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Interesting and in depth analysis of Iain Dowie's approach from journalist David McIntyre
Dave McIntyre BBC 606 - Dowie should stick to his guns
Iain Dowie was spot-on this week when he said “there’s an obsession with 4-4-2 in this country.”
I’ve been known to utter those exact words myself – often after watching QPR.
And that obsession was evident on Tuesday night, when the atmosphere for the game against Blackpool was poisonous at times.
It wasn’t just angry Rangers fans who believed Dowie’s approach was negative and he ought to have started with 4-4-2.
That view was shared by several in the press box and afterwards I watched Dowie defend himself in the face of some harsh questions. Many fans will since have seen footage of this on QPR World.
In nine years of covering QPR, I have never seen a Rangers manager taken to task at a post-match press conference like Dowie was in midweek.
That’s strange given the mess the club has been in and what total codswallop has sometimes been said by managers in recent years - almost all of it swallowed unquestioned.
Some who’ve now seen footage of Tuesday’s exchange reckon Dowie seemed uncomfortable and defensive.
I didn’t see it like that. I thought he was frustrated and bewildered at the criticism because it was so ludicrous.
The accusation is that he has been playing with one up front, and this is negative and less attacking than 4-4-2.
For a start, Rangers do not play with one up front. It’s three and often four up front.
The 4-2-3-1 system is also one that encourages full-backs to attack as much as possible.
It’s not a negative formation or less attacking than 4-4-2.
Dowie, like any manager worth his salt, has looked to play to his side’s strengths and account for its weaknesses.
The strength lies in attacking midfield players, which is handy because they’re the type of players defenders absolutely hate.
A short-term alteration, purely based on circumstances, is now likely
There’s nothing negative about encouraging the likes of Ledesma, Parejo, Cook and Buzsaky to rotate, play on instinct and pick up space wherever they can.
Wanting 4-4-2, with everything in straight lines and one less flair player simply to accommodate an extra body up front; now that is negative.
In fact, it doesn’t get much more negative than that.
And this for a club that was decades ahead of its time with its style of play in the 1970s and 80s, were pioneers of the sweeper system in this country and used to be characterised by progressive football and fans who wanted to see it.
Sure, there are times when Rangers have looked short up front. But that happens with any formation. Nothing always goes according to plan.
Mahon offers the defensive protection that has allowed Stewart to use his athleticism without other aspects of his game being exposed. It’s no coincidence that Stewart is flavour of the month while Dowie and his formation aren’t.
But Mahon doesn’t have the mobility and dynamism of Leigertwood, who has been left out recently.
The likes of Rowlands have therefore often had to step in to stop Rangers being swamped in midfield. Then, when the ball goes forward again, you have Blackstock isolated and people on their feet baying for 4-4-2.
But there have been many more cases of Rangers being left two versus two - or worse - at the back. Yet you don’t hear people claiming that the manager set out to play one or two at the back, because he plainly hasn’t.
Things go wrong. It happens. As Dowie and numerous other managers have said, it’s not about systems it’s about players performing.
Gigi De Canio was also accused of being negative. He supposedly looked to sit back and protect leads.
Like Dowie, he is actually a very attack-minded manager. In De Canio’s case his back four wasn’t good enough to cope with his attacking ambitions, so it looked like they were being encouraged to sit deep when the opposite was true.
Any manager will tell you that tactics and systems are nowhere near as important as the confidence of the players.
That’s why I think the most persuasive argument for Rangers switching to 4-4-2, especially at home, is simply to avoid the kind of nasty atmosphere that developed on Tuesday.
The impetus the half-time switch gave Rangers didn’t come from the change of formation. It came from the change of atmosphere when the crowd, buoyed by the return of their beloved 4-4-2, cranked the volume up and the team were helped by that.
Apart from that, there is no good reason for Dowie to switch to 4-4-2. It would make no sense.
Rangers are well stocked for attacking players but not out-and-out strikers and they have a dodgy defence and a dodgy keeper, so opening out into a flat midfield as well as a flat back four would expose them defensively as well halve their attacking threat. Double trouble.
You’d struggle to find another side less suited to 4-4-2.
But Dowie, like De Canio before him, faces pressure from within as well as from the stands to change his favoured formation.
Unlike De Canio, Dowie will stand firm. But a short-term alteration, purely based on circumstances, is now likely, with Parejo and Ledesma set to make way for the kind of changes many have wanted to see.
Whether Parejo really wants to be at QPR is a question that will probably be answered in the next couple of months.
He has found the going tough of late and Ledesma has had a lot asked of him so far this season and will benefit from a rest.
But in the longer term, Dowie must and will stick to his guns - especially as Buzsaky, a key player in his plans, should finally be match-fit after the international break. BBC606
Welcome to QPR REPORT - A completely unofficial and unaffiliated fan site focusing on G-d's Chosen Team, Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) FC. (Visit also QPR Report Messageboard and Follow on Twitter.) QPR Report accepts no sponsorship, advertising or financial contributions. In 2008, QPR Report was named as one of the top two blogs in the Football League
Friday, October 03, 2008
Dani Parejo Blogging About QPR and England
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Guillembalague - The Dani Parejo blog: Welcome to England
Dani Parejo, the 19 year old Real Madrid and Spanish youth international who signed for QPR on a two year loan deal in the summer has agreed to write a weekly blog exclusively for GuillemBalague.com.
Dani was recently described by none other than Alfredo di Stefano as Real Madrid’s best young player, and in this, his first post, he tells us how he's settling in to his new life in London and about his introduction to English football...
Dani's Diary: Welcome to England!
I've only been here a couple of months and I'm still getting used to life in London and adjusting to a completely different lifestyle.
It all feels very different and even a simple thing like a car ride can be an experience. Driving around London the first few times was pretty scary: it's crazy in London and everyone's driving on the wrong side of the road. The first time we did it I was convinced someone was going to hit us and spent most of the journey with my eyes shut - thankfully my Dad was at the wheel, as I haven't got my license yet.
I'm starting to settle in though. We spent the first couple of weeks living in a hotel and that got to be a little difficult after a while. It was miles away from the centre of London, right out in the suburbs and it's impossible to feel at home when you are living out of a suitcase.
The club have sorted us out with a house now. It's in Brentford , nice and peaceful and right next to the river. I can practically open my bedroom window and dive in, if I wanted to. Looking at the colour of it, I'm not too sure that would be a good idea though. And I'd probably freeze to death.
Did I mention the cold. What's that all about? It's September !
I've already had a few visitors from Spain and that has really helped. I'm not missing things from back home too much as my friends have been keeping me supplied with my favourite food from Spain and bring over hams, meats and oils, that sort of stuff to make me feel at home. Mind you, they have to: 'cause if they don't, I don't let them in.
I've become mates with one of my new team mates, Emmanuel Ledesma, he's from Argentina and it's obviously a big help having him around and speaking the same language. We'll play the odd game on the Playstation, spend some free afternoons clothes shopping in the centre of London and just hang out. I really need to start taking advantage of being in London though, it's a great City and there's so much to check out, I'm not sure where to start.
Life at QPR has been good so far. I don't know why, but I thought that training was going to be very different to what I'm used to back home in Spain. It's not all that different, however, and I guess that's because there are so many foreign coaches and players moving between clubs that we're all learning from each other.
The number of games being played makes a difference though and when you end up playing two games a week, there's little or no recovery time so a lot of training sessions end up being light workouts.
There isn't often the time for more intensive training sessions as we'll have a light workout the day before a game, a light session or warm-down the day after, and sometimes there's only enough time for one full training session in between games.
Physically I feel good at the moment, but I've been warned that I'll start to feel it in my legs come March or April, especially after spending the winter playing on muddier pitches than maybe I'm used to.
Things are going well for Rangers , we're fourth at the moment, I've played in 5 league games and we've won three of them.
I won't forget my league debut in a hurry, it was against Barnsley and I started the game as a sub. I came on about with about 20 minutes to go and with one of my first touches of the ball in British football I got hit with a really bad challenge. Bang! Welcome to England. The other guy got a straight red for it though, so I guess not every tackle is going to be that bad.
Mind you, in my last game, this guy came flying in, studs up, and raked them down my leg. You could see his stud marks afterwards. Not even a foul apparently. I lost it, and one of my team mates had to tell me to calm down, or it was going to be me that ended up getting booked. I guess I'm just going to have to learn to adapt to that side of the game here , players get more protection in Spain, and I'll just have to get used to it.
Dani Parejo - Guillembalague
Guillembalague - The Dani Parejo blog: Welcome to England
Dani Parejo, the 19 year old Real Madrid and Spanish youth international who signed for QPR on a two year loan deal in the summer has agreed to write a weekly blog exclusively for GuillemBalague.com.
Dani was recently described by none other than Alfredo di Stefano as Real Madrid’s best young player, and in this, his first post, he tells us how he's settling in to his new life in London and about his introduction to English football...
Dani's Diary: Welcome to England!
I've only been here a couple of months and I'm still getting used to life in London and adjusting to a completely different lifestyle.
It all feels very different and even a simple thing like a car ride can be an experience. Driving around London the first few times was pretty scary: it's crazy in London and everyone's driving on the wrong side of the road. The first time we did it I was convinced someone was going to hit us and spent most of the journey with my eyes shut - thankfully my Dad was at the wheel, as I haven't got my license yet.
I'm starting to settle in though. We spent the first couple of weeks living in a hotel and that got to be a little difficult after a while. It was miles away from the centre of London, right out in the suburbs and it's impossible to feel at home when you are living out of a suitcase.
The club have sorted us out with a house now. It's in Brentford , nice and peaceful and right next to the river. I can practically open my bedroom window and dive in, if I wanted to. Looking at the colour of it, I'm not too sure that would be a good idea though. And I'd probably freeze to death.
Did I mention the cold. What's that all about? It's September !
I've already had a few visitors from Spain and that has really helped. I'm not missing things from back home too much as my friends have been keeping me supplied with my favourite food from Spain and bring over hams, meats and oils, that sort of stuff to make me feel at home. Mind you, they have to: 'cause if they don't, I don't let them in.
I've become mates with one of my new team mates, Emmanuel Ledesma, he's from Argentina and it's obviously a big help having him around and speaking the same language. We'll play the odd game on the Playstation, spend some free afternoons clothes shopping in the centre of London and just hang out. I really need to start taking advantage of being in London though, it's a great City and there's so much to check out, I'm not sure where to start.
Life at QPR has been good so far. I don't know why, but I thought that training was going to be very different to what I'm used to back home in Spain. It's not all that different, however, and I guess that's because there are so many foreign coaches and players moving between clubs that we're all learning from each other.
The number of games being played makes a difference though and when you end up playing two games a week, there's little or no recovery time so a lot of training sessions end up being light workouts.
There isn't often the time for more intensive training sessions as we'll have a light workout the day before a game, a light session or warm-down the day after, and sometimes there's only enough time for one full training session in between games.
Physically I feel good at the moment, but I've been warned that I'll start to feel it in my legs come March or April, especially after spending the winter playing on muddier pitches than maybe I'm used to.
Things are going well for Rangers , we're fourth at the moment, I've played in 5 league games and we've won three of them.
I won't forget my league debut in a hurry, it was against Barnsley and I started the game as a sub. I came on about with about 20 minutes to go and with one of my first touches of the ball in British football I got hit with a really bad challenge. Bang! Welcome to England. The other guy got a straight red for it though, so I guess not every tackle is going to be that bad.
Mind you, in my last game, this guy came flying in, studs up, and raked them down my leg. You could see his stud marks afterwards. Not even a foul apparently. I lost it, and one of my team mates had to tell me to calm down, or it was going to be me that ended up getting booked. I guess I'm just going to have to learn to adapt to that side of the game here , players get more protection in Spain, and I'll just have to get used to it.
Dani Parejo - Guillembalague
QPR First Team Photo - Downloadable Wallpaper
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-- Queens Park Rangers 2008/2009 First Team Photo
On the Official Site: A variety of QPR photos available to download as Wallpaper: in three sizes available: 1024x768 - 800x600 - 640x480.
QPR Official Site Downloadable - NEW WALLPAPER
New QPR wallpaper is now available for your desktop, including this season's squad photo, as well as images of Emmanuel Ledesma and Daniel Parejo.
Click on your required screen size underneath the wallpaper you wish to download. When the picture appears right click your mouse button and select 'Set as Background'. You should now have your desired picture as your wallpaper!...
QPR
-- Queens Park Rangers 2008/2009 First Team Photo
On the Official Site: A variety of QPR photos available to download as Wallpaper: in three sizes available: 1024x768 - 800x600 - 640x480.
QPR Official Site Downloadable - NEW WALLPAPER
New QPR wallpaper is now available for your desktop, including this season's squad photo, as well as images of Emmanuel Ledesma and Daniel Parejo.
Click on your required screen size underneath the wallpaper you wish to download. When the picture appears right click your mouse button and select 'Set as Background'. You should now have your desired picture as your wallpaper!...
QPR
Flavio Briatore's Priorities: "What really matters is Renault....My life is here, football is just a wonderful hobby"
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Eurosport Yahoo - Briatore flies from Singapore to Paris
Amid strengthening speculation that Fernando Alonso is to stay at Renault next year, the Spaniard stayed behind in Singapore this week for a vacation with his team boss Flavio Briatore.
Briatore, 58, was then due to fly to Paris for the French capital's famous Motor Show, after a meeting with the Renault Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn.
"We will talk about our plans for 2009, investment. And the new structure of Renault Sport," the Italian is quoted as saying by gazzetta.it.
Briatore has announced that he will be backed by a new Team Director in 2009.
"I will no longer have a 360-degree role," he said. "I have already identified a director for the daily management of the team, so that I can concentrate on the most important things."
He denied that his interests in football, including co-ownership of the London club Queens Park Rangers, are beginning to overtake Formula One.
"What really matters is Renault," Briatore insisted. "My life is here, football is just a wonderful hobby...." Eurosport
Eurosport Yahoo - Briatore flies from Singapore to Paris
Amid strengthening speculation that Fernando Alonso is to stay at Renault next year, the Spaniard stayed behind in Singapore this week for a vacation with his team boss Flavio Briatore.
Briatore, 58, was then due to fly to Paris for the French capital's famous Motor Show, after a meeting with the Renault Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn.
"We will talk about our plans for 2009, investment. And the new structure of Renault Sport," the Italian is quoted as saying by gazzetta.it.
Briatore has announced that he will be backed by a new Team Director in 2009.
"I will no longer have a 360-degree role," he said. "I have already identified a director for the daily management of the team, so that I can concentrate on the most important things."
He denied that his interests in football, including co-ownership of the London club Queens Park Rangers, are beginning to overtake Formula One.
"What really matters is Renault," Briatore insisted. "My life is here, football is just a wonderful hobby...." Eurosport
Club Owners Vs Club Fans - "You may not own it, but your club belongs to you" - Excellent Op-ed
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Great oped re being a football fan. Probably applicable to all clubs.
Mirror/Ian Winwood -
Opinion: Why football fans should care as much about who owns their club as they do who plays for it
- Sometimes football fans can be difficult people to like.
- Listening to the wailing wall of noise emanating from Liverpool’s red and blue quarters, and of course from the real-life disaster movie that plays in black and white (Tynetanic! It too will go down!), the thing that has struck me most is how naïve and how gullible too many supporters can be.
- If, as they claim, they care so much for the club they support then why do they seem to care so little about those who might like to own it?
- The relationship between a fan and his or her club is about more than what happens on the pitch. In the majority of cases ‘we’ as supporters have no more ownership of ‘our’ club than we do of the train company that ferries us to an away game.
- The allegiance is entirely illogical, and it is from this quality that it derives its strength. How did my team do at the weekend? ‘We’ lost. ‘We’? Who the hell is ‘we’? What part did I play in ‘our’ defeat?
- To varying degrees, football fans can claim to ownership of ‘their’ club in just one way: moral ownership. Increasingly, at the game’s top table your team does not need you, and if you turn your back on it you will be replaced without anyone in power either noticing or caring. Your allegiance means more to you than it does to them. Because of this, it is up to you to take care of it.
- Personally, I take a very relaxed approach to my team’s on-field fortunes. It is none of my business how well, or how badly, they perform; either I support them or I don’t. All that matters to me is that I have a club to support, and that this club survives longer than I do. If they take to the field in the Premier League (I support Barnsley, so this is looking unlikely) then, great; if they represent the Blue Square Conference North (I support Barnsley, so this is looking likely) then so be it.
- Living in London, I attend perhaps 10 or 12 games each season. Despite the fact that the Emirates Stadium is walking distance from where I type these words, my loyalty has never been tested. And if ‘my’ club ceased to exist, I would support no team at all.
- I don’t believe the reason I am so shocked and irritated by the gullibility of so many supporters when it comes to who owns their club is due solely to the fact that no billionaires have been seen in the neighbourhood of Oakwell. If they were, it would be a sure sign that the barrel is running low on biscuits.
- But to mangle a phrase, if the Premier League sneezes the rest of English football – even world football – catches the plague.
- Just last year many fans of Queens Park Rangers were crowing about how, under new ownership, they were suddenly “richer than Chelsea”. Suddenly, these same fans are learning that wealth has a tendency of trickling up, not down. This is why supporters – and visiting supporters as well – are paying inflation-busting ticket prices to sit in a stadium that looks like it was made out of Meccano, and where leg room is at such a premium it makes an economy class on a charter flight look Air Force One.
- At the top end of the country, the soap opera that is Newcastle United – we could call it Neverenders – groans on. The supporter who appeared on the BBC's Football Focus programme to claim that the departure of Kevin Keegan had “ruined [her] life” offered a snapshot of how hysterical things have become.
