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This is Plymouth - ARGYLE MAKE TREBLE SWOOP
PLYMOUTH Argyle have completed a triple transfer swoop with the signing of Hungarian pair Krisztian Timar and Peter Halmosi, and Queens Park Rangers striker Kevin Gallen.
All three have been included in the Pilgrims' squad for the Championship away game against Norwich City at Carrow Road tomorrow (3pm).
And Argyle still have one 'significant' offer on the table for another tall striker, according to chairman Paul Stapleton.
It was delayed by 30 minutes because Gallen travelled to Plymouth by train and it did not arrive on time.
The 31-year-old will spend the rest of the season on loan with Argyle, but whether he extends his stay beyond then has not been decided.
Holloway knows all about Gallen having first been a team-mate of his, and later his manager, at QPR.
But the Pilgrims' boss did not know so much about Halmosi and Timar.
They were came strongly recommended by Argyle chief scout Gary Penrice, who saw them in action on DVDs.
Timar, a former Hungarian under-18 international, had a two-day trial at Home Park last week and Holloway saw enough to convince him to offer the defender the chance of a move to England.
Holloway said: "Gary Penrice has been sifting through DVD after DVD after DVD and I have left him to it.
"I have got on with the running of the club and trying to get the best out of the players I have got here.
"I went up to see Gary at his home the other week and he said ?I think you should look at these two Ollie.
"I looked at the pair of them and I said 'yes, they will do' and we got them over, as simple as that.
"Gary is a very, very good judge and I told him what I was looking for. To be fair, I think he has come up trumps. That's what it's all about." Holloway added: "It's not easy when I have been busy and I can't travel and see people for myself.
"So Krisztian came over and he could only stay for two days but I loved what I saw. I think he's a winner, he's an uncompromising defender who wins his fair share of headers, he's very strong and he scores goals from set pieces.
"Peter is a proper player. I think he's of a much higher standard than we have been used to and I can't wait for the people of this city to see him play. He's a great addition."
Halmosi speaks only a little English but Timar told the press conference: "I would like to play always in my life in England.
"I think it's good for my style and I hope I can show my best for the team.
"I'm enjoying everything here in England and I hope I can play as soon as possible."
He added: "Having Akos Buzsaky at the club will make life easier for us. It's good."
Gallen has netted 97 goals in 404 first team matches for QPR, which makes him the sixth highest scorer in club history.
Holloway said: "Kevin has been my captain before at QPR. He hardly ever missed a match for me.
"So much so that everybody used to ask if it was in his contract that he had to play every week."
Holloway tried to sign Gallen before the deadline for loan signings in late November, but QPR boss John Gregory had a late change of heart.
Gallen has made 18 Championship appearances for the west London club this season, including nine starts, and scored one goal.
Holloway said: "I can play him wide right, centre midfield or up front.
"For us here, with the loss of Paul Wotton, I needed someone who can play a certain way.
"He prefers playing up front, he doesn't particularly like the other positions, but this fella has scored goals ever since he was knee high to a grasshopper, and he always will.
"It was too good an opportunity really for me to turn down," added the Pilgrims' boss.
Gallen said: "I'm delighted to be here. It's great to see Ian Holloway and there are other people who I know from my time at QPR.
"Des Bulpin was my youth team coach at QPR, so I have known him since I was 14 or 15, and then there are Tim Breacker and Gary Penrice, so it's just like old times.
"I hope I can show the same form as I did when Ollie was in charge of QPR.
"I can just sense this is a club where there is a lot of honesty," he continued.
"I have been at a club in London where there has been a lot of politics and back-stabbing, so I?m delighted to get a fresh start."
- This is Plymouth
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
Friday, January 12, 2007
"Deja Vu All Over Again" - QPR Defender Ugo Ukah Leaving QPR
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The departure of QPR Defender Ugo Ukah has been announced. This is in the words of Yogi Berra "Deja Vu all over again." This is actually the second announced depature of Ukah. Brought to QPR by Gianni Paladini in the summer of 2005 (signed by Ian Holloway), Ukah's QPR depature was announced by the clubin late Spring of 2006. Mysteriously - without any official explanation - fans suddenly found Ukah's name back on the QPR Reserve Team sheet in November of this year.
QPR Official Site - Ukah Leaves -QPR have terminated defender Ugo Ukah's contract with immediate effect.
The 22 year-old - who made just two appearances in all competitions since signing for the R's in the summer of 2005 - follows Egutu Oliseh and Ian Evatt out of the Loftus Road exit door. QPR Official Site
The Last Time His Depature was Announced
"May 22, 2006: QPR Official Site"UGO A GO-GO
The Club can confirm that Ugo Ukah has today joined Italian outfit Nourese Calcio on a free transfer. Ukah, who made just two appearances for the R's, has signed a three year contract with the Serie C2 side.
Chairman Gianni Paladini confirmed the news to qpr.co.uk: "We've negotiated a fifty per-cent sell-on clause and we wish him all the best.''
The Nigerian defender, who joined the club in the summer of 2005, figured in back-to-back 3-0 defeats against Coventry City and Northampton Town in August.
QPR Departure
More on Ugo Ukah - Ukah & QPR
- Ukah's Depature and Return
The departure of QPR Defender Ugo Ukah has been announced. This is in the words of Yogi Berra "Deja Vu all over again." This is actually the second announced depature of Ukah. Brought to QPR by Gianni Paladini in the summer of 2005 (signed by Ian Holloway), Ukah's QPR depature was announced by the clubin late Spring of 2006. Mysteriously - without any official explanation - fans suddenly found Ukah's name back on the QPR Reserve Team sheet in November of this year.
QPR Official Site - Ukah Leaves -QPR have terminated defender Ugo Ukah's contract with immediate effect.
The 22 year-old - who made just two appearances in all competitions since signing for the R's in the summer of 2005 - follows Egutu Oliseh and Ian Evatt out of the Loftus Road exit door. QPR Official Site
The Last Time His Depature was Announced
"May 22, 2006: QPR Official Site"UGO A GO-GO
The Club can confirm that Ugo Ukah has today joined Italian outfit Nourese Calcio on a free transfer. Ukah, who made just two appearances for the R's, has signed a three year contract with the Serie C2 side.
Chairman Gianni Paladini confirmed the news to qpr.co.uk: "We've negotiated a fifty per-cent sell-on clause and we wish him all the best.''
The Nigerian defender, who joined the club in the summer of 2005, figured in back-to-back 3-0 defeats against Coventry City and Northampton Town in August.
QPR Departure
More on Ugo Ukah - Ukah & QPR
- Ukah's Depature and Return
Decade Ago, Yesterday: "THE" John Spencer Hattrick vs Barnsley
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January 11, 1997: Stuart Houston/Bruce Rioch's QPR - QPR 3 Barnsley 1 - John Spencer hattrick> :)
QPR Team that day:
Roberts
Brevitt Ready McDonald Graham
Brazier Murray Peacock Sinclair
Hately Spencer
Subs: Dichio, Maddix, Impey
January 11, 1997: Stuart Houston/Bruce Rioch's QPR - QPR 3 Barnsley 1 - John Spencer hattrick> :)
QPR Team that day:
Roberts
Brevitt Ready McDonald Graham
Brazier Murray Peacock Sinclair
Hately Spencer
Subs: Dichio, Maddix, Impey
QPR Explains Its Transfer Policy Announcement Policy
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QPR Official Site - Our Policy
As you - our fans - know, the Club has always followed a policy of announcing transfers when and only when it is commercially practical to do so and the transaction is confirmed.
We are aware that there has been to date, and indeed since the transfer window opened, continued speculation regarding possible arrivals and departures at the Club.
As always we are keen that you should receive timely, accurate information and as soon as any transfer has been complete, www.qpr.co.uk will be the first to reveal all the official news - first and fastest.QPR
QPR Official Site - Our Policy
As you - our fans - know, the Club has always followed a policy of announcing transfers when and only when it is commercially practical to do so and the transaction is confirmed.
We are aware that there has been to date, and indeed since the transfer window opened, continued speculation regarding possible arrivals and departures at the Club.
As always we are keen that you should receive timely, accurate information and as soon as any transfer has been complete, www.qpr.co.uk will be the first to reveal all the official news - first and fastest.QPR
A Very Different QPR Since The Club's Last Visit to Hull
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A Kevin Gallen absent (bereft!) QPR have a crucial relegation game at Hull this Saturday. It's a very different QPR since the club's last visit to Hull back on opening Day, in August 2005 - when perhaps the biggest controversy then for QPR were the chants of some of the Hull fans.
Back then, QPR had Bill Power as Chairman, Ian Holloway as Manager, Tim Breacker and Gary Penrice as Coaches (and Waddock as Youth Coach) and on the field, Kevin Gallen and Danny Shittu inspiring the club...Since then much has happened on - and off - the field. Suffice it to say: All the above are gone; QPR have had three managers; and Gianni Paladini and Antonio Caliendo are now running the club.
QPR Team back on the club's previous visit to Hull
Simon Royce, Marcus Bignot, Matthew Rose, Danny Shittu, Marc Bircham, Tommy Doherty (Gareth Ainsworth), Martin Rowlands (Dean Sturridge (Stefan Moore)), Georges Santos, Lee Cook, Paul Furlong, Kevin Gallen
Match Report - Observer, Paul Wilson at KC Stadium Sunday August 7, 2005
Holloway rues misses as Tigers prove toothless
Pretentious, Hull? One would scarcely believe such a thing possible, but as the KC Stadium built up to its first Championship occasion with an amplified rendition of William Blake's 'Tiger' (geddit?) followed by a blast of Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana' one certainly started to wonder.
Then Nick Barmby ran on and we all remembered we were at a football match.
Initially an entertaining one too, even if a few goals would have helped the party go with a swing. There were plenty of chances, most of them falling to the visitors. Hull will be satisfied with a solid, if unspectacular start in their new division, though had Kevin Gallen or Paul Furlong shown anything like the required composure in front of goal they would not have claimed their first point so easily.
Gallen's miss after 14 minutes, after Leon Cort and Damien Delaney had left a long ball to each other, was the most glaring. The once prolific striker failed to hit the target with only Bo Myhill to beat. Furlong was no better with two decent chances at the end of the first half, wanting too much time on the first occasion then putting a header wide from a Marc Bircham cross from the left that picked him out perfectly.
Peter Taylor's Tigers are not yet the sabre-toothed variety either. In fairness they had to reshuffle as early as the fourth minute when debutant Mark Lynch was clattered by Furlong, incurring the wrath of the crowd but no action from the referee.
'His kneecap actually popped out,' Taylor explained afterwards. 'He's very unlucky to make a start like that. He'll be out for at least a couple of months, but I don't blame Furlong. We tell our centre forwards to close people down, too. I thought we adjusted well, keeping a clean sheet is not easy against QPR. They have two good strikers and their back two come up and score goals as well.
'We played with confidence and played with belief. We were under pressure, but this is always going to happen at this level. The longer the game went on I felt that we were getting stronger and stronger and thought we were going to score a goal.'
Another new Hull signing, Steve McPhee, all the way from Beira Mar in Portugal by way of Vitesse Arnhem in Holland and Port Vale in Burslem, led the line enthusiastically without ever being presented with the sort of clear-cut opportunity Rangers kept wasting. He went close on a couple of occasions, but when he hit the bar with a flick in the first half it was from an offside position.
Barmby did not contribute anything like as much in his 65 minutes on the field, and if he continues to ration his energy as carefully as this there is no reason why the former England player cannot carry on at this level for another couple of decades. That is approximately how long the second half could have carried on without a goal, had not Dermot Gallagher brought it to a conclusion after a mercifully brief three minutes of added time.
Cort came closest to scoring for the home side, with a header from a corner that went straight at Simon Royce, and Martin Rowlands brought a flying save from Myhill with a long shot that was possibly flying wide. But that was it.
'The game sort of fizzled out in the second half, I was enjoying it in the first,' Ian Holloway, the QPR manager, admitted. 'I expected my strikers to be a bit crisper and a bit sharper, but I'm not too disappointed with a point away from home. Ask Crystal Palace how they feel about their first day,' the pre-season favourites having been beaten at home by Luton.
'I just hope Furs was going for the ball, I don't think he is a cheat. The tackle didn't look too clever, I thought it might have been worth a yellow card, but who the hell am I to tell Dermot Gallagher his job? He was a lot closer to it than I was.'
Man of the Match
Marc Bircham Beckhamesque in gait and temperament (mind you, from the top of the West Stand Dermot Gallagher looked a bit like Pierluigi Collina) the midfielder caused problems all afternoon, particularly when he moved to the left. Helped out at the back at the end and with better finishing his crossing could have won the game.
ObserverPhotos from that August game at Hull - Photos
Also: " Hull to probe 'appalling' chants" Guardian
A Kevin Gallen absent (bereft!) QPR have a crucial relegation game at Hull this Saturday. It's a very different QPR since the club's last visit to Hull back on opening Day, in August 2005 - when perhaps the biggest controversy then for QPR were the chants of some of the Hull fans.
Back then, QPR had Bill Power as Chairman, Ian Holloway as Manager, Tim Breacker and Gary Penrice as Coaches (and Waddock as Youth Coach) and on the field, Kevin Gallen and Danny Shittu inspiring the club...Since then much has happened on - and off - the field. Suffice it to say: All the above are gone; QPR have had three managers; and Gianni Paladini and Antonio Caliendo are now running the club.
QPR Team back on the club's previous visit to Hull
Simon Royce, Marcus Bignot, Matthew Rose, Danny Shittu, Marc Bircham, Tommy Doherty (Gareth Ainsworth), Martin Rowlands (Dean Sturridge (Stefan Moore)), Georges Santos, Lee Cook, Paul Furlong, Kevin Gallen
Match Report - Observer, Paul Wilson at KC Stadium Sunday August 7, 2005
Holloway rues misses as Tigers prove toothless
Pretentious, Hull? One would scarcely believe such a thing possible, but as the KC Stadium built up to its first Championship occasion with an amplified rendition of William Blake's 'Tiger' (geddit?) followed by a blast of Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana' one certainly started to wonder.
Then Nick Barmby ran on and we all remembered we were at a football match.
Initially an entertaining one too, even if a few goals would have helped the party go with a swing. There were plenty of chances, most of them falling to the visitors. Hull will be satisfied with a solid, if unspectacular start in their new division, though had Kevin Gallen or Paul Furlong shown anything like the required composure in front of goal they would not have claimed their first point so easily.
Gallen's miss after 14 minutes, after Leon Cort and Damien Delaney had left a long ball to each other, was the most glaring. The once prolific striker failed to hit the target with only Bo Myhill to beat. Furlong was no better with two decent chances at the end of the first half, wanting too much time on the first occasion then putting a header wide from a Marc Bircham cross from the left that picked him out perfectly.
Peter Taylor's Tigers are not yet the sabre-toothed variety either. In fairness they had to reshuffle as early as the fourth minute when debutant Mark Lynch was clattered by Furlong, incurring the wrath of the crowd but no action from the referee.
'His kneecap actually popped out,' Taylor explained afterwards. 'He's very unlucky to make a start like that. He'll be out for at least a couple of months, but I don't blame Furlong. We tell our centre forwards to close people down, too. I thought we adjusted well, keeping a clean sheet is not easy against QPR. They have two good strikers and their back two come up and score goals as well.
'We played with confidence and played with belief. We were under pressure, but this is always going to happen at this level. The longer the game went on I felt that we were getting stronger and stronger and thought we were going to score a goal.'
Another new Hull signing, Steve McPhee, all the way from Beira Mar in Portugal by way of Vitesse Arnhem in Holland and Port Vale in Burslem, led the line enthusiastically without ever being presented with the sort of clear-cut opportunity Rangers kept wasting. He went close on a couple of occasions, but when he hit the bar with a flick in the first half it was from an offside position.
Barmby did not contribute anything like as much in his 65 minutes on the field, and if he continues to ration his energy as carefully as this there is no reason why the former England player cannot carry on at this level for another couple of decades. That is approximately how long the second half could have carried on without a goal, had not Dermot Gallagher brought it to a conclusion after a mercifully brief three minutes of added time.
Cort came closest to scoring for the home side, with a header from a corner that went straight at Simon Royce, and Martin Rowlands brought a flying save from Myhill with a long shot that was possibly flying wide. But that was it.
'The game sort of fizzled out in the second half, I was enjoying it in the first,' Ian Holloway, the QPR manager, admitted. 'I expected my strikers to be a bit crisper and a bit sharper, but I'm not too disappointed with a point away from home. Ask Crystal Palace how they feel about their first day,' the pre-season favourites having been beaten at home by Luton.
'I just hope Furs was going for the ball, I don't think he is a cheat. The tackle didn't look too clever, I thought it might have been worth a yellow card, but who the hell am I to tell Dermot Gallagher his job? He was a lot closer to it than I was.'
Man of the Match
Marc Bircham Beckhamesque in gait and temperament (mind you, from the top of the West Stand Dermot Gallagher looked a bit like Pierluigi Collina) the midfielder caused problems all afternoon, particularly when he moved to the left. Helped out at the back at the end and with better finishing his crossing could have won the game.
ObserverPhotos from that August game at Hull - Photos
Also: " Hull to probe 'appalling' chants" Guardian
Half a Year Ago: Squad Numbers Announced
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Six Months ago Today: July 12, 2006 - QPR Announce Team Numbers-
[The list includes a number of people who are/were transfer listed and some of whom who have since left of gone on loan - such Danny Shittu and Ian Evatt and Kevin Gallen, and others. The squad numbers were given just prior to the signings of Adam Czerkas and Egutu Oliseh (now both since gone). (And obviously before our two Chelsea loan signings) Also: No number for Ugu Ukah, who is now #40].
On the Official Site
"Next season's squad numbers have been released .....
1. Simon Royce
2. Marcus Bignot
3. Mauro Milanese
4. Ian Evatt
5. Dan Shittu
6. Tommy Doherty
7. Matthew Rose
8. Marc Bircham
9. Nick Ward
10. Kevin Gallen
11. Gareth Ainsworth
12. Jake Cole
14. Martin Rowlands
15. Dominic Shimmin
16. Steve Lomas
17. Lee Cook
18. Stefan Moore
19. Tchakounte-A
20. Scott Donnelly
21. Paul Jones
22. Shabazz Baidoo
23. Stefan Bailey
24. Pat Kanyuka
25. Damion Stewart
26. Sean Thomas
29. Paul Furlong
30. Marc Nygaard
34. Matthew Hislop
35. John Munday
[QPR Official Site]
Six Months ago Today: July 12, 2006 - QPR Announce Team Numbers-
[The list includes a number of people who are/were transfer listed and some of whom who have since left of gone on loan - such Danny Shittu and Ian Evatt and Kevin Gallen, and others. The squad numbers were given just prior to the signings of Adam Czerkas and Egutu Oliseh (now both since gone). (And obviously before our two Chelsea loan signings) Also: No number for Ugu Ukah, who is now #40].
On the Official Site
"Next season's squad numbers have been released .....
