QPR REPORT

Monday, April 06, 2009

Vine Questions Blackstock Loan...Warnock Has Own View

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- Recently Posted Articles: Pre-season in Germany/Austria?....QPR Youth Beaten By Southend....Zesh Rehman Doing Good Work....Championship Team of the Week....Parejo at Real Madrid....Flashback: Sousa Appointed QPR Manager: What Was Said at The Time....John Byrne: Where He is Now....A look at the Football Apprentice System....The Coming of a European Super League?.....North Koreas Accuses South Korea of Poisioning Its Players

Daily Mail/Steve Skerry - Vine Questions Blackstock Loan
"...Rowan Vine questioned QPR’s decision to allow leading scorer Dexter Blackstock to leave Loftus Road following a goalless draw against CRYSTAL PALACE that effectively ended any lingering hopes the west London club had of making the play-offs.
- Vine, returning after a year on the sidelines with a broken leg, said: ‘There doesn’t seem to be a lot of need to let your top goalscorer go for the last part of the season.
-‘It doesn’t really make sense, but it’s happened. " Mail

Daily Mirror - VINE IN BLAST AT DEXTER SWITCH
- Qpr striker Rowan Vine criticised the Rangers board for sending Dexter Blackstock on loan without telling boss Paulo Sousa.
- The Portuguese manager admitted on Saturday he was not consulted before Blackstock moved to Nottingham Forest last month.
- Sousa's revelation comes five months after Iain Dowie was sacked after reportedly refusing to let chairman Flavio Briatore pick the team.
- And it is still clear who controls the signings at Loftus Road.
- Vine, who returned on Saturday after a year out with a broken leg, said: "There doesn't seem to be much need to let your top goalscorer go for the last month of the season.
- "I don't see the sense in it but it's not my decision. I was just surprised it's happened." And Palace boss Neil Warnock hinted he would quit if he was put in Sousa's position.
- "People who know me know what I would have done," said Warnock.
- The off-pitch drama livened up a dreadful game that showed why neither side will make the play-offs.
- The only player likely to make a breakthrough was QPR's loan star from Spurs, Adel Taarabt, who has superb skills but blasted over when clean through early in the second-half.
- Sousa was sent to the stands by referee Scott Mathieson after angrily running on the pitch when Claude Davis accidentally kicked Samuel Di Carmine in the face.
- So even though Jose Mourinho has left Chelsea, there's still one passionate Portuguese manager in West London - for now. Mirror

Daily Express/Mark Ritson - RANGERS NEED VINE TO FLOURISH
-ROWAN VINE insists he will fill the void left in QPR’s attack following the board’s controversial decision to allow top scorer Dexter Blackstock to leave on loan.
-Blackstock had netted 12 goals for Rangers this season but has been shipped out to Nottingham Forest – much to the bemusement of boss Paulo Sousa.
-It leaves the Hoops with just one fit striker – 19-year-old Samuel Di Carmine, who has hit the target just three times this season.
-Vine, 26, is now willing to shoulder those goal-scoring duties after making his first appearance of the season in the bore draw with Palace, exactly a year after breaking his leg.
-Vine, just like his manager, was surprised to see Blackstock’s departure – but now hopes to capitalise on his absence.
-He said: “I was surprised to see him leave. He’s our top goalscorer, whether he is fancied or not. There didn’t seem a lot of need to let him go. It doesn’t really make sense.
- “He’s a striker who’s fit and has done well this season, and he can nick you the odd goal. But I’m happy to be involved, even at someone’s expense.”
- Both these sides have been goal-shy of late. Adel Taarabt and Liam Miller had the best chances in the first half for Rangers. Palace looked brighter in the second, and Victor Moses and Jose Fonte went close, while they were lucky to finish the match with 11 men.
-Defender Claude Davis twice clattered Di Carmine to send Sousa into a rage and he was restrained from running on to the pitch by the fourth official.
-Sousa’s outburst saw him sent to the stands by referee Scott Mathieson, while Davis received a booking for his part. Palace manager Neil Warnock vowed to lend his support to Sousa if he is hauled in front of the Football Association.
-He also hinted that he would not be happy should his club decide to loan out a player without his consent.
- Warnock added: “Every club has their own way of dealing with things. I would imagine it is a permanent deal for Blackstock. Most people know what I would have done in that situation, but you don’t know what the terms were when he came to the club.-I have sympathy for Paulo with him being sent off. The technical areas at QPR are very small. The ref was being fussy.” Express

This is Local London/Graham Moody - Warnock unhappy at Rangers pitch
-Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock blasted the state of the QPR pitch on Saturday after the two teams played out a goalless draw.
- Despite both sides trying to play football the ground did not allow for slick passing and the ball spent the majority of its time in the air in a game devoid of quality. - "Victor Moses worked his socks off too which is probably not his forté but he looked a threat and he worked for the team like I have never seen him."
- Neil Warnock"It was as good a game as you could get on that pitch," said Warnock.
- "I'm not bothered how many millions you want to spend on players, if you have got a pitch like that you are not going to get football.
- "I think the first job for them is to get a good pitch."
Rangers had the better chances with Liam Miller and Adel Taarabt denied by Julian Speroni, while Taarabt should have done better than fire over when clean through in the second half...." ." This is Local London

- Any opinion about Vine's comments, or on Sousa as manager - or any other QPR issues?
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Sunday, April 05, 2009

Dennis Wise for QPR?

Flashback: When Sousa Was Appointed - What Was Said

QPR vs Crystal Palace - Match Reports and Comments Compilation

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- See Also: Earlier QPR-Palace Match reports and Managerial Comments

