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Reposting what was posted a few days ago, to mark the first six months of the De Canio "era."
QPR Report - April 29, 2008 "De Canio- The First Six Months"
Today marks the six months point since Luigi De Canio was officially announced as QPR's new manager (rather than the reported to be Francesco Guidolin), replacing Caretaker Manager Mick Harford (who himself replaced John Gregory who in turn had replaced Gary Waddock who had replaced Ian Holloway who had replaced...and so on!) At the time of the appointment, there were a number of messageboard posters expressing discontent that Harford had not been given a longer period to prove himself.
De Canio's record thus far (taking over a relegation-doomed looking team): is 47 points from 33 league games. With one game remaining QPR currently have 58 points from 45 games (Home: 10 wins, 6 draws, 6 defeats. Away 4 wins 10 draws, 9 defeats - League Table - Also: QPR Stats in 2007-2008
SITUATION AT THE TIME of De Canio's Appointment
When De Canio took over, QPR had 11 points from 12 games, one place off the bottom and 9 points away from the playoff spot - 15 points behind second place Bristol City (Home: 1 win out of 6; away: 1 win out of 6). But for the last unbeaten 4 games under Mick Harford (2 wins and 8 points) the situation would have looked even worse. 1 point from 2 games in August; 2 points from 5 games in September; 8 points from 5 games in October. Rowlands was QPR's top scorer with 2 goals.
Flashback QPR's team for their opening game at Bristol City, back in August:
QPR: Camp, Rehman, Stewart, Mancienne, Curtis, Rowlands, Bolder, Bailey, Moore, Blackstock (Nygaard 69), Nardiello (Ephraim 59). Subs: Bignot, Cullip, Cole.
[Ben Sahar had appendicitis just prior to the game.)
And QPR's team for Harford's game in charge: Their win at Charlton:
QPR: Camp, Barker, Stewart, Mancienne, Bolder, Rowlands, Ephraim, Vine, Nygaard, Leigertwood, Cranie. Subs: Cole, Bignot, Ainsworth, Sahar, Moore
League Table
P GD Points
1 Watford 13 12 32
2 Bristol City 13 8 26
3 West Brom 13 12 23
4 Ipswich 12 5 21
5 Wolverhampton 13 2 21
6 Stoke 13 2 20
7 Plymouth 13 2 20
8 Charlton 13 2 19
9 Scunthorpe 13 0 19
10 Southampton 13 -3 19
11 Coventry 13 -3 18
12 Burnley 12 1 17
13 Barnsley 13 -3 17
14 Hull 13 2 16
15 Leicester 12 3 15
16 Colchester 13 0 14
17 Cardiff 13 -1 14
18 Preston 13 -1 14
19 Sheff Utd 13 -2 14
20 Blackpool 13 -3 13
21 Sheff Wed 13 -9 12
22 Crystal Palace 13 -4 11
23 QPR 12 -11 11
24 Norwich 13 -11 8
Since De Canio took over, QPR, blessed with their new money, have brought in a number of players who obviously weren't available to previous manager John Gregory. But the style of football has vastly improved. A considerable number of players have left the club including Curtis, Bolder, Moore, Nygaard, Nardiello, Bignot, Cullip, Ben Sahar, Sinclair.
The first De Canio era signing: October 30, 2007 (although obviously the signing itself was not made by De Canio as may be true of all the signings) - Buzsaky Signs for QPR...Given #10 Shirt Others who have joined either permanently or on loan: Delaney, Connolly, Agyemang, Hall, Mahon, Pickens, Lee, and Vine and Ephraim signing permanently.
Already in this first six month period, there have been media reports - denied by the club - questioning the length of De Canio's stay at QPR.
Monday, October 29, 2007: Luigi De Canio Appointed Manager of QPR- Official Announcement
-De Canio has been officially appointed QPR manager on a 2 1/2 year contract. Mick Harford leaves QPR immediately. And theQPR Directory is already updated.
QPR Official Site - EXCLUSIVE: DE CANIO APPOINTED
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Luigi De Canio as First Team Coach.
The contract period runs until the end of the 2009/10 season.
The 50 year-old has an extensive coaching pedigree having taken charge of Udinese, Napoli, Reggina, Genoa and most recently Siena in Serie A - who he helped keep in the top-flight for two consecutive seasons before leaving.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, De Canio said: "I am very excited at this fantastic opportunity to join Queens Park Rangers as their First Team Coach.
"For me, it will be an honour to work for Queens Park Rangers, a Club which is backed by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, two businessmen with an incredible track-record of success in sport and other fields.
"I would like to thank them and tell them I will not disappoint their expectations. I am fully committed to the project and I am looking forward to getting to work with the players in preparation for our forthcoming home fixture against Hull City on Saturday."
On behalf of the new management of QPR, Chairman Gianni Paladini expressed his delight at the capture of De Canio, commenting: "The Club is going through a phase of total restructuring and for us the appointment of Luigi De Canio is the first important step ahead in our long-term strategy.
"De Canio is a highly motivated professional, whose dynamic and aggressive approach fits perfectly with the image and philosophy of the new Management."
Paladini added: "De Canio is fully aware of the high standards and objectives that the new Management has set for the future of the Club, and he is ready and eager to take up the challenge"
Mick Harford, who has acted as Caretaker Manager since the departure of John Gregory in early October, has left the Club with immediate effect.
Paladini added: "We offered Mick a role within the new set-up and we're disappointed that he has turned this down. He has done a fantastic job since he arrived here in the summer and his contribution will never be forgotten.
"We all wish him the very best for the future."
*The Club will be making no further comment at this stage. QPR
De Canio Profiled - QPR Official Site
After a ten year playing career in the Italian lower leagues, Luigi De Canio started his coaching career in the late nineties with Pisticci, who he guided to Serie D.
He spent four more seasons with the Club, before joining Serie C outfit Savoia during the 1993/94 campaign.
De Canio enjoyed a successful start to life at his new Club, leading them to promotion, albeit via the play-off's, in his first season in charge.
A switch to Serie C1 side Siena followed in 1995/96, with De Canio achieving an eighth place finish in his first season in charge of the Robur.
Short stints at Carpi and Lucchese followed, before De Canio showed his undoubted managerial credentials at Pescara.
He led the Club to the brink of promotion to Serie A, which led to interest from a number of top-flight Clubs in the Italian league, including Udinese, who secured his services in 1999/2000.
De Canio adjusted to life in the top-flight accordingly, guiding the Biaconeri to an eighth place finish and a place in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
UEFA Cup football duly followed after a successful Intertoto campaign, but despite an encouraging start to the new season, a dreadful run of form, which culminated with a home defeat to Parma, resulted in his departure in March 2001.
Napoli swooped to secure his services in 2001/02, but a fifth place finish in Serie B was deemed a failure and De Canio consequently parted company with the Azzurri.
Serie A Club Reggina was his next port of call, before De Canio replaced the legendary Roberto Donadoni at the helm of Serie B side Genoa.
Despite staving off the ever-looming threat of relegation with a 16th place finish, De Canio was sacked on the eve of the 2004/05 campaign.
He spent six months out of the game before re-joining Siena, whom he managed a decade earlier. Fourteenth and seventeenth placed finishes followed, prior to the appointment of Mario Beretta for the start of the 2006/07 season.
Today, in his 28th season in the professional game, he joins Queens Park Rangers as First Team Manager, succeeding Caretaker Manager Mick Harford. QPR
See Also: Wikipedia Profile of De Canio Wikipedia on Luigi De Canio
Teams managed
Savoia
Siena
Carpi
Lucchese
Pescara
Udinese
Napoli
Reggina
Genoa
Siena
QPR Report
Warren Neil Leaves QPR
QPR Official Site - BACKROOM CHANGES
Italian duo Iuri Bartoli and Paolo Pavese have joined the QPR backroom team.
Bartoli, 37, and 50 year-old Pavese met the Rangers first team squad this morning, ahead of Luigi De Canio's first training session in the QPR hot-seat.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, De Canio welcomed his two new coaches to Loftus Road, commenting: "I'm very happy to have them both with me.
"I've worked with them both before and I know they are both very capable coaches.
"They are very enthusiastic and looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead."
Former Rangers defender Warren Neill, who joined the R's coaching staff midway through the 2006/07 campaign, has followed in Mick Harford's footsteps by leaving the Club. QPR
Also: Photos from the First Day of the New "regime" - QPR Training Photos
How De Canio's Appointment was Announced and Reported at the Time (Six Months Ago!)
Guardian "Former Napoli and Siena manager Luigi De Canio has been given the laughably easy task of doing a better job at QPR than his predecessor, John Gregory. "For me, it will be an honour to work for QPR, a club which is backed by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, two businessmen with an incredible track record of success in sport and other fields," said De Canio with one eye on his Christmas bonus. Caretaker manager Mick Harford has left after turning down a coaching role at the club. Guardian
TELEGRAPH - De Canio steps in as QPR look to future
By Jeremy Wilson
Queens Park Rangers hope the "dynamic and aggressive approach" of new manager Luigi de Canio will help lift the club from the bottom three of the Championship.
De Canio has spent almost 20 years as a coach in Italy, most recently in Serie A with Siena, whom he helped keep in the top flight for two consecutive seasons before leaving last year. The 50-year-old former Udinese, Napoli, Reggina and Genoa manager yesterday agreed a contract with QPR until the end of the 2009-10 season.
"For me, it will be an honour to work for Queens Park Rangers, a club which is backed by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, two businessmen with an incredible track record of success in sport and other fields," De Canio said.
"I would like to thank them and tell them I will not disappoint their expectations. I am fully committed to the project and I am looking forward to getting to work with the players."
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini believes De Canio will fit in with the club's ambitions and new management structure. "The club is going through a phase of restructuring and the appointment of De Canio is the first important step in our long-term strategy," he said.
"De Canio is a motivated professional, whose dynamic and aggressive approach fits perfectly with the image and philosophy of the new management.
"He is aware of the high standards the new management has set for the future, and he is ready to take up the challenge."
Mick Harford, caretaker manager since the departure of John Gregory four weeks ago, turned down a role with De Canio and has left the club.
"We offered Mick a role within the new set-up and we're disappointed that he has turned this down," Paladini said. "He has done a fantastic job since he arrived in the summer."
Gregory was sacked after QPR picked up only three points from seven league matches. Harford has since gained two draws and two wins.
Briatore and Ecclestone have had a £14 million takeover bid recommended and hope to take QPR into the Premier League within four years. Telegraph
QPR Report
Mail -QPR ditch Harford and give job to De Canio
QPR have appointed former Napoli and Siena boss Luigi De Canio as their new first-team coach, according to the club's website.
Caretaker manager Mick Harford has left the Championship club.
The 50-year-old succeeds John Gregory, who was sacked four weeks ago today, and has agreed a contract at Loftus Road until the end of the 2009-10 season.
Mick Harford, who led Rangers to two wins and two draws as caretaker manager to guide them off the foot of the Coca-Cola Championship table, turned down a coaching role at the club and has left with immediate effect. Mail
Goal.com - Luigi De Canio Takes Charge At QPR
Former Siena and Napoli manager Luigi De Canio has been named as the new boss of English second-tier outfit Queen's Park Rangers...
Queen's Park Rangers have announced that Luigi De Canio has taken over as first team manager.
The Loftus Road club confirmed this morning that the ex-Napoli coach will take immediate charge of the struggling outfit, with the Italian boss eager to get started.
He remarked to the official club website, "I am very excited to have this fantastic opportunity - it will be an honour.
"I am looking forward to getting to work with the players in preparation for our game against Hull on Saturday."
The Championship strugglers are currently second bottom of the table with 11 points from 12 games, although a win against Hull City could potentially lift them into the safety zone.
John Gregory was fired as boss at the Shepherd's Bush team earlier in the season, with Mick Hartford now leaving the club after being relieved of his caretaker managerial duties in favour of De Canio.
The experienced 50 year old has penned a three year deal at Loftus Road for his first management job since leaving Siena in 2006.
Previously, he served clubs including Genoa, Reggina, Napoli and Udinese as boss, having had an undistinguished career as a player with clubs ranging from Serie C2 to Serie B.
The Italian connection at QPR runs as far as presidential level, the current club chief being Gianni Paladini. Goal.com
BBC - Former Napoli boss takes QPR role
De Canio is the new first-team coach at Loftus Road
Queens Park Rangers have confirmed the appointment of Italian Luigi de Canio as first team coach.
The 50-year-old has led Udinese, Napoli, Reggina, Genoa and more recently Siena. He has signed a three-year contract at Loftus Road.
Mick Harford, who had been in caretaker charge following the recent sacking of John Gregory, has left the club.
"I am very excited at this fantastic opportunity. It will be an honour," De Canio told QPR's website.
"I am looking forward to getting to work with the players in preparation for our game against Hull on Saturday."
The incoming new owners at QPR - a group fronted by Formula One magnates Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone - were keen to appoint an Italian.
They turned to De Canio after a bid to install former Palermo and Monaco boss Franceso Guidolin stalled.
"De Canio is fully aware of the high standards and objectives that the new management has set for the future of the club," said chairman Gianni Paladini.
"He is ready and eager to take up the challenge."
Paladini added: "We offered Mick Harford a role within the new set-up and we're disappointed that he turned it down.
"He has done a fantastic job and his contribution will never be forgotten.
"The club is going through a phase of total restructuring and for us, the appointment of Luigi de Canio is the first important step ahead in our long-term strategy." BBC
The Times - October 29, 2007 Luigi De Canio confirmed as QPR coach Times Online and Agencies
Queen's Park Rangers have appointed Luigi De Canio as their new first-team coach.
The former Napoli and Siena manager succeeds John Gregory and has agreed a contract at Loftus Road until the end of the 2009-10 season. Gregory was sacked a month ago.
Mick Harford, who led Rangers to two wins and two draws as caretaker manager to guide them off the foot of the Coca-Cola Championship, turned down a coaching role at the club and has left with immediate effect.
De Canio has also managed Udinese, Reggina and Genoa and notably kept unfashionable Siena in Serie A for two seasons before leaving last summer.
"I am very excited at this fantastic opportunity to join Queens Park Rangers as their first-team coach," De Canio said.
"For me it will be an honour to work for QPR, a club which is backed by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, two businessmen with an incredible track record of success in sport and other fields.
"I would like to thank them and I will not disappoint their expectations. I am fully committed to the project and I am looking forward to getting to work with the players in preparation for our forthcoming home fixture against Hull City on Saturday."
Gianni Paladini, the QPR chairman, said: "The club is going through a phase of total restructuring and the appointment is the first important step in our long-term strategy.
"De Canio is a highly-motivated professional whose dynamic and aggressive approach fits perfectly with the image and philosophy of the new management."
Harford left his role as assistant manager at Colchester in the summer to become Gregory's No 2, and had expressed his desire to take on the permanent job. "We offered Mick a role within the new set-up and we're disappointed he has turned this down," Paladini said. "He has done a fantastic job since he arrived and his contribution will never be forgotten." The Times
Telegraph - Luigi De Canio named as new QPR coach By Patrick Nathanson and agencies
QPR have appointed former Napoli manager Luigi De Canio as their new first-team coach.
De Canio, 50, succeeds John Gregory, who was sacked four weeks ago today, and has agreed a contract at Loftus Road until the end of the 2009-10 season.
Mick Harford, who led Rangers to two wins and two draws as caretaker manager to guide them off the foot of the Coca-Cola Championship table, turned down a coaching role at the club and has left with immediate effect.
De Canio has also managed Reggina and Genoa and notably kept unfashionable Siena in Serie A for two seasons before leaving last summer.
"I am very excited at this fantastic opportunity to join Queens Park Rangers as their first-team coach," he said.
"For me it will be an honour to work for QPR, a club which is backed by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, two businessmen with an incredible track record of success in sport and other fields.
"I would like to thank them and I will not disappoint their expectations. I am fully committed to the project and I am looking forward to getting to work with the players in preparation for our forthcoming home fixture against Hull City on Saturday."
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini said: "The club is going through a phase of total restructuring and the appointment is the first important step in our long-term strategy.
"De Canio is a highly-motivated professional whose dynamic and aggressive approach fits perfectly with the image and philosophy of the new management." Telegraph
AP - Queens Park Rangers appoints Luigi de Canio as coach on contract until 2010
LONDON: Queens Park Rangers appointed Luigi de Canio as its first team coach on Monday on a contract until 2010.
De Canio replaced John Gregory who was fired a month ago by the League Championship side.
De Canio, 50, has coached Italian clubs Udinese, Napoli, Reggina, Genoa and Siena. He left Siena at the end of the 2005-06 season — after twice helping the club avoid relegation from the Serie A — and hasn't coached since.
De Canio said he was lured to QPR by new owners, Formula One heavyweights Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore.
"I would like to thank them and tell them I will not disappoint their expectations," De Canio said. "I am fully committed to the project and am looking forward to getting to work with the players."
De Canio's first game in charge is against Hull on Saturday.
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini said De Canio's appointment was part of a total restructuring of the west London club.
"De Canio is a highly motivated professional whose dynamic and aggressive approach fits perfectly with the image and philosophy of the new management," Paladini said.
Mick Harford, who led Rangers to two wins and two draws as caretaker manager, left the club Monday after turning down a coaching role.
QPR is in 23rd place out of 24 teams in the League Championship — the division below the Premier League — with 11 points from 12 games. AP
QPR Report
QPR Report
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
Thursday, May 08, 2008
QPR Manager De Canio Exits QPR
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QPR Official Statement - "De Canio departs by mutual consent"
Queens Park Rangers Football Club have parted company with First Team Coach Luigi De Canio by mutual consent with immediate effect.
The Club would like to place on the record its thanks to Luigi for his contribution to QPR and wish him all the best for a successful future.
Mr De Canio also wanted to express his gratitude for the opportunity to manage Queens Park Rangers and also for the fantastic experience he had during his time in England.
The Club will be making no further comment at this stage.
An announcement on a successor will be made in due course. QPR
QPR Official Statement - "De Canio departs by mutual consent"
Queens Park Rangers Football Club have parted company with First Team Coach Luigi De Canio by mutual consent with immediate effect.
The Club would like to place on the record its thanks to Luigi for his contribution to QPR and wish him all the best for a successful future.
Mr De Canio also wanted to express his gratitude for the opportunity to manage Queens Park Rangers and also for the fantastic experience he had during his time in England.
The Club will be making no further comment at this stage.
An announcement on a successor will be made in due course. QPR
Former QPR (and Arsenal and England) Goalie David Seaman Profiled and Interviewed
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Great goalie, but QPR fans are probably a little ambivalent about Seaman, given how he left the club. Good interview, but perhaps not quite as memorable as some of the other interviews with most of the other interviews conducted by the official site
QPR Official Site - David Seaman
In our latest instalment of exclusive past player interviews on www.qpr.co.uk, former R's goalkeeper David Seaman comes under the spotlight.
Goalkeeping legend David Seaman has saluted Rangers for giving him his initial launch-pad to international stardom.
Seaman was an R's player when he won the first three of his 75 England caps. So looking back on a magnificent career, he feels indebted to the Super Hoops.
"My life in football seemed to take off at Loftus Road," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"I made my England debut against Saudi Arabia in 1988/89, which was fantastic for me and for Rangers as well. Then I was in the 1990 World Cup squad and all my work at QPR put me in there. So I have nothing but fond memories from my spell with the R's."
Seaman signed for Rangers from Birmingham City at the age of 22 in 1986. He played 175 matches in a four-year spell at Loftus Road.
"My biggest decision about joining QPR was whether or not I wanted to play on the plastic pitch!" said Seaman.
"To be fair, it wasn't the best of synthetic surfaces.
"I can remember going to Chairman Jim Gregory's office with the Rangers boss Jim Smith to complete my transfer. I felt really intimidated by it all, but we got everything done in the end. They both said they were really happy to recruit me so that was good to know.
"Then I had a really 'nice' introduction to the QPR ground. After making my debut, I came out and found that my car had been broken into! I remember thinking 'Oh dear!'
"But apart from that, Loftus Road is brilliant because the fans are right on top of you. It was something I wasn't used to before I signed. The stands are quite steep too so you get a marvellous atmosphere.
"One of my favourite matches for QPR was a Simod Cup tie at Watford in 1989. It finished 1-1 after extra-time and then went to a shoot-out. I just remember the spot-kicks as I stopped four of them. That's not a bad feat is it? So I did have a record of saving penalties before Euro 96!
"I can also recall playing in a terrific 3-1 win over Chelsea at Loftus Road in 1987. Gary Bannister scored a hat-trick and the R's fans were delighted as there was quite a lot of rivalry in that local derby.
"Bannister used to amaze me. He had one leg that was a lot shorter than the other, but he could smack the ball in with either foot and he was a deadly finisher.
"We had a really good side at Queens Park Rangers in those days. We finished fifth in the League in 1988 and I had some lovely times there."
