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Rovers return ends on sour note for Gareth
Lancashire Evening Telegraph
BLACKBURN fan Gareth Ainsworth took a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane on Saturday but his big day ultimately ended in disappointment as QPR crashed out of the FA Cup.
The Rangers wideman had waited 14 years for the chance to face the club that released him as a teenager but, despite impressing as a second half substitute, he could not prevent the Londoners from slipping to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of his childhood heroes.
"Blackburn won and Burnley lost today, which is usually a good thing for all Blackburn fans, but on this one day I'm just a little bit disappointed," admitted Ainsworth, who spent two years at Rovers as an apprentice.
"It's unfortunate but they were two quality finishes from Craig Bellamy and a good header from Toddy, so we lost 3-0 and probably deserved to do so."
Saturday's third round tie was the first time Ainsworth had been back to Ewood as a player since former Rovers manager Don Mackay took the decision to release him on his 18th birthday in May 1991.
The 32-year-old, who is QPR's top scorer this season with five goals, had hoped to start the game but, bizarrely, Rangers manager Ian Holloway left him on the bench and it was only when Ainsworth entered the fray as a 55th minute substitute, with his side already 2-0 down, that the Londoners began to pose Rovers problems.
"When I found out I was left out of the starting eleven I was absolutely devastated by that, and then when they scored two goals I was even more devastated," said Ainsworth.
"I think the plan was to maybe get me on in the second half at 0-0 and cause some havoc, but, unfortunately, that never happened and we were left desperately trying to get back into the game, which was always going to be difficult against a Premier League team.
"I thought Blackburn were different class and Craig Bellamy, in particular, scored two great goals.
"He's a friend of mine actually, I used to play in the Championship with him, and I'm really proud to see him at Blackburn because he's a quality player."
With Rangers' FA Cup dreams over for another season, Ainsworth admits he will now be following Blackburn's Cup progress with even greater interest and he believes Mark Hughes' side could have what it takes to go one better than last season's semi-final appearance.
He added: "I really hope they can. I'd forgive them for beating us if they go on and win it.
"It's a tough pill to swallow getting knocked out, especially as I had all my family here.
"But I got a great reception off all the fans and I want to thank everyone connected with Blackburn for that.
"I just hope I'll be back again at some point. I've got three or four years left in the game and if we can get in the Premier League or we draw them in one of the cups then, hopefully, I'll be back with even more venom than I had today."
http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/lancashire/rovers/sport/ROVERS3.html
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Monday, January 09, 2006
Former Caretaker Manager, Ian Dowie Turns 41 - (Ex-West Ham, Crystal Palace, Luton, Southampton, Oldham & Ireland),
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Ian Dowie Turns 41
Born January 9, 1965
Perhaps not a great signing as a player, but as a coach and manager, clearly very much a case of "one that got away." A reserve team coach under Ray Harford, when Harford resigned, the QPR Board turned to Ian Dowie to be caretaker manager rather than to the expectant Vinnie Jones.
The Board eventually decided to appoint Gerry Francis manager, with Dowie as his assistant. When Francis resigned, the Board interviewed Dowie but eventually decided on Ian Holloway.
Dowie's actions at Oldham and Crystal Palace clearly show his talents.
As a player, Dowie played for among clubs, Luton, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Southampton, QPR and Northern Ireland.
See: http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=622
Dowie Profiled in Wikipedia
Iain Dowie, (born January 9, 1965 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England), is a former professional football player who is currently manager of Crystal Palace F.C. He was also a Northern Ireland international, winning 59 caps.
His playing career, where he played as a striker, included spells at Luton Town, West Ham Utd, Southampton, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace.
His first managerial role was at financially troubled Oldham, a club he led into the Second Division play offs. Dowie was then appointed manager of Crystal Palace in the middle of the 2003-04 season, inheriting a squad with low morale and in nineteenth place in the First Division. However, under his leadership, the club went on an impressive run that included 17 wins from mid-December 2003, enabling the club to finish in sixth place in the Nationwide First Division, just scraping into the Premiership promotion play-off places. This feat was attributed to complete change in the atmosphere and training regime at the club, including a tougher disciplinary regime, introduced by Dowie. After beating Sunderland in the semi-final of the promotion play offs in May 2004, the club beat London rivals West Ham by a single goal in the final for a place in the Premiership. Unfortunately, the club lasted only one season there, being relegated on the final day of the season.
Dowie, however, impressed as a manager. But he remained at Palace when the club was relegated to the Championship despite rumours that he was approached by other Premiership clubs.
In 2004, when discussing Crystal Palace's start to the Premiership season, he coined the word bouncebackability in discussing their ability to bounce back from the adversity during their Division one season and their habit of conceding early goals. This word gained cult popularity within the footballing world ....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Dowie
Ian Dowie Turns 41
Born January 9, 1965
Perhaps not a great signing as a player, but as a coach and manager, clearly very much a case of "one that got away." A reserve team coach under Ray Harford, when Harford resigned, the QPR Board turned to Ian Dowie to be caretaker manager rather than to the expectant Vinnie Jones.
The Board eventually decided to appoint Gerry Francis manager, with Dowie as his assistant. When Francis resigned, the Board interviewed Dowie but eventually decided on Ian Holloway.
Dowie's actions at Oldham and Crystal Palace clearly show his talents.
As a player, Dowie played for among clubs, Luton, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Southampton, QPR and Northern Ireland.
See: http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=622
Dowie Profiled in Wikipedia
Iain Dowie, (born January 9, 1965 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England), is a former professional football player who is currently manager of Crystal Palace F.C. He was also a Northern Ireland international, winning 59 caps.
His playing career, where he played as a striker, included spells at Luton Town, West Ham Utd, Southampton, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace.
His first managerial role was at financially troubled Oldham, a club he led into the Second Division play offs. Dowie was then appointed manager of Crystal Palace in the middle of the 2003-04 season, inheriting a squad with low morale and in nineteenth place in the First Division. However, under his leadership, the club went on an impressive run that included 17 wins from mid-December 2003, enabling the club to finish in sixth place in the Nationwide First Division, just scraping into the Premiership promotion play-off places. This feat was attributed to complete change in the atmosphere and training regime at the club, including a tougher disciplinary regime, introduced by Dowie. After beating Sunderland in the semi-final of the promotion play offs in May 2004, the club beat London rivals West Ham by a single goal in the final for a place in the Premiership. Unfortunately, the club lasted only one season there, being relegated on the final day of the season.
Dowie, however, impressed as a manager. But he remained at Palace when the club was relegated to the Championship despite rumours that he was approached by other Premiership clubs.
In 2004, when discussing Crystal Palace's start to the Premiership season, he coined the word bouncebackability in discussing their ability to bounce back from the adversity during their Division one season and their habit of conceding early goals. This word gained cult popularity within the footballing world ....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Dowie
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Additional Reports
SUNDAY TIMES
Blackburn 3 QPR 0: QPR lack magic touchPete Oliver at Ewood Park
A SUBLIME goal from Craig Bellamy apart, the magic of the Cup gave Ewood Park a wide berth as Blackburn cantered into the fourth round by making full use of a draw that, given Rangers’ recent track record in the competition, is almost akin to a bye.
The Championship side was never totally outclassed but equally barely threatened to cause a minor shock against last season’s semi-finalists and secure a first win in the competition since January 2001. Since then Rangers have fallen at their first hurdle every time and in seven ties subsequent to beating Luton Town five years ago have scored just one goal — which was not enough even to beat Vauxhall Motors.
They had early chances here but, perhaps predictably, fluffed them and were out of the tie by half-time thanks to goals from Andy Todd and a wonderfully executed volley from Bellamy, which allowed Blackburn to ease off in readiness for their Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester United on Wednesday night.
A number of their fans also saved themselves for midweek, with barely more than 10,000 home supporters paying out for a game which underlined Blackburn’s current well-being, epitomised by Bellamy’s ninth goal of the season four minutes from time as he coolly converted a pass from 19-year-old debutant Sergio Peter.
“It was a good performance, a good result and we were able to rest some important players and give some football to players who needed it,” said Blackburn manager Mark Hughes, who described a fifth straight win as ideal preparation for the visit of his former club.
Rangers manager Ian Holloway was left to lament missed opportunities. “It’s just chances, and we had two clear ones before they scored,” he said. “I felt we lost some confidence and showed them too much respect. But how we lost the second half I’m not sure.”
Todd was the beneficiary of absent marking as he headed home Peter’s corner after Simon Royce had saved from Paul Dickov, and 20 minutes later the contest was all but over when Bellamy connected with a Peter cross to steer a crisp left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net from 16 yards.
Substitute Gareth Ainsworth, rejected as a youngster by his hometown club of Blackburn, sparked something of a Rangers revival after the break but Rovers were content to sit on their lead and look for a third on the counter-attack, a ploy which finally worked when Peter released Bellamy for another assured finish.
STAR MAN: Craig Bellamy (Blackburn)
Player ratings. Blackburn: Friedel 6, Neill 8, Todd 6, Khizanishvili 6, Matteo 6, Thompson 6, Savage 7 (Pedersen 77min, 6), Tugay 7, Peter 8, Dickov 6 (Kuqi 77min, 6), Bellamy 9
QPR: Royce 6, Bignot 5, Shittu 5, Rose 5, Milanese 6, Rowlands 5, Santos 5 (Ainsworth 55min, 7), Langley 6, Cook 5 (Donnelly 75min, 6), Baidoo 6, Furlong 5 (Moore 75min, 6) Scorers: Blackburn: Todd 17, Bellamy 36, Bellamy 86
Referee: A Marriner
Attendance: 12,705 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2093-1975012,00.html
Blackburn 3 QPR 0: QPR lack magic touchPete Oliver at Ewood Park
A SUBLIME goal from Craig Bellamy apart, the magic of the Cup gave Ewood Park a wide berth as Blackburn cantered into the fourth round by making full use of a draw that, given Rangers’ recent track record in the competition, is almost akin to a bye.
The Championship side was never totally outclassed but equally barely threatened to cause a minor shock against last season’s semi-finalists and secure a first win in the competition since January 2001. Since then Rangers have fallen at their first hurdle every time and in seven ties subsequent to beating Luton Town five years ago have scored just one goal — which was not enough even to beat Vauxhall Motors.
They had early chances here but, perhaps predictably, fluffed them and were out of the tie by half-time thanks to goals from Andy Todd and a wonderfully executed volley from Bellamy, which allowed Blackburn to ease off in readiness for their Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester United on Wednesday night.
A number of their fans also saved themselves for midweek, with barely more than 10,000 home supporters paying out for a game which underlined Blackburn’s current well-being, epitomised by Bellamy’s ninth goal of the season four minutes from time as he coolly converted a pass from 19-year-old debutant Sergio Peter.
“It was a good performance, a good result and we were able to rest some important players and give some football to players who needed it,” said Blackburn manager Mark Hughes, who described a fifth straight win as ideal preparation for the visit of his former club.
Rangers manager Ian Holloway was left to lament missed opportunities. “It’s just chances, and we had two clear ones before they scored,” he said. “I felt we lost some confidence and showed them too much respect. But how we lost the second half I’m not sure.”
Todd was the beneficiary of absent marking as he headed home Peter’s corner after Simon Royce had saved from Paul Dickov, and 20 minutes later the contest was all but over when Bellamy connected with a Peter cross to steer a crisp left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net from 16 yards.
Substitute Gareth Ainsworth, rejected as a youngster by his hometown club of Blackburn, sparked something of a Rangers revival after the break but Rovers were content to sit on their lead and look for a third on the counter-attack, a ploy which finally worked when Peter released Bellamy for another assured finish.
STAR MAN: Craig Bellamy (Blackburn)
Player ratings. Blackburn: Friedel 6, Neill 8, Todd 6, Khizanishvili 6, Matteo 6, Thompson 6, Savage 7 (Pedersen 77min, 6), Tugay 7, Peter 8, Dickov 6 (Kuqi 77min, 6), Bellamy 9
QPR: Royce 6, Bignot 5, Shittu 5, Rose 5, Milanese 6, Rowlands 5, Santos 5 (Ainsworth 55min, 7), Langley 6, Cook 5 (Donnelly 75min, 6), Baidoo 6, Furlong 5 (Moore 75min, 6) Scorers: Blackburn: Todd 17, Bellamy 36, Bellamy 86
Referee: A Marriner
Attendance: 12,705 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2093-1975012,00.html
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Holloway's Comments re Game & Transfers
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HOLLOWAY'S COMMENTS
OFFICIAL SITE
Ian Holloway thinks the difference in quality was the main factor in Rangers FA Cup defeat at Blackburn Rovers.
"They are a Premiership side and they have quality all over the place. You only have to give them a sniff of a chance and they will punish you.
I am disappointed about the first goal because it was a free header from a set piece. It was a shame because we started well and had two good chances, one from Baidoo and the other from Furlong."
Holloway was impressed by the contributions made by some of the younger members of his squad.
"It's exciting times here, we have got some good yougsters coming through, I was impressed with Shabazz Baidoo today and Scott Donnelly is now pushing for a place.
Our fans were magnificent yet again and I hope they were proud of the players. We are a long way off Blackburn but I don't think we are too far away from the Premiership, we have to keep on moving forward."
With the transfer window now open Ollie is looking to strengthen his squad.
"I could do with a couple more defenders and I may have one or two lined up. I could also do with another stiker, but we'll have to see how it goes becuase I have some very good younsters knocking on the door now."
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersComments/0,,10373~765179,00.html
TEAMTALK Boss rues missed chances
Ian Holloway felt that missed opportunities cost his side dear as QPR slumped to a 3-0 FA Cup defeat at Blackburn.Paul Furlong and Shabazz Baidoo both could have put the Championship side in front before Andy Todd opened the scoring for Rovers, and Craig Bellamy's brace sealed the win.And Holloway said: "Blackburn then scored from a set-piece, a free header and we lost some confidence."We showed them too much respect and got one or two simple things wrong."How we lost the second half I'm not quite sure. I am quite upset about it."I thought a few people could step up but not enough did in certain areas." http://www.teamtalk.com/teamtalk/News/Story_Page/0,7760,1801_934086,00.html
HOLLOWAY'S COMMENTS
OFFICIAL SITE
Ian Holloway thinks the difference in quality was the main factor in Rangers FA Cup defeat at Blackburn Rovers.
"They are a Premiership side and they have quality all over the place. You only have to give them a sniff of a chance and they will punish you.
I am disappointed about the first goal because it was a free header from a set piece. It was a shame because we started well and had two good chances, one from Baidoo and the other from Furlong."
Holloway was impressed by the contributions made by some of the younger members of his squad.
"It's exciting times here, we have got some good yougsters coming through, I was impressed with Shabazz Baidoo today and Scott Donnelly is now pushing for a place.
Our fans were magnificent yet again and I hope they were proud of the players. We are a long way off Blackburn but I don't think we are too far away from the Premiership, we have to keep on moving forward."
With the transfer window now open Ollie is looking to strengthen his squad.
"I could do with a couple more defenders and I may have one or two lined up. I could also do with another stiker, but we'll have to see how it goes becuase I have some very good younsters knocking on the door now."
