QPR REPORT

QPR Report: Marking 25 Years Since QPR and Fulham Merged...Macheda Charged

2012-02-28T08:03:00.005Z

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- Twenty-Five Years Ago, QPR and Fulham were set to be merged: Till Fans of Both Clubs Stopped it. (Also Flashback Video to QPR's 1948 FA Game vs Derby County! - Also Merger Video
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- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!

- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
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THE FULHAM-QPR MERGER: 25 YEARS AGO

28 February 1987 - Fans protest at both Fulham and Queens Park Rangers in an attempt to stop the proposed merger between the two clubs. There are similair protests at Wimbledon and Crystal Palace as it is revealed the two are also in merger talks.

Twenty-Five Years Ago, QPR and Fulham were set to be merged: Till Fans of Both Clubs Stopped it. (Also Flashback Video to QPR's 1948 FA Game vs Derby County!
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- Further Video of Fulham-QPR Merger

- Loan Transfer Deadline Day Approaching for League Clubs: Will there be Any from QPR (Such as Vine, Borrowdale, Shittu, Cook, Agyemang, Perone, etc)?

- QPR's Current run is 17 Games Without a Clean Sheet...Two Years Ago, QPR had the Worst record among the Four Divisions with 21 Game Streak of conceding Goals.

- "The Superstitious Mind of Neil Warnock"

- FLASHBACK: Eleven Years Ago: Ian Holloway Appointed QPR Manager

- QPR Goalscoring Stats this Season: 27 Goals - 8 From Helguson...4 from Mackie...2 from four others...Several others with 1

- MACHEDA CHARGED
Newcastle Official Site

FA Statement On Nile Ranger
Nile Ranger

Newcastle United's Nile Ranger, Walsall's Manny Smith and Manchester United's Federico Macheda, currently on loan at Queens Park Rangers, have all been charged with improper conduct in relation to comments made on Twitter.

The charge is that the players acted in a way which was improper and/or brought the game into disrepute.

It is further alleged that the breach included a reference to a person's or persons' sexual orientation.

Each has until 4pm on Wednesday, 29th February, 2012, to respond to the charge.
http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20120227/fa-statement-on-nile-ranger_2281670_2626281

BBC

Federico Macheda and Nile Ranger charged by FA for homophobic Tweets

Manchester United's Federico Macheda, Newcastle United's Nile Ranger and Walsall's Manny Smith have all been charged by the Football Association for alleged homophobic comments on Twitter.

The players are alleged to have acted in a way which was improper and/or brought the game into disrepute.

Each has until 1600 GMT on Wednesday 29 February to respond to the charges.

West Ham's Ravel Morrison and ex-Leicester player Michael Ball have recently been fined for similar cases.

Morrison was fined £7,000 by the FA in February after he admitted a charge of using abusive and/or insulting words on Twitter, including a reference to a person's sexual orientation.

Ball, who also played for England, Manchester City and Everton, was fined £6,000 for tweeting about Coronation Street actor Anthony Cotton.

The FA launched a new six-year inclusion and anti-homophobia plan last Monday called 'Opening Doors and Joining In' where it outlined its aims to rid the game of prejudice.

Macheda, 20, is currently on loan at QPR, having joined the west London club in January.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17178936

QPR Chairman Tony Fernandes Tweet
- I will be at everton game. Ill come early and walk round the stands and come to the pubs. And hear you out. I'm not going to quit and am not going to run away from problems. We will get there."
Becomes...
And his tweet becomes a news story

Daily Star/Paul Brown

QPR CHIEF TONY FERNANDES CALLS FOR PUB-LIC MEETINGS

ABOVE: QPR chairman Tony Fernandes has been getting stick after his side’s 1-0 defeat to local rivals Fulh I will be at the Everton game. I’ll come early and walk round the stands and come to the pubs. And hear you out.
Tony Fernandes
28th February 2012 By Paul Brown

TONY FERNANDES is planning to listen to the concerns of irate QPR fans on a pub crawl before Saturday’s visit of Everton.

The Rangers chairman has been getting stick on Twitter after his side’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to local rivals Fulham at the weekend.

But he has vowed not to walk away from the club and will meet supporters to canvass opinion on under-fire boss Mark Hughes.

Fernandes said: “I will be at the Everton game. I’ll come early and walk round the stands and come to the pubs. And hear you out. I’m not going to quit and am not going to run away from problems. We will get there.

“I understand your frustrations but I love what we’re doing at QPR.

“Just moaning and blaming isn’t going to help.

“Be positive. I have been through much worse. I’m loving every moment. I’ll do my best. Believe me.” Star

- One-Time "Wannabee" QPR Owner, Andrew Ellis Apologizes re Glasgow Rangers (Flashback to Ellis' QPR-Takeover Effort)

- The New QPR Official Supporters Club (OSC) Team "Lineup"

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- David Conn/The Guardian on the Big Money in the Championship - and the Two Sheffield Clubs/What They've Spent

- In Photos: The QPR Path to Wembley 1967 (From the Bushman Photo Archives)

- QPR Nostalgia: QPR's Unbelievable 1967/68 Season: Photos and Programme Notes. (From - of course - The Bushman Archives)

- Tony Fernandes: Airline, F1 and QPR: The Profile of and Interview

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

QPR Report Sunday: Fulham Reports and Comments....Flashback: Ian Holloway Takes Over at QPR

2012-02-26T08:13:00.015Z

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Happier Times! QPR Youth Team of Yesteryear: Flashback from the Bushman Photo Archives - Terry Dibble, Barry Wallace, Bobby Hale, Nicky Ironton, Peter Hucker, Paul Haverson, Mark Hill. Front Row: Paul Goddard, Gary Maney, Craig Richards, John Docker, Clive Allen.

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- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!

- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
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- FLASHBACK: Eleven Years Ago Today: Ian Holloway Appointed QPR Manager

- QPR Goalscoring Stats this Season: 27 Goals - 8 From Helguson...4 from Mackie...2 from four others...Several others with 1

- Strangeness from Bournemouth: Co-Chairman's Wife Gives the Half-Time Team Talk!(What would Ex-Bournemouth Managers of the likes of Harry Redknapp, John Bond, Tony Pullis Think?

QPR Chairman Tony Fernandes Tweeting

- I will be at everton game. Ill come early and walk round the stands and come to the pubs. And hear you out. I'm not going to quit and am not going to run away from problems. We will get there.

IanJTaylor ‏ @IJTaylor81 "Great @tonyfernandes interview ...The underlying message was clear ... Rome wasn't built in a day and he will stay regardless #QPR

QPR vs FULHAM REPORTS

PHOTOS from QPR vs Fulham

BBC Analysis Jonathan Pearce BBC Match of the Day commentator

QPR are in deep trouble after another home defeat. They always had a mountain to climb after the sending off of Samba Diakite, who looked a little naive and has a lot to learn in the Premier League.

The game was never out of reach but QPR did not do enough to test Fulham, who looked like the more competent Premier League side
Full BBC Report - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17082982

QPR Official Site - HUGHES ON FULHAM

Posted on: Sat 25 Feb 2012

Mark Hughes says that his side 'couldn't recover' from Samba Diakite's first-half sending off, after the R's went down to a 1-0 against Fulham at Loftus Road.

Already a goal down after Pavel Pogrebnyak's early opening strike for the Cottagers, Diakite was shown his marching orders for a second bookable offence on 33 minutes.

Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Hughes said: "We made it more difficult than it needs to be.

"We've lost another player to a sending off in the first half.

"It's very difficult to win Premier League games when that happens.

"Obviously we were already one nil down at that stage and so, to stay in the game, we had to keep our shape.

"We did that in the second half, created chances and could have got back on level terms.

"The events of the first half damaged us too much and we couldn't recover."

On the subject of Diakite's dismissal, Hughes added: "I've got no complaints about the sending off.

"Samba was doing exactly what I asked him to do, be aggressive and get up to the ball.

"He's new to the Premier League and must understand how it's refereed.

"In fairness, I think the second booking was just a mistimed tackle.

"That hurt us and at that point - one down with ten men - it was difficult for us."

Hughes continued: "It was important that we had a response in the second half and we did.

"We kept going, tried to do the right things and create chances, which we did.

"But at the moment it's a little bit difficult for us."

http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~2623875,00.html

WEST LONDON SPORT

West London Sport -

Fulham Boss hails Fulham hero Pogrebnyak

Jol could be without Duff next week

25/02/2012
by David McIntyre

Manager Martin Jol heaped praise on Fulham hero Pavel Pogrebnyak after the win at QPR.

Pogrebnyakï¿½s goal ï¿½ his second in as many games ï¿½ gave the Whites a victory to savour against their west London neighbours.

It was another impressive display by the Russian striker, who is on loan from Stuttgart with a view to a permanent move.

Jol declared: ï¿½We saw from the first day he was with us that he has good quality. Heï¿½s a good boy and wants to work. Iï¿½m very pleased he came after we sold Bobby Zamora.

ï¿½Not a lot of players will come to England on loan. Hopefully he will keep on scoring and then weï¿½ll see what happens.ï¿½

Jol was rewarded for selecting an attacking line-up at Loftus Road, where Pogrebnyak was supported by Andrew Johnson, Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele.

Jol said: ï¿½Andrew Johnson played in the game we won 6-0 against them and scored a hat-trick. I changed it because I felt he could trouble them again.ï¿½
http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/boss-hails-fulham-hero-pogrebnyak/

QPR OFFICIAL SITE

Pavel Pogrebnyak's first-half strike was the difference, as ten-man QPR went down to a narrow West London derby defeat at Loftus Road.

The Russian striker was on target after just seven minutes to give Martin Jol's side the lead, rounding Paddy Kenny to tap home after Moussa Dembele's clever back-heel.
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The R's hopes of restoring parity were dealt a major blow on 33 minutes, after Samba Diakite's late challenge on Bryan Ruiz saw the Mali international sent off for a second bookable offence on his Hoops debut.

Fulham were the better side in the first period but the pattern of play did reverse after the half-time interval - that despite Rangers being a man light.

Indeed, Jamie Mackie and Shaun-Wright Phillips both went agonisingly close in the second half.

However, despite their best attempts, a levelling goal proved just beyond Mark Hughes's side.

The Welshman made three changes to his R's side for the visit of former employers Fulham, following Rangers' 3-2 defeat at Blackburn a fortnight ago.

Mackie's two-goal cameo from the bench at Ewood Park saw the Scot drafted in up front, while Diakite came in at the expense of Akos Buzsaky.

Clint Hill, meanwhile, replaced Fitz Hall at the centre of defence.

Kenny was in goal for Rangers, behind a back four of Nedum Onuoha, Anton Ferdinand, Hill and Taye Taiwo.

Wright-Phillips began from the right-hand side of midfield, with skipper Joey Barton and Diakite in the centre, and Adel Taarabt out wide on the left.

Mackie was joined Bobby Zamora - who moved to Rangers from Fulham just under a month ago - in attack.

Loftus Road really was a cauldron of noise on derby day.

But it wasn't just the vivacious atmosphere that whet the appetite in the opening stages. Indeed, this contest began at a breathless pace.

Play was extremely open early on, but it was the R's who would first test their opposing keeper.

Taarabt combined with Zamora on two minutes before shooting straight at Mark Schwarzer. Taiwo then forced the custodian into an equally comfortable stop.

A very open start was exemplified soon after when Fulham broke and Andy Johnson nodded home off the crossbar - only to see his effort ruled out for offside.

The Cottagers weren't to be denied at the second time of asking, however, taking the lead after only seven minutes.

Dembele's outrageous back-heel put Pogrebnyak clean through on goal, who waited for Kenny to commit before rounding the keeping and sliding the ball into an empty net.

Moments later, Fulham went within a whisker of doubling their lead. Ruiz freed Clint Demspey, whose low drive went just inches wide of the left-hand post.

Rangers almost replied on 12 minutes after Mackie fired an effort just wide, following Barton's slide-rule pass.

But Fulham continued to press for a second goal. Pogrebnyak nearly added another, beating the offside trap once again before firing an effort straight at Kenny, albeit from an acute angle.

Fulham were displaying a show of fine football in the first period, but QPR continued to plug away in search of an equaliser.

Wright-Phillips' blast from distance caused all sorts of confusion after his effort was spilled by Schwarzer, but the offside flag soon came to the visitors' rescue.

Diakite then found Taarabt with a lovely pass on 28 minutes, before the Moroccan magician drilled a 20-yard effort just wide of the left-hand post.

At the other end, Fulham almost extended their lead - with a helping hand from the hosts - when Ruiz's in-swinging free-kick bounced off Dempsey onto Diakite, before the ball went just of the right-hand post.

From the resultant corner, another dangerous Ruiz set-piece fell to Danny Murphy, whose thunderbolt shot from 12 yards was blocked away by Kenny.

Rangers' hopes of getting back into the match were dealt a bitter blow 13 minutes before the break, after the home side were reduced to ten men.

Diakite - already on a booking - was the man shown his marching orders, handed a second yellow card - and a subsequent red - after a late challenge on Ruiz.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the R's went close just before half-time, after Barton struck Onuoha's cross over the bar from 18-yards out.

