-
- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard. -
Note: If you'd like to comment on any these articles - and your comments are very welcome - please post them on the new QPR Report Messageboard
QPR Official Site - [Leigertwood] CRISIS - WHAT CRISIS?
- Mikele Leigertwood insists any reunions with his former Sheffield United team-mates will be have to be put on hold until after the final whistle tomorrow (Saturday), as the R's aim to reignite their play-off push.
- The Hoops midfielder spent 12 months at Bramall Lane earlier in his career, but he insists the focus tomorrow will be solely on winning - and nothing else.
- "They're in a great run of form, especially on their travels, but it's up to us to stop them," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
- "They've got a great squad and invested very well in January, so of course it will be another tough game, but we'll fancy ourselves."
- Leigertwood still keeps in touch with a few of his former Blades colleagues, but he's not engaged in any of the usual pre-match banter so far.
- "I still speak to Monty (Nick Montgomery) and Webbs (Danny Webber), but there's not been any banter flying back and forth just yet.
- "In all seriousness, I had a great time there, with a great bunch of lads and of course I wish them well - but not tomorrow afternoon."
- Rangers have failed to win any of their last six Championship fixtures, but Leigertwood - who has skippered the R's in recent weeks - insists that run of form doesn't tell the full story.
- "People are talking about a crisis, but there's no way we're in a crisis situation," he said.
- "I can't really put my finger on what's gone wrong over the last few matches, but I don't think we're too far away.
- "We've still got a game in hand on most of the chasing pack and if we beat United and win our game in hand, the whole situation changes and suddenly people will start talking about us again.
- "It's a crazy division, where anyone can beat anyone, but we still believe we can have a huge say this season." QPR
Sheffield United Official Site - Boss on QPR trip
- Kevin Blackwell takes his side on the road again to Queens Park Rangers this weekend and talks about the challenge ahead.
- Going there is another massive test and you look at the fixture list in this division and ask, when is their any respite?
- Their squad is littered with quality, I watched them at Barnsley and they must have had between £5-6 million worth of signings on the bench.- I don't know why they haven't performed as well as they might have expected and they will want to prove a point. Perhaps they have been lacking a bit of a cutting edge and, if so, I hope that is the case on Saturday.
- I look at the quality of player they have and they can beat anybody - they drew at Cardiff City recently - so we know we must focus or we will lose.
- But a lot of clubs probably thought that we had a tough task at Coventry and I think we answered a question or two there.
- We showed that we have the intent to stay in the hunt at the top, and that was against an in form side who themselves regarded the game as a massive one.
- I think Chris Coleman had indicated that he didn't think we would go there just to defend, which was true. We have been positive away from home all season and I have often had four or five strikers involved on the pitch and the bench.
- Confidence is high but we won't get carried away by the hype because six or seven weeks ago we were getting caned - unjustly. The truth is the team and I are not as good as some people say and not as bad as others insist.
- Our boys have a bit of courage and bloody-mindedness about them when they go away from home which is probably why they have done well.
- You could see that at Coventry when they conceded a goal - the crowd got behind City and the referee was perhaps going to be influenced by what was going on for a while, but they dug in and refused to be breached again. Sheffield United
Sheffield United Official Site - Possession game expected
- Chris Morgan says United will have to be somewhere near their best to ensure they leave West London with a 'positive result' on Saturday.
- Morgan is expecting another tough away clash and with Paulo Sousa in charge of the R's, United will no doubt be without possession for periods of the game, but the skipper says the Blades can combat that in their own way:
- "Obviously, with the manager they have they will want to get it down and pass it, so we will have to work hard and close them down, making it difficult for them.
- "If we can press them and win the ball back high up the pitch it can only be of benefit to us going forward.
- "Loftus Road is a good ground to play at, the crowd are on top of you and no doubt they will be behind their players as they look for a late play-off push."
- A former Blade will also be looking to end United's record breaking twelve game unbeaten run in the league, but Morgan, who will be looking for his third goal of the season, says the United will be going all out to get their second away success this week:
- "Mikele Leigertwood will want to put one over us and will be getting their lads fired up to do that, telling them what to expect.
- "It is another tough trip but we are looking forward to it and go there confident of getting a positive result." Sheffield United
Sheffield United Official Site - QPR form guide
- QPR will be looking for their first win in seven matches, as the Blades look to build on their 12 game unbeaten away run in the capital at the weekend.
- The R's have lost their last two matches against Barnsley and Norwich respectively. They will also have revenge on their minds after Billy Sharp's hat-trick sealed all three points for the Blades at the Lane in August.
- Rangers are currently sitting in 11th position in the table and are above Sheffield Wednesday on goal difference.
- Dexter Blackstock is top scorer for the West Londoners with eleven Championship strikes to his name. Sheffield United
Ex-QPR Matt Pickens at Colorado
GOAL.COM - MLS 2009 Team Preview: Colorado Rapids
.....John Zielonka checks out the Colorado Rapids.
"...New faces: Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe (F), Ivan Guerrero (M), Matt Pickens (G) and Gregory Richardson (F).
- The most significant pickup was keeper Matt Pickens. He and Preston Burpo are fighting for the starting goalie spot. Pickens participated in the last two U.S. National Team training camps and, most recently, played in England with the Queens Park Rangers. ..."
Goal.com
And another ex-QPR: Nick Ward Finding Success Back in Australia
Sports Australia: Ward on board for further two years
-Melbourne Victory has taken the first step towards defending its historic Hyundai A-League treble, with attacking midfielder Nick Ward extending his contract with the club for a further two years.
- Ward, 23, was a key member of Melbourne Victory’s midfield in 2008/09, establishing himself alongside Qantas Socceroos Billy Celeski and Tom Pondeljak and scoring two goals in the process.
- After missing the opening six rounds of the season through injury, Ward featured in all of Melbourne Victory’s remaining matches, including last Saturday’s A-League 2009 Grand Final.
- Melbourne Victory Football Operations Manager Gary Cole said the club was delighted to keep Ward, who arrived at the club from English side Queens Park Rangers in late 2007.
- “It’s fantastic that we’ve reached an agreement with Nick in what is a great signing for everyone involved,” Cole said.
- “Nick firmly established himself in the team after overcoming his injury problems and was an important part of our successful run to the Premiers Plate and Champions Trophy.
- “Nick’s body is now in the best shape it’s ever been, which is also a credit to the hardworking sports science, sports medicine and strength and conditioning elements of the club.”
- Ward was just as excited to extend his stay with Melbourne Victory.
- “It’s exciting to secure my future here in Melbourne after such a successful season,” Ward said.
- “I’m really happy to be part of this team, playing alongside such good players.
- “Hopefully we can repeat our efforts next season and also do well in the AFC Champions League.
- “I didn’t want to go anywhere else in Australia; Melbourne Victory is the club I want to be at.
- “Now that my future is here I can do further work with the medical staff and get myself even stronger moving forward.”
- Ward was Melbourne Victory’s inaugural under-23 marquee player in 2008/09, but has now outgrown his status. Sports Australia
Welcome to QPR REPORT - A completely unofficial and unaffiliated fan site focusing on G-d's Chosen Team, Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) FC. (Visit also QPR Report Messageboard and Follow on Twitter.) QPR Report accepts no sponsorship, advertising or financial contributions. In 2008, QPR Report was named as one of the top two blogs in the Football League
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Friday, March 06, 2009
Borrowdale Eager to Play....QPR's Season in Risk of Decline...Connolly Takes Blame...Cole Off to Barnet
-
- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard. - See: Complete List of "50 Greatest Managers"
..... Where Has it Gone Wrong for Rangers
- If you have any comments about these articles, please post them on the new QPR Report Messageboard
Brighton Official Site - Borrowdale Up for the Challenge
- Albion's new left-back Gary Borrowdale says he is itching to get into action in Albion's relegation showdown with Leyton Orient tomorrow.
- The on-loan QPR defender was re-united with former Coventry City team-mates Chris Birchall and Colin Hawkins this morning, as well as ex-Colchester colleague Matt Heath.
- And Borrowdale says the team spirit was evident as the squad prepared for the crucial game at Brisbane Road.
- He said, "It's nice to know a few of the lads, but everyone else has been great this morning. Everyone introduced themselves and everyone seems to be getting on well with each other. It's a good atmosphere.
- "It was a good first training session. We had some light games, but now I'm just looking forward to tomorrow's game.
- "It's a hard league. I played in it for Colchester earlier in the season, and we just have to grind results out from now until the end of the season. Even if you don't play well, the main thing is the three points.
- "It's going to be a hard game, but from what I've seen this morning we've got some good players here. We need to grind out the result and get the three points."
- Borrowdale's fellow new signing, on-loan Reading keeper Mikkel Andersen, also trained with the squad this morning, and the big Dane says he would love to be involved in Saturday's match.
- "I'm here to get experience, so if I play then great," he said.
- "Of course I want to play, and if I don't, I'll fight to get in the team." Brighton Official
Ealing Gazette/Yann Tear - QPR risk slipping out of contention
- QPR's interest in this season's proceedings is in danger of dwindling away after a second defeat in a week which has extended their winless stretch to six games - and leaves them still searching for a win at Loftus Road in 2009.
- Already there is talk of not giving up on the play-offs while it is still mathematically possible - a sure sign that realistic hopes are fading.
- Rangers were mightily unlucky to lose 1-0 to Norwich City on Tuesday night and a home win against Sheffield United this coming weekend would surely re-ignite their ambitions.
- But it was hard not to wonder whether Flavio Briatore - leaving his seat a few minutes before the end of the match, mobile pressed to his ear - was not busy trying to sound out fellow Italian Giovanni Trapattoni about combining international management with a caretaker role at Rangers much as Guus Hiddink is doing at Chelsea.
-Stranger things have happened.
- Such idle speculation is not meant as a reflection of coach Paulo Sousa, only the impatience of the owner to see progress and to enjoy some stirring nights out at W12 - which have been in short supply of late.
- It is safe to assume rain and wind-lashed home defeats do not feature highly on the Briatore wish-list.
- That said, Rangers showed a marked improvement from their last home outing - the 3-1 defeat by Ipswich Town.
- They could have had three goals in the opening 12 minutes. Heidar Helguson steered wide from inside the box after being presented with a clear target by Dexter Blackstock and Blackstock himself went agonisingly close with a deflected shot after being released by Liam Miller.
- In between, Jordi Lopez - impressive on his home debut at the base of the midfield pyramid with his set pieces and astute positional play - rifled a 35-yarder that shaved the right hand post of Canaries keeper David Marshall.
- Wayne Routledge almost broke the deadlock with a looping header that was held on the line and Mikele Leigertwood's rasping angled drive from outside the box early in the second half was clawed to safety.
- But as so often happens with such scenarios, it was the visitors who plundered the points with a rare attack - Radek Cerny allowing a low Ryan Bertrand shot to squirm through his fingers.
- That capped a horror sequence for Rangers in which a dithering Kaspars Gorkss was dispossessed by Wes Hoolahan and Lee Croft.
- "It's going to be difficult. There's no point in hiding from that," Blackstock told the Gazette when asked about the play-off hopes.
- "But it's not impossible and we need to put a good run together and see where we are. We are not going to give it up until it's mathematically impossible.
- "We have to beat Sheffield United on Saturday. It's as simple as that. We've got to recover well and go into it positively."
- Blackstock added: "Some games we've not got what we deserved and today we definitely didn't get what we deserved.
"The manager's proud of us because his ideas are coming across to us and it showed in the performance. It was good even if we didn't get any points."
Sousa made a point of embracing all his players on the pitch after the match and was keen to express his faith.
"I don't only say to my players I'm proud of them when they win, I'm also proud of them when they lose," Sousa said
"I'm very enthusiastic for my players. They created a lot of opportunities to win the game and played good football in difficult conditions.
We need to keep our heads high. Until the moment we haven't the chance to look forward, we need to believe."... Ealing Gazette
Ealing Gazette - We've been a let-down - Connolly
- Mathew Connolly is making no excuses for the team's recent dip in form which has seen their hopes of challenging for the play-offs take a hit, writes Richard Warwick.
The Rs can consider themselves unlucky to have come away from the game against a plucky but limited Barnsley at Oakwell on Saturday.
Yet Rangers never quite found their rhythm and looked frustrated as they struggled to get the ball to their front pair in dangerous areas.
Connolly said: "As a team in the last few games we've been very under-par, although I think we did okay against Cardiff.
"We feel like we've let everybody down I think. We've been trying our best but haven't really created anything.
"There are plenty of things that you can put it down to. Our opponents have played well, but we're not making excuses for it. On a personal and team point of view we have got to play a lot better.
"I don't think that them [new signings] coming in or the change in manager have affected us. They have definitely had a positive affect on the team.
"We've played really well at times under Paulo and we did under Iain Dowie at times as well so we can't hide behind that either. We are definitely capable of playing better and we've shown that in the past.
"We strung a decent run together over Christmas and into the new-year that got us up there challenging so it's disappointing to have let the performances slip.
"We're the same group of lads with the addition of a few new guys in January. We've worked with Paulo for quite a while now and we know what he wants us to do."
Connolly has singled out Liam Miller and Heidar Helguson as two Rs players he thinks will help Rangers get back to winning ways.
"Liam Miller's a great player," he said. "He's played for Manchester United and you can't be a bad player if you've played for them.
"Heider is a good player too and a consistent goalscorer and has had experience of being in this kind of position before as well.
"We've added well to the team and they've all brought something extra. They're both important players for us and will be key for us in the run in."We can definitely still get into the play-offs. There are a dozen or so games to go and all it takes are four or five wins on the bounce and then you're right up there.
"There's a lack of consistency from the teams around us and some of them have slipped up and done us a favour.
"Doncaster were down at the bottom of the league a month or two months ago and now they've won eight or nine in a row so it just shows anything is possible.
"We're positive that we can string a good run of results together and get where we need to be."...
Ealing Gazette
Barnet Official Site - KEEPER COLE JOINS BEES
- Ian Hendon has acted swiftly to end the goalkeeping crisis caused by the thigh muscle injury that will keep Lee Harrison out for at least a month ... Jake Cole, a 6ft 3ins tall 23-year-old keeper from Queen's Park Rangers signed for Barnet this afternoon on loan initially for a month
In the absence of Harrison, and with Rob Beckwith quitting Underhill and saying that he was out of love with the game, Hendon was left with Israeli goalkeeper Ran Kadoch, who has made 11 appearances for the Bees, and former Protec youngster Phil Carpenter, twice an unused substitute this season.
- Newcomer Cole, who has been given Beckwith's squad number 1, has made eight first team appearances for Rangers in his five seasons with the club and has been a capable understudy to Lee Camp, Chris Day, Paul Jones and Simon Royce. He is contracted to the Championship club until June.
- Cole said 'I'm really happy to be here and looking forward to playing games. I only found out yesterday about the possibility of a move to Barnet and I jumped at the chance because I want to be playing league football'.
He trained with the squad this morning and later Ian Hendon said Jake 'Jake has not come here just as cover, but to challenge for the first team place''
Cole has previously been on loan at Hayes, AFC Wimbledon, Farnborough and Oxford United.
BBC - Barnet sign keeper Cole from QPR
Cole will challenge keeper Ran Kadoch for a first-team start
Barnet have signed goalkeeper Jake Cole from QPR, initially on a month's loan.
The 23-year-old has made eight first-team appearances for Rangers in five seasons, and has had loan spells at AFC Wimbledon, Farnborough and Oxford.
Barnet needed back-up with Lee Harrison out for at least a month with a thigh injury and Rob Beckwith quitting Underhill earlier this year.
Cole told the club's website: "I jumped at the chance because I want to keep playing league football." BBC
- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard. - See: Complete List of "50 Greatest Managers"
..... Where Has it Gone Wrong for Rangers
- If you have any comments about these articles, please post them on the new QPR Report Messageboard
Brighton Official Site - Borrowdale Up for the Challenge
- Albion's new left-back Gary Borrowdale says he is itching to get into action in Albion's relegation showdown with Leyton Orient tomorrow.
- The on-loan QPR defender was re-united with former Coventry City team-mates Chris Birchall and Colin Hawkins this morning, as well as ex-Colchester colleague Matt Heath.
- And Borrowdale says the team spirit was evident as the squad prepared for the crucial game at Brisbane Road.
- He said, "It's nice to know a few of the lads, but everyone else has been great this morning. Everyone introduced themselves and everyone seems to be getting on well with each other. It's a good atmosphere.
- "It was a good first training session. We had some light games, but now I'm just looking forward to tomorrow's game.
- "It's a hard league. I played in it for Colchester earlier in the season, and we just have to grind results out from now until the end of the season. Even if you don't play well, the main thing is the three points.
- "It's going to be a hard game, but from what I've seen this morning we've got some good players here. We need to grind out the result and get the three points."
- Borrowdale's fellow new signing, on-loan Reading keeper Mikkel Andersen, also trained with the squad this morning, and the big Dane says he would love to be involved in Saturday's match.
- "I'm here to get experience, so if I play then great," he said.
- "Of course I want to play, and if I don't, I'll fight to get in the team." Brighton Official
Ealing Gazette/Yann Tear - QPR risk slipping out of contention
- QPR's interest in this season's proceedings is in danger of dwindling away after a second defeat in a week which has extended their winless stretch to six games - and leaves them still searching for a win at Loftus Road in 2009.
- Already there is talk of not giving up on the play-offs while it is still mathematically possible - a sure sign that realistic hopes are fading.
- Rangers were mightily unlucky to lose 1-0 to Norwich City on Tuesday night and a home win against Sheffield United this coming weekend would surely re-ignite their ambitions.
- But it was hard not to wonder whether Flavio Briatore - leaving his seat a few minutes before the end of the match, mobile pressed to his ear - was not busy trying to sound out fellow Italian Giovanni Trapattoni about combining international management with a caretaker role at Rangers much as Guus Hiddink is doing at Chelsea.
-Stranger things have happened.
- Such idle speculation is not meant as a reflection of coach Paulo Sousa, only the impatience of the owner to see progress and to enjoy some stirring nights out at W12 - which have been in short supply of late.
- It is safe to assume rain and wind-lashed home defeats do not feature highly on the Briatore wish-list.