A £1.3 million move to Arsenal followed in July 1990. It was the record fee for a British goalkeeper at the time.
Nowadays, 44 year-old Seaman has reinvented himself as a genial media personality. And he wishes Rangers well for a successful future.
"At the moment, I am doing the Dancing On Ice tour. It is nice to just sit back a bit and not get too much into football. I can sample life as a normal guy - taking the kids to school and spending time with my wife.
"I was married before with two young children and I can hardly remember them growing up. I was trying to build my goalkeeping career when they were youngsters. I was always out, staying in different hotels, playing in far-flung towns and foreign countries. So it was hard.
"Now I am really enjoying family life. I look forward to the school holidays when we can all jet off somewhere and have a relaxing break.
"But I will be getting back involved in football eventually with some specialised coaching. I will probably launch a David Seaman Goalkeeping School for young people.
"In the meantime, I think the new investment at QPR is brilliant for the Club. I have a great family friend called Sharon Dyer who is mad on Rangers. She always keep me in touch with what is going on over there. So, things look really exciting for next season at Loftus Road and the years to come hopefully." QPR
Great goalie, but QPR fans are probably a little ambivalent about Seaman, given how he left the club. Good interview, but perhaps not quite as memorable as some of the other interviews with most of the other interviews conducted by the official site
QPR Official Site - David Seaman
In our latest instalment of exclusive past player interviews on www.qpr.co.uk, former R's goalkeeper David Seaman comes under the spotlight.
Goalkeeping legend David Seaman has saluted Rangers for giving him his initial launch-pad to international stardom.
Seaman was an R's player when he won the first three of his 75 England caps. So looking back on a magnificent career, he feels indebted to the Super Hoops.
"My life in football seemed to take off at Loftus Road," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"I made my England debut against Saudi Arabia in 1988/89, which was fantastic for me and for Rangers as well. Then I was in the 1990 World Cup squad and all my work at QPR put me in there. So I have nothing but fond memories from my spell with the R's."
Seaman signed for Rangers from Birmingham City at the age of 22 in 1986. He played 175 matches in a four-year spell at Loftus Road.
"My biggest decision about joining QPR was whether or not I wanted to play on the plastic pitch!" said Seaman.
"To be fair, it wasn't the best of synthetic surfaces.
"I can remember going to Chairman Jim Gregory's office with the Rangers boss Jim Smith to complete my transfer. I felt really intimidated by it all, but we got everything done in the end. They both said they were really happy to recruit me so that was good to know.
"Then I had a really 'nice' introduction to the QPR ground. After making my debut, I came out and found that my car had been broken into! I remember thinking 'Oh dear!'
"But apart from that, Loftus Road is brilliant because the fans are right on top of you. It was something I wasn't used to before I signed. The stands are quite steep too so you get a marvellous atmosphere.
"One of my favourite matches for QPR was a Simod Cup tie at Watford in 1989. It finished 1-1 after extra-time and then went to a shoot-out. I just remember the spot-kicks as I stopped four of them. That's not a bad feat is it? So I did have a record of saving penalties before Euro 96!
"I can also recall playing in a terrific 3-1 win over Chelsea at Loftus Road in 1987. Gary Bannister scored a hat-trick and the R's fans were delighted as there was quite a lot of rivalry in that local derby.
"Bannister used to amaze me. He had one leg that was a lot shorter than the other, but he could smack the ball in with either foot and he was a deadly finisher.
"We had a really good side at Queens Park Rangers in those days. We finished fifth in the League in 1988 and I had some lovely times there."
A £1.3 million move to Arsenal followed in July 1990. It was the record fee for a British goalkeeper at the time.
Nowadays, 44 year-old Seaman has reinvented himself as a genial media personality. And he wishes Rangers well for a successful future.
"At the moment, I am doing the Dancing On Ice tour. It is nice to just sit back a bit and not get too much into football. I can sample life as a normal guy - taking the kids to school and spending time with my wife.
"I was married before with two young children and I can hardly remember them growing up. I was trying to build my goalkeeping career when they were youngsters. I was always out, staying in different hotels, playing in far-flung towns and foreign countries. So it was hard.
"Now I am really enjoying family life. I look forward to the school holidays when we can all jet off somewhere and have a relaxing break.
"But I will be getting back involved in football eventually with some specialised coaching. I will probably launch a David Seaman Goalkeeping School for young people.
"In the meantime, I think the new investment at QPR is brilliant for the Club. I have a great family friend called Sharon Dyer who is mad on Rangers. She always keep me in touch with what is going on over there. So, things look really exciting for next season at Loftus Road and the years to come hopefully." QPR
QPR Snippets:
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Today would have the sixty-second birthday of former QPR Goalie, Peter Springett (RIP, who dieda decade ago).
Born May 8, 1946, Peter Springett, brother of former QPR and England goalie, Ron Springett, played for QPR in the early-to mid 1960s (including the 1966/67 Division 3 Championship team and the League Cup Final). Peter Springett then was sold to Sheffield Wednesday with brother Ron Springett returning to QPR from Sheffield Wednesday as partial payment. After retiring from football, Peter Springett became a policeman. Wikipedia/Springett
Marcus Bean Released by Blackpool
Ex-QPR midfielder, Marcus Bean is one of the players being released by Blackpool. Bean spent a couple of months this season on loan at Rotherham. Blackpool Official Site Blackpool
Steve Morrow: From BBC Gossip: "Ex-Arsenal midfielder Steve Morrow is a contender to be Walsall boss. (Daily Star)" BBC Gossip (This would be a little strange given that Morrow is a Title-winning MLS coach at FC Dallas.
Today would have the sixty-second birthday of former QPR Goalie, Peter Springett (RIP, who dieda decade ago).
Born May 8, 1946, Peter Springett, brother of former QPR and England goalie, Ron Springett, played for QPR in the early-to mid 1960s (including the 1966/67 Division 3 Championship team and the League Cup Final). Peter Springett then was sold to Sheffield Wednesday with brother Ron Springett returning to QPR from Sheffield Wednesday as partial payment. After retiring from football, Peter Springett became a policeman. Wikipedia/Springett
Marcus Bean Released by Blackpool
Ex-QPR midfielder, Marcus Bean is one of the players being released by Blackpool. Bean spent a couple of months this season on loan at Rotherham. Blackpool Official Site Blackpool
Steve Morrow: From BBC Gossip: "Ex-Arsenal midfielder Steve Morrow is a contender to be Walsall boss. (Daily Star)" BBC Gossip (This would be a little strange given that Morrow is a Title-winning MLS coach at FC Dallas.
Flashback - Four Years Ago Today QPR Win Promotion
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Four years ago: May 8, 2004, Ian Holloway's QPR won their last game of the season at Sheffield Wednesday with goals through Kevin Gallen, Paul Furlong and an own goal, to gain Automatic Promotion., just beating out Bristol City. View The Goals. It's been smooth sailing ever since!
Gallen finished the 2004/05 season as QPR's top scorer with 17 goals, followed by Paul Furlong with 16. See Players/Appearances/Scorers in 2004-2005. Also QPR's 2003-2004 Results
Team for that final game: Lee Camp - Gino Padula, Clarke Carlisle, Matthew Rose, Richard Edghill- Gareth Ainsworth, Marc Bircham, Richard Johnson, Martin Rowlands, Paul Furlong, Kevin Gallen - Subs: Arthur Gnohere, Jamie Cureton, Steve Palmer
BBC Sheff Wed 1-3 QPR
QPR won automatic promotion back to Division One with victory over Sheffield Wednesday in front of nearly 30,000 fans at Hillsborough.
Kevin Gallen put Rangers ahead after 35 minutes, slotting home after shots from Paul Furlong and Martin Rowlands.
Furlong doubled his side's lead two minutes after the break, blasting the ball past Kevin Pressman.
Jon Shaw put the Owls back in the game with a sweet shot but Chris Carr's own goal put the result beyond doubt.
At the final whistle, the QPR fans' jubilation contrasted with the dark mood of the home supporters, who booed their team off before invading the pitch to protest against chairman Dave Allen. BBC
Sheff Wed: Pressman, Geary, Barry-Murphy, Dean Smith, Wood, McLaren, McMahon, Cooke, Brunt, Robins, Shaw. Subs: Tidman, Olsen, Chambers, Mustoe, Carr.
QPR: Camp, Padula, Carlisle, Rose, Edghill, Ainsworth, Bircham, Richard Johnson, Rowlands, Furlong, Gallen. Subs: Day, Palmer, Thorpe, Gnohere, Cureton. BBC
Guardian/Aidan Magee: Holloway looks to Rangers
The dust was still settling on Queens Park Rangers' first promotion for 21 years when the battle to secure their manager Ian Holloway got under way.
Holloway's contract expired just as Mark Clattenburg blew the whistle on his side's convincing win at Sheffield Wednesday which sealed promotion to the First Division ahead of Bristol City.
About 10,000 Rangers fans had made the trip from west London knowing that their team, with a slender one-point advantage in second place before kick-off, had to match City's result to earn automatic promotion.
With the most important task out of the way, however, attention turned to Holloway's future and that of eight of his first-team players who will also see their contracts expire.
Rangers are fortunate to have, in Marc Bircham, a player who lives and breathes QPR. The midfielder even hired a coach for his friends and family to watch the game.
Bircham believes the charismatic Holloway is the embodiment and saviour of Rangers and called on the board to secure the manager's future services.
"Hopefully we can tie him down for a good couple of years on a contract. He is essential to this club's hopes of moving forward. People have talked about players being out of contract but he is more important to QPR than any of the players. He wears his heart on his sleeve and everyone, in or out of the team, wants to play for him," Bircham said.
For Holloway, the victory-gained through goals by Kevin Gallen, Paul Furlong and an own-goal by the substitute Chris Carr - provided just the platform to reel off some of his inimitable post-match lines.
He had felt the need to produce a pre-match motivational speech to rival the best on offer from Sir Winston Churchill. "It was a bit of Winnie - 'we'll fight them on the beaches' and all that type of stuff," he said. "I wanted to create an atmosphere where the team were not frightened to lose and I wanted to show them that no matter what they did I am proud of them for their effort.
"I think every dog has its day at some time or other and at the moment I feel like going 'woof'."
Whereas Holloway will spend the summer deciding what is needed to help his team in the First Division, his opposite number at Hillsborough, Chris Turner, was left reflecting on a desperate season.
The chairman Dave Allen was the target of abuse throughout the match and Wednesday fans blame him for extending the club's decline, but Turner defended his chairman. He knows he will be one of the first out of the door if Ken Bates produces a rescue package for Wednesday. "Dave Allen has put his money where his mouth is and kept the club out of administration," said the manager. "Now people are turning against him.
"I've got players earning fortunes who aren't good enough to be in the team. That stops us bringing anyone else in. You can't keep adding to the squad.
"I know that if I am allowed to stay and do my job we'll have a good chance of getting out of this league next year."
Man of the match: Martin Rowlands (QPR) Guardian
And a Fan Comments on the Season "Now You're Going to Believe Us"
Four years ago: May 8, 2004, Ian Holloway's QPR won their last game of the season at Sheffield Wednesday with goals through Kevin Gallen, Paul Furlong and an own goal, to gain Automatic Promotion., just beating out Bristol City. View The Goals. It's been smooth sailing ever since!
Gallen finished the 2004/05 season as QPR's top scorer with 17 goals, followed by Paul Furlong with 16. See Players/Appearances/Scorers in 2004-2005. Also QPR's 2003-2004 Results
Team for that final game: Lee Camp - Gino Padula, Clarke Carlisle, Matthew Rose, Richard Edghill- Gareth Ainsworth, Marc Bircham, Richard Johnson, Martin Rowlands, Paul Furlong, Kevin Gallen - Subs: Arthur Gnohere, Jamie Cureton, Steve Palmer
BBC Sheff Wed 1-3 QPR
QPR won automatic promotion back to Division One with victory over Sheffield Wednesday in front of nearly 30,000 fans at Hillsborough.
Kevin Gallen put Rangers ahead after 35 minutes, slotting home after shots from Paul Furlong and Martin Rowlands.
Furlong doubled his side's lead two minutes after the break, blasting the ball past Kevin Pressman.
Jon Shaw put the Owls back in the game with a sweet shot but Chris Carr's own goal put the result beyond doubt.
At the final whistle, the QPR fans' jubilation contrasted with the dark mood of the home supporters, who booed their team off before invading the pitch to protest against chairman Dave Allen. BBC
Sheff Wed: Pressman, Geary, Barry-Murphy, Dean Smith, Wood, McLaren, McMahon, Cooke, Brunt, Robins, Shaw. Subs: Tidman, Olsen, Chambers, Mustoe, Carr.
QPR: Camp, Padula, Carlisle, Rose, Edghill, Ainsworth, Bircham, Richard Johnson, Rowlands, Furlong, Gallen. Subs: Day, Palmer, Thorpe, Gnohere, Cureton. BBC
Guardian/Aidan Magee: Holloway looks to Rangers
The dust was still settling on Queens Park Rangers' first promotion for 21 years when the battle to secure their manager Ian Holloway got under way.
Holloway's contract expired just as Mark Clattenburg blew the whistle on his side's convincing win at Sheffield Wednesday which sealed promotion to the First Division ahead of Bristol City.
About 10,000 Rangers fans had made the trip from west London knowing that their team, with a slender one-point advantage in second place before kick-off, had to match City's result to earn automatic promotion.
With the most important task out of the way, however, attention turned to Holloway's future and that of eight of his first-team players who will also see their contracts expire.
Rangers are fortunate to have, in Marc Bircham, a player who lives and breathes QPR. The midfielder even hired a coach for his friends and family to watch the game.
Bircham believes the charismatic Holloway is the embodiment and saviour of Rangers and called on the board to secure the manager's future services.
"Hopefully we can tie him down for a good couple of years on a contract. He is essential to this club's hopes of moving forward. People have talked about players being out of contract but he is more important to QPR than any of the players. He wears his heart on his sleeve and everyone, in or out of the team, wants to play for him," Bircham said.
For Holloway, the victory-gained through goals by Kevin Gallen, Paul Furlong and an own-goal by the substitute Chris Carr - provided just the platform to reel off some of his inimitable post-match lines.
He had felt the need to produce a pre-match motivational speech to rival the best on offer from Sir Winston Churchill. "It was a bit of Winnie - 'we'll fight them on the beaches' and all that type of stuff," he said. "I wanted to create an atmosphere where the team were not frightened to lose and I wanted to show them that no matter what they did I am proud of them for their effort.
"I think every dog has its day at some time or other and at the moment I feel like going 'woof'."
Whereas Holloway will spend the summer deciding what is needed to help his team in the First Division, his opposite number at Hillsborough, Chris Turner, was left reflecting on a desperate season.
The chairman Dave Allen was the target of abuse throughout the match and Wednesday fans blame him for extending the club's decline, but Turner defended his chairman. He knows he will be one of the first out of the door if Ken Bates produces a rescue package for Wednesday. "Dave Allen has put his money where his mouth is and kept the club out of administration," said the manager. "Now people are turning against him.
"I've got players earning fortunes who aren't good enough to be in the team. That stops us bringing anyone else in. You can't keep adding to the squad.
"I know that if I am allowed to stay and do my job we'll have a good chance of getting out of this league next year."
Man of the match: Martin Rowlands (QPR) Guardian
And a Fan Comments on the Season "Now You're Going to Believe Us"
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
QPR Double Act Continues - "De Canio and Paladini defy predictions of their demise "
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Dave McIntyre - BBC QPR double act continues
Luigi De Canio will continue to rely heavily on chairman Gianni Paladini as QPR attempt to build a promotion-winning squad.
Italian De Canio is preparing for his first full season in English football having been installed as first-team coach last October.
And Paladini, who presided over the signings of nine players during the January transfer window, is set to keep what is effectively a director of football role at Loftus Road.
"I am not in a position to know everything there is to know about English players but that is not a problem when you work with someone with the expertise of Gianni Paladini," insisted De Canio.
"It would be presumptuous of me to come here and believe I can do everything, especially when there is someone here in Gianni Paladini with over 40 years of experience in English football."
That experience came largely as a representative for a number of high-profile players, including Benito Carbone and Fabrizio Ravanelli, before the Naples-born Paladini joined QPR's board in 2004.
Paladini became club chairman the following year after winning a battle for control of the west London club and he retained that title following last year's takeover by a group fronted by Formula One magnates Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone.
Many expected Paladini to be axed, or at least sidelined, by the new regime.
But an initial restructuring of the club did not go entirely to plan and Franco Ceravolo, formerly of Juventus, left only three months after being handed the job of chief scout.
That left Paladini in charge of Rangers' recruitment and transfer dealings as they looked to pull away from the relegation zone.
He sealed the signings of Rowan Vine and Hogan Ephraim, who had been on loan with QPR prior to De Canio's arrival.
Rangers' financial muscle also enabled them to sign defender Matthew Connolly - who had been targeted by several clubs when on loan at Colchester from Arsenal - and seize an opportunity to sign Hungarian playmaker Akos Buzsaky from Plymouth.
Paladini then signed defenders Fitz Hall and Damien Delaney as well as striker Patrick Agyemang, while Gavin Mahon and Kieran Lee were brought in on loan from Watford and Manchester United respectively.
The new arrivals all played a part in turning QPR's season around and Paladini has therefore been left to oversee further rebuilding of the squad during the summer.
"The way it works is that if I or any of my staff know of a player, we tell Gianni and if he knows of a player, he can suggest them to us," explained De Canio.
"It is also about telling Gianni about the type of player I think we need and then seeing what we can come up with. We work as a team."
It is common in parts of Europe for a coach not to have a major role in transfers.
But De Canio knows that English fans associate new signings with their team's manager, meaning he will be judged by how Rangers fare in the transfer market, regardless of his job description.
"I understand that people will judge me by the signings. That is part of being a manager," conceded the former Napoli, Udinese, Genoa and Siena boss.
"It has always been that way. If a player is signed and does well, he's a great player. If he doesn't do well, it's the manager's fault."
And Paladini accepts he will need to continue improving the squad in order to satisfy the club's ambitious owners.
Paladini said: "We have to get it right again this summer - I know that.
"I work closely with 'Gigi' and I love doing that. We brought some good players here in January and we have to do it again.
"It's a very important summer for the club and we must get the right players. We will be judged on that."
Rangers expect to seal the signings of Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny and Newcastle defender Peter Ramage on Bosman free transfers.
They are also desperate to re-sign former Hoops winger Lee Cook following his injury-plagued year at neighbours Fulham.
Numerous other possible targets have been discussed, with a striker high on their list of priorities.
Few managers will start the new season under as much pressure as De Canio, whose team are expected to be among the promotion challengers.
Speculation about his future has already been rife, with a variety of big names linked with the Rangers hot-seat.
But having come through a spell last season when his position was under review, a marked improvement has given De Canio some job security - for the time being at least.
He also has dismissed suggestions he is unhappy in London and may seek a return to Italy.
"I really have no idea where that speculation comes from," he stated.
"There was one occasion, when I missed a game after my father died and I had to return to Italy and it was suggested I might be leaving.
"That was never my intention. I'm happy here and am looking forward to next season."
He added: "I know there will be high expectations because we have high-profile owners but it has been stressed before, and I must stress it again, that QPR are not rich - the owners are.
"We are trying to do things the right way and build properly without simply spending money.
"There will be other strong teams in the Championship next season and those that come down from the Premiership will have money to spend and besides, money does not guarantee success.
"It is worth remembering that some teams spent a lot of money this season but finished near us in the table." BBC
Dave McIntyre - BBC QPR double act continues
Luigi De Canio will continue to rely heavily on chairman Gianni Paladini as QPR attempt to build a promotion-winning squad.
Italian De Canio is preparing for his first full season in English football having been installed as first-team coach last October.
And Paladini, who presided over the signings of nine players during the January transfer window, is set to keep what is effectively a director of football role at Loftus Road.
"I am not in a position to know everything there is to know about English players but that is not a problem when you work with someone with the expertise of Gianni Paladini," insisted De Canio.
"It would be presumptuous of me to come here and believe I can do everything, especially when there is someone here in Gianni Paladini with over 40 years of experience in English football."
That experience came largely as a representative for a number of high-profile players, including Benito Carbone and Fabrizio Ravanelli, before the Naples-born Paladini joined QPR's board in 2004.
Paladini became club chairman the following year after winning a battle for control of the west London club and he retained that title following last year's takeover by a group fronted by Formula One magnates Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone.
Many expected Paladini to be axed, or at least sidelined, by the new regime.
But an initial restructuring of the club did not go entirely to plan and Franco Ceravolo, formerly of Juventus, left only three months after being handed the job of chief scout.
That left Paladini in charge of Rangers' recruitment and transfer dealings as they looked to pull away from the relegation zone.
He sealed the signings of Rowan Vine and Hogan Ephraim, who had been on loan with QPR prior to De Canio's arrival.