The tempo at the start of the second half proved to be much slower than that of the first.

Rangers were first to go close, with Taarabt driving straight at Schwarzer before shooting over with efforts in quick succession.

Hill then headed Barton's corner over the bar ten minutes after the break - albeit on the stretch - before Barton saw an effort deflected wide of the right-hand post.

The R's - now the better side - fashioned their best chance of the half to date on 69 minutes.

Taarabt combined to superb effect with Onuoha before freeing Mackie, whose low drive went just inches wide of the left-hand post.

But QPR's greatest opportunity of the closing period arrived seven minutes from time.

Taarabt's outstanding through ball found Wright-Phillips, who - at an acute angle and with Mackie unmarked in the centre - opted to shoot rather than play a square pass, before seeing his effort force a superb block from Schwarzer.

QPR: Kenny, Diakite, Hill, Taarabt, Mackie, Barton, Wright-Phillips (Buzsaky 83), Taiwo (Traore 72), Ferdinand, Onuoha, Zamora.

Subs: Cerny, Derry, Gabbidon, Bothroyd, Smith.

Bookings: Diakite (20 & 33)

Red Cards: Diakite (33)

Fulham: Schwarzer, Kelly, Riise, Hangeland, Pogrebnyak, Johnson (Etuhu 81), Ruiz (Duff 78), Murphy (Baird 74), Hughes, Dempsey, Dembele.

Subs: Stockdale, Sa, Senderos, Frei.

Goals: Pogrebnyak (7)

Bookings: Pogrebnyak (7), Dembele (65), Riise (69), Baird (84)

Referee: Mr P Dowd

Attendance: 18,015 (3155 away)

http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~59268,00.html

Guardian - Russel Kempson

Fulham's Pavel Pogrebnyak hits home while QPR's Samba Diakité sees red

Mark Hughes left Craven Cottage last June, in his own phrase, to move on and further his experiences. Presumably, that did not include experiencing defeat by his former club Fulham at Loftus Road and amassing a distinctly average record of one win in six Premier League matches since succeeding Neil Warnock as manager of Queens Park Rangers six weeks ago.

Further ignominy was heaped on Hughes by losing to the division's worst away side, Fulham having previously won once on their travels this season – at Wigan Athletic in October. The QPR manager will not have been pleased, either, with the 33rd-minute loss of Samba Diakité, the midfield debutant who was sent off for two poor tackles on Bryan Ruiz. And the woe kept on coming for Hughes, who appeared to brush aside Martin Jol, his successor at Craven Cottage, after a mediocre match.

Hughes left QPR's west London rivals acrimoniously, with chairman Mohamed Al Fayed labelling him "a flop", and the managers have since clashed via reported tit-for-tat comments in the media.

"I offered my hand and he [Jol] shook it," Hughes said. "I congratulated him for a good performance by his team. I maybe took exception because I thought he was going to tap me on the head, which I deemed to be slightly patronising. So I just brushed his arm away, that's all. It's no big deal."

Jol said: "We shook hands. Maybe I made it a bit too personal. I tried to grab his shoulder and he didn't like it because he's a tough guy. He's a winner, he wants to win. Maybe he just doesn't like me."

QPR were little short of a shambles in the first half, well before the dismissal of Diakité – on loan from Nancy – for a second wild challenge on Ruiz that earned him his second yellow card.

It was QPR's fifth dismissal of the season, all of which had been at home, and their second in three matches. "We do need to keep our full complement on the pitch," Hughes said.

QPR had been struggling with 11 players as it was and Pavel Pogrebnyak had already scored his second goal in as many games for Fulham since signing on a short-term loan from VfB Stuttgart. The Russia striker collected a flick from Ruiz, coolly sidestepped the onrushing Paddy Kenny and slotted home.

Bobby Zamora, the QPR and former Fulham striker, was largely anonymous and although Jamie Mackie and Shaun Wright-Phillips missed excellent chances to equalise, it was an all-round experience that Hughes clearly would rather not have had to endure.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/feb/25/queens-park-rangers-fulham-premier-league

- On This Day in Football: February 25...Waddock's QPR beat Neil Warnock's Sheffield United...In 1968/69:Old First Division: QPR's second Worst Defeat: Crushed 5-0 by Coventry.

- One-Time "Wannabee" QPR Owner, Andrew Ellis Apologizes re Glasgow Rangers (Flashback to Ellis' QPR-Takeover Effort)

- The New QPR Official Supporters Club (OSC) Team "Lineup"

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- David Conn/The Guardian on the Big Money in the Championship - and the Two Sheffield Clubs/What They've Spent

- In Photos: The QPR Path to Wembley 1967 (From the Bushman Photo Archives)

- QPR Nostalgia: QPR's Unbelievable 1967/68 Season: Photos and Programme Notes. (From - of course - The Bushman Archives)

- Tony Fernandes: Airline, F1 and QPR: The Profile of and Interview

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

QPR Report Saturday: Fulham...Fulham Q&A...QPR and Social Media...Ferdinand Profiled/Interviewed...Warnock's Weekly Column...Flashbacks

2012-02-25T07:22:00.018Z

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- QPR and Fulham's Shared Manager! More From Bushman's 1967-68 Photo Archives

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- Photo - of course -from the Bushman QPR Photo Archives
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- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!

- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
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- On This Day in Football: February 25...Waddock's QPR beat Neil Warnock's Sheffield United...In 1968/69:Old First Division: QPR's second Worst Defeat: Crushed 5-0 by Coventry.

- One-Time "Wannabee" QPR Owner, Andrew Ellis Apologizes re Glasgow Rangers (Flashback to Ellis' QPR-Takeover Effort)

- See series of further Great Photos from QPR's Unbelievable 1967-1968 Promotion Season (From the Bushman Archives)

- The New QPR Official Supporters Club (OSC) Team "Lineup"

- Next: Fulham - Previews...Past Shared Players...Past Videos...Updates

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Ali Russell Exits Glasgow Rangers

- Neil Warnock Writing about his New Leeds Job...His Coaches, etc

- David Conn/The Guardian on the Big Money in the Championship - and the Two Sheffield Clubs/What They've Spent

Daily Mail/Sami Mokbel - QPR stars 'playing for their futures' as Hughes ready to wield the axe

Mark Hughes has begun to plan a mass summer clear-out at Queens Park Rangers.
But, as the disciplinarian boss continues to stamp his mark on the relegation-threatened club, a clutch of players remain surprised by Hughes' methods.

A source told Sportsmail: 'The players know they are playing for their futures.
'The manager is analysing each and every player very carefully at the moment and the squad know that. It will certainly be a very interesting few weeks leading into the summer.'
Saturday's west London clash at home to Fulham will be the first time Hughes' side have played since their winter training camp in Portugal.
But spirits in the squad are not as high as they could be.
The source added: 'Certain members of the squad thought the trip would be more of a team-bonding exercise. But it didn't work out that way.
'Hughes' methods have certainly been a bit of a culture shock to some of the players.' Daily Mail

QPR REPORT INTERVIEW: A FULHAM FAN PERSPECTIVE OF FULHAM

MaudesfishnChips Q&A With Fulham Supporter, Kristian Balkin of http://www.cottagersconfidential.com

How long have you supported fulham?

It's been about five years now for me - I'm only 18 as it is. As a youngster, I wasn't a big football fan but when I did watch it was mainly Manchester United. When I was 13, though, I tagged along with my Dad, a lifelong Fulham fan, to a friendly at Craven Cottage and I've loved Fulham ever since. It's a fair distance for me - I live near Portsmouth - but I go when I can.

How did you get to your blog? Has it evolved how you would of expected?

I was a writer for another website when a friend of mine decided to leave his post at Cottagers Confidential and we agreed I would take the reigns. It's great to have the opportunity to vent my anger/express my joy and have people take a genuine interest. I was slow getting into it but, of late, the site's gained popularity and I'm updating quite regularly.

Who are fulham's biggest Rival (or Rivals) and why?

Now, I'd say Queens Park Rangers. This time last year I would have said Chelsea, but we know that feeling has never been truly reciprocated from the Blues - to them we're just any other team. When you guys got promoted, though, it gave us another derby and what with the Hughes/Zamora link, it's intensified on our part since we met you in October.

Are you happy with your team and how things are to date? � What are your opinions on your manager ? His spending/selling so far?

I think we've finally reached a point of acceptance with Martin Jol and what he's doing with Fulham. At first, we were somewhat apprehensive as to his plans - he wanted to overhaul the squad and bring in some younger blood. It made sense on the periphery but the team that Hodgson/Hughes had built were so successful that it seemed counter-productive to build from scratch. The early signs were that it weren't working, too - we were struggling in the league and his signings were fruitless at best. When we were knocked out of the Europa League by Odense, things hit a new low. The majority were still content in the knowledge that we are a team in transition and, as such, it's going to be a difficult season. As it stands, we're putting together a reasonable run of results - although we still haven't won back-to-back league games, and Jol's purchases are proving to be, at least, decent. Bryan Ruiz was the Dutchman's biggest outlay and while his performances have been sporadic, when he's at his best he's a sublime player.

Your views on mark Hughes, then and now ?

Even though our final standing under Hughes was impressive - eighth place - it kind of masked what was a turbulent season for us. The first half, at least, was depressing at times. Our predictable away day blues were not treated and we were in a relegation fight by Christmas. Hughes made many promises about being a 'second half of the season manager' and he proved as much - the rest of the season was as good as we could have imagined. What must be taken into account, though, is that in the first half of the season, he tried to stamp his own mark on the team and, when this didn't work, we resorted back to the way we functioned under Hodgson. He was good for us, but it's not just bitterness speaking when I say he wasn't breathtaking. Now, I, and the rest of us, dislike him with a great amount of passion. He used the break clause in his contract to walk out amid talk of a lack of ambition, though we all know he was eyeing either the Chelsea or Villa job. When they didn't come knocking on his door - in some part because of what he had done to us - he probably felt a little foolish. We're glad he's back in the game now, but only to get one over him

What do you think of your current Owner? WHY is he involved? What do you expect from him?

As Jol said today in his press conference, Mohammed Al Fayed is one of the best chairmen you will ever find. His loyalty is probably his most endearing factor, but his finances and resources have driven us from the basement days of Division 3 football to the heady heights of the last eleven years. He's done everything for this club and he's done it in good faith. As for what we expect, we've become a little needy of late. I think we all saw his sale of Harrods as the opportunity to spend but it didn't happen until we lavished a fair amount of money on Bryan Ruiz. We're still realistic, however. We know that it was the money he pumped in that has got us this far, but we also know that we are no Chelsea or Man City. We live within our means and we like it that way.

How do you think fulham treats its fans? Appreciates them? Listens to them? Screws them?

It's difficult to dislike Fulham and the way they treat us - the ticket prices are respectable, the food is good and everything else is up to par as it should be. There are no real bugbears to speak of, in all honesty.

Who are you Dangermen/Most valued/most overrated/most underrated players?

Someone who consistently performs and yet doesn't receive all the praise he deserves is, undoubtedly, Moussa Dembele. He's a talent that stretches well beyond the �5.5 million we paid for him, and it's your current gaffer that unearthed him. The ball, most of the time, is practically glued to his feet and, most importantly, he knows what to do with it. He doesn't score many goals but his involvement is crucial in almost everything we do in the final third. Meanwhile, Clint Dempsey is of course grabbing the headlines - he's been fantastic of late. He's great in the air and can do wonders with his feet. The new boy, Pavel Pogrebnyak, is looking good too.

Are you happy with your youth set up? Is your club doing enough to bring young/local talent through the ranks?

It's taken a while to truly perfect it, but in the last few years there has been a steady production line. In the early Premier League days, the only noticeable graduates were Zat Knight and Elliot Omouzusi, but since Hogdson came in, Chris Smalling, Matthew Briggs, Kerim Frei and Marcello Trotta have proved themselves to be potential stars of the future. Jol is more inclined to using them to their full potential, while Hodgson and Hughes were a tad wary, so the next few years should see some of our academy graduates flourish.

Who would you say was the greatest fulham player that you yourself personally saw? And past player? (You can name more than one if it's that close!)

Obviously my scope is somewhat restricted, but I think I'd have to say Danny Murphy. The captain has been a mainstay since I started following Fulham and, even though a lot of Fulham fans won't agree with me, he's been invaluable to our success. His passing and vision is second to none and his influence on the pitch is palpable. Without him, there are many games over the past few years that we probably wouldn't have won - and for that, I personally thank him. As for past player, you cannot surpass Johnny Haynes

What is your prediction for fulham this season?

This season is all about consolidation and we'd do extremely well to claim a place in the top half. I think we have the squad to do it, but we're still adapting to the style of Jol and wins have been at a premium. I think we'll finish around 12th but I know it's plausible to finish higher.

Who do you predict to be in the bottom three at the end of this season

Bolton, Wolves and Blackburn. I feel a little uneasy saying Blackburn, because I think it's possible they'll stay up. Either they will go or Wigan will.

Are you aware of any past player or manager links between our two clubs ?