- Of course, the departure of the Doncaster demigod was clumsy and a cause of distress for the fans who welcomed him back just months previously. Because of the furore his actions have caused, owner Mike Ashley is now looking to sell. Predictably, many fans are delighted.
- But it seems to me that not enough people are asking questions about who might buy the club, just so long as they have wealth.
- Are Newcastle fans – or fans of any club who like the sound of owners for whom money is no object – really so sure that things can only get better?
- Me, I am not at all convinced. At least in principle, I find this influx of new owners to be not alarming, but frightening. What do they want for their money? What are their motivations? And why are so many supporters accepting these developments without a murmur of protest?
- It is obvious that football’s governing bodies do not care to properly regulate the game for which they are responsible. One wonders just how despicable a character would have to be in order to fail the Premier League’s ‘Fit and Proper Persons’ test. But for football to have winners it must also have losers, and this is a fact that no amount of money will alter.
- Consider this: the agreement of 14 clubs is all that’s required for a Premier League rule to be changed. There is nothing whatsoever preventing billionaires and business conglomerates from buying most clubs in the league, just as there is nothing preventing these owners from lobbying together to alter any rule that doesn’t fit with their business plan.
- Tell me, if you’d just invested a kit-bag full of zeros into a club, would you fancy the prospect of being relegated? No? Well, how about we see if we can get rid of it.
- And if you had no real affinity with this club – no moral ownership – would you care what happened to it were you to walk away?
- You might be blinded by the bling, but these are troubled times for football supporters. As can be seen in the meltdown in the financial markets, big money needs careful control and a rigid structure in order that things don’t get out of hand. Ignorant of this, football runs itself with all the care of the Wild West.
- You may not own it, but your club belongs to you. And it will be you who is left to pick up the pieces should things go wrong.
- That is, if there are any pieces left.
Read Ian Winwood's new football column exclusively on Mirror.co.uk every Friday - Mirror
Great oped re being a football fan. Probably applicable to all clubs.
Mirror/Ian Winwood -
Opinion: Why football fans should care as much about who owns their club as they do who plays for it
- Sometimes football fans can be difficult people to like.
- Listening to the wailing wall of noise emanating from Liverpool’s red and blue quarters, and of course from the real-life disaster movie that plays in black and white (Tynetanic! It too will go down!), the thing that has struck me most is how naïve and how gullible too many supporters can be.
- If, as they claim, they care so much for the club they support then why do they seem to care so little about those who might like to own it?
- The relationship between a fan and his or her club is about more than what happens on the pitch. In the majority of cases ‘we’ as supporters have no more ownership of ‘our’ club than we do of the train company that ferries us to an away game.
- The allegiance is entirely illogical, and it is from this quality that it derives its strength. How did my team do at the weekend? ‘We’ lost. ‘We’? Who the hell is ‘we’? What part did I play in ‘our’ defeat?
- To varying degrees, football fans can claim to ownership of ‘their’ club in just one way: moral ownership. Increasingly, at the game’s top table your team does not need you, and if you turn your back on it you will be replaced without anyone in power either noticing or caring. Your allegiance means more to you than it does to them. Because of this, it is up to you to take care of it.
- Personally, I take a very relaxed approach to my team’s on-field fortunes. It is none of my business how well, or how badly, they perform; either I support them or I don’t. All that matters to me is that I have a club to support, and that this club survives longer than I do. If they take to the field in the Premier League (I support Barnsley, so this is looking unlikely) then, great; if they represent the Blue Square Conference North (I support Barnsley, so this is looking likely) then so be it.
- Living in London, I attend perhaps 10 or 12 games each season. Despite the fact that the Emirates Stadium is walking distance from where I type these words, my loyalty has never been tested. And if ‘my’ club ceased to exist, I would support no team at all.
- I don’t believe the reason I am so shocked and irritated by the gullibility of so many supporters when it comes to who owns their club is due solely to the fact that no billionaires have been seen in the neighbourhood of Oakwell. If they were, it would be a sure sign that the barrel is running low on biscuits.
- But to mangle a phrase, if the Premier League sneezes the rest of English football – even world football – catches the plague.
- Just last year many fans of Queens Park Rangers were crowing about how, under new ownership, they were suddenly “richer than Chelsea”. Suddenly, these same fans are learning that wealth has a tendency of trickling up, not down. This is why supporters – and visiting supporters as well – are paying inflation-busting ticket prices to sit in a stadium that looks like it was made out of Meccano, and where leg room is at such a premium it makes an economy class on a charter flight look Air Force One.
- At the top end of the country, the soap opera that is Newcastle United – we could call it Neverenders – groans on. The supporter who appeared on the BBC's Football Focus programme to claim that the departure of Kevin Keegan had “ruined [her] life” offered a snapshot of how hysterical things have become.
- Of course, the departure of the Doncaster demigod was clumsy and a cause of distress for the fans who welcomed him back just months previously. Because of the furore his actions have caused, owner Mike Ashley is now looking to sell. Predictably, many fans are delighted.
- But it seems to me that not enough people are asking questions about who might buy the club, just so long as they have wealth.
- Are Newcastle fans – or fans of any club who like the sound of owners for whom money is no object – really so sure that things can only get better?
- Me, I am not at all convinced. At least in principle, I find this influx of new owners to be not alarming, but frightening. What do they want for their money? What are their motivations? And why are so many supporters accepting these developments without a murmur of protest?
- It is obvious that football’s governing bodies do not care to properly regulate the game for which they are responsible. One wonders just how despicable a character would have to be in order to fail the Premier League’s ‘Fit and Proper Persons’ test. But for football to have winners it must also have losers, and this is a fact that no amount of money will alter.
- Consider this: the agreement of 14 clubs is all that’s required for a Premier League rule to be changed. There is nothing whatsoever preventing billionaires and business conglomerates from buying most clubs in the league, just as there is nothing preventing these owners from lobbying together to alter any rule that doesn’t fit with their business plan.
- Tell me, if you’d just invested a kit-bag full of zeros into a club, would you fancy the prospect of being relegated? No? Well, how about we see if we can get rid of it.
- And if you had no real affinity with this club – no moral ownership – would you care what happened to it were you to walk away?
- You might be blinded by the bling, but these are troubled times for football supporters. As can be seen in the meltdown in the financial markets, big money needs careful control and a rigid structure in order that things don’t get out of hand. Ignorant of this, football runs itself with all the care of the Wild West.
- You may not own it, but your club belongs to you. And it will be you who is left to pick up the pieces should things go wrong.
- That is, if there are any pieces left.
Read Ian Winwood's new football column exclusively on Mirror.co.uk every Friday - Mirror
Next: Birmingham - QPR Looking for First Victory Over Birmingham in Almost Quarter Century
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QPR play second place Birmingham away lunchtime tomorrow. A win for Birmingham and they go, at least briefly, top. Birmingham's home record is three wins and a loss: scored 4, conceded 1.
- Birmingham Squad Information -- Birmingham Team Photo -- Birmingham Results --- Birmingham Ticketprice Information -- Travelling to Birmingham/Birmingham's Ground
QPR vs Birmingham Head-to-Head Results:
Over the years, there have been quite a number of QPR losses to Birmingham - with the exception of course, of their great League Cup Semi-Final victory there back in 1967. - Head to Head Results. In League encounters: Birmingham have won 20; QPR have won 9; and 13 have been drawn. In their last 12 league encounters against each other, QPR failed to win once.
QPR last beat Birmingham 3-1 in September 1985, with goals from Rosenoir, Bannister and that rarity: an Ian Dawes Goal. Team: Barron (maing his QPR debut) Dawes, Fenwick, Wicks, Mcdonald, Kerslake, Waddock, Gregory, Fereday, Rosenoir, Bannister. Over the years....Birmingham's 3-0 victory over QPR ending QPR's 4 wins and a draw start in 1969, thanks to a Tony Hateley inspired debut (and a Bert Murray hatrick)...The battle of the teenage titans: Gerry Francis vs Trevor Francis (QPR winning!)
QPR vs Birmingham last encounter was at Loftus Road, Boxing Day, 2006. Birmingham won 2-1. QPR's team: Simon Royce, Marcus Bignot, Mauso Milanese, Zesh Rehman, Marc Bircham, Lee Cook, Damion Stewart, Paul Furlong, Dexter Blackstock, Jimmy Smith, Michael Mancienne. Subs: Nick Ward, Martin Rowlands, Stefan Bailey, Ray Jones, Jake Cole. Match Reports
Played for Both Clubs:
Players who've played for both teams include Mark Dennis and Trevor Francis (who managed both teams as did Jim Smith). QPR "reject" DJ Campbell, Mike Kelly. Dennis Bailey. Don Givens. And of course, Barry Bridges, David Seaman and Paul Furlong. The latest: Rowan Vine.
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: BLUES
The Sky Sports cameras will be in attendance when Rangers make the short trip to St Andrews - home of former Premiership outfit Birmingham City - for a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday.
Alex McLeish's early-season favourites have made an imperious start to life back in the Championship and currently sit second in the division, with 20 points from their opening nine fixtures in the second tier.
Their only blip at St Andrews so far arrived against Blackpool last time out, when a Gary Taylor-Fletcher strike stole the points to inflict City's first - and to date only - League defeat of the season.
The Blues have registered six wins and two draws aside from that loss - and head into the match on the back of a 1-1 draw against Derby County on Tuesday night.
A third goal in Birmingham colours from Quincy Owusu-Abeyie put Blues in front at Pride Park, only for in-form Derby to respond through a well-taken Steve Davies strike three minutes from time.
It was a result which left McLeish pondering what might have been.
"When you surrender the lead at that stage of the game it feels like dropped points," he said.
"But it's a tough venue to come, and Derby have been getting some good results lately. They took some risks in the second half and got their rewards.
"I'm disappointed we didn't show more composure and on the counter-ttack we could have been more decisive."
McLeish certainly had a busy summer reshaping the side that suffered relegation last season and has brought in a collection of foreign youngsters and seasoned professionals.
The most impressive acquisition by far has been the capture of prolific striker Kevin Phillips, who has instantly found his shooting boots this campaign.
Fellow striker Marcus Bent has arrived from Charlton Athletic, whilst wingers Kemi Agustien and one-time Arsenal youngster Owusu-Abeyie, have signed year-long loans from AZ Alkmaar and Spartak Moscow respectively.
Out of St Andrews have gone Premiership stars Mikael Forssell and Olivier Kapo, to Hannover and Wigan Athletic respectively, where the latter has been joined by Daniel De Ridder.
Whether the new additions prove to be able replacements for Kapo and co remains to be seen, but the early signs are certainly positive for the Blues, as they aim to bounce back to the Promised Land at the first time of asking.
Birmingham expect key midfielder Sebastian Larsson to be available for this weekend's game.
The Sweden international suffered a hamstring injury during the warm-up for the midweek draw against Derby and was forced to pull of the Blues' starting XI, but he is now fighting fit and raring to go.
McLeish again has the opportunity to rotate his attacking options with Bent, Garry O'Connor and Phillips all pushing for starting berths.
Meanwhile, Radhi Jaidi will keep his place at the heart of defence but right-back Stephen Kelly (thigh) and midfielder Damien Johnson (back) are both out. QPR
- Recent Birmingham City Match Reports
Birmingham Mail/Colin Tattum - Kemy Agustien looking forward to lunch
KEMY Agustien has urged Blues not to lose their focus on Saturday lunchtime when QPR visit St Andrew’s.
Although a tad dispirited after being denied a second successive away victory with just four minutes left at Derby County, the Dutch midfielder said Blues should still be positive.
The team has started to get the measure of the Championship and Blues’ garnering of 20 points from nine games is three better than how they set off in 2006, the last Championship promotion-winning season....Blues, who won on Cardiff City’s patch four days before the Pride Park trip, have Sebastian Larsson under treatment for a hamstring strain. If he fails to make it this weekend, then responsibility again falls on Agustien to show up..." Birmingham Daily Mail
See Also: Clive Whittingham/LoftForWords QPR-Birmingham Match Preview
QPR play second place Birmingham away lunchtime tomorrow. A win for Birmingham and they go, at least briefly, top. Birmingham's home record is three wins and a loss: scored 4, conceded 1.
- Birmingham Squad Information -- Birmingham Team Photo -- Birmingham Results --- Birmingham Ticketprice Information -- Travelling to Birmingham/Birmingham's Ground
QPR vs Birmingham Head-to-Head Results:
Over the years, there have been quite a number of QPR losses to Birmingham - with the exception of course, of their great League Cup Semi-Final victory there back in 1967. - Head to Head Results. In League encounters: Birmingham have won 20; QPR have won 9; and 13 have been drawn. In their last 12 league encounters against each other, QPR failed to win once.
QPR last beat Birmingham 3-1 in September 1985, with goals from Rosenoir, Bannister and that rarity: an Ian Dawes Goal. Team: Barron (maing his QPR debut) Dawes, Fenwick, Wicks, Mcdonald, Kerslake, Waddock, Gregory, Fereday, Rosenoir, Bannister. Over the years....Birmingham's 3-0 victory over QPR ending QPR's 4 wins and a draw start in 1969, thanks to a Tony Hateley inspired debut (and a Bert Murray hatrick)...The battle of the teenage titans: Gerry Francis vs Trevor Francis (QPR winning!)
QPR vs Birmingham last encounter was at Loftus Road, Boxing Day, 2006. Birmingham won 2-1. QPR's team: Simon Royce, Marcus Bignot, Mauso Milanese, Zesh Rehman, Marc Bircham, Lee Cook, Damion Stewart, Paul Furlong, Dexter Blackstock, Jimmy Smith, Michael Mancienne. Subs: Nick Ward, Martin Rowlands, Stefan Bailey, Ray Jones, Jake Cole. Match Reports
Played for Both Clubs:
Players who've played for both teams include Mark Dennis and Trevor Francis (who managed both teams as did Jim Smith). QPR "reject" DJ Campbell, Mike Kelly. Dennis Bailey. Don Givens. And of course, Barry Bridges, David Seaman and Paul Furlong. The latest: Rowan Vine.
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: BLUES
The Sky Sports cameras will be in attendance when Rangers make the short trip to St Andrews - home of former Premiership outfit Birmingham City - for a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday.
Alex McLeish's early-season favourites have made an imperious start to life back in the Championship and currently sit second in the division, with 20 points from their opening nine fixtures in the second tier.
Their only blip at St Andrews so far arrived against Blackpool last time out, when a Gary Taylor-Fletcher strike stole the points to inflict City's first - and to date only - League defeat of the season.
The Blues have registered six wins and two draws aside from that loss - and head into the match on the back of a 1-1 draw against Derby County on Tuesday night.
A third goal in Birmingham colours from Quincy Owusu-Abeyie put Blues in front at Pride Park, only for in-form Derby to respond through a well-taken Steve Davies strike three minutes from time.
It was a result which left McLeish pondering what might have been.
"When you surrender the lead at that stage of the game it feels like dropped points," he said.
"But it's a tough venue to come, and Derby have been getting some good results lately. They took some risks in the second half and got their rewards.
"I'm disappointed we didn't show more composure and on the counter-ttack we could have been more decisive."
McLeish certainly had a busy summer reshaping the side that suffered relegation last season and has brought in a collection of foreign youngsters and seasoned professionals.
The most impressive acquisition by far has been the capture of prolific striker Kevin Phillips, who has instantly found his shooting boots this campaign.
Fellow striker Marcus Bent has arrived from Charlton Athletic, whilst wingers Kemi Agustien and one-time Arsenal youngster Owusu-Abeyie, have signed year-long loans from AZ Alkmaar and Spartak Moscow respectively.
Out of St Andrews have gone Premiership stars Mikael Forssell and Olivier Kapo, to Hannover and Wigan Athletic respectively, where the latter has been joined by Daniel De Ridder.
Whether the new additions prove to be able replacements for Kapo and co remains to be seen, but the early signs are certainly positive for the Blues, as they aim to bounce back to the Promised Land at the first time of asking.
Birmingham expect key midfielder Sebastian Larsson to be available for this weekend's game.
The Sweden international suffered a hamstring injury during the warm-up for the midweek draw against Derby and was forced to pull of the Blues' starting XI, but he is now fighting fit and raring to go.
McLeish again has the opportunity to rotate his attacking options with Bent, Garry O'Connor and Phillips all pushing for starting berths.
Meanwhile, Radhi Jaidi will keep his place at the heart of defence but right-back Stephen Kelly (thigh) and midfielder Damien Johnson (back) are both out. QPR
- Recent Birmingham City Match Reports
Birmingham Mail/Colin Tattum - Kemy Agustien looking forward to lunch
KEMY Agustien has urged Blues not to lose their focus on Saturday lunchtime when QPR visit St Andrew’s.
Although a tad dispirited after being denied a second successive away victory with just four minutes left at Derby County, the Dutch midfielder said Blues should still be positive.
The team has started to get the measure of the Championship and Blues’ garnering of 20 points from nine games is three better than how they set off in 2006, the last Championship promotion-winning season....Blues, who won on Cardiff City’s patch four days before the Pride Park trip, have Sebastian Larsson under treatment for a hamstring strain. If he fails to make it this weekend, then responsibility again falls on Agustien to show up..." Birmingham Daily Mail
See Also: Clive Whittingham/LoftForWords QPR-Birmingham Match Preview
Two Ex-QPR Center Halves: Danny Cullip Now Lewes' Player Coach..."Six Foot Two, Eyes of Blue" Steve Wicks Birthday
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The Argus/Howard Griggs - Cullip will call on all his experience in new role
Danny Cullip will use tips picked up from 13 years as a professional in his new role as player-coach at Lewes.
The former Albion skipper has played under some top managers and coaches during a career which has included spells at Fulham, Brentford, Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest, QPR and Gillingham.
He is now hoping to have an impact as part of Kevin Keehan’s management team at the Dripping Pan.