Sunday Times/Wayne Vesse - Sousa takes a quick march
- PAULO SOUSA comes across as smoother than a Warren Beatty chat-up line but he is quickly growing familiar with the rough edges of management.
- The QPR manager’s matinee idol image was tarnished by the first red card of his coaching career at Loftus Road for the sin of leaving his technical area in protest at a challenge that drew blood from the face of Rangers striker Samuel Di Carmine.
- Then, in a postmatch revelation that suggests his hold on one of the warmest of managerial hot-seats is at risk, Sousa said the decision to let leading scorer Dexter Blackstock join Championship rivals Nottingham Forest on loan for the rest of the season was not his.
- Six points adrift of sixth-placed Cardiff with six games left, QPR’s faint promotion hopes have surely now gone.
- Speaking like a man who recognises the end could now be near – he is the club’s seventh manager since Ian Holloway left three years ago – Sousa said: “After our match against Bristol City two weeks ago, Dexter came to see me, said he wanted to go and [sporting director] Mr [Gianni] Paladini told me there was an agreement for him to leave. It is disappointing and frustrating but I just have to accept it.”
- Sousa was ordered from the touchline by referee Scott Mathieson after Di Carmine was on the receiving end of two hefty challenges from Palace’s hulking centre-half Claude Davis. The 2 0 - year - old striker appeared to be caught with an elbow early on and then got a boot to the face as Davis made a legitimate challenge for the ball shortly before half-time.
- That had Sousa sprinting down the touchline. “I did not say anything to the referee, because he was not there. I was dismissed on the say-so of the fourth official, maybe because I left my technical area.”
- Sousa received support in the form of rival manager Neil Warnock. “I just told him to calm down,” joked Warnock, who for once was on the right side of officialdom. “He didn’t do much. An experienced fourth official would not have sent him off. If he wants me to speak for him, I will. I know everybody on the commission.”
-- Sousa’s red card was the main talking point of a scrappy game pockmarked by few chances on a dire afternoon.
- Star man: Victor Moses (Crystal Palace)
- Yellow cards: Palace: Hill, Davis, Lawrence, Moses
- Referee: S Mathieson - Attendance: 15,234
- QPR: Cerny 7, Ramage 6, Gorkss 7, Connolly 7, Delaney 6, Leigertwood 6, Routledge 6, Taarabt 6 (Vine 73min), Miller 5 (Cook 45min, 7), Ephraim 6, Di Carmine 5 (Balanta 85min).
- PALACE: Speroni 6, Clyne 7, Lawrence 7, Davis 6, Hill 7 (Fonte 40min, 6) Carle 6, Danns 6, Derry 6, Moses 7, Kuqi 6 (Scowcroft 83min), Stokes 5 (Ifill 79min). Sunday Times

Sunday Mirror/Graham Otway- Warnock: I'll speak up for sent-off Paulo
- Neil Warnock offered to act as a defence witness if QPR manager Paulo Sousa is hauled up before the Football League on a disciplinary charge.
- Former Portugal midfielder Sousa was banished from the touchline just before halftime at Loftus Road.
- He had run on to the pitch after seeing his young striker Samuel Di Carmine kicked in the face by a challenge from Crystal Palace defender Claude Davis.
- But before he could get to his player referee Scott Mathieson, on the advice of the fourth official, ordered Sousa from the pitch.
- For once it was not Warnock at the centre of a refereeing controversy and he had full sympathy for his opponent.
- Warnock said: "Paulo was concerned about his lad and a more experienced official should have seen that. The referee should have just had a word with him.
- "If Paulo goes before the League I will speak up for him if he wants me to - I know everyone at the commission quite well."
- Sousa insisted he wanted nothing more that to check that his player was not seriously injured especially since Di Carmine had been laid out earlier in the game by an elbow from Davis.
- "He'd already got hit by an arm in the face and a second time with the leg," said Sousa.
- "I was worried about my striker so why should I go to the stand? "If I don't care about my players what can I do? "I am an emotional coach but was not thinking about anything else but Di Carmine, he had blood coming from his nose."
- The first-half flashpoint was the only moment of note as QPR were held to a goalless draw at home for the 10th time this season.
- And that was galling for Sousa too. For since their previous game against Bristol City he had seen his leading scorer Dexter Blackstock loaned out to Nottingham Forest behind his back.
- Sousa said: "I gave the players two days off after the game and when I came back I was told that Dexter had been loaned out.
- "I cannot complain about it, I just have to do my best with what I have left." With only Di Carmine up front Rangers created the better chances in the first half only to be denied by Palace keeper Julian Speroni.
- He got down quickly at his near post to beat away a shot from Liam Miller and then used his fingertips to thwart a fierce shot by Adel Taarabt after the Moroccan beat two men on the edge of the box.
- Palace did not have a shot on target until the second half and when Victor Moses tried his luck from 20 yards Radek Cerny was equal to it. Sunday Mirror

News of The World/Bob Harris - - Bad week for Paulo Sousa IT'S been a bad week for QPR boss Paulo Sousa - and it didn't get much better in a 10th goalless draw of the season.
- Sousa returned to London from a two-day break to discover his directors had loaned top goalscorer Dexter Blackstock to Nottingham Forest.
- He then discovered he was without international striker Heidar Helguson, injured in Iceland's midweek game with Scotland.
- And it went from bad to worse when Sousa, for only the second time in his career, was sent off by ref Scott Mathieson.
- It followed a row after a clash between Palace's tough defender Claude Davis and striker Samuel Di Carmine.
- A baffled Sousa said: "The players had two days off and the board told me that Blackstock was going to Forest on loan.
- "I can't understand the sending off. My player had blood on his face from a dangerous kick."
- Support
Sousa received unexpected support from opposite number Neil Warnock, who said: "I told the ref that he didn't say much.
- "If he wants me to speak for him I will, especially as I know everyone on the commission!"
- The biggest lift for Rangers was the return to action of sub Rowan Vine, out of action for almost a year after a double operation on a broken leg.
- Vine looked as good and lively as anyone in this frenetic game but even he was unable to end the stalemate.
- Palace had goalkeeper Julian Speroni to thank for their clean sheet.
- He made quality saves from Liam Miller and Adel Taarabt and a reflex stop from a deflection off team-mate Nathaniel Clyne. News Of The World

Saturday, April 04, 2009

QPR's Crystal Palace Draw: Reports and Comments - Blackstock Loaned Without Sousa's Approval/Knowledge

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- [Sousa's post-match - not on the QPR Official Site ]
Northampton Chronicle: "QPR boss Paulo Sousa has confirmed leading goalscorer Dexter Blackstock was loaned to Nottingham Forest without his knowledge.
- "Blackstock has hit 12 goals for Rangers this season and was badly missed as the west Londoners' faint play-off hopes took another dent with a goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace today.
- Sousa was informed only by sporting director Gianni Paladini that Blackstock was joining their Coca-Cola Championship rivals last week - a decision apparently made by owner Flavio Briatore.
- It left Sousa with young Italian Samuel Di Carmine as his only fully-fit striker against Palace - and the Portuguese coach's frustration boiled over when he was sent to the stands just before half-time.
- "I gave the players two days off after the Bristol City game and when I came back Mr Paladini told me he had an agreement (for Blackstock) to go on loan," said Sousa.
- "It is a decision for the board and only they can answer it. I'm not frustrated, I said from the first day I have to adapt and try to do my best with the players I have."- Sousa, usually one of the coolest customers on the touchline, lost his rag at the treatment being dished out by Palace's giant defender Claude Davis on Di Carmine.
- Davis had already caught the striker with a flailing arm which went unpunished by referee Scott Mathieson, but when the Jamaican clattered Di Carmine again by the touchline Sousa came charging out of his technical area.
- This time Mathieson booked Davis but Sousa was ushered out of the dug-out and spent the second half in the directors' box, which at least had a couple of spare seats with Briatore and co-owner Bernie Ecclestone on Grand Prix duty.
- "I can't understand when a manager is looking out for his player, I care about my players and I went to see him, and I am sent to the stands," added Sousa.
- "I said nothing to the referee, I was going to see my player. I think it was because I went out of my area."
- Palace boss Neil Warnock, a regular scourge of referees, adopted the unusual role as peacemaker and had sympathy for his opposite number.
- "I told him to calm down a bit," smiled Warnock.
- "To be fair he didn't do much - he was concerned about his lad who had blood coming out of his nose.
- "If he wants me to speak for him I will do - I know everyone on the commission," he added.
- Adel Taarabt squandered the best chance of an otherwise pedestrian encounter, Rangers' on-loan Tottenham winger firing over from 14 yards.
- Palace's first shot on target came just after the break, when Victor Moses' fierce shot was tipped over by Radek Cerny.
- "The pitch was not very good, the first job they should do is get a new one, no matter how many millions you spend on players," added Warnock.
- "If we were a bit more clinical we might have finished it off but a draw was probably a fair result." Northampton Chronicle

