QPR 1 - Derby 2: Reports & Managerial Comments

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MANAGERIAL COMMENTS:
QPR's John Gregory's Comments - QPR OFFICIAL SITE
John Gregory refused to be downbeat after the 2-1 defeat to Derby.
Goals from Morten Bisgaard and Steve Howard gave the Rams all three points.
"I've learnt a lot my players again today,'' Gregory told www.qpr.co.uk.
"I've always had teams or been in teams that set their stall out early, but it's something we need to work on.
"It's down to me to get it right on the training ground and we'll work on it before the weekend.
"The old adage that you learn more after a defeat is paramount in my thoughts at the moment, and I'm looking for a response on Saturday.
"There's never a good time to lose, especially at home, but we'll deal with it and move on.''
The gaffer yet again paid tribute to Chelsea loanee Jimmy Smith, whose stunning goal proved in vein: "One of the lads suggested afterwards that if it was anyone but Chelsea, Jimmy would've been recalled after his last two displays.
"His goal was magnificent and he and Marc Bircham were outstanding.''
QPR

DERBY'S BILLY DAVIES
Billy Davies felt only a wonderful performance from QPR goalkeeper Paul Jones prevented the Rams from winning at Loftus Road by more than the one goal.
Morten Bisgaard and Steve Howard struck in the first half to give Derby all three points from a 2-1 success but a string of fine saves from Jones kept them to two and left the game always on a knife-edge.
Jimmy Smith had equalised for the Hoops but Jones was by far the busier keeper on the night and showed his best form on numerous occasions.
"I thought their goalkeeper was magnificent and I don't know how many saves he made but he kept them in the game," Davies told www.dcfc.co.uk.
"We created a lot of chances and played very well.
"We had to battle as it was a scrappy game at times, and a difficult match for the referee, but it was a fantastic three points for us.
"I said previously that the two games in three days was a big test for us with QPR having that extra day's recovery but I felt we looked far fitter this time around than the first time it happened this season."
Derby

QPR OFFICIAL SITE
Jimmy Smith's wonder-goal proved in vein, as the R's unbeaten run hit a stumbling block against Derby County at Loftus Road.
First half goals from Morten Bisgaard and Steve Howard proved decisive, as John Gregory's men succumbed to their first defeat in four Championship fixtures.
Rangers trailed 2-1 at the break, despite Smith bagging an early contender for goal of the season.
After conceding so early on against Norwich on Saturday, you would have expected the R's to have learned their lesson.
Unfortunately for an expectant home crowd that wasn't the case, as Bisgaard capitalised on some poor marking in the heart of the defensive third to curl a sublime third minute effort past Paul Jones.
Undeterred, Rangers were on terms three minutes later courtesy of a stunning strike from Smith.
After marking his home debut in style on Saturday with a strike that belied his tender age, the Chelsea teenager went one better with the type of volley that wouldn't look out of place on the biggest stage of them all.
Rangers were indebted to Jones for keeping them in the contest as the half evolved, as the veteran Welsh stopper rolled back the years, producing two world-class saves to keep the Rams at bay.