Cullip, who joined Lewes in the summer, was upgraded to player-coach on the eve of the Rooks’ first win of the season against Oxford United last Saturday.
The move has come earlier than expected for the 32-year-old but Cullip is delighted to help out Keehan.
He said: “Kevin had asked me before and I said I would help if he wanted to but he wanted to make it official. I have a lot of time for Kevin which is why I was happy to do it.
“He thought coming from a professional background there are little bits and pieces I might be able to help with.
“It is something I had thought of for some time in the future, I like that side of things. I like to organise the team on the field, getting the shape and organisation right and tweaking things if they are not right.
“All the managers and coaches I have played under have different attributes.
“Micky Adams gave me my debut at Fulham as an 18-year-old. For me Micky Adams and Steve Coppell are the best I have worked under but I have picked up different things from all of them.
“The pre-season I had at Nottingham Forest under Colin Calderwood was the best pre-season I have ever done. He had a different approach and we came out flying for the season, winning the first eight games.”
Cullip has made it clear he still sees his main role as playing, helping Lewes try to defy the odds by staying up this season.
However, his first game in his new role came strictly from the sidelines as Cullip was serving a one-match ban following his sending off at Histon five days earlier.
He returns to the starting XI away to fellow strugglers Grays tomorrow having enjoyed his first experience of seeing things ‘from the other side’.
Goals from Michael Standing and Sam Gargan helped Lewes come from behind to win 2-1. Cullip said: “Kevin, Terry (Graves) and I were all chatting, all chipping in.
“I am a different character from them and come from a different environment and I am sure it will benefit us. It is a learning curve for us all.
“The substitutins the manager made came off. With the predicament we are in you might as well lose 3-0 as 1-0 so we put Stefan Cox and Shabazz Baidoo on and moved Michael (Standing) to the middle. As it turned out the decisions the manager made won the game for us.”
Cullip has a refreshing outlook on things. He has had a positive approach towards the club’s prospects from the day he signed and was delighted to see Lewes finally get off the mark.
He said: “It was fantastic. We played ever so well in the first half. It doesn’t matter where Oxford are in the table, they are probably the biggest club in the league. From where they have come from, for Lewes to be playing Oxford is fantastic in itself. I started my career at Oxford in the old First Division.
“The pleasing thing was we came from behind to win. We have brought in a bit more experience, a bit more presence and it has helped us. The last two or three games have seen an improvement.” The Argus
Lewes FC are pleased to announce the appointment of Danny Cullip as Player/Coach.
Danny will be using his extensive experience in helping Kevin Keehan on all coaching matters.
The appointment strengthens the coaching staff at the club. ... The Club wishes him every success in his new role. Lewes
Cullip was signed by John Gregory in January 2007 and helped save QPR from relegation. Cullip was released by QPR last season to join Gillingham. He joined Lewes in July. See Cullip/Wikipedia Profile
Ex-QPR Steve Wicks Turns 52:
- Steve Wicks: Born October 3rd 1956...Began at Chelsea; then joined Derby under Tommy Docherty. Wicks was then signed by Tommy Docherty at QPR in September 1979. Wicks played two seasons for QPR before Terry Venables sold Wicks to Crystal Palace in a part exchange for Clive Allen. (QPR got Allen + Cash) in June 1981.
- Six months later, on transfer deadline day, in March 1982, Wicks was brought back to QPR (for a lot than QPR paid!) Unfortunately Wicks was cup-tied and so couldn't play against Spurs. Wicks remained at QPR till July 1986 when he rejoined Chelsea after QPR's calamitous "League Cup" Final against Oxford.
- Wicks didn't win a full England cap, but came close. Another in a long line of ex-Chelsea players who shone at QPR and about whom, QPR fans have very warm feelings!
Wicks Stats -- Dave Barton's QPR Site profile of Steve Wicks -Record -- Wikipedia/Wicks
- Wicks is now back at Chelsea, leading Stadium Tours.
The Argus/Howard Griggs - Cullip will call on all his experience in new role
Danny Cullip will use tips picked up from 13 years as a professional in his new role as player-coach at Lewes.
The former Albion skipper has played under some top managers and coaches during a career which has included spells at Fulham, Brentford, Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest, QPR and Gillingham.
He is now hoping to have an impact as part of Kevin Keehan’s management team at the Dripping Pan.
Cullip, who joined Lewes in the summer, was upgraded to player-coach on the eve of the Rooks’ first win of the season against Oxford United last Saturday.
The move has come earlier than expected for the 32-year-old but Cullip is delighted to help out Keehan.
He said: “Kevin had asked me before and I said I would help if he wanted to but he wanted to make it official. I have a lot of time for Kevin which is why I was happy to do it.
“He thought coming from a professional background there are little bits and pieces I might be able to help with.
“It is something I had thought of for some time in the future, I like that side of things. I like to organise the team on the field, getting the shape and organisation right and tweaking things if they are not right.
“All the managers and coaches I have played under have different attributes.
“Micky Adams gave me my debut at Fulham as an 18-year-old. For me Micky Adams and Steve Coppell are the best I have worked under but I have picked up different things from all of them.
“The pre-season I had at Nottingham Forest under Colin Calderwood was the best pre-season I have ever done. He had a different approach and we came out flying for the season, winning the first eight games.”
Cullip has made it clear he still sees his main role as playing, helping Lewes try to defy the odds by staying up this season.
However, his first game in his new role came strictly from the sidelines as Cullip was serving a one-match ban following his sending off at Histon five days earlier.
He returns to the starting XI away to fellow strugglers Grays tomorrow having enjoyed his first experience of seeing things ‘from the other side’.
Goals from Michael Standing and Sam Gargan helped Lewes come from behind to win 2-1. Cullip said: “Kevin, Terry (Graves) and I were all chatting, all chipping in.
“I am a different character from them and come from a different environment and I am sure it will benefit us. It is a learning curve for us all.
“The substitutins the manager made came off. With the predicament we are in you might as well lose 3-0 as 1-0 so we put Stefan Cox and Shabazz Baidoo on and moved Michael (Standing) to the middle. As it turned out the decisions the manager made won the game for us.”
Cullip has a refreshing outlook on things. He has had a positive approach towards the club’s prospects from the day he signed and was delighted to see Lewes finally get off the mark.
He said: “It was fantastic. We played ever so well in the first half. It doesn’t matter where Oxford are in the table, they are probably the biggest club in the league. From where they have come from, for Lewes to be playing Oxford is fantastic in itself. I started my career at Oxford in the old First Division.
“The pleasing thing was we came from behind to win. We have brought in a bit more experience, a bit more presence and it has helped us. The last two or three games have seen an improvement.” The Argus
Lewes FC are pleased to announce the appointment of Danny Cullip as Player/Coach.
Danny will be using his extensive experience in helping Kevin Keehan on all coaching matters.
The appointment strengthens the coaching staff at the club. ... The Club wishes him every success in his new role. Lewes
Cullip was signed by John Gregory in January 2007 and helped save QPR from relegation. Cullip was released by QPR last season to join Gillingham. He joined Lewes in July. See Cullip/Wikipedia Profile
Ex-QPR Steve Wicks Turns 52:
- Steve Wicks: Born October 3rd 1956...Began at Chelsea; then joined Derby under Tommy Docherty. Wicks was then signed by Tommy Docherty at QPR in September 1979. Wicks played two seasons for QPR before Terry Venables sold Wicks to Crystal Palace in a part exchange for Clive Allen. (QPR got Allen + Cash) in June 1981.
- Six months later, on transfer deadline day, in March 1982, Wicks was brought back to QPR (for a lot than QPR paid!) Unfortunately Wicks was cup-tied and so couldn't play against Spurs. Wicks remained at QPR till July 1986 when he rejoined Chelsea after QPR's calamitous "League Cup" Final against Oxford.
- Wicks didn't win a full England cap, but came close. Another in a long line of ex-Chelsea players who shone at QPR and about whom, QPR fans have very warm feelings!
Wicks Stats -- Dave Barton's QPR Site profile of Steve Wicks -Record -- Wikipedia/Wicks
- Wicks is now back at Chelsea, leading Stadium Tours.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Brian Glanville's QPR Latest...Peter Beagrie on QPR
-
Brian Glanville/World Soccer
"...THE distasteful suggestion that Queens Park Rangers be re-named Queens Park City seems all of a piece with the somewhat grandiose new regime in which the motor racing magnate Flavio Briatore is the main man, though Ecclestone and especially Mittal are much, much richer.
For last week's last match at home to Derby County, QPR tried to up the ante on tickets for away fans, putting the price up ten quid to £40. Derby wouldn't have it and they got their way, QPR inexplicably protesting that, as they'd been investing so heavily of late, prices had to be put up. With Mittal and Ecclestone, not to mention Briatore, in the background? And in what have they been investing?
One moment they talk to us about building gradually in quest of a return to the top division. And this seems borne out by the fact that in the transfer summer window, they hardly splashed their money about, the two prime acquisitions being on loan respectively from Genoa and Real Madrid. Then they try to put up prices. What's happening down at Shepherds Bush? ... World Soccer
Skysport/Peter Beagrie on QPR- A ticket to nowhere
Beagrie talks Football League - and answers YOUR questions
A disappointing 1-1 draw with Blackpool followed a 2-0 defeat to Derby that ended their unbeaten home run, but I think QPR's problems started the week before.
After that fantastic result against Aston Villa in the Carling Cup, and the reward of a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the next round, I suspect Rangers might not have been as focused as Iain Dowie would have liked against Paul Jewell's side, who are starting to make their presence felt in the division.
And there was also, of course, that big hullabaloo about QPR's ticket prices, which dominated the headlines more than the game itself.
To try and charge fans £40 or £50 to watch Championship football was ridiculous. I understand that clubs now do packages and price banding but it's really disappointing at a time when we're trying to encourage more people to come through the turnstiles - and the credit crunch is biting.
The man on the street, who already ploughs a lot of his hard-earned cash into football, has a smaller disposable income at the moment so the move was especially badly timed. With the levels of investment in place at Loftus Road, it was bad PR, and even more baffling considering QPR aren't topping the attendance tables by a long stretch.
It is one of the selling points of the Championship that clubs are more accountable to the fans. The divide between players and the people who pay to watch them isn't as great as in the Premier League, which has become a bit lost in translation with its vast amounts of money.
Loyalty
You can't abuse the fans' loyalty, it's as simple as that. Asking them to pay one price and then moving the bar is not acceptable.
Instead of hiking up process, clubs should be looking at initiatives and incentives to reduce ticket prices. Championships are usually won and lost on your home form, so to get more bums on seats and create an intimidating atmosphere has to be the way forward.
So from my point of view, whoever suggested a price increase made a massive faux pas.
On the pitch, I think Iain Dowie is still trying to find the right balance. They started poorly against Blackpool and allowed them to get a foothold in the game, before Gary Taylor-Fletcher scored a fantastic goal; the type of long-range effort he's scored whatever level of football he's played.
Iain's had an influx of players from different countries and different footballing backgrounds, some of whom were a bit lightweight, and it took his half-time talk to get a reaction and a draw in the end, thanks to Dexter Blackstock. I saw quite a bit of Blackstock when he was a youngster and went on loan to Southampton. He's a talented individual who is very mobile, does a lot of running outside the box and in the channels but is also instinctive in the box.
People said he couldn't miss when he equalised on Tuesday night but when the ball comes off the keeper at speed, you've got to react and that's what he did. With six goals so far in all competitions, it's already been a very good season for him.
As we all know, the Championship is very unforgiving if you aren't an athlete, you haven't got a physical presence and you haven't got a big heart; Dexter, however, has all those attributes.
Changes
Iain won't change his principles and resort to lumping it forward but he certainly knows it takes all sorts to be successful in this division and we might see him making a few changes after this little series of poor results.
Any pressure that he feels though, will come not from billionaire owners but from within; a pressure to be the best he can possibly be at his job. He knows that if he needs to bring someone in on an emergency loan, or on a permanent deal in January, he'll be able to.
QPR fans might be getting a bit frustrated that, despite co-owner Flavio Briatore being a flamboyant guy, the club has been pretty quiet in the transfer market. It will be interesting to see what happens in January but if you do splash the cash, there's always the worry of being held to ransom by big-money, long-term contracts, or guys who might walk away from the club.
The real guys under pressure in the Championship are the likes of Simon Davey at Barnsley and Brian Laws at Sheffield Wednesday, who, despite all this talk of a takeover, is still operating with no money and the smallest squad in the division. Pressure comes with the territory, of course.
I expect QPR to follow the example set by their last opponents, Blackpool - who produced a shock when they beat Birmingham - at St Andrews.
Simon Grayson's men have set a bit of a benchmark when it comes to playing away from home; they're strong, resolute and have this ability of quietening the home crowd because they get out of the blocks so quickly, which can frustrate the fans, and in turn, the players.
I suspect Iain will pick a stronger side physically, to try and negate the sustained periods of pressure that Birmingham will inevitably have. That will be his game plan: keep it tight, try to frustrate the Blues and then, when tiredness sets in, look to bring in a few flair players, impact players, to come on and try and nick a goal.
It will be a tough task, because Birmingham have the ability to stay in the game and won't get turned over by anyone in this division. Quincy Owusie-Abeyie can take them to a different level and the likes of Gary McSheffrey, James McFadden and Sebastian Larsson haven't really fully fired yet. When they do, Birmingham will be a terrifying proposition.
Skysport
Brian Glanville/World Soccer
"...THE distasteful suggestion that Queens Park Rangers be re-named Queens Park City seems all of a piece with the somewhat grandiose new regime in which the motor racing magnate Flavio Briatore is the main man, though Ecclestone and especially Mittal are much, much richer.
For last week's last match at home to Derby County, QPR tried to up the ante on tickets for away fans, putting the price up ten quid to £40. Derby wouldn't have it and they got their way, QPR inexplicably protesting that, as they'd been investing so heavily of late, prices had to be put up. With Mittal and Ecclestone, not to mention Briatore, in the background? And in what have they been investing?
One moment they talk to us about building gradually in quest of a return to the top division. And this seems borne out by the fact that in the transfer summer window, they hardly splashed their money about, the two prime acquisitions being on loan respectively from Genoa and Real Madrid. Then they try to put up prices. What's happening down at Shepherds Bush? ... World Soccer
Skysport/Peter Beagrie on QPR- A ticket to nowhere
Beagrie talks Football League - and answers YOUR questions
A disappointing 1-1 draw with Blackpool followed a 2-0 defeat to Derby that ended their unbeaten home run, but I think QPR's problems started the week before.
After that fantastic result against Aston Villa in the Carling Cup, and the reward of a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the next round, I suspect Rangers might not have been as focused as Iain Dowie would have liked against Paul Jewell's side, who are starting to make their presence felt in the division.
And there was also, of course, that big hullabaloo about QPR's ticket prices, which dominated the headlines more than the game itself.
To try and charge fans £40 or £50 to watch Championship football was ridiculous. I understand that clubs now do packages and price banding but it's really disappointing at a time when we're trying to encourage more people to come through the turnstiles - and the credit crunch is biting.
The man on the street, who already ploughs a lot of his hard-earned cash into football, has a smaller disposable income at the moment so the move was especially badly timed. With the levels of investment in place at Loftus Road, it was bad PR, and even more baffling considering QPR aren't topping the attendance tables by a long stretch.
It is one of the selling points of the Championship that clubs are more accountable to the fans. The divide between players and the people who pay to watch them isn't as great as in the Premier League, which has become a bit lost in translation with its vast amounts of money.
Loyalty
You can't abuse the fans' loyalty, it's as simple as that. Asking them to pay one price and then moving the bar is not acceptable.
Instead of hiking up process, clubs should be looking at initiatives and incentives to reduce ticket prices. Championships are usually won and lost on your home form, so to get more bums on seats and create an intimidating atmosphere has to be the way forward.
So from my point of view, whoever suggested a price increase made a massive faux pas.
On the pitch, I think Iain Dowie is still trying to find the right balance. They started poorly against Blackpool and allowed them to get a foothold in the game, before Gary Taylor-Fletcher scored a fantastic goal; the type of long-range effort he's scored whatever level of football he's played.
Iain's had an influx of players from different countries and different footballing backgrounds, some of whom were a bit lightweight, and it took his half-time talk to get a reaction and a draw in the end, thanks to Dexter Blackstock. I saw quite a bit of Blackstock when he was a youngster and went on loan to Southampton. He's a talented individual who is very mobile, does a lot of running outside the box and in the channels but is also instinctive in the box.
People said he couldn't miss when he equalised on Tuesday night but when the ball comes off the keeper at speed, you've got to react and that's what he did. With six goals so far in all competitions, it's already been a very good season for him.
As we all know, the Championship is very unforgiving if you aren't an athlete, you haven't got a physical presence and you haven't got a big heart; Dexter, however, has all those attributes.
Changes
Iain won't change his principles and resort to lumping it forward but he certainly knows it takes all sorts to be successful in this division and we might see him making a few changes after this little series of poor results.
Any pressure that he feels though, will come not from billionaire owners but from within; a pressure to be the best he can possibly be at his job. He knows that if he needs to bring someone in on an emergency loan, or on a permanent deal in January, he'll be able to.
QPR fans might be getting a bit frustrated that, despite co-owner Flavio Briatore being a flamboyant guy, the club has been pretty quiet in the transfer market. It will be interesting to see what happens in January but if you do splash the cash, there's always the worry of being held to ransom by big-money, long-term contracts, or guys who might walk away from the club.
The real guys under pressure in the Championship are the likes of Simon Davey at Barnsley and Brian Laws at Sheffield Wednesday, who, despite all this talk of a takeover, is still operating with no money and the smallest squad in the division. Pressure comes with the territory, of course.
