season is a massive boost."

Chimbonda - who will wear the number 39 shirt - told www.qpr.co.uk: "This is a good opportunity for me to be re-born as a footballer. Neil Warnock has given me a chance here and hopefully I can help QPR win promotion to the Premier League.

"I want to play good football here and enjoy myself on the pitch.

"The style of football that QPR play suits me, and this will provide a good challenge for me.

"I had a good talk with the Manager, and he told me he wants me to come here and give my best. He is a Manager who likes to win, and I am the same.

"I always give my best and that is what I will do here at QPR. I will do my best to win and I hope the fans will like me.
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2273002,00.html

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NON LEAGUE DAILY - Halesowen Town star gets QPR chance
- QUEENS Park Rangers have offered Halesowen Town winger Ruben Izquierdo a trial.
- The Spanish youngster has been invited for a trial stint at the Championship leaders, though it will mean he misses the next few games of Halesowen’s battle to remain in the Zamaretto Premier.
- “Ruben played against them in a trial game and they want to have a longer look at him,” general manager Shaun Cunnington told the Birmingham Mail.
- “The lad has certainly got ability and we wish him all the best.” Non League Daily

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