QPR's Year in Review - September 2006

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SEPTEMBER 2006:
September began with a draw and three losses, culminating in QPR's "League Cup" defeat at Port Vale. The next day, changes were announced. Garry Waddock was "demoted;" Alan McDonald was "terminated" and John Gregory was in (Paladini and Gregory spoke about Waddock would remain and learn from Gregory). There were some other staff changes set to be announced. Gregory then won his first two games (home to Hull; away to Southampton). Gegory's first signing: Jimmy Smith on loan from Chelsea. Talk of Bircham moving on. Chairman Paladini's threatened legal action against the Fan Magazine, AKUTRs. Elsewhere, Holloway "expressed himself" about what happened at QPR...and FINALLY got Garry Penrice to Plymouth. Tim Breacker had to wait a couple more months.

ON THE FIELD:
Plymouth A 1-1 ....Birmingham H 0-2....Colchester A 1-2....Port Vale in the "League Cup" 2-3 (Waddock's last game)....Hull at home 2-1....Southampton A 2-1

OFF THE FIELD

Monday, September 18, 2006 Marc Bircham Criticizes QPR's Performance "..We're in a Relegation Battle"-
Daily Mirror - 18 September 2006
BIRCHAM: SHAME WILL BOOST US
Colchester 2 QPR 1
MARC BIRCHAM believes Rangers are already locked in a desperate relegation battle and hopes the embarrassment of being bottom finally stirs them into life.
QPR have won just four times in 23 games since Gary Waddock succeeded Ian Holloway as boss at Loftus Road in February.
The Londoners' dire form continued against promoted Colchester, who coasted into an early 2-0 lead.
And with the Hoops hosting fellow strugglers Hull this Saturday, life-long QPR fan Bircham is anxious his teammates respond.
The midfielder said: "We should look at the table and it should turn our stomachs.
"Seeing QPR at the bottom is my worst nightmare and we need to get that feeling into the team.
"We owe it to ourselves to go home, look at the table and see where we are - that's all the desire and determination we should need. The message has got through and I hope it will mean we're fired up for the next game because I was disappointed with our work-rate.
"When you come in after the first half and it's 2-0 and you're not up for the battle, it's not acceptable.
"But we're in a relegation battle now and it doesn't matter what tactics or formations we play we've got to win the battle."Mirror

Mirror 15 September 2006 - QPR PAY PRICE FOR BIRCHAM
MARC BIRCHAM will cost his boyhood heroes QPR a cool £1million - by refusing to leave until he walks away on a Bosman next summer.
The midfielder, 28, has been on the transfer list since May but is refusing to even consider a move. Bircham said: "I've got a contract until the end of the season and I'm sticking to it. There's no way I'm leaving while I can still stay."
Mirror

No hiding place for Hull clash
Kilburn Times - 20 September 2006
"UNDER-FIRE Gary Waddock acknowledged that Saturday's crucial Championship clash with Hull is a must-win situation after QPR crashed out of the Carling Cup at Port Vale.....
Victory against the Tigers this weekend would lift QPR off the bottom of the table, but Waddock admitted: "There is an obvious lack of confidence at the moment and that's because of the results.
"The players fought and I can't fault their effort and commitment, but we've lost again and it's a habit I don't like.
"Saturday's match is a massive one now, not just for me and the players, but for the whole club. There are no ifs, buts or maybes - we have to win the game."
Kilburn Times

