Dave Clement (RIP): Would Have Been 63 today - Enlarged Photo-
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- Former QPR's Raheem Sterling Gets a Liverpool First Team Squad Number
- Decade Flashback: Chris Wright Announces His Resignation as QPR Chairman
- Four Year Flashback: QPR Declare: No China Game at Loftus Road
- Benni McCarthy will probably be joining some Championship Club in the Loan Window
QPR 2 Portsmouth 0
1 QPR 29 30 56
2 Norwich 29 10 51
3 Swansea 29 11 50
4 Nott'm Forest 27 15 49
5 Cardiff 28 12 48
6 Leeds 29 7 46
7 Watford 27 13 43
8 Reading 28 13 42 BBC
SKY - Warnock - No Utd move for star - Rangers chief delighted star will be staying put By Pete O'Rourke -
Queens Park Rangers boss Neil Warnock has told Adel Taarabt to forget thinking about a possible move to Manchester United.
The Moroccan playmaker recently claimed United were keeping tabs on his progress at Loftus Road.
Former Tottenham man Taarabt has been in scintillating form for QPR this season, helping them to the top of the Championship.
Warnock claims United came to watch Taarabt during last weekend's goalless draw at Hull City when the skilful attacker showed his moody side as he bickered with his team-mates and asked to be substituted during the first half of the game.
Rangers chief Warnock has warned Taarabt he may have blown his chance of a move to United and he is delighted as it means he will end up staying at Loftus Road.
"He let himself down on Saturday," said Warnock.
"United came to watch him and he had a strop. I said on the bus that's done that, hasn't it?
"He can forget about joining United. I'm delighted because it means we've no chance of losing him now." Skysports
QPR Official Site - WARNOCK ON POMPEY
Neil Warnock pinpointed his side's improved second-half display as the key factor in their 2-0 win over Portsmouth at Loftus Road.
With the match goalless at the break, the R's came out for the second-half in better shape and were rewarded with strikes from Adel Taarabt and Clint Hill.
Warnock told www.qpr.co.uk: "I'm delighted. I was really pleased with our second-half performance.
"I was glad to get in at half-time, if I'm being honest.
"We started sluggishly, but if you look at their forward line, they've got (Dave) Kitson, (Liam) Lawrence and (David) Nugent.
"That's £14million worth there!
"They gave us problems early on, but we coped with that and in the second half we played really well and I thought we dominated.
"We were a bit fortunate with the first goal, but we thoroughly deserved the win.
"We were a lot better in the second half."
The R's gaffer reserved special praise for Argentine midfield man Alejandro Faurlin, adding: "There were a number of good second-half performances, but Ali's overall performance was 10 out of 10 tonight.
"That's the best he's ever played for me."
Warnock concluded: "I'd be a lot happier with the squad if we were all fit.
"But once we get Reading out of the way on Friday, we've got nine days until our next match.
"We've got Reading away and Nottingham Forest at home, which are on Sky, and I'm looking forward to both of those." QPR
SPORTING LIFE -WARNOCK: MORE TO COME FROM QPR
QPR manager Neil Warnock admits his side can still improve despite their 2-0 win over Portsmouth.
Second-half goals from Adel Taarabt and Clint Hill preserved Rangers' place at the top of the npower Championship and left Portsmouth without a win in eight league games.
Warnock said: "We started sluggishly and could have been behind. Portsmouth had a couple of chances they could have done better with, and if they had done it could have been tough for us.
"We were still a threat, we just weren't solid. We were better in the second half and I think we were the better side.
"I can feel the lads are getting stronger, we just need to start games more strongly. How many times have we had to come back from a goal behind? We can't keep doing that - not in this division.
"We've had some tough games and have got some tough ones coming up, but I'm enjoying it. The lads are doing well, and if they can cut out some mistakes they'll get even better.
"I'm delighted with the win and another clean sheet. Portsmouth have a great strikeforce and if they stay fit they can do some damage in this division during the rest of the season."
Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill refused to blame goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown after his error handed QPR the opening goal.
