QPR's Cardiff Triumph: Further Reports & Comments

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Links to Match Reports of QPR's Win: Full Reports below
The Guardian
The Times
Independent
Telegraph
Mirror
Sun
BBC
Western Mail
Managerial Comment - Western Mail
Earlier Match report compilation of QPR's Win at Cardiff

Managerial COMMENTS
BBC -Cardiff manager Dave Jones:
"They came to do a job and they have taken away the points.
"If you are not going to win then you have to make sure you do not lose.
"I have no complaints, because we started poorly and finished poorly, and there were not enough attempts on goal.
"They got the goal without any sustained pressure. It was bad defending on our part."
QPR manager John Gregory:
"I've been so proud of them since I became manager.
"This group of players is a pleasure to be around and they're a fantastic bunch of lads.
"They've a tremendous work ethic and throughout the game you could see them backing each other up.
"Given the number of goals we've conceded, we did very well defensively." BBC

The Times/Tony Rees - Jones late show is a shock for Cardiff
Cardiff City 0 Queens Park Rangers 1
BENEVOLENCE in the guise of Children in Need may have swept across the nation last night, but Ray Jones, who came on as a substitute for Queens Park Rangers, showed no such generosity with a late strike that ended Cardiff City’s unbeaten home record in the Coca-Cola Championship.
Television demands had forced Cardiff to play on the same evening of a rugby union international at the Millennium Stadium. The attendance had been hit and QPR were the most impressive early on, Lee Cook and Dexter Blackstock going close.
The Londoners nearly took the lead in the most bizarre fashion after 33 minutes. Stephen McPhail’s pass was reckless in the extreme but Blackstock failed to take advantage of the ensuing hashed clearance from Neil Alexander, the goalkeeper.
Cardiff had offered little other than Paul Parry’s 25-yard effort that had flown over the crossbar. Kevin McNaughton, the defender, almost broke the deadlock on the hour with a right-foot curled shot that smacked against the crossbar but Jones scored the winning goal at the far post in the dying minutes.
The Times

Jeremy Wilson/The Guardian - November 18, 2006
Cardiff's first stumble as Jones steps in at the last
Having inherited a team who looked set for a battle against relegation, John Gregory has taken Queens Park Rangers to within two points of the play-offs. This win extends their unbeaten run to five and it is unlikely that any result has given Gregory more pleasure than inflicting Cardiff's first league defeat of the season.
The England Under-19 international Ray Jones scored the winner only three minutes from time and in consequence both Preston North End and Birmingham City have the opportunity this afternoon to draw level with Cardiff at the top of the Championship table.
Dave Jones has complained that opposition clubs are less willing to lend DVDs and videos of themselves to Cardiff since his team have led the Championship, but it would have required only the minimum of research to anticipate the attacking threat posed by Gregory's QPR.
Before last night Rangers had scored 21 times in the nine games since Gregory's arrival as manager and they created the better early chances. Lee Cook provided a constant threat down the left and he presented Dexter Blackstock with a good opportunity on 18 minutes which the former Southampton striker headed wide.
As the first half wore on, Cardiff came closer to finding their rhythm but the final ball was lacking as Michael Chopra and Steve Thompson, who returned after missing the previous two games with an achilles injury, took time to re-establish their partnership up front.
Having missed out on a loan move for Manchester United's Alan Smith, Jones clearly hopes to strengthen his attacking options and it was the winger Paul Parry who produced Cardiff's only first-half effort of real note when he shot over.
Cardiff continued to built their momentum and went within inches of taking the lead on 55 minutes. The left-back Kevin McNaughton made an unlikely run forward and unleashed a dipping shot which beat Simon Royce in the QPR goal only to cannon against the crossbar.
Cardiff's other full-back, the 17-year-old Chris Gunther, was making his full home debut and was also quick to offer his support in attack as Cardiff continued to pose questions of QPR.
Darren Purse was denied a decent penalty shout following a challenge by Damion Stewart but, with the next attack, QPR's Jones slid home at the near-post to land the decisive blow.
Guardian