QPR Official Site - Match Report
- QPR extended their unbeaten run and mini-revival with a goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace.
- As the sun shone, Rangers controlled proceedings but were guilty of missing several chances, most notably in the second half, when Adel Taarabt broke free of the Eagles defence only to blast and effort over the bar with only Julian Speroni to beat.
In true derby fashion, there was an element of controversy, as R's Manager Paulo Sousa was sent to the stands for reacting to a Claude Davis tackle on Samuel Di Carmine.
- But the real talking point of the match was the return to action of R's striker Rowan Vine, who gained a valuable quarter of an hour or so under his belt.
- In order to stretch the run of wins to three, Manager Sousa made two changes to his starting eleven. Wayne Routledge joined Liam Miller in returning to the midfield, where they were joined by Hogan Ephraim, hero of the last match Taarabt and Mikele Leigertwood.

At the back, Radek Cerny once again took the number one jersey. His back four looked like this: Peter Ramage at right back, Matthew Connolly and Kaspars Gorkss as the centre halves, and Damien Delaney completing the four.

Up front, Italian Di Carmine was picked ahead of fellow strikers Angelo Balanta and the returning Vine, with Damion Stewart, Lee Cook and Matteo Alberti also taking their seats.

Palace handed starts to young stars Nathaniel Clyne and Victor Moses, with on-loan striker Anthony Stokes partnering the latter in attack.

Fellow loan-man Davis joined the evergreen Matt Lawrence at centre back.

It was the visitor's who started the brightest, with Shaun Derry rifling a 25-yard half-volley narrowly wide.

But Rangers were unperturbed by this early scare and nearly went ahead minutes later. Routledge, after picking up possession on the right, bedazzled Clint Hill with quick feet before slipping a fine pass for the breaking Miller.

The Irishman took a touch and tried to beat Speroni at his near post. His well-hit shot was dealt with equally as well by the Argentine custodian.

Clearly inspired by his teammate's skills, Taarabt followed suit trying his luck to open the scoring. With nothing else on, he weaved his way into space for snapping off a strike from the edge of the box that Speroni just managed to beat away.

Speroni was needed again some minutes later, when an Ephraim cross ricocheted off his own defender before heading goalwards, but the Eagles keeper was alert enough to dive on the loose ball.

A quiet half was given an injection of controversy when Davis raised a boot into the face of Di Carmine. As the young Italian fell to the floor both sets of players descended on the scene with the R's remonstrating with the Eagles defender.

Davis protested his innocence but received a booking for the challenge. R's gaffer Sousa meanwhile, for his reaction, was sent to the stands.

Once again it was Palace who had the half's opening chance, Moses curling a delightful effort that needed the fingertips of Cerny to tip it over the crossbar.

But again Rangers regained the upper hand. First, Taarabt slid a clever ball into the path of Di Carmine who tried to beat Davis before shooting, only for the Jamaican to recover and block the effort.

Then, seconds later, Delaney sent over a cross to the back post that found Routledge lurking with intent. The R's winger took it on the volley but steered his right-foot shot across goal and past the far post.

Minutes later, Ephraim fizzed in a swerving shot from wide on the left, trying to catch out Speroni, but once more, the Eagles keeper was mindful of the threat and recovered well.

Very much in the ascendancy but lacking the killer pass that would unlock the Palace defence, Rangers tried Route One football.

Cerny's kick out was flicked on by first Routledge, then Di Carmine into the path of Taarabt. The Moroccan raced into the box, but with only Speroni to beat, he blazed his shot high over the Eagles' bar.

Palace tried to find a way back into the match, but when they did manage a spell of possession, Stokes could only tamely shoot straight at Cerny, whilst Shefki Kuqi headed well wide from a Moses corner.

Then the moment Rangers fans have been waiting for for 12 months. Taarabt was the man replaced by broken leg victim Vine, to a standing ovation for the R's striker.

And he immediately found his rhythm, launching a fine deep cross from the left that very nearly fell oh so kindly for Routledge.

But even with the boost of Vine's return, and dominating the closing stages, the R's still could not find a way to break through a stubborn Eagles defence, and it remained scoreless, and Rangers had to settle for a share of the points.

QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Leigertwood, Routledge, Gorkss, Ramage, Connolly, Miller (Cook 46), Di Carmine (Balanta 85), Ephraim, Taarabt (Vine 73). Subs: Stewart, Alberti.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Lawrence, Hill (J.Fonte 40), Derry, Carle, Moses, Danns, Davis, Kuqi (Scowcroft 83), Stokes (Ifill 79), Clyne.
Subs: Hills, R.Fonte. Bookings: Hill (29), Davis (45), Lawrence (60), Moses (82)
Referee: Mr S W Mathieson Attendance: 15,234 QPR

QPR Official Site - Sousa's Comments - SOUSA'S SPOT OF WOE
- Paulo Sousa was left to rue the referee's failure to award his side a last minute spot-kick, as the R's were held to a 0-0 draw against London rivals Crystal Palace.
- Sousa - who saw his side extend their unbeaten run to four matches in all competitions with the point - felt Mr Mathieson should have awarded a penalty when Rowan Vine's cross appeared to be handled in the closing stages, commenting: "I think the referee missed a clear penalty for us.
- "It was a handball, but today it was not given, which is disappointing.

"In a fiery conclusion to the first half, Sousa was sent to the stands for leaving his technical area, in the wake of a series of strong challenges on R's front-man Sami Di Carmine.

"It was becoming dangerous with Sami," Sousa told www.qpr.co.uk.

"There were some really bad challenges on Sami. One was with the players arm, another with a high foot - it's difficult to control your emotions, because I care about my players.

"Sami had blood streaming from his nose, it was a poor challenge.

"I was unhappy and surprised to be sent to the stands. I'm an emotional person, an emotional coach - I was just trying to care for my player."

On the plus side, Sousa hailed the return of Vine, returning to the fray following a year long absence with a fractured leg.

"I was really pleased to see Vine return," he said.