Rangers' financial muscle also enabled them to sign defender Matthew Connolly - who had been targeted by several clubs when on loan at Colchester from Arsenal - and seize an opportunity to sign Hungarian playmaker Akos Buzsaky from Plymouth.
Paladini then signed defenders Fitz Hall and Damien Delaney as well as striker Patrick Agyemang, while Gavin Mahon and Kieran Lee were brought in on loan from Watford and Manchester United respectively.
The new arrivals all played a part in turning QPR's season around and Paladini has therefore been left to oversee further rebuilding of the squad during the summer.
"The way it works is that if I or any of my staff know of a player, we tell Gianni and if he knows of a player, he can suggest them to us," explained De Canio.
"It is also about telling Gianni about the type of player I think we need and then seeing what we can come up with. We work as a team."
It is common in parts of Europe for a coach not to have a major role in transfers.
But De Canio knows that English fans associate new signings with their team's manager, meaning he will be judged by how Rangers fare in the transfer market, regardless of his job description.
"I understand that people will judge me by the signings. That is part of being a manager," conceded the former Napoli, Udinese, Genoa and Siena boss.
"It has always been that way. If a player is signed and does well, he's a great player. If he doesn't do well, it's the manager's fault."
And Paladini accepts he will need to continue improving the squad in order to satisfy the club's ambitious owners.
Paladini said: "We have to get it right again this summer - I know that.
"I work closely with 'Gigi' and I love doing that. We brought some good players here in January and we have to do it again.
"It's a very important summer for the club and we must get the right players. We will be judged on that."
Rangers expect to seal the signings of Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny and Newcastle defender Peter Ramage on Bosman free transfers.
They are also desperate to re-sign former Hoops winger Lee Cook following his injury-plagued year at neighbours Fulham.
Numerous other possible targets have been discussed, with a striker high on their list of priorities.
Few managers will start the new season under as much pressure as De Canio, whose team are expected to be among the promotion challengers.
Speculation about his future has already been rife, with a variety of big names linked with the Rangers hot-seat.
But having come through a spell last season when his position was under review, a marked improvement has given De Canio some job security - for the time being at least.
He also has dismissed suggestions he is unhappy in London and may seek a return to Italy.
"I really have no idea where that speculation comes from," he stated.
"There was one occasion, when I missed a game after my father died and I had to return to Italy and it was suggested I might be leaving.
"That was never my intention. I'm happy here and am looking forward to next season."
He added: "I know there will be high expectations because we have high-profile owners but it has been stressed before, and I must stress it again, that QPR are not rich - the owners are.
"We are trying to do things the right way and build properly without simply spending money.
"There will be other strong teams in the Championship next season and those that come down from the Premiership will have money to spend and besides, money does not guarantee success.
"It is worth remembering that some teams spent a lot of money this season but finished near us in the table." BBC
De Canio Signing Intentions and an Assessment of QPR Player Needs
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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Not taking the Mike
QPR boss Luigi De Canio has hinted that he will not attempt to sign Michael Mancienne on a permanent deal this summer.
The Chelsea defender has spent the best part of two years on loan at Loftus Road, but Rangers appear to be looking elsewhere to strengthen their defence ahead of next season.
Asked about the prospects of signing Mancienne, De Canio told the Times: "The whole situation doesn't depend on us, it depends on what Chelsea want to do.
"If we know Michael is a player who can stay with us, that's one matter. If he's someone who has to go back to his original club, we have to adjust our objectives.
"What is true is that we do have more than one alternative and we can see which option is realistic. I have seen a few players who I would like to bring to the club.
"But there are many things to take into consideration - whether the player himself wants to come, whether his team will let him go - so these are just thoughts at the moment."
Mancienne, along with Matthew Connolly and Dexter Blackstock, is a current member of the England under-21 squad, but he is not thought to be rated by Chelsea as a potential first-team player.
De Canio has no plans to move for Manchester United's Kieran Lee either - the youngster, who will return to Old Trafford, started just two games after joining on loan in January.
And the Rs manager has begun clearing the decks already by releasing a number of younger fringe players, as well as American goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
Midfielder Stefan Bailey, who made his debut as a 17-year-old, played 26 times for the first team, but had not been involved since Rangers' Carling Cup defeat by Leyton Orient at the start of the campaign.
Defenders Andrew Howell, whose single first-team appearance was also in the Carling Cup in 2006, and Aaron Goode spent the latter part of the season on loan to Ryman League side Wealdstone.
Pickens, meanwhile, failed to break into the first team during his three months at Loftus Road, and his exit paves the way for the arrival of Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny in June.
The 34-year-old Czech international has been unable to oust Paul Robinson as Spurs' number one and confirmed this week that he will sign a two-year contract with QPR.
Cerny is unlikely to be satisfied with a role as back-up to Lee Camp, but De Canio has made it clear that nobody will be guaranteed a starting place next season.
"Every player wearing the QPR shirt next season will have to understand that there aren't 11 set starters," said the manager.
"Everyone needs to demonstrate their total commitment to the cause, whether they are on the pitch, the bench or in the stands. It is possible for this to work as long as the motivation behind it is clear to everybody.
"When a player doesn't feel that he is important to the coach and the team, he'll never be ready to give 100 per cent when he is used. At the same time, a player who is sure to start every week will never have the motivation to give 100 per cent."
QPR's final position of 14th was an improvement of four places on 2007, but De Canio knows he must fashion a squad capable of featuring much higher up the Championship table next time.
The manager plans to stick to a policy of signing players with experience of domestic competition, adding: "Especially in this league, it's very important to have a team with an English identity.
"If there is a good player from another country who has what we're looking for, then it's something we can look to do.
"But I will be watching the European Championship finals this summer because I'm a football enthusiast, not because I'm hoping to see a player for QPR. Kilburn Times
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - A shopping list for Gigi
WHEN teenage striker Romone Rose came on for his senior debut on Sunday, he brought the total of players to represent QPR's first-team this season to an astonishing 37.
Manager Luigi de Canio has made it clear that Rangers' playing roster will be much less unwieldy next August, with a maximum of 22 names the preferred number for his squad.
The core of that squad will comprise players already contracted to QPR - so how many fresh faces should we expect this summer and what roles do they need to fill?
The Times gives its verdict on how Gigi's shopping list should look...
GOALKEEPERS
Despite his recent off day at Norwich, Lee Camp has been one of the Rs' most consistent players - a superb shot-stopper who, at 23, has plenty of time to improve other aspects of his game.
But Camp has had no real competition for his place this season and the club must sign an experienced keeper - probably Tottenham's Radek Cerny - to challenge Camp rather than replace him.
Long-serving reserve Jake Cole has made it clear he wants a loan move and Matt Pickens has not been offered a new contract, so Reece Crowther could fill the number three slot.
DEFENDERS
A new right-back must be one of De Canio's priorities - but it is unlikely to be Michael Mancienne, or Kieran Lee, whose loan from Manchester United seemed fairly pointless for all parties.
Recent team selections have made it clear the manager does not rate Chris Barker, so a new left-sided player to compete with Damien Delaney may also be in the offing.
Fitz Hall and Matthew Connolly have shown signs of forming a solid partnership in the centre - yet Hall's injury has exposed the paucity of cover available.
Martin Cranie, who caught the eye on loan earlier in the season, would be a good signing if he is fully recovered from injury, but I would caution against the idea of a return for Danny Shittu.
Damion Stewart is a more than adequate squad player - and Rangers also have options such as Simon Walton and Mikele Leigertwood, who can drop into central defence if required.
MIDFIELDERS
De Canio only needs one signing in this area - either Lee Cook or a player like him, an orthodox winger who can beat opponents and deliver damaging crosses.
Hogan Ephraim has shown plenty of promise, but he is more dangerous in an attacking role - perhaps playing behind an out-and-out striker like Patrick Agyemang.
With Walton returning from his loan at Hull, Rangers have plenty of competition in the centre of the park and can afford to release former captain Adam Bolder.
One of the challenges facing De Canio is how to incorporate Akos Buzsaky into a central role more often rather than letting him drift in and out of the game on the right flank.
STRIKERS
Agyemang's purple patch in January and February was the best by any QPR striker in four decades, but there is no doubt that the club require another goal poacher.
Since Les Ferdinand, only Andy Thomson has broken the 20-goal mark in a season - and Rowan Vine, once he returns from injury, will create many more than he scores.
Dexter Blackstock finally regained last season's form during the closing weeks of the campaign but, like Ephraim and Angelo Balanta, might be at his best in a deeper role.
With Danny Nardiello certain to sever his ill-fated ties with the club in the summer, that should still provide sufficient cover for Agyemang, Vine and AN Other. Kilburn Times
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Not taking the Mike
QPR boss Luigi De Canio has hinted that he will not attempt to sign Michael Mancienne on a permanent deal this summer.
The Chelsea defender has spent the best part of two years on loan at Loftus Road, but Rangers appear to be looking elsewhere to strengthen their defence ahead of next season.
Asked about the prospects of signing Mancienne, De Canio told the Times: "The whole situation doesn't depend on us, it depends on what Chelsea want to do.
"If we know Michael is a player who can stay with us, that's one matter. If he's someone who has to go back to his original club, we have to adjust our objectives.
"What is true is that we do have more than one alternative and we can see which option is realistic. I have seen a few players who I would like to bring to the club.
"But there are many things to take into consideration - whether the player himself wants to come, whether his team will let him go - so these are just thoughts at the moment."
Mancienne, along with Matthew Connolly and Dexter Blackstock, is a current member of the England under-21 squad, but he is not thought to be rated by Chelsea as a potential first-team player.
De Canio has no plans to move for Manchester United's Kieran Lee either - the youngster, who will return to Old Trafford, started just two games after joining on loan in January.
And the Rs manager has begun clearing the decks already by releasing a number of younger fringe players, as well as American goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
Midfielder Stefan Bailey, who made his debut as a 17-year-old, played 26 times for the first team, but had not been involved since Rangers' Carling Cup defeat by Leyton Orient at the start of the campaign.
Defenders Andrew Howell, whose single first-team appearance was also in the Carling Cup in 2006, and Aaron Goode spent the latter part of the season on loan to Ryman League side Wealdstone.
Pickens, meanwhile, failed to break into the first team during his three months at Loftus Road, and his exit paves the way for the arrival of Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny in June.
The 34-year-old Czech international has been unable to oust Paul Robinson as Spurs' number one and confirmed this week that he will sign a two-year contract with QPR.
Cerny is unlikely to be satisfied with a role as back-up to Lee Camp, but De Canio has made it clear that nobody will be guaranteed a starting place next season.
"Every player wearing the QPR shirt next season will have to understand that there aren't 11 set starters," said the manager.
"Everyone needs to demonstrate their total commitment to the cause, whether they are on the pitch, the bench or in the stands. It is possible for this to work as long as the motivation behind it is clear to everybody.
"When a player doesn't feel that he is important to the coach and the team, he'll never be ready to give 100 per cent when he is used. At the same time, a player who is sure to start every week will never have the motivation to give 100 per cent."
QPR's final position of 14th was an improvement of four places on 2007, but De Canio knows he must fashion a squad capable of featuring much higher up the Championship table next time.
The manager plans to stick to a policy of signing players with experience of domestic competition, adding: "Especially in this league, it's very important to have a team with an English identity.
"If there is a good player from another country who has what we're looking for, then it's something we can look to do.
"But I will be watching the European Championship finals this summer because I'm a football enthusiast, not because I'm hoping to see a player for QPR. Kilburn Times
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - A shopping list for Gigi
WHEN teenage striker Romone Rose came on for his senior debut on Sunday, he brought the total of players to represent QPR's first-team this season to an astonishing 37.
Manager Luigi de Canio has made it clear that Rangers' playing roster will be much less unwieldy next August, with a maximum of 22 names the preferred number for his squad.
The core of that squad will comprise players already contracted to QPR - so how many fresh faces should we expect this summer and what roles do they need to fill?
The Times gives its verdict on how Gigi's shopping list should look...
GOALKEEPERS
Despite his recent off day at Norwich, Lee Camp has been one of the Rs' most consistent players - a superb shot-stopper who, at 23, has plenty of time to improve other aspects of his game.
But Camp has had no real competition for his place this season and the club must sign an experienced keeper - probably Tottenham's Radek Cerny - to challenge Camp rather than replace him.
Long-serving reserve Jake Cole has made it clear he wants a loan move and Matt Pickens has not been offered a new contract, so Reece Crowther could fill the number three slot.
DEFENDERS
A new right-back must be one of De Canio's priorities - but it is unlikely to be Michael Mancienne, or Kieran Lee, whose loan from Manchester United seemed fairly pointless for all parties.
Recent team selections have made it clear the manager does not rate Chris Barker, so a new left-sided player to compete with Damien Delaney may also be in the offing.
Fitz Hall and Matthew Connolly have shown signs of forming a solid partnership in the centre - yet Hall's injury has exposed the paucity of cover available.
Martin Cranie, who caught the eye on loan earlier in the season, would be a good signing if he is fully recovered from injury, but I would caution against the idea of a return for Danny Shittu.
Damion Stewart is a more than adequate squad player - and Rangers also have options such as Simon Walton and Mikele Leigertwood, who can drop into central defence if required.
MIDFIELDERS
De Canio only needs one signing in this area - either Lee Cook or a player like him, an orthodox winger who can beat opponents and deliver damaging crosses.
Hogan Ephraim has shown plenty of promise, but he is more dangerous in an attacking role - perhaps playing behind an out-and-out striker like Patrick Agyemang.
With Walton returning from his loan at Hull, Rangers have plenty of competition in the centre of the park and can afford to release former captain Adam Bolder.
One of the challenges facing De Canio is how to incorporate Akos Buzsaky into a central role more often rather than letting him drift in and out of the game on the right flank.
STRIKERS
Agyemang's purple patch in January and February was the best by any QPR striker in four decades, but there is no doubt that the club require another goal poacher.
Since Les Ferdinand, only Andy Thomson has broken the 20-goal mark in a season - and Rowan Vine, once he returns from injury, will create many more than he scores.
Dexter Blackstock finally regained last season's form during the closing weeks of the campaign but, like Ephraim and Angelo Balanta, might be at his best in a deeper role.
With Danny Nardiello certain to sever his ill-fated ties with the club in the summer, that should still provide sufficient cover for Agyemang, Vine and AN Other. Kilburn Times
Gareth Ainsworth Looks Back and Looks Forward!
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Gareth Ainsworth - Kilburn Times Step on the Gaz
IT feels like we've had a very long season, but maybe it's ended at just the right time.
Another game would have killed us - we'd have been missing Rowly and Damion as well as the other four key players who are injured and I don't think we can replace so many at the moment.
That's why we need five or six quality players before next season, people who are experienced at this level or higher and I know the gaffer is working hard on that.
Sunday's game was a bit like Norwich - it turned on a sending-off and it was always going to be hard for 10 men against the best team in the league.
Up to then, we'd had the better chances. I was right next to the referee when he sent Rowly off and he had the yellow card in his hand, then the linesman persuaded him to change it for a red.
I don't think it was ever a straight red, but there wasn't any point in appealing it - and maybe the way to look at it is that we got hammered by West Brom with 11 men earlier in the season, so that shows how far we've come.
The vibe around QPR is so different now. There always used to be talk about 'this could be our season', but I think people firmly believe we have a chance when it all starts again in August.
It was great to see a full house at Loftus Road for the West Brom game - and I felt very proud to be a QPR player when I saw the way our fans were applauding West Brom at the end.
It was a gesture that they reciprocated when we did our lap of honour and that's good to see because there are a few clubs where fans aren't anything like that.
We need our supporters to keep filling the ground next season. If they turn up in droves it'll help us get results and I'm sure if we win games they'll come back for more - it works both ways.
Finally I'd just like to say well done to Rowly for his Player of the Year awards - he's my best friend at the club and the recognition he's had this season is thoroughly deserved.
And again - thank you to the fans. Their support has been unbelievable ever since I joined the club.
I'm doing my UEFA B coaching course during the summer, but I've still got plenty of playing to do.
There's more to come from Gareth Ainsworth - and much more from QPR. Kilburn Times
Gareth Ainsworth - Kilburn Times Step on the Gaz
IT feels like we've had a very long season, but maybe it's ended at just the right time.
Another game would have killed us - we'd have been missing Rowly and Damion as well as the other four key players who are injured and I don't think we can replace so many at the moment.
That's why we need five or six quality players before next season, people who are experienced at this level or higher and I know the gaffer is working hard on that.
Sunday's game was a bit like Norwich - it turned on a sending-off and it was always going to be hard for 10 men against the best team in the league.
Up to then, we'd had the better chances. I was right next to the referee when he sent Rowly off and he had the yellow card in his hand, then the linesman persuaded him to change it for a red.
I don't think it was ever a straight red, but there wasn't any point in appealing it - and maybe the way to look at it is that we got hammered by West Brom with 11 men earlier in the season, so that shows how far we've come.
The vibe around QPR is so different now. There always used to be talk about 'this could be our season', but I think people firmly believe we have a chance when it all starts again in August.
It was great to see a full house at Loftus Road for the West Brom game - and I felt very proud to be a QPR player when I saw the way our fans were applauding West Brom at the end.
It was a gesture that they reciprocated when we did our lap of honour and that's good to see because there are a few clubs where fans aren't anything like that.
We need our supporters to keep filling the ground next season. If they turn up in droves it'll help us get results and I'm sure if we win games they'll come back for more - it works both ways.
Finally I'd just like to say well done to Rowly for his Player of the Year awards - he's my best friend at the club and the recognition he's had this season is thoroughly deserved.
And again - thank you to the fans. Their support has been unbelievable ever since I joined the club.
I'm doing my UEFA B coaching course during the summer, but I've still got plenty of playing to do.
There's more to come from Gareth Ainsworth - and much more from QPR. Kilburn Times
Updates re Steffan Moore,.Danny Nardiello, Kevin Gallen and Simon Royce
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Walsall - SADDLERS ANNOUNCE DEPARTURES
WALSALL Football Club have today announced that they will not be offering new contracts to the following first-team players....
- Ian Roper - Darren Wrack - Michael Dobson - Tommy Mooney
- Edrissa Sonko - Bertrand Bossu - David McDermott - Alassane N'Dour
- Stefan Moore
"We would like to thank each and every player for their hard work and effort," explained Chief Executive, Roy Whalley. "We would especially like to thank Darren Wrack and Ian Roper for their service to the football club.
Walsall
Barnsley Official Site - NARDIELLO LEAVES OAKWELL
STRIKER Daniel Nardiello has now returned to Queens Park Rangers after his loan spell with the Club ended following Sunday's defeat at Cardiff City.
Daniel returned to Oakwell on loan from Loftus Road in late January 2008 and has hit one goal in 13 games for the Reds. Barnsley
MK Dons Injury Update: Kevin Gallen (toe)
Kev has been struggling with an injured toe in his right foot since the start of April and got through most of the games in that month with injections.
Towards the end of April we decided enough was enough and it was time to rest the injury. It's responding well to rest, is starting to settle down and we'll continue with his rehab over the summer. MK Dons
Gillingham Official Site - ROYCE PUTS PEN TO PAPER
Gillingham goalkeeper and current player of the year Simon Royce has signed a new one-year deal at Priestfield, keeping him at the club for the Gills crucial 2008-09 season.
Gills Manager Mark Stimson could not hide his delight at the news that the vastly experienced keeper had put pen to paper: "I'm delighted with Simon's decision. He's going to be a vital player for us next season and one that we will need to help get this club back to where we want to be".
The Gills gaffer held what he described as "very positive talks" with the Gillingham squad at Priestfield yesterday. Stimson confirmed "the players all want to get on board" and was keen to reassure supporters that Gills team captain Andrew Crofts and highly rated defender Simon King have both committed themselves to the challenge of getting the club back to where it belongs".
Stimson revealed that he is already finding the close season a struggle to cope with and that he "Can't wait to get the players back in to training in June and get on with the job" Gillingham
Walsall - SADDLERS ANNOUNCE DEPARTURES
WALSALL Football Club have today announced that they will not be offering new contracts to the following first-team players....
- Ian Roper - Darren Wrack - Michael Dobson - Tommy Mooney
- Edrissa Sonko - Bertrand Bossu - David McDermott - Alassane N'Dour
- Stefan Moore
"We would like to thank each and every player for their hard work and effort," explained Chief Executive, Roy Whalley. "We would especially like to thank Darren Wrack and Ian Roper for their service to the football club.
Walsall
Barnsley Official Site - NARDIELLO LEAVES OAKWELL
STRIKER Daniel Nardiello has now returned to Queens Park Rangers after his loan spell with the Club ended following Sunday's defeat at Cardiff City.
Daniel returned to Oakwell on loan from Loftus Road in late January 2008 and has hit one goal in 13 games for the Reds. Barnsley
MK Dons Injury Update: Kevin Gallen (toe)
Kev has been struggling with an injured toe in his right foot since the start of April and got through most of the games in that month with injections.