- That said, Rangers showed a marked improvement from their last home outing - the 3-1 defeat by Ipswich Town.
- They could have had three goals in the opening 12 minutes. Heidar Helguson steered wide from inside the box after being presented with a clear target by Dexter Blackstock and Blackstock himself went agonisingly close with a deflected shot after being released by Liam Miller.
- In between, Jordi Lopez - impressive on his home debut at the base of the midfield pyramid with his set pieces and astute positional play - rifled a 35-yarder that shaved the right hand post of Canaries keeper David Marshall.
- Wayne Routledge almost broke the deadlock with a looping header that was held on the line and Mikele Leigertwood's rasping angled drive from outside the box early in the second half was clawed to safety.
- But as so often happens with such scenarios, it was the visitors who plundered the points with a rare attack - Radek Cerny allowing a low Ryan Bertrand shot to squirm through his fingers.
- That capped a horror sequence for Rangers in which a dithering Kaspars Gorkss was dispossessed by Wes Hoolahan and Lee Croft.
- "It's going to be difficult. There's no point in hiding from that," Blackstock told the Gazette when asked about the play-off hopes.
- "But it's not impossible and we need to put a good run together and see where we are. We are not going to give it up until it's mathematically impossible.
- "We have to beat Sheffield United on Saturday. It's as simple as that. We've got to recover well and go into it positively."
- Blackstock added: "Some games we've not got what we deserved and today we definitely didn't get what we deserved.
"The manager's proud of us because his ideas are coming across to us and it showed in the performance. It was good even if we didn't get any points."
Sousa made a point of embracing all his players on the pitch after the match and was keen to express his faith.
"I don't only say to my players I'm proud of them when they win, I'm also proud of them when they lose," Sousa said
"I'm very enthusiastic for my players. They created a lot of opportunities to win the game and played good football in difficult conditions.
We need to keep our heads high. Until the moment we haven't the chance to look forward, we need to believe."... Ealing Gazette
Ealing Gazette - We've been a let-down - Connolly
- Mathew Connolly is making no excuses for the team's recent dip in form which has seen their hopes of challenging for the play-offs take a hit, writes Richard Warwick.
The Rs can consider themselves unlucky to have come away from the game against a plucky but limited Barnsley at Oakwell on Saturday.
Yet Rangers never quite found their rhythm and looked frustrated as they struggled to get the ball to their front pair in dangerous areas.
Connolly said: "As a team in the last few games we've been very under-par, although I think we did okay against Cardiff.
"We feel like we've let everybody down I think. We've been trying our best but haven't really created anything.
"There are plenty of things that you can put it down to. Our opponents have played well, but we're not making excuses for it. On a personal and team point of view we have got to play a lot better.
"I don't think that them [new signings] coming in or the change in manager have affected us. They have definitely had a positive affect on the team.
"We've played really well at times under Paulo and we did under Iain Dowie at times as well so we can't hide behind that either. We are definitely capable of playing better and we've shown that in the past.
"We strung a decent run together over Christmas and into the new-year that got us up there challenging so it's disappointing to have let the performances slip.
"We're the same group of lads with the addition of a few new guys in January. We've worked with Paulo for quite a while now and we know what he wants us to do."
Connolly has singled out Liam Miller and Heidar Helguson as two Rs players he thinks will help Rangers get back to winning ways.
"Liam Miller's a great player," he said. "He's played for Manchester United and you can't be a bad player if you've played for them.
"Heider is a good player too and a consistent goalscorer and has had experience of being in this kind of position before as well.
"We've added well to the team and they've all brought something extra. They're both important players for us and will be key for us in the run in."We can definitely still get into the play-offs. There are a dozen or so games to go and all it takes are four or five wins on the bounce and then you're right up there.
"There's a lack of consistency from the teams around us and some of them have slipped up and done us a favour.
"Doncaster were down at the bottom of the league a month or two months ago and now they've won eight or nine in a row so it just shows anything is possible.
"We're positive that we can string a good run of results together and get where we need to be."...
Ealing Gazette
Barnet Official Site - KEEPER COLE JOINS BEES
- Ian Hendon has acted swiftly to end the goalkeeping crisis caused by the thigh muscle injury that will keep Lee Harrison out for at least a month ... Jake Cole, a 6ft 3ins tall 23-year-old keeper from Queen's Park Rangers signed for Barnet this afternoon on loan initially for a month
In the absence of Harrison, and with Rob Beckwith quitting Underhill and saying that he was out of love with the game, Hendon was left with Israeli goalkeeper Ran Kadoch, who has made 11 appearances for the Bees, and former Protec youngster Phil Carpenter, twice an unused substitute this season.
- Newcomer Cole, who has been given Beckwith's squad number 1, has made eight first team appearances for Rangers in his five seasons with the club and has been a capable understudy to Lee Camp, Chris Day, Paul Jones and Simon Royce. He is contracted to the Championship club until June.
- Cole said 'I'm really happy to be here and looking forward to playing games. I only found out yesterday about the possibility of a move to Barnet and I jumped at the chance because I want to be playing league football'.
He trained with the squad this morning and later Ian Hendon said Jake 'Jake has not come here just as cover, but to challenge for the first team place''
Cole has previously been on loan at Hayes, AFC Wimbledon, Farnborough and Oxford United.
BBC - Barnet sign keeper Cole from QPR
Cole will challenge keeper Ran Kadoch for a first-team start
Barnet have signed goalkeeper Jake Cole from QPR, initially on a month's loan.
The 23-year-old has made eight first-team appearances for Rangers in five seasons, and has had loan spells at AFC Wimbledon, Farnborough and Oxford.
Barnet needed back-up with Lee Harrison out for at least a month with a thigh injury and Rob Beckwith quitting Underhill earlier this year.
Cole told the club's website: "I jumped at the chance because I want to keep playing league football." BBC
QPR Practising Shooting....Borrowdale Moves to Brighton...Dean Parrett QPR Loan Speculation
-
- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard. - See: Complete List of "50 Greatest Managers"
..... Where Has it Gone Wrong for Rangers
This is London - Sousa trying to fire up his goal-shy side
- Paulo Sousa has given his squad extra shooting practice in a bid to salvage Queens Park Rangers' playoff hopes.
- Rangers have scored just once in their last three games and face Sheffield United tomorrow looking for a first home win since 20 December.
- Manager Sousa said: "It's not just at home that we have been having problems, we have struggled away as well. We are creating chances and when we start scoring more, the results will come.
- "So every day we are working on finishing in training. And that's not just the strikers, it's the midfielders and full-backs too." This is London
QPR Official Site BORROWDALE JOINS BRIGHTON
- R's defender Gary Borrowdale has joined Brighton & Hove Albion on loan until the end of the season.
- The 23 year-old, who signed for Rangers in January from Coventry City but has failed to feature at First Team level, will remain with the League One outfit until Saturday 2nd May.
- Borrowdale could make his debut for the Seagulls - who currently occupy 22nd place in the third tier - against fellow strugglers Leyton Orient on Saturday.
- The defender joins on the day the Seagulls announced Russell Slade as their new Manager, on a short term contract until the end of the season. QPR
Brighton Official Site - Albion Borrow Borrowdale
- Albion have made their fourth foray into the loan market this week, signing 23-year-old Queens Park Rangers left-back Gary Borrowdale until the end of the season.
An attacking full-back who can also play at centre-half, Borrowdale has represented England up to under-20 level, and was also an uncapped member of the under-21 squad for the European Championship play-off with Germany in 2006.
He has trained with the Albion squad this morning and will be available for the game at Leyton Orient tomorrow.
Borrowdale began his career at Crystal Palace, and broke into the first team aged just 17. His performances for the Eagles during the 2006/7 season won him the Young Player of the Year award at Selhurst Park, and earned him a £650,000 move to Coventry City in the summer of 2007.
- After 26 first team appearances for the Sky Blues last season, Borrowdale made a loan switch to Colchester United in August 2008. He followed that with a loan stint at QPR, and made that move permanent during the January transfer window.
Assistant manager Dean White completed the deal yesterday. He said, "Gary is someone I've been aware of since his days at Crystal Palace. He's got a good left-foot, he's a good defender and he knows the job well. He's played well over 100 games in the Championship and will be a good acquisition for us."
- Meanwhile, Dick Knight has thanked Rangers, after tying up the deal with director of football Gianni Paladini yesterday. The Albion chairman said, "Queens Park Rangers have extended the hand of friendship to the Albion. Gianni was aware of our crippling injury situation and I am very grateful that he has helped us out." Brighton
London Informer/Paul Warburton - Parrett poised for QPR return
- QPR FC are set to invoke a gentle-men's agreement and bring Dean Parrett back to Loftus Road on loan.
- The exciting young midfielder was sold to Tottenham two years ago as a 15-year-old for a Premiership record £1million for his age-group.
- But the player drafted into Harry Redknapp's first-team squad at the end of last month for a pair of Uefa Cup appearances, will be allowed a spell at Rangers once the Premiership team's relegation worries are eased.
- Parrett's initial fee could rise to as much as £3m with add-ons, although Spurs are not remotely considering selling a player who is thought to be among the best of his generation, but do want game-time for their future star.
- Rangers had the foresight in February 2007 when they reluctantly made the switch to add a 25 per-cent sell on fee as well as negotiate first-refusal if Parrett is allowed a loan.
- A Rangers source said: "The club had no option but to sell him in the first place, although Harry has always been friends with Rangers and can see the benefits of first-team action for Dean."
- Not a penny of the original £1m went anywhere else but the taxman's pocket as then cash-strapped Rs fended off a horde of creditors like so many wasps.
- But the buzz around the club this week was the prospect of seeing the player they first had as an 11-year-old back in Hoops.
- The source added: "Dean went to Spurs because his dad was a massive fan. But the lad himself was always happy during his time with Rangers, and his loan return would, along with the transfer money, be some return for the investment the club put in to his development." London Informer
- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard. - See: Complete List of "50 Greatest Managers"
..... Where Has it Gone Wrong for Rangers
This is London - Sousa trying to fire up his goal-shy side
- Paulo Sousa has given his squad extra shooting practice in a bid to salvage Queens Park Rangers' playoff hopes.
- Rangers have scored just once in their last three games and face Sheffield United tomorrow looking for a first home win since 20 December.
- Manager Sousa said: "It's not just at home that we have been having problems, we have struggled away as well. We are creating chances and when we start scoring more, the results will come.
- "So every day we are working on finishing in training. And that's not just the strikers, it's the midfielders and full-backs too." This is London
QPR Official Site BORROWDALE JOINS BRIGHTON
- R's defender Gary Borrowdale has joined Brighton & Hove Albion on loan until the end of the season.
- The 23 year-old, who signed for Rangers in January from Coventry City but has failed to feature at First Team level, will remain with the League One outfit until Saturday 2nd May.
- Borrowdale could make his debut for the Seagulls - who currently occupy 22nd place in the third tier - against fellow strugglers Leyton Orient on Saturday.
- The defender joins on the day the Seagulls announced Russell Slade as their new Manager, on a short term contract until the end of the season. QPR
Brighton Official Site - Albion Borrow Borrowdale
- Albion have made their fourth foray into the loan market this week, signing 23-year-old Queens Park Rangers left-back Gary Borrowdale until the end of the season.
An attacking full-back who can also play at centre-half, Borrowdale has represented England up to under-20 level, and was also an uncapped member of the under-21 squad for the European Championship play-off with Germany in 2006.
He has trained with the Albion squad this morning and will be available for the game at Leyton Orient tomorrow.
Borrowdale began his career at Crystal Palace, and broke into the first team aged just 17. His performances for the Eagles during the 2006/7 season won him the Young Player of the Year award at Selhurst Park, and earned him a £650,000 move to Coventry City in the summer of 2007.
- After 26 first team appearances for the Sky Blues last season, Borrowdale made a loan switch to Colchester United in August 2008. He followed that with a loan stint at QPR, and made that move permanent during the January transfer window.
Assistant manager Dean White completed the deal yesterday. He said, "Gary is someone I've been aware of since his days at Crystal Palace. He's got a good left-foot, he's a good defender and he knows the job well. He's played well over 100 games in the Championship and will be a good acquisition for us."
- Meanwhile, Dick Knight has thanked Rangers, after tying up the deal with director of football Gianni Paladini yesterday. The Albion chairman said, "Queens Park Rangers have extended the hand of friendship to the Albion. Gianni was aware of our crippling injury situation and I am very grateful that he has helped us out." Brighton
London Informer/Paul Warburton - Parrett poised for QPR return
- QPR FC are set to invoke a gentle-men's agreement and bring Dean Parrett back to Loftus Road on loan.
- The exciting young midfielder was sold to Tottenham two years ago as a 15-year-old for a Premiership record £1million for his age-group.
- But the player drafted into Harry Redknapp's first-team squad at the end of last month for a pair of Uefa Cup appearances, will be allowed a spell at Rangers once the Premiership team's relegation worries are eased.
- Parrett's initial fee could rise to as much as £3m with add-ons, although Spurs are not remotely considering selling a player who is thought to be among the best of his generation, but do want game-time for their future star.
- Rangers had the foresight in February 2007 when they reluctantly made the switch to add a 25 per-cent sell on fee as well as negotiate first-refusal if Parrett is allowed a loan.
- A Rangers source said: "The club had no option but to sell him in the first place, although Harry has always been friends with Rangers and can see the benefits of first-team action for Dean."
- Not a penny of the original £1m went anywhere else but the taxman's pocket as then cash-strapped Rs fended off a horde of creditors like so many wasps.
- But the buzz around the club this week was the prospect of seeing the player they first had as an 11-year-old back in Hoops.
- The source added: "Dean went to Spurs because his dad was a massive fan. But the lad himself was always happy during his time with Rangers, and his loan return would, along with the transfer money, be some return for the investment the club put in to his development." London Informer
Next: Sheffield United at Loftus Road
-
- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard. - See: Complete List of "50 Greatest Managers"
....."Where Has it Gone Wrong for Rangers"
......Managers Of The Month Announced.
- Since this is football, QPR are pretty much destined to win this one - even though Sheffield United haven't lost in 12 away games - (unbeaten away since October) and have the best away record in the Division, while QPR have lost 3 and drawn 3 of their last six games (and just 5 wins since Sousa took over!
See: - Sheffield United's Stats this season and QPR's Stats and current form
- Back in August, Iain Dowie's QPR was crushed 3-0 at Sheffield United with a Sharp hatrick. These were the Teams.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Hall, Leigertwood, Parejo, Blackstock, Gorkss, Connolly, Cook (Alberti 80), Balanta (Di Carmine 46), Ledesma. Subs: Camp, Stewart, Mahon
Sheffield United: Kenny, Halford (Cotterill 65), Naysmith, Morgan (Ehiogu 33), Kilgallon, Henderson, Jihai, Speed, Tonge, Sharp (Webber 84), Quinn. Subs: Stead, Spring. -- Match Reports and Managerial Comments
- Past QPR vs Sheffield United Encounters:
The [Sheffield] Star/James Shield - Blackwell's fresh approach for big challenges ahead
- SHEFFIELD United are planning "one or two" changes at Queens Park Rangers tomorrow.
Despite watching his side win their last two games, Kevin Blackwell admits he is tempted to rotate his squad to guard against injury and fatigue.
- Aware that United, who climbed to fourth in the table when they beat Coventry City on Wednesday, are enterting a critical phase of their promotion campaign, the United manager said: "There will probably be a couple.
- "Some of the lads have played a lot of games in recent weeks and we've got some massive ones coming up, especially those at home, and so I don't want to lose anybody for them.
- "I want to have everyone available."
- Refuting suggestions that he is about to take a calculated gamble, Blackwell added: "We're not the biggest in terms of numbers and that's why we've got to be careful.
- "But we have brought bodies in and they give us quality options.
- "For the first time in a while, during the last couple of games, I've been able to look at my bench and know that every single player on it is capable of coming on and turning things around if required.
- "Danny Webber and Greg Halford were both doubts before we went to Coventry and having those options allowed me to put them on the bench and not take any risks with them."
- United travel to London looking to complete a hat-trick of Championship victories while their hosts are aiming to avoid a trio of defeats.
- Blackwell continued: "We all spoke with each other before the Birmingham match last Sunday and underlined this was going to be a big week.
- "That's why I'm delighted with what we've done so far but, make no mistake, we're going down there looking for a clean sweep.
- "All the way through the season we've tried to be positive.
- "There have been times when I've named three or four forwards on the bench and that shows our intentions.
-"Chris Coleman (Coventry's manager) wrote in his programme notes that he knew we wouldn't go to their place and look to defend.
- "We didn't.
- "We always look to win and we won't be doing anything different between now and the end of the season."
- With players in all departments contributing in front of goal - defenders Leigh Bromby and Chris Morgan were both on target at Coventry - Blackwell is confident his team are still difficult for opponents to predict.
- "If the goals are coming from different areas, from different people, then it makes it much harder for people to stop you," he said.
- "It means they can't just look to mark one scorer out of the game knowing that, if they do it, the chances are they are going to get one over on us. The Star
The Star/James Shield - Confident Blackwell plays down the hype
- SHEFFIELD United manager Kevin Blackwell has warned his squad not to become victims of their own success when they face Queens Park Rangers tomorrow.
United climbed to fourth in the Championship table following a 2-1 victory over Coventry City in midweek and, having won their last two games, are confident of closing the gap between themselves and the automatic promotion places.
- But despite setting a new club record at the Ricoh Arena - they have not lost a league fixture away from home since mid-October - Blackwell has taken steps to ensure no-one is resting on their laurels ahead of the trip to Loftus Road.
- "We're not going to believe the hype," he said.
"Three weeks ago we were getting caned and now we're getting the plaudits.
"We're not as good or as bad as people say we are. That's how we've got to look at it.
"We've just got to concentrate on doing our jobs and getting the results we need."
Blackwell added: "I do think we've answered a few questions, though.
"We've shown that we are intent on staying where we are and trying to improve on it.
"But, I'm not going to pretend that we shouldn't be going down there with plenty of confidence.
"I would hope that we're as confident as anyone else in the division at the moment.
"We certainly should be."
Despite enjoying vast financial reserves courtesy of their billionaire owners, QPR have struggled to impose themselves on the top six this term.