INDEPENDENT - November 18 - David Instone
Cardiff City 0 Queen's Park Rangers 1: Jones strikes at the heart of Cardiff
Unlike their oval-ball brethren up the road, it was three minutes from time before either of these sides scored ­ and it was Queen's Park Rangers who landed the dramatic blow. Ray Jones, an England Under-19 international, slid in a delicious low right-wing cross from fellow substitute Nicky Ward to condemn Cardiff City to their first home Championship defeat.
Rangers, with 10 goals in their previous three games, toiled well to continue their giant strides under John Gregory, but the manager admitted: " We stole it in the end. We're the division's two highest-scoring teams, yet all the signs were that it was going to be nil-nil. It's fantastic for us to come and beat the leaders.''
The Cardiff manager Dave Jones described it as Cardiff's worst performance of 2006-07; they were made to look sluggish by Rangers' slick work.
Jimmy Smith curled wide and Dexter Blackstock glanced a header off target from a delivery by Lee Cook, who then made space for a 20-yarder Neil Alexander clawed round his post. Cardiff had still barely threatened when Alexander hit a hurried clearance against Blackstock and was relieved the striker slipped as he shaped to shoot.
Jones gave a League debut to Chris Gunter ­ such a fan of the club that he travels on a supporters' coach to games when not playing. The 17- year-old hardly put a foot wrong at right-back while Kevin McNaughton, on the left, got forward well, a tremendous 55th-minute advance taking him past two opponents before a carefully shaped effort from 25 yards smacked against the bar.
Only belatedly did Michael Chopra stretch Rangers' defence. Paul Parry netted from his pass after the offside flag had gone up, then Zesh Rehman survived a tangle of legs with Darren Purse that had Ninian Park's smallest League crowd so far baying for a penalty. Rangers' third successive victory lifted them five places to 13th while Cardiff's third defeat in six will have more sceptical fans wondering if the bubble is bursting.
Independent

Telegraph/Chris Wathan - Jones' timely strike ends Cardiff's record
Cardiff's proud home record came to an end against unlikely opposition as Ray Jones' late goal sunk the Bluebirds.
The Championship leaders have seen off Birmingham, West Brom, Wolves and Southampton in front of their own fans in their march to the top. But against John Gregory's resurgent Rangers Cardiff saw their efforts come unstuck as Jones dived in at the far post with two minutes to go, on a night of few goal-mouth incidents.
Sport fans in the Welsh capital were faced with a choice of international rugby at the Millennium Stadium or the Championship table- toppers in action a few miles down the road. Those who had opted for the football on offer at Ninian Park were left disappointed. Where the Welshmen have usually raced out of the blocks, they struggled to get going.

Jimmy Smith's cross for Dexter Blackstock was headed wide by the striker on 17 minutes, before Neil Alexander saved well from Lee Cook's driving effort soon after.
Alexander would save well from Blackstock once more, the keeper making amends from his poor clearance after Stephen McPhail had put him under ridiculous pressure with an over-head back-pass.
Defender Chris Gunter, making his league debut for Cardiff at the age of 17, did spark some life into the game before the break with a clever driving run and cross but it was fellow full-back Kevin McNaughton who provided the most excitement on 54 minutes, when he cut inside and looped a shot past Simon Royce and onto the bar.
Cardiff were made to pay when QPR's Australian substitute Nick Ward, provided a clever cross, which was poked home by Jones at the far post.
Telegraph

The Sun/ By GARETH MORGAN November 18, 2006
RAY JONES sent Championship leaders Cardiff to their first home defeat of the season showing John Gregory has really put the wheels in motion at QPR.
The R’s boss is the driving force behind the Loftus Road side’s surge up the table after England Under-19 star Jones grabbed an 88th-minute winner to beat the Bluebirds.
Gregory, with three wins on the spin, said: “I thought we might have had a chance when we were on our way to Cardiff. We have a big double-decker we use to go to games and on the way here I was downstairs and I could hear all the lads stamping their feet on the floor.
“They knew they had been playing well and they thought they had a chance of causing an upset here.
“They did and I’m so proud of them. Perhaps the result flattered us and maybe a draw would have been a fairer result but we worked hard and stopped Cardiff from playing from the start.
“I’m delighted with the three points and it’s fabulous to come here and beat the league leaders.
“It makes us full of confidence for the rest of the season
Sub Jones’ late strike was a rare moment of excitement in a dull affair. Cardiff had gone closest earlier when defender Kevin McNaugh-ton hit the bar on 55 minutes.
Now the Bluebirds could lose top spot if Preston win by two goals at Leicester today and that left boss Dave Jones fuming.
He said: “We didn’t get any rhythm together and our attacking play was not up to scratch which is unusual for us.
“It’s frustrating because my mantra is if you’re not going to win a game you certainly make sure you don’t lose it.
“But I stood there on the touchline and just had the feeling something was going to happen and it was going to be one of those nights.
“I haven’t a clue why but we will come in on Monday and work our socks off to put things right.
“You don’t just lose it after one game. It’s not the end of the world and there’s still a long, long way to go.”
Sun