Towards the end of April we decided enough was enough and it was time to rest the injury. It's responding well to rest, is starting to settle down and we'll continue with his rehab over the summer. MK Dons
Gillingham Official Site - ROYCE PUTS PEN TO PAPER
Gillingham goalkeeper and current player of the year Simon Royce has signed a new one-year deal at Priestfield, keeping him at the club for the Gills crucial 2008-09 season.
Gills Manager Mark Stimson could not hide his delight at the news that the vastly experienced keeper had put pen to paper: "I'm delighted with Simon's decision. He's going to be a vital player for us next season and one that we will need to help get this club back to where we want to be".
The Gills gaffer held what he described as "very positive talks" with the Gillingham squad at Priestfield yesterday. Stimson confirmed "the players all want to get on board" and was keen to reassure supporters that Gills team captain Andrew Crofts and highly rated defender Simon King have both committed themselves to the challenge of getting the club back to where it belongs".
Stimson revealed that he is already finding the close season a struggle to cope with and that he "Can't wait to get the players back in to training in June and get on with the job" Gillingham
Nardiello Looking to Leave QPR
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The kind of news item that's not exactly news! (In fact many fans probably were under the impression that Nardiello had actually already left QPR). Shame, because when he joined QPR a year ago, looked like a great signing for the club.
Skysports
Daniel Nardiello is ready to quit Queens Park Rangers, skysports.com understands.
The Welsh international joined QPR last summer when he opted to quit Barnsley and they beat a host of club's to his signature.
However, things have not gone according to plan for the 25-year-old in West London and he is now looking to move on.
Skysports.com understands QPR are ready to let Nardiello leave and that will spark a scramble in the Championship for his signature.
Former club Barnsley, who Nardiello ended the season with on loan, are very much looking at a deal - although newly promoted Swansea, Cardiff and Derby are all said to be weighing up moves. Skysports
The kind of news item that's not exactly news! (In fact many fans probably were under the impression that Nardiello had actually already left QPR). Shame, because when he joined QPR a year ago, looked like a great signing for the club.
Skysports
Daniel Nardiello is ready to quit Queens Park Rangers, skysports.com understands.
The Welsh international joined QPR last summer when he opted to quit Barnsley and they beat a host of club's to his signature.
However, things have not gone according to plan for the 25-year-old in West London and he is now looking to move on.
Skysports.com understands QPR are ready to let Nardiello leave and that will spark a scramble in the Championship for his signature.
Former club Barnsley, who Nardiello ended the season with on loan, are very much looking at a deal - although newly promoted Swansea, Cardiff and Derby are all said to be weighing up moves. Skysports
QPR's Stats Compared to 2006/07: Points Up...Attendances Up...Discipline Improved
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A few updates to QPR's Season in summary (Stats)
In the "Foul League" QPR ended up with 86 Yellows and 6 Reds - Just behind Coventry who ended with 90 Yellows and 4 Reds. In Fouls conceded, QPR with 651 fouls was just behind Plymouth who "topped" with 659 fouls. Discipline
[But QPR's Disciplinary record was still a considerable improvement over 2006/2007 when they had 105 Yellow cards and 3 Red cards.]
Mikele Leigertwood and Martin Rowlands are in the "Worst 20" Discipline League - Discipline
Attendances were Up over past Two Seasons
PREVIOUS SEASONS ATTENDANCE NUMBERS
2007/08 13,958
2006/07 12,936
2005/06 13,440
2004/05 16,055
2003/04 14,784 (Promotion season)
2002/03 13,206
Lee Camp was one of only a handful of Championship players who was an ever-present. Appearances
Number of Players Used: QPR were near the top in number of players used (38) (Leicester topped with 41 Players) - Playes Used [In 2006/2007, QPR used 35 players]
See QPR's 2006-2007 Statistics: See QPR's 2006/2007 Season in Stats
QPR's 2007/2008 Season in Perspective (Stats)-
QPR finished the season with 58 points. QPR's Home record of 10 wins, 6 draws and 7 Defeats(Goals 32-27). QPR's Away record was 4 wins, 10 draws and 9 defeats. Goals For 28. Against 39.
[In comparison, QPR finished 2006/2007 with 53 points: Home: 9 wins, 6 draws, 8 defeats. Away 5 wins, 5 draws, 13 defeats)
QPR's top goalscorer was Akos Buzsaky with 10 goals. (In 2006/07, Dexter Blackstock was top with 13 goals)
QPR's Top Goalscorers - League
Akos Buzsaky 10
Patrick Agyemang 9
Rowan Vine 7
Martin Rowlands 6
Dexter Blackstock 6
Mikele Leigertwood 5
Damion Stewart 5
Gareth Ainsworth 2
{Various Others] Goalscorers
QPR Report - QPR's 2007/2008 Season in Perspective (Stats)
A few updates to QPR's Season in summary (Stats)
In the "Foul League" QPR ended up with 86 Yellows and 6 Reds - Just behind Coventry who ended with 90 Yellows and 4 Reds. In Fouls conceded, QPR with 651 fouls was just behind Plymouth who "topped" with 659 fouls. Discipline
[But QPR's Disciplinary record was still a considerable improvement over 2006/2007 when they had 105 Yellow cards and 3 Red cards.]
Mikele Leigertwood and Martin Rowlands are in the "Worst 20" Discipline League - Discipline
Attendances were Up over past Two Seasons
PREVIOUS SEASONS ATTENDANCE NUMBERS
2007/08 13,958
2006/07 12,936
2005/06 13,440
2004/05 16,055
2003/04 14,784 (Promotion season)
2002/03 13,206
Lee Camp was one of only a handful of Championship players who was an ever-present. Appearances
Number of Players Used: QPR were near the top in number of players used (38) (Leicester topped with 41 Players) - Playes Used [In 2006/2007, QPR used 35 players]
See QPR's 2006-2007 Statistics: See QPR's 2006/2007 Season in Stats
QPR's 2007/2008 Season in Perspective (Stats)-
QPR finished the season with 58 points. QPR's Home record of 10 wins, 6 draws and 7 Defeats(Goals 32-27). QPR's Away record was 4 wins, 10 draws and 9 defeats. Goals For 28. Against 39.
[In comparison, QPR finished 2006/2007 with 53 points: Home: 9 wins, 6 draws, 8 defeats. Away 5 wins, 5 draws, 13 defeats)
QPR's top goalscorer was Akos Buzsaky with 10 goals. (In 2006/07, Dexter Blackstock was top with 13 goals)
QPR's Top Goalscorers - League
Akos Buzsaky 10
Patrick Agyemang 9
Rowan Vine 7
Martin Rowlands 6
Dexter Blackstock 6
Mikele Leigertwood 5
Damion Stewart 5
Gareth Ainsworth 2
{Various Others] Goalscorers
QPR Report - QPR's 2007/2008 Season in Perspective (Stats)
Birthdays for QPR's Current #10 and for Former QPR Goalscorer
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QPR's Amos Buzsaky Turns 27: Born May 7th 1982. Holder of the #10 shirt for QPR! Signed from Plymouth; ended as QPR's top goalscorer. And also today, a birthday for QPR's leading goalscorer from the year Buzsaky was born: Tony Sealy, turning 49: born May 7 1959
AKOS BUZSAKY QPR Official Site
Name: Akos Buzsaky
Nationality: Hungarian
Date of Birth: 07/05/1982
Height: 5' 11" (180cm)
Weight: 11st 9lbs (74.0kg)
Previous
Clubs: Porto, MTK Hungaria, Plymouth
Position: Midfielder
A player with outstanding individual ability, Akos Buzsaky's talents were initially spotted by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
The self-dubbed 'Special One' paid Buzsaky's first professional Club, MTK Budapest, £400,000 to entice him to FC Porto in 2001.
Buzsaky made just four appearances for the Portuguese giants though and was sent out on loan to Academia de Coimbra.
Plymouth swooped to bring Buzsaky to Home Park on loan towards the conclusion of the 2004/05 campaign, and after suitably impressing, the deal was made permanent in the summer of 2005.
Buzsaky produced a string of stunning displays for the Pilgrims in his first full season at Home Park, but with Argyle struggling to retain their Championship status towards the latter end of the campaign, boss Tony Pulis used him sparingly.
Undeterred, the arrival of Ian Holloway into the Argyle hot-seat breathed new life into the 'Magical Magyar,' who made 40-plus appearances for the Pilgrims last season.
Prior to putting pen to paper on his two month loan deal in W12 in October, dead-ball specialist Buzsaky featured in all but three of Argyle's 16 matches to date in campaign 2007/08.
And he wasted no time whatsoever in making himself feel at home in W12, scoring six goals in his first 13 appearances, before penning a two-and-a-half year deal in January 2008... QPR
TONY SEALY
Born May 7, 1959.
Signed by Terry Venables from Crystal Palace a few months after he joined QPR, Sealy played a few games that season (1980-1981) and a handful of games in our Cup Final season (not playing in any of the Cup games). But the following season, Sealy played a major role in our winning the 1982/1983 Championship and ended up as QPR's top goalscorer with 16 goals in 39 games.
In QPR's season back in the First Division, Sealy played a few games, before being sold to Fulham.
See Wikipedia/Tony Sealy
QPR's Amos Buzsaky Turns 27: Born May 7th 1982. Holder of the #10 shirt for QPR! Signed from Plymouth; ended as QPR's top goalscorer. And also today, a birthday for QPR's leading goalscorer from the year Buzsaky was born: Tony Sealy, turning 49: born May 7 1959
AKOS BUZSAKY QPR Official Site
Name: Akos Buzsaky
Nationality: Hungarian
Date of Birth: 07/05/1982
Height: 5' 11" (180cm)
Weight: 11st 9lbs (74.0kg)
Previous
Clubs: Porto, MTK Hungaria, Plymouth
Position: Midfielder
A player with outstanding individual ability, Akos Buzsaky's talents were initially spotted by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
The self-dubbed 'Special One' paid Buzsaky's first professional Club, MTK Budapest, £400,000 to entice him to FC Porto in 2001.
Buzsaky made just four appearances for the Portuguese giants though and was sent out on loan to Academia de Coimbra.
Plymouth swooped to bring Buzsaky to Home Park on loan towards the conclusion of the 2004/05 campaign, and after suitably impressing, the deal was made permanent in the summer of 2005.
Buzsaky produced a string of stunning displays for the Pilgrims in his first full season at Home Park, but with Argyle struggling to retain their Championship status towards the latter end of the campaign, boss Tony Pulis used him sparingly.
Undeterred, the arrival of Ian Holloway into the Argyle hot-seat breathed new life into the 'Magical Magyar,' who made 40-plus appearances for the Pilgrims last season.
Prior to putting pen to paper on his two month loan deal in W12 in October, dead-ball specialist Buzsaky featured in all but three of Argyle's 16 matches to date in campaign 2007/08.
And he wasted no time whatsoever in making himself feel at home in W12, scoring six goals in his first 13 appearances, before penning a two-and-a-half year deal in January 2008... QPR
TONY SEALY
Born May 7, 1959.
Signed by Terry Venables from Crystal Palace a few months after he joined QPR, Sealy played a few games that season (1980-1981) and a handful of games in our Cup Final season (not playing in any of the Cup games). But the following season, Sealy played a major role in our winning the 1982/1983 Championship and ended up as QPR's top goalscorer with 16 goals in 39 games.
In QPR's season back in the First Division, Sealy played a few games, before being sold to Fulham.
See Wikipedia/Tony Sealy
Chievo Verona's Matteo Alberti Reportedly to QPR
-
Not yet announced by either clubs - possibly because the transfer window has not yet officially opened? - but reportedly, QPR are signing a 19 year old from Italy, Matteo Alberto from the Italian club Serie B club, Chievo Verona (About Chievo Verona). He's apparently made one appearance for Verona. Various fans reported on him being introduced at the club's Annual Fans Dinner on Sunday (and there were photos on the web of Alberto at the QPR Dinner!). And it's reported in the Italian press. (There's also reportedly an August friendly scheduled between the two clubs.)
See QPR Italia Blog QPR Italia Blog
WebTranslation
Tuesday, 06 May 2008
Matthew Alberti: the first Italian for the purchase of the QPR Briatore?
Calciomercato.com -The usually well-informed Violanews.com and Calciomercato.com is reported news published by the Gazzetta dello Sport and date for certain:
"The Queens Park Rangers established the first purchase of the Italian Briatore: Matthew Alberti, outside of Chievo striker, 19 years, with contract technical training. In June would have been easy 'prey' club foreigners. Alberti play in England but this is not a theft because the Qpr has reached an agreement with Chievo: compensation of around 400 thousand euros a friendly on August 2 in London, whose collection is divided down the middle. "
Eurosport conferma: Eurosport confirmation:
"" "First Italian for the purchase of the QPR Briatore: This is Matthew Alberti, 19enne attacker outside of Chievo" Translation
In Italian: QPR Italia - martedì, 06 maggio 2008
Matteo Alberti: primo acquisto italiano per il QPR dell'era Briatore?
Sul solitamente molto ben informato Violanews.com e su Calciomercato.com viene riportata una notizia pubblicata dalla Gazzetta dello Sport e data per certa:
"Il Queens Park Rangers ha definito il primo acquisto italiano dell'era Briatore: è Matteo Alberti, attaccante esterno del Chievo, 19 anni, con contratto di addestramento tecnico. A giugno sarebbe stato facile «preda» dei club stranieri. Alberti giocherà in Inghilterra ma non si tratta di un furto perché il Qpr ha trovato un accordo con il Chievo: indennizzo di circa 400 mila euro più un'amichevole il 2 agosto a Londra, il cui incasso sarà diviso a metà ".
Eurosport conferma:
"Primo acquisto italiano per il QPR dell'era Briatore: si tratta di Matteo Alberti, 19enne attaccante esterno del Chievo" QPR Italia Blog QPR Italia Blog
Not yet announced by either clubs - possibly because the transfer window has not yet officially opened? - but reportedly, QPR are signing a 19 year old from Italy, Matteo Alberto from the Italian club Serie B club, Chievo Verona (About Chievo Verona). He's apparently made one appearance for Verona. Various fans reported on him being introduced at the club's Annual Fans Dinner on Sunday (and there were photos on the web of Alberto at the QPR Dinner!). And it's reported in the Italian press. (There's also reportedly an August friendly scheduled between the two clubs.)
See QPR Italia Blog QPR Italia Blog
WebTranslation
Tuesday, 06 May 2008
Matthew Alberti: the first Italian for the purchase of the QPR Briatore?
Calciomercato.com -The usually well-informed Violanews.com and Calciomercato.com is reported news published by the Gazzetta dello Sport and date for certain:
"The Queens Park Rangers established the first purchase of the Italian Briatore: Matthew Alberti, outside of Chievo striker, 19 years, with contract technical training. In June would have been easy 'prey' club foreigners. Alberti play in England but this is not a theft because the Qpr has reached an agreement with Chievo: compensation of around 400 thousand euros a friendly on August 2 in London, whose collection is divided down the middle. "
Eurosport conferma: Eurosport confirmation:
"" "First Italian for the purchase of the QPR Briatore: This is Matthew Alberti, 19enne attacker outside of Chievo" Translation
In Italian: QPR Italia - martedì, 06 maggio 2008
Matteo Alberti: primo acquisto italiano per il QPR dell'era Briatore?
Sul solitamente molto ben informato Violanews.com e su Calciomercato.com viene riportata una notizia pubblicata dalla Gazzetta dello Sport e data per certa:
"Il Queens Park Rangers ha definito il primo acquisto italiano dell'era Briatore: è Matteo Alberti, attaccante esterno del Chievo, 19 anni, con contratto di addestramento tecnico. A giugno sarebbe stato facile «preda» dei club stranieri. Alberti giocherà in Inghilterra ma non si tratta di un furto perché il Qpr ha trovato un accordo con il Chievo: indennizzo di circa 400 mila euro più un'amichevole il 2 agosto a Londra, il cui incasso sarà diviso a metà ".
Eurosport conferma:
"Primo acquisto italiano per il QPR dell'era Briatore: si tratta di Matteo Alberti, 19enne attaccante esterno del Chievo" QPR Italia Blog QPR Italia Blog
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Ex-QPR Players News...Award for One...Release for Another
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Congratulations to Dougie Freedman: League One's Powerade Player of the Month. Unfortunately he achieved the award playing for Leeds (on Loan from Crystal Palace)! Powerade Award
Millwall have announced players released. Among those released: Ex-QPR goalie, Chris Day. Millwall Announcement
Congratulations to Dougie Freedman: League One's Powerade Player of the Month. Unfortunately he achieved the award playing for Leeds (on Loan from Crystal Palace)! Powerade Award
Millwall have announced players released. Among those released: Ex-QPR goalie, Chris Day. Millwall Announcement
QPR's First Pre-Season Friendly Announced
-
- Away to Oxford, July 19
QPR Official Site PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
QPR will travel to The Kassam Stadium - home of Oxford United - for a pre-season friendly.
The R's will lock horns with the Blue Square Premier outfit on Saturday 19th July - 3.00pm kick-off.
Under the guidance of Darren Patterson, the U's finished the season in the top half of the table on 71 points.
Patterson was named Manager of the Month for April, after guiding the U's to six wins in their final seven games to finish the season in ninth place.
Stay tuned to www.qpr.co.uk for further pre-season details! QPR
Oxford United Official Site - U's to face QPR
United's first confirmed pre-season match will be a home game against Queen's Park Rangers.
The game against the R's will take place on Saturday 19th July (3pm) and will stir memories for many fans of the 1986 Milk Cup final. It will also be a chance for local boy Dexter Blackstock to return to the club where he began his career
Full admission prices and ticket details will follow" Oxford
- Away to Oxford, July 19
QPR Official Site PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
QPR will travel to The Kassam Stadium - home of Oxford United - for a pre-season friendly.
The R's will lock horns with the Blue Square Premier outfit on Saturday 19th July - 3.00pm kick-off.
Under the guidance of Darren Patterson, the U's finished the season in the top half of the table on 71 points.
Patterson was named Manager of the Month for April, after guiding the U's to six wins in their final seven games to finish the season in ninth place.
Stay tuned to www.qpr.co.uk for further pre-season details! QPR
Oxford United Official Site - U's to face QPR
United's first confirmed pre-season match will be a home game against Queen's Park Rangers.
The game against the R's will take place on Saturday 19th July (3pm) and will stir memories for many fans of the 1986 Milk Cup final. It will also be a chance for local boy Dexter Blackstock to return to the club where he began his career
Full admission prices and ticket details will follow" Oxford
Pickens Comments on Departing QPR
-
Chicago Tribune Blog/Luis Arroyave - Pickens released by QPR
Former Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens was released by Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday. The Championship club chose not to extend Pickens' contract, which began in February and ends in June.
In his first season with QPR, Pickens played three reserve games but saw no first team minutes. He missed the final three weeks of the season with a separated shoulder.
When I spoke to Pickens last week, he admitted he was unsure about his future with the club.
"We have wealthy guys at the top now who throw money around," Pickens said. "I don't think anybody is safe." The former Fire goalkeeper was one of five QPR players let go.
"I would consider any league in Europe," Pickens said about his future. "Playing in different leagues in Europe would give me good experience and an overall better game. I would see different playing styles and it would make me more experienced.
"If there was a chance to play in Germany, I would do it."
Pickens plans on returning to the United States soon and may even stop by Chicago for a Fire game.
What's the first thing he wants to do when he gets back to the U.S.?
"I'll hit up Chipotle," Pickens responded. "I'm addicted. I also can't wait to see some sunshine. "I'm pretty white." Chicago Tribune Blog
Chicago Tribune Blog/Luis Arroyave - Pickens released by QPR
Former Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens was released by Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday. The Championship club chose not to extend Pickens' contract, which began in February and ends in June.
In his first season with QPR, Pickens played three reserve games but saw no first team minutes. He missed the final three weeks of the season with a separated shoulder.
When I spoke to Pickens last week, he admitted he was unsure about his future with the club.
"We have wealthy guys at the top now who throw money around," Pickens said. "I don't think anybody is safe." The former Fire goalkeeper was one of five QPR players let go.
"I would consider any league in Europe," Pickens said about his future. "Playing in different leagues in Europe would give me good experience and an overall better game. I would see different playing styles and it would make me more experienced.
"If there was a chance to play in Germany, I would do it."
Pickens plans on returning to the United States soon and may even stop by Chicago for a Fire game.
What's the first thing he wants to do when he gets back to the U.S.?
"I'll hit up Chipotle," Pickens responded. "I'm addicted. I also can't wait to see some sunshine. "I'm pretty white." Chicago Tribune Blog
Mocking The People's Zidane Story
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Football 365 Media Watch
Zizou
Now, The People is not a paper prone to making snap judgements and mountains out of confirmed molehills. They're an understated journal, reporting simply fact and nothing but.
