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- The (Unbelievable) Size of Portsmouth's Debt
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- Warnock Transfer Talk/Speculation
- No Paulo Sousa to Sporting Lisbon
- Club-by-Club Championship Average Attendances This Season
- On This Day in Football: Oxford League Cup Final!
Watford Official Site - THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
Tue 20 Apr 2010
AS Malky Mackay's team prepare to take on their east London rivals QPR tonight (Tuesday), the Scotsman reflects on some of the recent results for the Hornets, including Saturday's defeat to Leicester at The Walkers Stadium.
"It was a strange decision for the penalty against Jay DeMerit on Saturday" said the manager.
"I feel like we've been in this situation and I've spoken like this a few times this season and I don't want to go on about our hard luck and bad luck at all.
"But with 35 minutes of the game gone, we've had three or four chances and really looked the part.
"And then that happened and it's hard to see how it was a penalty. Even their players were bemused with the whole thing. We've looked at it on a DVD and we're even more confused.
"But, that's no excuse for the fact that we've then switched off and let in their second goal.
"It knocked the stuffing out of our guys when before we'd been through on goal and on target.
"Really disappointing that another one of those decisions that have gone against us.
"We've been nearly there on a few occasions like at Preston. Going to Leicester was always going to be difficult; there was no two ways about that.
"We've got to make sure we get wins on the road now" said the gaffer, as the first of two remaining away games comes tonight at Loftus Road.
Mackay
Malky: "We've got to go into these next games very positively"
And Malky told www.watfordfc.com that he is under no illusion that just because the Hoops are now safe from relegation they won't be pushing for the win in the clash.
He said: "We've got to go to QPR and put in a good performance, even though they are safe there are players there that still want to prove themselves to their new manager.
"There's also a new manager there thinking about what he's going to do in the summer. The fact they are safe means Neil Warnock can now be a bit random in his selection, put some youngsters in who have never been involved and play around with the shape - so anything can happen."
With most clubs in the league having one home and one away game left of their campaigns, the former Watford and Norwich defender knows all too well how important keeping focused going into the last matches of the season is.
"It's amazing how the fixtures have worked out this season with Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace meeting each other on the last day of the season" he said.
"And it was a big game at Hillsborough on Sunday, but we've got to stay focused on our game and concentrate on ourselves.
"You obviously look at the other results and the games that are coming up in your league, but it is best that we look at our performances and our points tally, rather than other teams.
"It's three games to be won as far as we're concerned and we've got to go into these next games very positively" finished the boss.
SHOW YOUR COLOURS! Watford
Hemel Gazette - Mackay: 'We can't play like that again
By Christopher Armstrong
Time is running out for Watford after Another seemingly inevitable away defeat left the club only two points away from the relegation zone on Saturday evening.
On Tuesday night Malky Mackay and his players go to QPR in the first of a three game battle to retain their Championship status, after another loss on the road underlined the team's struggles since the turn of the year.
With all three of the Horn relegation rivals claiming points at the weekend, Mackay will have been desperate to make Tuesday's game in hand count and spark a revival from his faultering troops.
Saturday's 4-1 loss to Leicester once more saw contentious officiating turn the game against Mackay's men, but the defeat further highlighted the Hornets' inability to deal with adversity, which has become something of a hallmark for the team in 2010.
After referee Mr Miller awarded the hosts a controversial penalty shortly after the half hour mark, the Foxes proceeded to race into a 4-0 lead despite forward Steve Howard receiving a straight red card with the scoreline at 2-0.
While City have already secured a play-off spot and have a strong home record this season, it was not a performance from Watford that befitted a team battling for their lives, and an improved effort will have been expected ahead of the meeting with Rangers.
The Hornets did however make a positive start at the Walkers Stadium, shading the opening half hour.
Scott Loach did well to save from Paul Gallagher after seven minutes but Watford showed some attacking threat of their own.
Danny Graham saw his first effort on goal blocked but had another stab on 17 minutes, only for his shot to bend over the crossbar.
Loach denied Martin Waghorn on two separate occasions before Henri Lansbury had the Hornets' best chance, but his strike on goal was blocked away by City keeper Chris Weale.