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersComments/0,,10373~765179,00.html
TEAMTALK Boss rues missed chances
Ian Holloway felt that missed opportunities cost his side dear as QPR slumped to a 3-0 FA Cup defeat at Blackburn.Paul Furlong and Shabazz Baidoo both could have put the Championship side in front before Andy Todd opened the scoring for Rovers, and Craig Bellamy's brace sealed the win.And Holloway said: "Blackburn then scored from a set-piece, a free header and we lost some confidence."We showed them too much respect and got one or two simple things wrong."How we lost the second half I'm not quite sure. I am quite upset about it."I thought a few people could step up but not enough did in certain areas." http://www.teamtalk.com/teamtalk/News/Story_Page/0,7760,1801_934086,00.html
Match Reports of Blackburn 3 QPR 0
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QPR Official Site
Rangers bowed out of the FA Cup with their heads held high at Ewood Park.
Two first half goals and a late, late third gave former Premiership champions Blackburn Rovers a 3-0 win in front of a poor home crowd of just over 12000.
Rovers skipper Andy Todd handed the hosts a 17th minute lead when he stooped to head home past Simon Royce from the edge of the six yard box.
And Craig Bellamy made it two on 36 minutes, volleying home from the edge of the penalty box to leave Rangers facing an uphill struggle at the break.
Bellamy capped a fine solo performance with a third four minutes from time, as Rangers' workmanlike second half display finally came unstuck.
Ian Holloway's men were by no means overawed by their Premiership opponents, with Shabazz Baidoo and Paul Furlong each testing Brad Friedel in the first half.
Georges Santos replaced Gareth Ainsworth in the Hoops midfield, as Ian Holloway opted for a more defensive line up.
Blackburn born Gareth Ainsworth was the unlucky player to miss out, while Paul Furlong replaced the injured Marc Nygaard in attack.
Rangers survived an early fourth minute scare when Mauro Milanese brought David Thompson crashing to ground. Yet despite vocal appeals from the Blackburn players for a penalty, referee Mr Marriner adjudged the foul to have taken place outside the box and from the resultant free kick, Rovers debutant Sergio Peter fired wide of Simon Royce's right had post.
The Hoops harried and pressured every loose ball in the opening ten minutes, with Richard Langley and the recalled Santos coping well with the imposing threat of Rovers' central midfield duo of Robbie Savage and Turkish international Tugay.
And their impressive start was almost rewarded on 12 minutes when Andy Todd's weak back header allowed Paul Furlong a sighter on goal, but his shot lacked power and Brad Friedel saved comfortably.
Furlong turned provider on 13 minutes, releasing Shabazz Baidoo. The teenage striker escaped the attentions of Todd and fired in a ferocious near post shot which forced Friedel into a fine save at his near post.
At the other end, Simon Royce had to be at his agile best to tip round Paul Dickov's volley after Lucas Neill's speculative through ball caught the Rangers defence napping.
Rangers didn't heed the warning though and from the Sergio Peter's resultant corner, Todd buried his back post header beyond the exposed Royce.
Blackburn continued to pose the greater attacking threat, with Neill evading the attentions of Matthew Rose before powering a half volley into the arms of Royce.
Marcus Bignot was forced to clear from under his own crossbar on 34 minutes, as the Rovers front pairing of Craig Bellamy and Dickov continued to cause problems.
Bellamy soon showed his undoubted class when he spectacularly volleyed home Peter's cross from the edge of the 18 yard box to make it 2-0.After a slow start to the second half, Rangers introduced local lad Ainsworth at the expense of Santos.
And the Blackburn born midfielder was soon on the attack, leaving two men in his wake before forcing Friedel to claim a cross at his near post.
Rangers were enjoying a decent passage of play and Shittu fired over a long range free kick on 59 minutes, before Lee Cook fired wide six minutes later.
Savage should have made it 3-0 on 65 minutes, when having been sent clean through by Tugay, the Welshman showed poor composure, blasting his shot high and wide of the target.
Ainsworth was clearly relishing playing against his former club and with just 19 minutes left on the clock, the right sided midfielder fired in a long range half volley which Friedel did well to palm to safety.
Baidoo wasted a golden opportunity to set up a grandstand finish when he dragged his 15 yard effort wide of the target with just 11 minutes on the clock.
The final nail in the Rangers coffin arrived on 86 minutes when Bellamy latched onto Peter's deft through ball before chipping the advancing Royce to claim his ninth goal of the season in all competitions.
So Rangers' FA Cup run ends for another year, but it certainly wasn't for the want of trying and much credit should be given to the players who refused to lie down despite trailing early on.
Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Khivanishvili, Todd, Matteo, Thompson, Tugay, Savage (Pedersen 77), Peter, Bellamy, Dickov (Kuqi 77).
Subs: Enckelman, Nelson, Emerton.
Scorers: Todd 17, Bellamy 36, Bellamy 86
Bookings: Matteo 70, Neill 87
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Rose, Milanese, Rowlands, Langley, Santos (Ainsworth 55), Cook (Donnelly 75), Baidoo, Furlong (Moore 75).
Subs: Cole, Evatt.
Bookings: Milanese 67
Referee: A M Marriner Attendance: 12705
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~765045,00.html
BLACKBURN OFFICIAL SITE
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE - HUGHES
Hughes was pleased his side got the job done
MARK Hughes was delighted as Rovers avoided a potential banana-skin and safely secured their passage into the next round of the competition.
A second strike of the season from Andy Todd was followed by a brace from Craig Bellamy as Rovers brushed Rangers aside.
"I thought we were very good in the first half and got a couple of goals, the second half we weren't as fluent at times," said the Rovers boss.
"Credit to QPR they had a go in the second half, pushed up and tried to make it more difficult for us, so we had to respond to that.
"We were able to relax when the third went in.
"We were very professional today, we go the job done and we were able to rest a few players which was good given the schedule we have.
"Overall, pleasing."
The draw for the fourth round takes place on Monday lunchtime at 1.30pm, Rovers are ball number 15. http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10303~765058,00.html
BLACKBURN OFFICIAL
IT was a debut to remember for Sergio Peter as Rovers booked their place into the fourth round of the FA Cup courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.
The nineteen year old German had a hand in each of Rovers' goals as they brushed aside the challenge of the Championship side without ever hitting the heights of previous matches.
Andy Todd gave Rovers the lead from a Peter corner on 17 minutes, then twenty minutes later Bellamy added a second courtesy of a Peter cross, and the same duo combined to make it three four minutes from time.
With an eye on the games against Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers next week, Mark Hughes made five changes for this cup clash but nevertheless a strong squad was put out against Ian Holloway's side.
Tugay challenges Furlong for the ball
Sergio Peter was given his debut in a Rovers shirt, the nineteen year old German impressive on his Ewood bow, Craig Bellamy got his first start since early December whilst Andy Todd, Tugay and David Thompson returned to the starting line-up.
The opening quarter was decidedly low key, Dickov and Furlong both spurned half-chances, but the game sprung into life on sixteen minutes, Lucas Neill played a ball over the top for Bellamy to chase, the Welshman couldn't reach the ball but Paul Dickov certainly could, slamming the ball goalwards, but 'keeper Simon Royce did well to push the shot around the post.
But all Royce's good work was undone by poor defending when from Sergio Peter's corner kick, Andy Todd arrived unmarked at the back post to head down and into the back of the net.
Royce then denied Lucas Neill at the near post, then the veteran goalkeeper did enough to put off Craig Bellamy when the Welshman was through, but with the Rangers goalkeeper bearing down on Bellamy, he put his effort a foot wide.
Bellamy sees his shot nestle into the corner of the net
The second goal eventually came on 36 minutes and again it was the German who made the goal, beating his man on the left before firing over a cross that Craig Bellamy showed immense skill to swivel and volley with his left foot into the corner of the net.
Rangers had rarely threatened in the first period, the final action of the first half saw Langley put a free-kick well over the bar.
No changes at the start of the second half as Rovers still remained in second gear content to pass their way around the visitors, but chances were at a premium at either end.
Peter flashed an effort wide after an intelligent one-two with Paul Dickov, whilst Robbie Savage saw an effort blocked after a Bellamy pass.
Rangers came into the game more and more as the game wore on, the introduction of Blackburn-born winger Gareth Ainsworth providing more attacking options and it almost paid off. Lee Cook had more time and space available to him when he ran onto a misplaced pass by Tugay but he hit his effort well wide.
A day to remember for the young German
Sergio Peter put in a man of the match performance and almost set up another goal when he bamboozled his marker before cutting inside to Bellamy, it was put onto his fellow countryman Robbie Savage but he blazed his effort wide.
Ainsworth himself forced a fine save from Brad Friedel, hitting the ball from the right, the Rovers goalkeeper had to dive to his right to push the effort away.
The Baidoo wasted an opportunity when put in by substitute Donnelly but the Hoops' striker put his effort wide.
Craig Bellamy scores his second of the game
Rovers closed the game out and got their third with four minutes remaining, Sergio Peter cutting inside fed Bellamy who took the ball wide before clipping it over goalkeeper Royce to seal the victory.
It was everything you could wish for on a debut performance from Sergio, the only thing it lacked was a goal for the young German.
ROVERS: Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Todd (c), Matteo, Thompson, Tugay, Savage (sub Pedersen 78 mins), Peter, Dickov (sub Kuqi 78 mins), Bellamy. Subs not used: Enckelman, Nelsen, Emerton.
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Milanese, Shittu (c), Rose, Rowlands, Santos (sub Ainsworth 55 mins), Cook (sub Donnelly 75 mins), Baidoo, Furlong (sub Moore 75 mins), Langley. Subs not used: Evatt, Cole.
Booked: Matteo, Neill (Rovers), Milanese (Queens Park Rangers)
Attendance: 12,705
Rovers World subscribers can get all the post match reaction from today's game on Monday's edition.
http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10303~32333,00.html
SPORTLING LIFE
Blackburn 3 QPR 0
Click here for full match stats
Craig Bellamy showed no signs of his hamstring problems to help steer Blackburn into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The Wales striker took his tally for the season to nine goals with a superb brace against the Coca-Cola Championship side.
Bellamy extended Blackburn's lead after Andy Todd had opened the scoring to leave the visitors facing an uphill battle they never looked like conquering.
It was just the performance manager Mark Hughes was looking for ahead of the Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester United on Wednesday.
The added bonus for Hughes was the display of 19-year-old German midfielder Sergio Peter, who was handed his first start and had a hand in all three goals.
There was a moment of danger for QPR after three minutes when Mauro Milanese brought down David Thompson on the edge of the area.
Peter showed good technique to whip in a dangerous free kick that went just wide of the far post.
Thompson then delivered a good cross from the right but goalkeeper Simon Royce was able to make the interception.
A wayward header by Todd put the home side in trouble in the 12th minute when he directed the ball into the path of Paul Furlong.
However, he failed to get any power on his effort and goalkeeper Brad Friedel was able to boot it to safety.
Rangers took heart from this and Shabazz Baidoo raced forward a minute later only to see Friedel turn away his shot at the near post.
Blackburn took the lead in the 16th minute after Royce did well to parry a close range half-volley from Paul Dickov.
Peter swung in the corner from the right and Todd, unmarked at the back post, sent a downward header beyond the Rangers goalkeeper.
Blackburn kept up the pressure and the visitors were being continually stretched at the back, Danny Shittu and Matthew Rose having their work cut out against Dickov and Bellamy.
And it was Bellamy who extended Blackburn's lead in the 36th minute with his eighth goal of the campaign, sending a superb volley beyond Royce and into the corner following a cross from Peter.
Scotland striker Dickov then picked up a loose ball in the 50th minute and released Peter on the left.
Bellamy raced into the area in anticipation of the cross but instead Peter tried his luck on goal and his effort went well wide of the target.
Rangers were struggling to get back in the game. Martin Rowlands found space 20 yards out in the 55th minute but saw his effort blocked by Zurab Khizanishvili.
Dickov then tried to release Bellamy but the move broke down when he was tripped by Rose.
Rose then showed good awareness to intercept a pass from Tugay to Bellamy in the 63rd minute.
Blackburn were playing some good football with Tugay pulling the strings in the middle of the park.
Robbie Savage should have added a third for Blackburn but sent his effort wide of the target from a good position.
Rangers sub Gareth Ainsworth almost pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute but Friedel did well to parry his 25-yard shot to safety.
Then Baidoo scuffed a shot from close range wide of the target before Bellamy scored his second of the game in the 86th minute with a cool finish after a through ball from Peter.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/07/SOCCER_Blackburn.html
QPR Official Site
Rangers bowed out of the FA Cup with their heads held high at Ewood Park.
Two first half goals and a late, late third gave former Premiership champions Blackburn Rovers a 3-0 win in front of a poor home crowd of just over 12000.
Rovers skipper Andy Todd handed the hosts a 17th minute lead when he stooped to head home past Simon Royce from the edge of the six yard box.
And Craig Bellamy made it two on 36 minutes, volleying home from the edge of the penalty box to leave Rangers facing an uphill struggle at the break.
Bellamy capped a fine solo performance with a third four minutes from time, as Rangers' workmanlike second half display finally came unstuck.
Ian Holloway's men were by no means overawed by their Premiership opponents, with Shabazz Baidoo and Paul Furlong each testing Brad Friedel in the first half.
Georges Santos replaced Gareth Ainsworth in the Hoops midfield, as Ian Holloway opted for a more defensive line up.
Blackburn born Gareth Ainsworth was the unlucky player to miss out, while Paul Furlong replaced the injured Marc Nygaard in attack.
Rangers survived an early fourth minute scare when Mauro Milanese brought David Thompson crashing to ground. Yet despite vocal appeals from the Blackburn players for a penalty, referee Mr Marriner adjudged the foul to have taken place outside the box and from the resultant free kick, Rovers debutant Sergio Peter fired wide of Simon Royce's right had post.
The Hoops harried and pressured every loose ball in the opening ten minutes, with Richard Langley and the recalled Santos coping well with the imposing threat of Rovers' central midfield duo of Robbie Savage and Turkish international Tugay.
And their impressive start was almost rewarded on 12 minutes when Andy Todd's weak back header allowed Paul Furlong a sighter on goal, but his shot lacked power and Brad Friedel saved comfortably.
Furlong turned provider on 13 minutes, releasing Shabazz Baidoo. The teenage striker escaped the attentions of Todd and fired in a ferocious near post shot which forced Friedel into a fine save at his near post.
At the other end, Simon Royce had to be at his agile best to tip round Paul Dickov's volley after Lucas Neill's speculative through ball caught the Rangers defence napping.
Rangers didn't heed the warning though and from the Sergio Peter's resultant corner, Todd buried his back post header beyond the exposed Royce.
Blackburn continued to pose the greater attacking threat, with Neill evading the attentions of Matthew Rose before powering a half volley into the arms of Royce.
Marcus Bignot was forced to clear from under his own crossbar on 34 minutes, as the Rovers front pairing of Craig Bellamy and Dickov continued to cause problems.
Bellamy soon showed his undoubted class when he spectacularly volleyed home Peter's cross from the edge of the 18 yard box to make it 2-0.After a slow start to the second half, Rangers introduced local lad Ainsworth at the expense of Santos.
And the Blackburn born midfielder was soon on the attack, leaving two men in his wake before forcing Friedel to claim a cross at his near post.
Rangers were enjoying a decent passage of play and Shittu fired over a long range free kick on 59 minutes, before Lee Cook fired wide six minutes later.