But all his hard work went to waste on 32 minutes, when Howard followed up Arturo Lupoli's 15-yard strike to give the Rams the advantage at the break.
John Gregory named an unchanged line-up for the visit of one of his former sides to Loftus Road.
Chelsea loanee Smith continued his flourishing partnership with Marc Bircham in the heart of the R's midfield, while his Blues team-mate Michael Mancienne was named on the R's bench.
Buoyed by his two goal salvo on Saturday, it was man of the moment Martin Rowlands who sparked the R's into life early on.
After seeing his 25-yard free-kick blocked for a corner, his resultant second minute set-piece found Damion Stewart, who was unlucky to see his powerful header blocked to safety.
A minute later Derby were ahead. Bisgaard was gifted far too much time and space 25-yards from goal and he duly took advantage, curling a superb right footed strike past the despairing dive of Paul Jones.
Rangers should've been level two minutes later when a sublime cross from Lee Cook fell perfectly on to the head of Dexter Blackstock, only for Lee Grant to pull off a top-drawer save from point-blank range to deny the former Rams loanee.
Moments later the R's were on terms and what a goal it was too.
There appeared to be little danger when the ball fell at the feet of Smith 20-yards from goal, but the Chelsea youngster had other ideas, letting fly with an unstoppable left footed half-volley that gave Grant absolutely no chance.
The reaction from his team-mates told its own story, as all 10 outfield players rejoiced as one to mark a truly sensational strike.
Rangers were revelling in the atmosphere of a pumped up Loftus Road and few were expressing themselves more than Cook.
When Marcus Bignot clipped a neat pass into his path on the left wing on 12 minutes, only a superb defensive header from Michael Johnson prevented the onrushing Blackstock and Ray Jones adding to the R's tally.
While Cook was excelling at one end, Jones was producing absolute wonders at the other.
Lupoli seemed destined to make it 2-1 when he was gifted the freedom of the six-yard box on 18 minutes, but the Welsh stopper flung himself full length to his right to deny the Arsenal teenager.
The Rangers keeper was at it again two minutes, producing an even better one handed stop to prevent Seth Johnson's stunning strike from hitting the back of the net.
But he was powerless to prevent Howard from making it two on 32 minutes.
Lupoli's initial effort was only parried by Jones and the unmarked Howard arrived bang on cue to slot into an unguarded net.
Rangers had strong appeals for a spot-kick when Blackstock appeared to be tugged to ground a minute later, but referee Mr Thorpe waved play on, as the R's went in trailing.
After Howard's lucky ricochet cannoned a yard over the Rangers bar on 47 minutes, play quickly switched to the other end, with Blackstock seeing his deft header from an acute angle hacked off the line by Michael Johnson.
Moments later Rowlands let fly with a fearsome 18-yard strike that flew inches wide of the right hand upright, as Rangers started to take control.
Seth Johnson became the third Rams player to see yellow for a rash challenge on Bignot, before Cook received a caution for kicking the ball away in disgust after a perfectly timed tackle.

But just when it seemed as though an equaliser was on the cards, Jones had to be at his best to produce yet more heroics at the other end, tipping round Bisgaard's goal-bound free-kick, before thwarting Howard from close range.
Derby were slowly but surely beginning to orchestrate proceedings, with Billy Davies' men hitting the woodwork twice in as many minutes.
Firstly, second half substitute Jon Stead struck a thunderous effort against the post, before Howard headed onto the top of the bar from 10-yards.
Adam Bolder should've wrapped it all up on 71 minutes, but after fine wide play from Stead, he somehow missed his kick from little more than three yards.
Smith did his best to spark the R's into action when his stinging 20-yard drive flew inches over the top on 73 minutes, before Gregory made his first change, introducing Kevin Gallen at the expense of Jones.
Bircham stung the palms of Grant with a speculative 30-yard drive on 84 minutes, while Blackstock headed over from six-yards out when it seemed easier to score.
Jones' cameo display in the Rangers goal continued right up until the final whistle when he saved well from Stead, before at the other end, Rowlands' close range strike on 90 minutes was deflected wide for a corner.
QPR: P Jones, Lomas (Donnelly 81), Stewart, Rehman, Bignot, Rowlands, Bircham, Smith, Cook, Blackstock, R Jones (Gallen 73).
Subs: Royce,Ward, Mancienne.
Scorers: Smith 6
Bookings: Cook 57
Derby County: Grant, Edworthy, Camara, Bolder, Leacock (Boertien 90), M Johnson, Bisgaard (Moore 84), Howard, Lupoli (Stead 61), S Johnson, Oakley.
Subs: Bywater, Smith.
Scorers: Bisgaard 3
Bookings: Bolder 25, Howard 32, S Johnson 55, Edworthy 65
Attendance: 10,882
Referee: M Thorpe
QPR