I expect QPR to follow the example set by their last opponents, Blackpool - who produced a shock when they beat Birmingham - at St Andrews.
Simon Grayson's men have set a bit of a benchmark when it comes to playing away from home; they're strong, resolute and have this ability of quietening the home crowd because they get out of the blocks so quickly, which can frustrate the fans, and in turn, the players.
I suspect Iain will pick a stronger side physically, to try and negate the sustained periods of pressure that Birmingham will inevitably have. That will be his game plan: keep it tight, try to frustrate the Blues and then, when tiredness sets in, look to bring in a few flair players, impact players, to come on and try and nick a goal.
It will be a tough task, because Birmingham have the ability to stay in the game and won't get turned over by anyone in this division. Quincy Owusie-Abeyie can take them to a different level and the likes of Gary McSheffrey, James McFadden and Sebastian Larsson haven't really fully fired yet. When they do, Birmingham will be a terrifying proposition.
Skysport
Divisional Managers of The Month Named...Ex-QPR Wins League One
-
September Managers of the Month Named
Championship: Burnley's Owen Coyle..
Burnley {beating out Steve Coppell, Mick McCarthy and Paul Sturrock]
"...The Clarets went unbeaten for the whole month. They picked up four wins in five games in the division including derby wins over Blackpool and Preston - as well as dumping Fulham out of the Carling Cup."
League One Kenny Jacket
League Two - Alan Knill of - Bury
Football League - JACKETT THE PICK OF LEAGUE 1
Millwall boss Kenny Jackett will be looking to celebrate with a glass of champagne after being named Coca-Cola League 1 Manager of the Month for September.
But he has warned his high-flying Lions not to lose their fizz.
Jackett led his team to four straight wins over Hartlepool United, Leicester City, Cheltenham Town and Swindon Town to move up to fourth in the table.
His eyes are now firmly focused on October's congested fixture list as he aims to restore the club's self belief, and give its long-suffering supporters something to cheer about.
Jackett said: "This award means a lot to us after having such a promising start to the season.
"We wanted to prove to the players that they can be successful and win games - and also show that to the supporters.
"They have not had too much to cheer about recently. Over the past two seasons Millwall's first 10 games have not gone well and that's been tough on them.
"We wanted to be competitive in the first 10 games and give ourselves a good basis to build on.
"I want to say congratulations to all my staff who have helped me since the start of the season.
"We now want to turn our attention to October. It'll be a very busy month. With six league games, there are a lot of points for us to capitalize on."
It marks a complete contrast to last season's nail-biting finale where the Lions were battling against relegation.
A substantial injury list did not help matters, so Jackett is hoping for an easier ride this term.
He added: "When I came in and we needed to stay up. That was a big thing. Now we have to go one stage further and improve.
"We had a lot of injuries last year and hope for better luck this year. Our improved fitness levels will help.
"It was nerve-wracking at times last season but we lived to fight another day and look forward to the rest of this season."
September Managers of the Month Named
Championship: Burnley's Owen Coyle..
Burnley {beating out Steve Coppell, Mick McCarthy and Paul Sturrock]
"...The Clarets went unbeaten for the whole month. They picked up four wins in five games in the division including derby wins over Blackpool and Preston - as well as dumping Fulham out of the Carling Cup."
League One Kenny Jacket
League Two - Alan Knill of - Bury
Football League - JACKETT THE PICK OF LEAGUE 1
Millwall boss Kenny Jackett will be looking to celebrate with a glass of champagne after being named Coca-Cola League 1 Manager of the Month for September.
But he has warned his high-flying Lions not to lose their fizz.
Jackett led his team to four straight wins over Hartlepool United, Leicester City, Cheltenham Town and Swindon Town to move up to fourth in the table.
His eyes are now firmly focused on October's congested fixture list as he aims to restore the club's self belief, and give its long-suffering supporters something to cheer about.
Jackett said: "This award means a lot to us after having such a promising start to the season.
"We wanted to prove to the players that they can be successful and win games - and also show that to the supporters.
"They have not had too much to cheer about recently. Over the past two seasons Millwall's first 10 games have not gone well and that's been tough on them.
"We wanted to be competitive in the first 10 games and give ourselves a good basis to build on.
"I want to say congratulations to all my staff who have helped me since the start of the season.
"We now want to turn our attention to October. It'll be a very busy month. With six league games, there are a lot of points for us to capitalize on."
It marks a complete contrast to last season's nail-biting finale where the Lions were battling against relegation.
A substantial injury list did not help matters, so Jackett is hoping for an easier ride this term.
He added: "When I came in and we needed to stay up. That was a big thing. Now we have to go one stage further and improve.
"We had a lot of injuries last year and hope for better luck this year. Our improved fitness levels will help.
"It was nerve-wracking at times last season but we lived to fight another day and look forward to the rest of this season."
QPR's Supposed Dismissal of Two Long-Time Employees....Cerny Over Camp Questioned...
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Paul Warburton, London Informer - Warbo's Word: Not the way forward, qpr
Those with cash to flash paid £50 a seat to see QPR take on Derby last Saturday - but the club couldn't afford £20 each to retain the services of two its most faithful servants.
Peter Elliott and Tony Hook were press room stewards for a combined 65 years until they received dismissal letters two hours before the game against Southampton.
The letters, signed by Dick Turner, events manager at the stadium, told them the arrival of hot food for the assembled media in the press room negated their services and they were no longer needed.
They were offered a parting gift of six seats this season in the 'silver' area of the ground - two pricing tiers down from the 'platinum' £50 variety - and shown the door.
Elliott hung about which was just as well.
There was no-one else to hand out the identity tags, distribute the match programme and team sheet and take care of the 10,000 other little helpful jobs that's made working in the QPR press area a pleasure for the last 10 years.
Two years back, both were asked to take NVQ courses and train to hand out press passes and whip the cellophane off a tray of sandwiches. Both reckoned they would have to take time off work, and frankly, to be helpful, genial, and continue their duties dutifully executed for all the time yours truly has been going to games, a course appeared overkill.
At the time, your favourite local paper saved the day, but the refused courses was mentioned in their letters. It seems they were marked men, no matter what. There are Rangers insiders who are none too happy about the new 'corporate' feel at the club. Yes, everything's shiny and smart. Yes, long overdue changes have come to pass.
But, Rangers' new 'platinum' feel appears to have overlooked the diamonds in their midst. Diamonds, by the way, that cost less than £4-an-hour to polish Rangers' image at the club with the fourth-richest man in the world on board. London Informer
Note: Back in April, 2007, There was this report of QPR Stwards Departing.
Mirror/Anne Gripper - The only thing more baffling than QPR's ticket prices is manager Iain Dowie's insistence on playing Radek Cerny
Football ticket prices have been spiralling out of control for several years - but 50 quid for a Championship match between QPR and Derby was taking the p***. And that was even before the team turned in such a dreadful performance.
R's fans were left frustrated again by a draw with Blackpool on Tuesday night as the side continued to look disjointed and if they didn't know before, Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone should now be well aware it is one thing talking about securing promotion to the Premier League, quite another to do it.
After dispatching Aston Villa in last week's Carling Cup match, Iain Dowie's men have a tantalising clash with Manchester United to look forward to, even if Fergie fields his kids.
And come November 11, when the tie is due to be played, Rangers should have a better idea of whether their season is going to be a whole lot of anticipation but the usual disappointment.
One thing Dowie could do to help himself is give Lee Camp a run in goal. The Rangers fans loitering outside the Springbok pub on South Africa Road on Saturday hailed him with a chorus of "England's number one" as he walked back to his car on Saturday, before quickly switching to "Rangers' number one".
You have to agree - why Dowie continues to favour the flapping Radek Cerny is a mystery." Mirror
Paul Warburton, London Informer - Warbo's Word: Not the way forward, qpr
Those with cash to flash paid £50 a seat to see QPR take on Derby last Saturday - but the club couldn't afford £20 each to retain the services of two its most faithful servants.
Peter Elliott and Tony Hook were press room stewards for a combined 65 years until they received dismissal letters two hours before the game against Southampton.
The letters, signed by Dick Turner, events manager at the stadium, told them the arrival of hot food for the assembled media in the press room negated their services and they were no longer needed.
They were offered a parting gift of six seats this season in the 'silver' area of the ground - two pricing tiers down from the 'platinum' £50 variety - and shown the door.
Elliott hung about which was just as well.
There was no-one else to hand out the identity tags, distribute the match programme and team sheet and take care of the 10,000 other little helpful jobs that's made working in the QPR press area a pleasure for the last 10 years.
Two years back, both were asked to take NVQ courses and train to hand out press passes and whip the cellophane off a tray of sandwiches. Both reckoned they would have to take time off work, and frankly, to be helpful, genial, and continue their duties dutifully executed for all the time yours truly has been going to games, a course appeared overkill.
At the time, your favourite local paper saved the day, but the refused courses was mentioned in their letters. It seems they were marked men, no matter what. There are Rangers insiders who are none too happy about the new 'corporate' feel at the club. Yes, everything's shiny and smart. Yes, long overdue changes have come to pass.
But, Rangers' new 'platinum' feel appears to have overlooked the diamonds in their midst. Diamonds, by the way, that cost less than £4-an-hour to polish Rangers' image at the club with the fourth-richest man in the world on board. London Informer
Note: Back in April, 2007, There was this report of QPR Stwards Departing.
Mirror/Anne Gripper - The only thing more baffling than QPR's ticket prices is manager Iain Dowie's insistence on playing Radek Cerny
Football ticket prices have been spiralling out of control for several years - but 50 quid for a Championship match between QPR and Derby was taking the p***. And that was even before the team turned in such a dreadful performance.
R's fans were left frustrated again by a draw with Blackpool on Tuesday night as the side continued to look disjointed and if they didn't know before, Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone should now be well aware it is one thing talking about securing promotion to the Premier League, quite another to do it.
After dispatching Aston Villa in last week's Carling Cup match, Iain Dowie's men have a tantalising clash with Manchester United to look forward to, even if Fergie fields his kids.
And come November 11, when the tie is due to be played, Rangers should have a better idea of whether their season is going to be a whole lot of anticipation but the usual disappointment.
One thing Dowie could do to help himself is give Lee Camp a run in goal. The Rangers fans loitering outside the Springbok pub on South Africa Road on Saturday hailed him with a chorus of "England's number one" as he walked back to his car on Saturday, before quickly switching to "Rangers' number one".
You have to agree - why Dowie continues to favour the flapping Radek Cerny is a mystery." Mirror
Zesh Rehman's Playing (and Managing) Ambitions...Lee Cook Looks Forward to Birmingham
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PFA's Give Me Football/Dave Smith - Zesh is a perfect role model
Captain of Pakistan, Rehman hopes to manage his country one day.
Zesh is hoping to stabilise his career at Blackpool. (©PAphotos) Zesh RehmanBlackpool; it s a good club with an ambitious young manager 'My sole purpose in trying to be a success as a professional footballer is to inspire other Asian players to follow my lead and achieve their goals'.
The words of Zesh Rehman say so much about a dedicated young man who has had to work harder than most wannabee professionals to make a name for himself in the English game.
As the first Pakistani to make it to pro-level in this country, Zesh realised from a young age that he was going to be classed as a role model for other Asian hopefuls who might be put off by hindrances and prejudices.
It was a role he was happy to take on board, and he recalls a defining moment in his development. "I remember being told once that Asian footballers wouldn't make it to the top level because...
* we were scared of the weather;
* that our diet was bad;
* that we weren't strong enough to compete.
"I was determined to prove them wrong!"
And, having represented Fulham, QPR, Brighton, Norwich and now Blackpool with distinction, he has gone a long way towards disproving that particular, blinkered theory - a very long way.
All the way, in fact, from his hometown of Birmingham, to London and now to the North West of England in his quest to set an example for others to follow.
Inspired by his family and in particular elder brother Rizwan, who sadly had to quit the game at an early age through injury having impressed at Brentford, Zesh put his heart and soul into taking the next big step.
"I worked hard to, firstly, get into the school team, then the district and county teams and each year I had to work even harder to keep up with the other kids," he recalls. "But, with the support of my family and others around me, I was determined to make it."
And, after moving from Birmingham to London with his family, he did make the all-important breakthrough when he was spotted by a Fulham scout and taken on at the club's academy.
He went on to make exactly 30 first team appearances for Fulham, representing England Under 17s and Under 20s along the way, and he remains grateful to former Cottagers' boss Chris Coleman and coach Steve Keen for giving him the opportunity...
Not just to play pro-football at the top level, but to send out a message to other Asian players that dreams can come true. "I was getting a lot of publicity in the media at the time for being the first Asian to make the grade but I didn't see that as a pressure; more a privilege because even at that young age I recognised that I was making a significant impact. I just wanted to inspire others to do the same."
Loan spells at Brighton and Norwich followed before Zesh moved to QPR where he accumulated another 50-odd first team appearances, despite his progress being hampered by the fact that Rangers had five different managers during his two years at Loftus Road.
After completing his move from Fulham to Rangers, he was quoted as saying: "All I want to do is play; the money doesn't interest me anymore. I could have sat at Fulham and just been happy to pick up my wages but that's not what I am all about."
Such a comment is typical of a well-rounded professional who is understandably proud to have represented Pakistan at international level on half a dozen occasions. As captain of his country, there will be more caps to follow, that's for sure, and his long-term ambitions are to qualify for the World Cup finals - and to manage the national team one day.
For now though, Zesh admits he is seeking some 'stability' in a career which has become 'dis-jointed' by loan moves and not having the continuity of working with one manager for a longer period of time (he's played under 12 so far.) He hopes to find that stability in Blackpool where the only rollercoaster rides he is interested in are those at the famous Pleasure Beach.
"I'm quite glad to get away from all the hustle and bustle of London," Zesh admits. "I really like it up here in Blackpool; it s a good club with an ambitious young manager. Hopefully, over the next few months I can convince Simon Grayson I'm worthy of a long-term contract."
After achieving so many goals already in his career, there's no reason why this latest one shouldn't produce the same positive result.
* Zesh has recently set up a website with a view to giving advice to, and receiving feedback from, young Asians considering a career in the game. Find out more by visiting - www.zeshrehman.com - PFA
QPR Official Site - Lee Cook COOK: DON'T WRITE US OFF YET
Lee Cook insists Rangers are heading to St Andrews this weekend aiming to lay down a marker to the rest of the division.
After two below-par performances at Loftus Road, the R's travel to the Midlands for a Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Alex McLeish's in-form Blues.
And Cook, who scored a wonder-goal for the R's at St Andrews two seasons ago, is adamant Rangers can build on their last trip to the Midlands, when Damion Stewart's header clinched victory over Aston Villa in the Carling Cup.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Cook said: "No-one expects us to go there and get a result, but people were writing us off prior to Villa and probably again at Norwich when we were down to ten men for over an hour - but we got results there, so let's just wait and see.
"They're obviously going to enjoy long spells of possession at times, but if we play to our full potential, we're capable of pushing them all the way."
Cook is relishing the opportunity of playing in front of a boisterous home crowd, as well as the small matter of a TV audience of millions on Sky Sports.
"I love playing at big grounds like St Andrews," he said.
"As a professional footballer, you relish playing in front of big crowds and that will certainly be the case this weekend.
"The fact it's on Sky Sports adds an extra bit of spice to the occasion and the fact we're two of the favourites to go up makes it even more exciting."
Cook added: "They've got a great squad, with devastating attacking options - there front-line alone are worth in excess of £10 million.
"But we've done okay on the road and Fitz (Hall) and Damion (Stewart) in particular are playing really well at the heart of our back four.
"Of course we'll have to weather the storm at times, but to a man, we believe we can get a positive result there."
QPR
PFA's Give Me Football/Dave Smith - Zesh is a perfect role model
Captain of Pakistan, Rehman hopes to manage his country one day.
Zesh is hoping to stabilise his career at Blackpool. (©PAphotos) Zesh RehmanBlackpool; it s a good club with an ambitious young manager 'My sole purpose in trying to be a success as a professional footballer is to inspire other Asian players to follow my lead and achieve their goals'.
The words of Zesh Rehman say so much about a dedicated young man who has had to work harder than most wannabee professionals to make a name for himself in the English game.
As the first Pakistani to make it to pro-level in this country, Zesh realised from a young age that he was going to be classed as a role model for other Asian hopefuls who might be put off by hindrances and prejudices.
It was a role he was happy to take on board, and he recalls a defining moment in his development. "I remember being told once that Asian footballers wouldn't make it to the top level because...
* we were scared of the weather;
* that our diet was bad;
* that we weren't strong enough to compete.
"I was determined to prove them wrong!"
And, having represented Fulham, QPR, Brighton, Norwich and now Blackpool with distinction, he has gone a long way towards disproving that particular, blinkered theory - a very long way.
All the way, in fact, from his hometown of Birmingham, to London and now to the North West of England in his quest to set an example for others to follow.
Inspired by his family and in particular elder brother Rizwan, who sadly had to quit the game at an early age through injury having impressed at Brentford, Zesh put his heart and soul into taking the next big step.
"I worked hard to, firstly, get into the school team, then the district and county teams and each year I had to work even harder to keep up with the other kids," he recalls. "But, with the support of my family and others around me, I was determined to make it."
And, after moving from Birmingham to London with his family, he did make the all-important breakthrough when he was spotted by a Fulham scout and taken on at the club's academy.
He went on to make exactly 30 first team appearances for Fulham, representing England Under 17s and Under 20s along the way, and he remains grateful to former Cottagers' boss Chris Coleman and coach Steve Keen for giving him the opportunity...
Not just to play pro-football at the top level, but to send out a message to other Asian players that dreams can come true. "I was getting a lot of publicity in the media at the time for being the first Asian to make the grade but I didn't see that as a pressure; more a privilege because even at that young age I recognised that I was making a significant impact. I just wanted to inspire others to do the same."