Savage should have made it 3-0 on 65 minutes, when having been sent clean through by Tugay, the Welshman showed poor composure, blasting his shot high and wide of the target.
Ainsworth was clearly relishing playing against his former club and with just 19 minutes left on the clock, the right sided midfielder fired in a long range half volley which Friedel did well to palm to safety.
Baidoo wasted a golden opportunity to set up a grandstand finish when he dragged his 15 yard effort wide of the target with just 11 minutes on the clock.
The final nail in the Rangers coffin arrived on 86 minutes when Bellamy latched onto Peter's deft through ball before chipping the advancing Royce to claim his ninth goal of the season in all competitions.
So Rangers' FA Cup run ends for another year, but it certainly wasn't for the want of trying and much credit should be given to the players who refused to lie down despite trailing early on.
Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Khivanishvili, Todd, Matteo, Thompson, Tugay, Savage (Pedersen 77), Peter, Bellamy, Dickov (Kuqi 77).
Subs: Enckelman, Nelson, Emerton.
Scorers: Todd 17, Bellamy 36, Bellamy 86
Bookings: Matteo 70, Neill 87
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Rose, Milanese, Rowlands, Langley, Santos (Ainsworth 55), Cook (Donnelly 75), Baidoo, Furlong (Moore 75).
Subs: Cole, Evatt.
Bookings: Milanese 67
Referee: A M Marriner Attendance: 12705
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~765045,00.html
BLACKBURN OFFICIAL SITE
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE - HUGHES
Hughes was pleased his side got the job done
MARK Hughes was delighted as Rovers avoided a potential banana-skin and safely secured their passage into the next round of the competition.
A second strike of the season from Andy Todd was followed by a brace from Craig Bellamy as Rovers brushed Rangers aside.
"I thought we were very good in the first half and got a couple of goals, the second half we weren't as fluent at times," said the Rovers boss.
"Credit to QPR they had a go in the second half, pushed up and tried to make it more difficult for us, so we had to respond to that.
"We were able to relax when the third went in.
"We were very professional today, we go the job done and we were able to rest a few players which was good given the schedule we have.
"Overall, pleasing."
The draw for the fourth round takes place on Monday lunchtime at 1.30pm, Rovers are ball number 15. http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10303~765058,00.html
BLACKBURN OFFICIAL
IT was a debut to remember for Sergio Peter as Rovers booked their place into the fourth round of the FA Cup courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.
The nineteen year old German had a hand in each of Rovers' goals as they brushed aside the challenge of the Championship side without ever hitting the heights of previous matches.
Andy Todd gave Rovers the lead from a Peter corner on 17 minutes, then twenty minutes later Bellamy added a second courtesy of a Peter cross, and the same duo combined to make it three four minutes from time.
With an eye on the games against Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers next week, Mark Hughes made five changes for this cup clash but nevertheless a strong squad was put out against Ian Holloway's side.
Tugay challenges Furlong for the ball
Sergio Peter was given his debut in a Rovers shirt, the nineteen year old German impressive on his Ewood bow, Craig Bellamy got his first start since early December whilst Andy Todd, Tugay and David Thompson returned to the starting line-up.
The opening quarter was decidedly low key, Dickov and Furlong both spurned half-chances, but the game sprung into life on sixteen minutes, Lucas Neill played a ball over the top for Bellamy to chase, the Welshman couldn't reach the ball but Paul Dickov certainly could, slamming the ball goalwards, but 'keeper Simon Royce did well to push the shot around the post.
But all Royce's good work was undone by poor defending when from Sergio Peter's corner kick, Andy Todd arrived unmarked at the back post to head down and into the back of the net.
Royce then denied Lucas Neill at the near post, then the veteran goalkeeper did enough to put off Craig Bellamy when the Welshman was through, but with the Rangers goalkeeper bearing down on Bellamy, he put his effort a foot wide.
Bellamy sees his shot nestle into the corner of the net
The second goal eventually came on 36 minutes and again it was the German who made the goal, beating his man on the left before firing over a cross that Craig Bellamy showed immense skill to swivel and volley with his left foot into the corner of the net.
Rangers had rarely threatened in the first period, the final action of the first half saw Langley put a free-kick well over the bar.
No changes at the start of the second half as Rovers still remained in second gear content to pass their way around the visitors, but chances were at a premium at either end.
Peter flashed an effort wide after an intelligent one-two with Paul Dickov, whilst Robbie Savage saw an effort blocked after a Bellamy pass.
Rangers came into the game more and more as the game wore on, the introduction of Blackburn-born winger Gareth Ainsworth providing more attacking options and it almost paid off. Lee Cook had more time and space available to him when he ran onto a misplaced pass by Tugay but he hit his effort well wide.
A day to remember for the young German
Sergio Peter put in a man of the match performance and almost set up another goal when he bamboozled his marker before cutting inside to Bellamy, it was put onto his fellow countryman Robbie Savage but he blazed his effort wide.
Ainsworth himself forced a fine save from Brad Friedel, hitting the ball from the right, the Rovers goalkeeper had to dive to his right to push the effort away.
The Baidoo wasted an opportunity when put in by substitute Donnelly but the Hoops' striker put his effort wide.
Craig Bellamy scores his second of the game
Rovers closed the game out and got their third with four minutes remaining, Sergio Peter cutting inside fed Bellamy who took the ball wide before clipping it over goalkeeper Royce to seal the victory.
It was everything you could wish for on a debut performance from Sergio, the only thing it lacked was a goal for the young German.
ROVERS: Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Todd (c), Matteo, Thompson, Tugay, Savage (sub Pedersen 78 mins), Peter, Dickov (sub Kuqi 78 mins), Bellamy. Subs not used: Enckelman, Nelsen, Emerton.
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Milanese, Shittu (c), Rose, Rowlands, Santos (sub Ainsworth 55 mins), Cook (sub Donnelly 75 mins), Baidoo, Furlong (sub Moore 75 mins), Langley. Subs not used: Evatt, Cole.
Booked: Matteo, Neill (Rovers), Milanese (Queens Park Rangers)
Attendance: 12,705
Rovers World subscribers can get all the post match reaction from today's game on Monday's edition.
http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10303~32333,00.html
SPORTLING LIFE
Blackburn 3 QPR 0
Click here for full match stats
Craig Bellamy showed no signs of his hamstring problems to help steer Blackburn into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The Wales striker took his tally for the season to nine goals with a superb brace against the Coca-Cola Championship side.
Bellamy extended Blackburn's lead after Andy Todd had opened the scoring to leave the visitors facing an uphill battle they never looked like conquering.
It was just the performance manager Mark Hughes was looking for ahead of the Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester United on Wednesday.
The added bonus for Hughes was the display of 19-year-old German midfielder Sergio Peter, who was handed his first start and had a hand in all three goals.
There was a moment of danger for QPR after three minutes when Mauro Milanese brought down David Thompson on the edge of the area.
Peter showed good technique to whip in a dangerous free kick that went just wide of the far post.
Thompson then delivered a good cross from the right but goalkeeper Simon Royce was able to make the interception.
A wayward header by Todd put the home side in trouble in the 12th minute when he directed the ball into the path of Paul Furlong.
However, he failed to get any power on his effort and goalkeeper Brad Friedel was able to boot it to safety.
Rangers took heart from this and Shabazz Baidoo raced forward a minute later only to see Friedel turn away his shot at the near post.
Blackburn took the lead in the 16th minute after Royce did well to parry a close range half-volley from Paul Dickov.
Peter swung in the corner from the right and Todd, unmarked at the back post, sent a downward header beyond the Rangers goalkeeper.
Blackburn kept up the pressure and the visitors were being continually stretched at the back, Danny Shittu and Matthew Rose having their work cut out against Dickov and Bellamy.
And it was Bellamy who extended Blackburn's lead in the 36th minute with his eighth goal of the campaign, sending a superb volley beyond Royce and into the corner following a cross from Peter.
Scotland striker Dickov then picked up a loose ball in the 50th minute and released Peter on the left.
Bellamy raced into the area in anticipation of the cross but instead Peter tried his luck on goal and his effort went well wide of the target.
Rangers were struggling to get back in the game. Martin Rowlands found space 20 yards out in the 55th minute but saw his effort blocked by Zurab Khizanishvili.
Dickov then tried to release Bellamy but the move broke down when he was tripped by Rose.
Rose then showed good awareness to intercept a pass from Tugay to Bellamy in the 63rd minute.
Blackburn were playing some good football with Tugay pulling the strings in the middle of the park.
Robbie Savage should have added a third for Blackburn but sent his effort wide of the target from a good position.
Rangers sub Gareth Ainsworth almost pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute but Friedel did well to parry his 25-yard shot to safety.
Then Baidoo scuffed a shot from close range wide of the target before Bellamy scored his second of the game in the 86th minute with a cool finish after a through ball from Peter.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/07/SOCCER_Blackburn.html
Blackburn vs QPR - Today's Teams
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FA Cup Third Round: Blackburn vs QPR
ROVERS: Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Todd (c), Matteo, Thompson, Tugay, Savage, Peter, Dickov, Bellamy. Subs: Enckelman, Nelsen, Emerton, Kuqi, Pedersen.
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Milanese, Shittu (c), Rose, Rowlands, Santo[s], Cook, Baidoo, Furlong, Langley.
Subs: Evatt, Ainsworth, Cole, Moore, Donnelly.
Blackburn Official Site
SERGIO Peter will make his debut in a Rovers shirt this afternoon against Queens Park Rangers. The nineteen year old German starts on the left side of midfield in a side that features five changes from the side that defeated Portsmouth on Monday night. Andy Todd returns following a knee injury, whilst Craig Bellamy makes his first Rovers start since the beginning of December. David Thompson and Tugay come off the bench to start in midfield _________________QPR REPORT
FA Cup Third Round: Blackburn vs QPR
ROVERS: Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Todd (c), Matteo, Thompson, Tugay, Savage, Peter, Dickov, Bellamy. Subs: Enckelman, Nelsen, Emerton, Kuqi, Pedersen.
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Milanese, Shittu (c), Rose, Rowlands, Santo[s], Cook, Baidoo, Furlong, Langley.
Subs: Evatt, Ainsworth, Cole, Moore, Donnelly.
Blackburn Official Site
SERGIO Peter will make his debut in a Rovers shirt this afternoon against Queens Park Rangers. The nineteen year old German starts on the left side of midfield in a side that features five changes from the side that defeated Portsmouth on Monday night. Andy Todd returns following a knee injury, whilst Craig Bellamy makes his first Rovers start since the beginning of December. David Thompson and Tugay come off the bench to start in midfield _________________QPR REPORT
Ex-QPR, Ian Watson Turns 62
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IAN WATSON TURNS 62
Born January 7, 1944
Joined QPR from Chelsea for 5,000 pounds in Summer of 1965 (Possibly the first Jim Gregory era signing, Watson was one of a number of Chelsea "rejects" who did a great job for QPR). Played some 200 games primarily wearing #2 shirt but also #3 shirt and also a few games as center back. He briefly captained QPR. Wastson Did NOT play in the 1967 League Cup Final. Tony Hazell had his spot.)
Watson was our only "ever-present" in the calamatous 1968/1969 Relegation season (which shows how good he must have been). Some seasons he played few games. Others he played the majority. He played 35 games in our 1972/73 promotion season. He played the first six games of our 1973/74 season back in the return. And then he rtired.
Remember him having a perfect temperament.
Near the end of his career, there was "another" player named Ian Watson (Sunderland and England), but for QPR fans, QPR's Ian was the "real" Ian Watson!
Photo: Middle row, last player on the right (as you face him) http://www.kabrna.com/marsh/qpr_team67.jpg
IAN WATSON TURNS 62
Born January 7, 1944
Joined QPR from Chelsea for 5,000 pounds in Summer of 1965 (Possibly the first Jim Gregory era signing, Watson was one of a number of Chelsea "rejects" who did a great job for QPR). Played some 200 games primarily wearing #2 shirt but also #3 shirt and also a few games as center back. He briefly captained QPR. Wastson Did NOT play in the 1967 League Cup Final. Tony Hazell had his spot.)
Watson was our only "ever-present" in the calamatous 1968/1969 Relegation season (which shows how good he must have been). Some seasons he played few games. Others he played the majority. He played 35 games in our 1972/73 promotion season. He played the first six games of our 1973/74 season back in the return. And then he rtired.
Remember him having a perfect temperament.
Near the end of his career, there was "another" player named Ian Watson (Sunderland and England), but for QPR fans, QPR's Ian was the "real" Ian Watson!
Photo: Middle row, last player on the right (as you face him) http://www.kabrna.com/marsh/qpr_team67.jpg
35 Years Ago...Gordon Jago Replaces Les Allen as Manager
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GORDON JAGO
Thirty-Five Years ago, January 6, 1971, QPR coach, Gordon Jago took over from Les Allen as QPR Manager, initially as caretaker manger after a series of poor results culminated in an FA Cup 3rd Round defeat! (at home to Swindon on a icy day which had QPR players slipping). Jago's performance soon led to the appointment being made "permanent." Jago had for the prior few months been coach under Allen. Had previously coached in the United State: At the time, this "foreign" connection which was then extremely rare, gave QPR a certain panache.
Manager for about 3 1/2 years. Jago led the team to safety that season; finish 5th the following season which saw Rodney Marsh sold. Led them to promotion the following season (which saw Bowles, Givens and Thomas signed). And the following season, saw them establish themselves in the First Division as Top London Club. Jago left the club after a not-so-great start the following season. (Being replaced by Dave Sexton). Basically the team that "won" the First Division Championship - with a couple of exceptions (Masson & Hollins) was the team that Jago built.
Not only did Jago do a great job. He also had the team playing great football. (with the help of his coach Bobby Campbell - subsequently "stolen" by Arsenal - and Terry Venables as player and a defacto coach.)
Jago took over at Millwall and then Tampa Bay Rowdies (teaming up again with Rodney Marsh)
A decade later, in the summer of 1984 Jim Gregory appointed Jago as General Manager to replace Terry Venables when he went to Barcelona. The idea was that there would be a team manager - maybe David Pleat under Jago. When Gregory couldn't get someone to serve under Jago, Jago was fired just over a week later.
Jago remains in the United States involved with football - for the past twenty years with indoor soccer in Dallas.
See: http://www.kicksfan.com/staff/jago/
See Interview with Jago http://ussoccerplayers.com/exclusives/467723.html
GORDON JAGO
Thirty-Five Years ago, January 6, 1971, QPR coach, Gordon Jago took over from Les Allen as QPR Manager, initially as caretaker manger after a series of poor results culminated in an FA Cup 3rd Round defeat! (at home to Swindon on a icy day which had QPR players slipping). Jago's performance soon led to the appointment being made "permanent." Jago had for the prior few months been coach under Allen. Had previously coached in the United State: At the time, this "foreign" connection which was then extremely rare, gave QPR a certain panache.
Manager for about 3 1/2 years. Jago led the team to safety that season; finish 5th the following season which saw Rodney Marsh sold. Led them to promotion the following season (which saw Bowles, Givens and Thomas signed). And the following season, saw them establish themselves in the First Division as Top London Club. Jago left the club after a not-so-great start the following season. (Being replaced by Dave Sexton). Basically the team that "won" the First Division Championship - with a couple of exceptions (Masson & Hollins) was the team that Jago built.