Tuesday's home defeat by Norwich was their third in six outings and left Paulo Sousa's side languishing in midtable.
But Blackwell, who spent two years at Leeds before returning to South Yorkshire last term, said: "When you're at a big club people are always looking to shoot you down.
"It was the same when I was at Leeds, and now Sheffield United are the ones everyone wants to shoot at.
"When teams have got one over on us then, more often than not, they've lost their next one because they've put so much into it.
"That's why I don't think the top clubs get enough credit for what they do because it's very demanding." The Star
QPR OFFICIAL SITE PREVIEW THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: BLADES
- Sheffield United head to Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon in buoyant mood, after setting a new Club record on Wednesday night.
A 2-1 victory against in-form Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena saw Kevin Blackwell's charges extend their unbeaten away league run to an impressive 12 matches - during which time they've chalked up six wins.
Their victory against the Sky Blues was not without controversy, however, as Leigh Bromby's opening 'goal' was adjudged to have crossed the line, when TV replays showed that was clearly not the case.
Buoyed by their fortune, skipper Chris Morgan powered home a header from Brian Howard's free-kick to double his side's advantage and although City hit back when Scott Dann nodded in Aron Gunnarsson's long throw in, an equaliser proved beyond Chris Coleman's men.
Despite the victory - and the resultant Club record - Blades gaffer Blackwell wasn't about to get too carried away by his teams' triumph.
"I realised it was a record - 120 years old - but the win matters more," he said.
"Coming to the form team, we knew it was going to be tough, but my lads rolled up their sleeves.
"It is about grinding results out in this league because it is the hardest league to get out of."
The victory lifted United three places to fourth in the Championship table and within just six points of the automatic promotion spots.
However, despite the R's recent dip in form, they'll be hopeful a 13th unbeaten away match proves unlucky for the Blades.
Team News
Billy Sharp's groin injury will rule him out of the trip to Loftus Road, but influential duo Greg Halford and Danny Webber could return after being rested in midweek. QPR
Sheffield United Official Site - Skip on Club record
- Skipper Chris Morgan, who was on the scoresheet in Wednesday night's success over Coventry City, says the Blades new unbeaten away record in the Championship is something the whole club can be 'proud of'.
- Morgan headed home in the 54th minute from Stephen Quinn's free-kick, but the burly defender was keen to focus on making history and what exactly the achievement means, whilst insisting United always felt in control of the clash at the Ricoh Arena:
- "The lads weren't aware of it until after the game when Sam Ellis told us. To break such a record is something everybody can be proud of and to do it away from home tells you a lot about the character within the squad.
- "It is such an inconsistent league, but we try and be positive home and away. It isn't our job to be the crowd pleasers when you are on the road so I suppose in that respect it is maybe slightly easier.
- "We have never gone away from home to sit back and soak up pressure, and even on Wednesday we had a few chances to increase our lead and were really disappointed to let them back in. Despite the tense ending we never felt in any real danger of not winning the game."
- The Captain also feels the Blades have to take the current opportunity to put pressure on the top because the race for an automatic promotion is wide open, especially if Kevin Blackwell's men can re-create the end of season run that they enjoyed this time last year:
- "We set out our aim at the beginning of this campaign and it is down to how much we want it. The door is open so let's get through it and kick-off the hinges!
- "We showed last season that we can go on a run, so if we have done it once, why not? Sheffield United
- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard. - See: Complete List of "50 Greatest Managers"
....."Where Has it Gone Wrong for Rangers"
......Managers Of The Month Announced.
- Since this is football, QPR are pretty much destined to win this one - even though Sheffield United haven't lost in 12 away games - (unbeaten away since October) and have the best away record in the Division, while QPR have lost 3 and drawn 3 of their last six games (and just 5 wins since Sousa took over!
See: - Sheffield United's Stats this season and QPR's Stats and current form
- Back in August, Iain Dowie's QPR was crushed 3-0 at Sheffield United with a Sharp hatrick. These were the Teams.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Hall, Leigertwood, Parejo, Blackstock, Gorkss, Connolly, Cook (Alberti 80), Balanta (Di Carmine 46), Ledesma. Subs: Camp, Stewart, Mahon
Sheffield United: Kenny, Halford (Cotterill 65), Naysmith, Morgan (Ehiogu 33), Kilgallon, Henderson, Jihai, Speed, Tonge, Sharp (Webber 84), Quinn. Subs: Stead, Spring. -- Match Reports and Managerial Comments
- Past QPR vs Sheffield United Encounters:
The [Sheffield] Star/James Shield - Blackwell's fresh approach for big challenges ahead
- SHEFFIELD United are planning "one or two" changes at Queens Park Rangers tomorrow.
Despite watching his side win their last two games, Kevin Blackwell admits he is tempted to rotate his squad to guard against injury and fatigue.
- Aware that United, who climbed to fourth in the table when they beat Coventry City on Wednesday, are enterting a critical phase of their promotion campaign, the United manager said: "There will probably be a couple.
- "Some of the lads have played a lot of games in recent weeks and we've got some massive ones coming up, especially those at home, and so I don't want to lose anybody for them.
- "I want to have everyone available."
- Refuting suggestions that he is about to take a calculated gamble, Blackwell added: "We're not the biggest in terms of numbers and that's why we've got to be careful.
- "But we have brought bodies in and they give us quality options.
- "For the first time in a while, during the last couple of games, I've been able to look at my bench and know that every single player on it is capable of coming on and turning things around if required.
- "Danny Webber and Greg Halford were both doubts before we went to Coventry and having those options allowed me to put them on the bench and not take any risks with them."
- United travel to London looking to complete a hat-trick of Championship victories while their hosts are aiming to avoid a trio of defeats.
- Blackwell continued: "We all spoke with each other before the Birmingham match last Sunday and underlined this was going to be a big week.
- "That's why I'm delighted with what we've done so far but, make no mistake, we're going down there looking for a clean sweep.
- "All the way through the season we've tried to be positive.
- "There have been times when I've named three or four forwards on the bench and that shows our intentions.
-"Chris Coleman (Coventry's manager) wrote in his programme notes that he knew we wouldn't go to their place and look to defend.
- "We didn't.
- "We always look to win and we won't be doing anything different between now and the end of the season."
- With players in all departments contributing in front of goal - defenders Leigh Bromby and Chris Morgan were both on target at Coventry - Blackwell is confident his team are still difficult for opponents to predict.
- "If the goals are coming from different areas, from different people, then it makes it much harder for people to stop you," he said.
- "It means they can't just look to mark one scorer out of the game knowing that, if they do it, the chances are they are going to get one over on us. The Star
The Star/James Shield - Confident Blackwell plays down the hype
- SHEFFIELD United manager Kevin Blackwell has warned his squad not to become victims of their own success when they face Queens Park Rangers tomorrow.
United climbed to fourth in the Championship table following a 2-1 victory over Coventry City in midweek and, having won their last two games, are confident of closing the gap between themselves and the automatic promotion places.
- But despite setting a new club record at the Ricoh Arena - they have not lost a league fixture away from home since mid-October - Blackwell has taken steps to ensure no-one is resting on their laurels ahead of the trip to Loftus Road.
- "We're not going to believe the hype," he said.
"Three weeks ago we were getting caned and now we're getting the plaudits.
"We're not as good or as bad as people say we are. That's how we've got to look at it.
"We've just got to concentrate on doing our jobs and getting the results we need."
Blackwell added: "I do think we've answered a few questions, though.
"We've shown that we are intent on staying where we are and trying to improve on it.
"But, I'm not going to pretend that we shouldn't be going down there with plenty of confidence.
"I would hope that we're as confident as anyone else in the division at the moment.
"We certainly should be."
Despite enjoying vast financial reserves courtesy of their billionaire owners, QPR have struggled to impose themselves on the top six this term.
Tuesday's home defeat by Norwich was their third in six outings and left Paulo Sousa's side languishing in midtable.
But Blackwell, who spent two years at Leeds before returning to South Yorkshire last term, said: "When you're at a big club people are always looking to shoot you down.
"It was the same when I was at Leeds, and now Sheffield United are the ones everyone wants to shoot at.
"When teams have got one over on us then, more often than not, they've lost their next one because they've put so much into it.
"That's why I don't think the top clubs get enough credit for what they do because it's very demanding." The Star
QPR OFFICIAL SITE PREVIEW THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: BLADES
- Sheffield United head to Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon in buoyant mood, after setting a new Club record on Wednesday night.
A 2-1 victory against in-form Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena saw Kevin Blackwell's charges extend their unbeaten away league run to an impressive 12 matches - during which time they've chalked up six wins.
Their victory against the Sky Blues was not without controversy, however, as Leigh Bromby's opening 'goal' was adjudged to have crossed the line, when TV replays showed that was clearly not the case.
Buoyed by their fortune, skipper Chris Morgan powered home a header from Brian Howard's free-kick to double his side's advantage and although City hit back when Scott Dann nodded in Aron Gunnarsson's long throw in, an equaliser proved beyond Chris Coleman's men.
Despite the victory - and the resultant Club record - Blades gaffer Blackwell wasn't about to get too carried away by his teams' triumph.
"I realised it was a record - 120 years old - but the win matters more," he said.
"Coming to the form team, we knew it was going to be tough, but my lads rolled up their sleeves.
"It is about grinding results out in this league because it is the hardest league to get out of."
The victory lifted United three places to fourth in the Championship table and within just six points of the automatic promotion spots.
However, despite the R's recent dip in form, they'll be hopeful a 13th unbeaten away match proves unlucky for the Blades.
Team News
Billy Sharp's groin injury will rule him out of the trip to Loftus Road, but influential duo Greg Halford and Danny Webber could return after being rested in midweek. QPR
Sheffield United Official Site - Skip on Club record
- Skipper Chris Morgan, who was on the scoresheet in Wednesday night's success over Coventry City, says the Blades new unbeaten away record in the Championship is something the whole club can be 'proud of'.
- Morgan headed home in the 54th minute from Stephen Quinn's free-kick, but the burly defender was keen to focus on making history and what exactly the achievement means, whilst insisting United always felt in control of the clash at the Ricoh Arena:
- "The lads weren't aware of it until after the game when Sam Ellis told us. To break such a record is something everybody can be proud of and to do it away from home tells you a lot about the character within the squad.
- "It is such an inconsistent league, but we try and be positive home and away. It isn't our job to be the crowd pleasers when you are on the road so I suppose in that respect it is maybe slightly easier.
- "We have never gone away from home to sit back and soak up pressure, and even on Wednesday we had a few chances to increase our lead and were really disappointed to let them back in. Despite the tense ending we never felt in any real danger of not winning the game."
- The Captain also feels the Blades have to take the current opportunity to put pressure on the top because the race for an automatic promotion is wide open, especially if Kevin Blackwell's men can re-create the end of season run that they enjoyed this time last year:
- "We set out our aim at the beginning of this campaign and it is down to how much we want it. The door is open so let's get through it and kick-off the hinges!
- "We showed last season that we can go on a run, so if we have done it once, why not? Sheffield United
Thursday, March 05, 2009
QPR Snippets: Rufus Brevett on QPR Expectations and Doncaster...St.Aimie Misses Out...Anniversary of Reaching Wembley
-
- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard. - Among Items: Stats: QPR Current Form and Compared to Last Season..... Manager of the Month Announced.....Friday Deadline for Voting for Top 50 Players .....Article re Football Academies....
Doncaster Free Press - Expert corner: Rufus Brevett
- AFTER making his Rovers debut as a 17-year-old in 1987, speedy full back Rufus Brevett made 118 appearances for Doncaster before being forced to leave when the cash strapped club accepted a club record £275,000 bid from QPR in 1991.
Seven years at Loftus Road were followed by further spells in the Premier League with Fulham and West Ham. Surrey-based Rufus, who retired in 2007, is currently studying for his coaching badges and is aiming to return to the game in the near future.
- I ONLY played for Doncaster at Saturday's opponents Cardiff once - early in the 1990-91 season - but to be honest I can't remember much about that game!
- But I do remember that we enjoyed a really good start to the season.
We had a fantastic set of players and a wonderful manager in Billy Bremner, who pulled all the players together and got us playing for one another.
It is important when you start a new season to get off to a flyer and we certainly didn't like losing.
That all came from Billy - because he was a winner.
Although Jean Tigana at Fulham was also different class, Billy was one of the best managers I played under in my career and some of the stories he told us about his playing days were brilliant!
I played at Ninian Park a few other times in my career and it is a tight, tight ground.
Cardiff normally get good vocal support from the crowd down there - which means it can be quite intimidating for visiting teams.
With the top two sides losing games, Cardiff are looking at grabbing one of the automatic places and, at the moment, it seems as though none of the leading sides in the Championship want to win promotion!
When it gets to this time of the season teams cannot afford to go on a poor run but both Wolves and Reading are dropping points - so Cardiff have everything to play for.
But Doncaster's recent form has been unbelievable - especially looking at the start of the season when they couldn't win a game for love nor money.
The manager stuck to his beliefs - and if you continue to believe in your methods the results will come.
- On Tuesday they play my former club QPR and, although things turned out very well in my time there, I was gutted to leave Doncaster.
- I thought we had a real chance of doing something in the 1990-91 season but I ended up leaving because of the situation at the club.
- My only regret in football is that I didn't have the chance to come back to Doncaster later in my career.
- Although I've only seen QPR a few times this season the impression I get is that there is too much expectation among the fans.
- With the owners and the new manager now in charge there is a lot of pressure because the fans expect them to steamroller teams.
But when a new manager comes in they want to get their new ideas across - and that takes time.
When he arrived everyone was saying that they would get into the play-offs but I don't think it will happen this season.
- The summer is when we will see him make his mark.
- And, like Manchester City in the Premier League, everyone who plays QPR wants to beat them because of their owners.
- It was a similar situation when I was at Fulham and Mohamed Al Fayed took over.
- We were known as the League One millionaires and everyone would raise their game against us.
- So it's going to take time for QPR and they need players that can handle the expectation.
Prediction: Doncaster will earn a 1-1 draw at Cardiff before beating QPR 2-0 at home.
- Free Press prediction: The run continues - 2-2 at Cardiff and a 2-0 win over QPR. Doncaster Free Press
- St Albans City FC News - St Aimie no-show scuppers move
- CITY will not be signing Kieron St Aimie after the 19-year old failed to turn up for training last night [Wednesday].
- City had hoped to sign the former QPR and Barnet attacker to cover for the suspended Paul Hakim but they will not be pursuing their interest following his no-show.
- Talking to The Herts Advertiser Castle said: "It's his loss. He hasn't shown me enough to offer him more and I won't be chasing him up."
- Hakim's suspension means City are light up front for the visit of Team Bath but otherwise the squad is looking healthy.
- "I haven't got a fantastic choice up front so Simon Martin will come in and hopefully make it difficult for me to leave him out on Tuesday," said Castle. Herts Advertiser
Melbourne Victory keeps Nick Ward
- THE core midfield of Melbourne Victory's A-League championship team will remain intact, with the re-signing of Nick Ward.
- A key component in midfield with Billy Celeski and Tom Pondeljak after overcoming injury problems and settling into his role, Ward has agreed to a new two-year deal.
- Victory officials made no comment yesterday on any contract negotiations, but it is believed Ward's deal will be announced today.
- A young journeyman after starting his career with Perth Glory, before going to England to play for Queens Park Rangers and Brighton on loan, Ward landed with Victory just before Christmas 2007 in something of a coup.
- But long-term groin problems and an ankle injury kept Ward from showing his true potential until he won a starting role with Victory midway through this season.
- Victory can now focus on trying to re-sign captain Kevin Muscat, goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos and attacking midfielder Carlos Hernandez, whose situation is more complicated by the fact his rights are still owned by Costa Rican club LD Alajuelense.
- Victory will officially close its treble-winning season tonight with its Victory Medal dinner to name the club's player of the year. Herald Sun
On This Day, QPR Drew at Anfield and Reached Wembley Again
- Memory
Official Supporters Club Letter re Season Tickets
- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard. - Among Items: Stats: QPR Current Form and Compared to Last Season..... Manager of the Month Announced.....Friday Deadline for Voting for Top 50 Players .....Article re Football Academies....
Doncaster Free Press - Expert corner: Rufus Brevett
- AFTER making his Rovers debut as a 17-year-old in 1987, speedy full back Rufus Brevett made 118 appearances for Doncaster before being forced to leave when the cash strapped club accepted a club record £275,000 bid from QPR in 1991.
Seven years at Loftus Road were followed by further spells in the Premier League with Fulham and West Ham. Surrey-based Rufus, who retired in 2007, is currently studying for his coaching badges and is aiming to return to the game in the near future.
- I ONLY played for Doncaster at Saturday's opponents Cardiff once - early in the 1990-91 season - but to be honest I can't remember much about that game!
- But I do remember that we enjoyed a really good start to the season.
We had a fantastic set of players and a wonderful manager in Billy Bremner, who pulled all the players together and got us playing for one another.
It is important when you start a new season to get off to a flyer and we certainly didn't like losing.
That all came from Billy - because he was a winner.
Although Jean Tigana at Fulham was also different class, Billy was one of the best managers I played under in my career and some of the stories he told us about his playing days were brilliant!
I played at Ninian Park a few other times in my career and it is a tight, tight ground.
Cardiff normally get good vocal support from the crowd down there - which means it can be quite intimidating for visiting teams.
With the top two sides losing games, Cardiff are looking at grabbing one of the automatic places and, at the moment, it seems as though none of the leading sides in the Championship want to win promotion!
When it gets to this time of the season teams cannot afford to go on a poor run but both Wolves and Reading are dropping points - so Cardiff have everything to play for.
But Doncaster's recent form has been unbelievable - especially looking at the start of the season when they couldn't win a game for love nor money.
The manager stuck to his beliefs - and if you continue to believe in your methods the results will come.
- On Tuesday they play my former club QPR and, although things turned out very well in my time there, I was gutted to leave Doncaster.
- I thought we had a real chance of doing something in the 1990-91 season but I ended up leaving because of the situation at the club.
- My only regret in football is that I didn't have the chance to come back to Doncaster later in my career.
- Although I've only seen QPR a few times this season the impression I get is that there is too much expectation among the fans.
