Snippets Friday...Magilton on Faurlin, Connolly and Learning from Mistakes...Ainsworth No Longer QPR Coach...Cook Injury...Two QPR Fans Found Guilty

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- Swansea's Scotland to Wigan for Two Million

- Two QPR Fans Found Guilty

- QPR's Fitz Hall: Best Sporting Nickname

- Released by QPR. TrialingPlaying for Crystal Palace

- Padula to the White House!

- Matt Rose Update: His post-football career

- David Conn on Finances at "The Chelsea of The Third Division"


UPDATE: Magilton Talking

BBC - Magilton not daunted by QPR job

Jim Magilton is confident in his ability to be his own man at Loftus Road
QPR boss Jim Magilton says he will have no problem coping with the opinions and input of chairman Flavio Briatore.

Rangers have had five managers and two caretakers since Briatore took over the club in September 2007.

But Magilton told BBC London 94.9: "I don't see there is a problem if an owner or a chairman has an opinion.

"We are all managers, supporters and referees. It is a game of opinion. I'll back my decisions win, lose or draw. I'll certainly stand by them."

Magilton's predecessor Paulo Sousa left the club after just 26 games in charge, revealing that striker Dexter Blackstock's loan move to Nottingham Forest in March was agreed without his knowledge.

And Iain Dowie's 15-game spell also came to an end after he clashed with Briatore.

John Gregory was there less than a month after Briatore took charge. And the longest incumbent of his reign so far has been Luigi De Canio, who lasted over six months.

But Magilton admits to having dealt with the same situation in his three seasons in charge at Ipswich Town. "I was at a club where the owner certainly had an input," he admitted.

And he points to his fearless playing style and self belief as the qualities that will give him the confidence to do the job his way, refusing to accept that he is under any pressure to bring about instant success.


"I don't think you can put me under any pressure," he said, "because the pressure I put myself under on a daily basis would far outweigh any pressure they put me under.

"We've had a week with the players now and they've been terrific. I know a new manager can bring that but certainly these players have applied themselves."

Argentine midfielder Alejandro Damian Faurlin has become Magilton's first signing since taking over at Loftus Road.

And, although defender Damian Delaney (Ipswich) and keeper Lee Camp (Forest) have left, the Rangers boss is hoping to add some more players before the start of the new season on August 8.

"I think new faces will help," he said. "Obviously we brought Alejandro in who will add quality and competition in a vital area of the field in midfield.

"We've lost a defender and we've lost a goalkeeper, so obviously we'll be looking to reinforce those positions."

Meanwhile, former QPR favourite Marc Bircham has returned to the club as Under-16 academy coach. And Magilton believes his knowledge of the club will prove a great asset.

"Marc Bircham knows what it takes to play for this club," he said. "He's been brought up in the finest traditions of QPR.

"And his experience will be invaluable especially at an age group where he can influence the players." BBC


London Paper/Gerry Cox - New QPR signing Alejandro Faurlin is tipped to be a crowd-pleaser by Hoops boss Jim Magilton
Manager impressed by Argentine's ability to create chances
- Jim Magilton says he needed just one look at new signing Alejandro Faurlin to realise that the Argentinian midfielder can become a real crowd-pleaser at QPR.
-Faurlin became Magilton’s first signing as the new Rangers manager when he agreed a £3.5m fee with Argentine club Instituto for the 22-year-.old.
-Magilton and assistant John Gorman had spotted Faurlin among hundreds of DVDs sent in by agents, and he said: “He stood out, so John flew to South America to see him in action. We got him over on trial and straightaway we could see what he was like.
- “He’s been terrific in training, his attitude is good and he has a real hunger. I think the fans will take to him, and we hope he can hit the ground running.”
- Gorman added: “He’s a big lad – 6ft 2 ins – with a great left foot, but he doesn’t just sit out on the wing. He loves to get in there, he can create chances and make things happen.”

- Both men are fired up by the challenge ahead at Loftus Road, with Magilton admitting that he had learned from his first experience of management, at Ipswich.
- He was replaced by Roy Keane towards the end of last season, which was disappointing after he had taken to the fringe of the play-offs the year before.
- He said: “There are areas where I know I went wrong, and it is important to analyse and reflect on the good and bad things. What I do know is this division and the players in it, and John and I are ambitious for this club.
- “You can’t knock enthusiasm and a love of the game, and we’ve got a surprisingly good group of players here.”