WADDOCK & MCDONALD OUT...GREGORY IN

TEAMTALK Gregory warns of tough times ahead
John Gregory has warned QPR they face "a serious relegation threat" after succeeding Gary Waddock as manager at Loftus Road.
The former Aston Villa and Derby boss has signed a contract until the end of the season with Rangers, with the option of a one-year rolling contract to follow if he does well.
Gregory takes over with Rangers bottom of the Championship and out of the Carling Cup - and he urged the players to show more heart in the battles that lie ahead.
"There is a serious threat of relegation at this club," Gregory said. "I saw them knocked out of the Carling Cup at Port Vale last night.
"Some of the players turned up - but quite a few of them did not bother going.
"Every player will have a fresh chance to impress me, and that is what they are here to do.
"I still have lots of points to prove to myself - although not to anyone else. I hope I can improve the fortunes of the team."
Waddock was relieved of his duties after meeting Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini - a close friend of Gregory - after the 3-2 defeat at Vale Park.
During the reigns of Ian Holloway and Waddock, there was considerable speculation regarding how much influence Paladini exerted over team selection and transfer policy - but Gregory made it clear he would tolerate no such interference.
The 51-year-old continued: "The training ground is the one place where I do not want anyone to interfere with my work.
"That is my domain. Having success is about keeping good habits, working hard and getting things right.
"In terms of transfers, we will work with what we have, although there is the opportunity to make loan signings, which has been a blessing for Championship clubs."
Gregory's friendship with Paladini is likely to raise some eyebrows among Rangers fans, with whom the Italian former agent has never been wholly popular.
Backed by a consortium of Monte Carlo-based businessmen, Paladini took control from former chairman Bill Power in a boardroom coup in September 2005.
Rangers have suffered considerable financial problems in recent seasons and spent the 2001-02 season - before Paladini had become involved with the club - in administration, but Gregory was quick to defend Paladini and fellow director Antonio Caliendo.
He added: "I have known Gianni for some time, and, were it not for he and Antonio, the club might not be here today.
"Our results can dictate the direction of the financial side of things.
"If we can improve on the pitch, more supporters will start coming to watch us, and it will help everything."

SKYSPORTS Gregory happy to be back
By Lewis Rutledge - Created on 20 Sep 2006
John Gregory has expressed his delight at returning to management with Queens Park Rangers.
Gregory has been away from football since being sacked by Derby in 2003, but QPR decided to bring him in following a disastrous start to the season.
Having played for QPR in the past Gregory admits he is pained to see the club bottom of The Championship, and he is determined to guide them clear of relegation.
He also explained that his history at the club had been a factor in his decision to return to Loftus Road.
"It feels very good," he told Sky Sports News. "I'm ready to come back to work.
"It (news of the appointment) kind of broke towards the end of the weekend. I spoke to the chairman and the board of directors and we sorted things out very quickly.
"You can start romancing about the past and what it was like during my time here.
"I was here for four-and-a-half seasons and we won almost every week. We had a tremendous success rate, so they were very happy times.
"So that did influence me but it wasn't the overriding issue.
"From a geography point of view it is ideal for me, and just knowing that there is an opportunity here to improve the team, to get us back up the table, and look for Championship safety."
Gregory's predecessor Gary Waddock, who played alongside the 51-year-old at QPR, is to remain at the club as assistant manager.
"It's been a tough time for Gary but he'll cope. He's a really strong personality and I want him to continue to be part of my staff," said Gregory.
"We'll work together and I hope the next time he sits in the big chair he'll be a lot more experienced and he'll have learned from his time in charge here."
Skysports

Ben Kosky/Wembley & Kingsbury TimesSeptember 20, 2006
New boss Gregory aims to win at all costs
JOHN Gregory says he will gladly sacrifice attractive football to gain the points that haul QPR out of the Championship relegation zone.
Gregory, a former Rangers midfielder, signed a nine-month contract to become the club's new manager on Wednesday - just hours after the Rs had crashed out of the Carling Cup at Port Vale.
Former boss Gary Waddock and his assistant Alan McDonald remain on the coaching staff, although their new roles have yet to be defined.
Rangers host fellow strugglers Hull City on Saturday and Gregory told the Times: "Style might have to go out of the window.
"It's about winning and you do whatever you need to achieve that. I love to be on the winning side and I love people that are prepared to kick their granny to win - that's the business I'm in.
"I like my teams to get it down and pass it - I played here for four and a half years and the ball hardly ever left the floor. But what's the point of being the most attractive team in the country if you're getting beaten every week?
"When all the talking and the claptrap's done, you need to look at that league table and make sure you're not in the bottom three. I don't want to hear 'we played some great stuff but we lost 1-0' - it's pointless."
Gregory, who previously managed Portsmouth, Wycombe Wanderers, Aston Villa and Derby County, takes over from Waddock less than three months after his former QPR team-mate succeeded Ian Holloway.
"I spent four and a half years here as a player and you become attached to the place," Gregory added. "I was very sad when I left and it's fantastic to be back at Loftus Road.
"There is a serious relegation threat - this club worked exceptionally hard to get up to this division and they don't want to go back. But I know what can be achieved here."
Press