Of course we have Zamora and Hughes at the moment, and we can add Heidur Helguson to that list - although I believe he's injured for Saturday's tie. Rufus Brevett and Leroy Rosenior have played for both clubs, but that's the extent of my knowledge.

What is your view and the general fulham view of QPR?

I can't lie and say we like you, I'm afraid. In general, you've always been our closest rivals in terms of achievement and that means we view this tie as having a little extra spice. QPR are, of course, a good football club and you'll probably play some decent football under Hughes, but there won't be many of us cheering you on.

Who(if any) is your most memorable/favourite QPR Player over the years?

Adel Taarabt has always struck me as a quality player - sometimes selfish and a tad arrogant - but talented nonetheless. Zamora's good, I can assure you of that.

Any memorable matches between our two clubs that stand out for you? And the reasons why?(not including the 6-0 thrashing this season)

Well seen as I can't include the 6-0 hammering we dealt out in October, I would probably say the time before that. We won 2-0 at the Cottage and followed it up with promotion to the Premier League. We haven't looked back since while you guys were, unfortunately for yourselves, relegated that season.

Your score prediction for QPR v fulham?

I've put down on my site a 2-1 win for us, and I know it's going to be a close encounter. You guys will be up for it and you've added a lot of quality in January. Hughes will look to prove a point but the pertinence of the game will be known by every Fulham player too. Hopefully the Pog will be the difference on the day, and Zamora will miss a sitter or two.

What, realistically, do you think fulham are capable of achieving in the next five years?

The greatest thing we could plausibly achieve is a cup win of some form, because it's been a while. The last trophy we won was the inter-toto cup, and I don't think that really counts. Another European journey like our voyage of 2010 would be nice, and also establishing ourselves as top 6 contenders isn't beyond comprehension. We'll have to wait and see.

How embarrassed, on a scale of 1-10 are fulham supporters of THAT statue

At first I would have said 10, and then went away to weep in a corner. It's pretty tasteless but, at the end of the day, Al Fayed has done so much for Fulham that I wouldn't be bothered if he turned the Johnny Haynes stand into a nightclub and invited Garry Glitter onto the field. It's not classy but it's quirky and I'm not one to bemoan something that Al Fayed has done. He's a great man.

Many thanks to MaudesfishnChips and to Fulham Supporter, Kristian Balkin of http://www.cottagersconfidential.com

BBC

Fulham have a greater stature than QPR - Martin Jol

Fulham manager Martin Jol has said it will be several years before Saturday's Premier League opponents Queens Park Rangers share his club's stature.

QPR manager Mark Hughes quit the Cottagers in the summer after he claimed they lacked ambition .

Continue reading the main story
“He [Al Fayed] wants to help us and I don't think you can find a better chairman than him
”

Martin Jol
"We have been in this league for years now and QPR came up in the summer," the Dutchman stated.

"We are established and they have to try to get established in the next couple of years."

Despite more than one relegation fight since being promoted to the top flight in 2001, Fulham have cemented themselves as regulars in mid-table or better, and were beaten finalists in the 2010 Europa League final.

QPR are in their first Premier League campaign in 15 years and sit in 16th place in the table, level on points with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are in the final relegation spot.

Fulham's own return to the top division followed the arrival of chairman Mohamed Al Fayed in 1997. When the Egyptian took over, the side were in the third tier of English football - though they had just won promotion from the bottom division - and had not competed in the top flight since 1968.

AL FAYED'S BIG SIGNINGS
•Chris Coleman (£2m from Blackburn Rovers, 1997)
•Louis Saha (£2.1m from Metz, 2000)
•Steve Marlet (£11.5m from Lyon, 2001)
•Edwin van der Sar (£5m from Juventus, 2001)
•Diomansy Kamara (£6m from West Bromwich Albion, 2007)
•Andrew Johnson (£10.5m from Everton, 2008)
•Bryan Ruiz (£10.6m from Twente, 2011)
Despite QPR chairman Tony Fernandes spending more than £10m in the January transfer window, including £4m on Fulham striker Bobby Zamora, Jol insisted he is working under the best chairman in the league.

"At Fulham we are quite sound, we're healthy and we have got the chairman," the Dutchman said.

"Every time we want something, like Bryan Ruiz - although maybe not the reported £10m fee - he has been very willing to help us because he is almost a legend here.

"He wants to help us and I don't think you can find a better chairman than him.

"Here I have to go to his office every two or three weeks and the only thing he always asks is 'can I help you?' and 'are there any problems?'

"If there are any problems he will help us, which is what he did with signing Pavel Pogrebnyak on transfer deadline day last month." BBC

Australian Goalie Going Out On Loan - West London Sport Loan deal agreed for QPR youngster

QPR have agreed to loan Australian goalkeeper Aaron Lennox to non-League Maidenhead United for a month.

Lennox, 19, was signed by Rangers last year after impressing during a trial.

He was previously with the Australian Institute of Sport, which also produced former R�s full-back Andrew McDermott.
http://www.westlondonsport.com/west-london-sport/qpr-send-teenager-out-on-loan/

PREVIOUSLY

Brand E Biz
Topping the Premier League social media rankings

Which Premier League football club can boast the fastest-growing Facebook page? Take a bow Queens Park Rangers, whose QPR page has seen a 234% spike since the season kicked off. The west London club currently sits in 11th spot in Freestyle Interactive’s Facebook rankings, with 49,000 ‘likes’.

And how has QPR managed to grow on social media?

The club tells Freestyle Interactive that it makes sure its Facebook page is kept topped up with content from live press conferences and match reporting, while QPR also makes efforts to get fans to share views online.

And what has social media done for QPR and its supporters?

“We are more transparent as a club, allowing fans to hear the latest news first via our official channels, and not the morning papers.”

English Premier League clubs now have a combined total of 50 million Facebook likes – though Manchester United make up just under half of this number with a huge 22 million likes. The league’s 20 clubs have a total of 3.2 million followers on Twitter.
Brand-e.biz

QPR Official Site

R'S FANS EMBRACE SOCIAL NETWORKINGPosted on: Fri 24 Feb 2012

As the Club strives to go from strength to strength off the park, as well as on it, we are delighted to report a significant achievement in our social networking figures.

Since the start of the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League season, our Facebook page has seen a remarkable 234 per-cent spike, with over 49,000 of our loyal supporters 'liking' our page.

QPR Press Manager, Ian Taylor, told www.qpr.co.uk: "We are really proud of the growth in our figures since the start of the season.

"We are making huge strides day-by-day, as we attempt to put QPR on the map - both on and off the pitch.

"Our supporters have embraced our social networking platforms and this set of results are as much about them as they are us, so thanks to the fans for their continued support."

QPR's official Twitter feed - @OfficialQPR - has over 22,400 followers, which places the Club in 13th place in the Premier League Freestyle Interactive rankings, ahead of the likes of established top-flight duo Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.

Our Facebook statistics are even more impressive, with 49,233 QPR fans liking our page, placing us just outside the top-ten.

To follow us on Twitter, click here

To like us on Facebook, click here

To view the full story on brand-e.biz, click here QPR Official Site

Standard

Meet Anton Ferdinand, the defender determined to realise his potential
Tim Nichols\Potential. It's the word that has followed Anton Ferdinand from West Ham to Sunderland and back to London with Queens Park Rangers - and he has had enough.

"People always talk about potential when it comes to me," Ferdinand admits. "It came to a stage when I was sick of hearing that word because I always knew I had potential and what I wanted to hear was that I was a good player. People need to start saying I've fulfilled potential and become a good player."

As the younger brother of Manchester United and England defender Rio, it was ever thus for Anton.
They both play in central defence, both came through the ranks of West Ham's famed Academy and both are comfortable on the ball. Comparisons were inevitable.

But playing in the shadow of the world's most expensive defender clearly doesn't bother the 27-year-old former England Under-21 international. Not that he has ruled out emulating the considerable achievements of his brother's career.

"Rio has definitely helped me," says Ferdinand. "That's the beauty of having a brother who does the same job and is in the limelight the same as I am. Obviously, he is in the limelight to a bigger scale. Seeing what he has been through and learning from some of his mistakes has made me learn a lot. It's good to have a brother who does that for you.

"He wants me to do well, he's my big brother, he wants to me to do better than him. Whether that will happen or not, I've not got much time but we'll see, there's still time to do it."

But as he approaches what should be the peak years of his career, is there still time to earn a senior cap?

"I want to be the best I can be," he says without hesitation. "I would like to have a chance of playing for my country. I played a lot of games for the Under-21s and if you ask the managers who were there with me, Stuart Pearce and Peter Taylor, I never looked out of place, I looked comfortable at international level. It's more of a thinking game and I thrive like that.

"If I'm playing well, I'd like to think I'm in with a chance because I believe I'm good enough to play for my country and if given a chance I'd take it with both hands."

For now, though, he has more pressing matters to worry about. Of course, there is the distraction of John Terry's upcoming court case for allegedly racially abusing Ferdinand, a matter the QPR player is unable to discuss publicly.

On the field, his focus is firmly on ensuring Rangers retain their Premier League status.
The club have had a difficult season on their return to the top flight after 15 years. With less than two weeks of the summer transfer window remaining, Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes bought the club, ended speculation about Neil Warnock's future as manager and provided funds to buy proven Premier League performers Ferdinand, Joey Barton, Luke Young and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

But a bad run of results before Christmas sealed Warnock's fate and Mark Hughes was appointed - his first job since leaving tomorrow's visitors, Fulham, at the end of last season.

Hughes strengthened the Rangers squad in January, bringing in Bobby Zamora and Djibril Cisse to add some potency up front and Nedum Onuoha to provide cover at the back.

Not that Ferdinand ever considered the prospect of relegation. He says: "Even without the signings, I never had any doubts. We've added Bobby and Djibril and I've played with them before - it's nice to be playing with Bobby again. He is not just a fantastic footballer, he is a good person and someone I got on well with at West Ham. The same with Djibril. I played with him at Sunderland and I have only good words to say about him. He's a fantastic person and his goal stats speak for themselves."

As with Chelsea and Manchester City - clubs that have also benefited from wealthy benefactors - QPR have seen a considerable turnover of players since Fernandes bought the club. Eleven new faces have arrived since the start of the season and more will surely follow. But rather than fear who the owner and manager wish to bring in, Ferdinand welcomes the investment.

"I am confident that no matter who would have come in this window I would have backed my ability to claim my shirt for the rest of the season," he says. "The more players coming in the better.

Quality players coming in can only be good for the club. I can't talk about other players but, for me personally, I thrive on that. If there is another player next to me or ahead of me I want that shirt and I will do anything to get it. When there is more players in the squad, it breeds competition and that is healthy for any squad."

Nothing much appears to faze Ferdinand - certainly not adjusting to a new manager halfway through the season.

"I'm used to it because when I moved from West Ham to Sunderland I'd worked with Roy Keane for just three months, then he left," he says.

"I've not got a bad word to say about Warnock, he brought me to QPR and restored my confidence and let me play football week in, week out again which is all I wanted to do. But it wasn't meant to be and we have a new manager.

"I watched an interview Hughes did when he was appointed and he said he believes he has the best staff around him in the League. After being with him and his coaching staff, I'd say he is not far wrong.

"I'm a player who likes to learn who is not scared of being told the truth. Eddie [Niedzwiecki] has been brilliant with me, same as Bo [Mark Bowen] and the same as the gaffer. I'm enjoying working under them. I'm learning things from them which is brilliant. It's not just in games, I'm learning Monday to Friday, during training. Any professional will tell you that is key.

"You never stop developing until you hang your boots up but I was going through a stage when I was only really learning in games and not in training. Ask any professional - if you're learning in training, games become easier."

Professionalism is a theme Ferdinand keeps returning to during the interview. At West Ham he was, by his own admission, enjoying the life of a footballer a bit too much.

"When I was younger, I was enjoying life and playing football," he says. "As you get older, that life has to stop and take a back seat. With moving out of London to Sunderland, I could do that. I've come back a different person, which is good. I've matured. Yeah, that's the best way to put it. I've matured and become a better pro with age."

Just don't mention his potential.

Anton Ferdinand appears courtesy of New Era Global Sports Management - Standard

PREVIOUSLY

- On This Day: February 24: QPR Crash to Wimbledon and Gerry Francis Quits (Again)...39 Years Ago: FA Cup Loss to Derby County...5 Years Ago: Three New QPR Directors

- Neil Warnock Talking about "One Last Season" - and his heartache at QPR Axe

- Ex-Bristol City and Hereford Defender Off to Prison

- Two Year Flashback: Antonio Caliendo on the (Seeming) Departure of Flavio Briatore: "The Clown Has Left The Circus"

- Spot The Ball: The Answer!"

- On This Day in Football: February 23

- Football and QPR's Fight Against Homophobia

- Very Interesting David Conn/The Guardian re The Tax Man and Football Clubs and Portsmouth Layoffs and Manchester United and the Glazers' Debt

- Several Other photos of the Danny Shittu-Prince Charles Meeting!

- Jay Bothroyd Talking re QPR and Football

- 35 Years Ago Today: QPR's Losing League Cup Semi Final to Aston Villa - at Highbury

- On This Day in Football: QPR Sell Phil Parkes...Mark Lazarus Returns to QPR...Birthdays for Ian Dawes and Others

- 11 Years Ago: QPR's Managerial Search: Bruce, Jewell, Bassett!