Cotterill said: "It was a howler by Jamie Ashdown - there's nothing more you can say about that. But there's been games this season when he's pulled saves off. He needs to keep his head up.
"He's been superb for us this season, so there's absolutely no blame being attributed to him for that mistake. Then for the second goal, we lost a man and missed a header in the box. We don't normally do that.
"We were the better side, both in the first half and the second. Then when we were 2-0 down, Paddy Kenny produced a great save from Jonathan Hogg and if that had gone in, it would have been game on again.
"Good luck to QPR. We have to be magnanimous in defeat. They will win promotion this season - they've got a strong squad and a manager who's been there and done it - but we were the better team.
"We need more players and are disappointed with the result, for sure. But we're fine. The fans know the job I've got here, and I've built a rapport with the players." Sporting Life
Fulham Chronicle - Adel Taarabt forgiven by QPR boss By Jacob Murtagh
NEIL Warnock insists Adel Taarabt made up for Saturday's strop with his performance in tonight's win against Pompey.
The mercurial Moroccan bagged a fortunate opener as Rangers got back to winning ways against the south coast strugglers.
However, it was poles apart from his outburst at Hull on Saturday when he berated his team-mates and demanded to be subbed.
Warnock said: "He let himself down on the weekend, but he showed that with his performance tonight.
"He was sensible, and didn't let frustration get to him. He came into it more second-half and saw more of the ball."
The QPR boss laughed off rumours that Manchester United were among the clubs trailing the 21-year-old, especially after his tiff at the KC.
He joked: "We were saying on the bus home that there was no chance of losing him now."
Fulham Chronicle
TELEGRAPH/By Dave McIntyre
An horrendous mistake by goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown helped Queens Park Rangers to victory just as they appeared to be feeling the heat at the top of the table.
Ashdown, a player QPR tried in vain to sign last year, allowed Adel Taarabt’s 25-yard shot to slip from his grasp and into the corner of the net.
Their 60th-minute opener came as Rangers - and the mercurial Taarabt in particular - were struggling to produce the kind of slick football that has tormented the rest of the Championship this season.
They struggled throughout the first half and, having failed trick his way past seasoned left-back Herman Hreidarsson, Taarabt was equally ineffective when switched to the other flank.
While Rangers laboured, Portsmouth created chances and would have gone ahead had Greg Halford not spurned a great opportunity by meekly heading Liam Lawrence’s free-kick straight into the arms of goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.
The West London side had another fortunate escape when their hesitation gave Dave Kitson a sight of goal, but the striker lifted his effort not only over Kenny, but over the crossbar too.
Rangers boast the best defensive record in the second tier, having conceded a mere 18 goals this season and kept an unrivalled 15 clean sheets. But in the opening half an hour they endured a spell of palpable anxiety that Portsmouth were unable to capitalise on.
That nervousness was underlined when Kenny, under very little pressure, sliced a clearance towards Lawrence, who went down under a hurried challenge from defender Matt Connolly.
Referee Grant Hegley resisted pleas from Portsmouth’s players and supporters to show Connolly a red rather than yellow card, but the sustained pressure on Rangers did not end there.
From the resulting free-kick, Kenny redeemed himself by pushing away a rasping drive from Halford, who then headed Lawrence's right-wing corner over the bar.
Manager Neil Warnock’s half-time address seemed to have a positive effect on QPR, who started the second period strongly and went close to scoring when Taarabt finally had some success on the left and found Ismael Miller, who fired wide.
The visitors still looked fairly comfortable but were undone by Ashdown’s error, and the rejuvenated Taarabt then served up the corner from which Clint Hill headed home the decisive second goal.
Any prospect of a late Pompey fightback ended when Kenny produced a fine save to deny Jonathan Hogg. Telegraph
MAIL - QPR 2 Portsmouth 0: Taarabt turns roaming Ranger By Ivan Speck
A horrendous mistake by Portsmouth keeper Jamie Ashdown inspired a QPR win they had hardly deserved.