That's why Mediawatch was so excited when we opened our copy on Sunday to read the following big story:
'World Cup legend Zinedine Zidane is the sensational name in the frame to take over as boss of QPR.
'Rangers owner Flavio Briatore has promised a major announcement before today's final match of the season at home to West Brom - and informed whispers insist he'll name Zidane as Loftus Road boss.'
By Christ - what a scoop! Mediawatch settled in on Sunday to await the big announcement with a baguette and a glass for champagne in tribute to the great man.
The excitement grew as Flavio Briatore strode out in all his Italian splendor to reveal....the new QPR club logo.
We would just like to congratulate the 'informed' whisperer on convincing scribe Mark Dunne that he had a world exclusive on that one." Football 365
[ Sunday's People -"QPR Go For Zidane"
Football 365 Media Watch
Zizou
Now, The People is not a paper prone to making snap judgements and mountains out of confirmed molehills. They're an understated journal, reporting simply fact and nothing but.
That's why Mediawatch was so excited when we opened our copy on Sunday to read the following big story:
'World Cup legend Zinedine Zidane is the sensational name in the frame to take over as boss of QPR.
'Rangers owner Flavio Briatore has promised a major announcement before today's final match of the season at home to West Brom - and informed whispers insist he'll name Zidane as Loftus Road boss.'
By Christ - what a scoop! Mediawatch settled in on Sunday to await the big announcement with a baguette and a glass for champagne in tribute to the great man.
The excitement grew as Flavio Briatore strode out in all his Italian splendor to reveal....the new QPR club logo.
We would just like to congratulate the 'informed' whisperer on convincing scribe Mark Dunne that he had a world exclusive on that one." Football 365
[ Sunday's People -"QPR Go For Zidane"
QPR Release Five Players, Including Two Goalies
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QPR Official Site - QUINTET TO GO
QPR quintet Sean Thomas, Aaron Goode, Andrew Howell, Stefan Bailey and Matt Pickens will be free to leave the Club when their current contracts expire at the end of June.
Thomas, who failed to make a single competitive appearance for the R's, spent time on loan at Bristol City last season, while Goode featured for Wealdstone earlier this campaign.
Howell made his one and only QPR appearance against Northampton Town in the League Cup in August 2006, while tough tackling midfielder Bailey was restricted to just 20 appearances for the R's since signing professional terms during the 2005/06 campaign.
Pickens joined the R's on a short-term contract in February, but was restricted to just a handful of Reserve appearances.
The Club would like to thank all five players for their contribution to QPR and wish them all the best for a successful future. QPR
QPR Official Site - QUINTET TO GO
QPR quintet Sean Thomas, Aaron Goode, Andrew Howell, Stefan Bailey and Matt Pickens will be free to leave the Club when their current contracts expire at the end of June.
Thomas, who failed to make a single competitive appearance for the R's, spent time on loan at Bristol City last season, while Goode featured for Wealdstone earlier this campaign.
Howell made his one and only QPR appearance against Northampton Town in the League Cup in August 2006, while tough tackling midfielder Bailey was restricted to just 20 appearances for the R's since signing professional terms during the 2005/06 campaign.
Pickens joined the R's on a short-term contract in February, but was restricted to just a handful of Reserve appearances.
The Club would like to thank all five players for their contribution to QPR and wish them all the best for a successful future. QPR
QPR's Matt Pickens Assesses His Season and Prospects
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Chicago Tribune/Luis Arroyave - Ex-Fire goalie Pickens wraps up season in England
On a freezing afternoon in December, Matt Pickens sat inside a restaurant in the West Loop discussing his upcoming season with the Fire. He talked about his chances of being named team captain and he mentioned he was trying to get more teammates to train at Toyota Park in the off-season.
Sure, Pickens still hadn't re-signed with the team at that point, but he was confident he would be signing soon.
That day never came.
Pickens instead signed with England's Queens Park Rangers in February.
"I thought I would be with the Fire," Pickens said. "But I got a good offer from Europe. Offers from Europe don't come often. If I didn't get any offers from Europe, I would [have been] in a Fire jersey this weekend."
Pickens was training with the U.S. national team in January but left camp early to train with Norwich City and then Preston North End—also of the Football League Championship. According to Pickens, both clubs later made him an offer, but not until he was already set to sign with QPR.
The Fire made one final offer the night before January's draft. As he did before the 2007 season when the Fire tried to extend his contract, Pickens declined.
"It was generous," Pickens said of the offer. "I respected that and I told them that. But I had to live a dream."
QPR's season ended Sunday, with the Rangers finishing 14th out of 24 clubs. Pickens was unable to crack the starting lineup in his time with QPR but played three reserve games with the club. He missed the final three weeks of the season after suffering a separated shoulder in practice.
"I knew I would come in as the No. 2 guy," Pickens said. "I was perfectly fine with that. I didn't expect to start.
"I think I played well, but I still haven't proven myself."
Would he like to return to QPR next season?
"I hope so," responded Pickens, whose contract ended after the season. "I think I can play at that level, but we'll see what happens." Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune/Luis Arroyave - Ex-Fire goalie Pickens wraps up season in England
On a freezing afternoon in December, Matt Pickens sat inside a restaurant in the West Loop discussing his upcoming season with the Fire. He talked about his chances of being named team captain and he mentioned he was trying to get more teammates to train at Toyota Park in the off-season.
Sure, Pickens still hadn't re-signed with the team at that point, but he was confident he would be signing soon.
That day never came.
Pickens instead signed with England's Queens Park Rangers in February.
"I thought I would be with the Fire," Pickens said. "But I got a good offer from Europe. Offers from Europe don't come often. If I didn't get any offers from Europe, I would [have been] in a Fire jersey this weekend."
Pickens was training with the U.S. national team in January but left camp early to train with Norwich City and then Preston North End—also of the Football League Championship. According to Pickens, both clubs later made him an offer, but not until he was already set to sign with QPR.
The Fire made one final offer the night before January's draft. As he did before the 2007 season when the Fire tried to extend his contract, Pickens declined.
"It was generous," Pickens said of the offer. "I respected that and I told them that. But I had to live a dream."
QPR's season ended Sunday, with the Rangers finishing 14th out of 24 clubs. Pickens was unable to crack the starting lineup in his time with QPR but played three reserve games with the club. He missed the final three weeks of the season after suffering a separated shoulder in practice.
"I knew I would come in as the No. 2 guy," Pickens said. "I was perfectly fine with that. I didn't expect to start.
"I think I played well, but I still haven't proven myself."
Would he like to return to QPR next season?
"I hope so," responded Pickens, whose contract ended after the season. "I think I can play at that level, but we'll see what happens." Chicago Tribune
In Hindsight: Championship Promotion and Relegation Predictions: How Accurate Were The Experts?
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Just a retrospect, given that the pundits were not too accurate in their assessments of Hull's and Bristol City's promotion prospects or of Leicester's relegation.
What The Bookies Were Saying:
May 28, 2007 - 2007-2008 QPR's Championship Title Odds-
Early odds for 2007-2008 Championship: QPR's Championship Prospects for 2007-2008
SKY BET Coca Cola Championship 07/08 - Win Outright
Charlton 6/1 Coventry 16/1 Hull 40/1
Sheff Utd 8/1 C Palace 20/1 Burnley 40/1
Wolves 8/1 Cardiff 20/1 Colchester 40/1
Derby 10/1 Preston 20/1 Scunthorpe 50/1
Watford 10/1 Ipswich 20/1 Plymouth 50/1
Southampton 12/1 Sheff Weds 20/1 QPR 50/1
Leicester 14/1 Norwich 25/1 Barnsley 50/1
Stoke 16/1 Bristol City 25/1 Blackpool 50/1
http://www.skybet.com/skybet?action=GoEvType&id=10003361
Blue Sq.com
Charlton Athletic 6/1 BET Norwich City 22/1 BET
Sheffield United 15/2 BET Plymouth Argyle 28/1 BET
Wolverhampton Wanderers 8/1 BET Burnley 28/1 BET
Watford Ipswich Town 33/1 BET
Southampton 10/1 BET Blackpool 33/1 BET
Leicester City 14/1 BET Bristol City 33/1 BET
Crystal Palace 18/1 BET Queen's Park Rangers 40/1 BET
Stoke City 18/1 BET Colchester United 40/1 BET
Sheffield Wednesday 20/1 BET Hull City 40/1 BET
Preston North End 20/1 BET Scunthorpe United 66/1 BET
Coventry City 20/1 BET Barnsley 80/1 BET
Cardiff City 22/1 BET
QPR Report
Also: Also Vital Hull Assessment of Promtion and Relegation Odds for Championship Clubs
JUNE 02, 2007 QPR's 2007-08 Championship Odds: Bookies' View of QPR's 2007-08 Championship Prospects
Ladbrokes QPR 100/1
CORAL: - Win Coca Cola Championship - Outright QPR 66/1
SKY BET Win Outright QPR 50/1
William Hill QPR 41/1
Victor Chandler QPR 40/1
Betfred 66/1
Blue Sq.com Queen's Park Rangers 40/1
QPR Report - Championship Title Odds
September 03, 2007 - QPR's Premiership Promotion Prospects
William Hill - What Price Q P R For Prem In 4 Seasons?
QUEENS PARK RANGERS FOR PREMIERSHIP? BET ON IT....
.With the prospective new owners of QPR declaring that they believe the club is capable of reaching the Premiership within the next four seasons, William Hill have opened a book on just which division QPR qill be in when the 2011/12 season opens - and make them 2/1 shots to be in the Premiership, 4/11 not to.
Hills also offer Even money that QPR will be a Championship club for season 2011/12; 11/4 a League One side; 25/1 in League Two; 100/1 lower than League Two.
*QPR are 9/4 to be relegated this season with Hills who have them 33/1 to be promoted and 80/1 to win the Championship.
Further information....graham sharpe...0780 3233702 William Hill
QPR Report
December 07, 2007 - QPR Relegation Odds- Current Coral Relegation Odds
Coral:
Blackpool 2/1
Colchester 2/1
Preston 9/4
Coventry 9/4
QPR 9/4
Cardiff 5/2
Norwich 5/2
Scunthorpe 5/2
Crystal Palace 7/1
May 28, 2007 - QPR's Championship Odds QPR Report
February 11, 2008 - QPR's Odds of Winning Promotion-
Slightly more optimistic than this blogger! With 15 games left, QPR currently have 39 points and are 6 points behind the sixth playoff team. To make the playoffs, traditionally need about 70-72 points (or slightly more). So QPR probably need to win at least 10 of their last 15 games.
Promotion Odds: Current Betting on QPR Promotion Coral giving 8/1... QPR Report
February 24, 2008 - Updated QPR Odds: Relegation, Promotion and Champions-
Updated odds...Relegation: Coral are offering odds of 16/1 and BlueSQ 20/1 QPR Relegation -
Promotion: Bookies offering Odds between 12/1 and 16/1 on QPR wining promotion
Championship Winners: Various bookies giving from odds of 66/1 to 125/1 on QPR winning the Championship.
Saturday, August 18, 2007 - QPR's Championship Prospects This Season - A Detailed Look-
From last week's Ealing Gazette (prior to the Bristol City and Orient games or the latest "developments" in the QPR takeover saga: A very detailed look at QPR's prospects this season:
Ealing Gazette, August 9, 2007 - Who will do what?
A BIG season awaits Dexter Blackstock, who must now step out of the shadows of Paul Furlong and Kevin Gallen and earn the tag of indispensable striker.
There were times last season when he showed he is more than ready to assume that key role and Rangers need the player to be injury-free and firing towards 20 goals if they are to avoid another flirtation with relegation and harbour more ambitious thoughts.
But the man who increasingly makes Rangers tick is Adam Bolder - who is an even better harrier and passer than Marc Bircham.
The untimely injury to another midfielder, Simon Walton, has upset John Gregory's best laid plans. The midfielder had settled in well and was a likely starter. Now Stefan Bailey and Stefan Moore could enjoy an unexpected new lease of life.
Rangers should be more solid at the back this season with Danny Cullip, Damion Stewart, Michael Mancienne, John Curtis, Dominic Shimmin and Pat Kanyuka sharing the central defensive duties and the full-backs look OK
Up front, Ben Sahar probably did enough against Fulham last week to earn a starting role alongside Dexter Black-stock, so Danny Nardiello may have to bide his time for a while.
Ray Jones and Marc Nygaard are useful alter-natives but neither can be classed as consistent.
It goes without saying that Rangers will miss a stack of goals which originated from Lee Cook's sweet left foot and nobody appears as equally adept at finding an extra yard of pace. Gareth Ainsworth can on his day, but we must assume he will have cameo roles, given an all-action style that invites injury.
Martin Rowlands needs to stay fit so he can provide the bullets from setpieces if nothing else.
In actual fact, he is rather more important than that and his form seems inextricably bound to Rangers' fortunes. If he plays well, Rangers are always that much more likely to win. Ealing Gazette
EALING GAZETTE - August 9, 2007 - {Gregory] I won't let us repeat last year's failing- QPR News by Yann Tear
JOHN Gregory has vowed to steer QPR to safer pastures this season and is convinced his team will show signs of vast improvement.
The Rs were too close to the relegation trapdoor for comfort last season and only a late burst of form took them clear of danger.
But Gregory has had time to shape the squad in his image now and says he has a totally different animal under his wing than he did last September when he took over from Gary Wad-dock.
"It can't be any worse than last year. It was an awful time for us and as long as I'm here, we'll never drop to those depths again," the Rangers boss said.
"It feels a little bit more like my team now. It's slowly coming and I've been able to pick up one or two bargains on the way.
"There's a really professional feel about the place in the way the boys go about their training.
"We've come a long way since last September. We've got a long, long way to go and there's a lot better teams than us in this division. But one thing you'll get off this bunch of lads is total commitment."
Outlining his reasons for thinking far better times are ahead this term, Gregory continued: "I think the players I inherited are better now than they were last September when I came in.
"Damion Stewart is a better player now, Zesh Rehman is a better player than he was when we came in. Marcus Bignot too.
"All the people who were here when we came in have improved. They've worked hard on their games and listened carefully to the coaching staff.
"On the medical side, our play-ers are exceptionally fit. We've got a fantastic medical set-up here with Joe Dunbar our performance manager and Mark Barry our fitness coach.
"Right the way through with physios and masseurs, remedial therapists, I feel I've got a really good back-up team. Mick Har-ford and Warren Neil on the coach staff.
"The fitness levels that they've got is probably the biggest single feature of how things have changed over the last nine months.
"Mick Harford's only been here a month and it's the one thing that's really hit him, how hard everybody works on the training ground Monday to Friday.
"If you work well Monday to Friday, you take it into the game on the Saturday. Hopefully we can get off to a reasonable start and do better than last year."
Rangers are among the teams expected to struggle this season, if the bookmakers are to be believed, but victory over Premier League neighbours Fulham last week added to the wave of optimism. Ealing Gazette
EALING GAZETTE -August 9, 2007 - Sahar adds to optimism -Gregory's View By Yann Tear
THERE is no pressure from Chelsea for QPR to play Ben Sahar, John Gregory has said - but if the loaned striker can fulfil the hints of promise shown in last week's friendly win over Fulham, it will be impossible to leave him out.
The teenager turns 18 today (Friday) but appears to have a far older head on his shoulders.
He showed the right mix of robust desire and calmness in bagging his second half goals in the 2-1 win over the Whites and already the hope must be that his three-month stay can be extended to the New Year at least.
"Ben could certainly play a big part for us this season," Gregory said. "He's quick and clever and makes lots of good runs which sometimes don't get picked out by us because we are not as good as he is sometimes.
"Hopefully we can give him a good education here over the next six months.
"We are looking to keep him until the January window when he might be recalled to Chelsea because of the African Nations Cup.
"We will do our very best to look after him and he will certainly improve us."
Gregory added: "If there is such a thing as trying too hard, probably Ben was doing that in the first half.
"It was his home debut and he wanted to just settle down, but the sign of a good goalscorer is when you're one on one against the goalkeeper when you've got time to think about it.
"So many people fluff it. He just set himself up and slotted it like a 32-year-old. Like a Shearer, like a Bergkamp, or an Henry. It was a great finish.
"He earned the first goal himself with his attitude to nick the ball and he thumped it home with tremendous authority for somebody so young."
Rangers have three Chelsea players on loan, with James Simmonds joining Sahar and Michael Mancienne at Loftus Road this month, but that does not mean the Blues will dictate the line-up, Gregory insists, even though he has made no secret of his will-ingness to become a quasi-feeder club for the Premier League neighbours.
"I didn't want to waste Ben Sahar's time by playing him in the reserves or he might as well have stayed at Chelsea," the Rangers boss said.
"But I'm under no pressure from Chelsea to start their players in every match, they are always very good about that, although they would obviously be concerned if either of them [Sahar or Mancienne] ended up not playing in the first team for a long period."We had Jimmy Smith and Michael Mancienne last year and at certain stages, both of them came out of the team and had a little breather because the intensity of the Championship was enormous pressure on the young boys."
Basing your hopes around a raw teenager who may not be around for long is not normally the sign of stable outfit, but Sahar's performance tapped into a well of optimis. The belief at the club is that it can't be as bad as last year and that Gregory is beginning to assemble a sturdier team.
But the foundations remain rocky. The club is looking for new investors and there is every indication that Gianni Paladini and the Monaco group will be happy to jump ship if the price is right.
There is no money to bail Rangers out of trouble, should the going get tough, hence a groundswell of opinion outside W12 that they will struggle to beat the drop.
The loans at the club are not just on the pitch but off it too and as long as debts are dragging the club down - especially alleged rulebending ones with chairmen of other clubs - the optimism can never come without an asterisk.
Recent years have been marked by a strange mix of high farce and thuggery which have done the club no favours - the gun-toting episode at Loftus Road, the brawl at Harlington with the Chinese Olympic team and the pre-season plastic-pitch farce in Italy last year.
They could do without such distracting controversies again.
Gregory is aware of the optimism but knows there is no mileage in milking it too much. An injury here or there, as happened last week to unlucky new signing Simon Walton, who fractured his left leg, shows how fragile this season's journey could be.
"I'm sure that after beating Fulham, all the QPR fans will be expecting me to win the league by 20 points, otherwise I'll get the sack," Gregory joked.
"A realistic target for us is to be above half way, I think.
"Losing Simon Walton is a big blow because we'd earmarked him to play in that central midfield role. He's a really solid, dependable player and person who's taken to this place like you wouldn't believe.
"We are going to have to make one or two adjustments and we might have to go out and bring one more in, although I don't think we've got any money left.
"It was a big fillip for us winning against Fulham. A lot of kudos goes with it. It doesn't count for anything, but it still sends us into good spirits next week."
Gregory added: "We want to get off to a good start. If we do, it's great, if we don't, then we have to put it right.
"We will all be going into that first match full of the joys of spring and all wanting to give it our best shot. But you have to retain that enthusiasm in November when you're playing at Turf Moor on a wet and windy Tuesday night."
And you need to avoid injuries, off-pitch controversies and the loss of your best loan players, he might have added -Ealing Gazette
EALING GAZETTE -Nardiello admits he may have to bide his time a littleAug 9 2007
SUMMER signing Danny Nardiello could only admire from the bench as Ben Sahar stole the headlines in last week's thrilling win for QPR over Fulham, writesYann Tear.
And when he finally came on as sub in the 70th minute, the applause that rang out from the stands was for the two-goal hero from Chelsea rather than for the 24-year-old Wales international.
Nardiello was expected to start the season as Dexter Blackstock's strike partner, but Nardiello concedes now that he may have to be patient.
"It's going to be hard to get in the team but it's always good to have a bit of competition," he told the Gazette.
"If anything I like it because it makes we work harder.
"I always want to start but whether I do or not is up to the manager, obviously. If not, then I'll just have to fight for my place. It's the same any club you are at. As soon as I came here, I knew there was a good set of strikers. The main thing is I'm really enjoying it down here and feel I've settled in well.
"I've played all my football up north even though I'm from Coventry, but I was happy coming down to London and starting a new life down here and hopefully I'll be successful.
"There's a great set of lads and a good manager and I'm enjoying the football. Hopefully we can take the Fulham performance into the season."
Nardiello left under a cloud at Barnsley, where he was poised to sign a new contract before changing his mind.
"I don't think the manager would be too happy with me there, and I'm not too sure what the reception will be like when I go back, but we'll see when that happens." he said. "I'm still mates with all of the lads and a few of the staff at Barnsley.
"All I'm thinking about now is QPR's progress, and we've got to look to push up towards the top of the table.
You don't want to say you just want to stay up this season.
"The gaffer's brought in a lot of new players to improve the squad and there's no reason why we can't push for the top half of the table.
"With any luck it will be better for me than last year when I broke my collarbone near the start of the season and only got nine goals.