"He played 20 minutes and I am very pleased for him. It was one of the big positives from today." QPR

CRYSTAL PALACE OFFICIAL SITE
- Crystal Palace returned to Championship action following the international break with the visit to Loftus Road against a QPR side who went into the game on the back of two victories.
- Palace were without injured John Oster, Nick Carle came back into the midfield for him and Claude Davis is back from injury at the heart of defence with Jose Fonte moving to the bench.
- Rangers include Ex Eagles Wayne Routledge and Mikele Leigertwood in their line up with an outside chance of the play offs still on the cards for the West London outfit.

The first chance on goal came the visitors as Shaun Derry had a shot from distance which went wide but at the other end Rangers first chance brought a save from Julian Speroni. A ball played in by Routledge found Liam Miller but the 'keeper turned the effort around the post.
Just before the half hour mark saw an easier save for Speroni when Adel Taarabt had a chance but shot straight at the man between the sticks. Just a minute later he had to be alert as a deflected chance from Di Carmine came across the face of goal with the Rangers players around him ready to make the most of the chance.

Six minutes before the break and a change is forced for Neil Warnock as he sees Clint Hill have to leave the field with an ankle injury and Jose Fonte comes into the centre of defence. Matt Lawrence goes right back and Nathanial Clyne replaces Hill at left back.

The first caution of the afternoon goes to Davis with six minutes of the half remaining when he catches Di Carmine as the two go for the ball. The outcome of an exchange of words in the dugout area sees Rangers boss Paulo Sousa shown to the stands for protesting with the official - he must of thought the challenge deserved harsher punishment.

The opening minute of the second period saw a good chance from Victor Moses as he showed good control on the edge of the box before producing a curling effort which was dipping towards goal before being tipped over the bar by Radek Cerny in the R's goal.

At the other end Routledge pulled a shot wide at the far post for the home side as the game starts a lot brighter than the first forty five minutes.

The home side looked set to go ahead when Hogan Ephraim broke clear just before the hour mark but once getting past his man he had Speroni to beat but put his effort over the bar in amongst the frustrated R's supporters.

Two more chances came Palace's way midway through the half as Anthony Stokes has a shot saved low down by at the foot of the post by Cerny and Shefki Kuqi heads wide from a Moses corner.

Further change from the bench with 12 minutes remaining as Paul Ifill comes into the game at the expense of Stokes.

He is soon in the game but his shot goes wide and the same happens to an effort from Kuqi as the visitors tried for a late winner.

A late change in the forward line for Palace as James Scowcroft replaced Kuqi for the final eight minutes.

A penalty shout was turned down in the final minutes as Rowan Vine tried to push for the winner but a handball shout was waved away and a disappointing London derby finished with neither side able to break the deadlock. Crystal Palace

Teams: QPR vs Crystal Palace

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- For "cutting-edge" information and for assorted perspectives on QPR and football (and nothing but QPR and football), visit the deliberately-different, QPR Report Messageboard ALL perspectives welcome!

QPR vs Crystal Palace: Today's Teams

QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Leigertwood, Routledge, Gorkss, Ramage, Connolly, Miller, Di Carmine, Ephraim, Taarabt. Subs: Stewart, Vine, Cook, Balanta, Alberti.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Lawrence, Hill, Derry, Carle, Moses, Danns, Davis, Kuqi, Stokes, Clyne. Subs: Fonte, Scowcroft, Hills, Ifill, Fonte.

Another "Sousa Out" Claim: QPR Want Ferguson to Replace Sousa

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- Visit the "cutting-edge" QPR Report Messageboard: For a combination of QPR and football-related articles and board discussion along with GREAT Old QPR Photos and videos. ALL perspectives welcome! Try it! - Burnley's Ex-Manager, Jimmy Adamson, Turns 80

Another "Ferguson to Replace Sousa" Claim
- The same names keep being reported, time and again: Darren Ferguson...Paul Ince...Darren Ferguson...

UPDATE: Complete Mirror Story
Mirror/James Nursey - QPR want Darren Ferguson as manager
- QPR want Darren Ferguson this summer to replace doomed boss Paulo Sousa.
Rangers' Portuguese first team coach Sousa, 38, is set to be demoted after winning just seven matches since succeeding Iain Dowie in November.
And QPR's autocratic co-owner Flavio Briatore has identified Sir Alex Ferguson's son Darren,37, to replace Sousa.
Ferguson junior got Peterborough promoted to League One last term in his first full season in charge.
And QPR are poised to move for the ambitious Scot if promotion hopefuls Posh fail to reach the Championship.
Sousa's days are numbered at Loftus Road and it was Briatore's decision to send striker Dexter Blackstock on loan to Nottingham Forest.
Briatore is also lining up summer transfer targets like Dele Adebola, 33, a free agent at Bristol City. Mirror

BBC Gossip/The Mirror - "QPR want Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson to replace boss Paulo Sousa in the summer. (Daily Mirror)" BBC Gossip

- Note: on March 31 The Mirror ran "QPR to demote manager Paulo Sousa in summer shake-up" and on March 8 "Queens Park Rangers Line Up Paul Ince as Nanager"

So: Who Exactly IS Darren Ferguson: Some Details ....January 2007 (7 QPR managers ago!): Appointed Manager of Peterbrough

- What's your view of this drumbeat of "Sousa-being-replaced" Stories?

Today's QPR Birthday: Paul Parker
- QPR's Former Star, Paul Parker, Turns 45: Born April 4, 1964. Signed from Fulham (along with Dean Coney) by Jim Smith (and David Bulstrode)in the summer of 1987. Played 125 games for QPR until Manchester United "stole" him for two million pounds in the summer of 1991. Also made his England debut while with QPR. See Parker Bio. See Also Wikipedia Profile.
- Earlier last season, Paul Parker spent a few months at QPR as "Commercial and communications director." From 2007, See: Paul Parker No Longer at QPR? and "Paul Parker Axed by QPR"

Friday, April 03, 2009

QPR Preview Crystal Palace...Crystal Palace Preview QPR

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- Visit the "cutting-edge" QPR Report Messageboard: For a combination of QPR and football-related articles and board discussion along with GREAT Old QPR Photos and videos. ALL perspectives welcome! Try it!
- Recently Posted: On This Day: One and Two Years Ago....Hiring the PR Firm to "Glamourize" QPR....Ex-QPR Player RIP....China Cracking Down on Football Violence

QPR Official Site -THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: EAGLES
- London rivals Crystal Palace head to W12 on Saturday afternoon with their faint play-off hopes hanging by the most miniscule of threads.
Neil Warnock's side currently lie five points adrift of the R's on 51 points and whilst it is still mathematically possible for them to clinch a successive spot in the top-six, the Eagles - who do have the benefit of a game in hand on many of their rivals - will probably need to win all of their remaining seven fixtures to stand any chance of making up the 12 point gap that currently separates them from the play-off zone.