Not only did Jago do a great job. He also had the team playing great football. (with the help of his coach Bobby Campbell - subsequently "stolen" by Arsenal - and Terry Venables as player and a defacto coach.)
Jago took over at Millwall and then Tampa Bay Rowdies (teaming up again with Rodney Marsh)
A decade later, in the summer of 1984 Jim Gregory appointed Jago as General Manager to replace Terry Venables when he went to Barcelona. The idea was that there would be a team manager - maybe David Pleat under Jago. When Gregory couldn't get someone to serve under Jago, Jago was fired just over a week later.
Jago remains in the United States involved with football - for the past twenty years with indoor soccer in Dallas.
See: http://www.kicksfan.com/staff/jago/
See Interview with Jago http://ussoccerplayers.com/exclusives/467723.html
Friday, January 06, 2006
Blackburn vs QPR
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Blackburn Official Site
SQUAD SHUFFLE FOR SATURDAY
MARK Hughes is likely to put his squad to full use for the visit of Queens Park Rangers is the third round of the FA Cup tomorrow.
As one busy period ends, another one begins with the FA Cup at Ewood Park and the Rovers boss has a strong squad at his disposal and is should take this opportunity to make changes for the game.
"We've had a lot of games in a short space of time, a lot of guys are carrying knocks and bumps and bruises," said Hughes.
"So it may be an opportunity to rest a couple of players, but it will certainly be a strong side and a side that I think will win the tie.
"We've had a good run of results and we want to keep that run going, we are looking to win the game, we have a good squad and one that is capable of progressing in this competition."
Michael Gray is welcomed back to the squad after missing the win against Portsmouth on Monday night, but Saturday may come soon for Andy Todd.
The Rovers captain has returned to training following a knee injury picked up on Boxing Day, but isn't likely to be risked.
Steven Reid serves a one-match ban following picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
The manager is likely to choose from: Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Matteo, Bentley, Tugay, Savage, Pedersen, Dickov, Kuqi, Enckelman, Emerton, Bellamy, Thompson, Gray, Peter, Johnson, Gresko, Taylor.
You can see more on the build-up to tomorrow's game on today's edition of Rovers World.
http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10303~764468,00.html
SPORTING LIFE
QPR hope to have Matthew Rose and Marc Nygaard available for the FA Cup clash at Premiership side Blackburn.
Defender Rose, 30, and striker Nygaard, 29, sustained side and calf injuries respectively in the 1-1 draw with Burnley on January 2, but Rangers boss Ian Holloway is quietly confident both can recover for the third round tie.
If neither player makes it, Georges Santos and Paul Furlong are expected to come into the starting XI.
Marc Bircham is doubtful after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring problem that kept him out of the Burnley fixture, while forward Kevin Gallen (hamstring), midfielders Steve Lomas (hamstring) and Tommy Doherty (fibula) and defender Dominic Shimmin (calf) are all unavailable. http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/06/manual_113819.html&TEAMHD=nationwide1
BBC - Blackburn v QPR
Ewood ParkSaturday, 7 JanuaryThird RoundKick-off: 1500 GMTReferee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)Replay: 1945 GMT, Tuesday, 17 January
Blackburn gear up for the visit of QPR without the services of Matt Jansen.
Rovers have agreed to his wishes to release him from his contract after six years at Ewood Park having made just one start this season.
QPR team news to follow later.
KEY MATCH STATS
BLACKBURN ROVERS and Queen's Park Rangers meet in the FA Cup for the first ever time.
Rovers have lifted the Cup six times in their history, but not since 1928. They enjoyed a fine run last season under Mark Hughes, defeating Cardiff, Colchester, Burnley and Leicester on their way to a meeting in the semi-finals with Arsenal. But in Arsene Wenger's renowned Cup winners they met their nemesis, going down 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium.
The Carling Cup semi-finalists enter this tie in fine form, on a run of four successive League and Cup victories - 100% from the three matches played over the Christmas and New Year. They've only beaten QPR once in four League meetings, since both were in the Premiership together in 1996.
QUEEN'S PARK RANGERS are 25 places inferior to Blackburn on the League ladder, but have taken seven points from the last nine available.
The West London club reached Wembley for the only time in their history in 1982, when as a Second Division (second level) club they held Tottenham to a 1-1 draw courtesy of an equaliser pased Ray Clemence from Terry Fenwick. It was a tedious final, as was the replay decided by a Glenn Hoddle penalty, after Tony Currie had brought down Graham Roberts.
Rangers' only victory in nine League meetings with Blackburn was 0-2 at Ewood Park in the Nationwide Division One on 30 October 1999.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4565136.stm
Blackburn Official Site
SQUAD SHUFFLE FOR SATURDAY
MARK Hughes is likely to put his squad to full use for the visit of Queens Park Rangers is the third round of the FA Cup tomorrow.
As one busy period ends, another one begins with the FA Cup at Ewood Park and the Rovers boss has a strong squad at his disposal and is should take this opportunity to make changes for the game.
"We've had a lot of games in a short space of time, a lot of guys are carrying knocks and bumps and bruises," said Hughes.
"So it may be an opportunity to rest a couple of players, but it will certainly be a strong side and a side that I think will win the tie.
"We've had a good run of results and we want to keep that run going, we are looking to win the game, we have a good squad and one that is capable of progressing in this competition."
Michael Gray is welcomed back to the squad after missing the win against Portsmouth on Monday night, but Saturday may come soon for Andy Todd.
The Rovers captain has returned to training following a knee injury picked up on Boxing Day, but isn't likely to be risked.
Steven Reid serves a one-match ban following picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
The manager is likely to choose from: Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Matteo, Bentley, Tugay, Savage, Pedersen, Dickov, Kuqi, Enckelman, Emerton, Bellamy, Thompson, Gray, Peter, Johnson, Gresko, Taylor.
You can see more on the build-up to tomorrow's game on today's edition of Rovers World.
http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10303~764468,00.html
SPORTING LIFE
QPR hope to have Matthew Rose and Marc Nygaard available for the FA Cup clash at Premiership side Blackburn.
Defender Rose, 30, and striker Nygaard, 29, sustained side and calf injuries respectively in the 1-1 draw with Burnley on January 2, but Rangers boss Ian Holloway is quietly confident both can recover for the third round tie.
If neither player makes it, Georges Santos and Paul Furlong are expected to come into the starting XI.
Marc Bircham is doubtful after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring problem that kept him out of the Burnley fixture, while forward Kevin Gallen (hamstring), midfielders Steve Lomas (hamstring) and Tommy Doherty (fibula) and defender Dominic Shimmin (calf) are all unavailable. http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/06/manual_113819.html&TEAMHD=nationwide1
BBC - Blackburn v QPR
Ewood ParkSaturday, 7 JanuaryThird RoundKick-off: 1500 GMTReferee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)Replay: 1945 GMT, Tuesday, 17 January
Blackburn gear up for the visit of QPR without the services of Matt Jansen.
Rovers have agreed to his wishes to release him from his contract after six years at Ewood Park having made just one start this season.
QPR team news to follow later.
KEY MATCH STATS
BLACKBURN ROVERS and Queen's Park Rangers meet in the FA Cup for the first ever time.
Rovers have lifted the Cup six times in their history, but not since 1928. They enjoyed a fine run last season under Mark Hughes, defeating Cardiff, Colchester, Burnley and Leicester on their way to a meeting in the semi-finals with Arsenal. But in Arsene Wenger's renowned Cup winners they met their nemesis, going down 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium.
The Carling Cup semi-finalists enter this tie in fine form, on a run of four successive League and Cup victories - 100% from the three matches played over the Christmas and New Year. They've only beaten QPR once in four League meetings, since both were in the Premiership together in 1996.
QUEEN'S PARK RANGERS are 25 places inferior to Blackburn on the League ladder, but have taken seven points from the last nine available.
The West London club reached Wembley for the only time in their history in 1982, when as a Second Division (second level) club they held Tottenham to a 1-1 draw courtesy of an equaliser pased Ray Clemence from Terry Fenwick. It was a tedious final, as was the replay decided by a Glenn Hoddle penalty, after Tony Currie had brought down Graham Roberts.
Rangers' only victory in nine League meetings with Blackburn was 0-2 at Ewood Park in the Nationwide Division One on 30 October 1999.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4565136.stm
Venables Turns 63: One of QPR's All-time Most Influential
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Terry Venables Turns 63
Born January 6, 1943
http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=2153
Do a "Google" Search for Terry Venables and you'll find over 100,000 entries. Much has been written about Venables at Spurs and with England and his short periods at Australia, Crystal Palace (the second time), Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Leeds.
But when QPR signed him in June 1969 for a QPR record 70,000 pounds, it marked a massive turning point: Remembering him as a 27 year old; immediately appointed QPR captain...Taking all the throw ins (it seemed); and the corners...and the free kicks....Providing class and savvy and experience to a QPR team that had just gone down with a humiliating 18 points...
And under Gordaon Jago and Campbell, Venables although "just" a player was clearly a massive influence on tactics and free kicks and an on-the-field guide to theplayers.
And then when he returned to QPR as a manager replacing Tommy Docherty: The sense of KNOWING that QPR would be promoted. (Not to mention taking us to our only FA Cup Final) Brilliant coach. Good manager.. The feeling of total despair when he left QPR unmatched probably by any other managerial (or playing departure)
From Wikipedia
Playing career
Venables entered professional football in 1960 when he signed with Chelsea, playing over 200 games before leaving for Tottenham Hotspur in 1966. In 1969, he joined Queens Park Rangers before finishing his playing career at Crystal Palace. He was capped twice for England.
[edit]
Managerial career
On his retirement from playing, he took over the manager's role at Palace whom he coached to two promotions in three seasons, to get them to the First Division in 1979. After a mid-table finish in 1980 he left for Queens Park Rangers, whom he led to promotion in 1983 and a very respectable 5th place in the First Division the following season. He also guided Rangers to the FA Cup final in 1982 while still a second division side, but lost in a replay against Tottenham Hotspur.
His growing reputation bought him offers from some of Europe's most prestigious clubs and in 1984 he took the role of manager at Barcelona, earning the sobriquet El Tel. During his three seasons in Catalonia, Venables led the club to the Spanish title and league cup but lost in the final of the first post-Heysel European Cup to Steau Bucharest on penalties. He was sacked in September 1987 after failing to repeat his title success at the Nou Camp.
In October 1987, he returned to the UK to manage Tottenham Hotspur. His success with the north London team was varied, with the side finishing in mid-table for most of his tenure, though they did win the FA Cup in 1991. A clash of personalities developed with club owner Alan Sugar, who insisted on authority over footballing matters. Sugar dismissed Venables on the eve of their 1993 FA Cup semi-final against local rivals Arsenal and Venables spent the next few years pursuing his broad and rapidly developing business interests.
By 1993, the England national football team had reached a nadir under Graham Taylor and Venables, though not active in the game, seemed to have the presence and charisma that could re-ignite some patriotic pride and achievement. However, the speculation coincided with Venables' business dealings falling under some scrutiny and censure. The Football Association struggled to identify an alternative candidate but their discomfort with his soiled reputation for probity was articulated in their appointment of him as England coach rather than under the traditional title of manager. His highest achievement came through his masterful tactical insights during the 1996 European Football Championship. His skill in analysis, coaching and motivation resulted in some of England's best ever footballing performances, including a famous 4-1 demolition of the Netherlands, and only ended in the bitter disappointment of losing to Germany on penalties in the semi-final.
However, Venables' business dealings offered a constant distraction and he left the England job shortly afterwards, going on to become a consultant and then chairman at Portsmouth. He eventually left in controversial circumstances with the club in turmoil both on and off the pitch. This ran parallel with a spell coaching the Australian national team. His side swept through the Oceania World Cup qualifying group but were beaten in a play-off by Iran on away goals after letting slip a 2-0 second leg lead. In 1998, he was disqualified from acting as a company director for seven years under section 8 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986. In the same year he returned to Palace for a brief period before leaving acrimoniously.
His first experience of the FA Premier League came in 2000 when under-fire Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson appointed him as his assistant in a bid to help the club avoid relegation. The club eventually finished 14th and survived. However, Venables felt Teeside too remote a base for his media and business interests and he left the club in 2001. In July 2002 Venables joined Leeds United as manager. By December of that year, the side had crashed out of both the League Cup and the UEFA Cup and were languishing in mid-table. Leeds were already caught in a downward spiral of footballing failure, disappointing revenues and escalating wage costs and in January 2003 the club's most effective and valuable players began to be sold to meet mounting debts. Under such circumstances, he was unable to stem the club's decline and he left in March 2003.
He was to become the technical director of the Newcastle United Jets, who will participate in the replacement for the Australian National Soccer League, the A-League, beginning 2005. However, his many commitments in the UK will prevent him from taking up any job with the club, and his agent announced that he did not sign any deal with the club.
[edit]
Other interests
In 2002 Venables recorded a single for the World Cup together with the band Rider. England Crazy reached number 46 in the UK charts.
In addition to his widespread business interests, Venables has co-authored four novels with writer Gordon Williams and is credited as co-creator of the ITV detective series Hazell. He is, as of 2004, a football pundit for ITV.
[edit]
Bibliography
[edit]
Football
Venables, T & Hanson, N (1995) Venables: The Autobiography ISBN 0140240772
Venables, T (1996) Venables' England: The Making of the TeamISBN 0752216643
- (1997) The Best Game in the World ISBN 0099185628
[edit]
Fiction
Venables, T & Williams, G (1973) They Used to Play on Grass ISBN 0583120776
- (1994) Hazell Plays Solomon ISBN 0140244166
- (1994) Hazell and the Menacing Jester ISBN 0140244182
- (1995) Hazell and the Three Card Trick ISBN 0140244190
External links
Interview on FA website
Notice of disqualification as a company director
[1] Venables on the cover of Private Eye.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Venables
Terry Venables Turns 63
Born January 6, 1943
http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=2153
Do a "Google" Search for Terry Venables and you'll find over 100,000 entries. Much has been written about Venables at Spurs and with England and his short periods at Australia, Crystal Palace (the second time), Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Leeds.
But when QPR signed him in June 1969 for a QPR record 70,000 pounds, it marked a massive turning point: Remembering him as a 27 year old; immediately appointed QPR captain...Taking all the throw ins (it seemed); and the corners...and the free kicks....Providing class and savvy and experience to a QPR team that had just gone down with a humiliating 18 points...
And under Gordaon Jago and Campbell, Venables although "just" a player was clearly a massive influence on tactics and free kicks and an on-the-field guide to theplayers.
And then when he returned to QPR as a manager replacing Tommy Docherty: The sense of KNOWING that QPR would be promoted. (Not to mention taking us to our only FA Cup Final) Brilliant coach. Good manager.. The feeling of total despair when he left QPR unmatched probably by any other managerial (or playing departure)
From Wikipedia
Playing career
Venables entered professional football in 1960 when he signed with Chelsea, playing over 200 games before leaving for Tottenham Hotspur in 1966. In 1969, he joined Queens Park Rangers before finishing his playing career at Crystal Palace. He was capped twice for England.