MCDONALD OUT
McDonald Departs QPR: "Given Notice to Terminate his Employment"
QPR Official Site - MACCA DEPARTS
Alan McDonald has been given notice to terminate his employment at Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
After making 483 appearances for the Hoops in a successful 16-year spell as a player, McDonald joined the R's as Caretaker Assistant Manager in February 2006, prior to taking up the position of Assistant Manager towards the end of June.
Chairman Gianni Paladini told qpr.co.uk: "I'd like to thank Alan McDonald for all the hard work he's done here since February.
"He's been a great servant for this Club, both as a player and in his role as Assistant Manager, and I wish him all the best for the future.''
OFFICIAL SITE http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~900824,00.html

Comments - Gregory AND Paladini Commenting on QPR's Victory
John Gregory on QPR's Victory - Official Site
John Gregory was on top of the world after the R's clinched a 2-0 win against Hull at Loftus Road.
Just four days after being appointed QPR manager, the former Aston Villa manager inspired his side to maximum points, and in doing so, saw them climb off the foot of the table.
"Hopefully we've put a few smiles back on the faces of our fans today,'' he told qpr.co.uk.
Goals from Ray Jones and Dexter Blackstock sealed the points, but it was Gregory's touchline celebration for goal number two that was the main talking point.
"The second goal won us the game which is why I probably went so overboard with my celebration and darted down the touchline.
"It was a mixture of happiness and delight, and frustration and anger, for things that have happened in the last few years.''
Gregory continued: "Getting the clean sheet was the best part of the day for me.
"They got the ball forward very quickly and were difficult to play against, so credit has to go to the back four and Jonah who were absolutely magnificent.
"I thought Lee Cook was terrific. His cross for the second goal was different class and him, Martin Rowlands and Marc Bircham led from the front.
Gregory clearly isn't one to rest on his laurels though, commenting: "We'll be back on the training ground tomorrow to iron out those things that went wrong, but in general I was satisifed with the performance and delighted with the result.

QPR OFFICIAL - Chairman Gianni Paladini was left speechless after the R's got off to a winning start under John Gregory.
"I'm speechless,'' he told qpr.co.uk. "I'm just so, so happy. It's a great result for the Club and it's a fantastic start to John Gregory's reign as QPR boss.
"The fans and everyone connected to the Club deserved that result.''
Paladini continued: "Considering the week we've had, that's the most important victory in my time here."It's been an amazing day.''

Sporting Life - GREGORY GRATEFUL FOR QPR CHANCE
By Andy Sims, PA Sport
John Gregory breezed back into management and lifted QPR off the foot of the Coca-Cola Championship before vowing to try to bring the glory days back to Loftus Road.
Gregory landed his first job in three-and-a-half years when his good friend QPR chairman Gianni Paladini offered him a return to the dug-out this week with the club he graced as a midfielder in the early 1980s.
And following his side's 2-0 win over Hull, courtesy of goals from Ray Jones and Dexter Blackstock, Gregory admitted he is looking to take Rangers back to those heady days under Terry Venables.
"When Terry signed me, he kept telling me what a great club this is and he was right," said Gregory.
"There is a great set-up, it's in a great area in west London and always had great players. I want to repeat that with the opportunity I've got."
Gregory admitted when he took the reins at QPR that he felt he had been tarnished by unsubstantiated 'bung' rumours which stopped him getting another job, and he admitted his return to management had been emotional.
"It felt strange starting again," he added. "At half past two I was sitting there thinking, 'What are you doing'?
"But as soon as we kicked off it was all okay. I'm pleased to be back at work, I've enjoyed the last couple of days but it's all about Saturday afternoons.
"And then when our second goal went in lots of frustration came out. That had been building up for quite a while, but it's gone now."
Gregory was full of praise for his new side, whom he only met for the first time on Thursday, and admitted he was also in the dark about opponents Hull.
"I knew nothing about Hull, other than they are a strong, powerful team, and I was pleased we stood up to them," he said.
"Lots of the lads have given everything for the cause today and if they keep doing that, then I won't be able to complain.
"The players will be feeling fantastic but I'm feeling 10 times better than any of them."