And whilst refusing to completely rule out his side's chances, Warnock insists 'bad luck' on the injury front has cost his side dear this term.
Speaking after the Eagles' recent goalless draw against Reading at Selhurst Park, the former Sheffield United gaffer said: "If we had been able to keep hold of the same back four for a few weeks we might have been up there.
"That's the frustrating thing. We've had great opportunities, but we lost crucial players at the wrong time."
Palace were without striker James Scowcroft at the beginning of the season, while defenders Claude Davis and Patrick McCarthy have struggled to stay fit.
"Early doors in the season we had three months without a striker fit and then we've had two months without any centre-halves. We haven't had much luck this season," he added.
One huge plus point in an otherwise frustrating season for Warnock and co. has been the emergence of the latest group of talented teenagers to come off the SE25 production line.
Nathaniel Clyne and Victor Moses have impressed all and sundry with their performances to date this term, with the duo clocking up 50 appearances in all competitions between them, but - in the wake of Ben Watson's eventual move to Wigan Athletic in the January transfer window - Warnock is understandably worried about losing his prized assets.
"They are two exceptional players and I think all the big boys will be queuing up for them soon," he said recently.
"I can see the top four taking them. Hopefully we'll get another season out of them but it wouldn't surprise me if we get an offer we can't turn down in the summer."
Whether or not Clyne, Moses and co. follow Watson's lead to the Promised Lane of the Premiership remains to be seen, but their form - coupled with Shefki's Kuqi's goalscoring prowess - will undoubtedly determine where Warnock's Palace finish in his first full season in charge

Team News
Claude Davis should return to the Palace squad for the trip across London. The on-loan Derby defender has missed the last three matches with a hamstring injury but is expected to be available at Loftus Road.
Captain Shaun Derry should keep his place in midfield despite a hernia injury which will eventually require surgery. QPR

Crystal Palace Official Site - Next Up : Queens Park Rangers
- Queens Park Rangers ended a poor run of results that saw them pick up just five points from a possible 27 with two consecutive home wins at the end of March.
First, the Championship's surprise package, Swansea City were dispatched 1-0 before Bristol City were seen off 2-1 thanks to a late Adel Taarabt strike that cancelled out Michael McIndoe's equaliser.
Indeed Rangers' home form this season has been nothing short of inspired, with eleven games from 20 at Loftus ending in a victory and only four in defeat.
Away from home though and they appear to be a completely different prospect. A total of just three wins recorded all season, their away points tally has been kept ticking with a steady stream of draws - nine to be exact.
And that figure includes the 0-0 draw that was eeked out at Selhurst Park back in November. Both sides enjoyed good spells of possession but neither managed to really trouble Radek Cerny or Julian Speroni.

One positive for Palace though was the debut handed to young right back Nathaniel Clyne who has since gone on to make over 20 appearances under Neil Warnock.
Opposition view: Peter Ramage
"Warnock's sdes are always tough to play against, tough to beat.
"We drew 0-0 at their place earlier in the season in a really hard fought encountet, and we'll be expecting an equally tough match on Saturday."
Team news:
Crystal Palace:
Paddy McCarthy has returned to full training and is available for selection after three months out with a shoulder injury
Sean Scannell is out for the rest of the season with a hernia injury. John Oster has got a minor neck injury and will not be available.
Matt Lawrence and Claude Davis are both fit and available.
QPR:
TBC
Match Officials:
Referee: Mr S Mathieson - Games: 33 Yellow Cards: 75 Red Cards: 5
Assistants: Mr P Barnes & Mr G Hambling
Fourth official: Mr M Blackledge
Previous Encounters:
2008/2009
FLC Crystal Palace 0-0 Queens Park Rangers 29-11-2008
2007/2008
FLC Queen's Park Rangers 1-2 Crystal Palace 04-12-2007
FLC Crystal Palace 1-1 Queens Park Rangers 10-11-2007
2006/2007
FLC Crystal Palace 3-0 Queens Park Rangers 02-12-2006
Tickets
This match is now on general sale.

SCHOOL END LOWER TIER
Adults £25.00
U16's £15.00
U8's accompanied by paying ADULT, FREE prior to matchday (Free U8 ticket can only be purchased with Full Paying Adult)
Young Adult 16-21 £15.00 (Proof of age must be provided at purchase and matchday)
Snr Conc 60+yrs £15.00

SCHOOL END UPPER TIER
Adults £30.00
U16's £20.00
Young Adult 16-21 £20.00 (Proof of age must be provided at purchase and matchday)
Snr Conc 60+yrs £20.00

Betting:
If you fancy your chance for Palace to win 1-0 with Victor Moses being the scorer you can get odds of 50-1 than click here.
Live Commentary.
If you can't make the match don't forget that the whole 90 minutes will be LIVE on Palace World - just CLICK HERE to subscribe or to login if you are already a member of the World service. Crystal Palace Official Site

- Links to further previews and to Discuss the QPR/Palace Game

QPR Announce "Global Ambassador".... Ramage Praise for Axed-QPR Manager Iain Dowie...Anniversary of QPR Reaching Wembley

Thursday, April 02, 2009

QPR-Related News Snippets

-
- Visit the "cutting-edge" QPR Report Messageboard: For a combination of QPR and football-related articles and board discussion along with old QPR photos and videos. ALL perspectives welcome! Try it!

- Former QPR Player, Billy Waugh RIP

- QPR Linked to 35-Year Old Italian

- Updated: Old QPR Photos Compilation

- < Old QPR Videos from 1921 and 1923 and 1948 and 1967 and 1969 and 1970

- What QPR Chairman Jim Gregory called Brian Clough

- Dowie: Shearer has Cojones!

- Snide Comment About Iain Dowie

- Dowie Suing Charlton?

- Josh Ford Joins Rushden

- Bircham Playing for "Help For Heroes"

- Gorkss Speaks

- Chris Barker Update

- Year Flashback: QPR Hired PR Firm to "Glamourize" the Club

- Manager of the Month Winners

- Southampton Administration may NOT cost them ten point penalty

QPR "Boss Briatore Haunted By Mystery Man"

-
- Visit the "cutting-edge" QPR Report Messageboard: For a combination of QPR and football-related articles and board discussion along with old QPR photos and videos. ALL perspectives welcome! Try it!
- Recent Posts: Old QPR Videos from 1921 and 1923 and 1948 and 1967 and 1969 and 1970....Southampton Administration may NOT cost them ten point penalty... What QPR Chairman Jim Gregory called Brian Clough...Dowie Suing Charlton?...Josh Ford Joins Rushden...Bircham Playing for "Help For Heroes"....Gorkss Speaks...Snide Comment About Iain Dowie

