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The Guardian Sports Blog/Louise Taylor
In praise of Neil Warnock: the Championship's Mr SmoothQPR's gain in signing one of the division's best managers is very much Crystal Palace's loss
Thought for the week
The Championship is lucky to have Neil Warnock
A few years ago I interviewed Neil Warnock at Sheffield United and, when the photographer complimented him on his near perfect skin, Warnock happily regaled us with details of a thorough moisturising routine. After experimenting with his wife's face creams he had become a fan of, if memory serves me right, Elizabeth Arden and was reaping the benefits.
It was an illuminating little chat that not only highlighted the importance of moisturising for anyone frequently working outdoors but revealed a wonderful lack of inhibition or self consciousness on Warnock's part. It is hard to imagine discussing male grooming and face creams of choice with too many leading managers but such types often lack the sort of left-field imagination the one-time chiropodist who led Scarborough into the Football League possesses in spades.
Make no mistake, Warnock, for all his ability to rub people up the wrong way, is a top manager. Crystal Palace's loss will surely be QPR's gain – although it will be interesting to see how the Loftus Road team's style evolves in the coming months. Under Jim Magilton at the start of the season QPR were playing some gloriously purist stuff but increased pragmatism is likely to now be on the agenda.
Whatever the tactics QPR's win percentage will surely increase – providing, of course, Warnock is given time to do his thing. Alarmingly he is the 12th manager, although some have been caretakers, to take charge in this corner of west London since John Gregory's dismissal in October 2007.
For the moment, at least, Warnock is very much on his honeymoon – which got off to the perfect start courtesy of Saturday's 3-1 home win against promotion chasing West Bromwich – and could not be happier if he were driving his beloved tractor down a Cornish country lane.
At 61 he is unlikely to devote the next decade to QPR but that did not stop the team's defender Kaspars Gorkss declaring: "I'd love to see Neil Warnock stay here for the next 20 years. He's very enthusiastic and a good motivator That helped us, that's what we've been lacking, along with consistency. The Gaffer has a long-term contract and it means we can adapt to his ideas and work with him. Hopefully he will bring us some stability."
And honesty too. After Saturday's win Warnock had the candour to confess he had been close to making a major gaffe before the first whistle blew. Indeed he was forced to alter his starting XI at the last minute after striker Marcus Bent, borrowed from Birmingham, spotted that QPR's squad contained more than the permitted five loanees. "Poor old Marcus said to me 'you've already got five in there, so you can't have me on the bench,'" said Warnock.
His return, on Saturday, to Bramall Lane should be a cracker… Guardian
Liverpool Official Site - Raheem Sterling
Sterling on the mark in mini derby
- Raheem Sterling scored on his debut as Liverpool Under-18s produced a stunning second-half fightback to beat 10-man Everton 4-3 on Tuesday afternoon.
- The Reds recovered from a 2-0 deficit to see off their Blue rivals, with the former QPR teenager enjoying a dream start for the club.
- Michael Roberts (penalty) , Krisztian Adorjan and Craig Roddan (penalty) were the other scorers as the away side made their numerical advantage count, following the 46th minute sending off of Toffees defender Shane Duffy.
It was an afternoon to savour for boss Rodolfo Borrell, who dedicated the victory to first-team manager Rafael Benitez.
"It is a nice victory for me, but especially for the fans and the club," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"I am also happy for Rafael Benitez, as he invests a lot of time in the club and the Academy.
"He made a bold move to bring me and the rest of my staff to Liverpool, so it's nice to be able to win this sort of match for him."
Reflecting on a rollercoaster 90 minutes, Borrell admitted his side were almost made to pay for some poor defending.
"We cannot concede such sloppy goals," he said. "If you concede so easily then normally you lose the match."
The Reds coach also had some words of encouragement for debutant Sterling, but was keen to stress that it was a team performance that saw Liverpool come away with the three points.
"I was pleased with Raheem's contribution and that he scored on his debut. He is quick and skilful but still only young. He can improve tactically and has a long way to go, but he is a great signing for this football club.
"He was one of a number of good individual peformances, but the main thing was how well the team did as a whole. That is what matters most and they all contributed to a deserved triumph."
Liverpool under-18s: Oldfield, Flanagan, Robinson, Wisdom, Sama, Coady, Sterling, Roberts (Roddan 74), Ngoo (Emilsson 76), Adorjan (Alex Cooper 90), Ince. Unused subs: Matty McGiveron, Deale Chamberlain.
Author: Paul Hassall at Finch Farm Liverpool Official Site
MIRROR By David Maddock - Liverpool's signing of Raheem Sterling shows they are finally ready to challenge for the top British youngsters
It went largely unheralded last week, but Liverpool made a significant signing in the transfer market that could have massive implications for their future.
On the surface, the capture of a 15 year old kid who has yet to play a senior game of football is hardly earth-shattering, but the arrival of Raheem Sterling at Anfield is big news, believe me.
10 things you need to know about Raheem Sterling
What it shows is that the club is finally prepared to take on the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal in the competition to sign the best young English kids in the game, an area in which they have previously been reluctant to compete.