Loan spells at Brighton and Norwich followed before Zesh moved to QPR where he accumulated another 50-odd first team appearances, despite his progress being hampered by the fact that Rangers had five different managers during his two years at Loftus Road.
After completing his move from Fulham to Rangers, he was quoted as saying: "All I want to do is play; the money doesn't interest me anymore. I could have sat at Fulham and just been happy to pick up my wages but that's not what I am all about."
Such a comment is typical of a well-rounded professional who is understandably proud to have represented Pakistan at international level on half a dozen occasions. As captain of his country, there will be more caps to follow, that's for sure, and his long-term ambitions are to qualify for the World Cup finals - and to manage the national team one day.
For now though, Zesh admits he is seeking some 'stability' in a career which has become 'dis-jointed' by loan moves and not having the continuity of working with one manager for a longer period of time (he's played under 12 so far.) He hopes to find that stability in Blackpool where the only rollercoaster rides he is interested in are those at the famous Pleasure Beach.
"I'm quite glad to get away from all the hustle and bustle of London," Zesh admits. "I really like it up here in Blackpool; it s a good club with an ambitious young manager. Hopefully, over the next few months I can convince Simon Grayson I'm worthy of a long-term contract."
After achieving so many goals already in his career, there's no reason why this latest one shouldn't produce the same positive result.
* Zesh has recently set up a website with a view to giving advice to, and receiving feedback from, young Asians considering a career in the game. Find out more by visiting - www.zeshrehman.com - PFA
QPR Official Site - Lee Cook COOK: DON'T WRITE US OFF YET
Lee Cook insists Rangers are heading to St Andrews this weekend aiming to lay down a marker to the rest of the division.
After two below-par performances at Loftus Road, the R's travel to the Midlands for a Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Alex McLeish's in-form Blues.
And Cook, who scored a wonder-goal for the R's at St Andrews two seasons ago, is adamant Rangers can build on their last trip to the Midlands, when Damion Stewart's header clinched victory over Aston Villa in the Carling Cup.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Cook said: "No-one expects us to go there and get a result, but people were writing us off prior to Villa and probably again at Norwich when we were down to ten men for over an hour - but we got results there, so let's just wait and see.
"They're obviously going to enjoy long spells of possession at times, but if we play to our full potential, we're capable of pushing them all the way."
Cook is relishing the opportunity of playing in front of a boisterous home crowd, as well as the small matter of a TV audience of millions on Sky Sports.
"I love playing at big grounds like St Andrews," he said.
"As a professional footballer, you relish playing in front of big crowds and that will certainly be the case this weekend.
"The fact it's on Sky Sports adds an extra bit of spice to the occasion and the fact we're two of the favourites to go up makes it even more exciting."
Cook added: "They've got a great squad, with devastating attacking options - there front-line alone are worth in excess of £10 million.
"But we've done okay on the road and Fitz (Hall) and Damion (Stewart) in particular are playing really well at the heart of our back four.
"Of course we'll have to weather the storm at times, but to a man, we believe we can get a positive result there."
QPR
Some Non-QPR Football/Soccer Snippets
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A few non-QPR football/soccer stories today:
- Independent/John Nisbet - Spanish judge alleges 'mafia fixed Zenit win'
"A Spanish judge has sent German authorities recordings that allege Russian mafia figures tried to fix last season's Uefa Cup semi-final between Bayern Munich and Zenit St Petersburg, judicial sources said yesterday. Russian champions Zenit crushed Bayern 4-0 at home in the second leg to win 5-1 on aggregate before going on to beat Rangers in the final at the City of Manchester Stadium..."Independent
- Why is Zizou so riled about a PSG winger's autobiography?
- BBC: The Abuse on Sol Campbell
- BBC Wrexham Appoint Dean Saunders as Their New Manager
- Telegraph "West Ham win £30m case delay"
- Carlisle United Official Site: The High Cost of Policing Games "Leeds Police Bill Tops £25,000"
"Carlisle United today expressed deep concern about the rising cost of policing matches at Brunton Park after being charged £25,000 plus VAT for the previous home game against Leeds....United's managing director John Nixon said: "It is getting extremely worrying. The figures now involved for policing matches at this level are the sort that will put clubs out of business. The police charges are just going up and up and up. "The £25,000 plus VAT police bill for our Leeds game has completely wiped away the profit we were looking to make. It would have been even worse but the original figure of more than £28,000 plus VAT was reduced after discussions with Cumbria Police. "Compare that to last year's League One fixture at home to Leeds, when our policing costs were less than £7,000, rising to £21,000 for the play-off game here..."
- Telegraph - Top 10: Football teams 'too good to go down'
- Football League "Here Comes The Bride" - Club Dressing Room as Location for Marriage Ceremonies
- Recalling Stoke's League Cup Final Win Over Chelsea!
- Independent - Elton John unhappy at Watford
- BBC How Ebbfleet are Doing, Since MyFootballClub Fan Website Takeover
- Goal.com/Greg Lalas "New Dating Website Hopes To Help Soccer Fans Score"
"A recently launched website aims to help soccer fanatics around the world meet that special someone who is equally passionate about the beautiful game."
[The new site is FootballFanFinder.com
- "Soccer Facing Reality Check" - Plymouth Chairman on Ticket Prices/Gates at Clubs (including QPR)
A few non-QPR football/soccer stories today:
- Independent/John Nisbet - Spanish judge alleges 'mafia fixed Zenit win'
"A Spanish judge has sent German authorities recordings that allege Russian mafia figures tried to fix last season's Uefa Cup semi-final between Bayern Munich and Zenit St Petersburg, judicial sources said yesterday. Russian champions Zenit crushed Bayern 4-0 at home in the second leg to win 5-1 on aggregate before going on to beat Rangers in the final at the City of Manchester Stadium..."Independent
- Why is Zizou so riled about a PSG winger's autobiography?
- BBC: The Abuse on Sol Campbell
- BBC Wrexham Appoint Dean Saunders as Their New Manager
- Telegraph "West Ham win £30m case delay"
- Carlisle United Official Site: The High Cost of Policing Games "Leeds Police Bill Tops £25,000"
"Carlisle United today expressed deep concern about the rising cost of policing matches at Brunton Park after being charged £25,000 plus VAT for the previous home game against Leeds....United's managing director John Nixon said: "It is getting extremely worrying. The figures now involved for policing matches at this level are the sort that will put clubs out of business. The police charges are just going up and up and up. "The £25,000 plus VAT police bill for our Leeds game has completely wiped away the profit we were looking to make. It would have been even worse but the original figure of more than £28,000 plus VAT was reduced after discussions with Cumbria Police. "Compare that to last year's League One fixture at home to Leeds, when our policing costs were less than £7,000, rising to £21,000 for the play-off game here..."
- Telegraph - Top 10: Football teams 'too good to go down'
- Football League "Here Comes The Bride" - Club Dressing Room as Location for Marriage Ceremonies
- Recalling Stoke's League Cup Final Win Over Chelsea!
- Independent - Elton John unhappy at Watford
- BBC How Ebbfleet are Doing, Since MyFootballClub Fan Website Takeover
- Goal.com/Greg Lalas "New Dating Website Hopes To Help Soccer Fans Score"
"A recently launched website aims to help soccer fanatics around the world meet that special someone who is equally passionate about the beautiful game."
[The new site is FootballFanFinder.com
- "Soccer Facing Reality Check" - Plymouth Chairman on Ticket Prices/Gates at Clubs (including QPR)
Snippets: Ex-QPR's Mel Johnson Now Spurs Chief Scout...Year Since Vine & Jarrett Joined...Reserves Lose....Stefan Moore Club?...Watson Update...Shanks
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Moving beyond the incredible snideness of the comment, an interesting fact about a man who did a great job at QPR, before moving to Spurs: Mel Johnson is now apparently Spurs Chief Scout.
Charles Sale/Daily Mail - Mel Johnson
"...Beleaguered Spurs director of football Damien Comolli has axed four experienced scouts - Tony Book, Bryan King, Alan Hill and Eddie Presland - for being too old. Yet he has replaced Presland as chief scout with Mel Johnson, an ex-greetings card salesman who failed to make the first team at QPR or Reading. A club spokesperson defended the appointment, citing Steve Rowley, Arsenal's chief scout, as not having been a professional. Mail
[See also " - January 2005: Mel Johnson Leaves QPR for Spurs
Telegraph
Damien Comolli's scouting overhaul at Tottenham under the spotlight
Tottenham's much maligned sporting director Damien Comolli has reportedly culled four of the club's experienced scouts.
In with the new: Damien Comolli makes changes to scouting staff at Spurs. Photo: AP
Comolli, the man Spurs fans have pointed the finger of blame at for their poor start to the season, is said to have axed Tony Book, Bryan King, Alan Hill and Eddie Presland for being too old, according to the Mail .
Former greetings card salesman Mel Johnson, who joined the club from QPR two years ago, is expected to replace outgoing Presland as chief scout.
The decision to promote Johnson may well be questioned in some quarters by already perplexed Tottenham fans as Johnson failed to make the grade as a professional footballer at QPR and Reading.
Comolli is already under pressure at Spurs for his failure to bring in a big-name signing to fill Dimitar Berbatov's void, following his transfer deadline day move to Manchester United.
Spurs assistant Gus Poyet further highlighted the club's attacking frailties earlier this week with his striking admission that Darren Bent and Roman Pavlyuchenko are incompatible.
And Comolli's new-look background staff are certain to be scruntised if they fail to recruit the necessary players needed to challenge the Premier League's top four."...
Telegraph
[QPR Reserves lost to Crystal Palace last night. Of course, according to the Palace Official Site, earlier yesterday "Crystal Palace reserves take on Luton Town tonight in a reserve league fixture..."! - Crystal Palace - QPR and Palace Reports
QPR Official Site - IN RESERVE: LATE GOAL SINKS R'S
QPR Reserves went down 3-2 against their Crystal Palace counterparts at Bromley Football Club this evening, despite a spirited second-half display which saw them pull back a two-goal deficit thanks to strikes from Angelo Balanta and Hogan Ephraim.
In what was a tight opening half of few chances, the hosts went in leading 1-0 at the break thanks to a Simon Thomas penalty on 23 minutes, after R's left back Femi Ilesanmi was adjudged to have brought down Neil Danns in the area.
The game exploded into life after the interval, however, with three goals in the opening 15 minutes of the half.
Palace doubled their lead on 51 minutes when Danns smashed home a far post header following an excellent delivery from the right by Nathanial Clyne.
At that stage the R's looked dead and buried but, with Gareth Ainsworth as their Manager, we should have known they wouldn't go down without a battle. And battle is exactly what they did.
Ephraim, playing on the right wing, turned in a determined and passionate display in a clear bid to catch Iain Dowie's eye.
And the watching R's gaffer can't have failed to be impressed by the former West Ham man's skilful run and cross down the flank which beautifully picked out Balanta in the box after 55 minutes.
And the striker made no mistake as he arrived bang on cue to drive the ball beyond the despairing dive of Darryl Flahavan from 16 yards.
With the visitors now in the ascendancy, it wasn't long before they found themselves level in this match - and what a way to do it.
The impressive Ephraim curled a stunning free-kick from 20 yards into the top right hand corner, leaving Flahavan rooted to the spot in the Palace goal.
At 2-2, there appeared to be only one winner as Rangers went in search of a crucial third.
Despite the best efforts of Balanta, who produced an excellent performance, it was the hosts who snatched the victory, however, when substitute Michael Abnett fired beyond Reece Crowther.
Although Ainsworth will have been disappointed to see his charges lose this contest, he would have been delighted with the commitment he got from his players, most notably Ephraim, Balanta and Adam Bolder.
QPR Reserves: Crowther, Ilesanmi, Oastler, Gorkss, Harris, Rose (Flood, 46), Tommasi, Bolder, Ephraim, Balanta (Arthur, 75), Di Carmine.
Subs: Bulmer, Ainsworth. QPR
Crystal Palace Official Site - Reserves Victory
Crystal Palace reserves snatched a 3-2 win against QPR last night at Bromley Football cCub.
In the opening 20 minutes neither side had much to shout about, but that all changed on the 23rd minute thanks to Neil Danns being brought down in the penalty area by R's left back Femi Ilesana.
Simon Thomas stepped up to the spot and calmly deposited the ball into the back of the net to the delight of the Eagles fans, in what would be the only goal of the first half.
However, within 15 minutes of referee blowing the whistle to start the second half, the game would see three goals.
Having been brought down in the first half, Danns got his name on the score-sheet with a header at the far post following a superb delivery from the right by Nathanial Clyne.
With the Eagles looking comfortable the R's began to show some fight in front of former Palace manager and current R's boss Iain Dowie.
A mesmerising run and cross from Ephraim proved fruitful on the 55th minute when he picked out Balanta who made no mistake in driving the ball past Darryl Flahavan from 16 yards.
With the visitors 2-1 down and over half an hour to play it was not long before the scores were levelled.
Ephraim was again involved as his free kick from 20 yards flew straight into the top right corner past Flahavan.
With the momentum appearing to be with the R's it was the Eagles who grabbed the decisive and winning strike.
Michael Abnett was the hero as he fired beyond Reece Crowther to ensure his team walked away from Hayes Lane with all three points. Crystal Palace
Two Players who joined QPR on loan a year ago today:
- Rowan Vine: It's a year to the day since Rowan Vine initially joined QPR. "Rowan Vine Signs on Loan"
- Jason Jarrett Joins on Loan: Another player who joined QPR a year ago today, on a three months Loan: - and then was strangely almost immediately returned: Then Preston's Jason Jarrett "Jarret Joins QPR on Three MOnth Loan"
Don Shanks Turns 56 - Born October 2nd, 1952. Dave Sexton's first signing, when he took over at QPR in 1974: Shanks was signed from Luton in November, 1974. A full back, who also played a few games in midfield. He initially was mostly a reserve, before playing most games in his last four seasons at QPR. In August, 1981, Shanks joined Brighton on a free. (Shanks was also known for being good friends with Stan Bowles!) Shanks Stats. Also Shanks/Wikipedia
Kidderminster Shuttle/Peter McKinney - Yates eyes up ex-Villa striker - Stefan Moore
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers manager Mark Yates is casting his eye over former Aston Villa hitman Stefan Moore as he bids to strengthen his Blue Square Premier promotion chasers.
Yates is having a good look at the 26-year-old hitman, who has trained with Harriers this week and scored twice in Tuesday night’s 5-2 friendly win over Bewdley Town at Ribbesford Meadows.
Yates is determined to strengthen his squad so they can cement their position in the play-off places, after Saturday’s 3-2 win over Eastbourne Borough propelled them into second (read report) .
If the former Queens Park Rangers and Port Vale forward signs then it will mark another busy week of squad restructuring by Harriers’ manager....
“Stefan’s training with us at the moment and he played in our friendly,” said Yates.
“I’m not sure if anything will happen, we’ll just have to wait and see.
“We’re always looking for players to strengthen the squad but I am confident we’ve got a talented group here....". Kidderminster Shuttle
News of Ben Watson - the player we keep hearing on message boards, will be joining QPR:
BBC Gossip "Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has been promised £2m to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson in the January transfer window. (Various) BBC Gossip
Ex-QPR Loans Michael Mancienne and Martin Cranie in Latest England U-21 Squad
- FA - Full Squad
Moving beyond the incredible snideness of the comment, an interesting fact about a man who did a great job at QPR, before moving to Spurs: Mel Johnson is now apparently Spurs Chief Scout.
Charles Sale/Daily Mail - Mel Johnson
"...Beleaguered Spurs director of football Damien Comolli has axed four experienced scouts - Tony Book, Bryan King, Alan Hill and Eddie Presland - for being too old. Yet he has replaced Presland as chief scout with Mel Johnson, an ex-greetings card salesman who failed to make the first team at QPR or Reading. A club spokesperson defended the appointment, citing Steve Rowley, Arsenal's chief scout, as not having been a professional. Mail
[See also " - January 2005: Mel Johnson Leaves QPR for Spurs
Telegraph
Damien Comolli's scouting overhaul at Tottenham under the spotlight
Tottenham's much maligned sporting director Damien Comolli has reportedly culled four of the club's experienced scouts.
In with the new: Damien Comolli makes changes to scouting staff at Spurs. Photo: AP
Comolli, the man Spurs fans have pointed the finger of blame at for their poor start to the season, is said to have axed Tony Book, Bryan King, Alan Hill and Eddie Presland for being too old, according to the Mail .
Former greetings card salesman Mel Johnson, who joined the club from QPR two years ago, is expected to replace outgoing Presland as chief scout.
The decision to promote Johnson may well be questioned in some quarters by already perplexed Tottenham fans as Johnson failed to make the grade as a professional footballer at QPR and Reading.
Comolli is already under pressure at Spurs for his failure to bring in a big-name signing to fill Dimitar Berbatov's void, following his transfer deadline day move to Manchester United.
Spurs assistant Gus Poyet further highlighted the club's attacking frailties earlier this week with his striking admission that Darren Bent and Roman Pavlyuchenko are incompatible.
And Comolli's new-look background staff are certain to be scruntised if they fail to recruit the necessary players needed to challenge the Premier League's top four."...
Telegraph
[QPR Reserves lost to Crystal Palace last night. Of course, according to the Palace Official Site, earlier yesterday "Crystal Palace reserves take on Luton Town tonight in a reserve league fixture..."! - Crystal Palace - QPR and Palace Reports
QPR Official Site - IN RESERVE: LATE GOAL SINKS R'S
QPR Reserves went down 3-2 against their Crystal Palace counterparts at Bromley Football Club this evening, despite a spirited second-half display which saw them pull back a two-goal deficit thanks to strikes from Angelo Balanta and Hogan Ephraim.