As Pompey's defenders foolishly backed off from tackling Adel Taarabt just before the hour, the Morocco midfielder sent in a venomous low shot from 25 yards, which still ought to have been collected comfortably by Ashdown. Instead, he let it squirm off his right palm and dribble over the line.
Released from their own torpor, Rangers made sure of the win 17 minutes from time when an impeccably delivered Taarabt corner was met by Clint Hill, who powered home a close-range header.
Lucky boy: Taarabt shoots to score the opener, but it should have been saved
It had been a lacklustre display from the Championship leaders, who had barely created a chance until Taarabt's lucky goal.
Rangers boss Neil Warnock had given free spirit Taarabt licence to roam and cause havoc across the midfield - not that he is ever constrained by his usual wide role.
His sulk in Saturday's goalless draw at Hull was forgotten the first time he jinked Manchester United loanee Ritchie de Laet.
Adoration from the QPR fans washed over him, erasing the negative attitude that had made him turn his back to play and ask to be substituted just before half time at the weekend.
That seals it: Clint Hill (right) celebrates scoring QPR's second goal
Hill produced QPR's first attempt on goal, with a shot that flew high over the bar, and Portsmouth were no more prolific in creating chances.
Their first really dangerous moment came after 23 minutes, when Dave Kitson looped the ball over QPR keeper Paddy Kenny from a tight angle, only for it to land on the roof of the net.
Oddly, Taarabt saw the ball less during the opening half-hour than he usually does, when hugging the left touchline. Their main weapon neutralised, Rangers seemed to have little to offer.
It was the visitors who nearly took the lead 10 minutes before half time. Kitson was pulled back by Matt Connolly, who was rightly booked, leaving Greg Halford to strike a piledriver of a free-kick, which was acrobatically saved by Kenny. Halford then headed the resultant corner over the bar.
Rangers roused themselves as half time approached, Alejandro Faurlin testing Jamie Ashdown with a rasping left-foot shot, before Taarabt and Hill guaranteed the points.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footbal....#ixz z1CkWsD09x
GUARDIAN - Adel Taarabt's fortune helps QPR to down Pompey's paupers Jamie Jackson at Loftus Road
Queens Park Rangers still head this toughest of divisions courtesy of Adel Taarabt, a former Spurs midfielder who is surely heading back to the Premier League if he continues to outclass opponents.
A little over 59 minutes had passed when Taarabt ran at Portsmouth's defence and struck a 20-yard-shot that slipped though Jamie Ashdown's fingers for the opener that swung the match.
Yet before his intervention it had seemed likely that the visitors might leave with a draw, at least.
Richer than Chelsea if Bernie Ecclestone, Flavio Briatore and Lakshmi Mittal (the world's eighth wealthiest man) ever decide on serious investment, QPR had welcomed the paupers from Portsmouth to a contest for which the south coast club could name only six substitutes, and two of these kids.Steve Cotterill's team began the evening four points clear of the drop zone having recorded no victory since early December and as his financially stricken club wondered how to absorb the £37,000 a-week wages of Tal Ben Haim, who has now returned from his loan at West Ham United and who was not even on the bench.
Warnock's side are unbeaten in the Championship since Norwich City defeated them on New Year's Day, yet despite standing at the top of the division by four points, by the half-hour mark they had created only one opportunity.
This came when Clint Hill produced an optimistic shot that missed Ashdown's goal by a distance. Portsmouth fared better in the chances' department and came close to beating the QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. Yet after Liam Lawrence won a free-kick down the left early in the game and bent the subsequent delivery straight into the keeper's hands and then later Dave Kitson beat Kenny only to see the ball loop over, the action faded until 10 minutes before the interval.
Kitson was pulled back by Matthew Connolly and after the defender was booked Greg Halford stepped up to unload a powerful 30-yard shot that warmed Kenny's fingers. QPR now remembered their status as league leaders and won a corner from which Alejando Faurlin forced Ashdown into action with a curling shot when the ball broke to him.