- QPR, Fulham, Chelsea Police Chief: Hooligan Mentality and Football Violence Must End

- In Photos: The QPR Path to Wembley 1967 (From the Bushman Photo Archives)

- QPR Nostalgia: QPR's Unbelievable 1967/68 Season: Photos and Programme Notes. (From - of course - The Bushman Archives)

- Memories! Claims re Portsmouth/Administrator "Conflict of Interest"

- Tony Fernandes: Airline, F1 and QPR: The Profile of and Interview

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

QPR Report Friday: The Tremendous Growth of QPR on Social Media...The New QPR Official Supporters Club (OSC) "Team"...Previews and Flashbacks

2012-02-24T08:07:00.011Z

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- (L-R) Rodney Marsh, Ian Morgan, Roger Morgan, Keith Sanderson, Ron Springett, Frank Clarke, Mick Leach, Ron Hunt, Tony Hazell, Mike Keen & Alec Stock - See series of further Great Photos from QPR's Unbelievable 1967-1968 Promotion Season (From the Bushman Archives)

- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
-
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- The Bushman QPR Photo Archives
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- The New QPR Official Supporters Club (OSC) "Lineup"

- Next: Fulham - Previews...Past Shared Players...Past Videos...Updates

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- On This Day: February 24: QPR Crash to Wimbledon and Gerry Francis Quits (Again)...39 Years Ago: FA Cup Loss to Derby County...5 Years Ago: Three New QPR Directors

- Great Photos from QPR's Unbelievable 1967-1968 Promotion Season (From the Bushman Archives)

- Ali Russell Exits Glasgow Rangers

- Neil Warnock Talking about "One Last Season" - and his heartache at QPR Axe

- Ex-Bristol City and Hereford Defender Off to Prison

Brand E Biz
Topping the Premier League social media rankings

Which Premier League football club can boast the fastest-growing Facebook page? Take a bow Queens Park Rangers, whose QPR page has seen a 234% spike since the season kicked off. The west London club currently sits in 11th spot in Freestyle Interactive’s Facebook rankings, with 49,000 ‘likes’.

And how has QPR managed to grow on social media?

The club tells Freestyle Interactive that it makes sure its Facebook page is kept topped up with content from live press conferences and match reporting, while QPR also makes efforts to get fans to share views online.

And what has social media done for QPR and its supporters?

“We are more transparent as a club, allowing fans to hear the latest news first via our official channels, and not the morning papers.”

English Premier League clubs now have a combined total of 50 million Facebook likes – though Manchester United make up just under half of this number with a huge 22 million likes. The league’s 20 clubs have a total of 3.2 million followers on Twitter.
Brand-e.biz

PREVIOUSLY

- Two Year Flashback: Antonio Caliendo on the (Seeming) Departure of Flavio Briatore: "The Clown Has Left The Circus"

- Spot The Ball: The Answer!"

- On This Day in Football: February 23

- Football and QPR's Fight Against Homophobia

- Very Interesting David Conn/The Guardian re The Tax Man and Football Clubs and Portsmouth Layoffs and Manchester United and the Glazers' Debt

- Several Other photos of the Danny Shittu-Prince Charles Meeting!

- Jay Bothroyd Talking re QPR and Football

- 35 Years Ago Today: QPR's Losing League Cup Semi Final to Aston Villa - at Highbury

- On This Day in Football: QPR Sell Phil Parkes...Mark Lazarus Returns to QPR...Birthdays for Ian Dawes and Others

- 11 Years Ago: QPR's Managerial Search: Bruce, Jewell, Bassett!

- QPR, Fulham, Chelsea Police Chief: Hooligan Mentality and Football Violence Must End

- In Photos: The QPR Path to Wembley 1967 (From the Bushman Photo Archives)

- QPR Nostalgia: QPR's Unbelievable 1967/68 Season: Photos and Programme Notes. (From - of course - The Bushman Archives)

- Memories! Claims re Portsmouth/Administrator "Conflict of Interest"

- Tony Fernandes: Airline, F1 and QPR: The Profile of and Interview

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

QPR Report Thursday: The New QPR Official Supporters Club (OSC) "Lineup".."Four Year Plan" on BBC 2...West Ham Co-Chairman Sullivan on Tony Fernandes

2012-02-23T09:06:00.011Z

-

- From the Bushman QPR Photo Archives
-
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
-
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- The Bushman QPR Photo Archives
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- The New QPR Official Supporters Club (OSC) "Lineup"

- Next: Fulham - Previews...Past Shared Players...Past Videos...Updates

"The Four Year Plan" Coming to BBC 2
Broadcast Now/Jake Kanter - BBC2 buys rights to Ad Hoc’s QPR story

The tempestuous boardroom activities at Queens Park Rangers Football Club are the focus of a documentary acquired by BBC2.

The channel has picked up the rights to Ad Hoc Films’ award-winning The Four Year Plan from distributor Mercury Media.

The film provides unprecedented access to the QPR executive team after the club was rescued from bankruptcy in 2007 by billionaire backers Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone, Lakshmi Mittal and Amit Bhatia.

The doc follows their four-year strategy to restore QPR to the Premier League, providing an intimate insight into the controversies and decisions taken.

The acquisition was brokered by Carol Sennett, the BBC’s executive producer, programme acquisition, and Mercury Media chief executive Tim Sparke.

The Four Year Plan won best documentary at the Marbella International Film Festival and has also been picked up by Norway’s TV2. It has won the praise of high-profile sports journalists.

“It will appeal not just to football fans but to anyone who loves a great story,” said Sennett. Broadcast Now

West Ham Co-Chairman David Sullivan re Tony Fernandes

D: What happened with Tony Fernandes?

DS: He was trying to buy the club when we were trying to buy the club. He’s very tricky, Tony. I won’t say any more than that. He told a few pork pies to us. What he said this year, his offer was ridiculous. He wanted to put a little bit of money into the club – and I mean ‘a little bit’ – to take 51% of the club. We didn’t have 51% to sell really, as it would have left us with 13% between us. We’d have been giving him our shares. It was a ludicrous offer. But he’s certainly pumped some money into Queen’s Park Rangers. It will be interesting to see if they stay up or go down. Tony is a charming, charismatic man, a fantastic salesman, very good at talking..."

To read the complete, lengthy and very interesting...
TELEGRAPH
West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan opens up on the club he supports and now part-owns
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan gives a remarkably frank and in-depth insight in to the workings of the club, from trying to sign Fernando Torres on loan, how he deals with Sam Allardyce and Scott Parker's change in style when Tottenham came calling.
The interview was originally published on the West Ham Till I Die blog.
...Published here courtesy of West Ham Till I Die http://www.westhamtillidie.com/ Telegraph

- Two Year Flashback: Antonio Caliendo on the (Seeming) Departure of Flavio Briatore: "The Clown Has Left The Circus"

- Spot The Ball: The Answer!"

- On This Day in Football: February 23

- Football and QPR's Fight Against Homophobia

- Very Interesting David Conn/The Guardian re The Tax Man and Football Clubs and Portsmouth Layoffs and Manchester United and the Glazers' Debt

- Several Other photos of the Danny Shittu-Prince Charles Meeting!

- Jay Bothroyd Talking re QPR and Football

- 35 Years Ago Today: QPR's Losing League Cup Semi Final to Aston Villa - at Highbury

- On This Day in Football: QPR Sell Phil Parkes...Mark Lazarus Returns to QPR...Birthdays for Ian Dawes and Others

- 11 Years Ago: QPR's Managerial Search: Bruce, Jewell, Bassett!

- QPR, Fulham, Chelsea Police Chief: Hooligan Mentality and Football Violence Must End

- In Photos: The QPR Path to Wembley 1967 (From the Bushman Photo Archives)

- QPR Nostalgia: QPR's Unbelievable 1967/68 Season: Photos and Programme Notes. (From - of course - The Bushman Archives)

- Memories! Claims re Portsmouth/Administrator "Conflict of Interest"

- Tony Fernandes: Airline, F1 and QPR: The Profile of and Interview

- Note: For Users of SPOTIFY - A number of old QPR songs can be heard. Just type in: "QPR...!

- Update re Tony Fernandes Business: Tune Mideast Launched

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

QPR Report Wednesday Snippets: Danny Shittu and the Future King...On This Day: Phil Parkes Sold...Mark Lazarus Returns...QPR League Cup Semi Finals

2012-02-22T08:45:00.009Z

-

-
- Several Other photos of the Danny Shittu-Prince Charles Meeting!

-
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
-
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- From the Bushman QPR Photo Archives
_______________________________________________________________________________________

- Spot The Ball: The Answer!"

- Jay Bothroyd Talking re QPR and Football

- 35 Years Ago Today: QPR's Losing League Cup Semi Final to Aston Villa - at Highbury

- On This Day in Football: QPR Sell Phil Parkes...Mark Lazarus Returns to QPR...Birthdays for Ian Dawes and Others

- 11 Years Ago: QPR's Managerial Search: Bruce, Jewell, Bassett!

- QPR, Fulham, Chelsea Police Chief: Hooligan Mentality and Football Violence Must End

- Very Interesting David Conn/The Guardian re The Tax Man and Football Clubs

- Next: Fulham - Shared Players/Past Results/Previews

QPR RESERVES BEAT WATFORD RESERVES
OFFICIAL SITE - COOK SERVES UP A DOUBLE
Posted on: Tue 21 Feb 2012

QPR Reserves ran out convincing 4-2 winners against Watford at London Colney this afternoon.

A brace from Lee Cook and further strikes from Federico Macheda and Angelo Balanta clinched a comfortable win for the R's.

Marc Bircham, who oversaw the victory, commented: "It was probably one of our best displays of the season.

"The lads were excellent and Angelo capped it with a brilliant volley late on."

QPR led 2-0 at the break, thanks to Macheda's second minute strike and a Cook goal on the half hour.

The Hornets - to their credit - rallied briefly after the break, pulling a goal back early in the second half.

But Rangers stepped back on the gas, with Cook's second a minute later and Balanta's wondergoal sandwiching a second for the 'Orns on 75 minutes.

QPR: Lennox, Ehmer, Shittu, Ramage, Harriman, Balanta, Doughty, Perone, Cook, Macheda, Trialist. QPR

- In Photos: The QPR Path to Wembley 1967 (From the Bushman Photo Archives)

- QPR Nostalgia: QPR's Unbelievable 1967/68 Season: Photos and Programme Notes. (From - of course - The Bushman Archives)

- Iranian Team refuses to Play Partizan Belgrade because have Israeli Coach (Avram Grant)

- Memories! Claims re Portsmouth/Administrator "Conflict of Interest"

- Tony Fernandes: Airline, F1 and QPR: The Profile of and Interview

- Note: For Users of SPOTIFY - A number of old QPR songs can be heard. Just type in: "QPR...!

- Update re Tony Fernandes Business: Tune Mideast Launched

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

- - Play: "Spot The Ball!"

QPR Report Tuesday...Australian Youth Signs...Quashie Set for Dundee...Flashback: QPR's Path to Wembley Glory

2012-02-21T08:20:00.009Z

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- How QPR Got to Wembley: In Programme Notes: The QPR Path to Wembley 1967: CLICK To see the rest of that path...(From the Bushman Photo Archives)
-
- Forty-Two Years Ago Today: QPR vs Chelsea in the FA Cup Quarter Final

-
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
-
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- From the Bushman QPR Photo Archives
_______________________________________________________________________________________

- In Photos: The QPR Path to Wembley 1967 (From the Bushman Photo Archives)

- QPR Nostalgia: QPR's Unbelievable 1967/68 Season: Photos and Programme Notes. (From - of course - The Bushman Archives)

- Forty-Two Years Ago Today: QPR vs Chelsea in the FA Cup Quarter Final

- Iranian Team refuses to Play Partizan Belgrade because have Israeli Coach (Avram Grant)

- Memories! Claims re Portsmouth/Administrator "Conflict of Interest"

- Tony Fernandes: Airline, F1 and QPR: The Profile of and Interview

- Keith Curle Succeeds Martin Allen at Notts County

- Simon Grayson Takes Over at Huddersfield

Sport STV - Nigel Quashie set for Dundee move
http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-fi....or-dundee-move/

The former Scotland international could complete a move to Dens Park later this week.

20 February 2012

Former Scotland international Nigel Quashie is set to sign for Dundee until the end of the season.

The midfielder, who has been without a club since leaving Queens Park Rangers in the summer of 2010, has held talks and could complete a move to Dens Park by the end of the week.

English-born Quashie played 14 times for Scotland, debuting against Estonia in 2004 and playing his final match against Lithuania in September 2006.

Quashie, 33, has spent his entire professional career south of the border, playing for QPR, Nottingham Forest, Portsmouth, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United, Birmingham City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Milton Keynes Dons.
Sport STV

QPR Sign Australian Youth

SKY - Queens Park Rangers have won the battle to sign Australian striker Peter Skapetis.

The 17-year-old is rated very highly in his homeland and is considered one of the best players for his age in Australia.