- With the owners and the new manager now in charge there is a lot of pressure because the fans expect them to steamroller teams.
But when a new manager comes in they want to get their new ideas across - and that takes time.
When he arrived everyone was saying that they would get into the play-offs but I don't think it will happen this season.
- The summer is when we will see him make his mark.
- And, like Manchester City in the Premier League, everyone who plays QPR wants to beat them because of their owners.
- It was a similar situation when I was at Fulham and Mohamed Al Fayed took over.
- We were known as the League One millionaires and everyone would raise their game against us.
- So it's going to take time for QPR and they need players that can handle the expectation.
Prediction: Doncaster will earn a 1-1 draw at Cardiff before beating QPR 2-0 at home.
- Free Press prediction: The run continues - 2-2 at Cardiff and a 2-0 win over QPR. Doncaster Free Press
- St Albans City FC News - St Aimie no-show scuppers move
- CITY will not be signing Kieron St Aimie after the 19-year old failed to turn up for training last night [Wednesday].
- City had hoped to sign the former QPR and Barnet attacker to cover for the suspended Paul Hakim but they will not be pursuing their interest following his no-show.
- Talking to The Herts Advertiser Castle said: "It's his loss. He hasn't shown me enough to offer him more and I won't be chasing him up."
- Hakim's suspension means City are light up front for the visit of Team Bath but otherwise the squad is looking healthy.
- "I haven't got a fantastic choice up front so Simon Martin will come in and hopefully make it difficult for me to leave him out on Tuesday," said Castle. Herts Advertiser
Melbourne Victory keeps Nick Ward
- THE core midfield of Melbourne Victory's A-League championship team will remain intact, with the re-signing of Nick Ward.
- A key component in midfield with Billy Celeski and Tom Pondeljak after overcoming injury problems and settling into his role, Ward has agreed to a new two-year deal.
- Victory officials made no comment yesterday on any contract negotiations, but it is believed Ward's deal will be announced today.
- A young journeyman after starting his career with Perth Glory, before going to England to play for Queens Park Rangers and Brighton on loan, Ward landed with Victory just before Christmas 2007 in something of a coup.
- But long-term groin problems and an ankle injury kept Ward from showing his true potential until he won a starting role with Victory midway through this season.
- Victory can now focus on trying to re-sign captain Kevin Muscat, goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos and attacking midfielder Carlos Hernandez, whose situation is more complicated by the fact his rights are still owned by Costa Rican club LD Alajuelense.
- Victory will officially close its treble-winning season tonight with its Victory Medal dinner to name the club's player of the year. Herald Sun
On This Day, QPR Drew at Anfield and Reached Wembley Again
- Memory
Official Supporters Club Letter re Season Tickets
Richard Langley - Give Sousa Time to Succeed as QPR Manager
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- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard. - Stats: QPR Current Form and Compared to Last Season - Among items: Article re Football Academies....Greatest British Managers List (Updated)....Finance: Ken Bates/Leeds
Richard Langley/Kilburn Times on Sousa as Manager
- SITTING in my car over the weekend, I happened to be listening to the radio and a barrage of unhappy Arsenal supporters calling up to complain about the so-called 'has-been' Arsene Wenger.
- The man, in my opinion, has single-handedly transformed Arsenal.
- Not only has he won the double twice and got them to the Champions League final, along with many other achievements, he has also introduced some of the Premier League's best ever players - who were relatively unknown before their arrival at Highbury.
- If you watch any game from the youth team through to the first team, you will notice Wenger's DNA running through them, all playing with the same fluent passing game that true football fans have come to love. This didn't happen overnight - it was an extremely long transition.
- When thinking about this, I couldn't help but liken it to the current situation at QPR, where pressure seems to be mounting on the manager. He has a team that on recent form are under-performing.
- We as Rangers fans have to be realistic. We are currently in a good position to improve on last year's standing and it is this improvement we should be grateful for.
- I know results in this day and age seem to be paramount but, if we look at the bigger picture, managers need time to build something special.
- Speaking to some of the players down at QPR, I know they regard Paulo Sousa as a special manager who has his own ideas on playing football.- He's not rigid in his thoughts but up to date with what is required to be successful in today's game.
- It may take another season for his ambitions to be realised and for his print to be stamped all over QPR.
- I sincerely hope that the board and fans will give him time and put their trust in his hopes of building a solid foundation, not just for now but for the future.
- For me, this is the way to progress. There isn't a quick fix to the situation at QPR, but being loyal to this manager could prove to be Rangers' most likely chance of long- term happiness." Kilburn Times
Kilburn Times/Ben Kosky - Liam Miller: Players to blame, not system
- MIDFIELDER Liam Miller dismissed suggestions that QPR's change of formation could have played a part in their downfall at Barnsley on Saturday.
- Rangers adopted a more conventional four-man midfield at Oakwell for the first time since Miller joined the club, sacrificing Gavin Mahon from their regular central trio to accommodate a second striker.
- Asked if the players had struggled to adapt to that change, Miller declared: "No, I don't think so - in general everyone should be comfortable with whatever formation we play and the team knew the system beforehand.
- "You can train for it, but on the day we weren't good enough and that's the bottom line. We gave away two bad goals, got punished for them and didn't play as well as we could.
- "Everyone's disappointed and I don't know if you can pinpoint why the performance wasn't there, but I know we can play a lot better. The games come thick and fast now and we've got to pick ourselves up."
- Next up in QPR's crowded schedule is Saturday's clash with one of the leading play-off contenders, Sheffield United - whose manager Kevin Blackwell watched the Rs' defeat at Oakwell last weekend.
- Miller played under Blackwell during a spell on loan at Leeds three years ago and knows the experience of the Blades boss - who guided the Elland Road club to the play-off final that season - could prove significant in the run-in.
- "I'm sure he'll know what's required," said Miller, whose contract at Rangers will take him up to the end of the current campaign. "But there are a lot of teams up there challenging and Sheffield United are just one of them.
- "It'll be a big game, but we're at home and we've got to make that count. If we play to our qualities we're a match for any team in the division."
- Once again, the Republic of Ireland international was the fall guy when Rs boss Paulo Sousa opted to shuffle his pack on Saturday, making way for youngster Romone Rose early in the second half.
- In fact, Miller has so far completed only one of his seven matches in a Rangers shirt to date, although the midfielder insists there is no question of a stamina problem.
- "Fitness-wise I feel fine," he added. "You'd have to ask the manager whether it's been a tactical thing or whatever. Kilburn Times
- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard. - Stats: QPR Current Form and Compared to Last Season - Among items: Article re Football Academies....Greatest British Managers List (Updated)....Finance: Ken Bates/Leeds
Richard Langley/Kilburn Times on Sousa as Manager
- SITTING in my car over the weekend, I happened to be listening to the radio and a barrage of unhappy Arsenal supporters calling up to complain about the so-called 'has-been' Arsene Wenger.
- The man, in my opinion, has single-handedly transformed Arsenal.
- Not only has he won the double twice and got them to the Champions League final, along with many other achievements, he has also introduced some of the Premier League's best ever players - who were relatively unknown before their arrival at Highbury.
- If you watch any game from the youth team through to the first team, you will notice Wenger's DNA running through them, all playing with the same fluent passing game that true football fans have come to love. This didn't happen overnight - it was an extremely long transition.
- When thinking about this, I couldn't help but liken it to the current situation at QPR, where pressure seems to be mounting on the manager. He has a team that on recent form are under-performing.
- We as Rangers fans have to be realistic. We are currently in a good position to improve on last year's standing and it is this improvement we should be grateful for.
- I know results in this day and age seem to be paramount but, if we look at the bigger picture, managers need time to build something special.
- Speaking to some of the players down at QPR, I know they regard Paulo Sousa as a special manager who has his own ideas on playing football.- He's not rigid in his thoughts but up to date with what is required to be successful in today's game.
- It may take another season for his ambitions to be realised and for his print to be stamped all over QPR.
- I sincerely hope that the board and fans will give him time and put their trust in his hopes of building a solid foundation, not just for now but for the future.
- For me, this is the way to progress. There isn't a quick fix to the situation at QPR, but being loyal to this manager could prove to be Rangers' most likely chance of long- term happiness." Kilburn Times
Kilburn Times/Ben Kosky - Liam Miller: Players to blame, not system
- MIDFIELDER Liam Miller dismissed suggestions that QPR's change of formation could have played a part in their downfall at Barnsley on Saturday.
- Rangers adopted a more conventional four-man midfield at Oakwell for the first time since Miller joined the club, sacrificing Gavin Mahon from their regular central trio to accommodate a second striker.
- Asked if the players had struggled to adapt to that change, Miller declared: "No, I don't think so - in general everyone should be comfortable with whatever formation we play and the team knew the system beforehand.
- "You can train for it, but on the day we weren't good enough and that's the bottom line. We gave away two bad goals, got punished for them and didn't play as well as we could.
- "Everyone's disappointed and I don't know if you can pinpoint why the performance wasn't there, but I know we can play a lot better. The games come thick and fast now and we've got to pick ourselves up."
- Next up in QPR's crowded schedule is Saturday's clash with one of the leading play-off contenders, Sheffield United - whose manager Kevin Blackwell watched the Rs' defeat at Oakwell last weekend.
- Miller played under Blackwell during a spell on loan at Leeds three years ago and knows the experience of the Blades boss - who guided the Elland Road club to the play-off final that season - could prove significant in the run-in.
- "I'm sure he'll know what's required," said Miller, whose contract at Rangers will take him up to the end of the current campaign. "But there are a lot of teams up there challenging and Sheffield United are just one of them.
- "It'll be a big game, but we're at home and we've got to make that count. If we play to our qualities we're a match for any team in the division."
- Once again, the Republic of Ireland international was the fall guy when Rs boss Paulo Sousa opted to shuffle his pack on Saturday, making way for youngster Romone Rose early in the second half.
- In fact, Miller has so far completed only one of his seven matches in a Rangers shirt to date, although the midfielder insists there is no question of a stamina problem.
- "Fitness-wise I feel fine," he added. "You'd have to ask the manager whether it's been a tactical thing or whatever. Kilburn Times
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Six Men in Charge in Just Over a Year: Will the Club Make it Seven?
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- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard. - Stats: QPR Current Form and Compared to Last Season
Also: Leeds/Ken Bates Financial "revelations"....Greatest British Managers List (Updated).....Spurs Didn't Practice Penalties Before Final
- First came messageboard questions/rumours...and a couple of articles in the Daily Mail and also another London Daily. Now this from Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times. Reminder: In the past fifteen months, John Gregory, Mick Harford, Luigi De Canio, Iain Dowie, Gareth Ainsworth and Paulo Sousa have all been in charge of the QPR team (although maybe not in charge of player recruitment) under Chairman Briatore.
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Play-off or pay-off for Paulo?
- DEFIANT Paulo Sousa believes QPR can still make the top six - even though his job hangs by a thread after Tuesday's defeat to Norwich.
- Sousa could be sacked if Rangers - now on their worst run of the season -fail to revive their flagging play-off hopes against Sheffield United on Saturday.
- Ruthless co-owner Flavio Briatore, who has already dismissed three managers in just 18 months, has made it clear that a third successive home loss will not be tolerated.
- Despite losing 1-0 to the struggling Canaries at a rain-soaked Loftus Road, Sousa insisted: "When you have the mathematical possibility, until that moment we need to believe.
- "Norwich made one shot and one goal. Sometimes football is like that - it doesn't give you what you deserve, but we lose with the heads held high.
- "We played great football with difficult conditions and I'm very proud of my team. When we start to score we will win the games, I have no doubt about that."
- Unfortunately Rangers fans are unlikely to share Sousa's confidence after watching a performance that was by no means their worst at home under the Portuguese, but still ranked as untidy and uninspiring.
- While Sousa is still popular with the majority of QPR supporters, the stark truth is that the team have gone NOWHERE since he took charge at the end of November.
- Rangers are actually a place lower in the table than they were when Sousa arrived and have taken 23 points from 18 league games in that time.
- In terms of points per game, that is an inferior return compared to the average during the brief reign of Iain Dowie - and, for that matter, the caretaker managership of Gareth Ainsworth. Kilburn Times
Two articles from the Daily Mail, published in the past few days:
Daily Mail/Neil Hallam - Give Sousa a chance, pleads Delaney
- Paulo Sousa's chances of a long managerial reign at QPR can hardly have been enhanced by a barren run that has produced only two wins in 11 League games, but his players are adamant he should be given time to 'get his message across'.
- Half a dozen managers have come and gone at QPR in the last 14 months but Republic of Ireland full back Damien Delaney, who headed in their first-half equaliser, insists he speaks for all the players in hoping the former Portugal star is not added to the disruptive procession of casualties.
- 'All the lads like and respect the manager and want him to be given time to put his ideas and methods into practice,' he said.
- Losing battle: Paulo Sousa is running out of time to convince QPR's bosses that he is the right man to guide them towards the Premier League after another loss
- 'He arrived in mid-season, which is always difficult, and he has had the job of trying to create stability after a lot of upheaval.
'This was only our second league defeat since early December and we all feel we are starting to get there as a team.'
- Sousa said he was instructed to build solid foundations in order to challenge for promotion next season but he added:
- 'We still have a chance of the play-offs this year. We have to go for it but it's difficult to be consistent while we are still building for the future....'
Daily Mail/Hatchet Man - QPR owners should give Sousa the time they were promising
- QPR’S owners have a chance over the next few months to prove they are not just trigger happy short-termists.
- After going through managers at a frightening rate, Paulo Sousa was brought in last November claiming that he had been hired for the long term.
Under pressure: Sousa has seen his side go on a poor run
For some reason, the young Portuguese insisted he would be given time to turn Rangers into a force for the Premier League in his first job in club management.
- Like Sousa’s title of first team coach rather than manager, it hardly seemed credible. He seemed naïve or deluded and already he is moving towards crunch time.
Rangers have not won in the last five matches and lots of talk already about hopes for next season must have eroded Sousa’s standing. The best he can aim at now is the play-offs, and that is beginning to look like an outside shot.
- QPR are six points off sixth place (and only nine above the relegation zone) and Sousa and his team must be making the owners’ trigger fingers itchy.
- But if they are not going to continue to be another set of clichéd, super-rich and impatient owners, they have to stand by the rookie they appointed
- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard. - Stats: QPR Current Form and Compared to Last Season
Also: Leeds/Ken Bates Financial "revelations"....Greatest British Managers List (Updated).....Spurs Didn't Practice Penalties Before Final
- First came messageboard questions/rumours...and a couple of articles in the Daily Mail and also another London Daily. Now this from Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times. Reminder: In the past fifteen months, John Gregory, Mick Harford, Luigi De Canio, Iain Dowie, Gareth Ainsworth and Paulo Sousa have all been in charge of the QPR team (although maybe not in charge of player recruitment) under Chairman Briatore.
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Play-off or pay-off for Paulo?
- DEFIANT Paulo Sousa believes QPR can still make the top six - even though his job hangs by a thread after Tuesday's defeat to Norwich.
- Sousa could be sacked if Rangers - now on their worst run of the season -fail to revive their flagging play-off hopes against Sheffield United on Saturday.
- Ruthless co-owner Flavio Briatore, who has already dismissed three managers in just 18 months, has made it clear that a third successive home loss will not be tolerated.
- Despite losing 1-0 to the struggling Canaries at a rain-soaked Loftus Road, Sousa insisted: "When you have the mathematical possibility, until that moment we need to believe.
- "Norwich made one shot and one goal. Sometimes football is like that - it doesn't give you what you deserve, but we lose with the heads held high.
- "We played great football with difficult conditions and I'm very proud of my team. When we start to score we will win the games, I have no doubt about that."
- Unfortunately Rangers fans are unlikely to share Sousa's confidence after watching a performance that was by no means their worst at home under the Portuguese, but still ranked as untidy and uninspiring.
- While Sousa is still popular with the majority of QPR supporters, the stark truth is that the team have gone NOWHERE since he took charge at the end of November.
- Rangers are actually a place lower in the table than they were when Sousa arrived and have taken 23 points from 18 league games in that time.
- In terms of points per game, that is an inferior return compared to the average during the brief reign of Iain Dowie - and, for that matter, the caretaker managership of Gareth Ainsworth. Kilburn Times
Two articles from the Daily Mail, published in the past few days:
Daily Mail/Neil Hallam - Give Sousa a chance, pleads Delaney
- Paulo Sousa's chances of a long managerial reign at QPR can hardly have been enhanced by a barren run that has produced only two wins in 11 League games, but his players are adamant he should be given time to 'get his message across'.
- Half a dozen managers have come and gone at QPR in the last 14 months but Republic of Ireland full back Damien Delaney, who headed in their first-half equaliser, insists he speaks for all the players in hoping the former Portugal star is not added to the disruptive procession of casualties.
- 'All the lads like and respect the manager and want him to be given time to put his ideas and methods into practice,' he said.
- Losing battle: Paulo Sousa is running out of time to convince QPR's bosses that he is the right man to guide them towards the Premier League after another loss
- 'He arrived in mid-season, which is always difficult, and he has had the job of trying to create stability after a lot of upheaval.
'This was only our second league defeat since early December and we all feel we are starting to get there as a team.'
- Sousa said he was instructed to build solid foundations in order to challenge for promotion next season but he added:
- 'We still have a chance of the play-offs this year. We have to go for it but it's difficult to be consistent while we are still building for the future....'
Daily Mail/Hatchet Man - QPR owners should give Sousa the time they were promising
- QPR’S owners have a chance over the next few months to prove they are not just trigger happy short-termists.
- After going through managers at a frightening rate, Paulo Sousa was brought in last November claiming that he had been hired for the long term.
Under pressure: Sousa has seen his side go on a poor run
For some reason, the young Portuguese insisted he would be given time to turn Rangers into a force for the Premier League in his first job in club management.
- Like Sousa’s title of first team coach rather than manager, it hardly seemed credible. He seemed naïve or deluded and already he is moving towards crunch time.
Rangers have not won in the last five matches and lots of talk already about hopes for next season must have eroded Sousa’s standing. The best he can aim at now is the play-offs, and that is beginning to look like an outside shot.
- QPR are six points off sixth place (and only nine above the relegation zone) and Sousa and his team must be making the owners’ trigger fingers itchy.