The game suddenly swung in City's favour on 36 minutes as a penalty was awarded against Jay DeMerit despite making what appeared to be a fair challenge on Richie Wellens.
Waghorn converted before the hosts quickly doubled their lead courtesy of a Gallagher volley.
However City were reduced to 10 men when Steve Howard was dismissed for a rash and unnecessary tackle on Ross Jenkins.
This gave Mackay's men a passage back into the game but they could not make the extra man advantage count as Jay Spearing added a third past the disorganized Watford defence.
A change to an attacking formation only appeared to make things worse for the Hornets as James Vaughan beat Adrian Mariappa to the ball to add a fourth on 67 minutes.
A 77th minute header by Martin Taylor from Jon Harley's corner was nothing more than a consolation for Watford on an extremely disappointing afternoon.
"If you give good players and good teams time and procession they will hurt you and that's what happened today," commented Mackay after the loss.
"We can't do that again, we've got to try and push and get equalisers in situations like that.
"You have to go for it and that's when the game can open up like it did and then you have to get back into the game.
"It's no excuse though; we have to make better decisions on the ball and be more courageous."
Youngster Tom Cleverley was named Player of the Season at the club's End of Season Awards Dinner on Sunday night.
The Man Utd loanee has been a revelation for the Hornets this campaign, although a recent injury has sidelined him for the remaining games.
John Eustace collected Player's Player of the Season, while Scott Loach won Young Player of the Season.
Lloyd Doyley was awarded with Goal of the Season for his maiden effort against QPR and captain Jay DeMerit was named Community Ambassador.
Watford's 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday was given the Team Performance Award while Hornets legend Nigel Gibbs was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame. Hemel
QPR Official Site
MATCHDAY PREVIEW: HORNETS
Posted on: Tue 20 Apr 2010
It's Derby Day in West London tonight (Tuesday), as QPR play host to struggling Watford in W12.
Both sides head in to the clash on the back of defeats at the weekend, yet whilst the Hornets are still fighting for survival in the Coca Cola Championship, Rangers' place in the second tier was guaranteed on Sunday afternoon, thanks to Sheffield Wednesday's failure to beat Sheffield United.
That 1-1 draw in the Steel City derby left Neil Warnock's men five points clear of the dreaded drop-zone - a significant enough margin to confirm their status as a Championship Club for the 2010/11 campaign.
Watford, however, are still deeply entrenched in trouble, with just two points currently separating them from Sheffield Wednesday, who occupy the final relegation berth at the foot of the table.
Star Man
Scott LOACH - Goalkeeper
The subject of an unsuccessful bid from Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the 2010 January transfer window, Scott Loach continues to impress following a string of fine performances in the Watford net this campaign.
The Nottingham-born stopper arrived at Vicarage Road after catching the eye of former boss Aidy Boothroyd while at Lincoln City.
Loach played the majority of his football for the Reserve side after he came to Vicarage Road and he played his part in a successful 2006/07 season for the second string.
His consistent performances earned him on a place on the bench for the First Team when Richard Lee deputised for England stopper Ben Foster. Loach went on trial with Leeds United ahead of the 2006/07 season, but returned as United were unable to sign players due to a League embargo.
Loach made his full debut for the Horns in the 1-0 Carling Cup win over Bristol Rovers in August 2008.
His efforts in goal caught the eye of Stuart Pearce and Loach has two international caps for the England Under-21 team under his belt.
The Stats
Queens Park Rangers
• QPR have won only one of their last nine matches, and only Watford and relegated Peterborough have a worse Championship record than them in 2010.
• The R's have kept only five clean sheets this season, and just two on home soil - fewer than any other team in the division.
• Lee Cook could face his former Club and make his 200th league start.
Watford
• Watford have won only one of their last eight league games, and two of 14.
• Their run of 15 games without an away win (four draws and 11 defeats) is the longest such sequence in the Championship this season.
• The Hornets have not finished lower than 18th in the second tier since being promoted in 1998.
Classic Encounter
Watford 2, QPR 4
Coca Cola Championship - December 29th 2007
Rangers ran riot at Vicarage Road, as goals from Martin Rowlands (2), Damion Stewart and Akos Buzsaky clinched a stunning 4-2 victory against Championship front-runners Watford.