The big puzzle for Warnock as the teams walked off for half-time was how to ensure Taarabt, one of the better Championship performers and had been quiet, could better affect the game.
After the restart his influence began from a wider left berth. After Taarabt's goal came the corner that set up Clint Hill's clincher. With second-placed Swansea City also winning the result ensures QPR retain their margin at the top.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/01/qpr-portsmouth-championship
QPR Official Site 2-0
14,078
Second-half goals from Adel Taarabt and Clint Hill were enough for QPR to overcome Portsmouth and maintain their five-point lead at the summit of the npower Championship.
Perhaps the result didn't quite reflect how well Pompey performed for large spells of this keenly-contested clash but, nevertheless, the R's will be pleased to have claimed victory on an evening when most of the sides at the top also did so.
Taarabt put Rangers ahead on 59 minutes, after Jamie Ashdown failed to deal with the gifted attacker's stinging low drive.
And the R's all-but sealed the win on 73 minutes.
Taarabt turned from scorer to provider, with his corner finding the head of Hill, who rose highest to double QPR's advantage from close range.
Rangers made one change for the visit of Steve Cotterill's Pompey, with Hogan Ephraim replacing the injured Tommy Smith (hamstring).
Paddy Kenny was in goal for QPR, protected by a back four consisting of Bradley Orr, Matt Connolly, Kaspars Gorkss and Hill.
Shaun Derry and Alejandro Faurlin were in defensive midfield, behind attacking trio Wayne Routledge, Taarabt and Ephraim.
Ishmael Miller led the R's line.
Pompey fashioned a great opportunity to find the net after just two minutes.
Orr was deemed to have unfairly hauled David Nugent to the ground on 25 yards and, when Liam Lawrence's beautifully stuck free-kick was met by the head of an unmarked Greg Halford from close range, his downward header was easily collected by Kenny.
QPR had their first attempt on goal after 14 minutes.
Miller did superbly well to control Orr's long throw-in from the right, before the ball eventually found its way out to the left-hand edge of the box, where the waiting Hill lashed a ferocious drive just inches over the bar.
The opening period was one of few chances, with neither team giving an inch.
If anything, Pompey were on top midway through the first half.
Indeed, Dave Kitson will count himself unlucky not to have put his side in front on 23 minutes, after holding off one challenge with his back to goal, before brushing aside Connolly and sending a looping effort over the advancing Kenny and on to the top of the net.
R's shot-stopper Kenny was then forced into a stunning save to keep QPR on level terms after 34 minutes.
Connolly tugged down his marker on 30 yards, with the centre-half also going into the book before Halford's bullet effort was fantastically tipped away for a corner by Kenny.
Faurlin then forced a smart save from Ashdown on the stroke of half time, with the Argentine playmaker's curling shot from the edge of the box well held by the Pompey keeper.
The R's came out for the second half with a certain spring in their step.
And, when Taarabt's mazy run eventually teed-up Miller with his back to goal, the West Bromwich Albion front-man spun to fire an effort just wide of the left-hand post from 10-yards out.
Rangers were on top as the half wore on and, in the 59th minute, the Loftus Road faithful were welcomed to their first goal of the night.
It came with a large element of fortune, but there is no doubt the goal was one that this lacklustre fixture desired.
Faurlin picked up possession midway into the opposing half, before sliding a clever pass to Taarabt.
Taarabt drove at the Pompey rearguard and continued his run to the 25-yard mark - ignoring cries from R's fans to lay the ball out wide to the advancing Ephraim.
The Moroccan magician had other ideas - as well as the last laugh, with his stinging low drive too hot for Ashdown to handle and the ball trickling into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
Moments later, Pompey could quite easily have restored parity.
Kitson's classy dummy from Lawrence's square pass fell at the feet of Jonathan Hogg, who opened his body before seeing a curling effort magnificently tipped to safety by Kenny.
The R's keeper's stop proved to be a vital one, as QPR sealed three precious points on 73 minutes.
Taarabt's sweeping corner was met by the head of Hill, who got in front of his marker before stooping to nod a bullet header into the back of the net.