Waddock role remains uncertain
27 September 2006 By Ben Kosky Wembley & Kingsbury Times - 27 September 2006
NEW QPR boss John Gregory admits he has yet to decide exactly what role his predecessor Gary Waddock will fill at Loftus Road.
Officially, Waddock has been appointed Gregory's number two - but the incoming manager has hinted that he may shake up the coaching structure during the coming weeks.
Alan McDonald, who had been assistant manager under Waddock, left the club within 24 hours of Gregory's appointment and the Rangers boss said: "I don't work with friends, I work with people who are good at what they do.
"Gary's going to be part of my staff, which means he'll work with me on the training ground on a daily basis and he'll be in the dugout on Saturday afternoon, unless I decide to use him somewhere else in the coaching set-up where he's more suitable.
"I think it's got to be like that - I've never worked with Gary before as a coach and I want to find out his strengths, harness those strengths and use them in the right areas.
"I want to assess what everybody here does, but I haven't dismissed the fact that I might want to bring in three or four of my own people."

Reserve team manager Justin Skinner - appointed just three months ago - and assistant physio Bobby Bacic have also left the club.
And Gregory hopes that Waddock, who spent just under eight months in charge of the first team, can take heart from his own initial experience of management - an unsuccessful year with Portsmouth and an even shorter stint at Plymouth.
The QPR manager returned to coaching with Leicester before resuming his managerial career at Wycombe Wanderers, followed by four years at Aston Villa.
He recalled: "I was 34 years of age and thought I had all the answers, but I failed miserably as a manager, got sacked and was out of work for six or seven months.
"Brian Little took me to Leicester as a coach and I sat and watched him for five years. I learnt so much from him and by the time I left to manage Wycombe I was confident in my own ability.
"I hope Gary will stay on and learn. It's a painful experience, what he's been through and it will hurt - but he's basically got a second chance.
"Even though things didn't work out the way he wanted, he can take a back seat and maybe take things in. He's QPR through and through and I want people like that alongside me."
Whether or not he initiates further changes to the coaching staff, Gregory has already outlined his intention to stamp his mark on Rangers' training ground culture - with the emphasis on winning.
And the manager will even be happy to see training ground punch-ups on a regular basis, explaining: "I love to see people that want to punch each other on the training ground and I don't mind players getting into a ruck.
"If you've not had a fight on the training ground in a month, you've got a problem - either you're too nice or they're too nice. If people want to win badly, that's infectious - having a fall-out in the dressing room is because you care.
"It's all about winning habits and, if I say so myself, that's what I'm good at - getting people into good habits.
"I don't want mobile phones going off all the time and people getting off the bus with a headset on. I don't have ghetto blasters or any of that in the dressing room - you're here to play football and win matches, so get switched on.
"That needs a drastic tidy-up. I like everything just so - if all the chairs aren't facing the same way, it irritates me."
Gregory has signed an initial nine-month contract at Loftus Road and added: "I want to stay as long as it takes, but if I'm not successful, Gianni [Paladini] probably won't want me around and that's fine - I like working with a challenge. Link


QPR Official Site STAFFING STRUCTURE
With the recent arrival of John Gregory as first team manager, the Club will be announcing details of the restructuring of the football department early next week.
One or two additions to the management team will be announced, as well as redundancies in other areas.
These are unfortunate, but are deemed necessary in the Club's current situation.
Stay tuned to www.qpr.co.uk, where all the official breaking news comes first and fastestQPR