Daily Mirror/Ken Gorman "Sting Ray"
Bluebirds are brought down to earth by supersub Jones Cardiff City v QPR
TEENAGER Ray Jones stepped off the bench to fire Rangers to a dramatic last gasp victory - and floor Championship leaders Cardiff last night.
Jones, 18, brought on after 65 minutes, rifled home a cross from Nick Ward with just two minutes to go.
His strike condemned the Bluebirds to a first home league defeat of the season - and Preston could take over at the top today if they win at Leicester.
It may have been a smashand-grab victory for Rangers but the London side, unbeaten in five games, deserved at least a share of the spoils for their spirited display.
They arrived in Cardiff with confidence sky-high after their good run.
And they took the game to the home side from the start. Barely a minute had gone when Jimmy Smith had goalkeeper Neil Alexander scrambling with a fierce crossshot that went narrowly wide.
The 19-year-old has been a big part of Rangers' revival, scoring five times in his previous seven games since joining on loan from Chelsea.
His early effort set the pattern for a first half dominated by QPR. They even shook off the early loss of Gareth Ainsworth, who injured an ankle in a collision with Joe Ledley.
With Cardiff looking strangely out of sorts, Rangers continued to dictate.
Dexter Blackstock missed a good chance to put them ahead, planting his header wide from Lee Cook's cross. Then Cook unleashed a fierce drive that brought a save from Alexander.
And it was Alexander who came to Cardiff's rescue again in the 32nd minute, scrambling the ball to safety after John McPhail's mis-hit back pass gave Blackstock a chance.
The Welsh side were riding their luck at this stage, quite unable to muster any attacking momentum .
They were finally lifted by new boy Chris Gunter just before the break. Boss Dave Jones (above) had given the 17-year-old Wales youth international his debut at right-back, but he emerged on the left wing to weave past two defenders before his cross was scrambled clear.
At least Cardiff were encouraged to begin the second half with far more purpose.
And it was left-back Kevin McNaughton who came desperately close to making the crucial breakthrough after 54 minutes.
The Scotland international raced from his own half and left goalkeeper Simon Royce helpless with a dipping drive that crashed against the crossbar.
Then Michael Chopra, starved of possession in the first half, created a shooting chance with some nimble footwork, only to blast his effort high. It was Rangers' turn to be forced back now, as Cardiff piled on the pressure.
Mirror