[edit]
Managerial career
On his retirement from playing, he took over the manager's role at Palace whom he coached to two promotions in three seasons, to get them to the First Division in 1979. After a mid-table finish in 1980 he left for Queens Park Rangers, whom he led to promotion in 1983 and a very respectable 5th place in the First Division the following season. He also guided Rangers to the FA Cup final in 1982 while still a second division side, but lost in a replay against Tottenham Hotspur.
His growing reputation bought him offers from some of Europe's most prestigious clubs and in 1984 he took the role of manager at Barcelona, earning the sobriquet El Tel. During his three seasons in Catalonia, Venables led the club to the Spanish title and league cup but lost in the final of the first post-Heysel European Cup to Steau Bucharest on penalties. He was sacked in September 1987 after failing to repeat his title success at the Nou Camp.
In October 1987, he returned to the UK to manage Tottenham Hotspur. His success with the north London team was varied, with the side finishing in mid-table for most of his tenure, though they did win the FA Cup in 1991. A clash of personalities developed with club owner Alan Sugar, who insisted on authority over footballing matters. Sugar dismissed Venables on the eve of their 1993 FA Cup semi-final against local rivals Arsenal and Venables spent the next few years pursuing his broad and rapidly developing business interests.
By 1993, the England national football team had reached a nadir under Graham Taylor and Venables, though not active in the game, seemed to have the presence and charisma that could re-ignite some patriotic pride and achievement. However, the speculation coincided with Venables' business dealings falling under some scrutiny and censure. The Football Association struggled to identify an alternative candidate but their discomfort with his soiled reputation for probity was articulated in their appointment of him as England coach rather than under the traditional title of manager. His highest achievement came through his masterful tactical insights during the 1996 European Football Championship. His skill in analysis, coaching and motivation resulted in some of England's best ever footballing performances, including a famous 4-1 demolition of the Netherlands, and only ended in the bitter disappointment of losing to Germany on penalties in the semi-final.
However, Venables' business dealings offered a constant distraction and he left the England job shortly afterwards, going on to become a consultant and then chairman at Portsmouth. He eventually left in controversial circumstances with the club in turmoil both on and off the pitch. This ran parallel with a spell coaching the Australian national team. His side swept through the Oceania World Cup qualifying group but were beaten in a play-off by Iran on away goals after letting slip a 2-0 second leg lead. In 1998, he was disqualified from acting as a company director for seven years under section 8 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986. In the same year he returned to Palace for a brief period before leaving acrimoniously.
His first experience of the FA Premier League came in 2000 when under-fire Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson appointed him as his assistant in a bid to help the club avoid relegation. The club eventually finished 14th and survived. However, Venables felt Teeside too remote a base for his media and business interests and he left the club in 2001. In July 2002 Venables joined Leeds United as manager. By December of that year, the side had crashed out of both the League Cup and the UEFA Cup and were languishing in mid-table. Leeds were already caught in a downward spiral of footballing failure, disappointing revenues and escalating wage costs and in January 2003 the club's most effective and valuable players began to be sold to meet mounting debts. Under such circumstances, he was unable to stem the club's decline and he left in March 2003.
He was to become the technical director of the Newcastle United Jets, who will participate in the replacement for the Australian National Soccer League, the A-League, beginning 2005. However, his many commitments in the UK will prevent him from taking up any job with the club, and his agent announced that he did not sign any deal with the club.
[edit]
Other interests
In 2002 Venables recorded a single for the World Cup together with the band Rider. England Crazy reached number 46 in the UK charts.
In addition to his widespread business interests, Venables has co-authored four novels with writer Gordon Williams and is credited as co-creator of the ITV detective series Hazell. He is, as of 2004, a football pundit for ITV.
[edit]
Bibliography
[edit]
Football
Venables, T & Hanson, N (1995) Venables: The Autobiography ISBN 0140240772
Venables, T (1996) Venables' England: The Making of the TeamISBN 0752216643
- (1997) The Best Game in the World ISBN 0099185628
[edit]
Fiction
Venables, T & Williams, G (1973) They Used to Play on Grass ISBN 0583120776
- (1994) Hazell Plays Solomon ISBN 0140244166
- (1994) Hazell and the Menacing Jester ISBN 0140244182
- (1995) Hazell and the Three Card Trick ISBN 0140244190
External links
Interview on FA website
Notice of disqualification as a company director
[1] Venables on the cover of Private Eye.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Venables
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Holloway - QPR Can't Afford Marcus Stewart...Chairman Wants Younger Players
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OLLY: WE CAN'T AFFORD MARCUS
Bristol Evening Post 05 January 2006
Ian Holloway today ruled out a move for Bristol City striker Marcus Stewart. Queens Park Rangers boss Holloway expressed an interest in taking the striker to Loftus Road prior to November's deadline for loan signings. And the former Bristol Rovers manager is now looking to recruit a new forward, possibly on loan, during the January transfer window . But although Stewart is unhappy at being left out of the City side and might now consider a move in search of first-team football, his wages are a stumbling block. Holloway revealed: "I did make an enquiry about Stewart a couple of months ago, but we couldn't afford the money."There was no way we could afford to bring him here pemanently, but I did consider a loan."That will not be possible unless the money situation changes. As far as I know, that is the same, so it doesn't look like a deal will be possible."
QPR and fellow Championship club Plymouth Argyle have expressed an interest in Stewart, who is keen to retain his family base on the outskirts of Bristol.
Holloway added: "He's a magnificent player and there's no doubt about that." But my chairman seems to prefer me looking for younger players and I've lots of other options to consider. I've drawn up a list of targets that I want to show him and Stewart is not on it at present."
City manager Gary Johnson this week signed Bas Savage from Coventry on a deal until the end of the season and it looks as though the former Reading man will continue to keep Stewart out of the team.But Johnson will want to recruit another striker before allowing Stewart to depart Ashton Gate. It is understood he has a couple of targets in mind, but there are unlikely to be any new arrivals until later in the month.Johnson said: "Everyone is playing for time and keeping their options open at the moment. Nothing is going to happen in the short term and I expect most transfers to wait until the end of January." http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145371&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145195&contentPK=13782474&folderPk=83751
OLLY: WE CAN'T AFFORD MARCUS
Bristol Evening Post 05 January 2006
Ian Holloway today ruled out a move for Bristol City striker Marcus Stewart. Queens Park Rangers boss Holloway expressed an interest in taking the striker to Loftus Road prior to November's deadline for loan signings. And the former Bristol Rovers manager is now looking to recruit a new forward, possibly on loan, during the January transfer window . But although Stewart is unhappy at being left out of the City side and might now consider a move in search of first-team football, his wages are a stumbling block. Holloway revealed: "I did make an enquiry about Stewart a couple of months ago, but we couldn't afford the money."There was no way we could afford to bring him here pemanently, but I did consider a loan."That will not be possible unless the money situation changes. As far as I know, that is the same, so it doesn't look like a deal will be possible."
QPR and fellow Championship club Plymouth Argyle have expressed an interest in Stewart, who is keen to retain his family base on the outskirts of Bristol.
Holloway added: "He's a magnificent player and there's no doubt about that." But my chairman seems to prefer me looking for younger players and I've lots of other options to consider. I've drawn up a list of targets that I want to show him and Stewart is not on it at present."
City manager Gary Johnson this week signed Bas Savage from Coventry on a deal until the end of the season and it looks as though the former Reading man will continue to keep Stewart out of the team.But Johnson will want to recruit another striker before allowing Stewart to depart Ashton Gate. It is understood he has a couple of targets in mind, but there are unlikely to be any new arrivals until later in the month.Johnson said: "Everyone is playing for time and keeping their options open at the moment. Nothing is going to happen in the short term and I expect most transfers to wait until the end of January." http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145371&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145195&contentPK=13782474&folderPk=83751
Birthdays of Two Former QPR Assistant Managers
Kenny Jacket & Vinny Jones Celebrate Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Ex-QPR Assistant Manager, Kenny Jackett. Born January 5, 1952
He played for Watford and never for QPR, but QPR Fans have a very warm feeling about the man who helped bring back QPR.
It's also the birthday of Ex-QPR Assistant Manager and Player, Vinny Jones - January 5, 1965. Played a few games for QPR. Was Ray Harford's Assistant Manger. When Harford left, Jones did not get the managerial job. First Ian Dowie was caretaker manager. Then Gerry Francis came in. Jones left.
Ugo Released...Others Also Going
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BBC - [Ugo] Ukah going as Holloway wields axe
Defender Ugo Ukah has been told he can leave Queens Park Rangers. The Nigerian has made just two first-team appearances since being brought to the club by chairman Gianni Paladini last summer.
Manager Ian Holloway is set to tell at least four other players they are not in his plans and should move on.
"Some lads haven't done it for me. I've told Ugo that he can go and I'll be telling others the same. We need to move forward," said Holloway.
"I want to add to the squad. If I can't buy anyone I'll at least look to bring people in on loan http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/4582224.stm
BBC - [Ugo] Ukah going as Holloway wields axe
Defender Ugo Ukah has been told he can leave Queens Park Rangers. The Nigerian has made just two first-team appearances since being brought to the club by chairman Gianni Paladini last summer.
Manager Ian Holloway is set to tell at least four other players they are not in his plans and should move on.
"Some lads haven't done it for me. I've told Ugo that he can go and I'll be telling others the same. We need to move forward," said Holloway.
"I want to add to the squad. If I can't buy anyone I'll at least look to bring people in on loan http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/4582224.stm
Monday, January 02, 2006
Burnley's Steve Cotterill Assesses Games
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Burnley' Steve Cotterill - (BURNLEY OFFICIAL SITE)
Cotterill: 'We Could Have Been Four Up'
Burnley boss Steve Cotterill felt his side should have had the game sewn up by half time at Loftus Road.
The Clarets were a goal up through Chris McCann after 10 minutes and went on to enjoy the better of the first half before Rangers got an equaliser in injury time of the first half.
It was the saves from R's goalkeeper Simon Royce which Cotterill believes were the difference between a draw and a win though.
"I thought we should have been four up at half time," said Cotterill.
"Their goalkeeper has made three outstanding saves in the first half after we'd scored and two of them were special saves.
"If they go in, it's game over.
"I've said to Ade that he shouldn't put that down as a bad miss because it was a fantastic save after a great ball from Micah and a great cross by Wade Elliott and then good contact from Ade.
"Then Jon Harley and Brian Jensen got in a bit of a mix-up and they've both put their hand up and said they made a mistake, so that happens.
"I thought our boys were terrific today, particularly in the first half and we showed both sides of us today.
"We played some great football in the first half and we opened them up time and time again, so the game should have been dead and buried by half time.
"In the second half, we had to show the other side of us when they brought on their big lads and threw it in our box, but we showed our resilience and won the headers we needed to.
"All in all, I don't think 1-1 was a fair result, we did enough to win.
"Some of our passing and movement in the first half was excellent and would've opened up any team we'd have played," he added.
"Our energy levels were fantastic, considering it was our fourth game in a week. It's a measure how far we've come because last season we were 3-0 down here in the first half and it could've been six then too!"
The opening strike from Chris McCann was a fine effort too, coming in the week when the Irish youngster had signed his first professional deal with the club.
"It was nice of him to play after signing that contract, because he could've been playing a couple of weeks ago if he'd signed it!" joked Cotterill.
"He's a fantastic prospect, he really is and we've got to make sure that we look after him and nurture him in the right way.
"It will be interesting to see whereabouts he is if he gets a run of four or five games in the team and we need to know what levels he's at then.
"He was fantastic in the first half, but in the second half there were parts of the game that went by him a little bit.
"He hasn't had a game for a while though and him and Kyle Lafferty are both going back to Ireland now for a few days to celebrate Christmas and the new year!"
Cotterill also revealed that Gifton Noel Williams missed the game due to the bad cut he received against Sheffield Wednesday on New Year's Eve.
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10413~761853,00.html
Burnley manager Steve Cotterill said: "I don't think a draw was a fair result - we should have won the game."We probably should have been 4-0 up by half-time, but their goalkeeper made two special saves."The one from Ade Akinbiyi was brilliant, and I said to Ade 'make sure you don't put that down as a miss - because it was a great save'."I'm delighted with the boys. This was a measure of how far we've come, because last year when we played here we were 3-0 down at half-time."Some of our passing and movement in the first half was excellent and would have opened up any team."In the first 45 minutes we were fantastic and in the second we were durable. I'm disappointed for the players that we didn't win."Cotterill gave his backing to Holloway, whose future at Loftus Road is reportedly in doubt."He really has done a fantastic job here. There's been all sorts of speculation about his job, and I don't know why," the Burnley boss said of his opposite number."It will be the worst days' work QPR have done in a long time if they get rid of Ian Holloway."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/02/SOCCER_QPR_2nd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=nationwide1
Burnley' Steve Cotterill - (BURNLEY OFFICIAL SITE)
Cotterill: 'We Could Have Been Four Up'
Burnley boss Steve Cotterill felt his side should have had the game sewn up by half time at Loftus Road.
The Clarets were a goal up through Chris McCann after 10 minutes and went on to enjoy the better of the first half before Rangers got an equaliser in injury time of the first half.
It was the saves from R's goalkeeper Simon Royce which Cotterill believes were the difference between a draw and a win though.
"I thought we should have been four up at half time," said Cotterill.
"Their goalkeeper has made three outstanding saves in the first half after we'd scored and two of them were special saves.
"If they go in, it's game over.
"I've said to Ade that he shouldn't put that down as a bad miss because it was a fantastic save after a great ball from Micah and a great cross by Wade Elliott and then good contact from Ade.
"Then Jon Harley and Brian Jensen got in a bit of a mix-up and they've both put their hand up and said they made a mistake, so that happens.
"I thought our boys were terrific today, particularly in the first half and we showed both sides of us today.
"We played some great football in the first half and we opened them up time and time again, so the game should have been dead and buried by half time.
"In the second half, we had to show the other side of us when they brought on their big lads and threw it in our box, but we showed our resilience and won the headers we needed to.
"All in all, I don't think 1-1 was a fair result, we did enough to win.
"Some of our passing and movement in the first half was excellent and would've opened up any team we'd have played," he added.
"Our energy levels were fantastic, considering it was our fourth game in a week. It's a measure how far we've come because last season we were 3-0 down here in the first half and it could've been six then too!"
The opening strike from Chris McCann was a fine effort too, coming in the week when the Irish youngster had signed his first professional deal with the club.
"It was nice of him to play after signing that contract, because he could've been playing a couple of weeks ago if he'd signed it!" joked Cotterill.
"He's a fantastic prospect, he really is and we've got to make sure that we look after him and nurture him in the right way.
"It will be interesting to see whereabouts he is if he gets a run of four or five games in the team and we need to know what levels he's at then.
"He was fantastic in the first half, but in the second half there were parts of the game that went by him a little bit.
"He hasn't had a game for a while though and him and Kyle Lafferty are both going back to Ireland now for a few days to celebrate Christmas and the new year!"
Cotterill also revealed that Gifton Noel Williams missed the game due to the bad cut he received against Sheffield Wednesday on New Year's Eve.