In what was a tight opening half of few chances, the hosts went in leading 1-0 at the break thanks to a Simon Thomas penalty on 23 minutes, after R's left back Femi Ilesanmi was adjudged to have brought down Neil Danns in the area.
The game exploded into life after the interval, however, with three goals in the opening 15 minutes of the half.
Palace doubled their lead on 51 minutes when Danns smashed home a far post header following an excellent delivery from the right by Nathanial Clyne.
At that stage the R's looked dead and buried but, with Gareth Ainsworth as their Manager, we should have known they wouldn't go down without a battle. And battle is exactly what they did.
Ephraim, playing on the right wing, turned in a determined and passionate display in a clear bid to catch Iain Dowie's eye.
And the watching R's gaffer can't have failed to be impressed by the former West Ham man's skilful run and cross down the flank which beautifully picked out Balanta in the box after 55 minutes.
And the striker made no mistake as he arrived bang on cue to drive the ball beyond the despairing dive of Darryl Flahavan from 16 yards.
With the visitors now in the ascendancy, it wasn't long before they found themselves level in this match - and what a way to do it.
The impressive Ephraim curled a stunning free-kick from 20 yards into the top right hand corner, leaving Flahavan rooted to the spot in the Palace goal.
At 2-2, there appeared to be only one winner as Rangers went in search of a crucial third.
Despite the best efforts of Balanta, who produced an excellent performance, it was the hosts who snatched the victory, however, when substitute Michael Abnett fired beyond Reece Crowther.
Although Ainsworth will have been disappointed to see his charges lose this contest, he would have been delighted with the commitment he got from his players, most notably Ephraim, Balanta and Adam Bolder.
QPR Reserves: Crowther, Ilesanmi, Oastler, Gorkss, Harris, Rose (Flood, 46), Tommasi, Bolder, Ephraim, Balanta (Arthur, 75), Di Carmine.
Subs: Bulmer, Ainsworth. QPR
Crystal Palace Official Site - Reserves Victory
Crystal Palace reserves snatched a 3-2 win against QPR last night at Bromley Football cCub.
In the opening 20 minutes neither side had much to shout about, but that all changed on the 23rd minute thanks to Neil Danns being brought down in the penalty area by R's left back Femi Ilesana.
Simon Thomas stepped up to the spot and calmly deposited the ball into the back of the net to the delight of the Eagles fans, in what would be the only goal of the first half.
However, within 15 minutes of referee blowing the whistle to start the second half, the game would see three goals.
Having been brought down in the first half, Danns got his name on the score-sheet with a header at the far post following a superb delivery from the right by Nathanial Clyne.
With the Eagles looking comfortable the R's began to show some fight in front of former Palace manager and current R's boss Iain Dowie.
A mesmerising run and cross from Ephraim proved fruitful on the 55th minute when he picked out Balanta who made no mistake in driving the ball past Darryl Flahavan from 16 yards.
With the visitors 2-1 down and over half an hour to play it was not long before the scores were levelled.
Ephraim was again involved as his free kick from 20 yards flew straight into the top right corner past Flahavan.
With the momentum appearing to be with the R's it was the Eagles who grabbed the decisive and winning strike.
Michael Abnett was the hero as he fired beyond Reece Crowther to ensure his team walked away from Hayes Lane with all three points. Crystal Palace
Two Players who joined QPR on loan a year ago today:
- Rowan Vine: It's a year to the day since Rowan Vine initially joined QPR. "Rowan Vine Signs on Loan"
- Jason Jarrett Joins on Loan: Another player who joined QPR a year ago today, on a three months Loan: - and then was strangely almost immediately returned: Then Preston's Jason Jarrett "Jarret Joins QPR on Three MOnth Loan"
Don Shanks Turns 56 - Born October 2nd, 1952. Dave Sexton's first signing, when he took over at QPR in 1974: Shanks was signed from Luton in November, 1974. A full back, who also played a few games in midfield. He initially was mostly a reserve, before playing most games in his last four seasons at QPR. In August, 1981, Shanks joined Brighton on a free. (Shanks was also known for being good friends with Stan Bowles!) Shanks Stats. Also Shanks/Wikipedia
Kidderminster Shuttle/Peter McKinney - Yates eyes up ex-Villa striker - Stefan Moore
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers manager Mark Yates is casting his eye over former Aston Villa hitman Stefan Moore as he bids to strengthen his Blue Square Premier promotion chasers.
Yates is having a good look at the 26-year-old hitman, who has trained with Harriers this week and scored twice in Tuesday night’s 5-2 friendly win over Bewdley Town at Ribbesford Meadows.
Yates is determined to strengthen his squad so they can cement their position in the play-off places, after Saturday’s 3-2 win over Eastbourne Borough propelled them into second (read report) .
If the former Queens Park Rangers and Port Vale forward signs then it will mark another busy week of squad restructuring by Harriers’ manager....
“Stefan’s training with us at the moment and he played in our friendly,” said Yates.
“I’m not sure if anything will happen, we’ll just have to wait and see.
“We’re always looking for players to strengthen the squad but I am confident we’ve got a talented group here....". Kidderminster Shuttle
News of Ben Watson - the player we keep hearing on message boards, will be joining QPR:
BBC Gossip "Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has been promised £2m to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson in the January transfer window. (Various) BBC Gossip
Ex-QPR Loans Michael Mancienne and Martin Cranie in Latest England U-21 Squad
- FA - Full Squad
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Championship "Manager of the Month" Nominees
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Iain Dowie unforunately not one of the nominees. A week ago, with two home games to come, Dowie looked a shoe in..
Steve Coppell, McCarthy, Owen Coyle and Paul Sturrock are the Championship Nominees for September Manager of the Month
Football League - THE NOMINATIONS ARE IN
The nominations have now been announced for the Coca-Cola Championship Manager of the Month, following Tuesday's full programme of games.
Reading inflicted leaders' Wolverhampton Wanderers first defeat of the season, with a 3-0 win at Molineux.
The win takes the Royal's tally to three wins, one draw and one defeat for the month, earning Steve Coppell a nomination.
Despite the defeat against Reading Mick McCarthy's side still top the Championship, with an impressive 22 points from nine games. McCarthy was named Manager of the Month for August and his sides' 4 wins and one defeat could earn him the award again.
Also nominated is Burnley manager Owen Coyle, whose side manager four wins and one draw in September, as well as knocking Premier League side Fulham out of the Carling Cup. It is a massive turnaround after the Clarets failed to win a league game in August.
Paul Sturrock makes up the four nominees after his Plymouth side finished the month with an impressive 10 points from five games, winning three, drawing one and losing one. The wins came away at Watford and Crystal Palace and home to Nottingham Forest leaving the Pilgrims in 12th.
With Oldham Athletic and Scunthorpe United currently sharing top spot in Coca-Cola League 1, it's no surprise that both John Sheridan and Nigel Adkins are up for this month's award.
Oldham won two and drew two of their four matches, with the wins coming away at Tranmere Rovers and home against Milton Keynes Dons.
Scunthorpe on the other hand have won all four matches to surge up the table. The wins came away at Brighton & Hove Albion and Hereford United and at home against Carlisle and Yeovil.
Millwall are another team to have won all four matches, so Manager Kenny Jackett also deserves his nomination, securing wins over Hartlepool United, Leicester City, Cheltenham Town and Swindon Town. The Lions currently sit fourth in the table on joint points with third placed Leeds United.
Gary McAllister understandably makes up the nominees, after his Leeds side kept up their impressive start to the season with four league wins over Crewe Alexandra, Swindon, Carlisle United and Hereford United. They also progressed to Round 4 of the Carling Cup with a 4-3 win over Hartlepool.
There are also joint table toppers in Coca-Cola League 2 with Bury and Wycombe Wanderers sharing top spot and both Alan Knill and Peter Taylor are amongst September's nominees.
Both teams are the other ones in the division to remain unbeaten, with Bury having won two and drawn two, including Saturday's goalless game with Wycombe.
Wanderers' results mirror those of Bury, with wins over Rochdale and Dagenham & Redbridge and a draw with Brentford completing their run in September.
Brentford boss Andy Scott is also amongst the nominees after his side also won two and drew two of their four matches. The Bees' 1-0 win over Chesterfield on Saturday saw them move up to fourth in the League 2 table.
Keith Alexander completes the nominees after his Macclesfield Town side won three of their four matches in September. The Silkmen had failed to pick up a single point or even score a single league goal in August but a 2-1 win over Luton on September 6th kick-started their season. They went on to beat Bournemouth and Port Vale before losing to Exeter last weekend.
All winners will be announced on Thursday, live on Sky Sports News at 1.20pm, as well as www.football-league.co.uk.
Nominations Summary:
Championship
Paul Sturrock (Plymouth Argyle)
Mick McCarthy (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Steve Coppell (Reading)
Owen Coyle (Burnley)
League 1
John Sheridan (Oldham Athletic)
Kenny Jackett (Millwall)
Gary McAllister (Leeds United)
Nigel Adkins (Scunthorpe United)
League 2
Andy Scott (Brentford)
Peter Taylor (Wycombe Wanderers)
Keith Alexander (Macclesfield Town)
Alan Knill (Bury)
Football League
Iain Dowie unforunately not one of the nominees. A week ago, with two home games to come, Dowie looked a shoe in..
Steve Coppell, McCarthy, Owen Coyle and Paul Sturrock are the Championship Nominees for September Manager of the Month
Football League - THE NOMINATIONS ARE IN
The nominations have now been announced for the Coca-Cola Championship Manager of the Month, following Tuesday's full programme of games.
Reading inflicted leaders' Wolverhampton Wanderers first defeat of the season, with a 3-0 win at Molineux.
The win takes the Royal's tally to three wins, one draw and one defeat for the month, earning Steve Coppell a nomination.
Despite the defeat against Reading Mick McCarthy's side still top the Championship, with an impressive 22 points from nine games. McCarthy was named Manager of the Month for August and his sides' 4 wins and one defeat could earn him the award again.
Also nominated is Burnley manager Owen Coyle, whose side manager four wins and one draw in September, as well as knocking Premier League side Fulham out of the Carling Cup. It is a massive turnaround after the Clarets failed to win a league game in August.
Paul Sturrock makes up the four nominees after his Plymouth side finished the month with an impressive 10 points from five games, winning three, drawing one and losing one. The wins came away at Watford and Crystal Palace and home to Nottingham Forest leaving the Pilgrims in 12th.
With Oldham Athletic and Scunthorpe United currently sharing top spot in Coca-Cola League 1, it's no surprise that both John Sheridan and Nigel Adkins are up for this month's award.
Oldham won two and drew two of their four matches, with the wins coming away at Tranmere Rovers and home against Milton Keynes Dons.
Scunthorpe on the other hand have won all four matches to surge up the table. The wins came away at Brighton & Hove Albion and Hereford United and at home against Carlisle and Yeovil.
Millwall are another team to have won all four matches, so Manager Kenny Jackett also deserves his nomination, securing wins over Hartlepool United, Leicester City, Cheltenham Town and Swindon Town. The Lions currently sit fourth in the table on joint points with third placed Leeds United.
Gary McAllister understandably makes up the nominees, after his Leeds side kept up their impressive start to the season with four league wins over Crewe Alexandra, Swindon, Carlisle United and Hereford United. They also progressed to Round 4 of the Carling Cup with a 4-3 win over Hartlepool.
There are also joint table toppers in Coca-Cola League 2 with Bury and Wycombe Wanderers sharing top spot and both Alan Knill and Peter Taylor are amongst September's nominees.
Both teams are the other ones in the division to remain unbeaten, with Bury having won two and drawn two, including Saturday's goalless game with Wycombe.
Wanderers' results mirror those of Bury, with wins over Rochdale and Dagenham & Redbridge and a draw with Brentford completing their run in September.
Brentford boss Andy Scott is also amongst the nominees after his side also won two and drew two of their four matches. The Bees' 1-0 win over Chesterfield on Saturday saw them move up to fourth in the League 2 table.
Keith Alexander completes the nominees after his Macclesfield Town side won three of their four matches in September. The Silkmen had failed to pick up a single point or even score a single league goal in August but a 2-1 win over Luton on September 6th kick-started their season. They went on to beat Bournemouth and Port Vale before losing to Exeter last weekend.
All winners will be announced on Thursday, live on Sky Sports News at 1.20pm, as well as www.football-league.co.uk.
Nominations Summary:
Championship
Paul Sturrock (Plymouth Argyle)
Mick McCarthy (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Steve Coppell (Reading)
Owen Coyle (Burnley)
League 1
John Sheridan (Oldham Athletic)
Kenny Jackett (Millwall)
Gary McAllister (Leeds United)
Nigel Adkins (Scunthorpe United)
League 2
Andy Scott (Brentford)
Peter Taylor (Wycombe Wanderers)
Keith Alexander (Macclesfield Town)
Alan Knill (Bury)
Football League
Lee Cook's Excitement at Man Ut Draw...Delaney on Need for Consistency....Gareth Ainsworth Looks Back at Week/Looks Forward to Birmingham
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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Lee Cook on Manchester United Draw "Old Trafford bound
AS a youngster, Lee Cook was so desperate to see QPR win at Old Trafford that he discharged himself early from hospital.
The nine-year-old Cook's dreams came true as Rangers annihilated Manchester United 4-1 - now the winger wants to recreate that memorable New Year's Day after the Carling Cup draw set up a rematch.
"I had a bad asthma attack that night, when Dennis Bailey got a hat-trick, and I was in hospital," Cook recalled.
"But they let me out a little earlier than they probably should have done because I said 'I want to watch the match at home with my family'.
"I've never played against United, but that's what I remember most about Old Trafford and it'd be nice to go and beat them again, wouldn't it? Imagine that, if we could get a result.
"I was at home watching the draw, about 10 minutes before I had to leave the house and get to Loftus Road for the Derby game and the missus was in the other room.
"I went mad, I jumped out screaming and she shouted 'what is it?'. I shouted back 'We've got Man United at Old Trafford, I can't believe it!' - I was just buzzing.
"Within two minutes I had about 10 missed calls on my phone, but I couldn't answer them because I had to get ready and leave."
Dennis Bailey's glorious treble in 1992 earned Rangers what remains their only victory at Old Trafford - and next month's tie will be the first time the sides have met since the Rs' relegation from the Premiership in 1996.
But last week's third round success at Villa Park has strengthened the self-belief in the QPR camp and Cook certainly does not believe the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
"I think we can go up there and give them a decent game," he added. "It's a case of going there and enjoying it.
"Old Trafford is the biggest ground in the country, so to play there is something we're all going to enjoy. Say there are 60,000-70,000, playing in front of them is going to give us an extra kick.
"You never know what kind of team United are going to play, but we want to put on a good performance. I was hoping to draw Chelsea, but if we were going to get a big side, this is the best we could have hoped for."
That sentiment was echoed by Rangers boss Iain Dowie, who stunned the Red Devils when he guided Coventry to victory at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup last season.
"If you're going to have a big one, you might as well have the biggest," said Dowie. "You've got to have a very good day, any time you go there - I just hope I haven't made them too angry last time."
The fourth round tie is due to take place on November 11 or 12. Kilburn Times
Kilburn Times - Damien Delaney "Omens are good for Damien after Hoops draw Red Devils
DAMIEN Delaney has warned that QPR cannot afford to let their surprise cup run distract them from the business of collecting league points.
Rangers slumped to defeat by Derby just three days after stunning Aston Villa in the third round of the Carling Cup with a highly organised defensive display.
"I want to be stood at Premier League grounds every week talking about victories, but the only way that's going to happen is if we do the business every Saturday," said Delaney (pictured).
"Cup runs are great, performances like the one we put in at Villa are good for confidence and it's a bonus for us, but the league games are our bread and butter.
"With it being the League Cup, we're playing midweek, so it's not like what happens in the FA Cup when you start missing league games and we have a squad big enough to cope with that.
"But it's fantastic to be part of a cup run. The lads who have been here a while like Rowly and Gaz Ainsworth tell us all the time that they haven't had a cup run since they came to QPR.
"It's great for the fans as well - I wasn't expecting as many fans as we had at Villa and the whole upper tier of that big stand was full, so I'm pleased we sent them home singing. Kilburn Times
Gareth Ainsworth/Kilburn Times - Step on the Gaz
IT'S BEEN a strange week at the club, coming off the back of that unbelievable Carling Cup victory over Aston Villa last Wednesday.
It was one of the biggest results for QPR in the last 15 years or so, it was fantastic to be involved, and then to get drawn against Man United at Saturday lunch-time was incredible.
The whole club was riding high, and then suddenly within a few hours we'd lost at Derby and the shine had come off a bit.
But I think tiredness from our exploits against Villa had a lot to do with that result, and I think most fans would take a league defeat if it meant beating a top Premier League side in a cup and setting up a trip to Old Trafford.
Of course we've now drawn with Blackpool as well and dropped to eighth in the table. But we're still only three points off third, and what with being in the last 16 of the Carling Cup now I think a lot of people would take this situation.
The fans should be very proud of the club and of the team, and it's only recently that we've had the facilites and the team to do things like this.
Iain Dowie hasn't been going overboard with references to his victory over United with Coventry last year.
But lightning might strike twice and we'd be into fairytale land if we won - we'd then be in the quarter-finals and starting to have a real look at whether we could go on to achieve something truly special.
It's possible that United will rest some of their bigger players against us, but I think Alex Ferguson will remember Iain Dowie and won't want to be knocked out by him twice in two years.
I'm desperate to play myself, and may change the team-sheet just before the game to get myself on, but I think a few of the lads might have something to say about that.
This weekend we've got a tough game against Birmingham, which is particularly important because it comes right before an international break.