1. Simon Royce
2. Marcus Bignot
3. Mauro Milanese
4. Ian Evatt
5. Dan Shittu
6. Tommy Doherty
7. Matthew Rose
8. Marc Bircham
9. Nick Ward
10. Kevin Gallen
11. Gareth Ainsworth
12. Jake Cole
14. Martin Rowlands
15. Dominic Shimmin
16. Steve Lomas
17. Lee Cook
18. Stefan Moore
19. Tchakounte-A
20. Scott Donnelly
21. Paul Jones
22. Shabazz Baidoo
23. Stefan Bailey
24. Pat Kanyuka
25. Damion Stewart
26. Sean Thomas
29. Paul Furlong
30. Marc Nygaard
34. Matthew Hislop
35. John Munday
[QPR Official Site]
Evening Standard Snippet re QPR - Chelsea Relationship
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Evening Standard - Football Talk By Raoul Simons,- January 11
A fear of Roman's Rangers
How much should be read into Jose Mourinho's comments about wanting Chelsea to field a B team in the Football League? Relations are getting increasingly cosy between Roman Abramovich's club and near-neighbours Queens Park Rangers. Mourinho and John Gregory are on friendly terms and the latter's club has already felt the benefits of loanees Jimmy Smith and David Mancienne. Chelsea believe the moves have helped the duo's progress and are expected to make others available. Football League rules limit QPR to signing no more than four loan players from a single club but - given their uncertain financial position - concern is growing in Rangers circles that Loftus Road could soon become home to "Chelsea reserves". Standard
Evening Standard - Football Talk By Raoul Simons,- January 11
A fear of Roman's Rangers
How much should be read into Jose Mourinho's comments about wanting Chelsea to field a B team in the Football League? Relations are getting increasingly cosy between Roman Abramovich's club and near-neighbours Queens Park Rangers. Mourinho and John Gregory are on friendly terms and the latter's club has already felt the benefits of loanees Jimmy Smith and David Mancienne. Chelsea believe the moves have helped the duo's progress and are expected to make others available. Football League rules limit QPR to signing no more than four loan players from a single club but - given their uncertain financial position - concern is growing in Rangers circles that Loftus Road could soon become home to "Chelsea reserves". Standard
Gallen on Leaving QPR and Joining Plymouth
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Photos of Kevin Gallen Joining Plymouth - Plymouth Official Site - Photos
Plymouth Official Site - Gallen Feels at Home
KEVIN Gallen admitted to feeling immediately at home within minutes of arriving at Home Park on a six-month loan from Queens Park Rangers.
Moments after stepping off a delayed train at Plymouth's North Hill station, the 31-year-old striker told a Home Park press conference that he was pleased to link up again with his former Rangers' manager.
"I am delighted to be here, and it is great to see Ian Holloway," he said.
"There are other people here I know from my time at QPR.
"Des Bulpin was my youth team coach at QPR, so I have known him since I was 14-years-old. I also know Tim Breacker and Gary Penrice from QPR, so it is just like old times.
"I hope I can show the form and play the way I played under Ollie when he was at QPR a few years ago.
"I can sense that this is a club with honesty, while I have been at a club back in London where it has all been politics.
"I am delighted to get a fresh start. I really hope it goes well and I am up for the challenge." Plymouth
BBC - Plymouth sign trio on loan deals
Plymouth have signed Hungarian duo Peter Halmosi and Krisztian Timar and Queens Park Ranger's striker Kevin Gallen on loan.
The trio will remain at Home Park until the end of the season, with the option for the Pilgrims to sign Halmosi from Debrecen for £400,000 in the summer.
Timar, like Halmosi a 27-year-old, has joined from Ferencvaros after impressing while training at the club.
Gallen, 31, has made more than 300 appearances for QPR in two spells.
And Pilgrims manager Ian Holloway, who managed Gallen at Loftus Road, said: "Kevin is one of the best players I have ever worked with and I've got him from now until the end of the season.
"He was my captain and hardly ever missed a game when I was at QPR.
"I thought he covered a lot of options for us while I try to buy the other type of striker that I need - a big, strong fellow who can head things." BBC
Photos of Kevin Gallen Joining Plymouth - Plymouth Official Site - Photos
Plymouth Official Site - Gallen Feels at Home
KEVIN Gallen admitted to feeling immediately at home within minutes of arriving at Home Park on a six-month loan from Queens Park Rangers.
Moments after stepping off a delayed train at Plymouth's North Hill station, the 31-year-old striker told a Home Park press conference that he was pleased to link up again with his former Rangers' manager.
"I am delighted to be here, and it is great to see Ian Holloway," he said.
"There are other people here I know from my time at QPR.
"Des Bulpin was my youth team coach at QPR, so I have known him since I was 14-years-old. I also know Tim Breacker and Gary Penrice from QPR, so it is just like old times.
"I hope I can show the form and play the way I played under Ollie when he was at QPR a few years ago.
"I can sense that this is a club with honesty, while I have been at a club back in London where it has all been politics.
"I am delighted to get a fresh start. I really hope it goes well and I am up for the challenge." Plymouth
BBC - Plymouth sign trio on loan deals
Plymouth have signed Hungarian duo Peter Halmosi and Krisztian Timar and Queens Park Ranger's striker Kevin Gallen on loan.
The trio will remain at Home Park until the end of the season, with the option for the Pilgrims to sign Halmosi from Debrecen for £400,000 in the summer.
Timar, like Halmosi a 27-year-old, has joined from Ferencvaros after impressing while training at the club.
Gallen, 31, has made more than 300 appearances for QPR in two spells.
And Pilgrims manager Ian Holloway, who managed Gallen at Loftus Road, said: "Kevin is one of the best players I have ever worked with and I've got him from now until the end of the season.
"He was my captain and hardly ever missed a game when I was at QPR.
"I thought he covered a lot of options for us while I try to buy the other type of striker that I need - a big, strong fellow who can head things." BBC
Thursday, January 11, 2007
QPR Captain Kevin Gallen Joins Ian Holloway's Plymouth On Loan for Rest of Season
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Some might find this statement posted on the Official site to be more than just a trifle cursory - given that it concerns someone with such a long history as Kevin Gallen.
QPR Official Site FRIENDS REUNITED
Club Captain Kevin Gallen has joined Plymouth Argyle on loan until the end of the current Coca Cola Championship campaign.
The 31 year-old joins forces with former R's boss Ian Holloway at Home Park.
Gallen has made 19 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring just four goals.
A former product of the QPR youth system, Gallen spent eight years at Loftus Road before leaving the club in 2000 to join Huddersfield Town on a free transfer.
He then joined Barnsley a year later, but returned to the R's in November 2001 and marked his second debut with a goal against Swindon.
Earlier this season, Gallen clocked up his 400th appearance for the club. QPR
PLYMOUTH OFFICIAL SITE - MILES PER GALLEN
Kevin-Gallen
IT was Kevin Gallen's versatility that persuaded Ian Holloway to bring his former Queens Park Rangers captain to HomePark.
Gallen, 31, is linking up again with Holloway on loan from Queens Park Rangers until the end of the season.
The former England Under-21 striker has scored more than 100 league goals in a 400-plus games, 14-year, career.
Apart from brief spells at Huddersfield and Barnsley, Gallen's entire career has been spent at home-town club Rangers.
"Kevin Gallen is one of the best players I have ever worked with and I've got him from now until the end of the season.
"He has played right-wing, left-wing, centre-midfield; he was my captain and hardly ever missed a game when I was at QPR.
"We're in the market for some more strikers and we've lost Wottsy from centre-midfield.
"He's somebody I know, somebody I trust, and I know he can put the ball in the net as well.
"I thought he covered a lot of options for us while I try to buy the other type of striket that I need - a big, strong fellow who can head things."
Gallen signed for the Rs on his 17th birthday after scoring a remarkable 153 goals in 110 appearances for the Rangers' youth team, breaking Jimmy Greaves' long-standing record at that level.
After a productive partnership with Les Ferdinand, he suffered a serious knee injury after crashing into a goalpost at Portsmouth which blighted his progress and it was not until he returned to Loftus Road after short stints at Huddersfield and Barnsley that he really blossomed.
Under Holloway's management, and having been awarded the Rangers' captaincy, he scored another 55 goals in the last five seasons as the Rs returned to the Championship.
Argyle fans will not need much reminding of Gallen's ability. It was the Rangers' skipper's two goals that inspired the Rs to a 3-0 victory over the Pilgrims in November 2003, taking Hollway's then side to the top of League Two, above his current charges.
His tally of 97 goals for QPR, including four from 19 games this season, makes him the sixth highest scorer in the club's history.
Kevin Gallen
Born: September 21, 1975 Clubs: QPR, Huddersfield, Barnsley
Squad number: 17 Plymouth
Also a nice Goodbye from Ron Norris of QPRnet - Gallen Farewell
Some might find this statement posted on the Official site to be more than just a trifle cursory - given that it concerns someone with such a long history as Kevin Gallen.
QPR Official Site FRIENDS REUNITED
Club Captain Kevin Gallen has joined Plymouth Argyle on loan until the end of the current Coca Cola Championship campaign.
The 31 year-old joins forces with former R's boss Ian Holloway at Home Park.
Gallen has made 19 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring just four goals.
A former product of the QPR youth system, Gallen spent eight years at Loftus Road before leaving the club in 2000 to join Huddersfield Town on a free transfer.
He then joined Barnsley a year later, but returned to the R's in November 2001 and marked his second debut with a goal against Swindon.
Earlier this season, Gallen clocked up his 400th appearance for the club. QPR
PLYMOUTH OFFICIAL SITE - MILES PER GALLEN
Kevin-Gallen
IT was Kevin Gallen's versatility that persuaded Ian Holloway to bring his former Queens Park Rangers captain to HomePark.
Gallen, 31, is linking up again with Holloway on loan from Queens Park Rangers until the end of the season.
The former England Under-21 striker has scored more than 100 league goals in a 400-plus games, 14-year, career.
Apart from brief spells at Huddersfield and Barnsley, Gallen's entire career has been spent at home-town club Rangers.
"Kevin Gallen is one of the best players I have ever worked with and I've got him from now until the end of the season.
"He has played right-wing, left-wing, centre-midfield; he was my captain and hardly ever missed a game when I was at QPR.
"We're in the market for some more strikers and we've lost Wottsy from centre-midfield.
"He's somebody I know, somebody I trust, and I know he can put the ball in the net as well.
"I thought he covered a lot of options for us while I try to buy the other type of striket that I need - a big, strong fellow who can head things."
Gallen signed for the Rs on his 17th birthday after scoring a remarkable 153 goals in 110 appearances for the Rangers' youth team, breaking Jimmy Greaves' long-standing record at that level.
After a productive partnership with Les Ferdinand, he suffered a serious knee injury after crashing into a goalpost at Portsmouth which blighted his progress and it was not until he returned to Loftus Road after short stints at Huddersfield and Barnsley that he really blossomed.
Under Holloway's management, and having been awarded the Rangers' captaincy, he scored another 55 goals in the last five seasons as the Rs returned to the Championship.
Argyle fans will not need much reminding of Gallen's ability. It was the Rangers' skipper's two goals that inspired the Rs to a 3-0 victory over the Pilgrims in November 2003, taking Hollway's then side to the top of League Two, above his current charges.
His tally of 97 goals for QPR, including four from 19 games this season, makes him the sixth highest scorer in the club's history.
Kevin Gallen
Born: September 21, 1975 Clubs: QPR, Huddersfield, Barnsley
Squad number: 17 Plymouth
Also a nice Goodbye from Ron Norris of QPRnet - Gallen Farewell
Still No "Reply" From QPR Chairman Paladini to AKUTRs
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In the first part of September, the QPR Fan Magazine, A Kick Up The Rs (AKUTRS) published an article to which the Chairman of Queens Park Rangers (QPR), Gianni Paladini took exception. In Late September, the club's official site posted this statement. About a month later, the QPR Official Site posted this subsequent Statement entitled An Apology
Now, well over 100 days since publication of the "offending" issue of the AKUTRs; more than 100 days since the Chairman on the Official Site demanded an apology and retraction. And more than Ten weeks since the Chairman declared "I will be exercising a full right to reply in the December edition," thus far, no Paladini reply in the AKUTRs. Nor, as of this date, has there been any subsequent statement on the Official Site about the status of this Paladini reply.
September 25, 2006 Statement on the QPR Official Site
Statement by Gianni Paladini on the recent edition of 'A Kick Up The Rs:'
The publication 'A Kick Up The Rs' has recently published a deeply misleading, inaccurate and scandalous article about myself and Queens Park Rangers FC.
A number of serious allegations have been made in that publication which are not true. The publication failed to contact myself or anyone else at the Club to verify their allegations.
Considering the seriousness of the allegations, I have been reluctantly forced to take legal action. The matter is now in the hands of my solicitors.
I expect a comprehensive retraction and apology from the publication for publishing these falsehoods. If they are not prepared to provide that, the matter will be dealt with by the courts.
I am sorry it must come to this, but in order for me to be able to defend myself from such blatant and hurtful untruths, I have no alternative than to take this action.
I shall make no further comment on this matter until either the apology and retraction has been received or legal proceedings are concluded. QPR Official Site
October 26, 2006 QPR OFFICIAL SITE: AN APOLOGY
The Editor and proprietor of the fanzine 'A Kick Up The R's' today agreed to publish the following retraction and apology to QPR Chairman, Gianni Paladini:
In the September edition of the newsletter 'A Kick Up the R's', we published a series of articles by Cos Atiolis about Mr Paladini, the Chairman of Queen's Park Rangers football club.
In these articles we falsely suggested that Mr Paladini was involved in fraud, corruption, malpractice and dishonesty, and made a number of other serious false, misleading and defamatory statements about him.
We now fully accept that there is no truth whatsoever in these allegations and we are extremely sorry for the distress and embarrassment caused by the articles.
The newsletter containing the articles has been withdrawn from sale and we have offered Mr Paladini a full right of reply to the articles, which will appear in the next edition.
Paladini said: "I am delighted that the fanzine has withdrawn the untrue and unfair allegations it made against me, and that it was possible to resolve this without legal action.
"Although everyone has a right to free speech, and I welcome constructive criticism, I take my professional reputation very seriously and will not stand by whilst I am accused falsely.
"I find these allegations distressing, not just because they damage me, but also because of the distress they cause to my family and to QPR fans.
"I would never want to fall out with any of our fans. The way to move this club forward is to be united.
"Fortunately, AKUTRs has accepted there was no truth to the serious allegations it published and has retracted them. I will be exercising a full right to reply in the December edition, and I hope that is then the end of the matter." QPR OFficial Site
In the first part of September, the QPR Fan Magazine, A Kick Up The Rs (AKUTRS) published an article to which the Chairman of Queens Park Rangers (QPR), Gianni Paladini took exception. In Late September, the club's official site posted this statement. About a month later, the QPR Official Site posted this subsequent Statement entitled An Apology
Now, well over 100 days since publication of the "offending" issue of the AKUTRs; more than 100 days since the Chairman on the Official Site demanded an apology and retraction. And more than Ten weeks since the Chairman declared "I will be exercising a full right to reply in the December edition," thus far, no Paladini reply in the AKUTRs. Nor, as of this date, has there been any subsequent statement on the Official Site about the status of this Paladini reply.
September 25, 2006 Statement on the QPR Official Site
Statement by Gianni Paladini on the recent edition of 'A Kick Up The Rs:'
The publication 'A Kick Up The Rs' has recently published a deeply misleading, inaccurate and scandalous article about myself and Queens Park Rangers FC.
A number of serious allegations have been made in that publication which are not true. The publication failed to contact myself or anyone else at the Club to verify their allegations.
Considering the seriousness of the allegations, I have been reluctantly forced to take legal action. The matter is now in the hands of my solicitors.
I expect a comprehensive retraction and apology from the publication for publishing these falsehoods. If they are not prepared to provide that, the matter will be dealt with by the courts.
I am sorry it must come to this, but in order for me to be able to defend myself from such blatant and hurtful untruths, I have no alternative than to take this action.
I shall make no further comment on this matter until either the apology and retraction has been received or legal proceedings are concluded. QPR Official Site
October 26, 2006 QPR OFFICIAL SITE: AN APOLOGY
The Editor and proprietor of the fanzine 'A Kick Up The R's' today agreed to publish the following retraction and apology to QPR Chairman, Gianni Paladini:
In the September edition of the newsletter 'A Kick Up the R's', we published a series of articles by Cos Atiolis about Mr Paladini, the Chairman of Queen's Park Rangers football club.
In these articles we falsely suggested that Mr Paladini was involved in fraud, corruption, malpractice and dishonesty, and made a number of other serious false, misleading and defamatory statements about him.
We now fully accept that there is no truth whatsoever in these allegations and we are extremely sorry for the distress and embarrassment caused by the articles.
The newsletter containing the articles has been withdrawn from sale and we have offered Mr Paladini a full right of reply to the articles, which will appear in the next edition.
Paladini said: "I am delighted that the fanzine has withdrawn the untrue and unfair allegations it made against me, and that it was possible to resolve this without legal action.
"Although everyone has a right to free speech, and I welcome constructive criticism, I take my professional reputation very seriously and will not stand by whilst I am accused falsely.
"I find these allegations distressing, not just because they damage me, but also because of the distress they cause to my family and to QPR fans.
"I would never want to fall out with any of our fans. The way to move this club forward is to be united.
"Fortunately, AKUTRs has accepted there was no truth to the serious allegations it published and has retracted them. I will be exercising a full right to reply in the December edition, and I hope that is then the end of the matter." QPR OFficial Site
35th Birthdays for Ex-QPR's Mike Sheron & Alan McCarthy
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Happy 35th Birthdays to Mike Sheron & Alan McCarthy
Mike Sheron - Born January 11, 1972
Alan McCarthy - January 11, 1972
McCarthy played a few games for QPR in the 1989-1990 period.
Sheron was the last signing before QPR really started to implode - Sheron
Happy 35th Birthdays to Mike Sheron & Alan McCarthy
Mike Sheron - Born January 11, 1972
Alan McCarthy - January 11, 1972
McCarthy played a few games for QPR in the 1989-1990 period.
Sheron was the last signing before QPR really started to implode - Sheron
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Swansea Hope to Borrow Portsmouth's Duffy, who QPR Sought in October
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BBC - Swansea move for Pompey's Duffy
Portsmouth defender Richard Duffy
Duffy has made just two appearances for Portsmouth
Swansea City are poised to sign Portsmouth defender Richard Duffy on loan until the end of the season.
Wales right-back Duffy left the Swans for Pompey three years ago for £150,000, but the 21-year-old has failed to break into the first team.
Duffy spent last season on loan at Coventry, and returned to the Sky Blues in October for a further two months.
"We're hopeful that we can tie something up on Wednesday," said Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett.
"He has a slight groin injury, but I think that will be sorted out so he can come down to us.
"Richard's a versatile player who can operate anywhere across the back-four. He's an out-and-out defender who is very competitive."
Duffy, who has won 11 caps for Wales, made his professional debut for Swansea as a 16-year-old in 2001.
He agreed a new deal with Portsmouth in March, but has since made just one appearance for the club in a Carling Cup match in September. BBC
QPR OFFICIAL SITE in OCTOBER 2006 -No Portsmouth Defender, Richard Duffy
Queens Park Rangers have pulled out of the race to sign Portsmouth defender Richard Duffy.The 21 year-old Welsh international was due to put pen to paper on a one month loan deal at Loftus Road this morning, but as gaffer John Gregory explained, the deal is now dead in the water. "It's simple - the deal is off. We couldn't agree terms QPR
BBC - Swansea move for Pompey's Duffy
Portsmouth defender Richard Duffy
Duffy has made just two appearances for Portsmouth
Swansea City are poised to sign Portsmouth defender Richard Duffy on loan until the end of the season.