DERBY OFFICIAL SITE
Quite how this game finished with only three goals is anybody's guess but Derby won't be complaining after they recorded a fine win on the road.
Morten Bisgaard curled them in front five minutes in but the home side were level almost immediately through Jimmy Smith's thunderbolt.
Arturo Lupoli and Seth Johnson were denied by fine Paul Jones saves but Steve Howard was on target from close range to give Derby the lead at half-time.
After the break it was more of the same as Howard and Jon Stead both hit the woodwork, while Jones pulled out fine stops to deny the front pair.
QPR had their moments too but Derby stuck at their task well and put right the defeat at Plymouth with a deserved three points.
Seth Johnson and Dean Leacock returned to the Derby County side as Billy Davies made two changes following Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Plymouth Argyle.
Leacock's introduction was a straight swap for Darren Moore at the heart of the defence while Johnson's return was in place of Jon Stead, who was on the bench after playing the full 90 minutes at Home Park just 48 hours after signing for the club.
That meant a switch to a five-man midfield consisting of Morten Bisgaard, team skipper Matt Oakley, Johnson, Adam Bolder and Arturo Lupoli, with Steve Howard leading the line in attack.
Only five minutes were on the clock and the Rams were in front thanks to Bisgaard's first goal of the season.
Rangers failed to deal with a long ball and it fell to the Dane 20 yards out, who curled his shot beautifully past Paul Jones and into the bottom-left corner.
The home side had a great chance to equalise immediately as Dexter Blackstock met Lee Cook's left-wing cross with a firm header, but Lee Grant was equal to it with a fine save.
But equalise they did just two minutes later with a thunderous volley from the edge of the box.
Derby failed to clear their lines and the ball dropped to Jimmy Smith, who cracked home his shot and left Grant with no chance.
The goal gave Rangers an immediate lift and they peppered the Derby box with crosses to their two tall strikers, but each time they met with a confident fist from Grant.
Derby should have been back in front on 18 but were denied by a wonder-save from Jones.
Bisgaard found himself in space on the right and his cross was inch-perfect for the head of Lupoli, but Jones's reactions were equal to the close-range effort.
Jones then showed agility beyond his 39 years to tip over a powerful Seth Johnson 25-yarder that looked destined for the top-left corner.
The Rams were getting up a head of steam and Howard chipped over from the edge of the box when he perhaps could have rolled in either Bisgaard or Bolder, who were in better positions.
Bolder found himself cautioned for hacking down Smith in full-flight, and it left the Rams facing a potentially dangerous situation - a free-kick some 25 yards out, and slightly left of centre.
However the wall stood firm to block out Steve Lomas's strong shot.
Derby were back in front 12 minutes before half-time after breaking quickly down the left through Bolder and Mo Camara.
Camara's cross was blocked out to Lupoli, whose 14-yard shot was well saved by Jones, but Howard was on hand to ram home the rebound from close range.
Lupoli was forced wide as he looked to close in on goal but on the balance of chances so far, if not necessarily possession, Derby were good value for their interval lead.
Derby opened up the second half on the attack and came close to extending their lead in freak circumstances as Bolder got in the way of Rehman's clearance only for the ball to bounce just over Jones's bar.
At the other end Cook's cross was headed back in front of goal by Blackstock, but Leacock showed great calmness and composure to clear the danger.
Martin Rowlands saw his 16-yard drive flash just over as the second half promised to continue in the same vein as the first.
Seth Johnson picked up a caution for time-wasting with 55 minutes on the clock.
Left-winger Cook was proving a danger but he too found himself cautioned for kicking the ball away after a couple of close decisions went against him.
Derby's first change came on 61 minutes as Stead replaced Lupoli, and from the free-kick the Rams were waiting to take Jones made another fine save - this time from Bisgaard's low effort.
The switch saw Stead move up alongside Howard, Bisgaard move over to the left of midfield, Oakley on the right with Bolder and Seth Johnson in the middle.
Edworthy was the next Ram to be cautioned, again for time-wasting, but with 25 minutes still on the clock Rangers were offering little other than balls into the box that were comfortably dealt with.
Derby had a great chance to make it three when Rehman failed to deal with a long ball and let Howard through, but the big number nine never quite got the ball out from under his feet and Jones saved well.
Stead then struck a post from 20 yards with a shot that came completely out of nowhere, and as Rangers failed to clear their lines Howard headed Camara's cross against the bar.
The understanding between Howard and Stead produced another golden chance for Derby, but this time Bolder was the guilty party as all he had to do was make contact with Stead's low cross five yards out, but somehow the midfielder missed his kick.
Bircham and Smith combined for the on-loan Chelsea youngster to crack over on 73 minutes before Rangers boss John Gregory made his first change of the night, Kevin Gallen replacing teenager Ray Jones in attack.
Referee Mick Thorpe added the name of Rangers' centre-half Rehman to his notebook, for a 78th-minute tackle from behind on Howard.
Scott Donnelly came on in place of Lomas with eight minutes remaining as Gregory looked to recover something from the game.
Grant produced a fine diving save to push away Bircham's 25-yard pile-driver but Derby were next on the substitution run as Darren Moore took over from Bisgaard on 84 minutes.
Moore slotted in alongside Leacock and Michael Johnson as Derby looked to play out the game with three centre-backs.
Blackstock headed over from close range with three minutes left as the Rams lived a little dangerously from Cook's in-swinging free-kick.
Stead did well to hold up Camara's ball and turn cleverly past Damion Stewart on the edge of the box, but once again Jones pulled out a fine save from the striker's low shot.
Gallen missed a stoppage-time sitter for the home side, while Derby saw Leacock hobble off through injury, but Derby held out for their fourth win on the road this season.
Derby