Skapetis had previously linked up with Birmingham, but he has now signed professional terms with Rangers after impressing during training.

Skapetis has now signed a deal with the Premier League strugglers through to 2014. Skysports

- Next: Fulham - Shared Players/Past Results/Previews

- Leon Jeanne Still Playing

- Eleven Years ago Today: Iain Dowie "I'd Love to be QPR Boss"

- On this Day in Football: February 20: Tony Roberts Axed...Mick Harford's One QPR Win (Second Spell) and For QPR, a Streaker...VIDEO of Rodney Marsh vs Hull - and Terry Neil Missing Penalty!

- One Year Flashback: Robbo - Neil Roberts - RIP

- Martin Allen Axed by Notts County Update. Keith Curle Linked as Successor

- The Neil Warnock at Leeds Thread and Updates!

- VIDEO: The Vauxhall Motors Humiliation!

- Note: For Users of SPOTIFY - A number of old QPR songs can be heard. Just type in: "QPR...!

- Two Year Flashback: Flavio Briatore Steps Down as QPR Chairman (and QPR Fans cheered what they THOUGHT was the departure of Briatore and the de facto Mittal takeover...But as they learned a year later...!)

- Closed Door Friendly vs West Ham on Friday (West Ham's "Development Team" against presumably similar QPR team)

- Update re Tony Fernandes Business: Tune Mideast Launched

- On This Day in Football: February 19...38 Years ago: Stan Bowles last (free) Kick of the Game Winner in the FA Cup

- Premier Clubs and QPR and the Battle Against Homophobia

- Ian Holloway on Relationship between the Chairman and the Manager...and his View of Plastic Pitches (NO QPR References in either area!)

- Five Year Flashback: Minutes of the QPR-Fans "Consultative Meeting"

- Football League Considering Return to Plastic: Football League "Consultative Document" re Artificial Surface

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

- - Play: "Spot The Ball!"

QPR Report Monday: Tony Fernandes Profiled and Interviewed...QPR Back From Portugal. Set For Fulham

2012-02-20T06:25:00.014Z

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-

- From the Bushman QPR Photo Archives
-
- QPR Nostalgia: QPR's Unbelievable 1967/68 Season: Photos and Programme Notes. (From - of course - The Bushman Archives)
-
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
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- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard
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- QPR Nostalgia: QPR's Unbelievable 1967/68 Season: Photos and Programme Notes. (From - of course - The Bushman Archives)

- Next: Fulham - Shared Players/Past Results/Previews

- Leon Jeanne Still Playing

- Eleven Years ago Today: Iain Dowie "I'd Love to be QPR Boss"

- On this Day in Football: February 20: Tony Roberts Axed...Mick Harford's One QPR Win (Second Spell) and For QPR, a Streaker...VIDEO of Rodney Marsh vs Hull - and Terry Neil Missing Penalty!

- One Year Flashback: Robbo - Neil Roberts - RIP

- Martin Allen Axed by Notts County Update. Keith Curle Linked as Successor

- The Neil Warnock at Leeds Thread and Updates!

- VIDEO: The Vauxhall Motors Humiliation!

- Note: For Users of SPOTIFY - A number of old QPR songs can be heard. Just type in: "QPR...!

- Two Year Flashback: Flavio Briatore Steps Down as QPR Chairman (and QPR Fans cheered what they THOUGHT was the departure of Briatore and the de facto Mittal takeover...But as they learned a year later...!)

- Closed Door Friendly vs West Ham on Friday (West Ham's "Development Team" against presumably similar QPR team)

- Update re Tony Fernandes Business: Tune Mideast Launched

Wall Street Journal/John Crowley

FEBRUARY 20, 2012 - How AirAsia's CEO Spreads His Wings

Tony Fernandes says he is living a "boy's own dream." Last summer, the Malaysian-born entrepreneur was running Asia's biggest budget airline, a Formula 1 team and a global hotel chain. Clearly, this wasn't demanding enough, because in August the self-confessed sports fan paid around £35 million ($55.4 million) for a majority stake in English Premier League soccer team Queens Park Rangers.

Queens Park Rangers' Malaysian owner Tony Fernandes signs autograph books in London before a Dec. 18 game.

For a shy boy who, at the age of 12, was dispatched on his own from Malaysia to a private school in England, Mr. Fernandes has come a long way. In 2001, he paid 25 cents for AirAsia Bhd, a Malaysian government-owned airline. Starting with two planes and $11 million in debt, the low-fares airline has since carried some 120 million passengers from its hub in Kuala Lumpur.

"I bought a football club, I own a Formula 1 team. I have been in the music business and I own an airline," the former Warner Music managing director says with a laugh. "It's kind of unreal. But you do make your own luck and fortune favors the brave."

On any given day, Mr. Fernandes can be found fielding a request for a multi-million-pound soccer player, watching his F1 team Caterham at a racing grand prix, or buying a fleet of planes for AirAsia.

When we meet at his town house in central London, Mr. Fernandes is all smiles, swiftly brushing off the suggestion that he is spreading himself too thinly.

Joined by Philip Beard, the man he appointed as chief executive of QPR, he studies new stadium plans for the club in West London. At the same time, Mr. Fernandes scans the price of oil on his iPad, fires out messages to his 168,000 Twitter followers and explains why attending the exclusive Epsom College as a boy was such a "tremendous" experience.

"What did I take away from it? A challenge—that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. That nothing comes easy in life [and the importance of] teamwork.

"The best part of school in England was that it exposed you to lots of everything—different experiences. It brought your personality out."

Not that life in 1970s Britain was idyllic. Irked at not being invited to the house of a friend's friend, he discovered it was because it was feared he wouldn't be "capable of using a knife and fork."

"He thought we lived in a treehouse," he says. "This was 1977 and no one knew [of] Malaysia," though he stresses such gaucherie was the exception, not the rule.

A decade ago, discontented at the direction the music business was taking, the father of two resigned from his well-paid executive job, remortgaged his house for $500,000 and took on the not-inconsiderable risk of buying up a failing air carrier.

"I went to my boss [at Warner Music] and quit. He was thrilled, because he always wanted to get rid of me... because he thought I was after his job. Which I was! And I walked out not knowing what the hell I was going to do."

Mr. Fernandes, a graduate of the London School of Economics, had been inspired to run his own airline by a visit to Luton Airport, some 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of London, where, by the beginning of the past decade, low-cost European air carriers were in the ascendant.

"I saw Stelios [Haji-Ioannou] on TV talking about [his British low-cost airline] EasyJet. So I went to Luton and I saw people flying to Barcelona for £6 and Paris for £9. Everything was orange. I thought: 'This is great!'"

He credits his mother, Ena, with teaching him the art of selling and introducing him to the romance of flying. A frequent flier, she would be met on her return by five-year-old Tony and his father, a doctor.

"My love for planes started there," he says. "Me and my dad would go to the airport really early. We were early plane-spotters."

Decades later, Mr. Fernandes and his business partner Kamarudin Meranun founded Tune Air Sdn. Bhd., inking the deal for AirAsia within weeks of 9/11, an event that led to the collapse of several major airlines. It was a terrific risk. "There is a very fine line between brilliance and stupidity," Mr. Fernandes concedes. "'You idiot, you gave such a great job away to start an airline.' If it failed a lot of people would have said that, right? But I [had] reached a point and maybe Epsom taught me that you only live once. And if you don't try, you don't know."

The airline was an immediate hit with passengers and, in 2004, it became a publicly listed company after a Malaysian initial public offering. Between 2007 and 2011 it has won travel consultancy Skytrax's best low-cost airline award four times.

Mr. Fernandes has now taken the low-fares model into accommodation, forming Tune Hotels in 2007. With 14 hotels in Asia and Europe, it plans to reach 100 hotels world-wide by 2016.

In 2010, Mr. Fernandes indulged his love of sport by branching off into Formula 1, under the name Team Lotus (now called Caterham for the 2012 season), of which he is team principal. He is awaiting "payment" from a wager with Richard Branson, a new F1 team principal himself, for whom Mr. Fernandes briefly worked in the 1980s as an auditor at Virgin.

The two F1 newcomers had a bet on which team would finish higher. Mr. Branson lost. The penalty? To work in a female flight attendant's uniform for a day on the winner's airline.

This year, Mr. Fernandes took on a higher-stakes gamble, returning full circle to the U.K. to take a majority stake in QPR, a club that returned to the English Premier League after a 15-year hiatus.

As the chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd., he is the public face of a consortium that took a 66% share in the club. The remaining third is held by the family of London-based Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal.

The former music executive in Mr. Fernandes comes out when he describes the marketing potential of the EPL. "English football is massive," he says. "There is only one way that it's going to go. And that's upward."

And he hasn't been afraid to take tough decisions. In January, he sacked Neil Warnock, the manager who brought the club back into English football's top flight, but who had failed to arrest an alarming slide down the EPL table.

Mr. Fernandes took to Twitter to communicate his move, telling shocked fans that it had been a "very, very hard decision."

Since this interview, the QPR chairman has also had to use his experience to contend with a high-profile race incident. In a game with Chelsea, Anton Ferdinand, a player Mr. Ferdinand bought last summer, was allegedly racially abused by John Terry.

Mr. Terry, 31, denies the charge and will appear in court in July. The case itself indirectly brought about the resignation of the England soccer manager. Fabio Capello stepped down this month after the Football Association, the game's governing body, stripped Mr. Terry of the England captaincy.

In a statement issued after the original incident in October, Mr. Fernandes said the club didn't condone racism in any shape or form, but wouldn't be making any further comment on the matter at that stage.

Clearly, QPR has taken up a huge amount of time and energy. But life in the Premier League hasn't dulled his enthusiasm for business. Asked about his recipe for success, he replies: "I honestly believe the first thing in business is: can you make something that people want? Cheap travel in Asia is a no-brainer."

"How do you build a competitive business? Whether it's Lotus, whether it's QPR, whether it's Tune Hotels…build a business that people want. Have the right people. Be focused and allow people to get on and do their jobs. Give them a strategy, but allow them to go and do it.

"The very last thing, which I think is the most important, is: people have simply got to enjoy coming into work." Wall Street Journal

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - HOMEWARD BOUND
Posted on: Sun 19 Feb 2012

With a hard week of warm-weather training behind them the QPR squad returned home from Portugal this afternoon.

Mark Hughes took his team away from the cold UK conditions to make the most of the break in fixtures and now has his squad ready for the crucial Premier League run-in, starting with Fulham at Loftus Road on Saturday.

After a team meal in Vilamoura last night, the players met for breakfast this morning before a 10.30am coach to Faro Airport.

A private flight was organised as the squad travelled in style, landing at Farnborough Airport shortly after 3pm this afternoon.

Having enjoyed a successful response to such mid-season breaks in the past with Blackburn, Manchester City and Fulham, Hughes will be looking for a similar reaction from his QPR players QPR

MIRROR - Warnock wants reunion with Rangers defender
New Leeds boss Neil Warnock is ready to raid his old club QPR to make coach Ronnie Jepson his first signing. Mirror

- On This Day in Football: February 19...38 Years ago: Stan Bowles last (free) Kick of the Game Winner in the FA Cup

- Premier Clubs and QPR and the Battle Against Homophobia

- Ex-QPR Martin Allen (strangely) axed by Notts County...Ex-QPR Coach Keith Curle Linked as Possible Replacement

- New Leeds United Manager, Neil Warnock (sigh!) Picks up his First Leeds Win, before really taking charge. Targets Playoffs!...

- Ian Holloway on Relationship between the Chairman and the Manager...and his View of Plastic Pitches (NO QPR References in either area!)

- Five Year Flashback: Minutes of the QPR-Fans "Consultative Meeting"

- Football League Considering Return to Plastic: Football League "Consultative Document" re Artificial Surface

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

- - Play: "Spot The Ball!"

QPR Report Sunday: Two Year Flashback: Flavio Briatore OUT as QPR Chairman....QPR 1936-37 Season

2012-02-19T09:44:00.008Z

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- See More of QPR 1936-37 Season at the Bushman Photo Archives

- - Play: "Spot The Ball!"

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- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
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- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
_______________________________________________________________________________________

- Note: For Users of SPOTIFY - A number of old QPR songs can be heard.

- Two Year Flashback: Flavio Briatore Steps Down as QPR Chairman (and QPR Fans cheered what they THOUGHT was the departure of Briatore and the de facto Mittal takeover...But as they learned a year later...!)

- Closed Door Friendly vs West Ham on Friday (West Ham's "Development Team" against presumably similar QPR team)

- On This Day in Football: February 19...38 Years ago: Stan Bowles last (free) Kick of the Game Winner in the FA Cup

- Premier Clubs and QPR and the Battle Against Homophobia

- Ex-QPR Martin Allen (strangely) axed by Notts County...Ex-QPR Coach Keith Curle Linked as Possible Replacement

- New Leeds United Manager, Neil Warnock (sigh!) Picks up his First Leeds Win, before really taking charge. Targets Playoffs!...

- Ian Holloway on Relationship between the Chairman and the Manager...and his View of Plastic Pitches (NO QPR References in either area!)