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10413~761853,00.html
Burnley manager Steve Cotterill said: "I don't think a draw was a fair result - we should have won the game."We probably should have been 4-0 up by half-time, but their goalkeeper made two special saves."The one from Ade Akinbiyi was brilliant, and I said to Ade 'make sure you don't put that down as a miss - because it was a great save'."I'm delighted with the boys. This was a measure of how far we've come, because last year when we played here we were 3-0 down at half-time."Some of our passing and movement in the first half was excellent and would have opened up any team."In the first 45 minutes we were fantastic and in the second we were durable. I'm disappointed for the players that we didn't win."Cotterill gave his backing to Holloway, whose future at Loftus Road is reportedly in doubt."He really has done a fantastic job here. There's been all sorts of speculation about his job, and I don't know why," the Burnley boss said of his opposite number."It will be the worst days' work QPR have done in a long time if they get rid of Ian Holloway."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/02/SOCCER_QPR_2nd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=nationwide1
Holloway's Comments
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Official Site - I'M SATISFIED
Ian Holloway was a satisfied man after Rangers ended their hectic festive schedule with seven points from a possible 12.
Gareth Ainsworth's header on the stroke of half-time guaranteed the Hoops a share of the spoils against Burnley, who had earlier taken the lead courtesy of Chris McCann's super strike.
"I'm pleased with seven points out of 12 because I've never known a series of games like it in all my time involved in football."This has been the craziest bunch of games I've ever been involved in and I'm just keeping everything crossed that Marc Nygaard, Matthew Rose and Marc Bircham will be okay."I've given the players two days off and I think they deserve it.''
"I was very dissapointed with the first half display against Brighton, but since then it's been a great turnaround."Today was again very dissapointing in the first half. We took too long on the ball and didn't pass at the right time."Micah Hyde was running the game but once we realised we needed to hit the long diagonal balls to get behind him we had some joy.''
With the January transfer window now open, Holloway also revealed he is due to discuss his long list of targets with Gianni Paladini on Tuesday morning."The transfer window will be used to look at moving the club forward and I'm due to sit down with Gianni and Antonio tomorrow to speak about the targets."I've got 6-8 targets in three different brackets. Some are buys, some expensive and some are in the loan category. We'll see what comes of it, but I've made a few calls and I'm quite optimistic.''Holloway reserved a final thought for two of the club's young guns, Shabazz Baidoo and home debutant Scott Donnelly."Shabazz and Scott are the type of characters I'm looking for at this club and will both do very well.''
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersComments/0,,10373~762591,00.html
TO WATCH OLLIE'S INTERVIEW WHERE HE TALKS MORE ABOUT HIS TRANSFER TARGETS GO TO QPR WORLD
Q.P.R - Holloway -"I need to sell"
Clubcall
Queens Park Rangers manager Ian Holloway has admitted he needs to sell some of his players in order to strengthen his squad in January.
Following the 1-1 home draw against Burnley, the Hoops boss will be looking to make moves in the transfer window.
"I've got to get rid of people in my squad to make room. I am due to talk to the players who have not been doing it for me," revealed Holloway.
"They can move on in this window and hopefully we can move on."
Holloway also pinpointed the need to bring a striker to Loftus Road : "At the moment we haven't got a striker in the higher echelons of the scoring charts
http://www.clubcall.com/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,5034-169529-19728-36699-221366-13916-5024-layout104-186747-news-item,00.html
RANGERS RELY ON ROSE
Sporting Life
QPR boss Ian Holloway highlighted the contribution of fit-again defender Matthew Rose following his team's 1-1 Coca-Cola Championship draw against Burnley.
Rose, recently back after a groin injury, was outstanding at the heart of the Rangers defence before being substituted late in the game.
Holloway, whose side secured a point thanks to Gareth Ainsworth's goal, said: "We are reliant on Matthew Rose at the moment.
"He's vital to us. I didn't really want to play him three times in a week after he was out for 12 weeks - but I felt I had to.
"He was superb for us - and so was Dan Shittu alongside him. Matthew does so well for me at left-back and opens a door for us by sprinting past Lee Cook on that wing.
"Today I felt if he played at left-back he would have had to come off sooner than he did. He's torn something, and my physio's got the raving hump with me because he feels he should have come off at half time."
Holloway was relieved to see his team come through the tough Christmas and new year schedule.
"That was a surreal match. Four games in eight days is one game too many in my opinion, and it shows," he said.
"They scored a wonderful goal against the run of play - but for near enough the whole of the second half we were the better side."
Chris McCann's shot from just outside the box put Burnley ahead in the 10th minute.
Worse almost followed for Rangers when Richard Langley gave the ball way - and from Wade Elliott's low cross, Ade Akinbiyi was denied by a miraculous save from Simon Royce.
James O'Connor's header brought another good save from Royce, before Ainsworth equalised.
Ainsworth's looping header - his fifth goal of the season - came right at the end of the first half.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/02/SOCCER_QPR_2nd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=nationwide1
Official Site - I'M SATISFIED
Ian Holloway was a satisfied man after Rangers ended their hectic festive schedule with seven points from a possible 12.
Gareth Ainsworth's header on the stroke of half-time guaranteed the Hoops a share of the spoils against Burnley, who had earlier taken the lead courtesy of Chris McCann's super strike.
"I'm pleased with seven points out of 12 because I've never known a series of games like it in all my time involved in football."This has been the craziest bunch of games I've ever been involved in and I'm just keeping everything crossed that Marc Nygaard, Matthew Rose and Marc Bircham will be okay."I've given the players two days off and I think they deserve it.''
"I was very dissapointed with the first half display against Brighton, but since then it's been a great turnaround."Today was again very dissapointing in the first half. We took too long on the ball and didn't pass at the right time."Micah Hyde was running the game but once we realised we needed to hit the long diagonal balls to get behind him we had some joy.''
With the January transfer window now open, Holloway also revealed he is due to discuss his long list of targets with Gianni Paladini on Tuesday morning."The transfer window will be used to look at moving the club forward and I'm due to sit down with Gianni and Antonio tomorrow to speak about the targets."I've got 6-8 targets in three different brackets. Some are buys, some expensive and some are in the loan category. We'll see what comes of it, but I've made a few calls and I'm quite optimistic.''Holloway reserved a final thought for two of the club's young guns, Shabazz Baidoo and home debutant Scott Donnelly."Shabazz and Scott are the type of characters I'm looking for at this club and will both do very well.''
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersComments/0,,10373~762591,00.html
TO WATCH OLLIE'S INTERVIEW WHERE HE TALKS MORE ABOUT HIS TRANSFER TARGETS GO TO QPR WORLD
Q.P.R - Holloway -"I need to sell"
Clubcall
Queens Park Rangers manager Ian Holloway has admitted he needs to sell some of his players in order to strengthen his squad in January.
Following the 1-1 home draw against Burnley, the Hoops boss will be looking to make moves in the transfer window.
"I've got to get rid of people in my squad to make room. I am due to talk to the players who have not been doing it for me," revealed Holloway.
"They can move on in this window and hopefully we can move on."
Holloway also pinpointed the need to bring a striker to Loftus Road : "At the moment we haven't got a striker in the higher echelons of the scoring charts
http://www.clubcall.com/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,5034-169529-19728-36699-221366-13916-5024-layout104-186747-news-item,00.html
RANGERS RELY ON ROSE
Sporting Life
QPR boss Ian Holloway highlighted the contribution of fit-again defender Matthew Rose following his team's 1-1 Coca-Cola Championship draw against Burnley.
Rose, recently back after a groin injury, was outstanding at the heart of the Rangers defence before being substituted late in the game.
Holloway, whose side secured a point thanks to Gareth Ainsworth's goal, said: "We are reliant on Matthew Rose at the moment.
"He's vital to us. I didn't really want to play him three times in a week after he was out for 12 weeks - but I felt I had to.
"He was superb for us - and so was Dan Shittu alongside him. Matthew does so well for me at left-back and opens a door for us by sprinting past Lee Cook on that wing.
"Today I felt if he played at left-back he would have had to come off sooner than he did. He's torn something, and my physio's got the raving hump with me because he feels he should have come off at half time."
Holloway was relieved to see his team come through the tough Christmas and new year schedule.
"That was a surreal match. Four games in eight days is one game too many in my opinion, and it shows," he said.
"They scored a wonderful goal against the run of play - but for near enough the whole of the second half we were the better side."
Chris McCann's shot from just outside the box put Burnley ahead in the 10th minute.
Worse almost followed for Rangers when Richard Langley gave the ball way - and from Wade Elliott's low cross, Ade Akinbiyi was denied by a miraculous save from Simon Royce.
James O'Connor's header brought another good save from Royce, before Ainsworth equalised.
Ainsworth's looping header - his fifth goal of the season - came right at the end of the first half.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/02/SOCCER_QPR_2nd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=nationwide1
QPR 1 Burnley 1
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BBC -
"... shared the spoils at Loftus Road as Gareth Ainsworth's equaliser earned the hosts a point.
Ainsworth should have given his side an early lead, heading over from Richard Langley's free-kick. Burnley did take the lead when Chris McCann curled home a lovely left-foot shot and John McGreal headed over when he should have doubled the advantage. Ainsworth levelled when he nodded in a long ball from Dan Shittu and Paul Furlong wasted two chances to win it. "
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/4560268.stm
SPORTING LIFE
Gareth Ainsworth's equaliser in first-half stoppage time earned a point for QPR after 18-year-old Irish midfielder Chris McCann had given Burnley a 10th-minute lead.
Burnley were the better side overall, especially before the interval, but all their good work was undone when Ainsworth headed home a long ball from Dan Shittu.
QPR made the brighter start and had three attempts at goal within the opening six minutes, the best chance falling to Ainsworth who headed over the bar from a Richard Langley free-kick.
But the early promise counted for nothing as McCann curled home a lovely left-foot shot to give the Clarets the lead against the run of play.
After 12 minutes, Rangers manager Ian Holloway's plans were disrupted further when Marc Nygaard's injury jinx struck again.
The big Danish striker has struggled with hamstring and calf problems since joining from Brescia last summer and had to make way for veteran Paul Furlong.
Burnley nearly doubled their lead when defender John McGreal connected with a Wade Elliott corner only for his header to go over.
McCann was proving to be Burnley's most dangerous player and had a header saved by Simon Royce in the 38th minute, while 14-goal top scorer Ade Akinbiyi finally made his presence felt when he forced the goalkeeper to parry his close-range shot.
Royce also denied James O'Connor as Steve Cotterill's side looked like ending the first half well on top until Ainsworth's late intervention.
Akinbiyi took only 30 seconds of the second period to show his quality again as he volleyed just over - and Furlong had QPR's best opportunity since the opening moments only to head wide.
The 37-year-old did better, however, in the 51st minute when goalkeeper Brian Jensen had to tip his header over the bar. But he wasted a fine opening soon afterwards by drilling the ball wide.
Cotterill sent on Graham Branch in place of Garreth O'Connor midway through the second half - and the change nearly reaped a quick dividend, the substitute drawing a fine save from Royce with a long-range strike.
The match then petered out disappointingly, the exertions of four matches in eight days for both teams possibly responsible for the lacklustre closing stages
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/02/SOCCER_QPR.html
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
Rangers earned a draw after Gareth Ainsworth's first half header prevented a Burnley victory at Loftus Road. The winger's header on the stroke of half-time handed the Hoops a deserved share of the spoils, on an afternoon when Simon Royce excelled with a series of stunning saves during a largely scrappy first half.Chris McCann's moment of brilliance was the only highlight of a tepid opening, in which the Hoops struggled to string together any worthy chances of note.The Burnley midfielder struck early on and since then chances at either end were at a premium, until Ainsworth leapt to head home Dan Shittu's speculative long ball in the last seconds of the half.The brief appearance of Scott Donnelly, making his home debut, was the one bright note in an otherwise disappointing second half. Marc Bircham missed out for Rangers with the hamstring injury that ended his afternoon prematurely against Crewe on New Years Eve.Gareth Ainsworth deputised in midfield, while Mauro Milanese returned to the starting line-up at the expense of Georges Santos.Milanese started at left back, with Matthew Rose occupying the second centre half berth alongside Dan Shittu.Martin Rowlands was the first to test Brian Jensen as early as the second minute. But the Burnley stopper got down low to gather the midfielders scuffed shot with ease.Shittu warmed the hearts of the home crowd with a marauding 40 yard run from deep inside his own half, before Shabazz Baidoo won a free kick out wide and Ainsworth headed over Richard Langley's trademark front post delivery.Baidoo continued to cause the experienced Frank Sinclair problems, with the former Chelsea man forced to bring the young striker tumbling to ground for a free kick 25 yards from goal in the seventh minute. Lee Cook's left footed effort lacked direction though and the chance was gone.However, against the run of play Burnley took the lead on nine minutes. Making only his second start of the league season, Chris McCann evaded two half-hearted challenges on the edge of the box before curling a delightful left foot shot into the far corner, giving Simon Royce absolutely no chance.Rangers suffered a further blow two minutes later when Marc Nygaard left the field to be replaced by Paul Furlong.Burnley were soon on the front foot again, with John McGreal heading over from 12 yards.Buoyed by only his second goal in Burnley colours, McCann tried another speculative effort on 23 minutes, but this time Royce was equal to it, easily gathering the ball at chest height.It could have been far worse for Rangers on 37 minutes, but McCann's header from Wade Elliott's right wing cross was well held by Royce.And it should definitely have been 2-0 to the visitors on 42 minutes, only for Royce to produce an absolute wonder save to deny Ade Akinbiyi.After Langley conceded possession cheaply, Elliott's inch-perfect cross found Akinbiyi, but his four yard effort was scrambled to safety by the inspired Rangers custodian.Royce had to be at his agile best again on 44 minutes, this time producing a splendid diving save to keep out Garreth O'Connor's back post header.His heroics proved vital and on 45 minutes Rangers were on terms when Shittu's hopeful punt was misjudged by the Burnley back four and Ainsworth's looping header totally deceived Jensen and floated into the back of the net.
Akinbiyi continued where he left off on the resumption, getting goal-side of Shittu before firing over from 15 yards.
Paul Furlong's header nearly made it a dream start to the second half for Rangers on 51 minutes, but Jensen flung himself to his right to produce a stunning tip over from Cook's set-piece.The Burnley keeper saved well again from Furlong four minutes later, getting down well to his left this time keep out the Rangers' front-man's left footed free kick.
The Hoops continued to make all the running as the clock ticked past the hour mark, with a flurry of corners forcing Burnley onto the back foot.Baidoo was proving a constant thorn in the Clarets back four and when he released Furlong, the powerful striker should've tested the keeper, only to shoot high and wide from an acute angle.Royce's fine form continued on 73 minutes, as the Rangers keeper dived to his right to save well from Burnley substitute Graham Branch.Holloway introduced fresh legs in the shape of Georges Santos and Scott Donnelly on 74 minutes - the latter making his much awaited home debut.Donnelly almost made an immediate impact, but like Cook in the first half, his curling free kick lacked direction and flew wide.
Rowlands almost stole maximum points for the Hoops in stoppage time, but the crossbar came the the visitors rescue after his looping header had Jensen beaten.QPR: Royce, Bignot, Milanese, Shittu, Rose (Santos 74), Ainsworth, Rowlands, Cook, Baidoo, Nygaard (Furlong 12), Langley (Donnelly 74).Subs: Cole, Moore.
Scorer: Ainsworth 45Bookings: Burnley: Jensen, McGreal, Sinclair, Duff, James O'Connor, Hyde, Akinbiyi, Elliott (Thomas 80), Garreth O'Connor (Branch 66), McCann, Harley.Subs: Grant, Karbassiyoon, Spicer.