- But if they are not going to continue to be another set of clichéd, super-rich and impatient owners, they have to stand by the rookie they appointed
QPR's Norwich Loss: Reports and Managerial Comments
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- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard. - Leeds/Ken Bates Financial "revelations"....Greatest British Managers List (Updated).....Spurs Didn't Practice Penalties Before the Final.....Norwich have already Sold 17,000 2009/10 Season Tickets
- After taking 1 point from 4 games, with 11 games remaining - 1/4 of a season, QPR are now 7 and 8 points away from the available playoff spots - Table
QPR Official Site - PROUD IN DEFEAT
- Paulo Sousa refused to blame his players, as the R's succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Norwich City.
- Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Sousa said: "I'm proud of the players tonight.
- "We lost against Ipswich without playing well, but tonight was different, because we controlled the game and created a lot of opportunities.
- "Norwich made one chance and scored one goal.
-"We played good football in very, very difficult conditions, but didn't get what deserved.
- "We need to keep our heads up and re-group for Saturday."
- Despite the defeat, the R's gaffer refused to rule out the chances of Rangers competing for the play-off's, commenting: "When it's still mathematically possible, you have to believe.
- "The closer you are, the better, but of course we won't give up." QPR
Sporting Life - SOUSA DEFIANT AS PRESSURE MOUNTS
- Under-pressure QPR coach Paulo Sousa defended his side after they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Norwich.
- Darel Russell's 68th-minute winner gave City a massive boost in their battle to stay up, while putting another dent in the Londoners' bid to reach the play-offs.
- Rangers are without a victory in six games and have not won at home since December.
- Their season is in danger of petering out despite the high expectations of the club's Flavio Briatore-led board, but Sousa insisted: "I am very enthusiastic about my team and I'm proud of them.
- "We played great football and created a lot of opportunities.
- Norwich made one shot and one goal. Sometimes football is like that and you don't get what you deserve.
- "I have told my players I am not only proud of them when we win, but also when we lose, and I am proud of them tonight.
- "My team played very well. We lost, but we must have our heads held high. We did some great things."
- And Sousa refused to give up hope a top-six finish, saying: "When you have a mathematical chance, you need to think of the play-offs.
- "When you're closer to them it's better, but while we still have a chance we must believe."
Russell, playing in place of the axed Mark Fotheringham, profited from a defensive lapse and a mistake by keeper Radek Cerny.
After Lee Croft robbed R's defender Kaspar Gorkss, Wes Hoolahan pounced on the loose ball and found Russell, whose shot slipped through Cerny's hands and into the net.
Russell's goal - his fourth of the season - soothed Norwich's anger at being denied a first-half penalty after Croft had gone down in the area under a challenge from QPR's Spanish midfielder Jordi Lopez.
Referee Graham Scott initially pointed to the spot but changed his mind after consulting his assistant and instead awarded a corner.
Jubilant Norwich boss Bryan Gunn declared: "I'm relieved and proud. The players carried out what we asked of them.
"They could have let their heads drop after the penalty decision but they battled and got their just reward.
"It was a passionate, committed and battling performance. We knew QPR were a big, physical side that would ask us questions and the wet conditions also made things difficult.
"A lot of people have written us off and I've explained to the players that we might need to have a siege mentality. Hopefully, this result proves that we will battle.
"One question I asked the players was whether they'd thrown the towel in, and I think this performance shows that they haven't."
Fotheringham, meanwhile, is expected to join Preston on loan and Gunn conceded that the player's departure is "an option."
"I'll have a chat with Mark," Gunn added.
"It was decided that he wouldn't be in the travelling party for this game and we'll now discuss where we go from here - Sporting Life
NORWICH OFFICIAL SITE - GUNN PROUD OF PLAYERS AND FANS
- DEFIANT City boss Bryan Gunn praised his players and the travelling Yellow Army as the Canaries grabbed three precious points at Loftus Road thanks to a second-half strike from battling midfielder Darel Russell.
City toughed it out in the wind and rain in the capital to withstand heavy pressure from hosts QPR and grab the win - and Gunn says he was proud of the response from both his squad and the superb supporters in the away end.
- He told First News: "It's a fantastic result, with commitment and passion shown by the players. A lot of people wrote us off before the game, saying we're certs for relegation. We've had a chat with the players, they've had a chat amongst themselves which is good to know, and they really care about the situation we're in.
"We've not had the rub of the green recently, and tonight when we were awarded a penalty and then the decision was changed very quickly, I felt we were in for another night of mishaps. But the characters came through, the commitment was there and we knew it was going to be a battle - the height QPR have got will always cause problems in set plays, but each and every man stood up against that tonight.
- "Nights like this, the rain's still coming down and it's a horrible night, it takes character and commitment to come out here and put on a performance. The fans were a tremendous support - they got behind the players right from the first minute and that was important because some people have written us off and those travelling fans didn't."
- Tonight's gritty victory ended a run of seven games without a win since Gunn was appointed full-time manager and now the City boss is looking to take momentum into the next games, starting with Blackpool away on Saturday.
- He commented: "We need to put on a similar performance at Blackpool now, it's going to be a similar, tough game. It's one where if we reproduce what we showed tonight, we'll have a good chance of picking something up there. Then we need to get back to Carrow Road to show the fans we are in for the fight and we'll come away with as many points as we can. I hope this is the start of a run, there's no better place to start than here, we've shown character and we'll do things right now and prepare for Blackpool."
- City's Club Captain Mark Fotheringham was a notable absentee from the squad tonight and Gunn was asked what the future holds for the Scottish midfielder, with speculation today linking him with a possible loan move to Preston.
- Gunn said: "Mark and I decided it was probably best he didn't take part in tonight's game, we had that discussion on Monday morning and we'll talk again tomorrow. We'll see where the future lies from there, we need to make sure Norwich City comes first now.
- "Alan Irvine and I have spoken and we will continue those talks tomorrow. We're both at games tonight, and we'll chat in the morning and decide what happens from there."
- Gunn had called before the game for players to display passion and commitment at Loftus Road - and in goal hero Darel Russell a holder of those qualities stepped up to the plate when it mattered.
- "He's had a few knocks this season, he's been in and out of the team but we decided he was the right man for the job tonight. When someone produces a performances like that with a goal, it justifies his place in the team. Hopefully he can take confidence from that as hopefully the team will too. You couldn't fault the commitment from them and what they gave us tonight is what we expect for the rest of the season," said Gunn. Norwich
The Telegraph/Rob Kelly - Darel Russell gives Norwich new hope
- They may exist at the other end of football’s financial spectrum to QPR, but Norwich proved more than a match, on the pitch at least, for the cash-rich west Londoners, claiming a crucial win.
- Norwich, £20 million in debt and forced to deny last week that they are on the verge of going into administration, can only dream of the type of security owners Bernie Ecclestone, Lakshmi Mittal and Flavio Briatore have provided to QPR.
- Their situation, both on and off the pitch, is becoming more desperate with each passing week, and if they are to avoid becoming football’s latest victim of the global credit crisis, Championship survival must be a necessity.
- Having picked up seven points from a possible 33 prior to kick-off, Norwich did little to suggest they would improve on that during an uninspiring first half, in which Heidar Helguson and Dexter Blackstock both came close to giving QPR the lead.
- The hosts, also in desperate need of a win to aid their ailing play-off challenge, spurned a host of chances, with Helguson the guiltiest party, heading wide from six yards out in the 48th minute.
- In a game devoid of any real quality, Mikele Leigertwood’s brilliant curling 30-yard effort came as a welcome – if temporary – relief, but Norwich goalkeeper David Marshall acrobatically palmed it around a post. It was a pivotal moment. With both clubs’ defences struggling with the wind and rain, it was QPR who cracked as Wes Hoolahan took advantage of a slip by Kaspars Gorkss to set up Darel Russell, who drove home from the edge of the area.
- Despite their increasingly desperate forays forward, QPR could find no way through a resolute Norwich backline, who valiantly held on to record a victory that breathes new life into their battle against relegation.
- Year two of Briatore’s four-year plan to restore Rangers to the Premier League shows no signs of reaping the rewards its billionaire backers crave. Telegraph
QPR Official Site
- In tricky conditions, a hard-working and dominant QPR were undone by a moment of misfortune as Darel Russell's goal handed Norwich City all three points.
- Controlling throughout, the R's created a host of chances, but could not apply the final touches to some brilliant passing moves and slick attacking play.
- Heidar Helguson and Kaspars Gorkss had the best of the Rangers' chances, but both failed to test visiting keeper David Marshall with headers, with the former firing wide from close range in the opening two minutes.
- Jordi López, on his full debut, also went close with a 30-yard free-kick that fizzed inches wide.
- But ultimately, the R's could count themselves unfortunate against a side scrapping for every single point as they battle for survival.
- In response to the defeat at Barnsley, Manager Paulo Sousa made one change to his starting line-up. In came López for his full debut, in a diamond midfield. Mikele Leigertwood made up the base, Miller partnered López on either side, and Wayne Routledge took up position on the tip.
- The usual suspects made up the R's back-line, Radek Cerny in goal, Matt Connolly at right back, Damien Delaney on the left, and Gorkss partnering Damion Stewart at the heart of the defence.
- Up top, Helguson joined Rangers' leading scorer Dexter Blackstock.
- The R's started brightly, and Helguson should've opened the scoring as early as the second minute. Neat build-up play allowed López to dink a ball over the top of Jonathan Grounds for the Iceland striker to nip in. But, with only keeper Marshall to beat, he poked his shot wide of the target.
- Grounds nearly made amends for his minor lapse by delivering a fine cross from left-back squarely onto the head of Carl Cort but the towering striker powered his header straight at Cerny.
- The R's however, were in no mood to allow the visitors time to build on that attack and nearly took the lead again through López. When Helguson won a free-kick 30 yards out, up stepped the Spaniard confidently to blast it narrowly wide.
- Rangers were firmly in their stride, and Blackstock went close next. Breaking from their own half, Miller played in the front-man, who took a touch before attempting to curl a shot around Marshall from the edge of the box. Unfortunately a crucial touch from Jason Shackell took it spinning wide.
- Rangers continued to dominate, with López in particular pulling strings in the midfield. The only thing missing was the final ball.
- For all their hard work, Rangers were nearly undone by a moment of controversy. When Lee Croft tried to drive in behind the R's defence, a well-executed sliding tackle from López appeared to halt his run. However, referee Mr Scott pointed to the spot to the surprise of the Loftus Road crowd.
- Bizarrely, however, after a quick consultation with his linesman, Mr Scott, then reversed his decision, much to the disbelief of the Norwich players.
- Spurred on by their narrow escape, Rangers looked to take the lead with renewed vigour. A López corner wasn't properly dealt with by the Canaries' defence and Routledge sent a looping header towards goal.
- Eager to make up for not dealing with it first time around, Gary Doherty rescued Norwich with a desperate block on the line, allowing Marshall to smother.
- The second half carried on the theme from the first, Norwich setting their stall with two banks of four, inviting Rangers to try and break through. Helguson very nearly did just that from a Routledge free-kick, but he failed to hit the target with his header.
- That was quickly followed by Leigertwood crashing a long range drive swerving with interest towards Marshall's goal. The Norwich custodian was equal to it, producing a strong double-handed save to send it over the bar.
- Despite the second period very much belonging to Rangers, Wes Hoolahan nearly made the R's pay for squandering their chances. Seizing on an error from Gorkss, the diminutive midfielder tried to find an angle to shoot, and when he did get his effort away, their was the Latvian to block.
- Leigertwood found Delaney out on the left, seconds later, as Rangers hit back, and the Irishman's cross found the flying Helguson, but again, the R's striker failed to find the net.
- It proved costly. In a moment of madness, the retreating Stewart played the ball to Gorkss in an equally dangerous position and when he was robbed by Hoolahan, the Canaries' winger teed up Russell to shoot.
- The shot should've been dealt with by Cerny, but due to the slippery conditions, the ball squirmed away from the Czech keeper and bobbled into the net.
- In response, Sousa shuffled his pack, introducing Hogan Ephraim and Samuel Di Carmine at the expense of Miller and Helguson.
- The former very nearly made an instant impact. Picking up the ball on the right, his left-foot in-swinging cross found Gorkss lurking at the back post, but, with Marshall scrambling, the big defender failed to garner enough power on his header, and the Norwich stopper saved comfortably.
- Continuing to press, Rangers right-back Connolly saw an effort from 25 yards easily saved by Marshall, but still the R's could not find a way past a determined yellow back line.
- In the latest assault, Blackstock and Stewart conspired to get in each other's way, the former poking an effort wide from close range.
- On came Fitz Hall in the closing stages, for Gorkss, but still the R's could not find a way through.
- Rangers had played extraordinarily well, but had just missed that crucial bit of luck they needed to kill off the resilient Canaries, and it remained 1-0.
-R: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Blackstock, Gorkss (Hall 87), Connolly, Miller (Ephraim 68), López, Helguson (Di Carmine 74). Subs: Mahon, Alberti.
- wich City: Marshall, Otsemobor, Shackell, Croft, Clingan, Doherty, Hoolahan (Gow 69), Grounds, Russell, Bertrand, Cort. Subs: Nelson, Carney, Lappin, McDonald.
Goals: Russell (68) Bookings: Bertrand (80) - 13, 533 - QPR
Norwich Official Site
WIRLING wind and rain set the scene for a game filled with heart-stopping moments in which Darel Russell gaining City three precious points.
- The weather did nothing to aid either side control the ball in a first half which saw a penalty decision overturned for the Canaries and a goal-line drama which left the home crowd distraught.
- The game got off to a lively start with both teams seeing half-chances come their way, QPR's Heidar Helguson dragging his shot wide of the far post early into the match.
- The hosts came a little too close for comfort in the 11th minute, when Jordi Lopez's free-kick from 30-yards flew just wide of the Norwich post. Moments later Dexter Blackstock's shot from the box was blocked by Jason Shackell and the ball looped up and sailed just over the crossbar.
With QPR sustaining pressure deep in the City half, the Canaries defended manfully with good aerial work from Gary Doherty and Carl Cort who headed away a number of efforts from the home side.
In a dramatic twist in the 32nd minute, referee Mr G Scott awarded the Canaries a penalty when he adjudged Lee Croft to have been brought down by Jordi Lopez, after the midfielder surged into the box. The visitors' delight was short-lived when, after consulting with the linesman, the man in black reversed his decision and gave Norwich a corner to the shock of the City players.
A heart-in-mouth moment in the 41st moment came when a QPR corner came in from the right, hit City defender Shackell on the leg and looped goalwards. Croft came across, blocking it on the line and Marshall dived to gather on the line despite cries of 'goal!' from the home supporters.
Half-Time: QPR 0 City 0
Ryan Bertrand challenging at Loftus Road
Te Canary 'keeper was called into action early on in the second half, palming away Mikele Leigertwood's looping effort which was on-target for the top right-hand corner.
Marshall created another pulse-racing moment in the 52nd minute when his free-kick sailed the length of the pitch, dropping just wide of Radek Cerny's goal.
City's Darel Russell grabbed a priceless goal 68 minutes in - Croft gained possession in the box after pressurising Kaspars Gorkss and sent the ball to the awaiting Hoolahan. The Irishman jinked it to Darel Russell and the midfielder's side-footed effort blasted through the hapless QPR stopper from 12-yards.
Soon after Gorkss sent a header straight towards Marshall at his near post, only for the Canary stopper to confidently push the centre-back's attempt away to safety.
The Canaries held firm despite the home side applying further pressure, and Bryan Gunn's squad defied the elements in added time to return to Norfolk three points the richer. Norwich
The Sun - QPR 0 Norwich 1
- ULO SOUSA refused to blame calamity keeper Radek Cerny for scuppering QPR’s play-off dreams.
- The Czech star gifted Norwich their first win in eight games when he allowed Darel Russell’s 68th-minute shot to slip through his hands.
Yet chief Sousa insisted: “When a team has one shot and scores everyone has to take the blame because we should’ve done better for that goal.”
Norwich boss Bryan Gunn said: “I’m proud of my players because they didn’t let their heads drop. The Sun
The Daily Mail QPR 0 Norwich 1: Cerny hands Gunn's men a lifeline By Ian Gibb
Darel Russell's freak 68th-minute goal all but put paid to QPR's fading play-off hopes and threw secondbottom Norwich a vital lifeline in their battle to avoid relegation.
Rangers are still to win a home game this year and the difficult conditions ruined the passing game that head coach Paulo Sousa prefers, with too many passes being over-hit.
Yellow peril: Darel Russell celebrates scoring the winning goal for Norwich City
But surprisingly Sousa insisted he was happy with his team's performance, saying: 'I'm proud of them all as they kept their heads up and kept trying to play good football.'
Norwich are just a bunch of honest toilers and their winner came after blunder by QPR's Czech Republic goalkeeper Radek Cerny.
Russell did not get much power into his shot from Wes Hoolahan's pass but the ball seemed to go right through the keeper's hands and into the net.
Norwich will claim justice was done as rookie referee Graham Scott had awarded them a penalty after a Jordi Lopez challenge on Lee Croft in the 32nd minute, only to take away the spot-kick and award a corner instead following talks with an assistant.
Norwich boss Bryan Gunn said: 'I asked the players if they had thrown the towel in after Saturday's home defeat by Coventry. The response I got tonight has certainly answered that.
'A lot of people have written us off, so we'll develop a siege mentality. The referee got the penalty reversal wrong as he will see when he looks at the video.' Daily Mail
BBC
1 Wolverhampton 36 21 67
2 Reading 34 30 62
3 Birmingham 35 10 61
4 Cardiff 33 16 56
5 Preston 36 3 56
6 Sheff Utd 34 15 55
7 Burnley 36 0 55
8 Bristol City 35 7 54
9 Swansea 35 13 53
10 Ipswich 36 7 50
11 QPR 35 0 48
12 Sheff Wed 36 -8 48
13 Coventry 34 -1 47
14 Doncaster 35 -9 46
15 Crystal Palace 34 2 44
16 Derby 34 -4 42
17 Plymouth 36 -11 42
18 Nottm Forest 36 -12 40
19 Watford 34 -6 39
20 Barnsley 34 -12 39
21 Blackpool 36 -15 39
22 Southampton 35 -15 37
23 Norwich 36 -9 36
24 Charlton 35 -22 27
BBC
- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard. - Leeds/Ken Bates Financial "revelations"....Greatest British Managers List (Updated).....Spurs Didn't Practice Penalties Before the Final.....Norwich have already Sold 17,000 2009/10 Season Tickets
- After taking 1 point from 4 games, with 11 games remaining - 1/4 of a season, QPR are now 7 and 8 points away from the available playoff spots - Table
QPR Official Site - PROUD IN DEFEAT
- Paulo Sousa refused to blame his players, as the R's succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Norwich City.
- Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Sousa said: "I'm proud of the players tonight.
- "We lost against Ipswich without playing well, but tonight was different, because we controlled the game and created a lot of opportunities.
- "Norwich made one chance and scored one goal.
-"We played good football in very, very difficult conditions, but didn't get what deserved.
- "We need to keep our heads up and re-group for Saturday."
- Despite the defeat, the R's gaffer refused to rule out the chances of Rangers competing for the play-off's, commenting: "When it's still mathematically possible, you have to believe.
- "The closer you are, the better, but of course we won't give up." QPR
Sporting Life - SOUSA DEFIANT AS PRESSURE MOUNTS
- Under-pressure QPR coach Paulo Sousa defended his side after they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Norwich.
- Darel Russell's 68th-minute winner gave City a massive boost in their battle to stay up, while putting another dent in the Londoners' bid to reach the play-offs.
- Rangers are without a victory in six games and have not won at home since December.
- Their season is in danger of petering out despite the high expectations of the club's Flavio Briatore-led board, but Sousa insisted: "I am very enthusiastic about my team and I'm proud of them.
- "We played great football and created a lot of opportunities.
- Norwich made one shot and one goal. Sometimes football is like that and you don't get what you deserve.
- "I have told my players I am not only proud of them when we win, but also when we lose, and I am proud of them tonight.
- "My team played very well. We lost, but we must have our heads held high. We did some great things."
- And Sousa refused to give up hope a top-six finish, saying: "When you have a mathematical chance, you need to think of the play-offs.
- "When you're closer to them it's better, but while we still have a chance we must believe."
Russell, playing in place of the axed Mark Fotheringham, profited from a defensive lapse and a mistake by keeper Radek Cerny.
After Lee Croft robbed R's defender Kaspar Gorkss, Wes Hoolahan pounced on the loose ball and found Russell, whose shot slipped through Cerny's hands and into the net.
Russell's goal - his fourth of the season - soothed Norwich's anger at being denied a first-half penalty after Croft had gone down in the area under a challenge from QPR's Spanish midfielder Jordi Lopez.
Referee Graham Scott initially pointed to the spot but changed his mind after consulting his assistant and instead awarded a corner.
Jubilant Norwich boss Bryan Gunn declared: "I'm relieved and proud. The players carried out what we asked of them.
"They could have let their heads drop after the penalty decision but they battled and got their just reward.
"It was a passionate, committed and battling performance. We knew QPR were a big, physical side that would ask us questions and the wet conditions also made things difficult.
"A lot of people have written us off and I've explained to the players that we might need to have a siege mentality. Hopefully, this result proves that we will battle.
"One question I asked the players was whether they'd thrown the towel in, and I think this performance shows that they haven't."
Fotheringham, meanwhile, is expected to join Preston on loan and Gunn conceded that the player's departure is "an option."
"I'll have a chat with Mark," Gunn added.
"It was decided that he wouldn't be in the travelling party for this game and we'll now discuss where we go from here - Sporting Life
NORWICH OFFICIAL SITE - GUNN PROUD OF PLAYERS AND FANS
- DEFIANT City boss Bryan Gunn praised his players and the travelling Yellow Army as the Canaries grabbed three precious points at Loftus Road thanks to a second-half strike from battling midfielder Darel Russell.
City toughed it out in the wind and rain in the capital to withstand heavy pressure from hosts QPR and grab the win - and Gunn says he was proud of the response from both his squad and the superb supporters in the away end.
- He told First News: "It's a fantastic result, with commitment and passion shown by the players. A lot of people wrote us off before the game, saying we're certs for relegation. We've had a chat with the players, they've had a chat amongst themselves which is good to know, and they really care about the situation we're in.
"We've not had the rub of the green recently, and tonight when we were awarded a penalty and then the decision was changed very quickly, I felt we were in for another night of mishaps. But the characters came through, the commitment was there and we knew it was going to be a battle - the height QPR have got will always cause problems in set plays, but each and every man stood up against that tonight.
- "Nights like this, the rain's still coming down and it's a horrible night, it takes character and commitment to come out here and put on a performance. The fans were a tremendous support - they got behind the players right from the first minute and that was important because some people have written us off and those travelling fans didn't."
- Tonight's gritty victory ended a run of seven games without a win since Gunn was appointed full-time manager and now the City boss is looking to take momentum into the next games, starting with Blackpool away on Saturday.
- He commented: "We need to put on a similar performance at Blackpool now, it's going to be a similar, tough game. It's one where if we reproduce what we showed tonight, we'll have a good chance of picking something up there. Then we need to get back to Carrow Road to show the fans we are in for the fight and we'll come away with as many points as we can. I hope this is the start of a run, there's no better place to start than here, we've shown character and we'll do things right now and prepare for Blackpool."
- City's Club Captain Mark Fotheringham was a notable absentee from the squad tonight and Gunn was asked what the future holds for the Scottish midfielder, with speculation today linking him with a possible loan move to Preston.
- Gunn said: "Mark and I decided it was probably best he didn't take part in tonight's game, we had that discussion on Monday morning and we'll talk again tomorrow. We'll see where the future lies from there, we need to make sure Norwich City comes first now.
- "Alan Irvine and I have spoken and we will continue those talks tomorrow. We're both at games tonight, and we'll chat in the morning and decide what happens from there."
- Gunn had called before the game for players to display passion and commitment at Loftus Road - and in goal hero Darel Russell a holder of those qualities stepped up to the plate when it mattered.
- "He's had a few knocks this season, he's been in and out of the team but we decided he was the right man for the job tonight. When someone produces a performances like that with a goal, it justifies his place in the team. Hopefully he can take confidence from that as hopefully the team will too. You couldn't fault the commitment from them and what they gave us tonight is what we expect for the rest of the season," said Gunn. Norwich
The Telegraph/Rob Kelly - Darel Russell gives Norwich new hope
- They may exist at the other end of football’s financial spectrum to QPR, but Norwich proved more than a match, on the pitch at least, for the cash-rich west Londoners, claiming a crucial win.
- Norwich, £20 million in debt and forced to deny last week that they are on the verge of going into administration, can only dream of the type of security owners Bernie Ecclestone, Lakshmi Mittal and Flavio Briatore have provided to QPR.
- Their situation, both on and off the pitch, is becoming more desperate with each passing week, and if they are to avoid becoming football’s latest victim of the global credit crisis, Championship survival must be a necessity.
- Having picked up seven points from a possible 33 prior to kick-off, Norwich did little to suggest they would improve on that during an uninspiring first half, in which Heidar Helguson and Dexter Blackstock both came close to giving QPR the lead.
- The hosts, also in desperate need of a win to aid their ailing play-off challenge, spurned a host of chances, with Helguson the guiltiest party, heading wide from six yards out in the 48th minute.
- In a game devoid of any real quality, Mikele Leigertwood’s brilliant curling 30-yard effort came as a welcome – if temporary – relief, but Norwich goalkeeper David Marshall acrobatically palmed it around a post. It was a pivotal moment. With both clubs’ defences struggling with the wind and rain, it was QPR who cracked as Wes Hoolahan took advantage of a slip by Kaspars Gorkss to set up Darel Russell, who drove home from the edge of the area.
- Despite their increasingly desperate forays forward, QPR could find no way through a resolute Norwich backline, who valiantly held on to record a victory that breathes new life into their battle against relegation.
- Year two of Briatore’s four-year plan to restore Rangers to the Premier League shows no signs of reaping the rewards its billionaire backers crave. Telegraph
QPR Official Site
- In tricky conditions, a hard-working and dominant QPR were undone by a moment of misfortune as Darel Russell's goal handed Norwich City all three points.
- Controlling throughout, the R's created a host of chances, but could not apply the final touches to some brilliant passing moves and slick attacking play.
- Heidar Helguson and Kaspars Gorkss had the best of the Rangers' chances, but both failed to test visiting keeper David Marshall with headers, with the former firing wide from close range in the opening two minutes.
- Jordi López, on his full debut, also went close with a 30-yard free-kick that fizzed inches wide.
- But ultimately, the R's could count themselves unfortunate against a side scrapping for every single point as they battle for survival.
- In response to the defeat at Barnsley, Manager Paulo Sousa made one change to his starting line-up. In came López for his full debut, in a diamond midfield. Mikele Leigertwood made up the base, Miller partnered López on either side, and Wayne Routledge took up position on the tip.
- The usual suspects made up the R's back-line, Radek Cerny in goal, Matt Connolly at right back, Damien Delaney on the left, and Gorkss partnering Damion Stewart at the heart of the defence.
- Up top, Helguson joined Rangers' leading scorer Dexter Blackstock.
- The R's started brightly, and Helguson should've opened the scoring as early as the second minute. Neat build-up play allowed López to dink a ball over the top of Jonathan Grounds for the Iceland striker to nip in. But, with only keeper Marshall to beat, he poked his shot wide of the target.
- Grounds nearly made amends for his minor lapse by delivering a fine cross from left-back squarely onto the head of Carl Cort but the towering striker powered his header straight at Cerny.
- The R's however, were in no mood to allow the visitors time to build on that attack and nearly took the lead again through López. When Helguson won a free-kick 30 yards out, up stepped the Spaniard confidently to blast it narrowly wide.
- Rangers were firmly in their stride, and Blackstock went close next. Breaking from their own half, Miller played in the front-man, who took a touch before attempting to curl a shot around Marshall from the edge of the box. Unfortunately a crucial touch from Jason Shackell took it spinning wide.
- Rangers continued to dominate, with López in particular pulling strings in the midfield. The only thing missing was the final ball.
- For all their hard work, Rangers were nearly undone by a moment of controversy. When Lee Croft tried to drive in behind the R's defence, a well-executed sliding tackle from López appeared to halt his run. However, referee Mr Scott pointed to the spot to the surprise of the Loftus Road crowd.
- Bizarrely, however, after a quick consultation with his linesman, Mr Scott, then reversed his decision, much to the disbelief of the Norwich players.
- Spurred on by their narrow escape, Rangers looked to take the lead with renewed vigour. A López corner wasn't properly dealt with by the Canaries' defence and Routledge sent a looping header towards goal.
- Eager to make up for not dealing with it first time around, Gary Doherty rescued Norwich with a desperate block on the line, allowing Marshall to smother.
- The second half carried on the theme from the first, Norwich setting their stall with two banks of four, inviting Rangers to try and break through. Helguson very nearly did just that from a Routledge free-kick, but he failed to hit the target with his header.
- That was quickly followed by Leigertwood crashing a long range drive swerving with interest towards Marshall's goal. The Norwich custodian was equal to it, producing a strong double-handed save to send it over the bar.
- Despite the second period very much belonging to Rangers, Wes Hoolahan nearly made the R's pay for squandering their chances. Seizing on an error from Gorkss, the diminutive midfielder tried to find an angle to shoot, and when he did get his effort away, their was the Latvian to block.
- Leigertwood found Delaney out on the left, seconds later, as Rangers hit back, and the Irishman's cross found the flying Helguson, but again, the R's striker failed to find the net.
- It proved costly. In a moment of madness, the retreating Stewart played the ball to Gorkss in an equally dangerous position and when he was robbed by Hoolahan, the Canaries' winger teed up Russell to shoot.
- The shot should've been dealt with by Cerny, but due to the slippery conditions, the ball squirmed away from the Czech keeper and bobbled into the net.
- In response, Sousa shuffled his pack, introducing Hogan Ephraim and Samuel Di Carmine at the expense of Miller and Helguson.
- The former very nearly made an instant impact. Picking up the ball on the right, his left-foot in-swinging cross found Gorkss lurking at the back post, but, with Marshall scrambling, the big defender failed to garner enough power on his header, and the Norwich stopper saved comfortably.
- Continuing to press, Rangers right-back Connolly saw an effort from 25 yards easily saved by Marshall, but still the R's could not find a way past a determined yellow back line.
- In the latest assault, Blackstock and Stewart conspired to get in each other's way, the former poking an effort wide from close range.
- On came Fitz Hall in the closing stages, for Gorkss, but still the R's could not find a way through.
- Rangers had played extraordinarily well, but had just missed that crucial bit of luck they needed to kill off the resilient Canaries, and it remained 1-0.
-R: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Blackstock, Gorkss (Hall 87), Connolly, Miller (Ephraim 68), López, Helguson (Di Carmine 74). Subs: Mahon, Alberti.
- wich City: Marshall, Otsemobor, Shackell, Croft, Clingan, Doherty, Hoolahan (Gow 69), Grounds, Russell, Bertrand, Cort. Subs: Nelson, Carney, Lappin, McDonald.
Goals: Russell (68) Bookings: Bertrand (80) - 13, 533 - QPR
Norwich Official Site
WIRLING wind and rain set the scene for a game filled with heart-stopping moments in which Darel Russell gaining City three precious points.
- The weather did nothing to aid either side control the ball in a first half which saw a penalty decision overturned for the Canaries and a goal-line drama which left the home crowd distraught.
- The game got off to a lively start with both teams seeing half-chances come their way, QPR's Heidar Helguson dragging his shot wide of the far post early into the match.
- The hosts came a little too close for comfort in the 11th minute, when Jordi Lopez's free-kick from 30-yards flew just wide of the Norwich post. Moments later Dexter Blackstock's shot from the box was blocked by Jason Shackell and the ball looped up and sailed just over the crossbar.
With QPR sustaining pressure deep in the City half, the Canaries defended manfully with good aerial work from Gary Doherty and Carl Cort who headed away a number of efforts from the home side.
In a dramatic twist in the 32nd minute, referee Mr G Scott awarded the Canaries a penalty when he adjudged Lee Croft to have been brought down by Jordi Lopez, after the midfielder surged into the box. The visitors' delight was short-lived when, after consulting with the linesman, the man in black reversed his decision and gave Norwich a corner to the shock of the City players.
A heart-in-mouth moment in the 41st moment came when a QPR corner came in from the right, hit City defender Shackell on the leg and looped goalwards. Croft came across, blocking it on the line and Marshall dived to gather on the line despite cries of 'goal!' from the home supporters.
Half-Time: QPR 0 City 0
Ryan Bertrand challenging at Loftus Road
Te Canary 'keeper was called into action early on in the second half, palming away Mikele Leigertwood's looping effort which was on-target for the top right-hand corner.
Marshall created another pulse-racing moment in the 52nd minute when his free-kick sailed the length of the pitch, dropping just wide of Radek Cerny's goal.
City's Darel Russell grabbed a priceless goal 68 minutes in - Croft gained possession in the box after pressurising Kaspars Gorkss and sent the ball to the awaiting Hoolahan. The Irishman jinked it to Darel Russell and the midfielder's side-footed effort blasted through the hapless QPR stopper from 12-yards.
Soon after Gorkss sent a header straight towards Marshall at his near post, only for the Canary stopper to confidently push the centre-back's attempt away to safety.
The Canaries held firm despite the home side applying further pressure, and Bryan Gunn's squad defied the elements in added time to return to Norfolk three points the richer. Norwich
The Sun - QPR 0 Norwich 1
- ULO SOUSA refused to blame calamity keeper Radek Cerny for scuppering QPR’s play-off dreams.
- The Czech star gifted Norwich their first win in eight games when he allowed Darel Russell’s 68th-minute shot to slip through his hands.
Yet chief Sousa insisted: “When a team has one shot and scores everyone has to take the blame because we should’ve done better for that goal.”
Norwich boss Bryan Gunn said: “I’m proud of my players because they didn’t let their heads drop. The Sun
The Daily Mail QPR 0 Norwich 1: Cerny hands Gunn's men a lifeline By Ian Gibb
Darel Russell's freak 68th-minute goal all but put paid to QPR's fading play-off hopes and threw secondbottom Norwich a vital lifeline in their battle to avoid relegation.
Rangers are still to win a home game this year and the difficult conditions ruined the passing game that head coach Paulo Sousa prefers, with too many passes being over-hit.
Yellow peril: Darel Russell celebrates scoring the winning goal for Norwich City
But surprisingly Sousa insisted he was happy with his team's performance, saying: 'I'm proud of them all as they kept their heads up and kept trying to play good football.'
Norwich are just a bunch of honest toilers and their winner came after blunder by QPR's Czech Republic goalkeeper Radek Cerny.
Russell did not get much power into his shot from Wes Hoolahan's pass but the ball seemed to go right through the keeper's hands and into the net.
Norwich will claim justice was done as rookie referee Graham Scott had awarded them a penalty after a Jordi Lopez challenge on Lee Croft in the 32nd minute, only to take away the spot-kick and award a corner instead following talks with an assistant.
Norwich boss Bryan Gunn said: 'I asked the players if they had thrown the towel in after Saturday's home defeat by Coventry. The response I got tonight has certainly answered that.
'A lot of people have written us off, so we'll develop a siege mentality. The referee got the penalty reversal wrong as he will see when he looks at the video.' Daily Mail
BBC
1 Wolverhampton 36 21 67
2 Reading 34 30 62
3 Birmingham 35 10 61
4 Cardiff 33 16 56
5 Preston 36 3 56
6 Sheff Utd 34 15 55
7 Burnley 36 0 55
8 Bristol City 35 7 54
9 Swansea 35 13 53
10 Ipswich 36 7 50
11 QPR 35 0 48
12 Sheff Wed 36 -8 48
13 Coventry 34 -1 47
14 Doncaster 35 -9 46
15 Crystal Palace 34 2 44
16 Derby 34 -4 42
17 Plymouth 36 -11 42
18 Nottm Forest 36 -12 40
19 Watford 34 -6 39
20 Barnsley 34 -12 39
21 Blackpool 36 -15 39
22 Southampton 35 -15 37
23 Norwich 36 -9 36
24 Charlton 35 -22 27
BBC
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Teams: QPR vs Norwich
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- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard.