Wales right-back Duffy left the Swans for Pompey three years ago for £150,000, but the 21-year-old has failed to break into the first team.
Duffy spent last season on loan at Coventry, and returned to the Sky Blues in October for a further two months.
"We're hopeful that we can tie something up on Wednesday," said Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett.
"He has a slight groin injury, but I think that will be sorted out so he can come down to us.
"Richard's a versatile player who can operate anywhere across the back-four. He's an out-and-out defender who is very competitive."
Duffy, who has won 11 caps for Wales, made his professional debut for Swansea as a 16-year-old in 2001.
He agreed a new deal with Portsmouth in March, but has since made just one appearance for the club in a Carling Cup match in September. BBC
QPR OFFICIAL SITE in OCTOBER 2006 -No Portsmouth Defender, Richard Duffy
Queens Park Rangers have pulled out of the race to sign Portsmouth defender Richard Duffy.The 21 year-old Welsh international was due to put pen to paper on a one month loan deal at Loftus Road this morning, but as gaffer John Gregory explained, the deal is now dead in the water. "It's simple - the deal is off. We couldn't agree terms QPR
John Gregory on QPR at Hull and QPR Developments
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UPDATE: Sampsa Timoska has now received his international clearance and is available to play for Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - CLEARANCE
Sampsa Timoska has received his international clearance and is therefore available for the trip to the KC Stadium on Saturday.
The Finnish international put pen to paper on an 18 month contract with the R's last Wednesday and in doing so, became John Gregory's first signing of the January transfer window.
Gregory told www.qpr.co.uk: "Sami has settled in well and I'm looking forward to getting him involved in the next few weeks.
"The biggest thing that he's struggled with is adapting to the pace of the English game, both in training and in the matches he's featured in.
"That's to be expected though - it always takes time to adjust when you move to a new country.''QPR
QPR Official Site - John Gregory "IT'S MASSIVE'
".... Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Gregory gave his thoughts on the 'massive' tie with Hull City this weekend.
"It's a huge game for us - massive for the football club.
"Over the next month we play the four teams directly below us in the table and as much as Barnsley was a six-pointer just before Christmas, this is just the same.
"We got a positive result that day and we'll head to Hull confident of getting a similar result on Saturday.
"It's imperative that we come back from the long journey up North with at least a point.''
Whilst admitting he would be happy to return to W12 with a point, Gregory admits his side will go all out for a maximum return against Phil Brown's improving side.
"Make no mistake, we'll go there looking for the three points,'' said Gregory.
"I like my sides to be offensive and to take the game to the opposition, whoever it may be.
"Hull have picked up since the arrival of Phil Brown, but we'll head there confident of returning with three points.''
Gregory continued: "I'm heartened by the way we've began the New Year.
"We're slowly starting to get our first team squad back together and hopefully we'll be in a position to welcome Gaz and Rowly back into the fray over the next fortnight or so.
"We're slowly sifting out the weak from the strong and I'm happy where we're going in terms of the transfer market.''
We'll bring you part two of this exclusive interview later this afternoon, so stay tuned to www.qpr.co.uk for all the latest, breaking news! QPR
UPDATED
QPR OFFICIAL - Gregory PART II
POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS
John Gregory is in buoyant mood ahead of the 'six-pointer' with fellow strugglers Hull City on Saturday.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Gregory spoke openly about key members of his squad and the impression they've made in the last few weeks.
"(Damion) Stewart and (Michael) Mancienne have been excellent at the back for us. They compliment each other superbly.
"Pat (Kanyuka) has come back in and done very well. He's got a couple of games under his belt since the turn of the year and he's looked very comfortable at right back.
"Ray's (Jones) beginning to find his feet again after all the speculation surrounding his future and I'm expecting him to be back to his best in the next few weeks.
"He's a very important member of this squad and now all the talk has ended, he can relax and get back to what he does best - playing football for QPR.''
Gregory is adamant Jones and fellow striker Dexter Blackstock can fire the R's to safety, commenting: "They compliment each other very well.
"I certainly wouldn't enjoy playing against them and the partnership has got a hell of a lot of potential.''
The Rangers gaffer also gave us the latest team news ahead of the trip to the KC Stadium.
"(Marc) Nygaard could be involved this weekend - he'll be in the squad that travels up to Hull on Friday.
"We're hoping Sampsa's (Timoska) international clearance will come through and if that's the case, he'll certainly be involved too.
"Rowly and Gaz are a couple of weeks away though and that gives us a problem or two. We've tried one or two things with regards to the right hand side of midfield and we'll have to keep searching for the right formula until those guys are fit.''QPRUPDATE
UPDATE: Sampsa Timoska has now received his international clearance and is available to play for Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - CLEARANCE
Sampsa Timoska has received his international clearance and is therefore available for the trip to the KC Stadium on Saturday.
The Finnish international put pen to paper on an 18 month contract with the R's last Wednesday and in doing so, became John Gregory's first signing of the January transfer window.
Gregory told www.qpr.co.uk: "Sami has settled in well and I'm looking forward to getting him involved in the next few weeks.
"The biggest thing that he's struggled with is adapting to the pace of the English game, both in training and in the matches he's featured in.
"That's to be expected though - it always takes time to adjust when you move to a new country.''QPR
QPR Official Site - John Gregory "IT'S MASSIVE'
".... Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Gregory gave his thoughts on the 'massive' tie with Hull City this weekend.
"It's a huge game for us - massive for the football club.
"Over the next month we play the four teams directly below us in the table and as much as Barnsley was a six-pointer just before Christmas, this is just the same.
"We got a positive result that day and we'll head to Hull confident of getting a similar result on Saturday.
"It's imperative that we come back from the long journey up North with at least a point.''
Whilst admitting he would be happy to return to W12 with a point, Gregory admits his side will go all out for a maximum return against Phil Brown's improving side.
"Make no mistake, we'll go there looking for the three points,'' said Gregory.
"I like my sides to be offensive and to take the game to the opposition, whoever it may be.
"Hull have picked up since the arrival of Phil Brown, but we'll head there confident of returning with three points.''
Gregory continued: "I'm heartened by the way we've began the New Year.
"We're slowly starting to get our first team squad back together and hopefully we'll be in a position to welcome Gaz and Rowly back into the fray over the next fortnight or so.
"We're slowly sifting out the weak from the strong and I'm happy where we're going in terms of the transfer market.''
We'll bring you part two of this exclusive interview later this afternoon, so stay tuned to www.qpr.co.uk for all the latest, breaking news! QPR
UPDATED
QPR OFFICIAL - Gregory PART II
POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS
John Gregory is in buoyant mood ahead of the 'six-pointer' with fellow strugglers Hull City on Saturday.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Gregory spoke openly about key members of his squad and the impression they've made in the last few weeks.
"(Damion) Stewart and (Michael) Mancienne have been excellent at the back for us. They compliment each other superbly.
"Pat (Kanyuka) has come back in and done very well. He's got a couple of games under his belt since the turn of the year and he's looked very comfortable at right back.
"Ray's (Jones) beginning to find his feet again after all the speculation surrounding his future and I'm expecting him to be back to his best in the next few weeks.
"He's a very important member of this squad and now all the talk has ended, he can relax and get back to what he does best - playing football for QPR.''
Gregory is adamant Jones and fellow striker Dexter Blackstock can fire the R's to safety, commenting: "They compliment each other very well.
"I certainly wouldn't enjoy playing against them and the partnership has got a hell of a lot of potential.''
The Rangers gaffer also gave us the latest team news ahead of the trip to the KC Stadium.
"(Marc) Nygaard could be involved this weekend - he'll be in the squad that travels up to Hull on Friday.
"We're hoping Sampsa's (Timoska) international clearance will come through and if that's the case, he'll certainly be involved too.
"Rowly and Gaz are a couple of weeks away though and that gives us a problem or two. We've tried one or two things with regards to the right hand side of midfield and we'll have to keep searching for the right formula until those guys are fit.''QPRUPDATE
Ray Jones: Baido urged Him to Stay (as did Chelsea's Mancienne & Smith)
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Baidoo urged Ray to stay
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Time -10 January 2007
SHABAZZ Baidoo has revealed he persuaded team-mate Ray Jones to follow in his footsteps by committing his future to QPR.
Jones finally put pen to paper on a three and a half year deal with Rangers last Friday after his agent had previously turned down numerous contract offers.
That decision was welcomed by management and players alike, including Baidoo - who also rejected initial offers of a professional contract before signing last summer.
"We had quite a few conversations about it, because obviously I was in a similar situation last year," said Baidoo.
"I just said to him 'I can't tell you what to do, you have to do whatever you feel's best for your future. QPR have helped you out for the last couple of years, so stay loyal and maybe if you have to move on later, that's the way it is.
"That's the way I saw it as well when I signed and of course I'm happy that Ray's staying - we get on well, we've known each other for a couple of years and played well together in the youth team.
"It means we've got good competition for places and, if you have better players around you, that's going to make you a better player as well."
QPR turned down a £50,000 offer from Fulham for Jones last month, but it looked inevitable that the 18-year-old striker would be leaving during the transfer window.
Boss John Gregory admitted only last week that he was resigned to losing Jones, who has netted six goals this season.
But the manager said after Saturday's FA Cup tie against Luton: "It made everybody here feel great that Ray wanted to commit himself to the club for three and a half years.
"There's a long way to go, but we believe he's got more opportunity playing for QPR in the Championship than being sat on someone else's bench at a bigger club.
"He could have gone elsewhere for more money, there's no doubt about that. I think he just wanted to make sure he wasn't selling himself short financially."
Jones is thought to have agreed a deal that will earn him approximately £100,000 a year with Rangers through to 2010.
Meanwhile, Baidoo believes the Rs are capable of earning a place in the next round of the FA Cup when they travel to Luton for next Tuesday's third round replay.
The striker appeared to handle the ball when he scored Rangers' equaliser last Saturday, an incident that sparked angry protests from the Luton contingent just three minutes after he came on as substitute.
Baidoo recalled: "Basically I just saw the keeper push the ball up, so I went in to try and get it with my head and the next thing it was in the net. The rest is history!
"Luton's not an easy place to go and play - you know that their crowd and the conditions at their stadium will make it difficult. But we've got a good enough team to go there, win and get in the next round. Kilburn Times
BBC - Chelsea duo helped QPR ace decide
Ray Jones has revealed that Chelsea youngsters Jimmy Smith and Michael Mancienne helped to convince him to sign a new contract at QPR.
Smith and Mancienne have impressed since moving to Loftus Road on loan.
Jones said: "I spoke to them and they've loved playing in the first team at QPR rather than Chelsea's reserves.
"It shows that at my age, it's better to get the experience and play as often as possible rather than be on the bench somewhere else."
Rangers manager John Gregory was resigned to losing Jones, 18, when his contract was due to expire this summer.
Several Premiership clubs have watched the striker and Fulham had a speculative bid for him rejected.
Jones added: "John Gregory was a big factor in me re-signing as well.
"It means a lot when the manager has faith in you and wants to keep you.
"It was always my intention to stay though. Even when the club made their first offer, which wasn't great, I hoped it would all be resolved and I'd stay here.
"I'm glad it's all sorted and I just want to focus on my career at QPR."
Gregory is relieved Jones opted to sign a three-and-a-half-year deal having rejected several previous offers.
He insists the player made the right decision.
Gregory said: "He could have gone elsewhere and got more money. We didn't want that to happen and neither did he.
"He's very aware of what's happened to Smith and Mancienne here, and has spoken to them.
"They love being in the first team and have just played in the FA Cup rather than been sat watching Chelsea or playing for the reserves at Aldershot in front of one man and his dog.
"Ray will get more of an opportunity here at QPR in the Championship than if he'd made that move and been sat on someone's bench." BBC
Gareth Ainsworth/Kilburn Times
"...It's also been a real boost for everyone that Ray Jones has signed a contract. Ray's a quiet, laid-back lad and not a big-time boy at all, so it's been hard for him to hear people having a pop just because he's got ambition.
But the chairman and the gaffer have done a great job in securing his signature and the fact is that, if he's good enough, someone will come in and buy him anyway.
Kilburn Times
Baidoo urged Ray to stay
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Time -10 January 2007
SHABAZZ Baidoo has revealed he persuaded team-mate Ray Jones to follow in his footsteps by committing his future to QPR.
Jones finally put pen to paper on a three and a half year deal with Rangers last Friday after his agent had previously turned down numerous contract offers.
That decision was welcomed by management and players alike, including Baidoo - who also rejected initial offers of a professional contract before signing last summer.
"We had quite a few conversations about it, because obviously I was in a similar situation last year," said Baidoo.
"I just said to him 'I can't tell you what to do, you have to do whatever you feel's best for your future. QPR have helped you out for the last couple of years, so stay loyal and maybe if you have to move on later, that's the way it is.
"That's the way I saw it as well when I signed and of course I'm happy that Ray's staying - we get on well, we've known each other for a couple of years and played well together in the youth team.
"It means we've got good competition for places and, if you have better players around you, that's going to make you a better player as well."
QPR turned down a £50,000 offer from Fulham for Jones last month, but it looked inevitable that the 18-year-old striker would be leaving during the transfer window.
Boss John Gregory admitted only last week that he was resigned to losing Jones, who has netted six goals this season.
But the manager said after Saturday's FA Cup tie against Luton: "It made everybody here feel great that Ray wanted to commit himself to the club for three and a half years.
"There's a long way to go, but we believe he's got more opportunity playing for QPR in the Championship than being sat on someone else's bench at a bigger club.
"He could have gone elsewhere for more money, there's no doubt about that. I think he just wanted to make sure he wasn't selling himself short financially."
Jones is thought to have agreed a deal that will earn him approximately £100,000 a year with Rangers through to 2010.
Meanwhile, Baidoo believes the Rs are capable of earning a place in the next round of the FA Cup when they travel to Luton for next Tuesday's third round replay.
The striker appeared to handle the ball when he scored Rangers' equaliser last Saturday, an incident that sparked angry protests from the Luton contingent just three minutes after he came on as substitute.
Baidoo recalled: "Basically I just saw the keeper push the ball up, so I went in to try and get it with my head and the next thing it was in the net. The rest is history!
"Luton's not an easy place to go and play - you know that their crowd and the conditions at their stadium will make it difficult. But we've got a good enough team to go there, win and get in the next round. Kilburn Times
BBC - Chelsea duo helped QPR ace decide
Ray Jones has revealed that Chelsea youngsters Jimmy Smith and Michael Mancienne helped to convince him to sign a new contract at QPR.
Smith and Mancienne have impressed since moving to Loftus Road on loan.
Jones said: "I spoke to them and they've loved playing in the first team at QPR rather than Chelsea's reserves.
"It shows that at my age, it's better to get the experience and play as often as possible rather than be on the bench somewhere else."
Rangers manager John Gregory was resigned to losing Jones, 18, when his contract was due to expire this summer.
Several Premiership clubs have watched the striker and Fulham had a speculative bid for him rejected.
Jones added: "John Gregory was a big factor in me re-signing as well.
"It means a lot when the manager has faith in you and wants to keep you.
"It was always my intention to stay though. Even when the club made their first offer, which wasn't great, I hoped it would all be resolved and I'd stay here.
"I'm glad it's all sorted and I just want to focus on my career at QPR."
Gregory is relieved Jones opted to sign a three-and-a-half-year deal having rejected several previous offers.
He insists the player made the right decision.
Gregory said: "He could have gone elsewhere and got more money. We didn't want that to happen and neither did he.
"He's very aware of what's happened to Smith and Mancienne here, and has spoken to them.
"They love being in the first team and have just played in the FA Cup rather than been sat watching Chelsea or playing for the reserves at Aldershot in front of one man and his dog.
"Ray will get more of an opportunity here at QPR in the Championship than if he'd made that move and been sat on someone's bench." BBC
Gareth Ainsworth/Kilburn Times
"...It's also been a real boost for everyone that Ray Jones has signed a contract. Ray's a quiet, laid-back lad and not a big-time boy at all, so it's been hard for him to hear people having a pop just because he's got ambition.
But the chairman and the gaffer have done a great job in securing his signature and the fact is that, if he's good enough, someone will come in and buy him anyway.
Kilburn Times
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
QPR Apology to Ghana FA & Pllayer, Haminu Draman
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QPR render apology to GFA, Haminu
ghanafa.org , 09/01/2007
The Safety Office of English championship side, Queens Park Rangers, has rendered separate apologies to the Ghana Football Association and Black Stars player, Haminu Draman.
This follows the embarrassing treatment meted onto Haminu Dramano, who was bundled by steward after the Ghana's international friendly with Australia played on November 14 at the Loftus Road stadium, home of Queens Park Rangers.
The minor incident happened at the entrance of the stadium where a steward at the grounds shoved the Black Stars attacker in his bid to control a surging crowd within the stadium complex.
A fortnight after the game, the GFA formally lodged a complaint with the British Metropolitan Police, the management of the Loftus Road Stadium and Queens Park Rangers Football Club against a steward at the grounds for jostling the Ghana player.
The FA also backed an enquiry into the conduct of the steward.
In a response, the Safety Officer at the Loftus Road stadium, Clive Doyle entreated the FA and Haminu Draman to accept their apologies.
The Safety Officer also assured that they are still investigating the matter though they are yet to identify the steward to enable them conclude their enquiry.
"Please accept our apologies over this disturbing incident and be assured that once we have identified the individual concerned we will be taking disciplinary action.
“Please pass our apologies on to Haminu Draman as it must have been very embarrassing for him and certainly not something we would condone at Loftus Road stadium,” the statement read.
Ghana drew 1-1 with Australia in the international friendly. QPR
QPR render apology to GFA, Haminu
ghanafa.org , 09/01/2007
The Safety Office of English championship side, Queens Park Rangers, has rendered separate apologies to the Ghana Football Association and Black Stars player, Haminu Draman.
This follows the embarrassing treatment meted onto Haminu Dramano, who was bundled by steward after the Ghana's international friendly with Australia played on November 14 at the Loftus Road stadium, home of Queens Park Rangers.
The minor incident happened at the entrance of the stadium where a steward at the grounds shoved the Black Stars attacker in his bid to control a surging crowd within the stadium complex.
A fortnight after the game, the GFA formally lodged a complaint with the British Metropolitan Police, the management of the Loftus Road Stadium and Queens Park Rangers Football Club against a steward at the grounds for jostling the Ghana player.
The FA also backed an enquiry into the conduct of the steward.
In a response, the Safety Officer at the Loftus Road stadium, Clive Doyle entreated the FA and Haminu Draman to accept their apologies.
The Safety Officer also assured that they are still investigating the matter though they are yet to identify the steward to enable them conclude their enquiry.
"Please accept our apologies over this disturbing incident and be assured that once we have identified the individual concerned we will be taking disciplinary action.
“Please pass our apologies on to Haminu Draman as it must have been very embarrassing for him and certainly not something we would condone at Loftus Road stadium,” the statement read.