- Five Years Ago Yesterday: Reports that QPR Set to Axe John Gregory & Replace Him With Joe Kinnear. QPR issue Denial

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- Five Year Flashback: Minutes of the QPR-Fans "Consultative Meeting"

- Chelsea's Manager, Andre Villas-Boas admits losing support of certain Chelsea players but confident of owner's support. Abramovich eyes Earls Court Move

- Football League Considering Return to Plastic: Football League "Consultative Document" re Artificial Surface

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

QPR Report Saturday: Neil Warnock Appointed Leeds United Manager..."Spot The Ball"...Three QPR Birthdays

2012-02-18T08:30:00.006Z

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- From the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
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- Play: "Spot The Ball!"

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- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
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- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
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UPDATE: NEIL WARNOCK APPOINTED MANAGER OF LEEDS UNITED

Leeds Official Site - CLUB CONFIRM WARNOCK APPOINTMENT
- Neil Warnock to take over as manager..
- Leeds United have confirmed that Neil Warnock will become the club's new manager.
- Warnock will appoint his own backroom staff and has agreed a contract to the end of the 2012/13 season.
- The appointments will now end speculation about the manager's position at the club.
Leeds United chairman Ken Bates said: "We believe the appointment is arguably the most important we have made. The objective was to appoint a manager who had for a proven track record of getting teams promoted and in Neil we have a man whose record is second to none. We want to be in the Premier League and we will support Neil in the quest to get us there."
- The club's new manager said: "I feel I have one big challenge left in me and believe Leeds is a club that should be in the Premier League. I want to be the man who is able to deliver this for a set of fans who never cease to amaze me with their numbers and their loyalty.
- "Having met with Ken Bates it was an easy decision to take up the challenge and with his support, we share the same vision of getting Leeds United in the Premier League."
- Neil Redfearn remains in charge for Saturday's game against Doncaster Rovers, and will return to his role with the club's Academy next week. Leeds

- Birthdays Today for: Anton Ferdinand (27), Radek Cerny (38) and Paul Bruce (34)

- Five Years Ago Today: Reports that QPR Set to Axe John Gregory & Replace Him With Joe Kinnear. QPR issue Denial

- Warnock Meets With Ken Bates/Strongly Linked to Leeds Manager Job

Neil Warnock/The Independent

Neil Warnock: My appetite is whetted by thought of taking over at a tasty top club

What I Learnt This Week
Neil Warnock

Saturday 18 February 2012

It's been an interesting week.

There are possibilities cropping up that may offer the chance to get back into the game and I have to admit they whet my appetite. There are good clubs looking for a manager – my old club Huddersfield, one of the top six clubs in England in Leeds, as well as Premier League Wolves. All top clubs and each offers a different opportunity for the right person. I'm not writing anything off regarding taking a job on until the end of the season.

I'm getting over the disappointment of QPR, although it remains difficult for me to understand and take – but life goes on and I still feel I did a fantastic job. The supporters and myself had a real roller-coaster ride, full of thrills really, so if I do take a job it's got to be at a club that gets me excited and gets the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up. That's the type of job that keeps me going and all three I have mentioned fit that bill.

It doesn't really bother me which division I manage in – I'm not one to say I have to manage in the Premier League. There are plenty of good clubs outside it. When I left Notts County many years ago I went to Torquay for 17 games. People thought I was mad. Torquay looked like they were going out of the Football League and all the advice I was getting from within the game was that it would be a blemish on my CV.

But I took it and I loved it. There were kids on £100 a week running through brick walls for me. It was a reality check. Many managers wouldn't entertain going down a division, but it doesn't bother me. Don't forget, either, that I left Huddersfield having got them promoted to take over at Plymouth, who were then in the bottom division. Looking back it was a fabulous decision, not least because that's when we bought a house in Cornwall and where our love for the area began to bloom.

2. The horrors of dealing with administration

With Portsmouth and Rangers going into administration it took me back to my time at Crystal Palace. We never saw it coming at Palace. It is difficult to deal with as a manager. You have to put a brave face on it. You are the front of house, as it were. You have to keep the players going, players who are worried about paying their mortgages and bills. Our money was delayed and the day before a match we would have players ringing their banks to see if they had been paid. That anxiety affects performance. You try and sort all the problems out, but it mounts up and when you have 20-odd players with issues it becomes overpowering.

My dealings with the administrators at Palace were diabolical. I didn't have a lot of time for the people who were in charge. All they wanted to do was sell players – they didn't seem to be looking to get the best value for money. It was short-term thinking.

They tried to get me to sell Nathaniel Clyne to Wolves and Victor Moses. They ended up selling Moses cheaply at £1.5m – they should have got at least £2.5m.

3. It's official. There is one referee who I like!

I know a lot of people won't be surprised to see Stuart Attwell has been demoted to the Football League. But Stuart has the makings of a top-class referee and I feel sorry that he was thrown in at the deep end. It only needed a couple of incidents for his age to be chucked at him time and time again. If those decisions had been made by an experienced referee they wouldn't have got as much coverage but things were magnified because the hierarchy put him on a pedestal. I'm glad now he can relax and concentrate on being a referee because he is a good referee.

4. Crabs and fish take my mind off the Wolves

There have been strange goings-on this week. Motorists letting me in at junctions and, when I was a pedestrian, people stopping to let me cross the road – then I remember I'm in Cornwall. It's a different world.

Last Saturday, when all the hustle and bustle of the football afternoon was going on, I was rock-pooling with William and Amy. It was the best haul we've had, crabs (look at the picture of this monster, left) and big fish, and they had a good laugh at my trousers too. I have lost lots of weight so there was plenty of room in them. The whole afternoon was entirely opposite to what I would normally be doing at that time on a Saturday.

5. United's golden oldies really are great shakes

I watched Manchester United against Liverpool last weekend. Like everyone else, I was disappointed in the whole handshake incident. I don't understand why we still have them. It doesn't help with the Respect campaign – they don't serve a purpose.

The game itself showed that United won't go away – it's going to be neck and neck with City right to the end. Is it any coincidence that now United are beginning to play well again, the old campaigners are back in the swing? It's like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes have never been away. I still get a buzz out of watching Giggs. What a great professional. I'm sure the young lads in the squad can only be inspired by him. It's don't do as I say, do as I do. Younger professionals can be easily distracted and at Man United their strength over the years has been having people like Gary Neville – he was as good as it gets as a professional – his brother Phil and David Beckham, as well as Giggs and Scholes, to set an example. I love the way Beckham, as much of a multimillionaire that he is, has handled himself. I'm a massive fan and I would like to see him in the Olympic team – he deserves it.

6. Giggs should start as manager lower down

I saw the suggestions that Ryan Giggs may be Sir Alex Ferguson's choice as United's next manager. It's an interesting idea but miles too early. I don't think you have any chance of managing a club like Manchester United straight off. When you have a name you have more opportunities to start at a big club but I feel you have to get experience, you have to have the disappointments and the bad runs and work out how to get over that. Long term, if you can manage lower down it does help you.

7. Tevez drama is just like Corrie – without the gags

That was a big win for Man City at Aston Villa. It was as good as they have been over the last few weeks. It was a tough game and they ground it out – a massive three points.

I suppose everyone now will be glued to the next instalment of the Carlos Tevez saga. It's like Coronation Street. Carlos says one thing, the manager another. For all parties the best thing will be the end of the season when he moves on. It will be interesting to see if he does make some sort of apology and whether Mancini will be able to use him when he has obviously upset the fans so much. You suspect it's beyond repair.

8. If Van Persie goes, you really fear for Arsenal

The biggest disappointment of the week has got to be Arsenal. It was the manner of how it happened. I can't remember seeing a more out-of-sorts Arsenal and in such a big game it's difficult to understand. Not one of the players came out with any credit. Arsène Wenger must be pulling his hair out. The biggest problem they are going to have after a performance like that is how are they going to keep hold of Robin van Persie? You have to fear for them if he leaves.

9. And while we're at it, Chelsea worry me too

Which leaves Chelsea as possibly the only ones left in the Champions League, but I worry about them too. They are a bit too predictable this year. They used to be so dynamic but now you have Daniel Sturridge playing wide and he is not a wide man. They don't get beyond teams so much so you don't get midfielders like Frank Lampard making runs into space because the opponents are not so stretched.

It's as difficult a job as there is in the Premier League for such a young manager. Will Roman Abramovich have the patience while Andre Villas-Boas changes his squad? There is a possibility that they are not going to get in the Champions League next season and that will be as big a test of the owner as the manager. Independent

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- Five Year Flashback: Minutes of the QPR-Fans "Consultative Meeting"

- Chelsea's Manager, Andre Villas-Boas admits losing support of certain Chelsea players but confident of owner's support. Abramovich eyes Earls Court Move

- Football League Considering Return to Plastic: Football League "Consultative Document" re Artificial Surface

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

QPR Report Friday: Mark Hughes Statistical Approach...QPR in Portugal...Taarabt Set to be Dropped (by Morocco)...New Training Ground Hitch

2012-02-17T08:04:00.011Z

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- On This Day: Stan Bowles Scored his First QPR Hatrick! (Photo: Bushman Archives!)
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From the Bushman QPR Photo Archives

- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
-
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

- On This Day: Stan Bowles Scored his First QPR Hatrick!
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- Five Year Flashback: Minutes of the QPR-Fans "Consultative Meeting"

- Chelsea's Manager, Andre Villas-Boas admits losing support of certain Chelsea players but confident of owner's support. Abramovich eyes Earls Court Move

- Football League Considering Return to Plastic: Football League "Consultative Document" re Artificial Surface

Jason Burt/The Telegraph

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton comes off second best in manager Mark Hughes' statistics

“Looking forward to the game against Wigan tomorrow,” tweeted Joey Barton in January. “First time in a while we actually have a plan and seem organised.”

Under par: Joey Barton is marked down for his tackling Photo: AFP
By Jason Burt, Deputy Football Correspondent11:15PM GMT 16 Feb 2012 Comment
The Queens Park Rangers captain was responding to criticism from former manager Neil Warnock about the dangers of players communicating via social media, suggesting the likes of Barton had helped him lose his job.
New QPR manager Mark Hughes is certainly a different breed to Warnock and leaves nothing to chance.
His first job, since being appointed, has been to change the club’s approach — revolutionising training, using sports science and doing exactly what Barton said.
Hughes is certainly a man with a plan and while back-to-back defeats against fellow strugglers Wolves and Blackburn Rovers have been a setback, he does sometimes take time to get his ideas across.
Hence taking the first-team squad for a week’s training in Portugal to hammer home his way of working.

Hughes’s backroom team have already bought in a huge amount of statistical and analytical data — training is now tracked using GPS technology – and the manager has spoken highly of his liking for ProZone.
Warnock was not a devotee of such an approach.
All of this should be good news for Barton, given his plea for greater organisation – except for one thing. When his data was analysed, the results, it seems, were disappointing.
For example, his pass completion rate in that Wigan match was just 50 per cent (fellow midfielder Akos Buzsaky’s was 91 per cent and he scored a goal).

Other figures relating to tackle success rate, crossing accuracy and shooting were also not great, it is thought.
Hughes now has a huge welter of facts and figures to work with as he continues to assess his squad and consider the future.

Given Barton is the captain, and on wages of at least £60,000-a-week, and possibly as high as £80,000-a-week, then it would seem that the new approach shows he needs to raise his game Telegraph

QPR OFFICIAL SITE

PORTUGAL BLOG: THURSDAY

Posted on: Fri 17 Feb 2012

It was another hard training session for the squad this morning, with the normal two-hour work-out under the Portugal sun.

Samba Diakite took part in his first session with the squad and seemed to impress his new team-mates, with Anton Ferdinand remarking: "That boy has got FEET," which we can take to mean the loan-arrival from Nancy has decent ball control - and he isn't short of pace either!

Off the pitch, Diakite seems to have settled well and has been hanging around with Armand Traore, Adel Taarabt and Taye Taiwo.

Meanwhile, Taarabt left Joey Barton open-mouthed with a fully-committed and perfectly-timed sliding tackle on Anton Ferdinand as the Moroccan continues to impress everyone with his work-rate since his return from the African Cup of Nations.

A sporting contest has developed over the past 48 hours with Jamie Mackie and Barton taking on Shaun Derry and Clint Hill in a whole variety of challenges as 'points' are up for grabs.

It seems battle-lines are drawn on anything from rugby drop-kicks to bowls! According to the R's skipper, himself and Mackie are clear leaders.

And Barton appears to have picked up the nickname "The Natural" due to his natural ability at all sports. Rumours that he gave himself the tag are at this stage unconfirmed.

There has been plenty of banter on the pitch too. At one stage this morning, striker Rob Hulse filled in at centre-back, and remarked afterwards: "The gaffer thought defence was my natural position I was playing so well!"

Mackie responded: "Yeah, especially when you got forward and had a shot!"

This evening also saw Mackie speaking live with QPR's official phone-in show London Call-in at 7.40pm.

Particular credit goes to Mackie's professionalism for managing to complete the interview despite the "distractions" of Barton.

Manager Mark Hughes said prior to the team's departure for the Algarve that he is keen to give the players the opportunity to bond away from the pitch.