Western Mail/Steve Tucker
Bluebirds fail to sparkle Nov 18 2006
THOSE people who chose to attend the nearby rugby international instead of a trip to Ninian Park probably took the wise option in the end.
The Bluebirds crashed to their first home defeat of the season against a QPR side who have hardly set the Championship on fire and are workmanlike at best.
It is a result which, while hardly setting the alarm bells ringing in the Cardiff camp, will give inspiration to those in the league looking on enviously at Cardiff's table-topping status.
For the just over 13,000 supporters who did attend they were treated to an off-colour performance from the Bluebirds who worked hard, but were never quite cute enough to unlock a resolute Rangers' defence.
The Bluebirds had their chances, not many, but if Kevin McNaughton's long-range effort had gone in rather than smacking the bar things might have been different.
As it was they fell to a sucker punch. With two minutes left two substitutes contrived to ruin their night.
Nick Ward surged down the right, put a ball across the box and Ray Jones was at the back post to poke the ball home.
Cardiff remain top, but will only stay there if Preston do not win by two goals or more against Leicester this afternoon.
Bluebirds boss Dave Jones had to ring the changes.
In light of James Chambers' loan running out and the defender returning to Watford, coupled with Kerrea Gilbert's shoulder injury, teenager Chris Gunter was given his league debut at right-back.
The 17-year-old only signed professional terms a couple of weeks ago and, as a life-long City fan, it was a big night for him.
An injury to Willo Flood meant a return to the City bench for Kevin Cooper.
Jones also had good news on the injury front, however, striker Steve Thompson was back after recovering from an achilles problem and Paul Parry had shaken off the dead-leg which saw him miss Wales' friendly with Liechtenstein on Tuesday.
Since John Gregory took over at Loftus Road, Rangers have seen an upturn in fortunes and came into this game with morale-boosting victories over Crystal Palace and Luton.
Rangers striker Dexter Blackstock has six goals to his name and they included in their ranks, former Ninian Park favourite Gareth Ainsworth. Sadly, 'The Animal' never got into his stride, limping off after 15 minutes.
It was Rangers who got the first glimpse of goal with Jimmy Smith getting time to turn in the box, but his left-foot shot curled wide of Alexander's post with two minutes on the clock.
Cardiff had to wait until the quarter-hour for a good chance. Fine work by Michael Chopra in the corner saw left-back McNaughton in space on the byline, but his cross was hopelessly over-hit with a posse of frustrated team-mates waiting in the box.
Former Southampton striker Blackstock might have done better three minutes later when he rose to meet a hanging ball, but his glancing header dropped harmlessly wide of the goal.
On 21 minutes City keeper Alexander was called into action. The Scot dived acrobatically to his right to tip a Lee Cook shot around the post.
Table-topping Cardiff were certainly not having things their own way, but they carved out a neat opening on 23 minutes.
The move all started with fine work by young Gunter bringing the ball out of defence.
The ball found its way to Scimeca in space on the right, his ball in was da ngerous, but an arriving Parry sliced his shot high and wide.
Just after the half-hour an awkward back-pass had Alexander worried. The keeper's attempted clearance was charged down by Blackstock.
The ball might have gone anywhere, but rolled wide and Blackstock's follow-up was kicked away by Alexander for a corner.
It was as the half closed that Cardiff seemed to spring to life. A Stephen McPhail corner dropped dangerously in the box and Rangers skipper Marcus Bignot had to hack it clear, but back City came. Gunter, scintillating down the left wing of all places this time.
The 17-year-old beat three Rangers players before putting a dangerous cross into the box which was again punted away by a distracted QPR defence.
Moments later Parry had a pop from distance, but his powerful effort was always rising. All in all, a frustrating half for Cardiff.
Saying that, 10 minutes into the second period, the Bluebirds came mightily close to breaking the deadlock.
McNaughton surged forward, before cutting inside and curling a 20-yard shot goalwards which came bouncing back off the bar with Rangers' keeper Simon Royce looking on bemused.
Four minutes later Chopra was skipping through the Rangers defence, but his shot from the edge of the box was too high.
McNaughton had another pop, too high, and then the Bluebirds did put the ball in the net on 63 minutes only for the linesman to raise his flag for offside against Parry.
But, for all their endeavours, City were finding their opponents a tough nut to crack. Chances were few and far between and there was always the danger of QPR catching the Bluebirds on the break.
Lee Cook, who is attracting interest from a host of big clubs, in particular looked a threat when the ball broke to him.
With quarter of an hour left Parry put Chopra through, but the striker elected to try a ball across goal when going himself might have been more appropriate. The ball was blocked and the danger averted.
On 73 minutes Cardiff were presented with another chance. The ball came in from the right. Skipper Darren Purse, on the edge of the box, took a swing at it and missed, but Scimeca was behind.
The midfielder's shot, however, was just over.
On 87 minutes Cardiff had a shout for a penalty turned down when Purse went down in the box. Referee Phil Joslin waved away the desperate appeals.
Then Rangers went up the other end and put the ball in the net.
It was apt really on a night when, for all their endeavours, Cardiff could not find that little moment of magic they needed.
Western Mail

Western Mail/Steve Tucker Dave Jones
'It wasn't our night' - Nov 18 2006
BLUEBIRDS boss Dave Jones admitted his side produced their worst performance of the season so far as they crashed to their first home defeat against QPR.
Cardiff fell to a late goal in the 87th minute from Rangers' substitute Ray Jones.
A philosophical Jones said he had no complaints about the defeat and he and his players must now wait and see if they keep their place at the top of the Championship following today's fixtures.
"I've no complaints about what's happened, we just never really got going, that's our worst performance at home, probably all season," said Jones.
"Our attacking play was poor which is unusual for us. I'm disappointed because I always say if you can't win it, make sure you don't lose it and that's what we've gone and done.
It just wasn't our night that's how I see it and I haven't got a clue why it happened like that. But here our passing was poor, our movement was poor, everything was poor.
"But saying that I don't think our keeper's had a save to make all game, but that's the way it goes sometimes. I expect (Rangers' boss) John Gregory will be delighted with those three points."
One of the few positives Jones could take from the game was the performance of 17-year-old Chris Gunter, making his first league start at right-back.
"That was a fantastic debut from Chris, I'm very pleased, he didn't look out of place at all," said Jones.
"To be honest he's one of only a couple of players who performed anywhere near what I expect of them.
"I thought Chris had one or two nice touches. To be honest I think we should have brought him into the game a lot more than we did. He was very good, it's just a shame for him the result didn't go our way."
Jones said his side would now pick themselves up and try to learn some lessons from the loss.
"We'll get back to work on Monday, regroup, pick our heads up and get on with things," said Jones. "We'll work very hard at looking at what went wrong in this match and try to learn from that because I don't want any more nights like this.
"We've been top of the league for a long time now and I don't want that to end. This is not the end of the world mind, there's a long way still to go yet."
Western Mail

See Also: Earlier Match report compilation of QPR's Win at Cardiff