It is a new policy implemented by their forward-thinking MD Christian Purslow, and it is a refreshing new approach, because for too long Liverpool have been second best when it comes to developing English talent.
Sterling is an England U-16 international who first played at that level when he was 14 years of age, and he is widely regarded as possessing the potential to become the next Theo Walcott, Jack Rodwell or even Wayne Rooney.
Liverpool’s policy in the past was depressing. It was set by Gerard Houllier and made little sense, because he was prepared to ignore any and all young British players to focus instead on signing obscure foreign talent that mostly proved to be journeymen.
It was a disastrous approach which almost destroyed the club’s youth system, and left them a million miles behind Arsenal, with their much-vaunted accent on youth that has paid such handsome dividends.
Even in recent years, there was a real reluctance from the Anfield hierarchy to compete at the big money level to sign the likes of Walcott or Aaron Ramsey, who both went to the Gunners instead, and will both prove fantastic value despite the high level of their initial fee.
Not any more though. Purslow wants to give Liverpool’s youth system fresh impetus, and he wants to place the emphasis back on developing British talent, whether already on the books or bought in.
The club has a history or producing brilliant local players like Robbie Fowler, but it also has a fine tradition of signing fine young prospects and turning them into superstars, with Ian Rush springing instantly to mind.
Sterling is of a similar vein. Signed from QPR, his fee will rise to at least £2million and could even go beyond the £5million mark should he enjoy the success everyone believes him to be capable of. But that will be a small price to pay if he does come through like Rush did before him, or Jamie Redknapp, or Rob Jones.
Because of Houllier’s short-sighted ignorance, Liverpool haven’t produced a kid through their own youth system for 10 years, and something drastic was required to address that. Quite clearly, one of the avenues has to be to challenge Arsenal, United and Chelsea for the best talent, and it’s finally happened.
Sterling – genuinely – was courted by all three of those clubs as well as Spurs and Fulham, but the Merseyside club stole a march on them all, to herald what is to be hoped a new era, and a new direction that couldn’t come a moment too soon. Mirror
QPR Official Site - PLAYER OF THE YEAR EVENT 2009/10
Posted on: Tue 09 Mar 2010
The Club is delighted to announce details of this year's annual Player of the Year Dinner & Dance, in this, the 50th successive year of the famous Blue and White Hoops.
The event will take place on Sunday 2nd May 2010 at the Novotel London West, Hammersmith, following our Championship fixture against Newcastle United on the final day of the 2009/10 campaign.
Prices are £69.00 per person, maximum 10 to a table. This includes sparkling wine on arrival; a three course set meal; half a bottle of wine per person; and disco until 2.00am.
The earlier you book, the better choice of table you'll have, and as always, we expect this event to sell out.
The drinks reception will be held from 7.00pm in the Champagne Suite, where you will get to mix with the players and coaching staff. Guests will then be asked to proceed to their tables at 7.30pm for dinner.
Once the meal has been served, we will be holding an Auction and Raffle with top prizes. The Awards Ceremony will then take place and after this you can dance the night away until 2.00am.
To book your seat at this showcase event, call the QPR Box Office on 08444 777 007 now!
During the night, the winners of the coveted Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year Awards will be revealed. Damion Stewart has his name on the main trophy at present, but will he make it two years in a row? You - the fans - will decide.
So, if you want to see Stew-Peas crowned again, or you think someone else has stood out this season, please send in your votes for your Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year to Julie Newman, Loftus Road Stadium, South Africa Road, London, W12 7PJ.
You can also vote via e-mail - julien@qpr.co.uk
Please note, only players who were under the age of 21 on the first day of the 2009/10 campaign will qualify for the Young Player of the Year award. The shortlist is as follows: Angelo Balanta, Jay Simpson, Antonio German and Adel Taarabt.
Also up for grabs will be the prestigious Supporter of the Year accolade. This award is for those amongst you who go that extra mile in the name of the R's. If you know someone who fits the bill, e-mail julien@qpr.co.uk and they will be forwarded on to the judging panel.
Closing dates for all votes is Friday 16th April 2010.
Sponsorship packages are also available - so if you fancy sponsoring the event, contact Julie Newman in the Commercial Department on 020 8740 2588 or e-mail julien@qpr.co.uk
What's more, we are in the process of inviting ex-players and legends to the event. With the likes of Gordon Jago and Steve Wicks already confirmed, it really does promise to be an evening to remember.
To make the most of this special night, why not book a room and really enjoy what will be a special occasion for the Club and its fans.
For those wishing to stay overnight, QPR have negotiated a special room rate, priced £109 per double or single room, inclusive of VAT and breakfast.
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to welcoming you on the night." QPR
Audio of JNETRadio Interview With Gianni Paladini
- Part 1) https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&send_id=832589734&email=8bf225199db7217e4481c095af701ce3
- Part 2) https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=S1VDZEU1TlFveE1LSkE9PQ
- Part 3) https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=S1VDZEU0WlRCTW5IRGc9PQ
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