DERBY EVENING TELEGRAPH
Gregory gutted as Billy celebrates

QPR 1 v 2 Derby County
QPR manager John Gregory admitted his first defeat felt "horrible" after his former employers Derby left Loftus Road celebrating a 2-1 victory.
Steve Howard ensured Gregory's unbeaten start was brought to a halt by the club which left him on the managerial scrapheap more than three years ago.

Chelsea teenager Jimmy Smith grabbed his second goal in two matches with a spectacular volley to cancel out Morten Bisgaard's early opener for Derby but Howard, a £1million summer signing from Luton, grabbed his fifth of the season to condemn Rangers to defeat.

If Gregory needed any extra incentive as he looked to guide Rangers to a third win in his fourth game in charge then the visitors provided plenty.

Derby sacked Gregory in 2003 for alleged misconduct, and despite subsequently winning #1million in compensation for unfair dismissal, the rumours and innuendo surrounding the former Aston Villa manager's departure were sufficient to keep him out of the game for three and a half years until QPR came calling last month.

But County appeared just as keen to put one over on their old boss, although Gregory stressed: "It was just another game.

"I sometimes don't even see the opposition when I'm focused on my team - although the Derby fans let me know they were there with one or two insulting remarks.

"It's my first setback and it feels horrible, but you learn a lot about people in defeat and this lot will bounce back."

Gregory was also quick to praise midfielder Smith, whom Jose Mourinho has loaned to Rangers for an initial month.

"I think Jose's glad he's only down the road so he can keep an eye on him," added Gregory.

"And he can go back and tell Frank (Lampard) all about his goals. But by the time he goes back, whenever that is, he could well find himself thrust straight in."

Derby boss Billy Davies was delighted with the character his side showed in bouncing back from a disappointing 3-1 defeat by Plymouth on Saturday.

The Rams have now won four times on the road this season and lie in a healthy eighth spot, and Davies said: "It was a big ask, two long trips in three days, but I thought we answered it and showed a lot character.

"We showed in the second half our fitness has improved and it was a big performance from us. It was a tough game - I felt sorry for the ball at times - so we'll enjoy the the long trip home.

"It's an important three points for us against a team you know will make it difficult for you."
The night ended on a sour note, however, when Derby defender Dean Leacock was taken to hospital after a clash of heads towards the end of the game.

"He's concussed and he's off to hospital. I was disappointed the ref didn't stop the game sooner. It's a concern," added Davies.
We'll have more reaction from the game tomorrow.
Derby

Also QPR NET: Justin Skinner/QPR NET Match Report