Tonight's Teams
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Blackstock, Gorkss, Connolly, Miller, Lopez, Helguson.
Subs: Mahon, Hall, Alberti, Di Carmine, Ephraim.
Norwich City: Marshall, Otsemobor, Shackell, Croft, Clingan, Doherty, Hoolahan, Grounds, Russell, Bertrand, Cort.
Subs: Nelson, Carney, Gow, Lappin, McDonald
- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard.
Tonight's Teams
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Blackstock, Gorkss, Connolly, Miller, Lopez, Helguson.
Subs: Mahon, Hall, Alberti, Di Carmine, Ephraim.
Norwich City: Marshall, Otsemobor, Shackell, Croft, Clingan, Doherty, Hoolahan, Grounds, Russell, Bertrand, Cort.
Subs: Nelson, Carney, Gow, Lappin, McDonald
Briatore Comparing English and Italian Attitudes to Referees
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- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard.Latest: February Manager of The Month Shortlist.....Injured Military Personnel to be at Wembley Playoffs.....What Other Clubs' Are Doing re Season Ticket Prices.....Greatest Managers in British History.....Sol Campbell on Racism in Football.....Study: Bigger Teams Do Better
Goal.com - - Chief Briatore: In England We Don't Even Know Referees' Names
- QPR supremo Flavio Briatore has drawn attention to the differences between Italian and English attitudes to referees...
- Flavio Briatore, the Italian businessman associated with the Benetton Formula 1 team, and more recently with Queens Park Rangers, has done his best to show that the treatment of referees in Italy is unjust.
- La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that he was surprised, when he became involved with English football, at how differently officials were seen.
- “They spoke about the Inter penalty for two hours, without talking about the game, which was a fantastic one,” Briatore said.
- “This kind of thing does not happen in England, because we hardly know who the referee is, and the moviola, [continuous replaying of an important foul or decision in super slow motion] does not exist.
- “It’s not as if people don’t make mistakes in England,” the impresario continued, “but it’s not such a big deal over here. The replaying system does not exist in France or Spain either, it is exclusively an Italian [thing].
- “Managers get to leave the ground 15 minutes after the final whistle here, but there, they are kept hanging about for two hours talking about a penalty.”
- Simone Finaldi, Goal.com
- For a purely football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard.Latest: February Manager of The Month Shortlist.....Injured Military Personnel to be at Wembley Playoffs.....What Other Clubs' Are Doing re Season Ticket Prices.....Greatest Managers in British History.....Sol Campbell on Racism in Football.....Study: Bigger Teams Do Better
Goal.com - - Chief Briatore: In England We Don't Even Know Referees' Names
- QPR supremo Flavio Briatore has drawn attention to the differences between Italian and English attitudes to referees...
- Flavio Briatore, the Italian businessman associated with the Benetton Formula 1 team, and more recently with Queens Park Rangers, has done his best to show that the treatment of referees in Italy is unjust.
- La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that he was surprised, when he became involved with English football, at how differently officials were seen.
- “They spoke about the Inter penalty for two hours, without talking about the game, which was a fantastic one,” Briatore said.
- “This kind of thing does not happen in England, because we hardly know who the referee is, and the moviola, [continuous replaying of an important foul or decision in super slow motion] does not exist.
- “It’s not as if people don’t make mistakes in England,” the impresario continued, “but it’s not such a big deal over here. The replaying system does not exist in France or Spain either, it is exclusively an Italian [thing].
- “Managers get to leave the ground 15 minutes after the final whistle here, but there, they are kept hanging about for two hours talking about a penalty.”
- Simone Finaldi, Goal.com
QPR vs Norwich Preview
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For a pure football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard.Latest: February Manager of The Month Shortlist.....Injured Military Personnel to be at Wembley Playoffs.....What Other Clubs' Are Doing re Season Ticket Prices.....Greatest Managers in British History.....Sol Campbell on Racism in Football.....Study: Bigger Teams Do Better
QPR vs Norwich
- It's QPR vs Norwich at Loftus Road tonight, with Norwich having one win in their last 11 league games - and without a win since mid-January. On Saturday, while QPR were crashing at Barnsley; Norwich were losing at home to Coventry. This season, Norwich's away record is 2 away wins, 4 draws and 11 defeats.
- Norwich Stats Norwich have Jamie Cureton available (full squad)!
- Over the years, there have been some disappointing results for QPR against Norwich - beyond merely THE 1975/76 game! Head to Head: QPR vs Norwich Results Over The Years
-QPR have a chance for a rare double this season, having won 1-0 at Norwich in September (under Iain Dowie), with 10 men against the game against a Norwich at the time managed by Glen Roeder. Match Reports. The two teams:
- QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon, Leigertwood, Blackstock (Agyemang 77) , Rowlands (C), Ramage, Connolly, Cook (Gorkss 30), Ledesma (Buszaky 82). Subs not used: Camp, Parejo
- NORWICH: Marshall, Kennedy (Grounds 63), Stefanovic, Sibierski, Hoolahan (Cureton 66), Fotheringham (C), Lupoli (Croft 45), Russell, Bertrand, Omozusi, Pattison. Subs not used: Nelson, Koroma
Paul Warburton/London Informer - QPR boss debates strike force for Norwich
- QPR boss Paulo Sousa’s major headache is whether to gamble with two strikers again at tomorrow night’s crucial home match with Norwich.
- The double-pronged attack, the first 4-4-2 system used by the manager at the start of a match since his arrival in November, failed at Barnsley on Saturday where Rangers lost 2-1.
- Neither Heidar Helguson nor Dexter Blackstock could unlock the Tykes’ door, and even a belated cameo from Sammy Di Carmine failed to make the long journey home less of a slog.
- Sousa has always preferred the lone Ranger as his spearhead, and may yet return to the tried-and-tested formula that saw Rangers lose only once in 12 prior to Barnsley.
- The Hoops have slipped to 11th – but are still only six points outside the last play-off spot. London Informer
QPR OFFICIAL SITE MATCHDAY PREVIEW: CANARIES
- As the business end of the Coca Cola Championship season looms ever closer, its bite your nails time for everyone connected to Norwich City Football Club.
- The Canaries currently occupy one of the three relegation berths in the second tier, and it's that alarming statistic that continues to cause a great deal of anxiety in East Anglia.
- After a disappointing start to the season - which yielded just a solitary victory from their opening seven fixtures in all competitions - City have continued to struggle.
- Glenn Roeder ultimately paid the price for their poor form, with the former Rangers midfielder being relieved of his duties in mid-January following their FA Cup exit to fellow Championship strugglers Charlton Athletic.
- Canaries' legend Bryan Gunn was appointed on a temporary basis and following a 4-0 thrashing of Barnsley, the former Scotland international goalkeeper was handed the reins until the end of the season.
- That victory against the Tykes proved to be something of a false dawn, however, with Gunn's charges continuing to flatter to deceive ever since.
- Defeats to Bristol City and Preston North End in recent weeks, coupled with Saturday's 2-1 home loss to Coventry City, have piled on the misery at Carrow Road and former R's hit-man Jamie Cureton believes each and every player is now playing for their future.
- "Our futures are on the line," he said recently.
- "I dropped out with the Club in the Premier League and we have never been back since."
- Whilst the Premier League remains a million miles away at present, it's City proximity to the third tier of English Football that has Gunn et al on tenterhooks.
- Indeed, speaking following last weekend's 1-1 draw with play-off chasing Burnley, the Canaries gaffer set the record straight to his side.
- "We have 12 Cup finals left and we need to win more of them than we lose or draw to stay up.
- "I think we will do it and I think the players believe that."
- Belief is one thing, producing results is quite another.
- Team News
- Bryan Gunn is hopeful of calling on the services of Jason Shackell and Carl Cort for the trip to W12.
- Shackell took a knock to his ankle on Saturday, whilst Cort - despite playing against the Sky Blues - is feeling the effects of a recent foot injury.
QPR
Norwich Official Site - NORWICH TEAM NEWS
- BRYAN Gunn hopes his two main injury concerns will be fit as the Canary squad get set to travel to Loftus Road for their match against QPR tomorrow night (8pm).
- Jason Shackell and Carl Cort both featured for the duration of the weekend's 2-1 defeat to Coventry at Carrow Road. Speaking before this morning's training session at the Colney Training Centre, the City manager told canaries.co.uk he was positive the duo would be fit in time to take on Paulo Sousa's side.
- "The people who aren't training this morning from Saturday will be Jason Shackell who took a knock on his ankle in a challenge with Leon Best, and Carl Cort. Shacks lasted the game, and this is more precautionary than anything else. He came in for treatment yesterday and will continue to get treatment and rest today and then take part tomorrow night."
- "To give Carl a lot of credit, he passed another fitness test on Saturday morning in order to get him on the pitch from a different injury which he picked up at Preston. He gave us 90 minutes at the weekend and he'll be fit for the game on Tuesday night and that's the type of attitude we need from players and from everybody at this time."
- Asked for further information on the striker's knock, Gunn added: "I'm not a medical man, we thought it was a broken metatarsal when he did it at Preston but it turned out it was something to do with a fat pad, which he's had injections on in the games afterward.
- "On Thursday after training, he came off with a separate injury which he then passed the fitness test for on Saturday morning. That commitment is what we're after from people and with Tuesday and Saturday games they have to stay positive - Carl certainly wants to play and I commend that attitude.
"He's come in this morning, he's feeling better having played 90 minutes, we'll get the cotton wool on him today and just make sure he's available for tomorrow night. We're going to need big players in both boxes again, QPR's back four are all six-foot plus and they've got other height in different areas of the park which we'll need to combat. Carl will be one of our troops that needs to do that."
The Canary line-up has seen relatively few changes since Gunn took the reins at Carrow Road in January - as a result, questions were put to Gunn by reporters as to whether alterations were needed in order to turn City's luck around: "We need people who believe we can get out of the situation on the pitch and we need people who confident we can get out of this situation and who are confident in their own ability. We need people who can go out on the pitch and perform, and we need passion as well.
"There's been a lot of boxing this weekend with the Thaxton fight - you take the hits, you get knocked down and you have to get back up again. We've got to show no fear, we have to take the knocks and recover, and hope that things change for us."
He continued: "I need to look people in the eye and know that's what I'm going to get from them - there' s a lot of doom and gloom out there and I certainly only want people who believe we can do it. I keep asking for patience from fans and we're going to need that as well, but at the same time we're going to need to get results to change their mindset." Norwich
Norwich Official Site - WE'RE READY FOR A BIG GAME - GUNN
BRYAN Gunn says he hopes his side can maintain a positive frame of mind as the Canaries get set for battle at Loftus Road tomorrow (8pm).
Looking ahead to tomorrow evening's game, Gunn told canaries.co.uk he wanted his players to maintain a positive mental attitude.
He said: "We've got to make sure our players are prepared in the right way for the game and that their mental state is good, and then if we can continue the level of performance and receive our level of fortune, who knows.
"It's a difficult place to go at the best of the times and this is on the back of two recent defeats - they were beaten by Ipswich at Loftus Road a couple of weeks ago and they were beaten by Barnsley at the weekend.
"I'm sure their manager will be looking for a reaction from his players so it's going to be tough but it's one where we've got an opportunity to try and get something from it. We're going to go down there and try and gain three points, so hopefully our players realise it's on the back of a difficult time and we'll try and take advantage of that."
With three vital points on offer from their next game, Gunn told First News his side were fully focused on returning from the capital with as much from the game as possible: "We've got to get ready for a big game on Tuesday night, and preparations for that started yesterday and they're continuing today and we're focused on that game.
"We've got two away games now and hopefully we can do something in the first game and then take it from there - all I see, all I read is that people think we're relegated. I don't think we are, and I said after the game on Saturday we've got 11 games left, 33 points, and until mathematics makes it impossible, we have got to keep fighting and keep believing in each and every minute of each and every game."
He continued: "If you look back to the weekend, we got ourselves back into the game at 1-1 and for whatever reason the referee decided not to give us a penalty kick. It's very thin dividing lines, very crucial moments in games which have affected us and that can change - but we have to make sure we believe it can change and we have to work hard to make sure it changes."
Asked about Mark Fotheringham's reaction after he was substituted in the second half against Coventry, Gunn replied: "It's difficult for players in front of 25,000 people when things aren't going well and you can hear the moans and groans.
"I can understand his frustrations, but as captain of the Club I was disappointed with his reaction as well. Sometimes you have to be big and brave enough to take these knocks on the chin - it happens at football clubs, there's always someone the crowd will have issues with, whether it's their style in that particular game or whether it's more long-standing than that. It's something you expect experienced professionals to be able to cope with."
With Norwich currently in the bottom three, questions were put to Gunn by the media to find out how he was keeping things positive within the Canary camp. "We're doing all we can to raise the spirits, and we may need some players to help as well," he said.
"I'll be doing all I can because that's my character and that's the way I'll continue to be. I had a chat with my coaching team this morning and we know it's a case of changing the mood. The players have to realise that for 20, 25 minutes of the second half we were certainly the better team and had a decision gone our way, the result could have been completely different. It's that thin dividing line between success and failure. Coming off losing 2-1 when you feel you could have won 2-1 is a hard pill to swallow but we've got 11 games left and we need to regroup today and get stuck in again." Norwich
For a pure football focus, visit the QPR Report Messageboard. for a combination of quasi-blog and messageboard.Latest: February Manager of The Month Shortlist.....Injured Military Personnel to be at Wembley Playoffs.....What Other Clubs' Are Doing re Season Ticket Prices.....Greatest Managers in British History.....Sol Campbell on Racism in Football.....Study: Bigger Teams Do Better
QPR vs Norwich
- It's QPR vs Norwich at Loftus Road tonight, with Norwich having one win in their last 11 league games - and without a win since mid-January. On Saturday, while QPR were crashing at Barnsley; Norwich were losing at home to Coventry. This season, Norwich's away record is 2 away wins, 4 draws and 11 defeats.
- Norwich Stats Norwich have Jamie Cureton available (full squad)!
- Over the years, there have been some disappointing results for QPR against Norwich - beyond merely THE 1975/76 game! Head to Head: QPR vs Norwich Results Over The Years
-QPR have a chance for a rare double this season, having won 1-0 at Norwich in September (under Iain Dowie), with 10 men against the game against a Norwich at the time managed by Glen Roeder. Match Reports. The two teams:
- QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon, Leigertwood, Blackstock (Agyemang 77) , Rowlands (C), Ramage, Connolly, Cook (Gorkss 30), Ledesma (Buszaky 82). Subs not used: Camp, Parejo
- NORWICH: Marshall, Kennedy (Grounds 63), Stefanovic, Sibierski, Hoolahan (Cureton 66), Fotheringham (C), Lupoli (Croft 45), Russell, Bertrand, Omozusi, Pattison. Subs not used: Nelson, Koroma
Paul Warburton/London Informer - QPR boss debates strike force for Norwich
- QPR boss Paulo Sousa’s major headache is whether to gamble with two strikers again at tomorrow night’s crucial home match with Norwich.
- The double-pronged attack, the first 4-4-2 system used by the manager at the start of a match since his arrival in November, failed at Barnsley on Saturday where Rangers lost 2-1.
- Neither Heidar Helguson nor Dexter Blackstock could unlock the Tykes’ door, and even a belated cameo from Sammy Di Carmine failed to make the long journey home less of a slog.
- Sousa has always preferred the lone Ranger as his spearhead, and may yet return to the tried-and-tested formula that saw Rangers lose only once in 12 prior to Barnsley.
- The Hoops have slipped to 11th – but are still only six points outside the last play-off spot. London Informer
QPR OFFICIAL SITE MATCHDAY PREVIEW: CANARIES
- As the business end of the Coca Cola Championship season looms ever closer, its bite your nails time for everyone connected to Norwich City Football Club.
- The Canaries currently occupy one of the three relegation berths in the second tier, and it's that alarming statistic that continues to cause a great deal of anxiety in East Anglia.
- After a disappointing start to the season - which yielded just a solitary victory from their opening seven fixtures in all competitions - City have continued to struggle.
- Glenn Roeder ultimately paid the price for their poor form, with the former Rangers midfielder being relieved of his duties in mid-January following their FA Cup exit to fellow Championship strugglers Charlton Athletic.
- Canaries' legend Bryan Gunn was appointed on a temporary basis and following a 4-0 thrashing of Barnsley, the former Scotland international goalkeeper was handed the reins until the end of the season.
- That victory against the Tykes proved to be something of a false dawn, however, with Gunn's charges continuing to flatter to deceive ever since.
- Defeats to Bristol City and Preston North End in recent weeks, coupled with Saturday's 2-1 home loss to Coventry City, have piled on the misery at Carrow Road and former R's hit-man Jamie Cureton believes each and every player is now playing for their future.
- "Our futures are on the line," he said recently.
- "I dropped out with the Club in the Premier League and we have never been back since."
- Whilst the Premier League remains a million miles away at present, it's City proximity to the third tier of English Football that has Gunn et al on tenterhooks.
- Indeed, speaking following last weekend's 1-1 draw with play-off chasing Burnley, the Canaries gaffer set the record straight to his side.
- "We have 12 Cup finals left and we need to win more of them than we lose or draw to stay up.
- "I think we will do it and I think the players believe that."
- Belief is one thing, producing results is quite another.
- Team News
- Bryan Gunn is hopeful of calling on the services of Jason Shackell and Carl Cort for the trip to W12.
- Shackell took a knock to his ankle on Saturday, whilst Cort - despite playing against the Sky Blues - is feeling the effects of a recent foot injury.
QPR
Norwich Official Site - NORWICH TEAM NEWS
- BRYAN Gunn hopes his two main injury concerns will be fit as the Canary squad get set to travel to Loftus Road for their match against QPR tomorrow night (8pm).
- Jason Shackell and Carl Cort both featured for the duration of the weekend's 2-1 defeat to Coventry at Carrow Road. Speaking before this morning's training session at the Colney Training Centre, the City manager told canaries.co.uk he was positive the duo would be fit in time to take on Paulo Sousa's side.