Of course we've got internationals in our team, and that's a great honour for them, but otherwise the time off will give both the players and the fans a well deserved break.
And, although our injury situation is very good at the moment, it will also give people like Akos Buzsaky more training time.
Birmingham are doing well, as expected, and we know they're very strong at home, while we need to sort out our away form, but what better place to do that than at one of the league leaders?
St Andrew's has always been a happy hunting ground for me, both as a Port Vale player and at QPR, so hopefully that trend will continue on Saturday. Kilburn Times
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Lee Cook on Manchester United Draw "Old Trafford bound
AS a youngster, Lee Cook was so desperate to see QPR win at Old Trafford that he discharged himself early from hospital.
The nine-year-old Cook's dreams came true as Rangers annihilated Manchester United 4-1 - now the winger wants to recreate that memorable New Year's Day after the Carling Cup draw set up a rematch.
"I had a bad asthma attack that night, when Dennis Bailey got a hat-trick, and I was in hospital," Cook recalled.
"But they let me out a little earlier than they probably should have done because I said 'I want to watch the match at home with my family'.
"I've never played against United, but that's what I remember most about Old Trafford and it'd be nice to go and beat them again, wouldn't it? Imagine that, if we could get a result.
"I was at home watching the draw, about 10 minutes before I had to leave the house and get to Loftus Road for the Derby game and the missus was in the other room.
"I went mad, I jumped out screaming and she shouted 'what is it?'. I shouted back 'We've got Man United at Old Trafford, I can't believe it!' - I was just buzzing.
"Within two minutes I had about 10 missed calls on my phone, but I couldn't answer them because I had to get ready and leave."
Dennis Bailey's glorious treble in 1992 earned Rangers what remains their only victory at Old Trafford - and next month's tie will be the first time the sides have met since the Rs' relegation from the Premiership in 1996.
But last week's third round success at Villa Park has strengthened the self-belief in the QPR camp and Cook certainly does not believe the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
"I think we can go up there and give them a decent game," he added. "It's a case of going there and enjoying it.
"Old Trafford is the biggest ground in the country, so to play there is something we're all going to enjoy. Say there are 60,000-70,000, playing in front of them is going to give us an extra kick.
"You never know what kind of team United are going to play, but we want to put on a good performance. I was hoping to draw Chelsea, but if we were going to get a big side, this is the best we could have hoped for."
That sentiment was echoed by Rangers boss Iain Dowie, who stunned the Red Devils when he guided Coventry to victory at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup last season.
"If you're going to have a big one, you might as well have the biggest," said Dowie. "You've got to have a very good day, any time you go there - I just hope I haven't made them too angry last time."
The fourth round tie is due to take place on November 11 or 12. Kilburn Times
Kilburn Times - Damien Delaney "Omens are good for Damien after Hoops draw Red Devils
DAMIEN Delaney has warned that QPR cannot afford to let their surprise cup run distract them from the business of collecting league points.
Rangers slumped to defeat by Derby just three days after stunning Aston Villa in the third round of the Carling Cup with a highly organised defensive display.
"I want to be stood at Premier League grounds every week talking about victories, but the only way that's going to happen is if we do the business every Saturday," said Delaney (pictured).
"Cup runs are great, performances like the one we put in at Villa are good for confidence and it's a bonus for us, but the league games are our bread and butter.
"With it being the League Cup, we're playing midweek, so it's not like what happens in the FA Cup when you start missing league games and we have a squad big enough to cope with that.
"But it's fantastic to be part of a cup run. The lads who have been here a while like Rowly and Gaz Ainsworth tell us all the time that they haven't had a cup run since they came to QPR.
"It's great for the fans as well - I wasn't expecting as many fans as we had at Villa and the whole upper tier of that big stand was full, so I'm pleased we sent them home singing. Kilburn Times
Gareth Ainsworth/Kilburn Times - Step on the Gaz
IT'S BEEN a strange week at the club, coming off the back of that unbelievable Carling Cup victory over Aston Villa last Wednesday.
It was one of the biggest results for QPR in the last 15 years or so, it was fantastic to be involved, and then to get drawn against Man United at Saturday lunch-time was incredible.
The whole club was riding high, and then suddenly within a few hours we'd lost at Derby and the shine had come off a bit.
But I think tiredness from our exploits against Villa had a lot to do with that result, and I think most fans would take a league defeat if it meant beating a top Premier League side in a cup and setting up a trip to Old Trafford.
Of course we've now drawn with Blackpool as well and dropped to eighth in the table. But we're still only three points off third, and what with being in the last 16 of the Carling Cup now I think a lot of people would take this situation.
The fans should be very proud of the club and of the team, and it's only recently that we've had the facilites and the team to do things like this.
Iain Dowie hasn't been going overboard with references to his victory over United with Coventry last year.
But lightning might strike twice and we'd be into fairytale land if we won - we'd then be in the quarter-finals and starting to have a real look at whether we could go on to achieve something truly special.
It's possible that United will rest some of their bigger players against us, but I think Alex Ferguson will remember Iain Dowie and won't want to be knocked out by him twice in two years.
I'm desperate to play myself, and may change the team-sheet just before the game to get myself on, but I think a few of the lads might have something to say about that.
This weekend we've got a tough game against Birmingham, which is particularly important because it comes right before an international break.
Of course we've got internationals in our team, and that's a great honour for them, but otherwise the time off will give both the players and the fans a well deserved break.
And, although our injury situation is very good at the moment, it will also give people like Akos Buzsaky more training time.
Birmingham are doing well, as expected, and we know they're very strong at home, while we need to sort out our away form, but what better place to do that than at one of the league leaders?
St Andrew's has always been a happy hunting ground for me, both as a Port Vale player and at QPR, so hopefully that trend will continue on Saturday. Kilburn Times
QPR Nostalgia - Memorabilia Photos: When Queen's Park Rangers Ruled!
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Some great old QPR Memorabilia
- QPR Squad of 1923
- A QPR Man from Exactly a Century Ago
- The Lucky Horsehoes
- Another Lucky Horseshoe
- 1968 Relegation Squad Photo
- 1966/67 QPR Squad Photo
- The 1982 QPR Squad
- Another 1966/67 Squad Photo
- The 1975/76 "Champions" Squad Photo
- Another 1975/76 Squad Photo
- The 1967 Team
- Rodney Marsh Back in 1967
- The 1970 QPR Squad
- Barry Bridges and Terry Venables Photo
- 1972/1972 Squad Photo
- Frank Sibley in 1968
- QPR Team of 1949/1950
- The QPR 1948 Team
Some great old QPR Memorabilia
- QPR Squad of 1923
- A QPR Man from Exactly a Century Ago
- The Lucky Horsehoes
- Another Lucky Horseshoe
- 1968 Relegation Squad Photo
- 1966/67 QPR Squad Photo
- The 1982 QPR Squad
- Another 1966/67 Squad Photo
- The 1975/76 "Champions" Squad Photo
- Another 1975/76 Squad Photo
- The 1967 Team
- Rodney Marsh Back in 1967
- The 1970 QPR Squad
- Barry Bridges and Terry Venables Photo
- 1972/1972 Squad Photo
- Frank Sibley in 1968
- QPR Team of 1949/1950
- The QPR 1948 Team
Vine Out Till 2009...Tonight's Reserve Squad Includes: Gorkss, Bolder, Ephraim, Balanta, Tomassi, Di Carmine and Ainsworth...Nott F Ticket Prices
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London Informer/Paul Warburton - Vine out for autumn
QPR have been rocked by news that Rowan Vine won't be back until January at the earliest.
The forward, signed from Birmingham for £2million in January, snapped both his tibula and fibia in a freak training ground incident in April, and had been expected back later this month.
However, a thorough scan of his left leg this week revealed a part of the double break has failed to heal and the devastated 26-year-old has been told he needs further rehabilitation.
He said: "I thought everything was going well, but I have to take it on the chin and just keep going..." London Informer
Tonight's Reserve Squad Announced -
Crowther, Bulmer, Oastler, Ainsworth, Gorkss, Harris, Ilesanmi, Ephraim, Balanta, Rose, Tommasi, Bolder, Di Carmine, Arthur, Flood.
QPR Official Site - IN RESERVE: GORKSS IN SQUAD
Kaspars Gorkss has been named in the R's Reserve squad to play Crystal Palace tonight (Wednesday).
The Latvian defender - who was an unused substitute in last night's 1-1 draw against his former Club Blackpool - is joined in the squad by experienced trio Gareth Ainsworth, Adam Bolder and Damiano Tommasi.
The match, which takes place at Bromley FC, kicks off at 7.00pm.
QPR Reserves (from): Crowther, Bulmer, Oastler, Ainsworth, Gorkss, Harris, Ilesanmi, Ephraim, Balanta, Rose, Tommasi, Bolder, Di Carmine, Arthur, Flood. QPR
QPR v FOREST TICKETS - CATEGORY C - Category C - Saturday 18th October 2008 - Kick Off 3:00pm Tickets now on General Sale
Platinum Gold Silver Bronze
Adult £35.00 £30.00 £25.00 £20.00
U-16 £25.00 £20.00 £15.00 £12.00
Kids U-8 n/a n/a FREE FREE
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16-21 £25.00 £20.00 £15.00 £12.00 QPR
London Informer/Paul Warburton - Vine out for autumn
QPR have been rocked by news that Rowan Vine won't be back until January at the earliest.
The forward, signed from Birmingham for £2million in January, snapped both his tibula and fibia in a freak training ground incident in April, and had been expected back later this month.
However, a thorough scan of his left leg this week revealed a part of the double break has failed to heal and the devastated 26-year-old has been told he needs further rehabilitation.
He said: "I thought everything was going well, but I have to take it on the chin and just keep going..." London Informer
Tonight's Reserve Squad Announced -
Crowther, Bulmer, Oastler, Ainsworth, Gorkss, Harris, Ilesanmi, Ephraim, Balanta, Rose, Tommasi, Bolder, Di Carmine, Arthur, Flood.
QPR Official Site - IN RESERVE: GORKSS IN SQUAD
Kaspars Gorkss has been named in the R's Reserve squad to play Crystal Palace tonight (Wednesday).
The Latvian defender - who was an unused substitute in last night's 1-1 draw against his former Club Blackpool - is joined in the squad by experienced trio Gareth Ainsworth, Adam Bolder and Damiano Tommasi.
The match, which takes place at Bromley FC, kicks off at 7.00pm.
QPR Reserves (from): Crowther, Bulmer, Oastler, Ainsworth, Gorkss, Harris, Ilesanmi, Ephraim, Balanta, Rose, Tommasi, Bolder, Di Carmine, Arthur, Flood. QPR
QPR v FOREST TICKETS - CATEGORY C - Category C - Saturday 18th October 2008 - Kick Off 3:00pm Tickets now on General Sale
Platinum Gold Silver Bronze
Adult £35.00 £30.00 £25.00 £20.00
U-16 £25.00 £20.00 £15.00 £12.00
Kids U-8 n/a n/a FREE FREE
Over-60 £25.00 £20.00 £15.00 £12.00
16-21 £25.00 £20.00 £15.00 £12.00 QPR
Vine Injury Return Delay
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QPR Official Site ROWAN FACES THE WAITING GAME
Rowan Vine faces the waiting game for a little while longer, as he bids to return from the fractured leg that has kept him sidelined since early April.
The 26 year-old front-man - who sustained the injury during a freak training ground incident at the end of last season - had hoped to return in the near future, but that appears highly unlikely now, as Head Physio Paul Hunter explained.
"It's not a setback as such, but the fracture is taking a little bit longer to heal than we had originally hoped for," Hunter told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We saw the specialist again on Friday for a CT scan - which gives us a more detailed view than an X-ray - and we were told that he needs to hold fire on the final push of his rehabilitation to allow for greater bone consolidation."
Hunter added: "We're waiting on nature to take its course now to be honest.
"It's hard to predict how long he'll be sidelined for, but we'll be back at the specialists' again in four weeks time and reassess thereafter.
"Rowan is deeply frustrated, but he's been first class throughout the whole rehabilitation process and he needs to maintain that attitude now.
"Of course it's frustrating, but the backroom staff are behind him, as are the players, and we'll make sure we help him through this awkward period."
QPR
QPR Official Site ROWAN FACES THE WAITING GAME
Rowan Vine faces the waiting game for a little while longer, as he bids to return from the fractured leg that has kept him sidelined since early April.
The 26 year-old front-man - who sustained the injury during a freak training ground incident at the end of last season - had hoped to return in the near future, but that appears highly unlikely now, as Head Physio Paul Hunter explained.
"It's not a setback as such, but the fracture is taking a little bit longer to heal than we had originally hoped for," Hunter told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We saw the specialist again on Friday for a CT scan - which gives us a more detailed view than an X-ray - and we were told that he needs to hold fire on the final push of his rehabilitation to allow for greater bone consolidation."
Hunter added: "We're waiting on nature to take its course now to be honest.
"It's hard to predict how long he'll be sidelined for, but we'll be back at the specialists' again in four weeks time and reassess thereafter.
"Rowan is deeply frustrated, but he's been first class throughout the whole rehabilitation process and he needs to maintain that attitude now.
"Of course it's frustrating, but the backroom staff are behind him, as are the players, and we'll make sure we help him through this awkward period."
QPR
Year Flashback: "QPR Axe John Gregory" ....Paul Furlong Turns Forty
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Marking one year to the day since QPR fired John Gregory after almost exactly a year as QPR manager. Gregory who had replaced Gary Waddock (who was less than a year in charge), was temporarily replaced by Mick Harford before Luigi De Canio took over. De Canio in turn, left at the end of last season "by mutual consent" and was replaced by Iain Dowie, who will be at QPR for who knows how much longer - at least if certain message board members have their way. There was media talk of Dowie being axed before the season even began...(To be absolutely accurate, Dowie is of course, "First Team Coach" rather than manager, with others at the club having a very strong role in the signing of players.)
Flashback: October 1, 2007 QPR Axe Manager John Gregory
QPR Official Site - CLUB STATEMENT
Queens Park Rangers Football Club have today terminated the employment of John Gregory as First Team Manager with immediate effect, following Sunday's 5-1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion.
First Team Coach, Mick Harford, has been appointed Caretaker Manager to take the team to Wednesday's fixture against Colchester United.
QPR Chairman, Gianni Paladini, said: "The Club would like to thank John for everything he has done during a difficult period as Manager, in particular for saving us from relegation last season.
"However, the performances and results this season have not met with our expectations. The league table does not lie.
"The Club have decided to act swiftly in time to turn things around for the remainder of the season.
"Mick will be Caretaker Manager for Wednesday's away game at Colchester and a further announcement about the post will be made after that.
"Everyone at QPR wants to wish John good luck and success in the future. In the meantime, Mick and the entire team are focused on achieving the Club's first win of the season at Colchester."
The Club will be making no further comment at this stage. QPR
Times Online and Agencies - Queens Park Rangers sack manager John Gregory
Queens Park Rangers have sacked their manager John Gregory this morning after their disastrous start to the season.
QPR were thrashed 5-1 by West Bromwich Albion on Sunday and are three points adrift at the bottom of the Championship table.
They are the only club in any of the top four divisions without a win, and have collected just three points from their opening seven matches.
“The performances and results this season have not met with out expectations," Gianni Paladini, the QPR chairman, said. "The league table does not lie.” The Times
The Guardian - Rock-bottom Rangers sack Gregory
John Gregory today paid the price for Queens Park Rangers' abject start to the season as he was sacked with immediate effect. Rangers, currently bottom of the Championship without a win in the league all season, crashed to a 5-1 defeat at West Brom yesterday.
It proved the final straw for Gregory, who won just 13 of 48 matches during his time at Loftus Road. Mick Harford, the club's first-team coach, has been appointed as caretaker manager for Wednesday's league game at Colchester.
"The performances and results this season have not met with our expectations," explained the QPR chairman Gianni Paladini. "The league table does not lie. The club have decided to act swiftly in time to turn things around for the remainder of the season.
"The club would like to thank John for everything he has done during a difficult period as manager, in particular for saving us from relegation last season. Mick [Harford] will be caretaker manager at Colchester and a further announcement about the post will be made after that."
QPR have already slipped four points adrift of safety at the foot of the table after three draws from their opening seven games. They have scored just once at Loftus Road in the league so far in a campaign overshadowed by the death of their teenage striker Ray Jones in a car accident.
The former Rangers boss Gerry Francis thought Gregory would have been given more time to turn the club's fortunes around. "I felt he would have had a few more games to get himself out of the situation, but that's football," said Francis. "The most important thing is there is investment in the club because that's been very difficult for John and the managers before him. You need the financial backing and the financial help because you need to get players capable of performing at a certain level." The Guardian
BBC - Gregory sacked as manager of QPR
Queens Park Rangers have sacked John Gregory as manager of the club.
The decision follows the 5-1 thrashing at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, which left the London club languishing at the bottom of the Championship.
Ex-Aston Villa boss Gregory, 53, took over at QPR in September 2006 and saved the club from relegation last season.
"The club would like to thank John for everything he has done during a difficult period as manager," chairman Gianni Paladini told the QPR website.
"In particular, (we would like to thank him) for saving us from relegation last season," added Paladini.
"However, the performances and results this season have not met with our expectations. The league table does not lie.
"The club have decided to act swiftly in time to turn things around for the remainder of the season."
First-team coach Mick Harford will take temporary charge of the Loftus Road side ahead of the game against Colchester on Wednesday.
QPR have not won a game so far this season and were dumped out of the Carling Cup by Leyton Orient.
Martin Allen, who recently left Leicester as manager, could emerge as a candidate for the job.