"I've played in midfield for Barnsley and my other clubs but I prefer to play up front and hope to be among the goals." Ealing Gazette
QPR Report
And a two-year Flashback to what the Media Experts Were Predicting for QPR Priort to the Start of the 2006-2007 (Waddock/Gregory) Season
Friday, August 03, 2007 Year Ago - Assessing QPR's 2006-07 Championship Prospects-
Most of the newspapers haven't yet given their pre-season assessment of how clubs will do, although the bookies have spoken - and are not rating QPR's prospects too highly. See: Recent bookie's assessment. Early Bookies' (beginning of June) look at QPR prosects for 2007-2008
A reminder of what was said a year ago about QPR's Prospects in 2006-2007:
The Times - Championship Preview
"QUEENS PARK RANGERS - There will be plenty of new faces on the pitch at Loftus Road this season, but unfortunately for Rangers supporters, most of Gary Waddock’s signings, who come from all corners of the globe, are untried both in this country and at this level. Expect to see a new face in the home dugout if they do not gel quickly into a winning side. Last season: 21st. This season: could go down"
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-2292825,00.html
BBC - The Championship form guide
QPR - "...BBC Sport verdict: New boss Gary Waddock had a difficult introduction to the job last season. But although results were bad, some performances showed promise. Waddock has the club in his blood and has pledged to play attractive football too. He has strengthened his squad over the summer but needs a good start to avoid a lengthy battle against the drop.
Key man: Nick Ward. Big things are expected from this Aussie youngster.
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/5175924.stm
Soccernet's Championship preview 2006/7
Richard Jolly
"...QPR Last season: 21st Manager: Gary Waddock - A QPR favourite who offers the prospect of better football at Loftus Road, despite a mediocre end to the season.
In: Damion Stewart (Bradford, free), Adam Czerkas (Kolporter Korona, loan), Egutu Oliseh (La Louviere, free), Armel Tchakounte (Kitchee FC, free), Nick Ward (Perth Glory, free).
Out: Dean Sturridge (Kidderminster, free), Richard Langley (Luton, free).
A largely unprofitable March and April did not stop QPR promoting Gary Waddock to succeed Ian Holloway, whose style of football may be deemed more suitable for the lower divisions.
Despite an eclectic bunch of rather cheap signings, he will operate with basically the same squad. The benefit is that it still includes Danny Shittu, the giant centre back whose uncompromising displays have attracted attention. The downside is that an ageing forward line requires rejuvenation and, as Marc Nygaard (9) was the most successful, a prolific scorer.
Waddock also needs to ease a reliance on Gareth Ainsworth to create while proving an end-of-season slump was not a sign of things to come.
Key man: Danny Shittu - QPR's leader in defence. He could be rather overworked this season.
One to watch: Shabazz Baidoo - Lively young striker who was normally used as a substitute last year.
Must do better: Stefan Moore - Came from Aston Villa in search of first-team football, but did not really make the most of it.
Prediction: If Waddock can ally a greater emphasis on passing with the spirit and resilience that were trademarks of Holloway's team, mid-table. If not, they may be among the strugglers. Soccernet
Guardian August 4, 2006:
Key man Nick Ward The 21-year-old has caught the eye in his first pre-season at QPR. The attacking central midfielder was called into an Australia squad in February.
Prediction Oscurity Mid-table would be decent for a club who finished one place above the drop last season. A regimented, punishing pre-season is expected to reap rewards. Commentator's kit Last month Dunga became the first director to leave Loftus Road to take over as Brazil coach.
In Egutu Oliseh (La Louvière) free, Nick Ward (Perth Glory) free, Adam Czerkas (Odra Wodzislaw) season loan, Armel Tchakounte (Kitchee) free, Damion Stewart (Harbour View) free. Out Richard Langley (Luton) free, Dean Sturridge (Kidderminster) free, Ugo Ukah released, George Santos released. Guardian
Daily Telegraph
Manager: Gary Waddock (July 2006).
In: Damion Stewart (Harbour View, U), Egutu Oliseh (La Louviere), Adam Czerkas (Odra Wodzislaw), Armel Tchakounte (Carshalton), Nick Ward (Perth Glory, U).
Out: Marcus Bean (Blackpool), Richard Langley (Luton), Dean Sturridge (Kidderminster), Ugo Ukah (Nouresa Calcio).
Released: Marcin Kus, George Santos, Sammy Youssef.
Squad numbers: 1 Simon Royce, 2 Marcus Bignot, 3 Mauro Milanese, 4 Ian Evatt, 5 Danny Shittu, 6 Tom 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 Armel Tchakounte, 20 Scott Donnelly, 21 Paul Jones, 22 Shabazz Baidoo, 23 Stefan Bailey, 24 Patrick Kanyuka, 25 Damion Stewart, 26 Sean Thomas, 27 Egutu Oliseh, 28 Adam Czerkas, 29 Paul Furlong, 30 Mark Nygaard, 34 Matthew Hislop, 35 Jonathan Munday.
Website: www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk Odds: C: 100-1, P: 40-1, R: 2-1. Telegraph
Predicted Championship - Final League Table
Championship
1. West Brom2. Southampton3. Crystal Palace4. Birmingham City5. Coventry City6. Sunderland7. Derby County8. Leeds United9. Wolves10. Burnley11. Norwich City12. Preston 13. Leicester City14. Cardiff City15. Stoke City16. Hull17. Ipswich Town18. Sheffield Wednesday19. Plymouth Argyle20. Southend United21. Luton Town22. Barnsley23. QPR24. Colchester United - Soccernet
SPORTING LIFE FANZINE
PA Sport
"...If last season's late form is anything to go by, QPR are already relegated. Defeat in six of their final seven games suggests new boss Gary Waddock has his work cut out, just like predecessor Ian Holloway - sent on gardening leave by Rangers in February - and now Plymouth manager.... Sporting Life
Coral - Championship Betting PLymouth
14th last season, Plymouth Argyle are under new management following Tony Pulis’s return to Stoke City.... Coral’s match bet market, Plymouth are 5/6 to finish ahead of Ian Holloway’s old club QPR.
Coral
And Les Ferdinand was saying...
BBC - Ferdinand's Concerns - Ferdinand troubled by QPR unease
By Chris Charles
QPR legend Les Ferdinand is hoping the club can put their problems off the pitch behind them as they get ready for the new season.
The striker, who scored 90 goals in 170 appearances for Rangers, is concerned stories of boardroom upheaval and mounting debts will take their toll.
Ferdinand told BBC Sport: "I'm upset with all the off-the-field antics at QPR that have overshadowed the club.
"I wish they could resolve this stuff and concentrate on the football."
Ferdinand, dubbed 'Sir Les' by the QPR fans during his eight-year spell at Loftus Road, admitted things were not looking great but had every confidence manager Gary Waddock and his assistant Alan McDonald would turn things around.
"My old team-mates Gary and Alan know all about Queens Park Rangers and I hope they can do the business," he said.
"They've got blue and white flowing through their blood so hopefully they can bring them back to where they need to be."
The bookmakers are not convinced, making QPR one of the the favourites to be relegated from the Championship after they failed to win any of their final 11 games last season.
A summer of discontent has seen the club's reputation dragged through the gutter, with a court clearing seven men of forcing then-director Gianni Paladini to resign at gunpoint during the home clash with Sheffield United last season.
Since then, Carlos Dunga has quit as a director after being asked to coach Brazil and Paladini, currently chairman of the west London side, has hinted that Rangers' main investor, Antonio Caliendo, could be ready to pull the plug.
Ferdinand, 39, remains upbeat about the future of the club where he made his name, saying: "I wish they'd stop talking about all the issues off the pitch and get back to talking about the great football Rangers traditionally play.
"If Gary and Alan are allowed to do their jobs, I really hope they can get QPR back into the Premiership as soon as possible." BBC
QPR Report
Just a retrospect, given that the pundits were not too accurate in their assessments of Hull's and Bristol City's promotion prospects or of Leicester's relegation.
What The Bookies Were Saying:
May 28, 2007 - 2007-2008 QPR's Championship Title Odds-
Early odds for 2007-2008 Championship: QPR's Championship Prospects for 2007-2008
SKY BET Coca Cola Championship 07/08 - Win Outright
Charlton 6/1 Coventry 16/1 Hull 40/1
Sheff Utd 8/1 C Palace 20/1 Burnley 40/1
Wolves 8/1 Cardiff 20/1 Colchester 40/1
Derby 10/1 Preston 20/1 Scunthorpe 50/1
Watford 10/1 Ipswich 20/1 Plymouth 50/1
Southampton 12/1 Sheff Weds 20/1 QPR 50/1
Leicester 14/1 Norwich 25/1 Barnsley 50/1
Stoke 16/1 Bristol City 25/1 Blackpool 50/1
http://www.skybet.com/skybet?action=GoEvType&id=10003361
Blue Sq.com
Charlton Athletic 6/1 BET Norwich City 22/1 BET
Sheffield United 15/2 BET Plymouth Argyle 28/1 BET
Wolverhampton Wanderers 8/1 BET Burnley 28/1 BET
Watford Ipswich Town 33/1 BET
Southampton 10/1 BET Blackpool 33/1 BET
Leicester City 14/1 BET Bristol City 33/1 BET
Crystal Palace 18/1 BET Queen's Park Rangers 40/1 BET
Stoke City 18/1 BET Colchester United 40/1 BET
Sheffield Wednesday 20/1 BET Hull City 40/1 BET
Preston North End 20/1 BET Scunthorpe United 66/1 BET
Coventry City 20/1 BET Barnsley 80/1 BET
Cardiff City 22/1 BET
QPR Report
Also: Also Vital Hull Assessment of Promtion and Relegation Odds for Championship Clubs
JUNE 02, 2007 QPR's 2007-08 Championship Odds: Bookies' View of QPR's 2007-08 Championship Prospects
Ladbrokes QPR 100/1
CORAL: - Win Coca Cola Championship - Outright QPR 66/1
SKY BET Win Outright QPR 50/1
William Hill QPR 41/1
Victor Chandler QPR 40/1
Betfred 66/1
Blue Sq.com Queen's Park Rangers 40/1
QPR Report - Championship Title Odds
September 03, 2007 - QPR's Premiership Promotion Prospects
William Hill - What Price Q P R For Prem In 4 Seasons?
QUEENS PARK RANGERS FOR PREMIERSHIP? BET ON IT....
.With the prospective new owners of QPR declaring that they believe the club is capable of reaching the Premiership within the next four seasons, William Hill have opened a book on just which division QPR qill be in when the 2011/12 season opens - and make them 2/1 shots to be in the Premiership, 4/11 not to.
Hills also offer Even money that QPR will be a Championship club for season 2011/12; 11/4 a League One side; 25/1 in League Two; 100/1 lower than League Two.
*QPR are 9/4 to be relegated this season with Hills who have them 33/1 to be promoted and 80/1 to win the Championship.
Further information....graham sharpe...0780 3233702 William Hill
QPR Report
December 07, 2007 - QPR Relegation Odds- Current Coral Relegation Odds
Coral:
Blackpool 2/1
Colchester 2/1
Preston 9/4
Coventry 9/4
QPR 9/4
Cardiff 5/2
Norwich 5/2
Scunthorpe 5/2
Crystal Palace 7/1
May 28, 2007 - QPR's Championship Odds QPR Report
February 11, 2008 - QPR's Odds of Winning Promotion-
Slightly more optimistic than this blogger! With 15 games left, QPR currently have 39 points and are 6 points behind the sixth playoff team. To make the playoffs, traditionally need about 70-72 points (or slightly more). So QPR probably need to win at least 10 of their last 15 games.
Promotion Odds: Current Betting on QPR Promotion Coral giving 8/1... QPR Report
February 24, 2008 - Updated QPR Odds: Relegation, Promotion and Champions-
Updated odds...Relegation: Coral are offering odds of 16/1 and BlueSQ 20/1 QPR Relegation -
Promotion: Bookies offering Odds between 12/1 and 16/1 on QPR wining promotion
Championship Winners: Various bookies giving from odds of 66/1 to 125/1 on QPR winning the Championship.
Saturday, August 18, 2007 - QPR's Championship Prospects This Season - A Detailed Look-
From last week's Ealing Gazette (prior to the Bristol City and Orient games or the latest "developments" in the QPR takeover saga: A very detailed look at QPR's prospects this season:
Ealing Gazette, August 9, 2007 - Who will do what?
A BIG season awaits Dexter Blackstock, who must now step out of the shadows of Paul Furlong and Kevin Gallen and earn the tag of indispensable striker.
There were times last season when he showed he is more than ready to assume that key role and Rangers need the player to be injury-free and firing towards 20 goals if they are to avoid another flirtation with relegation and harbour more ambitious thoughts.
But the man who increasingly makes Rangers tick is Adam Bolder - who is an even better harrier and passer than Marc Bircham.
The untimely injury to another midfielder, Simon Walton, has upset John Gregory's best laid plans. The midfielder had settled in well and was a likely starter. Now Stefan Bailey and Stefan Moore could enjoy an unexpected new lease of life.
Rangers should be more solid at the back this season with Danny Cullip, Damion Stewart, Michael Mancienne, John Curtis, Dominic Shimmin and Pat Kanyuka sharing the central defensive duties and the full-backs look OK
Up front, Ben Sahar probably did enough against Fulham last week to earn a starting role alongside Dexter Black-stock, so Danny Nardiello may have to bide his time for a while.
Ray Jones and Marc Nygaard are useful alter-natives but neither can be classed as consistent.
It goes without saying that Rangers will miss a stack of goals which originated from Lee Cook's sweet left foot and nobody appears as equally adept at finding an extra yard of pace. Gareth Ainsworth can on his day, but we must assume he will have cameo roles, given an all-action style that invites injury.
Martin Rowlands needs to stay fit so he can provide the bullets from setpieces if nothing else.
In actual fact, he is rather more important than that and his form seems inextricably bound to Rangers' fortunes. If he plays well, Rangers are always that much more likely to win. Ealing Gazette
EALING GAZETTE - August 9, 2007 - {Gregory] I won't let us repeat last year's failing- QPR News by Yann Tear
JOHN Gregory has vowed to steer QPR to safer pastures this season and is convinced his team will show signs of vast improvement.
The Rs were too close to the relegation trapdoor for comfort last season and only a late burst of form took them clear of danger.
But Gregory has had time to shape the squad in his image now and says he has a totally different animal under his wing than he did last September when he took over from Gary Wad-dock.
"It can't be any worse than last year. It was an awful time for us and as long as I'm here, we'll never drop to those depths again," the Rangers boss said.
"It feels a little bit more like my team now. It's slowly coming and I've been able to pick up one or two bargains on the way.
"There's a really professional feel about the place in the way the boys go about their training.
"We've come a long way since last September. We've got a long, long way to go and there's a lot better teams than us in this division. But one thing you'll get off this bunch of lads is total commitment."
Outlining his reasons for thinking far better times are ahead this term, Gregory continued: "I think the players I inherited are better now than they were last September when I came in.
"Damion Stewart is a better player now, Zesh Rehman is a better player than he was when we came in. Marcus Bignot too.
"All the people who were here when we came in have improved. They've worked hard on their games and listened carefully to the coaching staff.
"On the medical side, our play-ers are exceptionally fit. We've got a fantastic medical set-up here with Joe Dunbar our performance manager and Mark Barry our fitness coach.
"Right the way through with physios and masseurs, remedial therapists, I feel I've got a really good back-up team. Mick Har-ford and Warren Neil on the coach staff.
"The fitness levels that they've got is probably the biggest single feature of how things have changed over the last nine months.
"Mick Harford's only been here a month and it's the one thing that's really hit him, how hard everybody works on the training ground Monday to Friday.
"If you work well Monday to Friday, you take it into the game on the Saturday. Hopefully we can get off to a reasonable start and do better than last year."
Rangers are among the teams expected to struggle this season, if the bookmakers are to be believed, but victory over Premier League neighbours Fulham last week added to the wave of optimism. Ealing Gazette
EALING GAZETTE -August 9, 2007 - Sahar adds to optimism -Gregory's View By Yann Tear
THERE is no pressure from Chelsea for QPR to play Ben Sahar, John Gregory has said - but if the loaned striker can fulfil the hints of promise shown in last week's friendly win over Fulham, it will be impossible to leave him out.
The teenager turns 18 today (Friday) but appears to have a far older head on his shoulders.
He showed the right mix of robust desire and calmness in bagging his second half goals in the 2-1 win over the Whites and already the hope must be that his three-month stay can be extended to the New Year at least.
"Ben could certainly play a big part for us this season," Gregory said. "He's quick and clever and makes lots of good runs which sometimes don't get picked out by us because we are not as good as he is sometimes.
"Hopefully we can give him a good education here over the next six months.
"We are looking to keep him until the January window when he might be recalled to Chelsea because of the African Nations Cup.
"We will do our very best to look after him and he will certainly improve us."
Gregory added: "If there is such a thing as trying too hard, probably Ben was doing that in the first half.
"It was his home debut and he wanted to just settle down, but the sign of a good goalscorer is when you're one on one against the goalkeeper when you've got time to think about it.
"So many people fluff it. He just set himself up and slotted it like a 32-year-old. Like a Shearer, like a Bergkamp, or an Henry. It was a great finish.
"He earned the first goal himself with his attitude to nick the ball and he thumped it home with tremendous authority for somebody so young."
Rangers have three Chelsea players on loan, with James Simmonds joining Sahar and Michael Mancienne at Loftus Road this month, but that does not mean the Blues will dictate the line-up, Gregory insists, even though he has made no secret of his will-ingness to become a quasi-feeder club for the Premier League neighbours.
"I didn't want to waste Ben Sahar's time by playing him in the reserves or he might as well have stayed at Chelsea," the Rangers boss said.
"But I'm under no pressure from Chelsea to start their players in every match, they are always very good about that, although they would obviously be concerned if either of them [Sahar or Mancienne] ended up not playing in the first team for a long period."We had Jimmy Smith and Michael Mancienne last year and at certain stages, both of them came out of the team and had a little breather because the intensity of the Championship was enormous pressure on the young boys."
Basing your hopes around a raw teenager who may not be around for long is not normally the sign of stable outfit, but Sahar's performance tapped into a well of optimis. The belief at the club is that it can't be as bad as last year and that Gregory is beginning to assemble a sturdier team.
But the foundations remain rocky. The club is looking for new investors and there is every indication that Gianni Paladini and the Monaco group will be happy to jump ship if the price is right.
There is no money to bail Rangers out of trouble, should the going get tough, hence a groundswell of opinion outside W12 that they will struggle to beat the drop.
The loans at the club are not just on the pitch but off it too and as long as debts are dragging the club down - especially alleged rulebending ones with chairmen of other clubs - the optimism can never come without an asterisk.
Recent years have been marked by a strange mix of high farce and thuggery which have done the club no favours - the gun-toting episode at Loftus Road, the brawl at Harlington with the Chinese Olympic team and the pre-season plastic-pitch farce in Italy last year.
They could do without such distracting controversies again.
Gregory is aware of the optimism but knows there is no mileage in milking it too much. An injury here or there, as happened last week to unlucky new signing Simon Walton, who fractured his left leg, shows how fragile this season's journey could be.
"I'm sure that after beating Fulham, all the QPR fans will be expecting me to win the league by 20 points, otherwise I'll get the sack," Gregory joked.
"A realistic target for us is to be above half way, I think.
"Losing Simon Walton is a big blow because we'd earmarked him to play in that central midfield role. He's a really solid, dependable player and person who's taken to this place like you wouldn't believe.
"We are going to have to make one or two adjustments and we might have to go out and bring one more in, although I don't think we've got any money left.
"It was a big fillip for us winning against Fulham. A lot of kudos goes with it. It doesn't count for anything, but it still sends us into good spirits next week."
Gregory added: "We want to get off to a good start. If we do, it's great, if we don't, then we have to put it right.
"We will all be going into that first match full of the joys of spring and all wanting to give it our best shot. But you have to retain that enthusiasm in November when you're playing at Turf Moor on a wet and windy Tuesday night."
And you need to avoid injuries, off-pitch controversies and the loss of your best loan players, he might have added -Ealing Gazette
EALING GAZETTE -Nardiello admits he may have to bide his time a littleAug 9 2007
SUMMER signing Danny Nardiello could only admire from the bench as Ben Sahar stole the headlines in last week's thrilling win for QPR over Fulham, writesYann Tear.
And when he finally came on as sub in the 70th minute, the applause that rang out from the stands was for the two-goal hero from Chelsea rather than for the 24-year-old Wales international.
Nardiello was expected to start the season as Dexter Blackstock's strike partner, but Nardiello concedes now that he may have to be patient.
"It's going to be hard to get in the team but it's always good to have a bit of competition," he told the Gazette.
"If anything I like it because it makes we work harder.