Early signs are that the short break is having the desired impact. QPR

Goal.Com - Morocco’s Adel Taarabt may be dropped for poor attitude at the 2012 Afcon - report
Coach Eric Gerets is said to have lost his patience with the QPR winger and his lack of professionalism during the tournament in Gabon & Equatorial Guinea

The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) group game against Gabon that ended in a 3-2 win for the co-hosts may prove to be Adel Taarabt’s final match in an Atlas Lions jersey, at least so long as Eric Gerets remains in charge of the Moroccan national team according to Lionsdelatlas.net.

Taarabt is said to have completely lost focus in training after Morocco lost their second game and were effectively eliminated from the continental competition. Gerets was clearly unimpressed with the winger’s childish attitude and elected not to use him in the final group match, resulting in a narrow 1-0 victory over Niger for the north Africans.

It isn’t the first time that the QPR player has had a run in with his coach, the first coming when he elected to abandon the squad on the eve of a crucial 2012 Afcon qualifier against rivals Algeria after he learned that he wouldn’t be in the starting lineup. The Atlas Lions played their best game under Gerets won 4-0, with Taarabt’s replacement, Ousamma Assaidi, playing a starring role in the rout.

A final answer on Taarabt's fate will be delivered when Gerets announces his squad for the February 29 friendly match against Burkina Faso that Morocco have scheduled in order to gear up for 2013 Afcon qualifying.
Goal.com
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Evening Standard/Vivek Chaudhary The battle for Warren Farm

A dilapidated west London sports ground is at the centre of a battle between Queens Park Rangers and their multi-billionaire owners and a non-League side with their own wealthy investors.

The Premier League club and Southall Football Club, who play in the Middlesex County Premier League, will submit their proposals to Ealing Council tomorrow to take over Warren Farm, a neglected sports ground on the border between Osterley and Southall.

QPR's owners Tony Fernandes and Lakshmi Mittal,
who between them are worth an estimated £20billion, have identified Warren Farm as the site for a new training ground and academy and are planning to spend around £6million on bringing it up to Premier League standards.

Warren Farm is currently made up of 30 football, cricket and netball pitches many of which Ealing Council admits are "not fit for purpose."

The changing rooms and other buildings have changed little since the 1960s, when the site was taken over by the local authority for use by schools and clubs.

The Southall proposal is to develop Warren Farm into a state-of-the-art community sports complex specialising in football, cricket and rugby.

Despite the fact the club are up against two of the Premier League's richest owners, those behind the Southall bid insist that they too can draw upon some serious finances and are backed by a group of wealthy Asian businessmen who are willing to invest almost £20m into Warren Farm.

The Southall plan has also secured the support of some high-profile names from the world of sport.

Former international cricketers John Emburey and Alvin Kallicharran are set to oversee the development of a cricket academy while former Tottenham manager Peter Shreeves and ex-Liverpool striker David Johnson will be involved in football
development and coaching.

Southall, the club where Les Ferdinand began his career, are located in the heart of the capital's largest Asian community.

Officials claim that their plans for Warren Farm could increase the popularity of sport and increase general fitness levels among people living in the area.

According to Government statistics, the district of Southall suffers from widespread deprivation and lower levels of life expectancy and sports participation than other parts of the country.

Charanjit Singh Gill, vice-chairman of the football club, said: "Generally, British Asians have not fully embraced sporting culture and suffer many health problems because of bad fitness. Our plans for Warren Farm could help to change all this and make a real difference to the Southall community. We are also confident that a new facility will help us develop top-level Asian
sports stars.

"QPR are not interested in the people of Southall. Why should they be, they are a professional
football club?

"If they take over Warren Farm, do you think ordinary people will be allowed to use the facilities there? We want to create something that will benefit the people of Southall and the surrounding area."

Ealing Council is offering a 200-year lease on Warren Farm and insists that it will carefully evaluate all proposals before making a decision in June. It admits, however, that the needs of the community must be taken into consideration.

A spokesman said: "We will look at all bids equally and investigate them fully to ensure that they can deliver. The winning bidder will have to meet a certain number of criteria for Warren Farm, the facilities they will create and what they can offer.
"For us it's about getting the best deal for the residents of Southall and the rest of the borough."

QPR, who are 10 levels above Southall in the League pyramid, have refused to be drawn into a row with the club and were unwilling to reveal any plans they may have for the local community should they secure Warren Farm.

A spokesman said: "It's very early days and we cannot comment in detail at the moment." Standard

- Photos of Warren Farm

- Thirty-Five Years Ago: QPR's League Cup Semi-Final Second Leg Game at Aston Villa...Leighton James Turns 59
-
- From 35 Years Ago: Nice Interview with QPR's Frank McClintock

- Year Ago: The perilous Financial Status of Football Clubs: "Clubs Heading for the Precipice"

- FIve Year Flashback: "The Crazy World of QPR"..."Brushes With the Law"...Statement from Life President Harold Winton (RIP)

- Change at QPR Holdings...New Name Associated with the Mittals, Sudhir Maheshwari appointed

- "Must Watch" VIDEO! Highlights of London Football 1968-1989, including of course some QPR moments. NOT previously available on Video: One of the famed QPR Terry Venables/Gerry Francis Free Kicks of the early 1970s (15 minutes into video].......Part II of the Video: London Football 1968-1989

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

QPR's New Training Ground In Peril

2012-02-16T13:29:00.006Z

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QPR's Current Training Ground: Harlington
-
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
-
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
_____________________________________________-
-
From The Evening Standard
The battle for Warren Farm
Vivek Chaudhary
16 Feb 2012

A dilapidated west London sports ground is at the centre of a battle between Queens Park Rangers and their multi-billionaire owners and a non-League side with their own wealthy investors.

The Premier League club and Southall Football Club, who play in the Middlesex County Premier League, will submit their proposals to Ealing Council tomorrow to take over Warren Farm, a neglected sports ground on the border between Osterley and Southall.

QPR's owners Tony Fernandes and Lakshmi Mittal,
who between them are worth an estimated £20billion, have identified Warren Farm as the site for a new training ground and academy and are planning to spend around £6million on bringing it up to Premier League standards.

Warren Farm is currently made up of 30 football, cricket and netball pitches many of which Ealing Council admits are "not fit for purpose."

The changing rooms and other buildings have changed little since the 1960s, when the site was taken over by the local authority for use by schools and clubs.

The Southall proposal is to develop Warren Farm into a state-of-the-art community sports complex specialising in football, cricket and rugby.

Despite the fact the club are up against two of the Premier League's richest owners, those behind the Southall bid insist that they too can draw upon some serious finances and are backed by a group of wealthy Asian businessmen who are willing to invest almost £20m into Warren Farm.

The Southall plan has also secured the support of some high-profile names from the world of sport.

Former international cricketers John Emburey and Alvin Kallicharran are set to oversee the development of a cricket academy while former Tottenham manager Peter Shreeves and ex-Liverpool striker David Johnson will be involved in football
development and coaching.

Southall, the club where Les Ferdinand began his career, are located in the heart of the capital's largest Asian community.

Officials claim that their plans for Warren Farm could increase the popularity of sport and increase general fitness levels among people living in the area.

According to Government statistics, the district of Southall suffers from widespread deprivation and lower levels of life expectancy and sports participation than other parts of the country.

Charanjit Singh Gill, vice-chairman of the football club, said: "Generally, British Asians have not fully embraced sporting culture and suffer many health problems because of bad fitness. Our plans for Warren Farm could help to change all this and make a real difference to the Southall community. We are also confident that a new facility will help us develop top-level Asian
sports stars.

"QPR are not interested in the people of Southall. Why should they be, they are a professional
football club?

"If they take over Warren Farm, do you think ordinary people will be allowed to use the facilities there? We want to create something that will benefit the people of Southall and the surrounding area."

Ealing Council is offering a 200-year lease on Warren Farm and insists that it will carefully evaluate all proposals before making a decision in June. It admits, however, that the needs of the community must be taken into consideration.

A spokesman said: "We will look at all bids equally and investigate them fully to ensure that they can deliver. The winning bidder will have to meet a certain number of criteria for Warren Farm, the facilities they will create and what they can offer.
"For us it's about getting the best deal for the residents of Southall and the rest of the borough."

QPR, who are 10 levels above Southall in the League pyramid, have refused to be drawn into a row with the club and were unwilling to reveal any plans they may have for the local community should they secure Warren Farm.

A spokesman said: "It's very early days and we cannot comment in detail at the moment." Standard

- Photos of Warren Farm

QPR Report Thursday: Reports from Portugal...Warnock Settles With QPR/Linked to Clubs...Flashbacks

2012-02-16T08:20:00.004Z

-

-

- Thirty-Five Years Ago: QPR's League Cup Semi-Final Second Leg Game at Aston Villa...Leighton James Turns 59
-

- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
-
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- From 35 Years Ago: Nice Interview with QPR's Frank McClintock

- Eleven Years Ago Today, QPR Manager Gerry Francis Announces his Resignation as QPR Manager (for the second time) - and then Stays on!

- Thirty-Five Years Ago: QPR's League Cup Semi-Final Second Leg Game at Aston Villa...Leighton James Turns 59

- Year Ago: The perilous Financial Status of Football Clubs: "Clubs Heading for the Precipice"

- FIve Year Flashback: "The Crazy World of QPR"..."Brushes With the Law"...Statement from Life President Harold Winton (RIP)

QPR in PORTUGAL

- Photos from Camp

QPR OFFICIAL SITE

PORTUGAL BLOG: WEDNESDAY

Following a relaxing evening last night after their arrival in Portugal yesterday afternoon, the QPR squad's first full day began bright and early this morning with an 8am wake-up call for breakfast.

And training was underway with a 10am meet outside the apartments for a brisk 2.5m jog to the training complex, which is on-site at the Amendoeira Resort and exclusively available to the QPR team.

Strength & Conditioning Coach Carl Serrant continued the players' warm-up with a series of short activities and stretches before they were passed onto Eddie Niedzwiecki.

Article continues
Advertisement

The First Team Coach had been at the training pitch from 9.30am preparing all the equipment for the session, painstakingly putting all the manikins, bibs, balls and cones in position to ensure a smooth flow of drills and exercises for when the players arrived.

While waiting for the squad to head over, Mark Hughes was thrown a ball by Kit Man Gary Doyle.

As it was heading towards him, the R's gaffer said, "No, you hang onto that" and half-volleyed it straight back into Gary's arms from 25-yards. Hughes then said with a grin: "No need to move Gary!"

As the squad changed into their boots, Anton Ferdinand asked me to take a few photos on my phone so he could put them on Twitter.

OK, here's my excuse. My phone's not the best when it comes to taking action pictures - a four-second delay before capturing the image makes it kind of difficult to get anything half-decent.

At the end of the session, I looked at the photos I'd got for him and knew I wouldn't get away with such a shoddy effort! Don't think he'll be asking me to do that for him again in a hurry!

Anyway, once the session got underway the typically-meticulous planning was evident to see as the players smoothly transferred from one drill to the next.

The much-talked-about high intensity of Hughes's sessions was again on display.

At the end of the first day's training, the physically drained squad boarded the coach back to their apartments - they were afforded the luxury of travel as opposed to being made to jog back again afterwards!

In the afternoon, the players were given some free time with a few choosing to take to the golf course.

Peter Ramage and Tommy Smith took on Paddy Kenny and Brian Murphy, with the keepers suffering defeat.

Kenny blamed the temperature, the colour of his golf balls, his partner, and pretty-much anything else he could come up with for the loss!

Who knows what tomorrow will bring. Stay tuned to find out.
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2612591,00.html

DAILY STAR
QPR BOSS MARK HUGHES PUT THE BOOT IN

QPR players have been told this week’s trip to Portugal is more boot camp than a mid-season jolly.
Mark Hughes’ players, without a win in four games, have travelled to the Algarve and will be jogging from the Amendoeira Resort to their training facilities.

“Regardless of their moans and groans we have always found that professional footballers want structure,” said assistant boss Mark Bowen

“They like things to be well organised and getting them all up to have breakfast together is just a small part of that. We have got a day’s work ahead of us and waking them up early is a way to show we are out here for a reason.

“This time together gives us the opportunity to do the subtle things away from the pitch that you don’t have the chance to do back home. At Harlington, the players tend to finish training, shower, change and they’re out of the building.
“In this situation it means we can have little chats here and there and pick players’ brains to get their thoughts on things as well.”

Sparky has only been in charge at Loftus Road for a month and will use the trip to assess his players.

Bowen added: “I don’t like to speak too soon but whenever we have done this in the past we have always had positive results on the back of it when we return. Hopefully that will continue.” Daily Star

NEIL WARNOCK

GUARDIAN

Meanwhile The Guardian - Stuart James

Steve Bruce hoping to be interviewed by Wolves for manager's job
• Alan Curbishley expected for further talks in the next 24 hours
• Neil Warnock agrees a settlement with Queens Park Rangers

Steve Bruce is waiting to learn whether he will be interviewed for the Wolverhampton Wanderers job, with the Midlands club expected to hold further talks with Alan Curbishley and speak to Neil Warnock about the managerial vacancy at Molineux over the next 24 hours.