Ghana drew 1-1 with Australia in the international friendly. QPR
Lee Cook one of "Top 20 Non-Premiership players" - The Independent
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Independent Class of 2007: The top 20 non-premiership players
The Independent's second annual survey of the top 20 outside the Premiership
Published: 09 January 2007
1 DAVID NUGENT, Preston North End
2 GARETH BALE, Southampton
3 GARY MCSHEFFREY, Birmingham City
4 FREDDY EASTWOOD, Southend
5 CURTIS DAVIES, West Bromwich Albion
6 GILES BARNES, Derby County
7 ROBERT EARNSHAW, Norwich City
8 JASON KOUMAS, West Bromwich Albion
9 GRZEGORZ RASIAK, Southampton
10 MATTHEW UPSON, Birmingham City
11 MICHAEL CHOPRA, Cardiff City
12 MATT MURRAY, Wolverhampton
13 DAVID DUNN, Birmingham City
14 ZOLTAN GERA, West Bromwich Albion
15 GREG HALFORD, Colchester United
16 ANTHONY STOKES, Sunderland
17 TOM SOARES, Crystal Palace
18 BOAZ MYHILL, Hull City
19 LEE COOK, QPR
Age: 24. Position: Winger
Nationality: English
Value: £1.5m
Joined QPR from Watford in 2004. Beginning to overcome the inconsistency which bedevils many wide players. A tricky quick-footed player with a good cross. Spotted by Watford at Aylesbury but failed to gain a regular place. Now in fourth season at QPR.
Linked with Man City, Tottenham
20 BEN WATSON, Crystal Palace
The Best of the Rest
* LEAGUE ONE: BEST
1 Billy Sharp (Scunthorpe)
2 Lee Trundle (Swansea)
3 Matt Jarvis (Gillingham)
* LEAGUE TWO: BEST
1 Izale MacLeod (MK Dons)
2 Jermaine Easter (Wycombe)
3 Ian Roper (Walsall)
* BEST LOAN PLAYERS
1 Lee Hendrie (Aston Villa, on loan to Stoke)
2 Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal, on loan to Birmingham)
3 Jimmy Smith (Chelsea, on loan to QPR)
* BEST VETERANS (30+)
1 Jamie Cureton (Colchester United) 31
2 Graham Alexander (Preston North End) 35
3 Maik Taylor (Birmingham City) 35
The Rules
The list was drawn up following a poll of past and present managers, players and pundits. Only players under the age of 30, who are registered with English or Welsh non-Premiership clubs were considered. Matthew Kilgallon, of Leeds, was on the list, at No 10, but moved into the Premiership with Sheffield United yesterday. Anthony Stokes qualified when he left Arsenal for Sunderland yesterday. More than 70 names were suggested, but the top three were clear winners. Independent
Independent's Class of 2006 - Top 20 Players List A Year Ago: Where are Now
1 Phil Jagielka (Sheffield United) Now Premiership. Promoted with Sheffield United.
2 Andrew Johnson (Crystal Palace) Now Premiership. Transferred to Everton during the summer.
3 Steve Sidwell (Reading) Now Premiership. Promoted with Reading.
4 Theo Walcott (Southampton) Now Premiership. Transferred to Arsenal last January.
5 Cameron Jerome (Cardiff City) Still in Championship. Transferred to Birmingham in the summer.
6 Kevin Doyle (Reading) Now Premiership. Promoted with Reading.
7 Dean Ashton (Norwich City) Now Premiership. Moved to West Ham last January.
8 Kenny Miller (Wolves) Now SPL. Transferred to Celtic during the summer.
9 Jolean Lescott (Wolves) Now Premiership. Transferred to Everton during the summer.
10 Danny Webber (Sheffield United) Now Premiership. Promoted with Sheffield Utd.
11 Lee Trundle (Swansea) Still in League One. Still with Swansea.
12 Ashley Young (Watford) Now Premiership. Promoted with Watford.
13 Bobby Convey (Reading) Now Premiership, with Reading.
14 Nigel Quashie (Southampton) Now Back in Championship. Transferred to then Premiership West Bromwich in January.
15 Mark Kennedy (Wolves) Still in Championship. Transferred to Crystal Palace.
16 Ki Hyeon Seol (Wolves) Now Premiership. Transferred to Reading during the summer.
17 Matty Fryatt (Walsall) Now Championship. Moved to Leicester last January.
18 Nicky Shorey (Reading) Now Premiership, with Reading.
19 Boaz Myhill (Hull City) Still in Championship. Still at Hull.
20 Owen Garvan (Ipswich) Still in Championship. Still at Ipswich Independent
Independent Class of 2007: The top 20 non-premiership players
The Independent's second annual survey of the top 20 outside the Premiership
Published: 09 January 2007
1 DAVID NUGENT, Preston North End
2 GARETH BALE, Southampton
3 GARY MCSHEFFREY, Birmingham City
4 FREDDY EASTWOOD, Southend
5 CURTIS DAVIES, West Bromwich Albion
6 GILES BARNES, Derby County
7 ROBERT EARNSHAW, Norwich City
8 JASON KOUMAS, West Bromwich Albion
9 GRZEGORZ RASIAK, Southampton
10 MATTHEW UPSON, Birmingham City
11 MICHAEL CHOPRA, Cardiff City
12 MATT MURRAY, Wolverhampton
13 DAVID DUNN, Birmingham City
14 ZOLTAN GERA, West Bromwich Albion
15 GREG HALFORD, Colchester United
16 ANTHONY STOKES, Sunderland
17 TOM SOARES, Crystal Palace
18 BOAZ MYHILL, Hull City
19 LEE COOK, QPR
Age: 24. Position: Winger
Nationality: English
Value: £1.5m
Joined QPR from Watford in 2004. Beginning to overcome the inconsistency which bedevils many wide players. A tricky quick-footed player with a good cross. Spotted by Watford at Aylesbury but failed to gain a regular place. Now in fourth season at QPR.
Linked with Man City, Tottenham
20 BEN WATSON, Crystal Palace
The Best of the Rest
* LEAGUE ONE: BEST
1 Billy Sharp (Scunthorpe)
2 Lee Trundle (Swansea)
3 Matt Jarvis (Gillingham)
* LEAGUE TWO: BEST
1 Izale MacLeod (MK Dons)
2 Jermaine Easter (Wycombe)
3 Ian Roper (Walsall)
* BEST LOAN PLAYERS
1 Lee Hendrie (Aston Villa, on loan to Stoke)
2 Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal, on loan to Birmingham)
3 Jimmy Smith (Chelsea, on loan to QPR)
* BEST VETERANS (30+)
1 Jamie Cureton (Colchester United) 31
2 Graham Alexander (Preston North End) 35
3 Maik Taylor (Birmingham City) 35
The Rules
The list was drawn up following a poll of past and present managers, players and pundits. Only players under the age of 30, who are registered with English or Welsh non-Premiership clubs were considered. Matthew Kilgallon, of Leeds, was on the list, at No 10, but moved into the Premiership with Sheffield United yesterday. Anthony Stokes qualified when he left Arsenal for Sunderland yesterday. More than 70 names were suggested, but the top three were clear winners. Independent
Independent's Class of 2006 - Top 20 Players List A Year Ago: Where are Now
1 Phil Jagielka (Sheffield United) Now Premiership. Promoted with Sheffield United.
2 Andrew Johnson (Crystal Palace) Now Premiership. Transferred to Everton during the summer.
3 Steve Sidwell (Reading) Now Premiership. Promoted with Reading.
4 Theo Walcott (Southampton) Now Premiership. Transferred to Arsenal last January.
5 Cameron Jerome (Cardiff City) Still in Championship. Transferred to Birmingham in the summer.
6 Kevin Doyle (Reading) Now Premiership. Promoted with Reading.
7 Dean Ashton (Norwich City) Now Premiership. Moved to West Ham last January.
8 Kenny Miller (Wolves) Now SPL. Transferred to Celtic during the summer.
9 Jolean Lescott (Wolves) Now Premiership. Transferred to Everton during the summer.
10 Danny Webber (Sheffield United) Now Premiership. Promoted with Sheffield Utd.
11 Lee Trundle (Swansea) Still in League One. Still with Swansea.
12 Ashley Young (Watford) Now Premiership. Promoted with Watford.
13 Bobby Convey (Reading) Now Premiership, with Reading.
14 Nigel Quashie (Southampton) Now Back in Championship. Transferred to then Premiership West Bromwich in January.
15 Mark Kennedy (Wolves) Still in Championship. Transferred to Crystal Palace.
16 Ki Hyeon Seol (Wolves) Now Premiership. Transferred to Reading during the summer.
17 Matty Fryatt (Walsall) Now Championship. Moved to Leicester last January.
18 Nicky Shorey (Reading) Now Premiership, with Reading.
19 Boaz Myhill (Hull City) Still in Championship. Still at Hull.
20 Owen Garvan (Ipswich) Still in Championship. Still at Ipswich Independent
Birthdays Today: Marc Nygaard & Ian Dowie
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Marc Nygaard Turns 31...Ian Dowie Turns 42
QPR's Danish striker, Marc Nygaard - Turns 31: Born January 9, 1976: Nygaard
Ian Dowie Turns 42 -Born January 9, 1965
Perhaps not a great signing as a player, but as a coach and manager, clearly very much a case of "one that got away." A reserve team coach under Ray Harford, when Harford resigned, the QPR Board turned to Ian Dowie to be caretaker manager rather than to the expectant Vinnie Jones.
The Board eventually decided to appoint Gerry Francis manager, with Dowie as his assistant. When Francis resigned, the Board interviewed Dowie but eventually decided on Ian Holloway.
Dowie's actions at Oldham and Crystal Palace clearly show his talents.
As a player, Dowie played for among clubs, Luton, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Southampton, QPR and Northern Ireland. Dowie
....Wikipedia
Marc Nygaard Turns 31...Ian Dowie Turns 42
QPR's Danish striker, Marc Nygaard - Turns 31: Born January 9, 1976: Nygaard
Ian Dowie Turns 42 -Born January 9, 1965
Perhaps not a great signing as a player, but as a coach and manager, clearly very much a case of "one that got away." A reserve team coach under Ray Harford, when Harford resigned, the QPR Board turned to Ian Dowie to be caretaker manager rather than to the expectant Vinnie Jones.
The Board eventually decided to appoint Gerry Francis manager, with Dowie as his assistant. When Francis resigned, the Board interviewed Dowie but eventually decided on Ian Holloway.
Dowie's actions at Oldham and Crystal Palace clearly show his talents.
As a player, Dowie played for among clubs, Luton, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Southampton, QPR and Northern Ireland. Dowie
....Wikipedia
Monday, January 08, 2007
Another QPR Summer Signing Departs
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Six months after signing Egutu Oliseh on a two year contract, QPR have terminated his contract.
QPR Official Site - Oli Departs
QPR have terminated Egutu Oliseh's contract with immediate effect.
The 25 year-old midfielder made just three first team appearances since signing a two year deal at Loftus Road in July 2006.
Oliseh - who was born in Lagos and is the brother of former Juventus star Sunday - spent last season with Belgium outfit La Louviere, after previous spells with French quartet Nancy, Louhans-Cuiseau, Beauvais and Grenoble. QPR Official Site
July 2006: QPR Official Site - Oliseh Signed
QPR have today signed midfielder Egutu Oliseh on a two year deal after he impressed Manager Gary Waddock.
The 25 year old - who impressed Waddock during the R's 1-1 pre-season draw against Aldershot Town - has put pen to paper on a two year deal at Loftus Road.
"I'm very, very happy and now I can't wait for the season to start," he told qpr.co.uk. "From the very first day I came here to train I have been impressed. It is all so organised, I couldn't ask for more.
"That was what really impressed me. Everything is calculated, from the physical trainer through to the manager. If training continues in this way, I'm sure you will see the best from every one of us.
Oliseh, who was born in Lagos, spent last season with Belgium outfit La Louviere, after previous spells with French quartet Nancy, Louhans-Cuiseau, Beauvais and Grenoble.
Oliseh has been on trial with the R's for the past fortnight
Oliseh could make his R's debut against Stevenage at Broadhall Way on Wednesday and Waddock is excited about seeing his latest signing in action, commenting: "He's really impressed me in training and against Aldershot. He's attack minded and technically very good.
"It's yet another signing to bolster our squad ahead of the new season and I'm looking forward to having every Manager's favourite dilemna - picking my best eleven.
"This recent signing has ensured that I'll have more than enough midfield options and I'll be able to mix it up accordingly depending on the opposition." QPR
Six months after signing Egutu Oliseh on a two year contract, QPR have terminated his contract.
QPR Official Site - Oli Departs
QPR have terminated Egutu Oliseh's contract with immediate effect.
The 25 year-old midfielder made just three first team appearances since signing a two year deal at Loftus Road in July 2006.
Oliseh - who was born in Lagos and is the brother of former Juventus star Sunday - spent last season with Belgium outfit La Louviere, after previous spells with French quartet Nancy, Louhans-Cuiseau, Beauvais and Grenoble. QPR Official Site
July 2006: QPR Official Site - Oliseh Signed
QPR have today signed midfielder Egutu Oliseh on a two year deal after he impressed Manager Gary Waddock.
The 25 year old - who impressed Waddock during the R's 1-1 pre-season draw against Aldershot Town - has put pen to paper on a two year deal at Loftus Road.
"I'm very, very happy and now I can't wait for the season to start," he told qpr.co.uk. "From the very first day I came here to train I have been impressed. It is all so organised, I couldn't ask for more.
"That was what really impressed me. Everything is calculated, from the physical trainer through to the manager. If training continues in this way, I'm sure you will see the best from every one of us.
Oliseh, who was born in Lagos, spent last season with Belgium outfit La Louviere, after previous spells with French quartet Nancy, Louhans-Cuiseau, Beauvais and Grenoble.
Oliseh has been on trial with the R's for the past fortnight
Oliseh could make his R's debut against Stevenage at Broadhall Way on Wednesday and Waddock is excited about seeing his latest signing in action, commenting: "He's really impressed me in training and against Aldershot. He's attack minded and technically very good.
"It's yet another signing to bolster our squad ahead of the new season and I'm looking forward to having every Manager's favourite dilemna - picking my best eleven.
"This recent signing has ensured that I'll have more than enough midfield options and I'll be able to mix it up accordingly depending on the opposition." QPR
Jones on Staying at QPR as Opposed to Going to Fulham
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Mirror 0 JONES FUL OF HOPE BY STAYING AT RANGERS
RAY JONES believes he has made the right choice by snubbing interest from Fulham and signing a new contract at QPR.
The 18-year-old striker agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal at Loftus Road on Friday, before helping the club to a 2-2 third-round draw with Luton the following day.
Jones confirmed west London rivals Fulham were the club most interested in him while contract talks at Rangers stalled. But the Newham-born player feels he would not have been given a fair chance of first-team football at Craven Cottage.
Jones said: "Fulham were the most interested club, but they've just signed another striker from Italy, and I don't think I would've got the chance to show what I can do there.
"I think I've got more of a chance here to start games and score goals at QPR' that's going to help me better in the long-run than going to another team and sitting on the bench for long periods.
"From when I was first offered a contract, I've always wanted to stay at QPR. I think it's good for my development because I'm only 18.
"To push QPR into the play-offs will help me as a player." Jones received a standing ovation from the Loftus Road faithful for his commitment to the club when his name was announced before kick-off.
Rangers then dominated the first half and were ahead after 32 minutes when Dexter Blackstock headed home.
But Luton found themselves level at half-time thanks to a superb Rowan Vine effort.
His strike-partner, Warren Feeney, put the visitors ahead moments after the break before controversy struck.
With the Hatters 15 minutes away from a place in the fourth round, Rangers teenager Shabazz Baidoo bundled in a goal-mouth scramble using his hand.
Luton boss Mike Newell said: "We should've won the game and we should've put it beyond them with the spell we had after half-time.
"We should have had it wrapped up, but it's hard to swallow when it's handball.
"It's the FA Cup and you're not really interested in performances â€" you just want to get through to the next round. Mirror
ADDITIONAL MATCH REPORTS
Simon Skinner/QPRNet - Report
Clive Whttingham/QPR Rivals - Report
Mirror 0 JONES FUL OF HOPE BY STAYING AT RANGERS
RAY JONES believes he has made the right choice by snubbing interest from Fulham and signing a new contract at QPR.
The 18-year-old striker agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal at Loftus Road on Friday, before helping the club to a 2-2 third-round draw with Luton the following day.
Jones confirmed west London rivals Fulham were the club most interested in him while contract talks at Rangers stalled. But the Newham-born player feels he would not have been given a fair chance of first-team football at Craven Cottage.
Jones said: "Fulham were the most interested club, but they've just signed another striker from Italy, and I don't think I would've got the chance to show what I can do there.
"I think I've got more of a chance here to start games and score goals at QPR' that's going to help me better in the long-run than going to another team and sitting on the bench for long periods.
"From when I was first offered a contract, I've always wanted to stay at QPR. I think it's good for my development because I'm only 18.
"To push QPR into the play-offs will help me as a player." Jones received a standing ovation from the Loftus Road faithful for his commitment to the club when his name was announced before kick-off.
Rangers then dominated the first half and were ahead after 32 minutes when Dexter Blackstock headed home.
But Luton found themselves level at half-time thanks to a superb Rowan Vine effort.
His strike-partner, Warren Feeney, put the visitors ahead moments after the break before controversy struck.
With the Hatters 15 minutes away from a place in the fourth round, Rangers teenager Shabazz Baidoo bundled in a goal-mouth scramble using his hand.
Luton boss Mike Newell said: "We should've won the game and we should've put it beyond them with the spell we had after half-time.
"We should have had it wrapped up, but it's hard to swallow when it's handball.
"It's the FA Cup and you're not really interested in performances â€" you just want to get through to the next round. Mirror
ADDITIONAL MATCH REPORTS
Simon Skinner/QPRNet - Report
Clive Whttingham/QPR Rivals - Report
Sunday, January 07, 2007
QPR 2 Luton 2 - Further Reports
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[The replay will be Tuesday January 16: 7:45 Kick off (at Luton!)Replay Info
Sunday People -Tony Stevens January 2007
SHABA-DA-BAIDOO FOR LATE GOAL HERO
QPR'S FACup dream was saved by teenage striker Shabazz Baidoo in a thrilling third-round tie at Loftus Road.
Rangers were looking for their first win in the competition since 2001, and went ahead through Dexter Blackstock after 32 minutes.
But the visitors, inspired by the highly-rated Rowan Vine, were in front on 46 minutes after goals each side of the break from Vine and strike partner Warren Feeney.
However, with just a quarter of an hour left, 18-year-old Baidoo bundled the ball home after a goalmouth scramble.
Luton players were left fuming by the goal and ran to referee Tony Bates appealing for a Baidoo handball - but the goal stood.
Rangers earlier had strong claims for a penalty turned down when Jimmy Smith was upended in the box by Steve Robinson. Bates showed no interest in the appeals but the hosts were dominant and a goal seemed inevitable.
After 32 minutes, Lee Cook whipped in a corner from the right which had to be tipped over the bar by Marlon Beresford. The resulting corner was met by an unmarked Blackstock from point-blank range to put QPR in-front.