But Paladini stated that a further announcement about the post would not be made until after the game against Colchester. BBC - QPR Report
See Also: John Gregory's Appointment and Managerial Record
QPR's Paul Furlong Turns 40 -
Paul Furlong Turns 40!Former QPR (and Coventry, Watford, Chelsea and Birmingham) Forward -Born October 1, 1968. Signed on loan by Gerry Francis, in 2000, he swiftly got injured. A couple years later, in September 2002, Ian Holloway signed him on a free transfer. He then spent five seasons with QPR, scoring 50+ goals in 150+ appearances and won the QPR 'Player of the Year' award. Joined Luton from QPR. Now with Southend. See: Furlong Stats and Furlong/Wikipedia
Nice Furlong Profile on Dave's Queens Park Rangers FC Site - Furlong Profile
Marking one year to the day since QPR fired John Gregory after almost exactly a year as QPR manager. Gregory who had replaced Gary Waddock (who was less than a year in charge), was temporarily replaced by Mick Harford before Luigi De Canio took over. De Canio in turn, left at the end of last season "by mutual consent" and was replaced by Iain Dowie, who will be at QPR for who knows how much longer - at least if certain message board members have their way. There was media talk of Dowie being axed before the season even began...(To be absolutely accurate, Dowie is of course, "First Team Coach" rather than manager, with others at the club having a very strong role in the signing of players.)
Flashback: October 1, 2007 QPR Axe Manager John Gregory
QPR Official Site - CLUB STATEMENT
Queens Park Rangers Football Club have today terminated the employment of John Gregory as First Team Manager with immediate effect, following Sunday's 5-1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion.
First Team Coach, Mick Harford, has been appointed Caretaker Manager to take the team to Wednesday's fixture against Colchester United.
QPR Chairman, Gianni Paladini, said: "The Club would like to thank John for everything he has done during a difficult period as Manager, in particular for saving us from relegation last season.
"However, the performances and results this season have not met with our expectations. The league table does not lie.
"The Club have decided to act swiftly in time to turn things around for the remainder of the season.
"Mick will be Caretaker Manager for Wednesday's away game at Colchester and a further announcement about the post will be made after that.
"Everyone at QPR wants to wish John good luck and success in the future. In the meantime, Mick and the entire team are focused on achieving the Club's first win of the season at Colchester."
The Club will be making no further comment at this stage. QPR
Times Online and Agencies - Queens Park Rangers sack manager John Gregory
Queens Park Rangers have sacked their manager John Gregory this morning after their disastrous start to the season.
QPR were thrashed 5-1 by West Bromwich Albion on Sunday and are three points adrift at the bottom of the Championship table.
They are the only club in any of the top four divisions without a win, and have collected just three points from their opening seven matches.
“The performances and results this season have not met with out expectations," Gianni Paladini, the QPR chairman, said. "The league table does not lie.” The Times
The Guardian - Rock-bottom Rangers sack Gregory
John Gregory today paid the price for Queens Park Rangers' abject start to the season as he was sacked with immediate effect. Rangers, currently bottom of the Championship without a win in the league all season, crashed to a 5-1 defeat at West Brom yesterday.
It proved the final straw for Gregory, who won just 13 of 48 matches during his time at Loftus Road. Mick Harford, the club's first-team coach, has been appointed as caretaker manager for Wednesday's league game at Colchester.
"The performances and results this season have not met with our expectations," explained the QPR chairman Gianni Paladini. "The league table does not lie. The club have decided to act swiftly in time to turn things around for the remainder of the season.
"The club would like to thank John for everything he has done during a difficult period as manager, in particular for saving us from relegation last season. Mick [Harford] will be caretaker manager at Colchester and a further announcement about the post will be made after that."
QPR have already slipped four points adrift of safety at the foot of the table after three draws from their opening seven games. They have scored just once at Loftus Road in the league so far in a campaign overshadowed by the death of their teenage striker Ray Jones in a car accident.
The former Rangers boss Gerry Francis thought Gregory would have been given more time to turn the club's fortunes around. "I felt he would have had a few more games to get himself out of the situation, but that's football," said Francis. "The most important thing is there is investment in the club because that's been very difficult for John and the managers before him. You need the financial backing and the financial help because you need to get players capable of performing at a certain level." The Guardian
BBC - Gregory sacked as manager of QPR
Queens Park Rangers have sacked John Gregory as manager of the club.
The decision follows the 5-1 thrashing at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, which left the London club languishing at the bottom of the Championship.
Ex-Aston Villa boss Gregory, 53, took over at QPR in September 2006 and saved the club from relegation last season.
"The club would like to thank John for everything he has done during a difficult period as manager," chairman Gianni Paladini told the QPR website.
"In particular, (we would like to thank him) for saving us from relegation last season," added Paladini.
"However, the performances and results this season have not met with our expectations. The league table does not lie.
"The club have decided to act swiftly in time to turn things around for the remainder of the season."
First-team coach Mick Harford will take temporary charge of the Loftus Road side ahead of the game against Colchester on Wednesday.
QPR have not won a game so far this season and were dumped out of the Carling Cup by Leyton Orient.
Martin Allen, who recently left Leicester as manager, could emerge as a candidate for the job.
But Paladini stated that a further announcement about the post would not be made until after the game against Colchester. BBC - QPR Report
See Also: John Gregory's Appointment and Managerial Record
QPR's Paul Furlong Turns 40 -
Paul Furlong Turns 40!Former QPR (and Coventry, Watford, Chelsea and Birmingham) Forward -Born October 1, 1968. Signed on loan by Gerry Francis, in 2000, he swiftly got injured. A couple years later, in September 2002, Ian Holloway signed him on a free transfer. He then spent five seasons with QPR, scoring 50+ goals in 150+ appearances and won the QPR 'Player of the Year' award. Joined Luton from QPR. Now with Southend. See: Furlong Stats and Furlong/Wikipedia
Nice Furlong Profile on Dave's Queens Park Rangers FC Site - Furlong Profile
QPR's Blackpool Draw - Further Managerial Comments and Match Reports
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Daily Mail - Blackstock spares Dowie's blushes as Rangers squeeze a point out of the Tangerines QPR 1 Blackpool 1 By Ian Gibb
Iain Dowie played right into Blackpool's hands and came away with only a point - and that is five they have now dropped in two home games.
Dowie defended his curious decision to play only one striker - Dexter Blackstock, who equalised with 11 minutes to go.
Yet at half-time QPR boss Dowie obviously realised his system was not working against a well-organised Blackpool side as he took off the highly-rated loan stars Emanuel Ledesma and Daniel Parejo - and in the second half Rangers looked much more effective with Patrick Agyemang as a second striker.
Dowie was rattled by talk of a tactical blunder and snapped: 'There's an obsession in this country about playing 4-4-2.
'We've scored four times against Southampton and Carlisle with the system we started with tonight. The reason I changed it was that initially Blackpool were allowed to sit back and go on to our two wide men. So, by changing it, I gave them another problem up front.'
But even Blackpool manager Simon Grayson was surprised that Dowie started the match with just one striker. He said: 'After they were beaten by Derby I thought they would go 4-4-2 but we weren't surprised at all by their formation.'
Impressive Blackpool led after 18 minutes when wide man Gary Taylor-Fletcher caught out Rangers goalkeeper Radek Cerny with a blistering shot from 25 yards into the top corner of the net.
And although the lively Blackstock and Martin Rowlands had several good chances in the second period, QPR were getting nowhere until they shook things up and brought on Hungarian play-maker Akos Buzsaky after 72 minutes.
It was his free-kick seven minutes later that crashed off the bar, enabling Blackstock to head in the equaliser from close range. Mail
Blackpool Official Site - Managerial Comments
Simon Grayson was full of praise for his team after the Seasiders earned a creditable point against QPR on Tuesday night.
Grayson said: "We were under pressure from set-pieces in the second half but the players dug in and defended for their lives at times.
"We'd have taken a point at the start of the game but when you get to where we were and concede a goal, it's always tough and the players are disappointed.
"That shows how far those players have come. Everyone wrote us off at the start of the season but all we can do is keep working hard, and we've got some quality too.
"We've surprised quite a few people and hopefully that will continue. There's a determination to prove people wrong, because no-one likes to have the tag of relegation favourites before a ball's even been kicked.
"I can't fault the players because they've played well again. We have to be delighted with this point." Blackpool
Blackpool Gazette/Steve Canavan - Larry won't get carried away
SIMON Grayson is refusing to get carried away about his side's chances of a high finish in the Championship – but he admits he's delighted by the start.
The boss is very careful when it comes to predicting where his side will finish. He doesn't want his words to come back to haunt him.
But after watching his side snatch another unexpected point at moneybags QPR, even Grayson had to admit that things are going well.
In what was tipped to be that difficult second season in the Championship, a good start was imperative.
And Grayson can't argue with results in the opening nine games – and he can't praise his players enough for their performances so far.
"The lads have been terrific so far and they deserve all the praise in the world," he said.
"We've only played badly in one game, at Burnley, but the way we have bounced back has been great to see and speaks volumes about the players.
"I'm not going to say we're good enough to finish mid-table. You know me, I'll always be boring and careful – I've made a career out of it!
"Ultimately we've only played nine games and there is still a long way to go. But it is encouraging how well we are playing.
The harshest of critics might suggest that Blackpool were guilty of throwing away a one-goal lead for the second time in four days, the Seasiders going in front against both Coventry and QPR but conceding equalisers.
"There is a little frustration that we weren't able to hang onto the lead," Grayson added.
"The players were disappointed afterwards that they only got a point, which is a good attitude to have." Blackpool Gazette
MIRROR/Steve Rogers - DOWIE'S DELIGHT AT JOY OFDEX
Hotshot Dexter Blackstock's sixth goal of the season rescued a point for below-par Rangers.
Blackpool went ahead after 17 minutes when Gary Taylor-Fletcher seized on defender Damion Stewart's weak clearing header and fired into the top corner from 25 yards.
Substitute Akos Buzsaky helped to haul Rangers level.
The Hungarian, brought on with 18 minutes to go, curled a 30-yard free-kick against the bar and Blackstock headed home the rebound.
"I thought it was a very good display," said QPR boss Iain Dowie. "We caused them a massive amount of problems from set-pieces, especially in the second half.
"It was an unsatisfactory result but I can't be unhappy with the way we played.
Should we have gone on and scored a winner? Probably.
But I can't fault the desire."
Blackpool manager Simon Grayson said: "We were under pressure from set-pieces in the second half but the players dug in and defended for their lives at times. We would have taken a point at the start of the game but when you get to where we were and concede a goal, it's always tough and the players are disappointed.
"That shows how far those players have come. Everyone wrote us off at the start of the season but all we can do is keep working hard, and we've some quality too.
"We've surprised quite a few people and hopefully that will continue. There's a determination to prove people wrong, because no one likes to have the tag of relegation favourites before a ball's even been kicked.
"I can't fault the players.
They've played well again and we have to be delighted with this point." Mirror
Telegraph/Sandy Macaskill - Dexter Blackstock rescues point for QPR
After a successful weekend in Singapore, Flavio Briatore will have been hoping to add to his Renault triumph with a win from his other sporting outfit, Queens Park Rangers. Although they did not lose, it was not the return to winning ways they had hoping for.
Rangers have been described as a club with real promotion potential but, besides a win against Aston Villa in the Carling Cup, recent performances have left much to be desired.
Things were not much better against Blackpool, and the visitors deserved to take the lead when Gary Taylor-Fletcher found the top corner from 20 yards out.
Rangers did improve in the second half, however, and equalised through Dexter Blackstock’s header 10 minutes from time.
Despite being behind for much of the game, Iain Dowie, the QPR manager, was frustrated with a point. “We showed great tenacity in the second half,” he said. “We caused them massive problems [but] it was an unsatisfactory result.”
Blackpool manager Simon Grayson was also glum.
“The players are tinged with disappointment,” he said. Telegraph
See Also - Earlier Reports and Iain Dowie Comments
Daily Mail - Blackstock spares Dowie's blushes as Rangers squeeze a point out of the Tangerines QPR 1 Blackpool 1 By Ian Gibb
Iain Dowie played right into Blackpool's hands and came away with only a point - and that is five they have now dropped in two home games.
Dowie defended his curious decision to play only one striker - Dexter Blackstock, who equalised with 11 minutes to go.
Yet at half-time QPR boss Dowie obviously realised his system was not working against a well-organised Blackpool side as he took off the highly-rated loan stars Emanuel Ledesma and Daniel Parejo - and in the second half Rangers looked much more effective with Patrick Agyemang as a second striker.
Dowie was rattled by talk of a tactical blunder and snapped: 'There's an obsession in this country about playing 4-4-2.
'We've scored four times against Southampton and Carlisle with the system we started with tonight. The reason I changed it was that initially Blackpool were allowed to sit back and go on to our two wide men. So, by changing it, I gave them another problem up front.'
But even Blackpool manager Simon Grayson was surprised that Dowie started the match with just one striker. He said: 'After they were beaten by Derby I thought they would go 4-4-2 but we weren't surprised at all by their formation.'
Impressive Blackpool led after 18 minutes when wide man Gary Taylor-Fletcher caught out Rangers goalkeeper Radek Cerny with a blistering shot from 25 yards into the top corner of the net.
And although the lively Blackstock and Martin Rowlands had several good chances in the second period, QPR were getting nowhere until they shook things up and brought on Hungarian play-maker Akos Buzsaky after 72 minutes.
It was his free-kick seven minutes later that crashed off the bar, enabling Blackstock to head in the equaliser from close range. Mail
Blackpool Official Site - Managerial Comments
Simon Grayson was full of praise for his team after the Seasiders earned a creditable point against QPR on Tuesday night.
Grayson said: "We were under pressure from set-pieces in the second half but the players dug in and defended for their lives at times.
"We'd have taken a point at the start of the game but when you get to where we were and concede a goal, it's always tough and the players are disappointed.
"That shows how far those players have come. Everyone wrote us off at the start of the season but all we can do is keep working hard, and we've got some quality too.
"We've surprised quite a few people and hopefully that will continue. There's a determination to prove people wrong, because no-one likes to have the tag of relegation favourites before a ball's even been kicked.
"I can't fault the players because they've played well again. We have to be delighted with this point." Blackpool
Blackpool Gazette/Steve Canavan - Larry won't get carried away
SIMON Grayson is refusing to get carried away about his side's chances of a high finish in the Championship – but he admits he's delighted by the start.
The boss is very careful when it comes to predicting where his side will finish. He doesn't want his words to come back to haunt him.
But after watching his side snatch another unexpected point at moneybags QPR, even Grayson had to admit that things are going well.
In what was tipped to be that difficult second season in the Championship, a good start was imperative.
And Grayson can't argue with results in the opening nine games – and he can't praise his players enough for their performances so far.
"The lads have been terrific so far and they deserve all the praise in the world," he said.
"We've only played badly in one game, at Burnley, but the way we have bounced back has been great to see and speaks volumes about the players.
"I'm not going to say we're good enough to finish mid-table. You know me, I'll always be boring and careful – I've made a career out of it!
"Ultimately we've only played nine games and there is still a long way to go. But it is encouraging how well we are playing.
The harshest of critics might suggest that Blackpool were guilty of throwing away a one-goal lead for the second time in four days, the Seasiders going in front against both Coventry and QPR but conceding equalisers.
"There is a little frustration that we weren't able to hang onto the lead," Grayson added.
"The players were disappointed afterwards that they only got a point, which is a good attitude to have." Blackpool Gazette
MIRROR/Steve Rogers - DOWIE'S DELIGHT AT JOY OFDEX
Hotshot Dexter Blackstock's sixth goal of the season rescued a point for below-par Rangers.
Blackpool went ahead after 17 minutes when Gary Taylor-Fletcher seized on defender Damion Stewart's weak clearing header and fired into the top corner from 25 yards.
Substitute Akos Buzsaky helped to haul Rangers level.
The Hungarian, brought on with 18 minutes to go, curled a 30-yard free-kick against the bar and Blackstock headed home the rebound.
"I thought it was a very good display," said QPR boss Iain Dowie. "We caused them a massive amount of problems from set-pieces, especially in the second half.
"It was an unsatisfactory result but I can't be unhappy with the way we played.
Should we have gone on and scored a winner? Probably.
But I can't fault the desire."
Blackpool manager Simon Grayson said: "We were under pressure from set-pieces in the second half but the players dug in and defended for their lives at times. We would have taken a point at the start of the game but when you get to where we were and concede a goal, it's always tough and the players are disappointed.
"That shows how far those players have come. Everyone wrote us off at the start of the season but all we can do is keep working hard, and we've some quality too.
"We've surprised quite a few people and hopefully that will continue. There's a determination to prove people wrong, because no one likes to have the tag of relegation favourites before a ball's even been kicked.
"I can't fault the players.
They've played well again and we have to be delighted with this point." Mirror
Telegraph/Sandy Macaskill - Dexter Blackstock rescues point for QPR
After a successful weekend in Singapore, Flavio Briatore will have been hoping to add to his Renault triumph with a win from his other sporting outfit, Queens Park Rangers. Although they did not lose, it was not the return to winning ways they had hoping for.
Rangers have been described as a club with real promotion potential but, besides a win against Aston Villa in the Carling Cup, recent performances have left much to be desired.
Things were not much better against Blackpool, and the visitors deserved to take the lead when Gary Taylor-Fletcher found the top corner from 20 yards out.
Rangers did improve in the second half, however, and equalised through Dexter Blackstock’s header 10 minutes from time.
Despite being behind for much of the game, Iain Dowie, the QPR manager, was frustrated with a point. “We showed great tenacity in the second half,” he said. “We caused them massive problems [but] it was an unsatisfactory result.”
Blackpool manager Simon Grayson was also glum.
“The players are tinged with disappointment,” he said. Telegraph
See Also - Earlier Reports and Iain Dowie Comments
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