Charles Sale/Daily Mail - R boss Briatore haunted by mystery man

- Flavio Briatore, the controversial co-owner of Queen’s Park Rangers, is facing fresh protests about his takeover of the London club two years after a buy-out which is still cloaked in secrecy.
- The latest twist came to light after a mystery man dressed in black paraded outside the main entrance at Loftus Road before the last home match against Bristol City. He was holding up a placard that read ‘Billionaire Schmillionaire Briatore, Pay Your Debts.’.
- Reports from Italy suggest that this allegedly relates to the deal struck with former owner and Italian football agent Antonio Caliendo when Renault boss Briatore, backed by his F1 ringmaster friend Bernie Ecclestone, took control in August 2007.
- Hunted: Flavio Briatore
- Caliendo’s response to the speculation about the purpose of the man in black was intriguing.
- He said: ‘I know something on this matter, too, as I am waiting to get an answer from my lawyers.’
- In the past, he said of his sale of the club to Briatore: ‘At the right time, we will expose publicly what really happened.’
- The bizarre development is the latest in a saga of extraordinary goings on at QPR over the last few years. Gianni Paladini, who was installed by Caliendo to run the club before Briatore’s buy-up, was even threatened by armed gunmen in the boardroom in August 2005." Mail

- Last week as posted on the blog of former QPR Holdings Chairman Antonio Caliendo's Blog

Flashback: QPR Enter Administration (Eight Years Ago Today)

-
- Visit the "cutting-edge" QPR Report Messageboard: For a combination of QPR and football-related articles and board discussion along with old QPR photos and videos. ALL perspectives welcome! Try it! Recent Posts: Various Old QPR Videos from 1921 and 1923 and 1948 and 1967 and 1969 and 1970!. Southampton Administration may NOT cost them ten point penalty. What QPR Chairman Jim Gregory called Brian Clough

- Contrary to various media stories in the past few days, QPR striker Helguson was not injured! Helguson played last night against Scotland.

Eight Years Ago, Today, the Nightmare Began: "QPR Enter Administration"
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- Share any memories or views of this "episode" in QPR History

- Eight years ago today, QPR fans heard the shock news "Rangers in Administration." Already in a relegation fight to avoid returning to the Old Third Division, this was a period, when the letters ABC were only letters in the Alphabet. When Wimbledon were only another a team: Not a seeming merger partner.
The Bible speaks of Seven years of lean and followed followed by seven years of fat. Well QPR fans have had their lean years. Now QPR fans hope that it's time for, as they say in Louisiana: "Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez" (Let the Good Times Roll)!

April 2, 2001 - QPR Official Statement - RANGERS IN ADMINISTRATION
The Board of Loftus Road PLC regrets to inform shareholders and supporters that after consultation with its advisors it has decided that the best course of action to help ensure the Group's longer term survival, is to put the holding company, Loftus Road PLC, and its wholly owned subsidiary The Queens Park Rangers Football and Athletic Club Ltd (QPR), into administration.
This decision has not been taken lightly and is a direct result of the losses incurred by the Group, currently running at �570,000 per month, over a sustained period of time.
The main objective of the Board is not only to ensure the continued operation of QPR and Wasps as professional sports teams in the short term, but to maximise their opportunity for a more prosperous future.
Chris Wright will be honouring his prior commitment to the Group and providing whatever financial support is necessary to ensure the continued running of the Clubs until a long term successor can be found or, initially, until at least the end of October 2001.
Chris Wright said :"It is a very sad day for everyone involved in Loftus Road. The last six months have been a real struggle financially and although my intention was to secure a sale to the right buyer before having to take this decision, it has not been forthcoming. I will continue to fund the day to day running of the Group until the end of the season and help to find a purchaser for QPR and Wasps.
Hopefully the day to day impact on the operation of QPR and Wasps as professional sports teams will be negligible, at least in the short term, and will in fact make the longer term more viable. My support for both Clubs remains undiminished and my greatest wish would be for the right individual with ready funds, energy and ideas to step in and secure their future as soon as possible." QPR Official

BBC, 2 April, 2001 - QPR put into administration
Troubled Queens Park Rangers plight worsened when the club were put into administration on Monday.
A statement on the club's website read: "The decision has not been taken lightly and is a direct result of the losses incurred by the Group, currently running at £570,000 per month, over a sustained period of time."
The club is owned by Loftus Road plc and shares in the company have been suspended.
This move comes after chairman Chris Wright failed to find a buyer for the club.
Hopefully the day to day impact on the operation of QPR and Wasps as professional sports teams will be negligible
Wright was believed to be in discussions with former director Andrew Ellis, but those talks seem to have broken down.
QPR share their Loftus Road ground with Wasps and Wright says he will continue to finance the day-to-day running of the club until the end of the season.
The London club's problems could further deteriorate if they lose their battle against relegation.
Wright said: "It is a very sad day for everyone involved in Loftus Road.
"The last six months have been a real struggle financially and although my intention was to secure a sale to the right buyer before having to take this decision, it has not been forthcoming.
"I will continue to fund the day to day running of the Group until the end of the season and help to find a purchaser for QPR and Wasps.
"Hopefully the day to day impact on the operation of QPR and Wasps as professional sports teams will be negligible, at least in the short term, and will in fact make the longer term more viable." BBC

BBC - Tuesday, 3 April, 2001 - Rangers safe, say administrators
The newly-appointed administrators of Queens Park Rangers have insisted the First Division club's future is not under threat.
Ray Hocking and Simon Michaels, of BDO Stoy Hayward Business Recovery Services, have been appointed joint administrators to holding company Loftus Road plc and their wholly-owned subsidiary QPR.
The administration was applied for by directors of Loftus Road plc as the best course of action for their long-term survival. The company have amassed debts of up to £11m.
"I don't see it as an existence-threatening position. I see it as a necessary step to ensure in the future there will be a Queens Park Rangers," said Hocking.
"Our priority is to secure a buyer for the company and the club and to ensure that creditors receive their monies."
There's no panic to dispose of this in the next few days or the next few weeks
Ray Hocking, QPR administrator
Chris Wright, majority shareholder and chairman of Loftus Road plc, will continue to fund the club and Hocking confirmed that rugby union club Wasps - another subsidiary of Loftus Road plc - has not been put into administration.
Hocking insisted he was in no rush to find a buyer for the company and the club and said: "It could take a couple of weeks and it could take a season or more. It really does depend on who comes along.
"We will wait until we get the right offer. There's no panic to dispose of this in the next few days or the next few weeks. We are looking at a long-term survival programme here, not a quick fix."
Hocking also stressed the club's assets were worth more than their liabilities. "The club owns its ground and its training ground and they are worth considerable sums of money," he said.
I think it's fair to say that the atmosphere among the players is pretty good
David Davies, chief executive of Loftus Road plc
"Any offers that include those have got to be considerable. We have got to be looking well above the £15-20m mark."
David Davies, the newly-appointed chief executive of Loftus Road plc, said the players, currently battling against relegation, remained positive.
"I think it's fair to say that the atmosphere among the players is pretty good," he said. " I see it as the beginning of a new era for QPR. BBC