ALL CHANGE -
In the wake of John Gregory's arrival as QPR manager, the Club have parted company with four of their backroom team.
Reserve Team Manager Justin Skinner, Head of Recruitment John O'Brien, Assistant Physiotherapist Bobby Bacic and Team Masseur Graham Staddon have all left the Club, with two new staff members set to be announced in the next 24 hours. The Club wishes to thank the quartet for their services to QPR, while also wishing them all the best for the future. Justin Skinner
John O'Brien Bobby Bacic
Graham Staddon QPR

Captain Birch puzzled over Rs future
27 September 2006
Tom Harvey Wembley & Kingsbury Times - 27 September 2006
Marc Bircham
MARC Bircham admits he is still in the dark about his future at QPR, despite reclaiming his first-team place in recent weeks.
Bircham was one of eight players surprisingly transfer listed by then-manager Gary Waddock towards the end of last season.
An Rs fan born and bred, the 28-year-old believed at the time he had played his last game for the club.
However, after proposed moves to Leeds and Leicester fell through, Bircham remained at Loftus Road and earned a recall to QPR's starting XI against Ipswich on August 25.
The midfielder, who has since started the last four matches, even captained Rangers in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Hull as John Gregory took charge of his first game as the club's new boss.
But, while being keen to stay in W12, former Millwall man Bircham believes he is still available for transfer.
He told the Times: "I must be one of the few players to be captain and on the transfer list at the same time but I haven't been told otherwise so I suppose I still am.
"You'd have to ask the powers that be but for all intents and purposes, I think I still am on the list."
Bircham was substituted just after the hour during the Hull victory but insisted he had no qualms with the decision.
He said: "I wasn't disappointed at all. I was one of the few who played 90 minutes in the Carling Cup in midweek and because I didn't have much of a pre-season I was a bit tired so I was fine with coming off in the second half."
Bircham also believes the arrival of Gregory can give the Rs a real boost for the remainder of the season.
Gregory was appointed as manager last week, three-and-a-half years after leaving the Derby County hotseat.
The defeat of the Tigers moved QPR off the bottom of the table and out of the relegation places and a delighted Bircham stated: "The new manager lifted the place, lifted the crowd and it's worked for this week.
"It was exactly what he needed - a good win and a clean sheet. We took a while to get going but we knew what to expect with Hull - that we would have to win the battle before we could start playing."... Link

QPR's New Loan Signing from Chelsea, Teenage Midfielder, Jimmy Smith-QPR Official SiteQPR are delighted to announce the one month loan signing of Chelsea midfielder Jimmy Smith.
The 19 year old today (Wednesday) met up with his team-mates for the first time and is expected to be involved in the first team squad for the trip to St Mary's on Saturday.
The England Under-19 international - who is an attack-minded midfielder - made his first team debut for the current Premiership Champions in the final game of the 2005/06 season...Official Site

Rowlands Signs New Contract...Stewart in Jamaica Squad
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - ROWLY'S DELIGHT
Martin Rowlands has put pen to paper on a two year contract extension with the R's.
Rowlands - whose current deal was due to expire at the end of the 2006/07 campaign - is now contracted to the Club until the summer of 2009....
To date, he's made 106 appearances in all competitions, scoring 20 goals.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, the 27 year-old revealed his delight at securing his long term future: "I've signed for a further two years and I couldn't be more delighted. "I feel at home here and with John Gregory coming in, it's great to be part of a new era. "The new gaffer was keen for me to put pen to paper as soon as possible, so now it's up to me to repay the faith he's shown in me.''
R's Chairman Gianni Paladini was equally as ecstatic with the news, telling qpr.co.uk: "It's fantastic. The negotiations took a while, but it was certainly worth the wait. "He is a key player here and has a huge part to play in our future. Yet again, it signals the Board's intentions of securing the long term future of one of our star players. Official

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - STEWART CALLED UP BY JAMAICA
Damion Stewart has been called up by Jamaica for their forthcoming friendly international against Canada. The 26 year-old defender ...is in line to earn his 37th cap for his country when the Reggae Boyz line up against Canada in Kingston on Sunday 8th October.... Official