It reminded the visitors they were in a Cup tie and they soon stepped up their game to be level by half-time. The Rangers defence had looked suspect on the rare occasions Luton ventured forward, and it was no different on the stroke of half-time when they were spectators to a neat passing move finished by Vine from the edge of the area.
The Hatters had turned down a bid from Cardiff for their top scorer during the week - and with finishing like that, they will do well to keep him.
The goal left Rangers shellshocked, and they found themselves behind just a minute after the break.
But this time there was little the hapless home defence could do as Ahmet Brkovic swung in an inchperfect cross from the right.
Feeney was brave to get to the ball before keeper Simon Royce for only his third goal of the season. Rangers desperately tried to get back on level terms, and Blackstock was unlucky to see his goal-bound header blocked on the line by Dean Morgan on 56 minutes. Boss John Gregory threw on both Baidoo and veteran striker Paul Furlong for the closing stages, and the gamble paid off as the youngster came up trumps to take the tie to a replay at Kenilworth Road.
QPR: Royce 6 - Kanyuka 5, Mancienne 6, Stewart 5, Bignot 5 - Ward 4 (Baidoo, 72mins), Lomas 5 (Bircham, 72mins), Smith 7, *COOK 8 - Jones 6 (Furlong, 65mins, 6), Blackstock 7.
LUTON: Beresford 5 - Barnett 7, Perrett 7, Coyne 8, Davis 7- Brkovic 8, Langley 8, Robinson 6, Morgan 7 - *VINE 9, Feeney 7. Ref: A Bates 6 People
SPORTING LIFE - DRAW HARD TO HANDLE FOR NEWELL
Luton manager Mike Newell was furious after his team's 2-2 draw at QPR in the FA Cup third round.
Shabazz Baidoo's controversial equaliser for Rangers forced a replay after Luton had dominated the second half.
Baidoo appeared to bundle the ball in with his hands but referee Tony Bates allowed the goal to stand after consulting his assistant.
Newell said: "It was handball. I don't know why the referee couldn't see it and his assistant couldn't see it, but everyone else in the ground could.
"We should have won that game. We should have put it beyond QPR with the 15-minute spell we had after half-time.
"It was a good performance but this is the FA Cup and what matters most is not the performance but getting to the next round.
"We should have won and didn't, but it's hard to swallow when you know that their goal was handball."
Newell admitted that the last thing that his injury-hit side need is a cup replay.
"We weren't looking for another game with the injuries we've got," he said.
"We're down to the bare bones at the moment so a replay really is not ideal."
Luton battled back after Dexter Blackstock headed Rangers ahead from Lee Cook's 32nd-minute corner.
Rowan Vine levelled with a right-footed effort on the stroke of half-time and a minute after the interval Warren Feeney headed home after Rangers keeper Simon Royce fumbled Ahmet Brkovic's cross.
But the home side were denied by Baidoo's 76th-minute goal, which even QPR manager John Gregory conceded should have been disallowed.
"It wasn't just one hand - the ball hit both of them," said Gregory.
"He put his arms up to protect himself from a clearance and the ball hit him and ended up in the net.
"After that, I think we should have gone on to win it with the pressure we had. But it was a game of mishaps and mistakes and the rain made things tough.
"We were firmly in control before Luton equalised but we went from a position of strength to being behind.
"What we need to do in the replay is try and replicate the way we played in the first 44 minutes."
Rangers have not won an FA Cup game since 2001 but Gregory is hopeful they can finally land a place in the fourth round.
He said: "The last time QPR won in the FA Cup was a replay against Luton, so let's hope history repeats itself.
"We're in the draw on Monday for the next round and that's all that matters. Let's hope we get a good draw and then win that match at their place." SPORTING LIFE
SUNDAY MIRROR - John Gubba - BAIDOO SO HANDY FOR RANGERS
SHABAZZ BAIDOO came off the bench to earn Rangers a replay with a fiercely-disputed equaliser 14 minutes from the end of a thrilling tie.
The Hatters thought the were heading for the fourth round when they fought back from Dexter Blackstock's opener to lead 2-1 with a goal apiece for Rowan Vine and Wayne Feeney.
But Mike Newell's men were left incensed when Baidoo bundled the ball home from point-blank range after an almighty scramble claiming he had used his hands to beat Marlon Beresford.
Referee Tony Bates consulted a linesman, but he allowed the goal to stand.
Rangers snatched a 32nd-minute lead just as the Hatters were starting to threaten after soaking up the early pressure.
Lee Cook's corner was turned over by Beresford. But from the winger's second attempt Blackstock got there first to head into the roof of the net.
But the Hatters hit back on the stroke of half-time with a slick equaliser.
Vine slotted home from 18 yards after Feeney's dummy allowed Ahmet Brkovic to provide the set up.
A minute after the break keeper Simon Royce failed to cut out another ball in from Brkovic and Feeney bundled Luton into the lead.
Blackstock stabbed over from point-blank range and then had a header cleared off the line.
But Rangers were rewarded minutes after manager John Gregory sent on substitutes Baidoo and Marc Bircham.
HOW THEY RATED
QPR
Royce 5, Kanyuka 6, Mancienne 6, Stewart 6, Bignot 6, Ward 6 (Baidoo 6), Lomas 6 (Bircham 6), Smith 7, Cook 7, Jones 6 (Furlong 5), Blackstock 7.
MANAGER Gregory 7
Luton Beresford 6, Barnett 6, Perrett 6, Coyne 6, Davis 7, BRKOVIC 8, Langley 6, Robinson 6, Morgan 7, Feeney 7, Vine 7.
MANAGER Newell 7
REFEREE A Bates 6
MAN OF THE MATCH AHMET BRKOVIC
Set up both Luton goals and was always a threat. Sunday Mirror
[The replay will be Tuesday January 16: 7:45 Kick off (at Luton!)Replay Info
Sunday People -Tony Stevens January 2007
SHABA-DA-BAIDOO FOR LATE GOAL HERO
QPR'S FACup dream was saved by teenage striker Shabazz Baidoo in a thrilling third-round tie at Loftus Road.
Rangers were looking for their first win in the competition since 2001, and went ahead through Dexter Blackstock after 32 minutes.
But the visitors, inspired by the highly-rated Rowan Vine, were in front on 46 minutes after goals each side of the break from Vine and strike partner Warren Feeney.
However, with just a quarter of an hour left, 18-year-old Baidoo bundled the ball home after a goalmouth scramble.
Luton players were left fuming by the goal and ran to referee Tony Bates appealing for a Baidoo handball - but the goal stood.
Rangers earlier had strong claims for a penalty turned down when Jimmy Smith was upended in the box by Steve Robinson. Bates showed no interest in the appeals but the hosts were dominant and a goal seemed inevitable.
After 32 minutes, Lee Cook whipped in a corner from the right which had to be tipped over the bar by Marlon Beresford. The resulting corner was met by an unmarked Blackstock from point-blank range to put QPR in-front.
It reminded the visitors they were in a Cup tie and they soon stepped up their game to be level by half-time. The Rangers defence had looked suspect on the rare occasions Luton ventured forward, and it was no different on the stroke of half-time when they were spectators to a neat passing move finished by Vine from the edge of the area.
The Hatters had turned down a bid from Cardiff for their top scorer during the week - and with finishing like that, they will do well to keep him.
The goal left Rangers shellshocked, and they found themselves behind just a minute after the break.
But this time there was little the hapless home defence could do as Ahmet Brkovic swung in an inchperfect cross from the right.
Feeney was brave to get to the ball before keeper Simon Royce for only his third goal of the season. Rangers desperately tried to get back on level terms, and Blackstock was unlucky to see his goal-bound header blocked on the line by Dean Morgan on 56 minutes. Boss John Gregory threw on both Baidoo and veteran striker Paul Furlong for the closing stages, and the gamble paid off as the youngster came up trumps to take the tie to a replay at Kenilworth Road.
QPR: Royce 6 - Kanyuka 5, Mancienne 6, Stewart 5, Bignot 5 - Ward 4 (Baidoo, 72mins), Lomas 5 (Bircham, 72mins), Smith 7, *COOK 8 - Jones 6 (Furlong, 65mins, 6), Blackstock 7.
LUTON: Beresford 5 - Barnett 7, Perrett 7, Coyne 8, Davis 7- Brkovic 8, Langley 8, Robinson 6, Morgan 7 - *VINE 9, Feeney 7. Ref: A Bates 6 People
SPORTING LIFE - DRAW HARD TO HANDLE FOR NEWELL
Luton manager Mike Newell was furious after his team's 2-2 draw at QPR in the FA Cup third round.
Shabazz Baidoo's controversial equaliser for Rangers forced a replay after Luton had dominated the second half.
Baidoo appeared to bundle the ball in with his hands but referee Tony Bates allowed the goal to stand after consulting his assistant.
Newell said: "It was handball. I don't know why the referee couldn't see it and his assistant couldn't see it, but everyone else in the ground could.
"We should have won that game. We should have put it beyond QPR with the 15-minute spell we had after half-time.
"It was a good performance but this is the FA Cup and what matters most is not the performance but getting to the next round.
"We should have won and didn't, but it's hard to swallow when you know that their goal was handball."
Newell admitted that the last thing that his injury-hit side need is a cup replay.
"We weren't looking for another game with the injuries we've got," he said.
"We're down to the bare bones at the moment so a replay really is not ideal."
Luton battled back after Dexter Blackstock headed Rangers ahead from Lee Cook's 32nd-minute corner.
Rowan Vine levelled with a right-footed effort on the stroke of half-time and a minute after the interval Warren Feeney headed home after Rangers keeper Simon Royce fumbled Ahmet Brkovic's cross.
But the home side were denied by Baidoo's 76th-minute goal, which even QPR manager John Gregory conceded should have been disallowed.
"It wasn't just one hand - the ball hit both of them," said Gregory.
"He put his arms up to protect himself from a clearance and the ball hit him and ended up in the net.
"After that, I think we should have gone on to win it with the pressure we had. But it was a game of mishaps and mistakes and the rain made things tough.
"We were firmly in control before Luton equalised but we went from a position of strength to being behind.
"What we need to do in the replay is try and replicate the way we played in the first 44 minutes."
Rangers have not won an FA Cup game since 2001 but Gregory is hopeful they can finally land a place in the fourth round.
He said: "The last time QPR won in the FA Cup was a replay against Luton, so let's hope history repeats itself.
"We're in the draw on Monday for the next round and that's all that matters. Let's hope we get a good draw and then win that match at their place." SPORTING LIFE
SUNDAY MIRROR - John Gubba - BAIDOO SO HANDY FOR RANGERS
SHABAZZ BAIDOO came off the bench to earn Rangers a replay with a fiercely-disputed equaliser 14 minutes from the end of a thrilling tie.
The Hatters thought the were heading for the fourth round when they fought back from Dexter Blackstock's opener to lead 2-1 with a goal apiece for Rowan Vine and Wayne Feeney.
But Mike Newell's men were left incensed when Baidoo bundled the ball home from point-blank range after an almighty scramble claiming he had used his hands to beat Marlon Beresford.
Referee Tony Bates consulted a linesman, but he allowed the goal to stand.
Rangers snatched a 32nd-minute lead just as the Hatters were starting to threaten after soaking up the early pressure.
Lee Cook's corner was turned over by Beresford. But from the winger's second attempt Blackstock got there first to head into the roof of the net.
But the Hatters hit back on the stroke of half-time with a slick equaliser.
Vine slotted home from 18 yards after Feeney's dummy allowed Ahmet Brkovic to provide the set up.
A minute after the break keeper Simon Royce failed to cut out another ball in from Brkovic and Feeney bundled Luton into the lead.
Blackstock stabbed over from point-blank range and then had a header cleared off the line.
But Rangers were rewarded minutes after manager John Gregory sent on substitutes Baidoo and Marc Bircham.
HOW THEY RATED
QPR
Royce 5, Kanyuka 6, Mancienne 6, Stewart 6, Bignot 6, Ward 6 (Baidoo 6), Lomas 6 (Bircham 6), Smith 7, Cook 7, Jones 6 (Furlong 5), Blackstock 7.
MANAGER Gregory 7
Luton Beresford 6, Barnett 6, Perrett 6, Coyne 6, Davis 7, BRKOVIC 8, Langley 6, Robinson 6, Morgan 7, Feeney 7, Vine 7.
MANAGER Newell 7
REFEREE A Bates 6
MAN OF THE MATCH AHMET BRKOVIC
Set up both Luton goals and was always a threat. Sunday Mirror
Saturday, January 06, 2007
STILL Waiting....For Chairman Paladini AKUTRS Reply
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In mid-September, QPR fans were able to read the latest issue of the QPR Fan Magazine, A Kick Up The Rs (AKUTRS). Chairman Paladini was unhappy with the issue and responded: AKUTRS AKUTRS took certain steps in response, including withdrawing that issue. In late October, QPR's Official Site posted what they termed An Apology from AKUTRs. At the statement's conclusion, Chairman Paladini declared " I will be exercising a full right to reply in the December edition."
But here we are: A week away from mid-January. Several issues of AKUTRs have come out since that original "offending" issue....And still no Paladini reply. Still Waiting!
[As Chairman Paladini told the Fan Forum in mid-October (as reported on the Official Site: "GP on AKUTR'S: I didn't take this man to court. People think I take people to court because the coffee is too cold.....The magazine, I never said I would take them to court, I wanted a chance to respond to serious things that were said about me in that magazine, he never had the decency to get in touch with me for a discussion and my side, I'm talking about the journalist here not the man who edits the magazine. If you don't do anything about this, you're guilty. The allegations he made against me are wrong. If they are true then I shouldn't be the chairman. If they are right I'd resign tomorrow." Fan Forum
October 26, 2006 QPR OFFICIAL SITE - AN APOLOGY
The Editor and proprietor of the fanzine 'A Kick Up The R's' today agreed to publish the following retraction and apology to QPR Chairman, Gianni Paladini:
In the September edition of the newsletter 'A Kick Up the R's', we published a series of articles by Cos Atiolis about Mr Paladini, the Chairman of Queen's Park Rangers football club.
In these articles we falsely suggested that Mr Paladini was involved in fraud, corruption, malpractice and dishonesty, and made a number of other serious false, misleading and defamatory statements about him.
We now fully accept that there is no truth whatsoever in these allegations and we are extremely sorry for the distress and embarrassment caused by the articles.
The newsletter containing the articles has been withdrawn from sale and we have offered Mr Paladini a full right of reply to the articles, which will appear in the next edition.
Paladini said: "I am delighted that the fanzine has withdrawn the untrue and unfair allegations it made against me, and that it was possible to resolve this without legal action.
"Although everyone has a right to free speech, and I welcome constructive criticism, I take my professional reputation very seriously and will not stand by whilst I am accused falsely.
"I find these allegations distressing, not just because they damage me, but also because of the distress they cause to my family and to QPR fans.
"I would never want to fall out with any of our fans. The way to move this club forward is to be united.
"Fortunately, AKUTRs has accepted there was no truth to the serious allegations it published and has retracted them. I will be exercising a full right to reply in the December edition, and I hope that is then the end of the matter." QPR
SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 - QPR OFFICIAL SITE
Statement by Gianni Paladini on the recent edition of 'A Kick Up The Rs:'
The publication 'A Kick Up The Rs' has recently published a deeply misleading, inaccurate and scandalous article about myself and Queens Park Rangers FC.
A number of serious allegations have been made in that publication which are not true. The publication failed to contact myself or anyone else at the Club to verify their allegations.
Considering the seriousness of the allegations, I have been reluctantly forced to take legal action. The matter is now in the hands of my solicitors.
I expect a comprehensive retraction and apology from the publication for publishing these falsehoods. If they are not prepared to provide that, the matter will be dealt with by the courts.
I am sorry it must come to this, but in order for me to be able to defend myself from such blatant and hurtful untruths, I have no alternative than to take this action.
I shall make no further comment on this matter until either the apology and retraction has been received or legal proceedings are concluded QPR
In mid-September, QPR fans were able to read the latest issue of the QPR Fan Magazine, A Kick Up The Rs (AKUTRS). Chairman Paladini was unhappy with the issue and responded: AKUTRS AKUTRS took certain steps in response, including withdrawing that issue. In late October, QPR's Official Site posted what they termed An Apology from AKUTRs. At the statement's conclusion, Chairman Paladini declared " I will be exercising a full right to reply in the December edition."
But here we are: A week away from mid-January. Several issues of AKUTRs have come out since that original "offending" issue....And still no Paladini reply. Still Waiting!
[As Chairman Paladini told the Fan Forum in mid-October (as reported on the Official Site: "GP on AKUTR'S: I didn't take this man to court. People think I take people to court because the coffee is too cold.....The magazine, I never said I would take them to court, I wanted a chance to respond to serious things that were said about me in that magazine, he never had the decency to get in touch with me for a discussion and my side, I'm talking about the journalist here not the man who edits the magazine. If you don't do anything about this, you're guilty. The allegations he made against me are wrong. If they are true then I shouldn't be the chairman. If they are right I'd resign tomorrow." Fan Forum
October 26, 2006 QPR OFFICIAL SITE - AN APOLOGY
The Editor and proprietor of the fanzine 'A Kick Up The R's' today agreed to publish the following retraction and apology to QPR Chairman, Gianni Paladini:
In the September edition of the newsletter 'A Kick Up the R's', we published a series of articles by Cos Atiolis about Mr Paladini, the Chairman of Queen's Park Rangers football club.
In these articles we falsely suggested that Mr Paladini was involved in fraud, corruption, malpractice and dishonesty, and made a number of other serious false, misleading and defamatory statements about him.
We now fully accept that there is no truth whatsoever in these allegations and we are extremely sorry for the distress and embarrassment caused by the articles.
The newsletter containing the articles has been withdrawn from sale and we have offered Mr Paladini a full right of reply to the articles, which will appear in the next edition.
Paladini said: "I am delighted that the fanzine has withdrawn the untrue and unfair allegations it made against me, and that it was possible to resolve this without legal action.
"Although everyone has a right to free speech, and I welcome constructive criticism, I take my professional reputation very seriously and will not stand by whilst I am accused falsely.
"I find these allegations distressing, not just because they damage me, but also because of the distress they cause to my family and to QPR fans.
"I would never want to fall out with any of our fans. The way to move this club forward is to be united.
"Fortunately, AKUTRs has accepted there was no truth to the serious allegations it published and has retracted them. I will be exercising a full right to reply in the December edition, and I hope that is then the end of the matter." QPR
SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 - QPR OFFICIAL SITE
Statement by Gianni Paladini on the recent edition of 'A Kick Up The Rs:'
The publication 'A Kick Up The Rs' has recently published a deeply misleading, inaccurate and scandalous article about myself and Queens Park Rangers FC.
A number of serious allegations have been made in that publication which are not true. The publication failed to contact myself or anyone else at the Club to verify their allegations.
Considering the seriousness of the allegations, I have been reluctantly forced to take legal action. The matter is now in the hands of my solicitors.
I expect a comprehensive retraction and apology from the publication for publishing these falsehoods. If they are not prepared to provide that, the matter will be dealt with by the courts.
I am sorry it must come to this, but in order for me to be able to defend myself from such blatant and hurtful untruths, I have no alternative than to take this action.