Guardian/Scott Murray May 2001 - QPR and Wimbledon in merger talks
Queens Park Rangers have confirmed they are in "very early stage discussions" with Wimbledon about a possible merger of the two clubs.
The talks began after QPR were put into administration with debts of around £8m, while Wimbledon have been searching for a permanent home for several years.
The announcement came after a report in this morning's Sun. The article claimed that the proposed new team will be coached by Dons boss Terry Burton and will play its home games at Loftus Road.
However, a spokesperson for Loftus Road plc, the owners of QPR, was at pains to state that a final decision has yet to be made.
"Our initial view is that, in the current financial environment for football outside the Premier League, the idea could have merit and may be worth exploring further," he explained.
"But we must emphasise that it is still very early days and no firm agreement whatsoever has been reached. The talks with Wimbledon will only continue if there is general approval from our supporter base."
Wimbledon chairman Charles Koppel also played down the reports.
"No agreement to merge Wimbledon with QPR has been reached," he insisted. "While discussions regarding the idea of a possible merger have taken place, we realise that no agreement could ever be reached without consulting our supporters first.
"If the fans felt that this was not the best thing, we would re-evaluate and move along a different route."
Unsurprisingly, supporters have already opposed the mooted merger.
Libby Magrill, spokeswoman for QPR 1st, the Queens Park Rangers Supporters Trust, said: "Historically, QPR fans will not support a merger with any other Football League club.
"Proposed mergers with Brentford in 1967 and Fulham in 1987 were successfully opposed by the fans, and any move to merge QPR with Wimbledon this year, or at any stage in the future, will be opposed by every possible means.
"QPR fans will fight to retain the identity of our club. We know that Wimbledon fans will do the same."
Wimbledon fans also expressed their opposition to the proposal, promising to protest at a meeting between the club and supporters' organisations later this week.
The Wimbledon Independent Supporters' Association declared that they "unequivocally oppose the merger of two separate identities, families, supporters and histories" and added: "At our forthcoming meeting on Sunday with chairman Charles Koppel prior to the final game of the season, we shall be discussing and exploring the way to go forward.
"In addition, we shall be making clear to the owners of Wimbledon Football Club our desire for our own stadium and retained identity.
"We urge the vigilance of Wimbledon and QPR supporters during this time and ask that you make your voices heard far and wide."
Meanwhile, speculation that a third London club, Brentford, could also become involved was dismissed by chairman Ron Noades, who had been linked with a rival bid.
Noades told the Evening Standard: "We are not interested in any merger with or takeover of QPR.
"We were in talks with QPR about a possible ground share at Loftus Road but those cannot proceed until the club is out of administration.
"In the meantime, our own talks about a new ground for Brentford in the borough of Hounslow are progressing well.
"If QPR and Wimbledon merge we would be interested to talk to them about a possible ground share if we do manage to move to a new home ourselves."
It has also been reported that an unidentified City-based consortium are preparing a £12m bid to buy QPR outright and keep the club's identity.
Their bid is for the rugby and football wings of Loftus Road plc and would involve QPR and Wasps sharing Rangers' Acton training ground. Guardian

- See Also: QPR Report - Buying QPR: The Various Efforts Five Years Ago During Administration

See Also: Various other stories/articles at QPR Memories (Scroll down on the right hand bar to the near bottom)
# ADMINISTRATION & TAKEOVER OFFERS QPR & Wimbledon in Merger Talks
# Fans rebel as London clubs talk of merger
# QPR-Dons merger 'to be dead within 48 hours'
# QPR Go into Administration
# QPR Administration
# Ray Hocking Speaks
# Melzac Consortium Bid
# Takeover Bid
# Winton Consortium Bid
# Council Opposes QPR
# No Relocation From Loftus Road
# Consortium Offer
# Consortium Offer
# Winkelman Consortium
# QPR-Milwaukee Link Up
# Australian InvestorEdit-Me
# David Thorne -QPR in line for Aussie Cash
# Ellis Pulls out of Bid
# Another Bid
# Holloway Condemns Heathrow Move
# New QPR Bid
# Melzack
# Melzack Bid
# New QPR Takeover Effort
# Haleem Kherallah
# Haleem Kherallah
# QPR to Milton Keynes?
# Wimbledon Merger Stopped
# Melzack Offer for QPR

-- QPR Memories (Scroll down on the right hand bar to the near bottom)

See Also QPR 1st Archives

QPR1st Statements at the time:

12th June 2001 The rest of the news from June

Tuesday 5th June 2001 Update on today's press release

Monday 4th June 2001 In depth status report from Dave Thomas

Friday 1st June 2001 Response to the "Standard" Loftus Road sale article and news of this weeks activities

Tuesday 29th May 2001 Update on the meeting with the Milton Keynes Stadium Consortium

Thursday 24th May 2001 QPR1st statement regarding the sale of Loftus Road plc

Wednesday 23rd May 2001 Statement regarding the "buy back deadline"

Friday 18th May 2001 EGM special report Extensive report on the EGM at Loftus Road

Thursday 17th May 2001 Pre EGM QPR1st statement

Wednesday 16th May 2001 Update

Tuesday 15th May 2001 Update

Saturday 12th May 2001 Meeting with the administrators

Friday 11th May 2001 Update and share pooling information

Thursday 10th May 2001 Update - meeting with local MP

Wednesday 9th May 2001 - Update

Thursday 3rd May 2001 - Merger off - Report by Dave Thomas

Tuesday 1st May 2001 - Statement about importance of 'controlled delivery'
QPR 1st Archives - QPR Report

- Share any memories or views of this "episode" in QPR History

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

The "Injured" Helguson Plays vs Scotland

Claim: Sousa Has Four Games to Save His Job

Richard Langley on His Move to Cardiff and Best Players He's Played with

Sousa Wants QPR Overseas Pre-Season...New QPR Pitch...Blackstock and QPR's Ticket Sales...QPR's Lack of Youth Development and Marcus Bean

-
- Visit the "cutting-edge" QPR Report Messageboard: For a combination of QPR and football-related articles and board discussion along with old QPR photos and videos. ALL perspectives welcome! Try it! Recent Posts: Various Old QPR Videos from 1921 and 1923 and 1948 and 1967 and 1969 and 1970!... Southampton's Parent Body Faces Administration Financial Jeopardy...Apprentices should clean Boots.... Iain Dowie reportedly set to coach at Newcastle