Paladini Taking Legal Action re "A Kick Up The Rs" Publication
Official Site-CLUB STATEMENT
Statement by Gianni Paladini on the recent edition of 'A Kick Up The Rs:'
The publication 'A Kick Up The Rs' has recently published a deeply misleading, inaccurate and scandalous article about myself and Queens Park Rangers FC.
A number of serious allegations have been made in that publication which are not true. The publication failed to contact myself or anyone else at the Club to verify their allegations.
Considering the seriousness of the allegations, I have been reluctantly forced to take legal action. The matter is now in the hands of my solicitors.
I expect a comprehensive retraction and apology from the publication for publishing these falsehoods. If they are not prepared to provide that, the matter will be dealt with by the courts.
I am sorry it must come to this, but in order for me to be able to defend myself from such blatant and hurtful untruths, I have no alternative than to take this action.
I shall make no further comment on this matter until either the apology and retraction has been received or legal proceedings are concluded."
Official Site

Two Supporters Groups Issue Statements re AKUTRs & Club's Response-
In mid-September, the fanzine, AKUTRs came out with its latest issue in which a number of assertions were made. After remaining silent on the matter, for about two weeks, on September 25 the club issued:
QPR Statement - Statement by Gianni Paladini on the recent edition of 'A Kick Up The Rs:'
In reaction to the Club's statement, two Fan organizations, first QPR1st and then LSA issued statements:

QPR1st - September 27th Statement - AKUTR's and The Club
September 27, 2006
"QPR1st supports the right of supporters to express their views in a variety of ways including fanzines and message boards.
We acknowledge that the Club also has the right to challenge what it considers to be unfair or inaccurate comments in fanzines through the official site, the programme, fans forums or by requesting a 'right to reply' within the fanzines themeselves.
Nevertheless fanzines have limited resources with which to defend themselves against legal action and therefore 'threats to sue' can be perceived as an act of intimidation. We would urge the Club to withdraw such threats and to seek to redress what they regard as a wrong through other less confrontational means. The Trust would be happy to act as a mediator between the Club and AKUTRs in the belief that QPR is at its strongest when it is united"
QPR1st

LSA SECRETARY'S STATEMENT - September 29, 2006
The LSA offers wholehearted support for Dave Thomas and AKUTR's right to freedom of speech. We deplore the actions of the club in taking legal action which could kill off one of the most respected fanzines in England.
AKUTR's has played a crucial role in keeping our club alive in difficult times and we would be poorer without it.
We agree that a right of reply should be given to the club to answer the points raised in the last issue. We would be happy to play a role in ensuring that these matters are dealt with without recourse to legal action against one of the most respected supporters of our beloved club.
However if the club pursues with legal action against Dave we will offer wholehearted support in any manner we deem fit, including publishing material and raising a financial fighting fund to defend AKUTR's in court.
JOHN REID SECRETARY LSA

Kevin Gallen on Holloway, Plymouth, QPR & Winning & Losing
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times
"...Ian Holloway brought me back to QPR and I've got a lot of time for him because of what he did for me in the past," said the Rs skipper.
"Apart from sending a few text messages and wishing him all the best, we never really got to speak to him after he left, which was disappointing because he put some good years and a lot of hard work into this club.
"We're playing against our former manager and there's no more to it than that as far as we're concerned. What's far more important is for us to go there and get something out of the game.
"It's 11 against 11 and I know it'll be a tough game because he'll have them fired up, as you'd expect. But the league's very tight and if we win we could jump up several places...."
"I learned a lot from Kenny - whether we won or lost the attitude on Monday was always the same," said Gallen. "No-one was allowed to think that, because he scored a goal on Saturday, he didn't need to try.
"Kenny said everyone should be on the same level - when you win you shouldn't be on top of the world and when you lose you shouldn't be rock bottom.
"If you win, that's great - now it's on to the next game, try your best and let's win this one as well. I think in a way that applies to the supporters as well.
"Obviously they're very up and down and they need to stay on the same level.
"There's a long way to go and it's not just about what happened after Burnley, or equally what happened after Southend. Kilburn Times