I shall make no further comment on this matter until either the apology and retraction has been received or legal proceedings are concluded QPR
QPR Forced to a Replay in the FA Cup
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QPR were held 2-2 at home to Luton
QPR took the lead through Blackstock in the 32nd minuted. Luton scored twice just before and just after the break. QPR equalized in the 76th minute through substitute Baidoo.
QPR Team:
Royce Bignot Mancienne Stewart Kanyuka Cook Smith Lomas Ward Blackstock Jones
Bench: Cole Rehman Bircham Furlong Baidoo
UPDATE: JOHN GREGORY OFFICIAL SITE
THE HAND OF SHAB
John Gregory was happy to admit Shabazz Baidoo's equaliser should never have stood after seeing his side draw 2-2 with Luton.
Speaking in the wake of the four goal thriller at Loftus Road, Gregory told www.qpr.co.uk: "I think he used both hands to be honest.
"We had a nailed-on penalty in the first half though, so it's probably levelled itself out over the course of the 90 minutes.
"It was an afternoon full of mistakes and mishaps, but we're in the hat for the fourth round on Monday.
"I suppose when we look at the way the game went and the conditions, I'm happy with a replay.''
Gregory bemoaned the way the R's ended the first half and started the second period though, commenting: "We're disappointed - we were totally in control for 40 odd minutes. I didn't have to get out of my seat and that's saying something.
"We were bossing the game and I was thinking it was just a matter of time before we got the second goal.
"Unfortunately we fell asleep either side of the break and suddenly we're chasing the game.
"Thankfully the lads kept battling and we got the all-important equaliser.''
The last time Rangers progressed to the fourth round stage was following a replay at Kenilworth Road in 2001. "Lets hope history repeats itself,'' said Gregory.
"It's a tough place to go but we've won there already this season so why can't we go there and do it again?'' QPR
Dunstable Today - Newell's Reaction
Newell bemoans 'handball' equaliser
Even Gregory admits QPR leveller illegal
Hatters boss Mike Newell was left fuming about the decision that allowed QPR a late leveller in the 2-2 third round FA Cup tie at Loftus Road.
Town had been 2-1 ahead thanks to goals either side of half-time from Rowan Vine and Warren Feeney after Dexter Blackstock's opener for the hosts.
But Rangers earned a replay with a controversial leveller from substitute Shabazz Baidoo 15 minutes from time despite the player appearing to convert with his hand.
A despondent Newell said: "It was handball. But the referee didn't see it so there's nothing you can do about it.
"I don't know how he didn't see it or the linesman didn't see it, but everyone else in the ground did."
Even Rangers manager John Gregory conceded: "I was totally convinced it was handball and I don't think it hit one hand I think it hit two.
"It hit both his hands and ended up in the back of the net.
"I don't know what happened before it. I know the goalkeeper made a good save and one or two of our lads said the ball hit one of the Luton players' hands.
"But then Shabazz put his hands up to protect himself from a clearance and it looked it hit both his hands and went in, but the referee gave it."
On the pattern of the game, Newell said: "We should have won the game, again.
"We should have put it beyond doubt with the spell we had 15 or 20 minutes after half-time.
"We should have had it wrapped up, but we didn't. When you concede, you concede, but it's hard to take when it's handball.
"It's the FA Cup and you're interested in performances, you just want to get through to the next round.
"We didn't want the extra game with the injuries we've got at the moment – we're down to the bare bones.
"But the bottom line is we're still in the cup and in the draw."
On the chances of 14-goal striker Rowan Vine being around for the replay after reported interest from Cardiff, Norwich and Sunderland, Newell said: "I'm hopeful, but I don't know.
"You'll have to ask the powers that be about that. You won't get any thoughts on that from me." Duntsable Today
QPR OFFICIAL SITE MATCH REPORT
Super-sub Shabazz Baidoo bagged a controversial late leveller to keep the R's FA Cup dreams alive.
Entering the fray as a second half substitute, the teenager forced a replay after scoring with his hand in the closing stages of a rain-soaked clash at Loftus Road.
In a Jimmy Smith inspired first half, Rangers took the lead.
Dexter Blackstock soared to the top of the R's goalscoring charts with his seventh goal of the season just after the half hour.
Arriving onto Lee Cook's perfectly flighted corner, the former Southampton ace made no mistake from inside the six-yard box, heading home with aplomb.
However, in a fixture which has a habit of producing drama either side of the half-time whistle, goals a minute before and a minute after the break gave Luton the initiative.
Rowan Vine ensured it was all square at the break, when he struck from 15-yards on the stroke of half-time.
After notching two goals in as many minutes in the Championship fixture at Kenilworth Road in mid-November, Luton produced an almost carbon copy performance when Warren Feeney capitalised on hesitancy in the R's back four to make it 2-1 a minute into the second period.
The drama was relentless and when Baidoo leapt off the bench to notch his second goal of the season, a replay at Kenilworth Road loomed large.
There was still time for both sides to clinch victory, but on the balance of play, a draw - and a replay - was probably a fair result.
Rangers welcomed back Smith to the starting XI, with Kevin Gallen making way.
Marc Bircham returned to the R's bench, alongside Jake Cole, Zesh Rehman, Baidoo and Paul Furlong.
R's old boy Richard Langley passed a late fitness test to retain his place in the Luton side, but the Hatters were minus the services of Pompey loanee Dean Kiely.
Buoyed by their 1-0 win against high-flying Colchester last time out, the R's come out of the traps at a exhilarating rate.
After missing out against the U's, Smith was keen to stamp his authority on proceedings early on and when Cook fed him the ball 25-yards from goal, the Chelsea loanee wasted no time in getting his shot away, only to fire over.
Nicky Ward fired another warning shot to Marlon Beresford when he let fly on nine minutes, but yet again the effort lacked direction.
Smith was clearly relishing his midfield battle and when Rangers were awarded a free-kick a minute later, Beresford did fantastically well to smother his shot as it zipped up off the greasy Loftus Road surface.
With the rain continuing to fall at a consistent rate, Rangers were denied what appeared to be a blatant spot-kick on 17 minutes.
After seeing his initial shot blocked by Chris Coyne, Smith took a second bite at the cherry, only to have his legs taken away from him by Steve Robinson.
Smith and his fellow team-mates were incensed at Mr Bates' decision and they had every right to be.
Luton were second best all over the park and when Feeney forced Simon Royce into a regulation save midway through the half, it was very much against the run of play.
Undeterred, the Hatters grew in stature as the half wore on, with Ahmet Brkovic seeing his snap shot deflected a yard or so wide on 27 minutes.
Play quickly switched to the other end, with Beresford on hand to tip over Cook's inswinging corner in the 31st minute.
Luton clearly didn't heed the warning though and when Cook flighted the resultant corner to the front post, Blackstock stole a march on his marker to head home his seventh goal of the season from inside the six-yard box.
Luton made amends on the strike of half-time, after Michael Mancienne unsuccessfully attempted to intercept Feeney's pass.
Brkovic capitalised on the loose ball and when he slid in Vine, the striker took one touch to set before firing past Royce for his 14th goal of the campaign.
The 1-1 half-time scoreline was harsh on Rangers, who had dominated for long periods, only to lack that killer instinct in the final third.
Although the rain eased on the resumption, there was no let up in the action - and it was Luton who came out the traps firing on all cylinders.
Brkovic's teasing cross from the right deceived Royce as it spun off the surface and Feeney was the fortunate recipient, as the ball bounced up, hit him on the chest and cannoned into the empty net.
The R's should have been on terms two minutes later, but Blackstock squandered a golden chance from the edge of the six-yard box, firing high and wide from Smith's miscued drive.
Blackstock was being gifted the freedom of the final third and when he rose to meet Cook's outswinging corner, Dean Morgan somehow cleared the ball to safety from under his own crossbar.
After seeing his side throw away a comfortable 1-0 lead, gaffer John Gregory was dealt another blow in the 63rd minute, when Ray Jones was forced from the fray with a knock.
Furlong entered the fray at his expense and the evergreen striker made a decent impact, firing a volley on target, which Beresford did well to hold on to at the first attempt.
Sensing the R's required fresh legs on a boggy surface, Gregory made a double change with 20 minutes on the clock, introducing Baidoo and Bircham, at the expense of Ward and the hardworking Steve Lomas.
Baidoo's impact was quite sensational - the kind of super-sub heroics this competition has a habit of producing. Moments after the teenager required treatment for a knock, Rangers won a corner.
Cook's delivery was sublime yet again and after Stewart's header was cleared off the line, following a goal-mouth scramble, Baidoo pounced - albeit via the aid of his hand - to put Rangers on terms.
To a man, the Luton side were in uproar, but after having strong appeals for a stone-wall spot-kick waved away in the first half, the R's deserved a lucky break - and they certainly got it courtesy of Mr Bates and his assistant Mr Williams.
To their credit, both sides went in search of a winner in the closing stages, but the all-important fifth goal remained elusive.
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Mancienne, Stewart, Kanyuka, Cook, Smith, Lomas (Bircham 71), Ward (Baidoo 71), Blackstock, Jones (Furlong 63).
Subs: Cole, Rehman.
Scorers: Blackstock 31, Baidoo 75
Luton Town: Beresford, Davis, Coyne, Perrett, Robinson, Vine, Feeney, Morgan, Langley, Brkovic, Barnett.
Subs: Brill, O'Leary, Boyd, Keane, Holmes.
Scorers: Vine 44, Feeney 46
Bookings: Barnett 82, Langley 90
Referee: Mr A Bates QPR
LUTON OFFICIAL SITE
A controversial strike from Shabazz Baidoo means Luton and QPR will have to do it all again in ten days time at Kenilworth Road after they couldn't be separated in an entertaining FA Cup Third Round encounter at Loftus Road.
The Rangers substitute hit home the equalising goal in the second half to cancel out strikes from Warren Feeney and Rowan Vine.
However, Luton were left fuming as the striker looked as if he had handled the ball in the build up to the goal.
Despite strong protests from Luton players, referee Anthony Bates allowed the goal to stand, despite consulting with his assistant.
Ranger took a first half lead when Dexter Blackstock nodded home from close range to convert Cook's corner.
Luton were back on level terms just before the interval through Rowan Vine's 14th goal of the season, with Warren Feeney striking home from close range immediately after the restart.
With Portsmouth refusing permission for Dean Kiely to play in the FA Cup, Marlon Beresford returned to the starting line-up.
The absence of Carlos Edwards, following his transfer to Sunderland, meant Ahmet Brkovic kept his place on the right side of midfield.
Kevin Foley's absence meant Leon Barnett was forced into the right back slot as Chris Coyne returned to partner Russell Perrett in the centre of Luton's defence.
QPR made one change from the side that beat Colchester on Bank Holiday Monday as Jimmy Smith replaced striker Kevin Gallen.
QPR made a bright start and almost took the lead in the fourth minute when Jimmy Smith cracked a fierce drive from the edge of the area that sailed over the Luton crossbar.
The home side continued to insert pressure on the Luton defence and Rangers fans thought they should have had a penalty on 17 minutes when Smith was sent tumbling to the ground after a rash challenge from Steve Robinson.
Despite strong protests from the Rangers players, referee Anthony Bates waved away the appeals as Luton breathed a huge sigh of relief.
The torrential downpours were making playing conditions difficult as Luton struggled to stamp their authority on the game.
It wasn't until the 21st minute that the visitors managed a worthwhile opportunity as Feeney collected a short pass from Vine to fire a 22 yard shot straight into the arms of QPR goalkeeper Simon Royce.
However it was QPR that looked the more likely side to score and when they broke the deadlock on 32 minutes, it was little surprise, although the nature of the goal would have certainly infuriated Hatters boss Mike Newell.
It was Cook's corner that caused confusion in the Hatters defence which saw Blackstock nip in at the front post to nod home from close range.
The game was soon drifting into half time as QPR continued to sustain the pressure. However, the half took a twist just seconds before the interval as the Hatters got themselves back on level terms.
Some neat build up play from the visitors, involving Feeney and Richard Langley, eventually saw Ahmet Brkovic slip a neat ball to Vine, who calmly side footed an well executed shot from the edge of the area the nestled kindly into the corner of the net.
AT HALF TIME: QPR 1 V 1 LUTON
Luton made the perfect start to the second half when they got themselves in front just 48 seconds after the restart. Brkovic's optimistic cross from the right was pushed by Royce into the path of Feeney, who bundled the ball into the empty net.
Rangers almost responded immediately when on 49 minutes, Beresford failed to claim a long kick up field. As the Luton defence failed to clear the danger, Cook sent over a cross from the left which was turned over the crossbar by Blackstock, as the former Southampton striker failed to direct his effort into an empty net.
Luton had Dean Morgan to thank on 55 minutes when the midfielder cleared Blackstock's towering header off the line after Cook had delivered a pinpoint corner.
The Hatters continued to surge forward as Feeney almost grabbed his second of the game on 62 minutes when the striker fired narrowly over the crossbar from the edge of the Rangers penalty area.
On 68 minutes, Feeney came close again as the visitors continued to enjoy the majority of possession. The Northern Ireland international raced onto Langley's through ball, but his first time shot from an acute angle was blocked by Damion Stewart.
A double substitution from QPR boss John Gregory almost had an immediate impact when Cook found space down the left flank to fiercely hit a low drive the flew straight into the arms of Beresford.
Controversy surrounded Rangers' equaliser as they bundled the ball into the net on 76 minutes. A Cook corner wasn't dealt with by the visitors' defence as Baidoo managed to scramble to ball over the line from close range.
However, Luton were left fuming as Baidoo seemingly used his arm to guide the ball beyond the reach of Beresford as Hatters players surrounded Bates.
Rangers went in search of a winner and it nearly came from Paul Furlong on 85 minutes when the striker fired an acute angle shot inches wide of the target.
Langley tried his luck with an ambitious 25 yard free kick in stoppage time, but it failed to hit the target, as both teams found themselves in the hat for the fourth round draw, a result which probably does neither team much good. Luton
Dunstable Today -Luton and QPR will meet again
Goals within a minute either side of half-time couldn't quite see Luton through the third round of the FA Cup at QPR.
Rowan Vine's 14th of the season in the final minute of the first-half and Warren Feeney's third of the campaign a minute after the interval had seen Town go 2-1 up after Dexter Blackstock's opener for the hosts.
But home substitute Shabazz Baidoo's controversial equaliser – which Hatters claimed he put in with his hand – ensured honours ended even at a rain-swept Loftus Road.
The draw means both sides will now face each other again in a replay at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday, January 16.
Hatters made three changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Cardiff on New Year's Day as Chris Coyne, Steve Robinson and Marlon Beresford came in for the departed Carlos Edwards, suspended David Bell and on loan stopper Dean Kiely, whose parent club Portsmouth denied permission for their man to play.
Rangers meanwhile made one change to the team that beat Colchester 1-0 five days ago with Chelsea loan midfielder Jimmy Smith replacing Kevin Gallen.
The hosts also included ex-Hatters loanee, goalkeeper Simon Royce in their 11.
After the game survived an early pitch inspection, QPR started the better amid driving rain in West London.
Smith and Nick Ward both hit long range efforts off-target within the first nine minutes before Smith tested Beresford with a low 20-yard free-kick in the 11th minute after former Rangers midfielder Richard Langley had fouled Lee Cook.
Cook was next to have a pop himself two minutes later, but his 20-yarder after Ray Jones' pass flew well wide.
Luton only had a wild 14th minute, 30-yard free-kick from Dean Morgan that flew high and wide to show for their efforts early on.
It was QPR who continued to dominate and they were denied what looked like a stonewall penalty in the 17th minute when Robinson caught Smith from behind in the area as the youngster shaped to shoot, but referee Tony Bates ignored the home side's appeals.
Hatters gradually began to work their way back into the match and after Feeney bounced a 25-yard effort at Royce in the 22nd minute, Ahmet Brkovic saw his 18-yard shot deflect wide off Damion Stewart five minutes later after Leon Barnett's cross from the right was half-cleared.
As the rain continued to fall, conditions deteriorated, holding up the ball in areas of the pitch and turning the clash into a scrappy affair.
It was the hosts who coped the better with the weather though as they took the lead in the 32nd minute.
The Hoops' first corner of the afternoon forced Beresford to react smartly and push Cook's inswinging strike over the bar, but from the second flag kick Blackstock arrived at the front post to thump home a header from close range.
Town looked like trooping in a goal down at the interval, but seconds before the break Vine hauled Luton back on level terms by lashing home right-footed from just inside the penalty area after Brkovic layed the ball off following Feeney's clever dummy.
Just 48 seconds after the half-time restart Luton went 2-1 up as Vine found Brkovic on the right flank and the Croat turned provider again sending in a teasing cross that bounced up off Royce into Feeney before the ball flew into the unguarded net.
Four minutes later Hatters almost got another as Morgan's cross-shot free-kick from wide on the left flashed just past the far post, evading the lurking Russell Perrett.
Rangers responded immediately as Beresford flapped at a deep ball into the penalty area allowing Smith to rasp in a shot that flew into the path of Blackstock, who could only prod over the bar from six yards on the stretch.
With the rain relenting the action increased and Morgan had to be alive to clear off the line in the 56th minute from Blackstock's 15-yard goalbound header after Cook's corner.
Luton settled and with Langley impressing against his former employers, Town pushed on and came close again when Langley himself fed Feeney in the area, but the striker delayed his shot allowing Stewart to block.
QPR were restricted to long range efforts from substitute Paul Furlong and Cook that Beresford comfortably gathered despite the wet conditions.
But they found an equaliser in the 75th minute from another substitute after an almighty scramble in the penalty area.
Cook's corner caused pandemonium as Langley first blocked one attempt before Beresford somehow kept out the follow up amid a host of bodies only for the ball to bounce up for Baidoo who converted from close range with more than a hint of handball.
The goal was only given after a delay while official Bates consulted his assistant before pointing to the centre circle. Dunstable Today
QPR were held 2-2 at home to Luton
QPR took the lead through Blackstock in the 32nd minuted. Luton scored twice just before and just after the break. QPR equalized in the 76th minute through substitute Baidoo.
QPR Team:
Royce Bignot Mancienne Stewart Kanyuka Cook Smith Lomas Ward Blackstock Jones
Bench: Cole Rehman Bircham Furlong Baidoo
UPDATE: JOHN GREGORY OFFICIAL SITE
THE HAND OF SHAB
John Gregory was happy to admit Shabazz Baidoo's equaliser should never have stood after seeing his side draw 2-2 with Luton.
Speaking in the wake of the four goal thriller at Loftus Road, Gregory told www.qpr.co.uk: "I think he used both hands to be honest.
"We had a nailed-on penalty in the first half though, so it's probably levelled itself out over the course of the 90 minutes.
"It was an afternoon full of mistakes and mishaps, but we're in the hat for the fourth round on Monday.
"I suppose when we look at the way the game went and the conditions, I'm happy with a replay.''
Gregory bemoaned the way the R's ended the first half and started the second period though, commenting: "We're disappointed - we were totally in control for 40 odd minutes. I didn't have to get out of my seat and that's saying something.
"We were bossing the game and I was thinking it was just a matter of time before we got the second goal.
"Unfortunately we fell asleep either side of the break and suddenly we're chasing the game.
"Thankfully the lads kept battling and we got the all-important equaliser.''
The last time Rangers progressed to the fourth round stage was following a replay at Kenilworth Road in 2001. "Lets hope history repeats itself,'' said Gregory.