The R's stormed into a three goal lead at the break.
Rowlands opened the scoring from the spot, before he turned provider to set up Stewart who headed home to make it two.
The outstanding Rowlands capped a cameo individual display with a third from Angelo Balanta's threaded through ball, and although a Lee Camp own goal temporarily allowed the Hornets back into the tie early in the second period, substitute Akos Buzsaky guaranteed the win eight minutes from time.
Remarkably, there was still time for R's old-boy Danny Shittu to notch a late second for the Hornets, but it was Rangers' day - and how!
Match odds with Bet365
QPR win - Evens
Draw - 12/5
Watford win - 27/10
Match Coverage
QPR Player will be providing live commentary of this fixture, as well as offering highlights later this week. Click here to join QPR Player.
Bet365 QPR
- Crystal Palace Look to QPR
No Balanta Tonight
QPR Official Site - IN RESERVE: YOUNG SQUAD NAMED
Keith Ryan has named a young Reserve squad to face Crystal Palace this afternoon.
The Reserve Team Manager has only two players - Angelo Balanta and Matteo Alberti - with First Team experience in his ranks, meaning a number of young players will get the chance to impress.
Three trialists have been named, including defender Moritz Volz, for the match at Palace's Beckenham Training Ground.
Supporters are welcome to attend the fixture, which kicks off at 2pm.
Full address: CPFC Training Ground, Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 1RJ.
QPR Squad: McWeeney, Harriman, Olley, Trialist, Waters, Trialist, Volz (Trialist), Ehmer, Cox, Balanta, Alberti, Sanderson, Paramenter, Fernandez, Bewick, Nanetti, Molloy, Graham. QPR
- Year Flashback: QPR Announce "Off to Bahrain"
Kilburn Times - Rangers seek stronger Community ties
20 April 2010
QPR'S Football in the Community Trust have launched a new initiative in an effort to join forces with a number of local junior clubs.
'Club Partnership' is a grass roots programme designed to help and support youth teams through professional coaching, fundraising opportunities and community support.
Community Trust staff will provide partner clubs with professional coaching, tailored to any specific needs, and there is also the opportunity to run exclusive QPR Soccer Schools.
The link with QPR will help clubs to raise funds via ticket sales to Hoops matches, while the Rs are also committed to providing a first team player for one event per club each year.
QPR captain Martin Rowlands said: "It's so important that as a club we value the importance of grass roots football, and this scheme can play a big part in helping to develop players and fans of the future.
"QPR has always been a family club and the initiative will enable youngsters in their droves to get down and attend games at Loftus Road next season.
"There's nothing better than when the ground is buzzing and if all goes to plan, we'll give everyone something to shout about come next year."
Earlier this month, Rowlands formally welcomed NPL Youth FC - an FA Charter Club from Teddington with teams from under-sevens up to under-16s -as the first to join the scheme.
Nine other clubs have joined the scheme to date, including Kensington Dragons, Pinner JFC, Greenford Celtic and North Greenford United.
Rangers are keen to take the number of partner clubs to 20 by the start of next season and Andy Evans, the Community Trust chief executive, added: "All football clubs, professional and grass roots, are much more than just places to play football.
"It is a place where families and the local community come together. We hope that all Club Partnership members feel a sense of pride and belonging to the QPR family."
Clubs who are interested should contact Matthew Webb on 020 8740 2504, or email mattheww@qpr.co.uk for details. Kilburn Times
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." QPR
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QPR Official Site - NW: 'SAFETY NOT SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE' - Neil Warnock spoke of his delight this morning that his QPR side are now guaranteed Championship football next season - but insists it's not something to celebrate.
- Sheffield Wednesday's failure to beat Steel City rivals Sheffield United on Sunday lunchtime means the R's are now assured of their Championship status.
- Speaking to www.qpr.co.uk, Warnock said: "It (safety) was the first objective when we arrived here.
- "We've reached that and I'm delighted, but let's be perfectly honest, it's not something to harp on about.
- "It's not exactly something to celebrate.
- "We should be competing towards the top end of this division with the players we have, but it's been a season of upheaval for one reason or another and now we can look towards next season knowing our Championship status is assured." QPR
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