QPR: Kenny, Orr, Hill, Derry, Taarabt (Vaagan Moen 90), Faurlin, Gorkss, Routledge (Hall 85), Connolly, Ephraim, Miller (Hulse 70).
Subs: Cerny, Rowlands, Chimbonda, Shittu.
Scorers: Taarabt (59), Hill (73)
Bookings: Connolly (34)
Portsmouth: Ashdown, Halford, Mokoena, De Laet, Hreidarsson, Lawrence, Mullins, Nugent, Hogg, Kitson, Ward (Ciftci 83).
Subs: Flahavan, Sonko, Kanu, Rocha, Kilbey.
Referee: Mr G K Hegley
Attendance: 14, 078
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~53426,00.html
Portsmouth Official Site - Return Of The Hermannator by Neil Weld
Hermann Hreidarsson is still wondering how Pompey managed to lose at QPR.
The Blues dominated against the league leaders at Loftus Road but couldn’t beat Paddy Kenny in the hosts’ goal.
Greg Halford alone had three chances in the first half, the best of which was a ferocious free-kick from distance that Kenny did well to push around the post.
But goals from Adel Taarabt and Clint Hill mean the Blues are without a win since their triumph at Norwich in mid-December.
And Hreidarsson – who excelled at left-back in just his second start of the season – believes Pompey can be proud of their performance.
He said: “We had four or five decent chances and I can’t remember too many from them. It’s very harsh.
“There are ways to lose games and we can hold our heads up because we’ve created chances and we’ve defended well.
“Even after they scored we kept going. We had a go at them and I still believed we were going to score.
“We opened them up and created a couple of chances – good chances – and the keeper made some good saves.
“You look at the performance and you can see the effort that was put in. We’re disappointed but it was a good performance. The effort was there and the hunger was there for everyone to see.
“We’re still looking up. We still believe because there’s a great team spirit here and we showed what we can do.
“If we play like that every week then we’ll win a lot more than we’ll lose.”
Hreidarsson was back to his best at Loftus Road as he nullified the threat of Wayne Routledge down QPR’s right.
“I really enjoyed it – apart from the result,” said the Iceland international. “I want to be out there so I can contribute something to the team and to the club.” Portsmouth
PORTSMOUTH OFFICIAL SITE - Cotterill: My Pompey Pride
by Mark Storey
Steve Cotterill spoke of his pride in Pompey’s players and fans after their unlucky 2-0 loss at QPR.
The Blues boss insisted his team were better than the league leaders and hailed the travelling supporters for their superb backing at Loftus Road.
Pompey created a host of chances with Dave Kitson, Greg Halford, Jonathan Hogg, David Nugent and Nadir Ciftci all going close.
QPR needed a rare mistake by Blues keeper Jamie Ashdown to take the lead before Clint Hill’s header gave the score a gloss that failed to reflect Pompey’s performance.
The Blues’ spirit was summed up by a superb display from Hermann Hreidarsson at left-back on only his second start since a career-threatening Achilles injury.
Cotterill said: “I’m really proud of the lads tonight. We were the better side in both halves – and don’t let the scoreline camouflage that. We played very, very well.
“I thought Hermann was outstanding, but so were all the lads.
“QPR will probably go on and get promoted. Neil Warnock has done a great job and had a great set of honest lads playing for him.
“But they will know they’ve been in a game with us, for sure. I think we deserved to win both games against them this season.
“We had a good following here – you saw the lads go over to them at the end. They were magnificent.
“We made two mistakes – Greg Halford lost a header from a set play and Jamie Ashdown has made his first blunder of the season.
“Jamie’s mistake gave them a leg up. If we had got the first goal then we would have gone on and got another. For the second goal it was a rare mistake by Greg.
“I’ve told Jamie to keep his head up. There wasn’t a lot he could do because the ball zipped up off the turf and ended up in the back of the net.