"It's a tough place to go but we've won there already this season so why can't we go there and do it again?'' QPR
Dunstable Today - Newell's Reaction
Newell bemoans 'handball' equaliser
Even Gregory admits QPR leveller illegal
Hatters boss Mike Newell was left fuming about the decision that allowed QPR a late leveller in the 2-2 third round FA Cup tie at Loftus Road.
Town had been 2-1 ahead thanks to goals either side of half-time from Rowan Vine and Warren Feeney after Dexter Blackstock's opener for the hosts.
But Rangers earned a replay with a controversial leveller from substitute Shabazz Baidoo 15 minutes from time despite the player appearing to convert with his hand.
A despondent Newell said: "It was handball. But the referee didn't see it so there's nothing you can do about it.
"I don't know how he didn't see it or the linesman didn't see it, but everyone else in the ground did."
Even Rangers manager John Gregory conceded: "I was totally convinced it was handball and I don't think it hit one hand I think it hit two.
"It hit both his hands and ended up in the back of the net.
"I don't know what happened before it. I know the goalkeeper made a good save and one or two of our lads said the ball hit one of the Luton players' hands.
"But then Shabazz put his hands up to protect himself from a clearance and it looked it hit both his hands and went in, but the referee gave it."
On the pattern of the game, Newell said: "We should have won the game, again.
"We should have put it beyond doubt with the spell we had 15 or 20 minutes after half-time.
"We should have had it wrapped up, but we didn't. When you concede, you concede, but it's hard to take when it's handball.
"It's the FA Cup and you're interested in performances, you just want to get through to the next round.
"We didn't want the extra game with the injuries we've got at the moment – we're down to the bare bones.
"But the bottom line is we're still in the cup and in the draw."
On the chances of 14-goal striker Rowan Vine being around for the replay after reported interest from Cardiff, Norwich and Sunderland, Newell said: "I'm hopeful, but I don't know.
"You'll have to ask the powers that be about that. You won't get any thoughts on that from me." Duntsable Today
QPR OFFICIAL SITE MATCH REPORT
Super-sub Shabazz Baidoo bagged a controversial late leveller to keep the R's FA Cup dreams alive.
Entering the fray as a second half substitute, the teenager forced a replay after scoring with his hand in the closing stages of a rain-soaked clash at Loftus Road.
In a Jimmy Smith inspired first half, Rangers took the lead.
Dexter Blackstock soared to the top of the R's goalscoring charts with his seventh goal of the season just after the half hour.
Arriving onto Lee Cook's perfectly flighted corner, the former Southampton ace made no mistake from inside the six-yard box, heading home with aplomb.
However, in a fixture which has a habit of producing drama either side of the half-time whistle, goals a minute before and a minute after the break gave Luton the initiative.
Rowan Vine ensured it was all square at the break, when he struck from 15-yards on the stroke of half-time.
After notching two goals in as many minutes in the Championship fixture at Kenilworth Road in mid-November, Luton produced an almost carbon copy performance when Warren Feeney capitalised on hesitancy in the R's back four to make it 2-1 a minute into the second period.
The drama was relentless and when Baidoo leapt off the bench to notch his second goal of the season, a replay at Kenilworth Road loomed large.
There was still time for both sides to clinch victory, but on the balance of play, a draw - and a replay - was probably a fair result.
Rangers welcomed back Smith to the starting XI, with Kevin Gallen making way.
Marc Bircham returned to the R's bench, alongside Jake Cole, Zesh Rehman, Baidoo and Paul Furlong.
R's old boy Richard Langley passed a late fitness test to retain his place in the Luton side, but the Hatters were minus the services of Pompey loanee Dean Kiely.
Buoyed by their 1-0 win against high-flying Colchester last time out, the R's come out of the traps at a exhilarating rate.
After missing out against the U's, Smith was keen to stamp his authority on proceedings early on and when Cook fed him the ball 25-yards from goal, the Chelsea loanee wasted no time in getting his shot away, only to fire over.
Nicky Ward fired another warning shot to Marlon Beresford when he let fly on nine minutes, but yet again the effort lacked direction.
Smith was clearly relishing his midfield battle and when Rangers were awarded a free-kick a minute later, Beresford did fantastically well to smother his shot as it zipped up off the greasy Loftus Road surface.
With the rain continuing to fall at a consistent rate, Rangers were denied what appeared to be a blatant spot-kick on 17 minutes.
After seeing his initial shot blocked by Chris Coyne, Smith took a second bite at the cherry, only to have his legs taken away from him by Steve Robinson.
Smith and his fellow team-mates were incensed at Mr Bates' decision and they had every right to be.
Luton were second best all over the park and when Feeney forced Simon Royce into a regulation save midway through the half, it was very much against the run of play.
Undeterred, the Hatters grew in stature as the half wore on, with Ahmet Brkovic seeing his snap shot deflected a yard or so wide on 27 minutes.
Play quickly switched to the other end, with Beresford on hand to tip over Cook's inswinging corner in the 31st minute.
Luton clearly didn't heed the warning though and when Cook flighted the resultant corner to the front post, Blackstock stole a march on his marker to head home his seventh goal of the season from inside the six-yard box.
Luton made amends on the strike of half-time, after Michael Mancienne unsuccessfully attempted to intercept Feeney's pass.
Brkovic capitalised on the loose ball and when he slid in Vine, the striker took one touch to set before firing past Royce for his 14th goal of the campaign.
The 1-1 half-time scoreline was harsh on Rangers, who had dominated for long periods, only to lack that killer instinct in the final third.
Although the rain eased on the resumption, there was no let up in the action - and it was Luton who came out the traps firing on all cylinders.
Brkovic's teasing cross from the right deceived Royce as it spun off the surface and Feeney was the fortunate recipient, as the ball bounced up, hit him on the chest and cannoned into the empty net.
The R's should have been on terms two minutes later, but Blackstock squandered a golden chance from the edge of the six-yard box, firing high and wide from Smith's miscued drive.
Blackstock was being gifted the freedom of the final third and when he rose to meet Cook's outswinging corner, Dean Morgan somehow cleared the ball to safety from under his own crossbar.
After seeing his side throw away a comfortable 1-0 lead, gaffer John Gregory was dealt another blow in the 63rd minute, when Ray Jones was forced from the fray with a knock.
Furlong entered the fray at his expense and the evergreen striker made a decent impact, firing a volley on target, which Beresford did well to hold on to at the first attempt.
Sensing the R's required fresh legs on a boggy surface, Gregory made a double change with 20 minutes on the clock, introducing Baidoo and Bircham, at the expense of Ward and the hardworking Steve Lomas.
Baidoo's impact was quite sensational - the kind of super-sub heroics this competition has a habit of producing. Moments after the teenager required treatment for a knock, Rangers won a corner.
Cook's delivery was sublime yet again and after Stewart's header was cleared off the line, following a goal-mouth scramble, Baidoo pounced - albeit via the aid of his hand - to put Rangers on terms.
To a man, the Luton side were in uproar, but after having strong appeals for a stone-wall spot-kick waved away in the first half, the R's deserved a lucky break - and they certainly got it courtesy of Mr Bates and his assistant Mr Williams.
To their credit, both sides went in search of a winner in the closing stages, but the all-important fifth goal remained elusive.
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Mancienne, Stewart, Kanyuka, Cook, Smith, Lomas (Bircham 71), Ward (Baidoo 71), Blackstock, Jones (Furlong 63).
Subs: Cole, Rehman.
Scorers: Blackstock 31, Baidoo 75
Luton Town: Beresford, Davis, Coyne, Perrett, Robinson, Vine, Feeney, Morgan, Langley, Brkovic, Barnett.
Subs: Brill, O'Leary, Boyd, Keane, Holmes.
Scorers: Vine 44, Feeney 46
Bookings: Barnett 82, Langley 90
Referee: Mr A Bates QPR
LUTON OFFICIAL SITE
A controversial strike from Shabazz Baidoo means Luton and QPR will have to do it all again in ten days time at Kenilworth Road after they couldn't be separated in an entertaining FA Cup Third Round encounter at Loftus Road.
The Rangers substitute hit home the equalising goal in the second half to cancel out strikes from Warren Feeney and Rowan Vine.
However, Luton were left fuming as the striker looked as if he had handled the ball in the build up to the goal.
Despite strong protests from Luton players, referee Anthony Bates allowed the goal to stand, despite consulting with his assistant.
Ranger took a first half lead when Dexter Blackstock nodded home from close range to convert Cook's corner.
Luton were back on level terms just before the interval through Rowan Vine's 14th goal of the season, with Warren Feeney striking home from close range immediately after the restart.
With Portsmouth refusing permission for Dean Kiely to play in the FA Cup, Marlon Beresford returned to the starting line-up.
The absence of Carlos Edwards, following his transfer to Sunderland, meant Ahmet Brkovic kept his place on the right side of midfield.
Kevin Foley's absence meant Leon Barnett was forced into the right back slot as Chris Coyne returned to partner Russell Perrett in the centre of Luton's defence.
QPR made one change from the side that beat Colchester on Bank Holiday Monday as Jimmy Smith replaced striker Kevin Gallen.
QPR made a bright start and almost took the lead in the fourth minute when Jimmy Smith cracked a fierce drive from the edge of the area that sailed over the Luton crossbar.
The home side continued to insert pressure on the Luton defence and Rangers fans thought they should have had a penalty on 17 minutes when Smith was sent tumbling to the ground after a rash challenge from Steve Robinson.
Despite strong protests from the Rangers players, referee Anthony Bates waved away the appeals as Luton breathed a huge sigh of relief.
The torrential downpours were making playing conditions difficult as Luton struggled to stamp their authority on the game.
It wasn't until the 21st minute that the visitors managed a worthwhile opportunity as Feeney collected a short pass from Vine to fire a 22 yard shot straight into the arms of QPR goalkeeper Simon Royce.
However it was QPR that looked the more likely side to score and when they broke the deadlock on 32 minutes, it was little surprise, although the nature of the goal would have certainly infuriated Hatters boss Mike Newell.
It was Cook's corner that caused confusion in the Hatters defence which saw Blackstock nip in at the front post to nod home from close range.
The game was soon drifting into half time as QPR continued to sustain the pressure. However, the half took a twist just seconds before the interval as the Hatters got themselves back on level terms.
Some neat build up play from the visitors, involving Feeney and Richard Langley, eventually saw Ahmet Brkovic slip a neat ball to Vine, who calmly side footed an well executed shot from the edge of the area the nestled kindly into the corner of the net.
AT HALF TIME: QPR 1 V 1 LUTON
Luton made the perfect start to the second half when they got themselves in front just 48 seconds after the restart. Brkovic's optimistic cross from the right was pushed by Royce into the path of Feeney, who bundled the ball into the empty net.
Rangers almost responded immediately when on 49 minutes, Beresford failed to claim a long kick up field. As the Luton defence failed to clear the danger, Cook sent over a cross from the left which was turned over the crossbar by Blackstock, as the former Southampton striker failed to direct his effort into an empty net.
Luton had Dean Morgan to thank on 55 minutes when the midfielder cleared Blackstock's towering header off the line after Cook had delivered a pinpoint corner.
The Hatters continued to surge forward as Feeney almost grabbed his second of the game on 62 minutes when the striker fired narrowly over the crossbar from the edge of the Rangers penalty area.
On 68 minutes, Feeney came close again as the visitors continued to enjoy the majority of possession. The Northern Ireland international raced onto Langley's through ball, but his first time shot from an acute angle was blocked by Damion Stewart.
A double substitution from QPR boss John Gregory almost had an immediate impact when Cook found space down the left flank to fiercely hit a low drive the flew straight into the arms of Beresford.
Controversy surrounded Rangers' equaliser as they bundled the ball into the net on 76 minutes. A Cook corner wasn't dealt with by the visitors' defence as Baidoo managed to scramble to ball over the line from close range.
However, Luton were left fuming as Baidoo seemingly used his arm to guide the ball beyond the reach of Beresford as Hatters players surrounded Bates.
Rangers went in search of a winner and it nearly came from Paul Furlong on 85 minutes when the striker fired an acute angle shot inches wide of the target.
Langley tried his luck with an ambitious 25 yard free kick in stoppage time, but it failed to hit the target, as both teams found themselves in the hat for the fourth round draw, a result which probably does neither team much good. Luton
Dunstable Today -Luton and QPR will meet again
Goals within a minute either side of half-time couldn't quite see Luton through the third round of the FA Cup at QPR.
Rowan Vine's 14th of the season in the final minute of the first-half and Warren Feeney's third of the campaign a minute after the interval had seen Town go 2-1 up after Dexter Blackstock's opener for the hosts.
But home substitute Shabazz Baidoo's controversial equaliser – which Hatters claimed he put in with his hand – ensured honours ended even at a rain-swept Loftus Road.
The draw means both sides will now face each other again in a replay at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday, January 16.
Hatters made three changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Cardiff on New Year's Day as Chris Coyne, Steve Robinson and Marlon Beresford came in for the departed Carlos Edwards, suspended David Bell and on loan stopper Dean Kiely, whose parent club Portsmouth denied permission for their man to play.
Rangers meanwhile made one change to the team that beat Colchester 1-0 five days ago with Chelsea loan midfielder Jimmy Smith replacing Kevin Gallen.
The hosts also included ex-Hatters loanee, goalkeeper Simon Royce in their 11.
After the game survived an early pitch inspection, QPR started the better amid driving rain in West London.
Smith and Nick Ward both hit long range efforts off-target within the first nine minutes before Smith tested Beresford with a low 20-yard free-kick in the 11th minute after former Rangers midfielder Richard Langley had fouled Lee Cook.
Cook was next to have a pop himself two minutes later, but his 20-yarder after Ray Jones' pass flew well wide.
Luton only had a wild 14th minute, 30-yard free-kick from Dean Morgan that flew high and wide to show for their efforts early on.
It was QPR who continued to dominate and they were denied what looked like a stonewall penalty in the 17th minute when Robinson caught Smith from behind in the area as the youngster shaped to shoot, but referee Tony Bates ignored the home side's appeals.
Hatters gradually began to work their way back into the match and after Feeney bounced a 25-yard effort at Royce in the 22nd minute, Ahmet Brkovic saw his 18-yard shot deflect wide off Damion Stewart five minutes later after Leon Barnett's cross from the right was half-cleared.
As the rain continued to fall, conditions deteriorated, holding up the ball in areas of the pitch and turning the clash into a scrappy affair.
It was the hosts who coped the better with the weather though as they took the lead in the 32nd minute.
The Hoops' first corner of the afternoon forced Beresford to react smartly and push Cook's inswinging strike over the bar, but from the second flag kick Blackstock arrived at the front post to thump home a header from close range.
Town looked like trooping in a goal down at the interval, but seconds before the break Vine hauled Luton back on level terms by lashing home right-footed from just inside the penalty area after Brkovic layed the ball off following Feeney's clever dummy.
Just 48 seconds after the half-time restart Luton went 2-1 up as Vine found Brkovic on the right flank and the Croat turned provider again sending in a teasing cross that bounced up off Royce into Feeney before the ball flew into the unguarded net.
Four minutes later Hatters almost got another as Morgan's cross-shot free-kick from wide on the left flashed just past the far post, evading the lurking Russell Perrett.
Rangers responded immediately as Beresford flapped at a deep ball into the penalty area allowing Smith to rasp in a shot that flew into the path of Blackstock, who could only prod over the bar from six yards on the stretch.
With the rain relenting the action increased and Morgan had to be alive to clear off the line in the 56th minute from Blackstock's 15-yard goalbound header after Cook's corner.
Luton settled and with Langley impressing against his former employers, Town pushed on and came close again when Langley himself fed Feeney in the area, but the striker delayed his shot allowing Stewart to block.
QPR were restricted to long range efforts from substitute Paul Furlong and Cook that Beresford comfortably gathered despite the wet conditions.
But they found an equaliser in the 75th minute from another substitute after an almighty scramble in the penalty area.
Cook's corner caused pandemonium as Langley first blocked one attempt before Beresford somehow kept out the follow up amid a host of bodies only for the ball to bounce up for Baidoo who converted from close range with more than a hint of handball.
The goal was only given after a delay while official Bates consulted his assistant before pointing to the centre circle. Dunstable Today
QPR Ranked #22 Most Stressful Team To Follow
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Littlewoods Football Pools
Welcome to the first 'Football Fever Report', a unique, in-depth study into the stresses and strains of being a loyal follower of one of the current 92 Premiership and Football League clubs.
Statisticians at Littlewoods Football Pools have analysed the histories - both on and off the pitch - of each of the 92 clubs in order to determine, for the first time, which teams cause their fans the most stress and anxiety.
The criteria under which the club-by-club analysis has been conducted was based on initial research amongst football supporters, who were asked to identify which factors caused them anxiety/nervousness when following their team's fortunes.
Among the key 'stress factors' named by fans were:
The 'yo-yo effect', ie regular movement between divisions/leagues due to promotions and relegations
Narrowly missing out on promotion and/or relegation
Failing to win at home
Losing matches from a winning position
Losing in play-offs, particularly finals
Being involved in penalty shoot-outs, and cup ties which go into extra-time
Financial problems at the club, leading to uncertainty over its future and a detrimental effect on team performances
Changes in club ownership
Frequent changes in manager
The experts at Littlewoods Football Pools have analysed each team and used a sophisticated scoring system to mark them across all the stress factors identified. Each team has then been ranked accordingly, with the team believed to be the most stressful to follow .....Fever Index
Executive Summary "Executive Summary Warning: Watching Notts County, MK Dons or Carlisle United can seriously damage your health!..." Executive Summary
"...22. Queens Park Rangers
Three times in the past 10 years QPR have clung onto their position in the Football League's top tier by the skin of their teeth, including on one occasion by a single point, and another on goals scored (four teams finished on 47 points, with Bury the team to lose out). In 2003 Rangers finished fourth in Division Two, but lost in the play-off final to Cardiff City by a single goal in extra time. A year later they achieved promotion, finishing second behind Plymouth Argyle. QPR spent the 2001-02 season in administration, and stories of further financial problems have circulated in more recent times." Ranking
Full Littlewoods "Football Fever Report"
Littlewoods Football Pools
Welcome to the first 'Football Fever Report', a unique, in-depth study into the stresses and strains of being a loyal follower of one of the current 92 Premiership and Football League clubs.
Statisticians at Littlewoods Football Pools have analysed the histories - both on and off the pitch - of each of the 92 clubs in order to determine, for the first time, which teams cause their fans the most stress and anxiety.
The criteria under which the club-by-club analysis has been conducted was based on initial research amongst football supporters, who were asked to identify which factors caused them anxiety/nervousness when following their team's fortunes.