- Jim Gregory on Brian Clough

- The New QPR Kit has been Launched: Announcement and Photo of The New QPR Kit

Kilburn Times/Kilburn Times - Paulo planning a trip abroad
- PAULO Sousa wants to take QPR on their first overseas trip for three years as part of their build-up to next season.
-Rangers have not played outside the UK since their shambolic jaunt to Italy in the summer of 2006, when the quality both of playing surfaces and opposition was labelled sub-standard.
-A year earlier, the Rs' Ibiza Cup victory was tainted by crowd trouble in the final against Coventry and, since the Italian fiasco, John Gregory and Iain Dowie both preferred to conduct their pre-season programme at home.
-But Sousa told the Times: "I want to have one part here and one part abroad.
- "We have to have a good pitch for training and we want to keep the union of the team and know each other better.
- "Of course, this depends on the decisions of the board because sometimes it costs money. I think you need to play the right games against the right teams in pre-season, but not so many.
- "For a coach in this league, the pre-season is very important because we are playing so many games in the season that we don't have as much time to train.
- "We have six weeks in pre-season to make our ideas clear and if we start the season well, like Wolverhampton did this year, everyone will have the confidence to continue these ideas."
- Sousa's plans for next season have also been boosted by news that the club intend to install a new pitch at Loftus Road following their last home game of the campaign, against Plymouth Argyle on April 25." Kilburn Times

Kilburn Times/Ben Kosky - Just the ticket? Maybe not
- THE message couldn't be clearer: stump up your cash right now if you want to watch QPR's top goalscorer in action next season!
- That's him. Dexter Blackstock - Rangers' poster boy, the face of the club's future... and on loan to a club in the Championship relegation zone.
- You could have been forgiven for thinking it was an early April Fool's joke. Sadly, it was very much in keeping with the absurd, asinine way QPR conduct their football business these days.
But it will be fascinating to see what effect the astonishing decision to offload Blackstock to Nottingham Forest has on Rangers fans pondering whether or not to renew their season tickets.
- The club have offered supporters until April 17 - just over a fortnight away - to purchase season tickets at current prices. How much they will be charged after that date remains classified information.
- Some fans will be wondering why this supposedly 'ambitious' club are so keen to part with a player who has hit the net more than twice as often as anyone else this season.
- Or why the club - following two good home wins that kept the door to the play-offs fractionally ajar - appear to be slamming it shut by sending out such a negative message.
- Or why on earth supporters should part with more hard-earned cash so that the board can squander it on ridiculous signings like Daniel Parejo, Damiano Tommasi and Gary Borrowdale all over again.
- But footballing logic was swept out long ago at Loftus Road, along with any semblance of a youth policy, Jude the Cat and a number of loyal club stalwarts.
-No doubt some optimists will be clutching at the straw of signing a big-name striker in the summer, someone who will bang in 20-plus goals next season and lead the Rs to the Premier League.
-Isn't that what we were all expecting this time last year? But the proven goal poacher never materialised because the club were too busy signing players that - with the exception of Kaspars Gorkss and Lee Cook - they didn't actually need.
-The question is whether you trust the people who run QPR sufficiently to give them a second chance, to learn from their mistakes and get it right in future.
-It might help if any club official had made some attempt to explain the baffling decision to get rid of Blackstock, as Kevin Keegan did after Newcastle sold Andy Cole to Manchester United many moons ago.
- Needless to say, the silence from the club is deafening - and perhaps not surprising, given that their last two managers have also had to pack their bags without any kind of official explanation.
- That silence says all you need to know, because it would be difficult for QPR to admit the truth, namely that Blackstock had to go purely because interfering co-owner Flavio Briatore took a dislike to him.
- Already, a myth has been spun that Paulo Sousa was the one who didn't rate Blackstock - yet, when fit, the striker was involved in almost every game since the coach arrived.
-True, Sousa admits he would prefer to play with a traditional target man, but there is no reason why Blackstock should not have been able to feed off that kind of player as the second forward.
- Let's not forget, Blackstock - who is still only 22 - rarely had the chance to fill that kind of role at Rangers, yet managed to score goals at a healthy rate in a side that was often average at best.
-Who will fill his place remains to be seen. But there may be many other empty spaces at Loftus Road next season. Kilburn Times

Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - They've all Bean and gone
SINCE the turn of the millennium, only one player has risen through the ranks to make more than 50 appearances in a QPR shirt.
- Marcus Bean, who left Loftus Road three years ago, is that man - and he is astonished that no youngsters, from either his own age group or more recently, have followed in his footsteps.
- The tough-tackling midfielder, who is now back in west London with League Two front-runners Brentford, featured 76 times for Rangers over a three and a half year period.
- "I think everyone loves to break through when they've come from the youth team," Bean told the Times. "You really feel that sense of pride when you put the shirt on.
- "I wouldn't like to criticise and I don't know the quality of young players at QPR at the moment, but through the years they always had a good Academy down there.
-"All that youth team were good players when I was there - Justin Cochrane and Wes Daly, to pick two names out of a hat - and that was shown by the fact that we got to the under-19 league final against Nottingham Forest.
- "It's a shame that none of them broke through and I'm surprised to see that nobody's broken through since - it's a crying shame, really. Maybe it's just that the foreign owners want to do things their way and bring in big-name signings instead."
- Angelo Balanta is the main ray of hope for Rangers fans who may despair of ever seeing their club develop homegrown talent again, but the current owners appear to have little or no interest in realising that goal.
- The wasteful level of player turnover at QPR in recent years also makes it less likely that any youth teamer can aspire to even match the career Bean enjoyed at Loftus Road.
- And, with respect to the 24-year-old, he was rarely a regular choice in the Rs' starting line-up, especially after promotion in 2004, and was loaned out twice to Swansea City before finally joining Blackpool 18 months later.
- Having struggled to establish himself at Bloomfield Road, Bean dropped into the Football League's basement last summer, but has flourished as a vital cog in the Bees side this season.
- "I'm enjoying my time at Brentford," Bean declared. "Things didn't go so well at Blackpool over the last couple of years, so I'm glad to be plying my trade in London again and I think that has contributed to my performances this season.
- "It's good to be back with my family because I was a bit despondent in Blackpool. I know there were a few eyebrows raised and people said to me maybe I should have held on and looked for something else.
- "But the manager, Andy Scott, was really positive. I liked what I saw and I knew we'd be capable of pushing for promotion this season."
- And Hammersmith-born Bean certainly hasn't given up hope of returning to Loftus Road to face his old club on a level playing field at some stage in the near future.
- "A couple of promotions on the bounce is not unheard of - Peterborough and MK Dons are challenging again this year," he added.
-"I feel we've got a good enough squad, with a few additions, to push on next season.
-"I'd love to go and play QPR again. I still speak to Lee Cook and Kaspars Gorkss, who's a friend of mine from Blackpool, and I've been to watch them a couple of times recently.
- "When you're at a club for as long as I was, it's gut-wrenching to leave. But I wasn't getting enough games and I felt it was the right time to move on.
-"With hindsight, maybe it wasn't, but I wish QPR all the best. Kilburn Times

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