“But we go again and train ready for Saturday’s game against Derby. It can’t come quick enough. The wins will come if we carry on playing like that." Portsmouth
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - QPR SHORTLISTED FOR COMMUNITY CLUB OF YEAR
The Football League has announced the shortlist for The Football League Awards 2011 - the annual awards ceremony that celebrates on and off pitch excellence across The League's 72 clubs.
This year there are a total of 17 awards with the winners being announced at the gala ceremony at The Brewery, London on Sunday 20th March 2011.
QPR in the Community Trust have been shortlisted for the Coca-Cola Community Club of the Year.Trust CEO, Andy Evans, told www.qpr.co.uk: "We're proud to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award.
"It's great that our work within the Trust is recognised for the wider role it plays in the local community.
"We aim to encourage participation from all areas of the community by working in partnership with others.
"We have improved the quality of life for the Tiger Cub players and their families and through that the Trust has developed a strong connection with the whole of the Tiger Cub family."
A total of 34 clubs have been shortlisted for this season's Awards with Dagenham and Redbridge and Southend United topping the table with three nominations each. Barnsley, Burnley, Derby County, Huddersfield Town, Oxford United, Reading, Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton have all made the shortlist in two award categories.
For clubs that haven't received nominations there is still a chance to win. Mitre Goal of the Year sees Soccer AM viewers voting for the shortlist. Additionally, the npower Player of the Year for each division along with The Football League Young Player of the Year awards are voted for by fans on the npower website at www.npower.com/fl
Announcing the shortlist The Football League Chief Commercial Officer, Stewart Thomson said, 'The Football League Awards are not only a chance to celebrate the incredible football and competition within The Football League, but also some of the amazing work that goes on at every club off the field. Just making the shortlist is a great achievement taking into account the quality and quantity of entries we received this year'.
The shortlists were drawn up by a panel of judges on 27th and 28th January 2011. Judges included members of the media, sports industry figures and representatives of The Football League and its partners.
The shortlisted awards are shown below:
Coca-Cola Community Club of the Year
AFC Bournemouth
Dagenham & Redbridge
Derby County
Queens Park Rangers
Southend United
Stevenage
The Football League Family Club of the Year
Cardiff City
Dagenham & Redbridge
Huddersfield Town
Oxford United
Reading
Shrewsbury Town
Tokio Marine Best Marketing Campaign
Barnsley - Get What You Want
Colchester United - The Colchester United Voucher Scheme
Derby County - Black and White Forever
Doncaster Rovers - The Rovers Roadshow
Reading - Engaging Female Supporters
Sheffield Wednesday - Season Ticket Holder Birthday Bar
Southampton - 125th Anniversary Kit Launch
Southend United - Thriller Campaign
PFA Player in the Community
Aaron Mokoena - Portsmouth
Darren Moore - Burton Albion
Michael Raynes - Sc**thorpe United
Bluefin Unsung Hero
Bill Edmans - Dagenham & Redbridge
Jim Thompson - Burnley
Mary Kitson - Sheffield Wednesday
Norman Rimmington - Barnsley
CSI Sports Best Matchday Programme
Burnley
Cheltenham Town
Huddersfield Town
Middlesbrough
Rotherham United
Swindon Town
Football Manager Apprentice of the Year - npower Championship
Adam Thompson - Watford
Connor Wickham - Ipswich Town
Wilfred Zaha - Crystal Palace
Football Manager Apprentice of the Year - npower League 1
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Southampton
Dale Jennings - Tranmere Rovers
George Baldock - Milton Keynes Dons
Football Manager Apprentice of the Year - npower League 2
Aaron Woodley - Oxford United
Henrik Breimyr - Aldershot Town
Kadeem Harris - Wycombe Wanderers
As well as the awards with shortlists, there will be awards on the night for Contribution to League Football, EA Sports Outstanding Team Performance, The Football League Young Player of the Year, npower League 2 - Player of the Year, npower League 1 - Player of the Year and npower Championship - Player of the Year.
To find out more about The Football League Awards, and for a full list of Award categories, please visit www.FLAwards.com QPR