Among the key 'stress factors' named by fans were:
The 'yo-yo effect', ie regular movement between divisions/leagues due to promotions and relegations
Narrowly missing out on promotion and/or relegation
Failing to win at home
Losing matches from a winning position
Losing in play-offs, particularly finals
Being involved in penalty shoot-outs, and cup ties which go into extra-time
Financial problems at the club, leading to uncertainty over its future and a detrimental effect on team performances
Changes in club ownership
Frequent changes in manager
The experts at Littlewoods Football Pools have analysed each team and used a sophisticated scoring system to mark them across all the stress factors identified. Each team has then been ranked accordingly, with the team believed to be the most stressful to follow .....Fever Index
Executive Summary "Executive Summary Warning: Watching Notts County, MK Dons or Carlisle United can seriously damage your health!..." Executive Summary
"...22. Queens Park Rangers
Three times in the past 10 years QPR have clung onto their position in the Football League's top tier by the skin of their teeth, including on one occasion by a single point, and another on goals scored (four teams finished on 47 points, with Bury the team to lose out). In 2003 Rangers finished fourth in Division Two, but lost in the play-off final to Cardiff City by a single goal in extra time. A year later they achieved promotion, finishing second behind Plymouth Argyle. QPR spent the 2001-02 season in administration, and stories of further financial problems have circulated in more recent times." Ranking
Full Littlewoods "Football Fever Report"
QPR's Friendly With Whitney United & The QPR-Whitney Connection
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QPR Play Whitney United in a Friendly, January 23. QPR #2 Richard Hill used to play for Whitney and his son is a youth team player there.
WHITNEY UNITED OFFICIAL SITE
Witney United can today exclusively reveal that they have managed to secure a friendly against Championship side Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday 23rd January 2007 at Marriott’s Stadium.
The match came about with the help of former Witney Town player Richard Hill who is currently the Assistant Manager at Loftus Road. He was looking for an option to bring a side to and after a conversation with Club Secretary Adrian Bircher the two sides have managed to agree a date.
Hill is expected to bring a strong side to Marriott’s Stadium with the names mentioned so far being Paul Furlong, Dexter Blackstock, Ray Jones and Lee Cook. A full squad will be finalised nearer the time but a strong side had been guaranteed.
As a further gesture Hill has agreed to bring some signed merchandise which the club will look to raffle on the night including a signed Dexter Blackstock shirt.
Ticket details for the match will be finalised this weekend and announced at the start of next week but the match will NOT be all-ticket although supporters wishing to guarantee a seat will have to purchase in advance.
The club meanwhile are looking for potential sponsors for the match and also any volunteers who can help with stewarding etc. Anybody interested in helping should contact Ady Bircher on 07747 123411 or Mark Reid 07771 805823. At the moment please do not call these numbers for tickets. Whitney United
Oxford Mail- Witney fix up friendly with QPR
Witney United's players get the chance to take on a Football League team when Queen's Park Rangers visit Marriotts Stadium on Tuesday, January 23.
The match, for which ticket details will be released next week, came about through the friendship of Witney secretary Ady Bircher and former Oxford United midfielder Richard Hill, who is now No 2 to manager John Gregory at Loftus Road.
Hill's son, Dan, plays for Witney's youth team.
"When Richard got the job at QPR I asked him whether it would be possible to bring a QPR side down to play us," said Bircher. "And he stuck to his word.
"They are without a league game that weekend, so Richard or John Gregory will be bringing a side along.
"We're not sure what sort of team they are sending, but we've been promised a few first-teamers. We're hoping that Dexter Blackstock (the ex-Oxford United youngster) will play.
"QPR are getting a shirt signed by Dexter, so we can auction it off."
Witney are looking for sponsorship for the game. If you can help, contact Bircher on 07747 123411. Oxford Mail
QPR Official Site - FRIENDLY DATE
QPR will play Witney United in a mid-season friendly on Tuesday 23rd January.
The R's travel to the Marriott's Stadium - home of the Hellenic Premier division club - later this month. The match kicks off at 7.45pm. Ticket details will be available on www.witneyunited.co.uk in the next few days. QPR Official
Whitney
QPR Play Whitney United in a Friendly, January 23. QPR #2 Richard Hill used to play for Whitney and his son is a youth team player there.
WHITNEY UNITED OFFICIAL SITE
Witney United can today exclusively reveal that they have managed to secure a friendly against Championship side Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday 23rd January 2007 at Marriott’s Stadium.
The match came about with the help of former Witney Town player Richard Hill who is currently the Assistant Manager at Loftus Road. He was looking for an option to bring a side to and after a conversation with Club Secretary Adrian Bircher the two sides have managed to agree a date.
Hill is expected to bring a strong side to Marriott’s Stadium with the names mentioned so far being Paul Furlong, Dexter Blackstock, Ray Jones and Lee Cook. A full squad will be finalised nearer the time but a strong side had been guaranteed.
As a further gesture Hill has agreed to bring some signed merchandise which the club will look to raffle on the night including a signed Dexter Blackstock shirt.
Ticket details for the match will be finalised this weekend and announced at the start of next week but the match will NOT be all-ticket although supporters wishing to guarantee a seat will have to purchase in advance.
The club meanwhile are looking for potential sponsors for the match and also any volunteers who can help with stewarding etc. Anybody interested in helping should contact Ady Bircher on 07747 123411 or Mark Reid 07771 805823. At the moment please do not call these numbers for tickets. Whitney United
Oxford Mail- Witney fix up friendly with QPR
Witney United's players get the chance to take on a Football League team when Queen's Park Rangers visit Marriotts Stadium on Tuesday, January 23.
The match, for which ticket details will be released next week, came about through the friendship of Witney secretary Ady Bircher and former Oxford United midfielder Richard Hill, who is now No 2 to manager John Gregory at Loftus Road.
Hill's son, Dan, plays for Witney's youth team.
"When Richard got the job at QPR I asked him whether it would be possible to bring a QPR side down to play us," said Bircher. "And he stuck to his word.
"They are without a league game that weekend, so Richard or John Gregory will be bringing a side along.
"We're not sure what sort of team they are sending, but we've been promised a few first-teamers. We're hoping that Dexter Blackstock (the ex-Oxford United youngster) will play.
"QPR are getting a shirt signed by Dexter, so we can auction it off."
Witney are looking for sponsorship for the game. If you can help, contact Bircher on 07747 123411. Oxford Mail
QPR Official Site - FRIENDLY DATE
QPR will play Witney United in a mid-season friendly on Tuesday 23rd January.
The R's travel to the Marriott's Stadium - home of the Hellenic Premier division club - later this month. The match kicks off at 7.45pm. Ticket details will be available on www.witneyunited.co.uk in the next few days. QPR Official
Whitney
Ray Jones Rated one of "Ten of the Best Prospects Outside the Premiership" in Guardian List
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For what it's worth! But nice to read. (Would be interesting to go back a year or two and look at they then rated as among the Ten Best Prosepects - and where they are now!
Football League Spy: 10 to watch in 2007
Guardian Blog - Guardian Unlimited January 5, 2007
Ten of the best prospects outside the Premiership to keep a close eye on during the next 12 months.
Barely a day goes by without David Nugent, Gareth Bale and Freddie Eastwood being linked with a big-money move to a Premiership club. But the lower leagues are awash with talent beyond these obvious names, as our following list shows. Please feel free to add your suggestions below.
1) Matthew Jarvis (Gillingham) He may stand just 5ft 8in high, but at 20, right-footed left-winger Jarvis has already played 100 games for Gillingham. Lightning-fast and also comfortable up front, Jarvis has already been linked with Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle, among others, but apparently doesn't want to move. "Matt is happy at Gillingham," insists his agent Mark Curtis. "He has a good relationship with the manager and loves the fans."
2) Brett Pitman (Bournemouth) Alongside fellow teenager Sam Vokes, the 18-year-old Pitman has scored freely throughout Bournemouth's youth ranks and is now doing the same in the first team, with four goals in nine appearances since November. "Brett is a sniffer who will score goals," says manager Kevin Bond. "He's only young and while I think his all-round game can improve, he'll get on the end of things."
3) Chris Porter (Oldham Athletic) The 2006-07 season has proven a breakout campaign for 23-year-old striker Porter, who joined Oldham in the summer of 2005 from local rivals Bury for £150,000. After just seven goals in 31 league games last season, Porter has rocketed to joint top of the League One scoring table with 17 goals in just 20 games this season. Athletic boss John Sheridan reckons Porter can still improve, but he may do so elsewhere - Wolves, Leeds and Plymouth are considering bids.
4) Gary Roberts (Ipswich Town) After impressing on loan during the first half of the season, left-winger Roberts made his move from Accrington to Ipswich permanent earlier this week. A former Liverpool schoolboy, Roberts has even played in Europe - starting both legs of Bangor City's 2003 Intertoto defeat to Romanians Gloria Bistrita.
5) Luke Summerfield (Plymouth) The 18-year-old son of former Argyle midfielder Kevin Summerfield has taken full advantage of injuries at the club to break into the first team and swiftly adapt to life in the Championship. So quick, in fact, that he scored a 30-yard belter on his full debut at Colchester in August. Since then the creative midfielder has made 17 further appearances (10 as a substitute) and is probably the pick of the Pilgrims' talented batch of youngsters, among them Gary Sawyer, Dan Gosling, Cherno Samba and Scott Laird.
6) Chris Cohen (Yeovil Town) Cohen has been described as that most delightful of combinations: a graceful workaholic. The 19-year-old midfielder is a product of West Ham's youth academy, but is now a vital part of the Glovers' push for promotion from League One. "Chris has been fantastic for us," says club captain Terry Skiverton. "The longer we can hang on to him the better."
7) Lee Frecklington (Lincoln City) Having risen up through the club's youth system, 21-year-old Frecklington has helped his hometown club to third place in League Two. He's a dynamic midfielder, described by some as a League Two version of Steven Gerrard, and has already scored seven goals this season, including this one against Grimsby. He's already attracted the attention of scouts from Wigan and Sheffield United and turned out for Ireland B in November 2006.
8) Ray Jones (QPR) A rare reason to be cheerful at Loftus Road this season, the young striker's scoring record - five in 14 games - still isn't the greatest. But at 18, he already stands 6ft 4in and weighs in at 14½st, and defenders across the country must be wondering how they'll handle him once he bulks out. His manager John Gregory is confident that, with a bit more experience, Jones can play at the highest level. "He could be in a position where he is ready to go into Arsenal's or Manchester United's first team at the age of 23," he admits.
9) Dean Gerken (Colchester United) After a couple of cameos early in the season, 21-year-old goalkeeper Gerken took over from the injured Aidan Davison at the beginning of December and hasn't looked back. A former trainee, he has made some stunning saves on the way to conceding just six goals in eight league starts this season. "I've been about a long time," says U's midifielder Kevin Watson, "and Dean is one of the best young keepers that I have seen."
10) Billy Sharp (Scunthorpe) OK, it may not be the most surprising decision to name a 20-year-old who has scored 43 goals over the last two seasons in our list of rising stars, but Sharp's talent is hard to ignore. He's quick and can score with either foot, but the Guardian's Steve Claridge reckons it's a footballing brain packed with more craft than a crochet convention that's the key to his success.
Compiled by James Dart, Tom Lutz and Paolo Bandini - Guardian
For what it's worth! But nice to read. (Would be interesting to go back a year or two and look at they then rated as among the Ten Best Prosepects - and where they are now!
Football League Spy: 10 to watch in 2007
Guardian Blog - Guardian Unlimited January 5, 2007
Ten of the best prospects outside the Premiership to keep a close eye on during the next 12 months.
Barely a day goes by without David Nugent, Gareth Bale and Freddie Eastwood being linked with a big-money move to a Premiership club. But the lower leagues are awash with talent beyond these obvious names, as our following list shows. Please feel free to add your suggestions below.
1) Matthew Jarvis (Gillingham) He may stand just 5ft 8in high, but at 20, right-footed left-winger Jarvis has already played 100 games for Gillingham. Lightning-fast and also comfortable up front, Jarvis has already been linked with Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle, among others, but apparently doesn't want to move. "Matt is happy at Gillingham," insists his agent Mark Curtis. "He has a good relationship with the manager and loves the fans."
2) Brett Pitman (Bournemouth) Alongside fellow teenager Sam Vokes, the 18-year-old Pitman has scored freely throughout Bournemouth's youth ranks and is now doing the same in the first team, with four goals in nine appearances since November. "Brett is a sniffer who will score goals," says manager Kevin Bond. "He's only young and while I think his all-round game can improve, he'll get on the end of things."
3) Chris Porter (Oldham Athletic) The 2006-07 season has proven a breakout campaign for 23-year-old striker Porter, who joined Oldham in the summer of 2005 from local rivals Bury for £150,000. After just seven goals in 31 league games last season, Porter has rocketed to joint top of the League One scoring table with 17 goals in just 20 games this season. Athletic boss John Sheridan reckons Porter can still improve, but he may do so elsewhere - Wolves, Leeds and Plymouth are considering bids.
4) Gary Roberts (Ipswich Town) After impressing on loan during the first half of the season, left-winger Roberts made his move from Accrington to Ipswich permanent earlier this week. A former Liverpool schoolboy, Roberts has even played in Europe - starting both legs of Bangor City's 2003 Intertoto defeat to Romanians Gloria Bistrita.
5) Luke Summerfield (Plymouth) The 18-year-old son of former Argyle midfielder Kevin Summerfield has taken full advantage of injuries at the club to break into the first team and swiftly adapt to life in the Championship. So quick, in fact, that he scored a 30-yard belter on his full debut at Colchester in August. Since then the creative midfielder has made 17 further appearances (10 as a substitute) and is probably the pick of the Pilgrims' talented batch of youngsters, among them Gary Sawyer, Dan Gosling, Cherno Samba and Scott Laird.
6) Chris Cohen (Yeovil Town) Cohen has been described as that most delightful of combinations: a graceful workaholic. The 19-year-old midfielder is a product of West Ham's youth academy, but is now a vital part of the Glovers' push for promotion from League One. "Chris has been fantastic for us," says club captain Terry Skiverton. "The longer we can hang on to him the better."
7) Lee Frecklington (Lincoln City) Having risen up through the club's youth system, 21-year-old Frecklington has helped his hometown club to third place in League Two. He's a dynamic midfielder, described by some as a League Two version of Steven Gerrard, and has already scored seven goals this season, including this one against Grimsby. He's already attracted the attention of scouts from Wigan and Sheffield United and turned out for Ireland B in November 2006.
8) Ray Jones (QPR) A rare reason to be cheerful at Loftus Road this season, the young striker's scoring record - five in 14 games - still isn't the greatest. But at 18, he already stands 6ft 4in and weighs in at 14½st, and defenders across the country must be wondering how they'll handle him once he bulks out. His manager John Gregory is confident that, with a bit more experience, Jones can play at the highest level. "He could be in a position where he is ready to go into Arsenal's or Manchester United's first team at the age of 23," he admits.
9) Dean Gerken (Colchester United) After a couple of cameos early in the season, 21-year-old goalkeeper Gerken took over from the injured Aidan Davison at the beginning of December and hasn't looked back. A former trainee, he has made some stunning saves on the way to conceding just six goals in eight league starts this season. "I've been about a long time," says U's midifielder Kevin Watson, "and Dean is one of the best young keepers that I have seen."
10) Billy Sharp (Scunthorpe) OK, it may not be the most surprising decision to name a 20-year-old who has scored 43 goals over the last two seasons in our list of rising stars, but Sharp's talent is hard to ignore. He's quick and can score with either foot, but the Guardian's Steve Claridge reckons it's a footballing brain packed with more craft than a crochet convention that's the key to his success.
Compiled by James Dart, Tom Lutz and Paolo Bandini - Guardian
Terry Venables Hits 64!
-
Terry Venables Turns 64 - Born January 6, 1943 Venables Career
Much has been written about Venables at Spurs and with England and his short periods at Australia, Crystal Palace (the second time), Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Leeds.
But when QPR signed him in June 1969 for a QPR record 70,000 pounds, it marked a massive turning point for QPR: Remembering him as a 27 year old; immediately appointed QPR captain...Taking all the throw ins (it seemed); and the corners...and the free kicks....Providing class and savvy and experience to a QPR team that had just gone down with a humiliating 18 points...
And under Gordaon Jago and Campbell, Venables although "just" a player was clearly a massive influence on tactics and free kicks and an on-the-field guide to theplayers.
And then when he returned to QPR as a manager replacing Tommy Docherty: The sense of KNOWING that QPR would be promoted. (Not to mention taking us to our only FA Cup Final) Brilliant coach. Good manager.. The feeling of total despair when he left QPR unmatched probably by any other managerial (or playing departure)
From Wikipedia
Playing career
Venables entered professional football in 1960 when he signed with Chelsea, playing over 200 games before leaving for Tottenham Hotspur in 1966. In 1969, he joined Queens Park Rangers before finishing his playing career at Crystal Palace. He was capped twice for England....
Managerial career
On his retirement from playing, he took over the manager's role at Palace whom he coached to two promotions in three seasons, to get them to the First Division in 1979. After a mid-table finish in 1980 he left for Queens Park Rangers, whom he led to promotion in 1983 and a very respectable 5th place in the First Division the following season. He also guided Rangers to the FA Cup final in 1982 while still a second division side, but lost in a replay against Tottenham Hotspur.
His growing reputation bought him offers from some of Europe's most prestigious clubs and in 1984 he took the role of manager at Barcelona, earning the sobriquet El Tel. During his three seasons in Catalonia, Venables led the club to the Spanish title and league cup but lost in the final of the first post-Heysel European Cup to Steau Bucharest on penalties. He was sacked in September 1987 after failing to repeat his title success at the Nou Camp.WIkipedia
See Daves Queens Park Rangers FC Website Venables Profile - Venables
Terry Venables Turns 64 - Born January 6, 1943 Venables Career
Much has been written about Venables at Spurs and with England and his short periods at Australia, Crystal Palace (the second time), Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Leeds.
But when QPR signed him in June 1969 for a QPR record 70,000 pounds, it marked a massive turning point for QPR: Remembering him as a 27 year old; immediately appointed QPR captain...Taking all the throw ins (it seemed); and the corners...and the free kicks....Providing class and savvy and experience to a QPR team that had just gone down with a humiliating 18 points...
And under Gordaon Jago and Campbell, Venables although "just" a player was clearly a massive influence on tactics and free kicks and an on-the-field guide to theplayers.
And then when he returned to QPR as a manager replacing Tommy Docherty: The sense of KNOWING that QPR would be promoted. (Not to mention taking us to our only FA Cup Final) Brilliant coach. Good manager.. The feeling of total despair when he left QPR unmatched probably by any other managerial (or playing departure)
From Wikipedia
Playing career
Venables entered professional football in 1960 when he signed with Chelsea, playing over 200 games before leaving for Tottenham Hotspur in 1966. In 1969, he joined Queens Park Rangers before finishing his playing career at Crystal Palace. He was capped twice for England....
Managerial career
On his retirement from playing, he took over the manager's role at Palace whom he coached to two promotions in three seasons, to get them to the First Division in 1979. After a mid-table finish in 1980 he left for Queens Park Rangers, whom he led to promotion in 1983 and a very respectable 5th place in the First Division the following season. He also guided Rangers to the FA Cup final in 1982 while still a second division side, but lost in a replay against Tottenham Hotspur.
His growing reputation bought him offers from some of Europe's most prestigious clubs and in 1984 he took the role of manager at Barcelona, earning the sobriquet El Tel. During his three seasons in Catalonia, Venables led the club to the Spanish title and league cup but lost in the final of the first post-Heysel European Cup to Steau Bucharest on penalties. He was sacked in September 1987 after failing to repeat his title success at the Nou Camp.WIkipedia
See Daves Queens Park Rangers FC Website Venables Profile - Venables
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