He revealed that former David Connolly could yet be signed if he impresses in pre-season.
- The former Watford and Ireland striker is a free agent and training with QPR as part of his rehabilitation from almost 18 months out with injury.
“We will see how he gets on,” said Magilton. London Paper


Lee Cook Injury Finally Acknowledged...Ainsworth "Just" a QPR Player Now
- QPR Official Site - R'S NEAR FULL STRENGTH FOR SHOTS

Jim Magilton has a near full strength squad to pick from when the R's kick start their pre-season campaign against Aldershot Town tomorrow (Saturday).

Martin Rowlands, who is five and a half months into his rehabilitation from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, is - in the words of his gaffer - 'champing at the bit to return,' but won't be risked for the trip to The Recreation Ground.

"We've got to nurse Martin through," Magilton told www.qpr.co.uk.

"He's had a serious injury and whilst he'd love to be out there on Saturday, we've got to keep his wrapped up in cotton wool for the time being."

Magilton added: "On the plus side, I'm hopeful he'll be ready to play some part in Slovenia next week - maybe a brief outing in the second fixture on Sunday."

Damion Stewart is currently on international duty for Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, whilst Lee Cook is sidelined with a knee injury.

Whilst Rowlands and co. remain sidelined, the positive news keeps coming for Magilton.

Akos Buzsaky (pictured), Patrick Agyemang and Rowan Vine - all whom missed large chunks of last season with long-term injuries - are all set to feature this weekend, to the delight of the R's boss.

"They've looked great, all three of them," he said.

"All the lads look sharp, but having these three lads back is massive for us, because they're key players who were sidelined for long spells last term."

Gareth Ainsworth - whom Magilton revealed yesterday (Thursday) has asked to be considered solely as a player from now on - will also figure, but new signing Alejandro Faurlin is still awaiting international clearance and is unlikely to feature. QPR


Aldershot - Boss- QPR Played A Major Part Of My Career But Aldershot Town Is My Priority Now
The EBB Stadium re-opens for business on Saturday afternoon as Coca-Cola Championship side QPR are the visitors (3pm). Shots boss Gary Waddock is a former QPR player and manager. Admission for the match is just £10 adults and £4 concessions

The EBB Stadium re-opens for the first of five pre-season home friendly matches on Saturday afternoon as new QPR boss Jim Magilton brings a full strength first team for the fixture.

QPR, of course, are a club close to the heart of Shots boss Gary Waddock. The 47 year old made over 200 appearances for the west Londoners in addition to filling a variety of roles including coach and first team manager at the club.

Indeed he was in charge of Rangers when they fulfilled a pre-season friendly in 2006/07 at Aldershot as part of the Adam Miller transfer deal. Included in the QPR line-up that afternoon was Scott Donnelly whilst former Shots Tobi Jinadu trialled for the visitors. Mark Pritchard scored a deserved equaliser for Aldershot in a 1-1 draw.

Whilst conscious that Saturday pairs him in action against a former club the boss is focussed on preparing his players for the challenge of Coca-Cola League Two football this season.

He told 'The Shots', "QPR played a large part of my career and I have fond memories there both high and low. I am pleased that they are coming down to Aldershot and we are looking forward to it.

"The major high for me at QPR was playing in the 1982 FA Cup Final versus Tottenham Hotspur. It was a dream for me as I only lived close to Wembley Stadium and to play there was fantastic. I can say that I played in two FA Cup Finals because the final went to a replay.

"As a player it was fantastic time for me although it didn't go according to plan for me as a manager. You have to accept that sometimes. I also had to retire as a player at QPR at the time and I wonder that if I hadn't had that injury which way my career would have gone.

"QPR helped develop me as a coach and a manager during the period of time that I was there but my main focus now is Aldershot Town and this match is part of that process."

With the EBB Stadium pitch well prepared during the close season the boss is keen to view his players in their first outing since returning to training last week.

He added,"This is a fitness exercise for our squad and we want to give a good account of ourselves against a Championship side. They have worked hard in training so far and now it is all about putting it into practice on the pitch." Aldershot