"I always want to start but whether I do or not is up to the manager, obviously. If not, then I'll just have to fight for my place. It's the same any club you are at. As soon as I came here, I knew there was a good set of strikers. The main thing is I'm really enjoying it down here and feel I've settled in well.
"I've played all my football up north even though I'm from Coventry, but I was happy coming down to London and starting a new life down here and hopefully I'll be successful.
"There's a great set of lads and a good manager and I'm enjoying the football. Hopefully we can take the Fulham performance into the season."
Nardiello left under a cloud at Barnsley, where he was poised to sign a new contract before changing his mind.
"I don't think the manager would be too happy with me there, and I'm not too sure what the reception will be like when I go back, but we'll see when that happens." he said. "I'm still mates with all of the lads and a few of the staff at Barnsley.
"All I'm thinking about now is QPR's progress, and we've got to look to push up towards the top of the table.
You don't want to say you just want to stay up this season.
"The gaffer's brought in a lot of new players to improve the squad and there's no reason why we can't push for the top half of the table.
"With any luck it will be better for me than last year when I broke my collarbone near the start of the season and only got nine goals.
"I've played in midfield for Barnsley and my other clubs but I prefer to play up front and hope to be among the goals." Ealing Gazette
QPR Report
And a two-year Flashback to what the Media Experts Were Predicting for QPR Priort to the Start of the 2006-2007 (Waddock/Gregory) Season
Friday, August 03, 2007 Year Ago - Assessing QPR's 2006-07 Championship Prospects-
Most of the newspapers haven't yet given their pre-season assessment of how clubs will do, although the bookies have spoken - and are not rating QPR's prospects too highly. See: Recent bookie's assessment. Early Bookies' (beginning of June) look at QPR prosects for 2007-2008
A reminder of what was said a year ago about QPR's Prospects in 2006-2007:
The Times - Championship Preview
"QUEENS PARK RANGERS - There will be plenty of new faces on the pitch at Loftus Road this season, but unfortunately for Rangers supporters, most of Gary Waddock’s signings, who come from all corners of the globe, are untried both in this country and at this level. Expect to see a new face in the home dugout if they do not gel quickly into a winning side. Last season: 21st. This season: could go down"
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-2292825,00.html
BBC - The Championship form guide
QPR - "...BBC Sport verdict: New boss Gary Waddock had a difficult introduction to the job last season. But although results were bad, some performances showed promise. Waddock has the club in his blood and has pledged to play attractive football too. He has strengthened his squad over the summer but needs a good start to avoid a lengthy battle against the drop.
Key man: Nick Ward. Big things are expected from this Aussie youngster.
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/5175924.stm
Soccernet's Championship preview 2006/7
Richard Jolly
"...QPR Last season: 21st Manager: Gary Waddock - A QPR favourite who offers the prospect of better football at Loftus Road, despite a mediocre end to the season.
In: Damion Stewart (Bradford, free), Adam Czerkas (Kolporter Korona, loan), Egutu Oliseh (La Louviere, free), Armel Tchakounte (Kitchee FC, free), Nick Ward (Perth Glory, free).
Out: Dean Sturridge (Kidderminster, free), Richard Langley (Luton, free).
A largely unprofitable March and April did not stop QPR promoting Gary Waddock to succeed Ian Holloway, whose style of football may be deemed more suitable for the lower divisions.
Despite an eclectic bunch of rather cheap signings, he will operate with basically the same squad. The benefit is that it still includes Danny Shittu, the giant centre back whose uncompromising displays have attracted attention. The downside is that an ageing forward line requires rejuvenation and, as Marc Nygaard (9) was the most successful, a prolific scorer.
Waddock also needs to ease a reliance on Gareth Ainsworth to create while proving an end-of-season slump was not a sign of things to come.
Key man: Danny Shittu - QPR's leader in defence. He could be rather overworked this season.
One to watch: Shabazz Baidoo - Lively young striker who was normally used as a substitute last year.
Must do better: Stefan Moore - Came from Aston Villa in search of first-team football, but did not really make the most of it.
Prediction: If Waddock can ally a greater emphasis on passing with the spirit and resilience that were trademarks of Holloway's team, mid-table. If not, they may be among the strugglers. Soccernet
Guardian August 4, 2006:
Key man Nick Ward The 21-year-old has caught the eye in his first pre-season at QPR. The attacking central midfielder was called into an Australia squad in February.
Prediction Oscurity Mid-table would be decent for a club who finished one place above the drop last season. A regimented, punishing pre-season is expected to reap rewards. Commentator's kit Last month Dunga became the first director to leave Loftus Road to take over as Brazil coach.
In Egutu Oliseh (La Louvière) free, Nick Ward (Perth Glory) free, Adam Czerkas (Odra Wodzislaw) season loan, Armel Tchakounte (Kitchee) free, Damion Stewart (Harbour View) free. Out Richard Langley (Luton) free, Dean Sturridge (Kidderminster) free, Ugo Ukah released, George Santos released. Guardian
Daily Telegraph
Manager: Gary Waddock (July 2006).
In: Damion Stewart (Harbour View, U), Egutu Oliseh (La Louviere), Adam Czerkas (Odra Wodzislaw), Armel Tchakounte (Carshalton), Nick Ward (Perth Glory, U).
Out: Marcus Bean (Blackpool), Richard Langley (Luton), Dean Sturridge (Kidderminster), Ugo Ukah (Nouresa Calcio).
Released: Marcin Kus, George Santos, Sammy Youssef.
Squad numbers: 1 Simon Royce, 2 Marcus Bignot, 3 Mauro Milanese, 4 Ian Evatt, 5 Danny Shittu, 6 Tom 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 Armel Tchakounte, 20 Scott Donnelly, 21 Paul Jones, 22 Shabazz Baidoo, 23 Stefan Bailey, 24 Patrick Kanyuka, 25 Damion Stewart, 26 Sean Thomas, 27 Egutu Oliseh, 28 Adam Czerkas, 29 Paul Furlong, 30 Mark Nygaard, 34 Matthew Hislop, 35 Jonathan Munday.
Website: www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk Odds: C: 100-1, P: 40-1, R: 2-1. Telegraph
Predicted Championship - Final League Table
Championship
1. West Brom2. Southampton3. Crystal Palace4. Birmingham City5. Coventry City6. Sunderland7. Derby County8. Leeds United9. Wolves10. Burnley11. Norwich City12. Preston 13. Leicester City14. Cardiff City15. Stoke City16. Hull17. Ipswich Town18. Sheffield Wednesday19. Plymouth Argyle20. Southend United21. Luton Town22. Barnsley23. QPR24. Colchester United - Soccernet
SPORTING LIFE FANZINE
PA Sport
"...If last season's late form is anything to go by, QPR are already relegated. Defeat in six of their final seven games suggests new boss Gary Waddock has his work cut out, just like predecessor Ian Holloway - sent on gardening leave by Rangers in February - and now Plymouth manager.... Sporting Life
Coral - Championship Betting PLymouth
14th last season, Plymouth Argyle are under new management following Tony Pulis’s return to Stoke City.... Coral’s match bet market, Plymouth are 5/6 to finish ahead of Ian Holloway’s old club QPR.
Coral
And Les Ferdinand was saying...
BBC - Ferdinand's Concerns - Ferdinand troubled by QPR unease
By Chris Charles
QPR legend Les Ferdinand is hoping the club can put their problems off the pitch behind them as they get ready for the new season.
The striker, who scored 90 goals in 170 appearances for Rangers, is concerned stories of boardroom upheaval and mounting debts will take their toll.
Ferdinand told BBC Sport: "I'm upset with all the off-the-field antics at QPR that have overshadowed the club.
"I wish they could resolve this stuff and concentrate on the football."
Ferdinand, dubbed 'Sir Les' by the QPR fans during his eight-year spell at Loftus Road, admitted things were not looking great but had every confidence manager Gary Waddock and his assistant Alan McDonald would turn things around.
"My old team-mates Gary and Alan know all about Queens Park Rangers and I hope they can do the business," he said.
"They've got blue and white flowing through their blood so hopefully they can bring them back to where they need to be."
The bookmakers are not convinced, making QPR one of the the favourites to be relegated from the Championship after they failed to win any of their final 11 games last season.
A summer of discontent has seen the club's reputation dragged through the gutter, with a court clearing seven men of forcing then-director Gianni Paladini to resign at gunpoint during the home clash with Sheffield United last season.
Since then, Carlos Dunga has quit as a director after being asked to coach Brazil and Paladini, currently chairman of the west London side, has hinted that Rangers' main investor, Antonio Caliendo, could be ready to pull the plug.
Ferdinand, 39, remains upbeat about the future of the club where he made his name, saying: "I wish they'd stop talking about all the issues off the pitch and get back to talking about the great football Rangers traditionally play.
"If Gary and Alan are allowed to do their jobs, I really hope they can get QPR back into the Premiership as soon as possible." BBC
QPR Report
Monday, May 05, 2008
QPR's Season in Perspective (Stats)
-
QPR finished the season with 58 points. QPR's Home record of 10 wins, 6 draws and 7 Defeats(Goals 32-27). QPR's Away record was 4 wins, 10 draws and 9 defeats. Goals For 28. AGainst 39.
QPR Stats
[In comparison, QPR finished 2006/2007 with 53 points: Home: 9 wins, 6 draws, 8 defeats. Away 5 wins, 5 draws, 13 defeats)
2006/07 Table
QPR's top goalscorer was Akos Buzsaky with 10 goals.
QPR's Top Goalscorers - League
Akos Buzsaky 10
Patrick Agyemang 9
Rowan Vine 7
Martin Rowlands 6
Dexter Blackstock 6
Mikele Leigertwood 5
Damion Stewart 5
Gareth Ainsworth 2
{Various Others] Goalscorers
Number of Players Used: QPR are near the top in number of players used (37) - Players Used (Again possibly needing to be updated to include Romone Rose's debut)
Attendances: (again needing to be updated]
QPR's attendances were in about the bottom 1/3 of the Championship and obviously QPR's current capacity is limited to some 19,000. Attendances
QPR's Results and attendances
Disciplinary: QPR had one of the worst disciplinary records in the championship with some 86 yellow and 5 red cards [Note: Possibly needing to be updated for their final game] - Stats. But, it was still a great improvement over 2006/07 (when QPR had 105 yellow and 3 red cards)
Disciplinary Record: QPR Players Disciplinary Record (with week to go)
For 2006/2007 Stats: See: 2006/2007 Stats
See also: Luigi De Canios' First Six Months - The De Canio Era
End of Season Awards QPR Official Site ROWLY REIGNS SUPREME
R's midfield maestro Martin Rowlands reigned supreme at the Club's annual Player of the Year Awards tonight (Sunday).
The 29 year-old pipped R's number one Lee Camp to both the Supporters' Player of the Year and the Ray Jones Players' Player of the Year award at the end of season showcase at the Novotel London West.
Over 700 Rangers supporters were in attendance, on a night when England Under-21 international defender Michael Mancienne scooped the Supporters' Young Player of the
Hungarian midfielder Akos Buzsaky picked up the Kiyan Prince Goal of the Season award for his exquisite effort against Blackpool on Tuesday 11th March, while Zesh Rehman was rewarded for his work in the community by scooping the Community Commitment award.
Roll of Honour:
Supporters' Player of the Year - Martin Rowlands
Supporters' Young Player of the Year - Michael Mancienne
Ray Jones Players' Player of the Year - Martin Rowlands
Kiyan Prince Goal of the Season - Akos Buzsaky
Community Commitment Award - Zesh Rehman
Supporter of the Year - Vic Stevenson
QPR
QPR finished the season with 58 points. QPR's Home record of 10 wins, 6 draws and 7 Defeats(Goals 32-27). QPR's Away record was 4 wins, 10 draws and 9 defeats. Goals For 28. AGainst 39.
QPR Stats
[In comparison, QPR finished 2006/2007 with 53 points: Home: 9 wins, 6 draws, 8 defeats. Away 5 wins, 5 draws, 13 defeats)
2006/07 Table
QPR's top goalscorer was Akos Buzsaky with 10 goals.
QPR's Top Goalscorers - League
Akos Buzsaky 10
Patrick Agyemang 9
Rowan Vine 7
Martin Rowlands 6
Dexter Blackstock 6
Mikele Leigertwood 5
Damion Stewart 5
Gareth Ainsworth 2
{Various Others] Goalscorers
Number of Players Used: QPR are near the top in number of players used (37) - Players Used (Again possibly needing to be updated to include Romone Rose's debut)
Attendances: (again needing to be updated]
QPR's attendances were in about the bottom 1/3 of the Championship and obviously QPR's current capacity is limited to some 19,000. Attendances
QPR's Results and attendances
Disciplinary: QPR had one of the worst disciplinary records in the championship with some 86 yellow and 5 red cards [Note: Possibly needing to be updated for their final game] - Stats. But, it was still a great improvement over 2006/07 (when QPR had 105 yellow and 3 red cards)
Disciplinary Record: QPR Players Disciplinary Record (with week to go)
For 2006/2007 Stats: See: 2006/2007 Stats
See also: Luigi De Canios' First Six Months - The De Canio Era
End of Season Awards QPR Official Site ROWLY REIGNS SUPREME
R's midfield maestro Martin Rowlands reigned supreme at the Club's annual Player of the Year Awards tonight (Sunday).
The 29 year-old pipped R's number one Lee Camp to both the Supporters' Player of the Year and the Ray Jones Players' Player of the Year award at the end of season showcase at the Novotel London West.
Over 700 Rangers supporters were in attendance, on a night when England Under-21 international defender Michael Mancienne scooped the Supporters' Young Player of the
Hungarian midfielder Akos Buzsaky picked up the Kiyan Prince Goal of the Season award for his exquisite effort against Blackpool on Tuesday 11th March, while Zesh Rehman was rewarded for his work in the community by scooping the Community Commitment award.
Roll of Honour:
Supporters' Player of the Year - Martin Rowlands
Supporters' Young Player of the Year - Michael Mancienne
Ray Jones Players' Player of the Year - Martin Rowlands
Kiyan Prince Goal of the Season - Akos Buzsaky
Community Commitment Award - Zesh Rehman
Supporter of the Year - Vic Stevenson
QPR
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Spurs Czech Goalie Reportedly Signing for QPR
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After much messageboard and media reports, Spurs 34-year old Czech goalie, Radek Cerny says set to sign for QPR. (But has NOT yet signed).
Setanta/Joseph Caron Dawe - Cerny claims QPR deal
Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny has claimed that Queens Park Rangers are about to sign him on a two-year deal.
The Czech Republic international recently said that he had been made no offer by The Lilywhites to renew his contract, and with his current deal expiring in the summer he had become resigned to finding a new club.
Now the 34-year-old has told Czech television that he will be joining QPR for the start of next season, where a deal is prepared for him to sign.
"As far as I know, they have prepared a two-year deal for me there," Cerny told Czech television station Nova.
"I want to help Queens Park Rangers gain promotion to The Premier League."
Having initially joined Spurs from Slavia Prague on loan in January 2005, Cerny played second fiddle to Paul Robinson for a long time before finally displacing the England international earlier this season, and has made 19 appearances in all competitions this campaign. Setanta
SkySport-Cerny close to QPR switch - Tottenham goalkeeper set to sign two-year deal - By Vasek Kadlec
Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny has revealed he is set to join Queens Park Rangers.
Cerny is currently on loan at White Hart Lane from Slavia Prague but his deal expires in the summer.
He admitted last month that he did not expect to stay at Spurs beyond the end of the season after once again falling behind Paul Robinson in the pecking order.
Cerny is now closing in on a switch to Loftus Road and is excited about the challenge of trying to help them win promotion.
"As far as I know, they have prepared a two-year deal for me there," Cerny told Czech television station Nova.
"I want to help Queens Park Rangers gain promotion to the Premier League." SkySports
Also:
Wikipedia/Cerny
Past stories re Cerny
After much messageboard and media reports, Spurs 34-year old Czech goalie, Radek Cerny says set to sign for QPR. (But has NOT yet signed).
Setanta/Joseph Caron Dawe - Cerny claims QPR deal
Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny has claimed that Queens Park Rangers are about to sign him on a two-year deal.
The Czech Republic international recently said that he had been made no offer by The Lilywhites to renew his contract, and with his current deal expiring in the summer he had become resigned to finding a new club.
Now the 34-year-old has told Czech television that he will be joining QPR for the start of next season, where a deal is prepared for him to sign.
"As far as I know, they have prepared a two-year deal for me there," Cerny told Czech television station Nova.
"I want to help Queens Park Rangers gain promotion to The Premier League."
Having initially joined Spurs from Slavia Prague on loan in January 2005, Cerny played second fiddle to Paul Robinson for a long time before finally displacing the England international earlier this season, and has made 19 appearances in all competitions this campaign. Setanta
SkySport-Cerny close to QPR switch - Tottenham goalkeeper set to sign two-year deal - By Vasek Kadlec
Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny has revealed he is set to join Queens Park Rangers.
Cerny is currently on loan at White Hart Lane from Slavia Prague but his deal expires in the summer.
He admitted last month that he did not expect to stay at Spurs beyond the end of the season after once again falling behind Paul Robinson in the pecking order.
Cerny is now closing in on a switch to Loftus Road and is excited about the challenge of trying to help them win promotion.
"As far as I know, they have prepared a two-year deal for me there," Cerny told Czech television station Nova.
"I want to help Queens Park Rangers gain promotion to the Premier League." SkySports
Also:
Wikipedia/Cerny
Past stories re Cerny
Season Ends With QPR Defeat...And Relegation for QPR's Former Manager Ian Holloway
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QPR lost 0-2 at home to WBA before a virtually-capacity crowd, with Romone Rose coming on 10 minutes from time to make his QPR debut. QPR suffered yet another Red Card, illustrating again, their continuing poor disciplinary record. QPR ended the season in 14th place, on 58 points: Just six ahead of relegated Leicester. While some fans will mock Ian Holloway's relegation with Leicester (and it may slightly enhance QPR's Promotion prospects), QPR fans should be grateful for what Holloway did in his almost five years at QPR. Holloway's Post-Match Comments today. On a brighter note, congratulations to the son of former QPR star, Dave Clement, for making his 300th appearance
Elsewhere:
Play-offs: Hull, Bristol City, Crystal Palace, Watford
Relegated: Leicester, Scunthorpe, Colchester
Final Tables
UPDATED: DE CANIO'S POST MATCH COMMENTS 'I'M OFFENDED'
Luigi De Canio slammed referee Mr Taylor's decision to send off Martin Rowlands, as the R's slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Champions West Bromwich Albion at Loftus Road.
The R's skipper saw red in the 37th minute for a challenge on Baggies midfielder Jonathan Greening, but De Canio was adamant the Hertfordshire whistler got the big decision wrong.
"We prepared all week for this match and his decision completely changed the game," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"He wasn't up to refereeing the game today and that's just not good enough.
"Personally I feel very offended by the way he conducted himself. His performance was very poor. He was offensive to us, West Brom and the Championship.
"His mediocrity was thoroughly convincing today."
Club Captain Gareth Ainsworth agreed with his Manager, commenting: "It was another very poor decision from a Championship referee. The contact was so minimal.
"The referee had a yellow card in his hand, spoke to the linesman and then showed a red card.
"What baffles me though is that the referee was in a far better position to give the decision."
Kim De-Hoen and Chris Brunt scored the all-important goals for the Baggies, and De Canio added: "West Brom are worthy winners of this division.
"They played some fantastic football today and are the best footballing side in the Championship over the course of the season." QPR
QPR Official Site
Martin Rowlands saw red, as the Baggies bounced back to the top tier of English football as Champions of the Coca Cola Championship.
The R's midfielder was the unfortunate recipient of one of the more harsher sending-offs of the campaign, when he was given his marching orders just before half-time for a mistimed tackle on Jonathan Greening.
Albion's numerical advantage told after the break, when Kim Do-Hoen nodded Tony Mowbray's men in front, before Chris Brunt put the icing on the cake for the Midlands outfit with a late second.
In truth, the final scoreline was harsh on the R's, who competed valiantly with ten men, with Gareth Ainsworth at the heart of everything positive for the hosts in front of a season's high crowd of 18, 309.
The R's injury list was extensive for the visit of Mowbray's men.
Akos Buzsaky, Rowan Vine and Patrick Agyemang were all sidelined, while Fitz Hall failed a late fitness test, meaning Zesh Rehman started at centre half.
Baggies top-scorer Kevin Phillips partnered Roman Bednar in attack, with Ishmael Miller resigned to a place amongst the Albion substitutes.
In a fast-paced opening, it was Angelo Balanta who was presented with the first chance for Rangers, but his left footed effort lacked direction, as it flew past Dean Kiely's right hand post.
The R's were enjoying the better of the opening exchanges and when Gareth Ainsworth sped past Paul Robinson on the right flank, his back post cross was latched onto by Dexter Blackstock.