- "The people who aren't training this morning from Saturday will be Jason Shackell who took a knock on his ankle in a challenge with Leon Best, and Carl Cort. Shacks lasted the game, and this is more precautionary than anything else. He came in for treatment yesterday and will continue to get treatment and rest today and then take part tomorrow night."
- "To give Carl a lot of credit, he passed another fitness test on Saturday morning in order to get him on the pitch from a different injury which he picked up at Preston. He gave us 90 minutes at the weekend and he'll be fit for the game on Tuesday night and that's the type of attitude we need from players and from everybody at this time."
- Asked for further information on the striker's knock, Gunn added: "I'm not a medical man, we thought it was a broken metatarsal when he did it at Preston but it turned out it was something to do with a fat pad, which he's had injections on in the games afterward.
- "On Thursday after training, he came off with a separate injury which he then passed the fitness test for on Saturday morning. That commitment is what we're after from people and with Tuesday and Saturday games they have to stay positive - Carl certainly wants to play and I commend that attitude.
"He's come in this morning, he's feeling better having played 90 minutes, we'll get the cotton wool on him today and just make sure he's available for tomorrow night. We're going to need big players in both boxes again, QPR's back four are all six-foot plus and they've got other height in different areas of the park which we'll need to combat. Carl will be one of our troops that needs to do that."
The Canary line-up has seen relatively few changes since Gunn took the reins at Carrow Road in January - as a result, questions were put to Gunn by reporters as to whether alterations were needed in order to turn City's luck around: "We need people who believe we can get out of the situation on the pitch and we need people who confident we can get out of this situation and who are confident in their own ability. We need people who can go out on the pitch and perform, and we need passion as well.
"There's been a lot of boxing this weekend with the Thaxton fight - you take the hits, you get knocked down and you have to get back up again. We've got to show no fear, we have to take the knocks and recover, and hope that things change for us."
He continued: "I need to look people in the eye and know that's what I'm going to get from them - there' s a lot of doom and gloom out there and I certainly only want people who believe we can do it. I keep asking for patience from fans and we're going to need that as well, but at the same time we're going to need to get results to change their mindset." Norwich
Norwich Official Site - WE'RE READY FOR A BIG GAME - GUNN
BRYAN Gunn says he hopes his side can maintain a positive frame of mind as the Canaries get set for battle at Loftus Road tomorrow (8pm).
Looking ahead to tomorrow evening's game, Gunn told canaries.co.uk he wanted his players to maintain a positive mental attitude.
He said: "We've got to make sure our players are prepared in the right way for the game and that their mental state is good, and then if we can continue the level of performance and receive our level of fortune, who knows.
"It's a difficult place to go at the best of the times and this is on the back of two recent defeats - they were beaten by Ipswich at Loftus Road a couple of weeks ago and they were beaten by Barnsley at the weekend.
"I'm sure their manager will be looking for a reaction from his players so it's going to be tough but it's one where we've got an opportunity to try and get something from it. We're going to go down there and try and gain three points, so hopefully our players realise it's on the back of a difficult time and we'll try and take advantage of that."
With three vital points on offer from their next game, Gunn told First News his side were fully focused on returning from the capital with as much from the game as possible: "We've got to get ready for a big game on Tuesday night, and preparations for that started yesterday and they're continuing today and we're focused on that game.
"We've got two away games now and hopefully we can do something in the first game and then take it from there - all I see, all I read is that people think we're relegated. I don't think we are, and I said after the game on Saturday we've got 11 games left, 33 points, and until mathematics makes it impossible, we have got to keep fighting and keep believing in each and every minute of each and every game."
He continued: "If you look back to the weekend, we got ourselves back into the game at 1-1 and for whatever reason the referee decided not to give us a penalty kick. It's very thin dividing lines, very crucial moments in games which have affected us and that can change - but we have to make sure we believe it can change and we have to work hard to make sure it changes."
Asked about Mark Fotheringham's reaction after he was substituted in the second half against Coventry, Gunn replied: "It's difficult for players in front of 25,000 people when things aren't going well and you can hear the moans and groans.
"I can understand his frustrations, but as captain of the Club I was disappointed with his reaction as well. Sometimes you have to be big and brave enough to take these knocks on the chin - it happens at football clubs, there's always someone the crowd will have issues with, whether it's their style in that particular game or whether it's more long-standing than that. It's something you expect experienced professionals to be able to cope with."
With Norwich currently in the bottom three, questions were put to Gunn by the media to find out how he was keeping things positive within the Canary camp. "We're doing all we can to raise the spirits, and we may need some players to help as well," he said.
"I'll be doing all I can because that's my character and that's the way I'll continue to be. I had a chat with my coaching team this morning and we know it's a case of changing the mood. The players have to realise that for 20, 25 minutes of the second half we were certainly the better team and had a decision gone our way, the result could have been completely different. It's that thin dividing line between success and failure. Coming off losing 2-1 when you feel you could have won 2-1 is a hard pill to swallow but we've got 11 games left and we need to regroup today and get stuck in again." Norwich
Monday, March 02, 2009
QPR Should give Sousa Time They Promised
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For a focus solely on football, visit the combination quasi-blog and messageboard of the QPR Report Messageboard
- Hopefully just the Daily Mail offering its perspective rather than responding to anything concrete.. See Also "Sousa Running Out of Time?"
Daily Mail/Hatchet Man - QPR owners should give Sousa the time they were promising
- - QPR’S owners have a chance over the next few months to prove they are not just trigger happy short-termists.
- After going through managers at a frightening rate, Paulo Sousa was brought in last November claiming that he had been hired for the long term.
Under pressure: Sousa has seen his side go on a poor run
For some reason, the young Portuguese insisted he would be given time to turn Rangers into a force for the Premier League in his first job in club management.
- Like Sousa’s title of first team coach rather than manager, it hardly seemed credible. He seemed naïve or deluded and already he is moving towards crunch time.
Rangers have not won in the last five matches and lots of talk already about hopes for next season must have eroded Sousa’s standing. The best he can aim at now is the play-offs, and that is beginning to look like an outside shot.
- QPR are six points off sixth place (and only nine above the relegation zone) and Sousa and his team must be making the owners’ trigger fingers itchy.
- But if they are not going to continue to be another set of clichéd, super-rich and impatient owners, they have to stand by the rookie they appointed. Daily Mail
Trevor Sinclair Turns 36: Born March 2, 1973.
- Signed by Gerry Francis from Blackpool in August 1993 for 600,000 pounds (to replace Andy Sintdon). Sinclair made his QPR debut that same month. Part of QPR's relegation team under Ray Wilkins (which also contained youngsters Gallen, Dichio, Impey, Quashie and Murray). Capped by England Joined West Ham in "a steal" transfer in January 1998.
Chris Barker, Briefly QPR's defender signed in the summer of 2007 from Cardiff after Colchester loan, turns 29.
For a focus solely on football, visit the combination quasi-blog and messageboard of the QPR Report Messageboard
- Hopefully just the Daily Mail offering its perspective rather than responding to anything concrete.. See Also "Sousa Running Out of Time?"
Daily Mail/Hatchet Man - QPR owners should give Sousa the time they were promising
- - QPR’S owners have a chance over the next few months to prove they are not just trigger happy short-termists.
- After going through managers at a frightening rate, Paulo Sousa was brought in last November claiming that he had been hired for the long term.
Under pressure: Sousa has seen his side go on a poor run
For some reason, the young Portuguese insisted he would be given time to turn Rangers into a force for the Premier League in his first job in club management.
- Like Sousa’s title of first team coach rather than manager, it hardly seemed credible. He seemed naïve or deluded and already he is moving towards crunch time.
Rangers have not won in the last five matches and lots of talk already about hopes for next season must have eroded Sousa’s standing. The best he can aim at now is the play-offs, and that is beginning to look like an outside shot.
- QPR are six points off sixth place (and only nine above the relegation zone) and Sousa and his team must be making the owners’ trigger fingers itchy.
- But if they are not going to continue to be another set of clichéd, super-rich and impatient owners, they have to stand by the rookie they appointed. Daily Mail
Trevor Sinclair Turns 36: Born March 2, 1973.
- Signed by Gerry Francis from Blackpool in August 1993 for 600,000 pounds (to replace Andy Sintdon). Sinclair made his QPR debut that same month. Part of QPR's relegation team under Ray Wilkins (which also contained youngsters Gallen, Dichio, Impey, Quashie and Murray). Capped by England Joined West Ham in "a steal" transfer in January 1998.
Chris Barker, Briefly QPR's defender signed in the summer of 2007 from Cardiff after Colchester loan, turns 29.
Sousa Running Out of Time?
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Visit and sample the combination quasi-blog and messageboard of the QPR Report Messageboard - where the focus is solely on QPR and football-in-general See: Flashback: What Amit Bhatia was Saying a Year Ago...Flashback II: Nico De Marco Appointed QPR Director...A Fascinating-Sounding Documentary.
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Daily Mail/Neil Hallam - Give Sousa a chance, pleads Delaney
- Paulo Sousa's chances of a long managerial reign at QPR can hardly have been enhanced by a barren run that has produced only two wins in 11 League games, but his players are adamant he should be given time to 'get his message across'.
- Half a dozen managers have come and gone at QPR in the last 14 months but Republic of Ireland full back Damien Delaney, who headed in their first-half equaliser, insists he speaks for all the players in hoping the former Portugal star is not added to the disruptive procession of casualties.
- 'All the lads like and respect the manager and want him to be given time to put his ideas and methods into practice,' he said.
- Losing battle: Paulo Sousa is running out of time to convince QPR's bosses that he is the right man to guide them towards the Premier League after another loss
- 'He arrived in mid-season, which is always difficult, and he has had the job of trying to create stability after a lot of upheaval.
- 'This was only our second league defeat since early December and we all feel we are starting to get there as a team.'
- Sousa said he was instructed to build solid foundations in order to challenge for promotion next season but he added:
- 'We still have a chance of the play-offs this year. We have to go for it but it's difficult to be consistent while we are still building for the future.'
Goals from Maltese international Peter Bogdanovic and Brazilian Anderson de Silva eased relegation fears for a cosmopolitan Barnsley side that included seven imports, but it was a Liverpool loan signing, 20-year-old Adam Hammill, who made the biggest impression.
- The youngster, whose pace and searching crosses kept Rangers under pressure, has now played 70 games on loan at Dunfermline, Southampton, Blackpool and Barnsley while trying to persuade Liverpool he is worth a Premier League chance.
- 'I have always dreamed of getting a standing ovation after running myself to a standstill in a red shirt and now it has come true, albeit at Barnsley rather than Anfield,' said Hammill. Daily Mail
The Times - Coca-Cola Championship round-up
Barnsley 2 Queens Park Rangers 1
- Barnsley pulled farther away from the relegation zone at the expense of Queens Park Rangers with victory at Oakwell. Anderson De Silva put the home side ahead just before the interval after Damien Delaney’s header had cancelled out Daniel Bogdanovic’s opening goal. Barnsley have now taken seven points from their past three games, while QPR, whose chances of a play-off place are fading, have not won in five.
- “It was a good performance and I thought we thoroughly deserved the win,” Simon Davey, the Barnsley manager, said. “There was only one team in it in the second half and we were winning every challenge and gave them everything they could handle.” Paulo Sousa, the QPR manager, said: “It’s always disappointing when you want the three points but I’m glad because my players showed a lot of effort to win the game.” The Times
The Mirror/Michael Morgan - Malta magic has Rangers on the rocks
- Barnsley and Rangers paraded their fancy foreign goods, but it was a couple of 'Maltese geezers' who stole the show.
Both these Championship rivals truly are League of Nations outfits, although their collection of imports do not seem to be doing them many favours at the moment.
Only eight of the 22 starters at Oakwell yesterday were English. And it was Maltese duo Michael Mifsud and his co-striker Daniel Bogdanovic who lit upthis largely disappointing showdown.
Mifsud, hired on loan from Coventry until the endof the season, and Bogdanovic, recruited from Lokomativ Sofia, linked up superbly and showed the kind of understanding you would expect from a pair who play so often together for their country.
Bogdanovic, until he tired and was replaced by Jon Macken on 66 minutes, promises to be a top-class capture for Simon Davey.
The busy little Mifsud looks certain to carry on doingwhathehasbeen doing for a few years now in English football - making a realpest of himself to opposition defenders.
So it was no surprise when Mifsud and Bogdanovic combined to give the Tykes the lead after 26 minutes.
Davey's boys burst quickly out of defence before Mifsud received the ball wide out on the left flank.
He spotted Bogdanovic at the farpost and picked out his fellow countryman with a delightful cross.
Bogdanovic rose imperiouslyabove his markers to flick home a fine header from eight yards.
Barnsley's winner arrived two minutes before half time and was clinically put away by Brazilian aceAnderson de Silva. Rob Kozluk aimed a well-flighted free-kick deep into the Rangers area, and their defenders woefully failed to deal with the situation.
Anderson pounced but saw his effort blocked. But De Silva reacted instantly and drilled home.
Sandwiched in between the Tykes' goals was a consolation effort from a largely disappointing Rangers side. Itcameon35minutes when Matteo Alberti crossed and left-back Damien Delaney headed beyond Heinz Muller.
Barnsley boss Davey said: "It was a good, entertaining game and I thought wethoroughly deserved to win it."
Rangers chief Paulo Sousa said: "Of course I am very disappointed but I do not believe this has damaged our play-off hopes - a lot of the teams around us have also lost today." The Mirror
- See Also: Earlier Match Reports and Managerial Comments on Barnsley 2 QPR 1
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Daily Mail/Neil Hallam - Give Sousa a chance, pleads Delaney
- Paulo Sousa's chances of a long managerial reign at QPR can hardly have been enhanced by a barren run that has produced only two wins in 11 League games, but his players are adamant he should be given time to 'get his message across'.
- Half a dozen managers have come and gone at QPR in the last 14 months but Republic of Ireland full back Damien Delaney, who headed in their first-half equaliser, insists he speaks for all the players in hoping the former Portugal star is not added to the disruptive procession of casualties.
- 'All the lads like and respect the manager and want him to be given time to put his ideas and methods into practice,' he said.
- Losing battle: Paulo Sousa is running out of time to convince QPR's bosses that he is the right man to guide them towards the Premier League after another loss
- 'He arrived in mid-season, which is always difficult, and he has had the job of trying to create stability after a lot of upheaval.
- 'This was only our second league defeat since early December and we all feel we are starting to get there as a team.'
- Sousa said he was instructed to build solid foundations in order to challenge for promotion next season but he added:
- 'We still have a chance of the play-offs this year. We have to go for it but it's difficult to be consistent while we are still building for the future.'
Goals from Maltese international Peter Bogdanovic and Brazilian Anderson de Silva eased relegation fears for a cosmopolitan Barnsley side that included seven imports, but it was a Liverpool loan signing, 20-year-old Adam Hammill, who made the biggest impression.
- The youngster, whose pace and searching crosses kept Rangers under pressure, has now played 70 games on loan at Dunfermline, Southampton, Blackpool and Barnsley while trying to persuade Liverpool he is worth a Premier League chance.
- 'I have always dreamed of getting a standing ovation after running myself to a standstill in a red shirt and now it has come true, albeit at Barnsley rather than Anfield,' said Hammill. Daily Mail
The Times - Coca-Cola Championship round-up
Barnsley 2 Queens Park Rangers 1
- Barnsley pulled farther away from the relegation zone at the expense of Queens Park Rangers with victory at Oakwell. Anderson De Silva put the home side ahead just before the interval after Damien Delaney’s header had cancelled out Daniel Bogdanovic’s opening goal. Barnsley have now taken seven points from their past three games, while QPR, whose chances of a play-off place are fading, have not won in five.
- “It was a good performance and I thought we thoroughly deserved the win,” Simon Davey, the Barnsley manager, said. “There was only one team in it in the second half and we were winning every challenge and gave them everything they could handle.” Paulo Sousa, the QPR manager, said: “It’s always disappointing when you want the three points but I’m glad because my players showed a lot of effort to win the game.” The Times
The Mirror/Michael Morgan - Malta magic has Rangers on the rocks
- Barnsley and Rangers paraded their fancy foreign goods, but it was a couple of 'Maltese geezers' who stole the show.
Both these Championship rivals truly are League of Nations outfits, although their collection of imports do not seem to be doing them many favours at the moment.
Only eight of the 22 starters at Oakwell yesterday were English. And it was Maltese duo Michael Mifsud and his co-striker Daniel Bogdanovic who lit upthis largely disappointing showdown.
Mifsud, hired on loan from Coventry until the endof the season, and Bogdanovic, recruited from Lokomativ Sofia, linked up superbly and showed the kind of understanding you would expect from a pair who play so often together for their country.
Bogdanovic, until he tired and was replaced by Jon Macken on 66 minutes, promises to be a top-class capture for Simon Davey.
The busy little Mifsud looks certain to carry on doingwhathehasbeen doing for a few years now in English football - making a realpest of himself to opposition defenders.
So it was no surprise when Mifsud and Bogdanovic combined to give the Tykes the lead after 26 minutes.
Davey's boys burst quickly out of defence before Mifsud received the ball wide out on the left flank.
He spotted Bogdanovic at the farpost and picked out his fellow countryman with a delightful cross.
Bogdanovic rose imperiouslyabove his markers to flick home a fine header from eight yards.
Barnsley's winner arrived two minutes before half time and was clinically put away by Brazilian aceAnderson de Silva. Rob Kozluk aimed a well-flighted free-kick deep into the Rangers area, and their defenders woefully failed to deal with the situation.
Anderson pounced but saw his effort blocked. But De Silva reacted instantly and drilled home.
Sandwiched in between the Tykes' goals was a consolation effort from a largely disappointing Rangers side. Itcameon35minutes when Matteo Alberti crossed and left-back Damien Delaney headed beyond Heinz Muller.
Barnsley boss Davey said: "It was a good, entertaining game and I thought wethoroughly deserved to win it."
Rangers chief Paulo Sousa said: "Of course I am very disappointed but I do not believe this has damaged our play-off hopes - a lot of the teams around us have also lost today." The Mirror
- See Also: Earlier Match Reports and Managerial Comments on Barnsley 2 QPR 1
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