Scorer: McCann 7Bookings: Sinclair 50, McGreal 77Attendance: 12565Referee: K Stroud
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10373~30789,00.html
BURNLEY OFFICIAL SITE
Burnley had to settle for a point out of their first game in 2006, when Queens Park Rangers held the Clarets to a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road.
It was a game that Burnley enjoyed the better of, certainly dominating the first half of the match, before Rangers levelled with a fortuitous goal in added time ahead of the break.
The home side came back into it in the second half, but Burnley were never overly stretched by their hosts as they finished the festive period with four points out of 12.
Burnley started the better of the two teams and took the lead with an early goal within 10 minutes. A sweeping move began and ended with Chris McCann, who eventually picked the ball up on the right channel in his first start since the Carling Cup tie at Aston Villa in October. He cut inside onto his left foot and after surveying his options, stroked a wonderful curling shot with his left foot beyond the reach of Simon Royce and into the back of the net.
McCann went looking for a second goal in the 24th minute, when he saw the opportunity to hit a half volley from 25 yards. He struck the ball well and on target but Royce was well positioned on his line to make a save.
The home supporters were growing increasingly frustrated at their team, who were struggling to really mount any sort of pressure on the Clarets whilst surrendering possession on a regular basis too.
They always looked dangerous from set pieces though and had a few chances to make amends in shooting positions but Lee Cook, Richard Langley and Danny Shittu all saw their efforts miss the target on separate occasions.
With 37 minutes on the clock McCann tested Royce again from inside the box, this time when he headed Wade Elliott's right wing cross at goal only to find the Rangers goalkeeper in the right place at the right time again.
Rangers' best outlet looked to be through rookie striker Shabazz Baidoo, whose pace was causing problems for the Clarets defence when he had chance to run at them. When he did finally manage to get in behind Burnley though, Frank Sinclair was there to comfortably stop his cross from reaching substitute Paul Furlong.
With only three minutes to go before the half time whistle, Burnley were denied a second goal by a fantastic save from Royce. The move started when Micah Hyde played a lovely pass forward to Elliott on the right and his centre picked out Akinbiyi at the far post. He looked odds on to make it 2-0, but Royce somehow reacted to block his close range shot on the goal-line.
Royce was again in good form in the 44th minute, when Michael Duff's cross from the right picked out James O'Connor in space. He directed a header at goal, but again the Rangers keeper was on hand to save.
However, with half time just seconds away Rangers found themselves level when a long, deep ball from Shittu on the half way line picked out Gareth Ainsworth on the right of the area. He rose above Jon Harley to loop a header over Brian Jensen and into the back of the net to give the Londoners an undeserved goal which had certainly caught the Clarets out at the back.
The second half began and Rangers looked to have a renewed vigour about them, but they were almost caught out immediately when Akinbiyi picked up a pass in the area and could only shoot over the bar at full stretch.
Jensen was forced into a good save in the 51st minute, when Cook's free kick from the left was met by Furlong and his header looked to be heading in until the Dane managed to tip it over the bar.
Rangers continued to have their best spell of the game, forcing a number of corners and throwing crosses into the box whilst the Clarets were left to try and hit their hosts on the counter attack.
Furlong had another chance when he latched upon a mix-up between McGreal and Hyde and after riding a challenge from Sinclair, he shot well over the bar from a tight angle.
A Burnley break saw McCann send substitute Graham Branch clear on the left and when he brought the ball inside, beating two men in the process, he was able to strike a right footer at goal. His shot went through a crowd of players but Royce was still able to make a good save, first parrying the strike and then smothering it at the second attempt.
The later stages saw a brief flurry from Rangers and Georges Santos saw his header bounce back off the post but the most eventful incident involved a pair of streakers invading the pitch before they were eventually crowded out by stewards and carried away.
The year began with a point though and the Clarets will be pleased to have got the Sheffield Wednesday defeat out of their system as soon as possible.
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10413~30789,00.html?ptvParm=
BBC -
"... shared the spoils at Loftus Road as Gareth Ainsworth's equaliser earned the hosts a point.
Ainsworth should have given his side an early lead, heading over from Richard Langley's free-kick. Burnley did take the lead when Chris McCann curled home a lovely left-foot shot and John McGreal headed over when he should have doubled the advantage. Ainsworth levelled when he nodded in a long ball from Dan Shittu and Paul Furlong wasted two chances to win it. "
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/4560268.stm
SPORTING LIFE
Gareth Ainsworth's equaliser in first-half stoppage time earned a point for QPR after 18-year-old Irish midfielder Chris McCann had given Burnley a 10th-minute lead.
Burnley were the better side overall, especially before the interval, but all their good work was undone when Ainsworth headed home a long ball from Dan Shittu.
QPR made the brighter start and had three attempts at goal within the opening six minutes, the best chance falling to Ainsworth who headed over the bar from a Richard Langley free-kick.
But the early promise counted for nothing as McCann curled home a lovely left-foot shot to give the Clarets the lead against the run of play.
After 12 minutes, Rangers manager Ian Holloway's plans were disrupted further when Marc Nygaard's injury jinx struck again.
The big Danish striker has struggled with hamstring and calf problems since joining from Brescia last summer and had to make way for veteran Paul Furlong.
Burnley nearly doubled their lead when defender John McGreal connected with a Wade Elliott corner only for his header to go over.
McCann was proving to be Burnley's most dangerous player and had a header saved by Simon Royce in the 38th minute, while 14-goal top scorer Ade Akinbiyi finally made his presence felt when he forced the goalkeeper to parry his close-range shot.
Royce also denied James O'Connor as Steve Cotterill's side looked like ending the first half well on top until Ainsworth's late intervention.
Akinbiyi took only 30 seconds of the second period to show his quality again as he volleyed just over - and Furlong had QPR's best opportunity since the opening moments only to head wide.
The 37-year-old did better, however, in the 51st minute when goalkeeper Brian Jensen had to tip his header over the bar. But he wasted a fine opening soon afterwards by drilling the ball wide.
Cotterill sent on Graham Branch in place of Garreth O'Connor midway through the second half - and the change nearly reaped a quick dividend, the substitute drawing a fine save from Royce with a long-range strike.
The match then petered out disappointingly, the exertions of four matches in eight days for both teams possibly responsible for the lacklustre closing stages
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/02/SOCCER_QPR.html
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
Rangers earned a draw after Gareth Ainsworth's first half header prevented a Burnley victory at Loftus Road. The winger's header on the stroke of half-time handed the Hoops a deserved share of the spoils, on an afternoon when Simon Royce excelled with a series of stunning saves during a largely scrappy first half.Chris McCann's moment of brilliance was the only highlight of a tepid opening, in which the Hoops struggled to string together any worthy chances of note.The Burnley midfielder struck early on and since then chances at either end were at a premium, until Ainsworth leapt to head home Dan Shittu's speculative long ball in the last seconds of the half.The brief appearance of Scott Donnelly, making his home debut, was the one bright note in an otherwise disappointing second half. Marc Bircham missed out for Rangers with the hamstring injury that ended his afternoon prematurely against Crewe on New Years Eve.Gareth Ainsworth deputised in midfield, while Mauro Milanese returned to the starting line-up at the expense of Georges Santos.Milanese started at left back, with Matthew Rose occupying the second centre half berth alongside Dan Shittu.Martin Rowlands was the first to test Brian Jensen as early as the second minute. But the Burnley stopper got down low to gather the midfielders scuffed shot with ease.Shittu warmed the hearts of the home crowd with a marauding 40 yard run from deep inside his own half, before Shabazz Baidoo won a free kick out wide and Ainsworth headed over Richard Langley's trademark front post delivery.Baidoo continued to cause the experienced Frank Sinclair problems, with the former Chelsea man forced to bring the young striker tumbling to ground for a free kick 25 yards from goal in the seventh minute. Lee Cook's left footed effort lacked direction though and the chance was gone.However, against the run of play Burnley took the lead on nine minutes. Making only his second start of the league season, Chris McCann evaded two half-hearted challenges on the edge of the box before curling a delightful left foot shot into the far corner, giving Simon Royce absolutely no chance.Rangers suffered a further blow two minutes later when Marc Nygaard left the field to be replaced by Paul Furlong.Burnley were soon on the front foot again, with John McGreal heading over from 12 yards.Buoyed by only his second goal in Burnley colours, McCann tried another speculative effort on 23 minutes, but this time Royce was equal to it, easily gathering the ball at chest height.It could have been far worse for Rangers on 37 minutes, but McCann's header from Wade Elliott's right wing cross was well held by Royce.And it should definitely have been 2-0 to the visitors on 42 minutes, only for Royce to produce an absolute wonder save to deny Ade Akinbiyi.After Langley conceded possession cheaply, Elliott's inch-perfect cross found Akinbiyi, but his four yard effort was scrambled to safety by the inspired Rangers custodian.Royce had to be at his agile best again on 44 minutes, this time producing a splendid diving save to keep out Garreth O'Connor's back post header.His heroics proved vital and on 45 minutes Rangers were on terms when Shittu's hopeful punt was misjudged by the Burnley back four and Ainsworth's looping header totally deceived Jensen and floated into the back of the net.
Akinbiyi continued where he left off on the resumption, getting goal-side of Shittu before firing over from 15 yards.
Paul Furlong's header nearly made it a dream start to the second half for Rangers on 51 minutes, but Jensen flung himself to his right to produce a stunning tip over from Cook's set-piece.The Burnley keeper saved well again from Furlong four minutes later, getting down well to his left this time keep out the Rangers' front-man's left footed free kick.
The Hoops continued to make all the running as the clock ticked past the hour mark, with a flurry of corners forcing Burnley onto the back foot.Baidoo was proving a constant thorn in the Clarets back four and when he released Furlong, the powerful striker should've tested the keeper, only to shoot high and wide from an acute angle.Royce's fine form continued on 73 minutes, as the Rangers keeper dived to his right to save well from Burnley substitute Graham Branch.Holloway introduced fresh legs in the shape of Georges Santos and Scott Donnelly on 74 minutes - the latter making his much awaited home debut.Donnelly almost made an immediate impact, but like Cook in the first half, his curling free kick lacked direction and flew wide.
Rowlands almost stole maximum points for the Hoops in stoppage time, but the crossbar came the the visitors rescue after his looping header had Jensen beaten.QPR: Royce, Bignot, Milanese, Shittu, Rose (Santos 74), Ainsworth, Rowlands, Cook, Baidoo, Nygaard (Furlong 12), Langley (Donnelly 74).Subs: Cole, Moore.
Scorer: Ainsworth 45Bookings: Burnley: Jensen, McGreal, Sinclair, Duff, James O'Connor, Hyde, Akinbiyi, Elliott (Thomas 80), Garreth O'Connor (Branch 66), McCann, Harley.Subs: Grant, Karbassiyoon, Spicer.
Scorer: McCann 7Bookings: Sinclair 50, McGreal 77Attendance: 12565Referee: K Stroud
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10373~30789,00.html
BURNLEY OFFICIAL SITE
Burnley had to settle for a point out of their first game in 2006, when Queens Park Rangers held the Clarets to a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road.
It was a game that Burnley enjoyed the better of, certainly dominating the first half of the match, before Rangers levelled with a fortuitous goal in added time ahead of the break.
The home side came back into it in the second half, but Burnley were never overly stretched by their hosts as they finished the festive period with four points out of 12.
Burnley started the better of the two teams and took the lead with an early goal within 10 minutes. A sweeping move began and ended with Chris McCann, who eventually picked the ball up on the right channel in his first start since the Carling Cup tie at Aston Villa in October. He cut inside onto his left foot and after surveying his options, stroked a wonderful curling shot with his left foot beyond the reach of Simon Royce and into the back of the net.
McCann went looking for a second goal in the 24th minute, when he saw the opportunity to hit a half volley from 25 yards. He struck the ball well and on target but Royce was well positioned on his line to make a save.
The home supporters were growing increasingly frustrated at their team, who were struggling to really mount any sort of pressure on the Clarets whilst surrendering possession on a regular basis too.
They always looked dangerous from set pieces though and had a few chances to make amends in shooting positions but Lee Cook, Richard Langley and Danny Shittu all saw their efforts miss the target on separate occasions.
With 37 minutes on the clock McCann tested Royce again from inside the box, this time when he headed Wade Elliott's right wing cross at goal only to find the Rangers goalkeeper in the right place at the right time again.
Rangers' best outlet looked to be through rookie striker Shabazz Baidoo, whose pace was causing problems for the Clarets defence when he had chance to run at them. When he did finally manage to get in behind Burnley though, Frank Sinclair was there to comfortably stop his cross from reaching substitute Paul Furlong.
With only three minutes to go before the half time whistle, Burnley were denied a second goal by a fantastic save from Royce. The move started when Micah Hyde played a lovely pass forward to Elliott on the right and his centre picked out Akinbiyi at the far post. He looked odds on to make it 2-0, but Royce somehow reacted to block his close range shot on the goal-line.
Royce was again in good form in the 44th minute, when Michael Duff's cross from the right picked out James O'Connor in space. He directed a header at goal, but again the Rangers keeper was on hand to save.
However, with half time just seconds away Rangers found themselves level when a long, deep ball from Shittu on the half way line picked out Gareth Ainsworth on the right of the area. He rose above Jon Harley to loop a header over Brian Jensen and into the back of the net to give the Londoners an undeserved goal which had certainly caught the Clarets out at the back.
The second half began and Rangers looked to have a renewed vigour about them, but they were almost caught out immediately when Akinbiyi picked up a pass in the area and could only shoot over the bar at full stretch.
Jensen was forced into a good save in the 51st minute, when Cook's free kick from the left was met by Furlong and his header looked to be heading in until the Dane managed to tip it over the bar.
Rangers continued to have their best spell of the game, forcing a number of corners and throwing crosses into the box whilst the Clarets were left to try and hit their hosts on the counter attack.
Furlong had another chance when he latched upon a mix-up between McGreal and Hyde and after riding a challenge from Sinclair, he shot well over the bar from a tight angle.
A Burnley break saw McCann send substitute Graham Branch clear on the left and when he brought the ball inside, beating two men in the process, he was able to strike a right footer at goal. His shot went through a crowd of players but Royce was still able to make a good save, first parrying the strike and then smothering it at the second attempt.
The later stages saw a brief flurry from Rangers and Georges Santos saw his header bounce back off the post but the most eventful incident involved a pair of streakers invading the pitch before they were eventually crowded out by stewards and carried away.
The year began with a point though and the Clarets will be pleased to have got the Sheffield Wednesday defeat out of their system as soon as possible.
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10413~30789,00.html?ptvParm=
QPR Lineup vs Burnley
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QPR vs Burnley - Team Lineups
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Milanese, Shittu, Rose, Ainsworth, Rowlands, Cook, Baidoo, Nygaard, Langley.
Subs: Cole, Santos, Moore, Donnelly, Furlong.
QPR vs Burnley - Team Lineups
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Milanese, Shittu, Rose, Ainsworth, Rowlands, Cook, Baidoo, Nygaard, Langley.
Subs: Cole, Santos, Moore, Donnelly, Furlong.