Holloway: Penrice & Breaker Still NOT Yet at Plymouth-"...Ian Holloway is still awaiting the arrival of Gary Penrice and Tim Breacker, who formed his backroom team during his time at QPR.
"It's dragging on a bit. The contracts and negotiations are very complicated," he said. "Hopefully, Mr Paladini will be able to deal with the monetary side of things for losing their jobs. They will be giving up more money to come here, that's a fact, so they are trying to sort that out. It hasn't been plain sailing but, hopefully, Mr and Mrs Stapleton are having a meal with Mr Paladini and his wife tonight and they are very good friends. I'm sure I wouldn't be here now if Mr Stapleton hadn't intervened with my situation."
Plymouth Diary

Plymouth Official Site - Argyle's New Coaches
August 24 -IAN Holloway's back-room team at Argyle will be completed next month when coaches Gary Penrice and Tim Breacker finalise their moves from Queens Park Rangers.
The two have been in limbo since the Pilgrims' new manager himself was put on gardening leave by Rangers' chairman Gianni Paladini towards the end of last season.
However, that situation is set to be resolved, and Holloway believes that Argyle will benefit from the input of his trusted lieutenants.
"They've both got to go back to QPR for their deals to be settled but they have agreed their contracts with us," said Holloway. "That's vital for me, and vital for us.
"Hopefully, they will be starting on September 1, providing their negotiations go okay with Gianni Paladini, which I'm sure they will.
"All I've been doing is trying to get my staff, my players - hopefully those two situations will be sorted in the next couple of days. I'm delighted."
Plymouth
Saturday, September 09, 2006

Holloway Expressing Himself About QPR!
All even on south coast as Holloway vents his anger
Anna Kessel at Home Park Sunday September 10, 2006 The Observer
Ian Holloway left behind pistol hold-ups, courtroom drama, boardroom wranglings and severe debt problems for a sunny spot on the south coast - and some spending money. But the former QPR manager's feelings still burn on the subject of his treatment by the London club. And so guessed the press who turned up hungry for some 'BMW' (bitching, moaning, and whingeing, in Holloway speak) after he faced his old club.
Holloway was initially restrained - he didn't even mention QPR in his programme notes - but succumbed after the match. 'I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't emotional about it. Shall I tell you what brassed me off? When I left and he [Gary Waddock, current QPR manager] said, "I'm going to change the style of football played here overnight." He said it over and over again. But it was me who gave the fella a job in the first place.'
Holloway went on to list his frustrations. 'I was starved of cash, lost my chief scout, wasn't allowed to make decisions about the team. Then they threw me out and chucked me in the garden after five years. I thought it was unfair. I'm glad today's over because I shouldn't be sweating up in the paddock and today I was rather too lathered up for a horse of my experience.'

Iam Holloway's Comments about QPR Included in BBC "Quotes of the Week"
"I was starved of cash, lost my chief scout, wasn't allowed to make decisions about the team. Then they threw me out and chucked me in the garden after five years. I thought it was unfair. I'm glad today's over because I shouldn't be sweating up in the paddock and today I was rather too lathered up for a horse of my experience."

Gary Penrice FINALLY Joins Plymouth-
Plymouth Official Site - Penny Finally Drops For Greens strong>
GARY Penrice resumed a partnership with Ian Holloway that goes back to their earliest days when Penrice officially joined the Argyle back-room team this week. Penrice, 42, and Holloway were schoolboy friends in Bristol more than 30 years ago, and their paths have criss-crossed often ever since.
"He's like a missing bit of my personality," said Holloway, confirming the appointment of Penrice, whose chief


NICK WAR & PAUL JONES - No Nick Ward Call up by Australia...Paul Jones set for his 50th Welsh Cap
Reuters - Australia name strong squad to face Paraguay, Bahrain

Full QPR Report for Septmber 2006 - QPR Report September 2006