The in-form striker seemed to destined to head the R's in front, only for Kiely to produce a top-class save at his near post, clinging on to the ball inches from the goal-line.
Albion's first chance of note arrived in the ninth minute, when Bednar saw his left footed half-volley from 12-yards tipped over spectacularly by Lee Camp.
Both sides continued to play some entertaining football and when Blackstock was brought down by Leon Barnett on the edge of the penalty box midway through the half, Rowlands curled a fierce free-kick inches wide.
At the other end, Brunt fired a flashing half-volley straight at Camp from an acute angle, before the busy Zoltan Gera lashed wide from distance.
Disaster struck for the R's in the 37th minute though, when Rowlands was the rather harsh victim of a scandalous refereeing decision from Mr Taylor.
Contesting a fifty-fifty ball with Greening, Rowlands was marginally late and having caught the outstretched shin of the Baggies captain, Taylor inexplicably pulled out a red card, to the amazement of both sets of players.
Greening was back to his feet moments later, before De Canio again opted to make a quick substitution, replacing the unfortunate Balanta with Mikele Leigertwood.
Undeterred, it was the R's who continued to pose the greater attacking threat, as Damien Delaney stung the palms of Kiely with an opportune right footed strike.
The Baggies replaced Bednar with Kim during the break, but it was De Canio's men who created the first chance of the second period, as Blackstock fired over from 25-yards.
Rangers' resistance lasted just seven minutes though, as Phillips and Gera combined to set up substitute Kim, for the simplest of close range headers.
The Baggies were buoyant now and after Brunt fired against the crossbar, Camp was on hand to save Kim's ferocious right footed drive.
Brunt wasn't to be denied though and when Albion were gifted another cheap free-kick by referee Mr Taylor in the 77th minute, the former Sheffield Wednesday man left Camp completely motionless, as he planted a sublime free-kick into the top left hand corner.
De Canio handed Under-18 starlet Romone Rose his QPR debut 11 minutes from time, but it was Albion's day - and Albion's season too.
QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mahon, Mancienne, Blackstock, Ainsworth, Rowlands, Connolly, Ephraim (Rose 80), Rehman, Balanta (Leigertwood 38).
Subs: Cole, Barker, Lee.
Red Cards: Rowlands 37
WBA: Kiely, Hoefkens, Robinson (Moore 73), Barnett, Clement (Albrechtsen 53), Koren, Greening, Bednar (Kim 46), Gera, Phillips, Brunt.
Subs: Miller, Morrison.
Scorers: Kim 52, Brunt 77
Bookings: Clement 43, Robinson 70
Referee: Mr P Taylor
Attendance: 18, 309 QPR
West Bromwich Albion Official Site - Report
SUPER-SUB Do-heon Kim's first-ever goal in English football and a Chris Brunt cracker ensured Albion wrapped up their top-flight return in style as champions with a 2-0 win against ten-man QPR.
Rangers skipper Martin Rowlands was given his marching orders by referee Paul Taylor for a late lunge on Jonathan Greening in the 37th minute but the hosts managed to reach the break with the game goalless.
On-loan Korea Republic star Kim came on as half-time replacement for Roman Bednar and opened the scoring just eight minutes later to set the Baggies on their way to a fourth successive away victory.
And new father Chris Brunt rounded off week to remember as he followed up his promotion-clinching strike in Monday's 1-1 draw against Southampton with a 77th-minute free-kick belter to send Albion on their way to the Premier League.
The players paid a special tribute to long-term injury victim Filipe Teixiera before the game as they warmed up in T-shirts bearing his name and No.20.
And Tony Mowbray's men lapped up the atmosphere as they went through their drills in front of a jubilant, sell-out 2,800 Baggies fans dressed as super heroes in honour of 'Super' Kevin Phillips.
But as soon as the players hit the pitch for kick-off it was time for a now familiar huddle before getting down to business.
Roman Bednar returned to partner Phillips in attack with Ishmael Miller dropping to the bench.
James Morrison recovered from an ankle injury in time to take his place amongst the substitutes while Chris Brunt replaced him in midfield.
Albion started brightly and Robert Koren had the first shot of the game from 20 yards in the fourth minute, which deflected off Gavin Mahon and bounced into the arms of Lee Camp.
Two minutes later Phillips tried his luck from similar range but again the ball ran through to Camp after the Baggies striker's effort clipped off Matthew Connolly.
Paul Robinson went chasing a ball he did not need to high up the pitch and allowed Gareth Ainsworth to run at Chris Brunt in the left full-back position.
The QPR winger cut inside the Northern Ireland international and curled it to the back post where Dexter Blackstock looked certain to score, only to see Dean Kiely pull off a remarkable save and clutch the ball right on the goalline.
Seconds later it was the visitors on the attack and Koren dinked a delicious ball over the Rangers backline for Bednar, who controlled but saw his 15-yard volley tipped over by Camp.
Martin Rowlands had Kiely scrambling across his goal as he tried to catch him out with a quick free-kick that flashed inches wide of the left-hand post in the 24th minute.
Robinson played a sublime diagonal ball through to Brunt on the right-hand edge of the box on the half-hour mark and the Baggies midfielder let fly with a powerful left-foot strike that Camp beat out for a corner.
The Hoops were reduced to ten men in the 37th minute when skipper Rowlands was given a straight red card by referee Paul Taylor for a late lunge on his Baggies counterpart Greening.
Two minutes later Mikele Leigertwood came on for Angelo Balanta.
Albion pushed forward trying to make the most of their one-man advantage and Koren drove into the box but saw his shot blocked by Zesh Rehman.
A minute before the break Damien Delaney cut inside from the left and drilled in an 18-yard shot that Kiely did well to hold to his left.
Mowbray made a change at the break as Do-heon Kim came on for Bednar, who suffered a head injury towards the end of the first half, and adopted a five-man midfield.
Three minutes after the beak Ainsworth beat Robinson in the air and found Blackstock, who fired over from the edge of the box.
Phillips' neat little chip over the Rangers defence put Kim in a threatening position in the penalty area.
Connolly managed to get an important touch but the ball fell to Gera, who managed to skip past Delaney before cutting the ball beyond Camp for Kim to head into the empty net from close range in the 53rd minute.
The Baggies made another change a minute later when Martin Albrechtsen came on for Neil Clement, who was living life on the edge having already been booked.
Albion poured forward in the 65th minute as the game stretched out and Brunt's ball through to Koren was just a touch too heavy and allowed Camp to make a vital block.
Brunt left the frame of the goal rattling when he cracked a right-footed shot off the bar from just inside the box in the 69th minute.
Kim pounced on the rebound and forced Camp into a fine save with a 15-yard thunderbolt.
Gera wasted little time in turning swiftly in the 75th minute and lashing a 25-yard left-foot shot inches past the right-hand post, with Camp beaten.
Two minutes later Brunt curled home a superb 25-yard free-kick into the top left-hand corner of the net to double Albion's lead.
Blackstock burst through the Albion defence in the final minute but his toe poke drifted just past the right-hand post to preserve the visitors' clean-sheet.
And in the third minute of stoppage time substitute Luke Moore could have put the icing on the cake by scoring his first goal for the Baggies - but fired over a close-range volley.
QPR (4-4-2): Camp; Mancienne, Rehman, Connolly, Delaney; Ainsworth, Mahon, Rowlands, Ephraim (Rose 80); Blackstock, Balanta (Leigertwood 39). Subs not used: Cole (gk), Barker, Lee.
ALBION (4-4-2): Kiely; Hoefkens, Barnett, Clement (Albrechtsen 54), Robinson (Moore 73); Gera, Koren, Greening, Brunt; Phillips, Bednar (Kim HT). Subs not used: Miller, Morrison.
SENDING-OFF: QPR - Rowlands (foul 37).
BOOKINGS: ALBION - Clement (foul 43), Robinson (foul 70).
GOALS: ALBION - Kim (53), Brunt (77).
REFEREE: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).
ATTENDANCE: 18,309.
ALBION STARMAN: Zoltan Gera. WBA
BBC - FINAL TABLE
1 West Brom 46 33 81
2 Stoke 46 14 79
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Hull 46 18 75
4 Bristol City 46 1 74
5 Crystal Palace 46 16 71
6 Watford 46 6 70
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7 Wolverhampton 46 5 70
8 Ipswich 46 9 69
9 Sheff Utd 46 5 66
10 Plymouth 46 10 64
11 Charlton 46 5 64
12 Cardiff 46 4 64
13 Burnley 46 -7 62
14 QPR 46 -6 58
15 Preston 46 -6 56
16 Sheff Wed 46 -1 55
17 Norwich 46 -10 55
18 Barnsley 46 -13 55
19 Blackpool 46 -5 54
20 Southampton 46 -16 54
21 Coventry 46 -12 53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 Leicester 46 -3 52
23 Scunthorpe 46 -23 46
24 Colchester 46 -24 38
BBC Table
QPR lost 0-2 at home to WBA before a virtually-capacity crowd, with Romone Rose coming on 10 minutes from time to make his QPR debut. QPR suffered yet another Red Card, illustrating again, their continuing poor disciplinary record. QPR ended the season in 14th place, on 58 points: Just six ahead of relegated Leicester. While some fans will mock Ian Holloway's relegation with Leicester (and it may slightly enhance QPR's Promotion prospects), QPR fans should be grateful for what Holloway did in his almost five years at QPR. Holloway's Post-Match Comments today. On a brighter note, congratulations to the son of former QPR star, Dave Clement, for making his 300th appearance
Elsewhere:
Play-offs: Hull, Bristol City, Crystal Palace, Watford
Relegated: Leicester, Scunthorpe, Colchester
Final Tables
UPDATED: DE CANIO'S POST MATCH COMMENTS 'I'M OFFENDED'
Luigi De Canio slammed referee Mr Taylor's decision to send off Martin Rowlands, as the R's slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Champions West Bromwich Albion at Loftus Road.
The R's skipper saw red in the 37th minute for a challenge on Baggies midfielder Jonathan Greening, but De Canio was adamant the Hertfordshire whistler got the big decision wrong.
"We prepared all week for this match and his decision completely changed the game," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"He wasn't up to refereeing the game today and that's just not good enough.
"Personally I feel very offended by the way he conducted himself. His performance was very poor. He was offensive to us, West Brom and the Championship.
"His mediocrity was thoroughly convincing today."
Club Captain Gareth Ainsworth agreed with his Manager, commenting: "It was another very poor decision from a Championship referee. The contact was so minimal.
"The referee had a yellow card in his hand, spoke to the linesman and then showed a red card.
"What baffles me though is that the referee was in a far better position to give the decision."
Kim De-Hoen and Chris Brunt scored the all-important goals for the Baggies, and De Canio added: "West Brom are worthy winners of this division.
"They played some fantastic football today and are the best footballing side in the Championship over the course of the season." QPR
QPR Official Site
Martin Rowlands saw red, as the Baggies bounced back to the top tier of English football as Champions of the Coca Cola Championship.
The R's midfielder was the unfortunate recipient of one of the more harsher sending-offs of the campaign, when he was given his marching orders just before half-time for a mistimed tackle on Jonathan Greening.
Albion's numerical advantage told after the break, when Kim Do-Hoen nodded Tony Mowbray's men in front, before Chris Brunt put the icing on the cake for the Midlands outfit with a late second.
In truth, the final scoreline was harsh on the R's, who competed valiantly with ten men, with Gareth Ainsworth at the heart of everything positive for the hosts in front of a season's high crowd of 18, 309.
The R's injury list was extensive for the visit of Mowbray's men.
Akos Buzsaky, Rowan Vine and Patrick Agyemang were all sidelined, while Fitz Hall failed a late fitness test, meaning Zesh Rehman started at centre half.
Baggies top-scorer Kevin Phillips partnered Roman Bednar in attack, with Ishmael Miller resigned to a place amongst the Albion substitutes.
In a fast-paced opening, it was Angelo Balanta who was presented with the first chance for Rangers, but his left footed effort lacked direction, as it flew past Dean Kiely's right hand post.
The R's were enjoying the better of the opening exchanges and when Gareth Ainsworth sped past Paul Robinson on the right flank, his back post cross was latched onto by Dexter Blackstock.
The in-form striker seemed to destined to head the R's in front, only for Kiely to produce a top-class save at his near post, clinging on to the ball inches from the goal-line.
Albion's first chance of note arrived in the ninth minute, when Bednar saw his left footed half-volley from 12-yards tipped over spectacularly by Lee Camp.
Both sides continued to play some entertaining football and when Blackstock was brought down by Leon Barnett on the edge of the penalty box midway through the half, Rowlands curled a fierce free-kick inches wide.
At the other end, Brunt fired a flashing half-volley straight at Camp from an acute angle, before the busy Zoltan Gera lashed wide from distance.
Disaster struck for the R's in the 37th minute though, when Rowlands was the rather harsh victim of a scandalous refereeing decision from Mr Taylor.
Contesting a fifty-fifty ball with Greening, Rowlands was marginally late and having caught the outstretched shin of the Baggies captain, Taylor inexplicably pulled out a red card, to the amazement of both sets of players.
Greening was back to his feet moments later, before De Canio again opted to make a quick substitution, replacing the unfortunate Balanta with Mikele Leigertwood.
Undeterred, it was the R's who continued to pose the greater attacking threat, as Damien Delaney stung the palms of Kiely with an opportune right footed strike.
The Baggies replaced Bednar with Kim during the break, but it was De Canio's men who created the first chance of the second period, as Blackstock fired over from 25-yards.
Rangers' resistance lasted just seven minutes though, as Phillips and Gera combined to set up substitute Kim, for the simplest of close range headers.
The Baggies were buoyant now and after Brunt fired against the crossbar, Camp was on hand to save Kim's ferocious right footed drive.
Brunt wasn't to be denied though and when Albion were gifted another cheap free-kick by referee Mr Taylor in the 77th minute, the former Sheffield Wednesday man left Camp completely motionless, as he planted a sublime free-kick into the top left hand corner.
De Canio handed Under-18 starlet Romone Rose his QPR debut 11 minutes from time, but it was Albion's day - and Albion's season too.
QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mahon, Mancienne, Blackstock, Ainsworth, Rowlands, Connolly, Ephraim (Rose 80), Rehman, Balanta (Leigertwood 38).
Subs: Cole, Barker, Lee.
Red Cards: Rowlands 37
WBA: Kiely, Hoefkens, Robinson (Moore 73), Barnett, Clement (Albrechtsen 53), Koren, Greening, Bednar (Kim 46), Gera, Phillips, Brunt.
Subs: Miller, Morrison.
Scorers: Kim 52, Brunt 77
Bookings: Clement 43, Robinson 70
Referee: Mr P Taylor
Attendance: 18, 309 QPR
West Bromwich Albion Official Site - Report
SUPER-SUB Do-heon Kim's first-ever goal in English football and a Chris Brunt cracker ensured Albion wrapped up their top-flight return in style as champions with a 2-0 win against ten-man QPR.
Rangers skipper Martin Rowlands was given his marching orders by referee Paul Taylor for a late lunge on Jonathan Greening in the 37th minute but the hosts managed to reach the break with the game goalless.
On-loan Korea Republic star Kim came on as half-time replacement for Roman Bednar and opened the scoring just eight minutes later to set the Baggies on their way to a fourth successive away victory.
And new father Chris Brunt rounded off week to remember as he followed up his promotion-clinching strike in Monday's 1-1 draw against Southampton with a 77th-minute free-kick belter to send Albion on their way to the Premier League.
The players paid a special tribute to long-term injury victim Filipe Teixiera before the game as they warmed up in T-shirts bearing his name and No.20.
And Tony Mowbray's men lapped up the atmosphere as they went through their drills in front of a jubilant, sell-out 2,800 Baggies fans dressed as super heroes in honour of 'Super' Kevin Phillips.
But as soon as the players hit the pitch for kick-off it was time for a now familiar huddle before getting down to business.
Roman Bednar returned to partner Phillips in attack with Ishmael Miller dropping to the bench.
James Morrison recovered from an ankle injury in time to take his place amongst the substitutes while Chris Brunt replaced him in midfield.
Albion started brightly and Robert Koren had the first shot of the game from 20 yards in the fourth minute, which deflected off Gavin Mahon and bounced into the arms of Lee Camp.
Two minutes later Phillips tried his luck from similar range but again the ball ran through to Camp after the Baggies striker's effort clipped off Matthew Connolly.
Paul Robinson went chasing a ball he did not need to high up the pitch and allowed Gareth Ainsworth to run at Chris Brunt in the left full-back position.
The QPR winger cut inside the Northern Ireland international and curled it to the back post where Dexter Blackstock looked certain to score, only to see Dean Kiely pull off a remarkable save and clutch the ball right on the goalline.
Seconds later it was the visitors on the attack and Koren dinked a delicious ball over the Rangers backline for Bednar, who controlled but saw his 15-yard volley tipped over by Camp.
Martin Rowlands had Kiely scrambling across his goal as he tried to catch him out with a quick free-kick that flashed inches wide of the left-hand post in the 24th minute.
Robinson played a sublime diagonal ball through to Brunt on the right-hand edge of the box on the half-hour mark and the Baggies midfielder let fly with a powerful left-foot strike that Camp beat out for a corner.
The Hoops were reduced to ten men in the 37th minute when skipper Rowlands was given a straight red card by referee Paul Taylor for a late lunge on his Baggies counterpart Greening.
Two minutes later Mikele Leigertwood came on for Angelo Balanta.
Albion pushed forward trying to make the most of their one-man advantage and Koren drove into the box but saw his shot blocked by Zesh Rehman.
A minute before the break Damien Delaney cut inside from the left and drilled in an 18-yard shot that Kiely did well to hold to his left.
Mowbray made a change at the break as Do-heon Kim came on for Bednar, who suffered a head injury towards the end of the first half, and adopted a five-man midfield.
Three minutes after the beak Ainsworth beat Robinson in the air and found Blackstock, who fired over from the edge of the box.
Phillips' neat little chip over the Rangers defence put Kim in a threatening position in the penalty area.
Connolly managed to get an important touch but the ball fell to Gera, who managed to skip past Delaney before cutting the ball beyond Camp for Kim to head into the empty net from close range in the 53rd minute.
The Baggies made another change a minute later when Martin Albrechtsen came on for Neil Clement, who was living life on the edge having already been booked.
Albion poured forward in the 65th minute as the game stretched out and Brunt's ball through to Koren was just a touch too heavy and allowed Camp to make a vital block.
Brunt left the frame of the goal rattling when he cracked a right-footed shot off the bar from just inside the box in the 69th minute.
Kim pounced on the rebound and forced Camp into a fine save with a 15-yard thunderbolt.
Gera wasted little time in turning swiftly in the 75th minute and lashing a 25-yard left-foot shot inches past the right-hand post, with Camp beaten.
Two minutes later Brunt curled home a superb 25-yard free-kick into the top left-hand corner of the net to double Albion's lead.
Blackstock burst through the Albion defence in the final minute but his toe poke drifted just past the right-hand post to preserve the visitors' clean-sheet.
And in the third minute of stoppage time substitute Luke Moore could have put the icing on the cake by scoring his first goal for the Baggies - but fired over a close-range volley.
QPR (4-4-2): Camp; Mancienne, Rehman, Connolly, Delaney; Ainsworth, Mahon, Rowlands, Ephraim (Rose 80); Blackstock, Balanta (Leigertwood 39). Subs not used: Cole (gk), Barker, Lee.
ALBION (4-4-2): Kiely; Hoefkens, Barnett, Clement (Albrechtsen 54), Robinson (Moore 73); Gera, Koren, Greening, Brunt; Phillips, Bednar (Kim HT). Subs not used: Miller, Morrison.
SENDING-OFF: QPR - Rowlands (foul 37).
BOOKINGS: ALBION - Clement (foul 43), Robinson (foul 70).
GOALS: ALBION - Kim (53), Brunt (77).
REFEREE: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).
ATTENDANCE: 18,309.
ALBION STARMAN: Zoltan Gera. WBA
BBC - FINAL TABLE
1 West Brom 46 33 81
2 Stoke 46 14 79
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Hull 46 18 75
4 Bristol City 46 1 74
5 Crystal Palace 46 16 71
6 Watford 46 6 70
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 Wolverhampton 46 5 70
8 Ipswich 46 9 69
9 Sheff Utd 46 5 66
10 Plymouth 46 10 64
11 Charlton 46 5 64
12 Cardiff 46 4 64
13 Burnley 46 -7 62
14 QPR 46 -6 58
15 Preston 46 -6 56
16 Sheff Wed 46 -1 55
17 Norwich 46 -10 55
18 Barnsley 46 -13 55
19 Blackpool 46 -5 54
20 Southampton 46 -16 54
21 Coventry 46 -12 53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 Leicester 46 -3 52
23 Scunthorpe 46 -23 46
24 Colchester 46 -24 38
BBC Table
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