QPR's Board of Directors Issues Statement Rejecting Transfer Speculation and stories re Jim Smith to QPR
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QPR OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Following the weekend's media reports, the Board of Directors have issued a statement.
Numerous stories alleged that QPR were on the brink of selling some of their most valuable players, most notably Dan Shittu, but the Board would like to state there is no such truth in the rumours.
The statement reads:
"The board unanimously condemns recent allegations from some badly informed newspapers with regards to the sale of some of our players for ridiculous amounts of money and also the replacement of our manager.
"We would like to clarify that there is absolutely no need to sell players in order to settle monies due to the Inland Revenue as we are fully up to date with our repayments.
"Furthermore, stories claiming that Jim Smith is to become the Director of Football at Loftus Road are completely unfounded."
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~762464,00.html
QPR OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Following the weekend's media reports, the Board of Directors have issued a statement.
Numerous stories alleged that QPR were on the brink of selling some of their most valuable players, most notably Dan Shittu, but the Board would like to state there is no such truth in the rumours.
The statement reads:
"The board unanimously condemns recent allegations from some badly informed newspapers with regards to the sale of some of our players for ridiculous amounts of money and also the replacement of our manager.
"We would like to clarify that there is absolutely no need to sell players in order to settle monies due to the Inland Revenue as we are fully up to date with our repayments.
"Furthermore, stories claiming that Jim Smith is to become the Director of Football at Loftus Road are completely unfounded."
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~762464,00.html
Remembering another New Year's Day Game vs Burnley
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QPR vs Burnley
Remembering another New Years Day game versus Burnley at Loftus Road: January 1, 1972. 14,600 saw the two promotion chasing teams (neither of which made it that year - both of which made it the following season: Burnley as Champions; QPR as runners up; with Dave Thomas switching sides!) And a couple months after this game, Marsh had moved on.
QPR eventually won the game 3-1 with 2 from Mick Leach; 1 from Rodney Marsh . But really it was a question of the score not truly reflecting the game as Phil Parkes saving QPR with a bunch of brilliant saves. The game was also notable because when it was shown later on Match of The Day, on the TV it was almost impossible to watch/extremely fuzzy - such was the quality of our floodlights at the time.
The QPR Team on that Day:
Parkes
Clement Hunt Mancini Hazell
Francis Saul Venables
Leach Marsh O'Rourke
QPR vs Burnley
Remembering another New Years Day game versus Burnley at Loftus Road: January 1, 1972. 14,600 saw the two promotion chasing teams (neither of which made it that year - both of which made it the following season: Burnley as Champions; QPR as runners up; with Dave Thomas switching sides!) And a couple months after this game, Marsh had moved on.
QPR eventually won the game 3-1 with 2 from Mick Leach; 1 from Rodney Marsh . But really it was a question of the score not truly reflecting the game as Phil Parkes saving QPR with a bunch of brilliant saves. The game was also notable because when it was shown later on Match of The Day, on the TV it was almost impossible to watch/extremely fuzzy - such was the quality of our floodlights at the time.
The QPR Team on that Day:
Parkes
Clement Hunt Mancini Hazell
Francis Saul Venables
Leach Marsh O'Rourke
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Missed Birthday! Scott Donnelly Turned 18, Christmas Day
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Scott Donnelly Turned 18 Christmas Day
December 25, 1987
Been on the bench a few times this season. Made his debut as subsitute last season
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
Scott Donnelly
Date of Birth: 25/12/87
Place of Birth: Hammersmith
Position: Striker
Young striker and product of the QPR Centre of Excellence. Scott made his first team debut as a substitute, coming on in the 2-1 defeat at Preston on Tuesday October 19th 2004. Scott made his second first team appearance at Wolves four days later.
Scott has represented England under 17s in a tournament which saw him face Iceland, Norway and Denmark before facing Sweden in the race for third place which England won.
During that tournament, he scored for his country after being on the pitch for just 14 minutes in his debut. http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/Excellence/0,,10373,00.html
Scott Donnelly Turned 18 Christmas Day
December 25, 1987
Been on the bench a few times this season. Made his debut as subsitute last season
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
Scott Donnelly
Date of Birth: 25/12/87Place of Birth: Hammersmith
Position: Striker
Young striker and product of the QPR Centre of Excellence. Scott made his first team debut as a substitute, coming on in the 2-1 defeat at Preston on Tuesday October 19th 2004. Scott made his second first team appearance at Wolves four days later.
Scott has represented England under 17s in a tournament which saw him face Iceland, Norway and Denmark before facing Sweden in the race for third place which England won.
During that tournament, he scored for his country after being on the pitch for just 14 minutes in his debut. http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/Excellence/0,,10373,00.html
Burnley Look to QPR Game
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I guess it will be a case of QPR having to watch out for Ade Akinbiyi!
Burnley Official Site
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/PlayerProfiles/0,,10413,00.html
I guess it will be a case of QPR having to watch out for Ade Akinbiyi!
Burnley Official Site
Burnley kick-off 2006 with a trip to west London to face Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in the Championship.
The match brings to an end the gruelling festive spell of games, which has seen the Clarets play four matches in the space of seven days.
That haul has also seen the Clarets win one out of their three games so far, so they will be looking to add to that against Rangers.
Lying in wait for Burnley is a QPR side who will be determined to make a bright start to the new year and lift themselves up the table.
Following what could be considered a good season last time around, Ian Holloway's side were amongst the outside bets to make a challenge for the play-offs this season.
However, like many teams in the division, consistency has proved hard to come by for the Superhoops and they currently sit in mid-table but are well within reach of the group of teams above them.
Holloway managed to bring a few new faces into his squad over the close season, with giant Danish striker Marc Nygaard arriving from Brescia, Tommy Doherty from Bristol City, Ian Evatt from Chesterfield, Steve Lomas from West Ham United and Richard Langley, who returned from a spell at Cardiff City.
Nygaard has made a big impression so far in the games that he has played in, scoring four goals in his six starts and five substitute appearances.
He is sharing the 'top goalscorer' tag with Gareth Ainsworth, Paul Furlong and Kevin Gallen.
It is goalscoring where Rangers have been short this season though, with only 14 goals registered on their home patch so far this season and that is an area that Holloway will be looking to improve upon.
Last season's home form was impressive but this time around they haven't been quite as formidable. There have been excellent wins over the likes of Sheffield United, Norwich City, Ipswich Town and Luton Town, but they have then tasted defeat in games against Coventry City and Preston North End and drawn with Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City, which are all games Holloway would have wanted to win.
They did pick up three points at Loftus Road on Wednesday night though when Nygaard scored the winner to make up for the Boxing Day setback at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Burnley will certainly be hoping this season's trip to Loftus Road sees better luck than the last time they visited.
The Clarets were caught out by two early goals from the R's before Danny Coyne was stretchered off after conceding a third goal, all of this in the first 30 minutes of the game.
The return fixture made better reading for Burnley fans, as a brace from Ade Akinbiyi against an injury hit Rangers side saw a 2-0 win at Turf Moor in April....
Burnley will be hoping that they have picked up no new injuries from the New Year's Eve game with Sheffield Wednesday at Turf Moor.
John Spicer missed that game with a shin injury and he is unlikely to figure in the Rangers game whilst John McGreal could miss out after being substituted in the first half against Sheffield Wednesday.
Rangers are expected to be without Doherty who has been out with a clinical fracture and is still in rehabilitation, whilst Kevin Gallen is also struggling for fitness at the moment and is set to miss out on this game.
Steve Lomas has been out, but is back in training now and could be considered for the game.
Striker Stefan Moore missed Wednesday's game with illness but is likely to be back involved now, whilst Nygaard and Marc Bircham have only been able to make restricted appearances from the bench after suffering from injuries in the last few weeks.
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/PreMatch/0,,10413~761866,00.html?ptvParm=
Cotterill: 'We Only Turned Up For 30 Minutes'
Burnley boss Steve Cotterill felt his side were out-fought and out-scrapped by Sheffield Wednesday for too long on New Year's Eve.
The Clarets found themselves 2-0 down against the struggling Owls and didn't look their normal selves until Garreth O'Connor's late penalty gave them hope of rescuing a point.
It wasn't to be though and despite the pressure Burnley had in the dying stages, Cotterill had no complaints about the eventual outcome.
"It was a disappointing way to end the year and you can't expect to play for 30 minutes and win a game," he said.
"We had too many players who didn't turn up for an hour today and that's not like us, certainly at home.
"For 30 minutes, I don't think their back four were out of the 18 yard box but you've got to give them credit.
"They have come here today and they out-fought us and out-scrapped us for an hour and that's unlike us because we don't normally lose those sort of contests.
"For an hour we were second best and we know that, although it doesn't happen very often.
"It's tough for us, but the one thing we aren't going to do is complain about weary legs because it's the same for everybody and they came here and out-fought us, that's the bottom line.
"We didn't have enough players in the dressing room that wanted to win that game and that was probably typified with that scramble in the box and they got a toe to it twice and we didn't."
On another day, the Clarets may have salvaged a result from the game though and Cotterill added: "We could have had a draw and if we'd have turned up for the first hour, we wouldn't have found ourselves in that situation and we could have gone and won the game.
"From 2-0 down, it's unbelievably hard and we did it in the last game at Norwich too because we battered them in the second half."
The Clarets now hit the road again for a match with Queens Park Rangers on Monday and Cotterill joked: "Hopefully, their game against Crewe will be end-to-end and then in the second half end-to-end again and then there's 30 minutes of added time when it's end-to-end again and then Ollie takes the boys out for a new year drink, which probably won't happen!""We'd like to get a result there on Monday, but I'm sure QPR will have something to say about that. http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10413~761851,00.html
BURNLEY RESULTS
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10413,00.html
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/PlayerProfiles/0,,10413,00.html
Also Happy Birthday to ex-QPR Brian Law
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Brian Law Turns 36 - Born January 1, 1970
Injuries sort of wrecked the career of QPR's Welsh center half, Brian Law.
Was at QPR from 1987 to 1994 coming through the youth team. Went on to play also for Wolves and then Millwall.
http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=4417
Brian Law Turns 36 - Born January 1, 1970
Injuries sort of wrecked the career of QPR's Welsh center half, Brian Law.
Was at QPR from 1987 to 1994 coming through the youth team. Went on to play also for Wolves and then Millwall.
http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=4417
Tony Currie Turns 56 - Ex Watford, Sheff United, Leeds, QPR and England
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Tony Currie Turns 56
Born January 1, 1950
Signed by Tommy Docherty from Leeds for a then-club record fee of 400,000 pounds after we were relegated in the Summer of 1979, Currie spent four years at QPR and captained QPR in the Cup Final Replay against Spurs. Basically made his name at Sheffield United as a brilliant midfielder. And for a brief few months played in the same QPR team as Stan Bowles.
Career Statistics http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=520
See Dave's Queens Park Rangers FC Profile of Currie's time at QPR
http://www.queensparkrangersfc.com/currie.htm
Wikidpedia on Currie - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Currie
Note: Tony is the uncle of Ipswich winger, Darren Currie
Tony Currie Turns 56
Born January 1, 1950
Signed by Tommy Docherty from Leeds for a then-club record fee of 400,000 pounds after we were relegated in the Summer of 1979, Currie spent four years at QPR and captained QPR in the Cup Final Replay against Spurs. Basically made his name at Sheffield United as a brilliant midfielder. And for a brief few months played in the same QPR team as Stan Bowles.
Career Statistics http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=520
See Dave's Queens Park Rangers FC Profile of Currie's time at QPR
http://www.queensparkrangersfc.com/currie.htm
Wikidpedia on Currie - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Currie
Note: Tony is the uncle of Ipswich winger, Darren Currie
"Ding, Dang, Doo..." Holloway on Defending his Job
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Holloway on Defending His Job
Holloway... he is "sick and tired" of speculation linking other managers with his job. ...."We already have more points than we did at this exact point this time last year with a game in hand...But that doesn't seem to be good enough for some people... "I'm sick and tired of every Tom, Dick and Harry getting linked with my job every day. Well, ding, dang, doo. It's my job, I own it and it's up to anyone else to take it off me. I'm proud of my players, of what we are doing here and what we are trying to achieve and that's all that matters..."
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Observer_Match_Report/0,3740,1676275,00.html
Holloway on Defending His Job
Holloway... he is "sick and tired" of speculation linking other managers with his job. ...."We already have more points than we did at this exact point this time last year with a game in hand...But that doesn't seem to be good enough for some people... "I'm sick and tired of every Tom, Dick and Harry getting linked with my job every day. Well, ding, dang, doo. It's my job, I own it and it's up to anyone else to take it off me. I'm proud of my players, of what we are doing here and what we are trying to achieve and that's all that matters..."
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Observer_Match_Report/0,3740,1676275,00.html
Further Match Reports of Crewe 3 QPR 4
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OBSERVER
Ian Holloway watched his QPR side win a crazy game against Crewe then insisted he is "sick and tired" of speculation linking other managers with his job.
OBSERVER
Ian Holloway watched his QPR side win a crazy game against Crewe then insisted he is "sick and tired" of speculation linking other managers with his job.
Holloway's men could still reach the play-offs this season if they build on this 4-3 win, but George Graham and Jim Smith have been suggested as possibilities to take over at Loftus Road. "We already have more points than we did at this exact point this time last year with a game in hand," the Rangers manager said. "But that doesn't seem to be good enough for some people.
"I'm sick and tired of every Tom, Dick and Harry getting linked with my job every day. Well, ding, dang, doo. It's my job, I own it and it's up to anyone else to take it off me. I'm proud of my players, of what we are doing here and what we are trying to achieve and that's all that matters."They started the slower here as Crewe carved out an opening inside the first minute but Eddie Johnson sent a right-foot volley wide of Simon Royce's goal.
QPR hit back quickly, however, and Ross Turnbull in the Crewe goal had to be on his toes to keep out a long-range effort from Shabazz Baidoo two minutes later.
Baidoo threatened again soon after, but was again denied by Turnbull as both sides contributed fully to an entertaining opening spell.
Royce then had to be at his best after 10 minutes as he somehow denied Johnson, brilliantly parrying the Crewe striker's fiercely struck shot. But they took the lead after 15 minutes when Steve Jones drove in from the right and cut the ball back to Johnson, who planted the ball in the corner from 12 yards.
Rangers were fuming three minutes later when the referee waved away strong claims for a penalty after Darren Moss appeared to have handled in the box.
In the 34th minute Steve Jones stung the gloves of Royce with a ferocious drive but three minutes later the visitors were ahead.
First, Moss was robbed by Lee Cook, who drove unchallenged into the Crewe box before unleashing a left-foot shot across and beyond Turnbull. Then, 60 seconds later, Gareth Ainsworth's cross fell to Baidoo, who turned the ball into the net from six yards.
Dario Gradi immediately threw on Luke Varney for Johnson and the substitution paid instant dividends. He latched on to Steve Jones' flick on and coolly fired past Royce to restore parity.
The game took another turn on the stroke of half-time when Gary Roberts cut the ball back to Steve Jones whose poor shot luckily fell to Billy Jones to bundle home and put Alex ahead again.
But Rangers came out fighting and Martin Rowlands levelled with a 35-yard shot 12 minutes in and Richard Langley scored his second of the season with nine minutes of the game to go.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Observer_Match_Report/0,3740,1676275,00.html
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