Curbishley remains the favourite to replace Mick McCarthy and has made no secret of his desire to take over, after spending three and a half years out of work following his resignation from West Ham United. Steve Morgan, the Wolves owner, is impressed with Curbishley's credentials and there is a sense that his appointment would go down much better with the club's supporters than Bruce or Warnock, both of whom have been sacked by Premier League clubs this season.

It is understood that Wolves have contacted Bruce to sound him out about the position ahead of a potential meeting with Morgan, who arrived home from his skiing holiday on Wednesday. Warnock has now agreed his settlement with Queens Park Rangers, paving the way for an interview to take place, and although he will probably be linked with the managerial vacancy at Huddersfield Town, he is likely to prefer another crack at the Premier League, even if it is on a short-term contract.

One other possibility that cannot be discounted is that an outsider will emerge. Wolves have made it clear that Premier League experience is vital, opening to the door to the prospect of Morgan considering someone such as Graeme Souness or Gordon Strachan.

For the moment, however, Curbishley appears to be in the driving seat. His interest in the role has come as something of a surprise given that he has been so selective about the jobs he has applied for since winning his constructive dismissal case against West Ham in 2009. The 54-year-old believes, however, that managing Wolves presents the right sort of challenge to lure him back into the game. Guardian

MIRROR
Warnock targeted for Huddersfield comeback
Published 22:30 15/02/12 By Alan Nixon

Huddersfield owner Dean Hoyle wants Neil Warnock to make an emotional return after shocking football by sacking Lee Clark.

Multi-millionaire Hoyle has had his eyes on former Terriers chief Warnock in recent weeks and hopes to install him immediately, despite rival interest in the experienced boss.

Clark was stunned when he was fired - over the phone, in a conversation lasting just two minutes - by Hoyle hours after Tuesday’s defeat by promotion rivals Sheffield United.

It was just the club’s third loss in 55 games, which included a record-breaking 43 match unbeaten run.

“I am very perplexed as to why I was dismissed as the manager of Huddersfield Town," admitted Clark. "Needless to say, I am extremely disappointed and shocked considering that, with just 16 games left, we are in a such great position to compete for automatic promotion.

“We built on last season’s momentum following the play-off final by creating history in the Football League record books for consecutive unbeaten games. This was an immense achievement by everybody connected with the club.”

Warnock has been out of work since QPR sacked him a week into the year, and could be in charge within a day or two.

Although he's been thinking about taking a break from management, the chance to take one of his old clubs - he held th Terriers' lead from July 1993 to June 1995 - to promotion may be a strong lure.

Hoyle will also make money available for some loan captures - with a bid for Crystal Palace forward Sean Scannell, who played for Warnock when he was in charge at the south London club from 2007 to 2010, in the pipeline.

Sources at Huddersfield have revealed that Hoyle has been unhappy with Clark for the past month, and critical of the team’s form despite his heavy investment.

Meanwhile, Clark has called in the League Managers Association and is taking legal advice about the sacking.

He is believed to be considering suing for unfair dismissal.

Clark’s availability could alert Town's Yorkshire neighbours Leeds, who had short-listed him for their vacancy, although that had nothing to do with his dismissal.

The loss to the Blades dented Huddersfield’s bid for automatic promotion - Hoyle’s target for the season - and they are currently fourth, four points outside the top two.

Hoyle has heavily backed Clark and was worried they would miss out on promotion to the Championship for a third time after losing in the play-offs in the last two seasons.

Despite losing just three league games this season, Hoyle was alarmed by their run of just four wins from 12 matches.

He said: “This was a very difficult decision. One not taken lightly or in response to one result. Concerns have been raised over recent weeks.

“Lee and his coaching staff have put their all into the job over the past three seasons and he has made a huge contribution to the club.

“However, with 16 matches to go, we still have an opportunity to achieve promotion and we have made this change with this in mind.” Mirror

- On This Day: Roger Morgan Makes His Tottenham Debut - After Signing from QPR (from the Bushman Photo Archives)

- Past QPR Managerial Appointments: Where Came From

- VIDEO Flashbacks including Extensive video of QPR's 1975-76 Finale vs Leeds United (Goal appropriately from Dave Thomas and Stan Bowles!). Also Andy McCulloch's Debut Goal for QPR

- Flashbacks: QPR Off to Portugal....QPR Assistant Manager Arrested....QPR Deny John Gregory to be New Manager..QPR Youth Team lose in Palermo Tournament. QPR Youth Coach Axed..."We Are QPR"

- Change at QPR Holdings...New Name Associated with the Mittals, Sudhir Maheshwari appointed

- "Must Watch" VIDEO! Highlights of London Football 1968-1989, including of course some QPR moments. NOT previously available on Video: One of the famed QPR Terry Venables/Gerry Francis Free Kicks of the early 1970s (15 minutes into video].......Part II of the Video: London Football 1968-1989

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Armel Tchakounte Update

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

- QPR and the Other 19 Premiership Clubs Sign Sports Charter Against Homophobia (Don't think been a separate QPR Announcement re this)

QPR Report Wednesday: Team Settling in Portugal...Cisse Profiled...Everton Tickets...Five Year Flashback: The CRAZY World of QPR

2012-02-15T08:22:00.006Z

-
- On This Day: Roger Morgan Makes His Tottenham Debut - After Signing from QPR (from the Bushman Photo Archives)
-

- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
-
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- FIve Year Flashback: "The Crazy World of QPR"..."Brushes With the Law"...Statement from Life President Harold Winton (RIP)

The National/Ian Hawkey - Tumultuous times follow Djibril Cisse

Djibril Cisse's latest reacquaintance with the Premier League has been dramatic so far.

Related

■ Tale of two Cisses in Premier League
■ Arsene Wenger confident of top four finish, Cisse scores on QPR debut
■ Djibril Cisse's Italian renaissance
Topic Football Queens Park Rangers Football columns English Premier League football teams Footballers

In his two outings since joining Queens Park Rangers, the third of his English employers and the seventh club of the 30-year-old Frenchman's career, he has displayed twin aspects of himself: Cisse the talented and Cisse the touchy.

A determination to hit the ground running, to make an instant impact is pure Cisse.

He scored on his QPR debut, at Aston Villa, barely 48 hours after signing from Lazio at the end of the January transfer window. Deja vu.

He had netted on his first Premier League contest for Liverpool, seven seasons ago; at the start of the 2008/09 campaign, he scored on the first match of his stint with Sunderland.

His second QPR game would reveal the prickly side, though, a red card after he responded aggressively to a late, bad tackle from Wolverhampton Wanderers' Roger Johnson.

Johnson had touched a raw nerve. Cisse, 30, has twice suffered broken legs at key points in his career.

In his mind, Johnson's challenge had put him at risk of another.

He will complete his three match suspension later this month, when Cisse's principal target - and he has made no secret of it - is to perform well and decisively enough for QPR to earn himself a place in France's Euro 2012 squad.

Many compatriots hope he does. Over the course of a decade, Cisse has become popular with compatriots and France managers for his strong work ethic as well as his assets as a striker.

"He worries defenders with his strength and his pace," Mark Hughes, the QPR manager, said.

Laurent Blanc, the current France head coach, lauds "his constant enthusiasm for representing his country".

Cisse, the son of an Ivory Coast international, could have played for the West African nation or for France, where he was born. Since choosing Les Bleus, his commitment has been total.

Blanc recalled Cisse to a French squad at the beginning of the season, after an absence that had lasted since the 2010 World Cup. It was his umpteenth comeback.

Yet bad luck has punctuated his international career.

Ahead of the 2004 European Championship, Cisse, who was earmarked for a place in the national squad but still young enough to represent the Under 21s, was picked to appear in the under-age side for an important game against Portugal.

He was fouled and reacted petulantly, picking up a ban that would cost him a place in the senior tournament.

Days before the 2006 World Cup, he had his leg broken in a friendly against China. He would play no part in France's march to the final in Berlin.

Ahead of Euro 2008, he would be among seven players on the shortlist who did not make the cut for the 23-man party that went to Austria and Switzerland.

That's not all. His first broken leg had already interrupted a promising start to his career at Liverpool in the 2004/05 season.

He suffered it at Blackburn Rovers in the late autumn of his first season at Anfield, a routine-looking collision but with a grim verdict once the extent of the wound was diagnosed.

"The doctor said to me I would be out until the next season," Cisse recently told L'Equipe, the French newspaper.

He remembers proudly how he was playing again by the February, four months after the injury had been sustained, and would contribute to the scarcely credible denouement to Liverpool's season, victory in the Champions League final against AC Milan, from 3-0 down, via a penalty shoot-out.

The comeback kid had been part of one of the most engaging comebacks in modern football.

If, during his time at Liverpool, something of what Cisse calls his "battling character, something I was born with" emerged, so did his touchiness.

Cisse was clearly agitated towards the close of the summer 2005 transfer window, when Liverpool fans were pressing for the return to the club of Michael Owen, Rafa Benitez, the head coach, was favouring his Spanish compatriot striker Fernando Morientes and Peter Crouch had been unveiled as a new recruit.

Although Cisse would hit 14 goals in 19 Premier League starts over the next 10 months, he then left Liverpool for Olympique Marseille.

Benitez had not been the sort of warm, arm-around-the-shoulder coach Cisse had known as a teenager at Auxerre, where the long-serving Guy Roux was, and has remained, a mentor.

Unusually among France players of the last six or seven years, Cisse also had a good relationship with Raymond Domenech, who oversaw France's disastrous 2010 World Cup campaign.

In a tense dressing-room, the striker provided moments of cheer.

"Djib always creates a good atmosphere," his friend Thierry Henry said of Cisse, whose love of music and very obvious interest in body decoration, be it his tattoos or his ever-changing coiffeur, identifies him as a sort who likes a little attention.

His target over the next three months will be to gain the close, keen attention of Blanc.

Cisse joined Lazio last August because he thought goals in Serie A would be valued by the France head coach more than the ones he had been scoring regularly for Panathinaikos in Greece.

When the goals dried up in Rome, he leapt at his invitation from London. The National

QPR IN PORTUGAL

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - BOWEN: TRIED AND TRUSTED FORMULA
Posted on: Wed 15 Feb 2012

Mark Hughes, his Management team and the QPR squad arrived at the Amendoeira Resort in Portugal just after 3pm this afternoon and were immediately impressed by the facilities awaiting them.

Shortly after checking-in, Hughes headed straight off to check out the training pitches which will be the squad's base for the next five days.

And once the evening meal was out of the way, the vast majority of the squad settled down together in the lounge area to watch Barcelona's Champions League clash at Bayer Leverkusen on the big screen.

After the final whistle (Barca won 3-1 if you're interested!), the squad retired to their rooms in preparation for an early start and a demanding first training session.

Hughes's assistant, Mark Bowen, has been pleased with what he has seen so far as the Management staff do all they can to prepare the R's for our final 13 games of the season.

"The first impression since we've arrived is that this is an excellent training camp," Bowen told www.qpr.co.uk.

"The facilities are fantastic and we've had a look at the pitches and they look very good as well."

With the FA Cup fifth round taking place this weekend, QPR had a two-week gap in fixtures and have used the break to whisk the team away. Bowen explains why.

"It's a great time to come away for two reasons," he said.

"Firstly it gives us the opportunity to play on good services [sic] at a time when the Harlington pitches are frozen, and it also allows us the chance to go through a lot of tactical bits and pieces with the players.

"There are things that we want to address coming on the back of last weekend's result against Blackburn.

"The Manager said afterwards, and rightly so, that the first 45 minutes was a shock to all of us with how poorly we played.

"We didn't expect that because we thought we had prepared the lads well in terms of what we expected of them.

"But we finished the game very well and the stats from the second half showed that.

"Over the course of this week we will learn more about the players and the players will learn more about us.

"And with the new lads coming in, it means they can get used to their team-mates more and get involved in the group more.

"Samba Diakite is joining us tomorrow (Wednesday) and it's also a chance for him to get to know everybody.

"So this trip ticks a lot of boxes for us. It is something we have done at other Clubs we have been at.

"I don't like to speak too soon but whenever we have done this in the past we have always had positive results on the back of it when we return. Hopefully that will continue."

The players will be woken at 8am tomorrow for breakfast before JOGGING to the training pitches on the complex, but Bowen believes the squad welcome such a disciplined approach - despite what they may say!

"Regardless of their moans and groans we have always found that top professional footballers want structure," he added.

"They like things to be well organised, and getting them all up to have breakfast together is just a small part of that.

"We have got a day's work ahead of us and waking them up early is a way to show them that we are out here for a reason.

"This time together gives us the opportunity to do the subtle things away from the pitch that you don't have the chance to do back home.

"At Harlington, the players tend to finish training, shower, change and they're out of the building.

"In this situation it means we can have little chats here and there, and pick players' brains to get their thoughts on things as well.

"What we are doing is a tried and trusted formula. We have had success with this before and this is our opportunity to do good work on and off the training ground.

"We are here to work hard so that we return to England as a better squad and a better team." QPR

DJ CAMPBELL INJURED AGAIN

Ian Cooper/London 24 QPR striker ruled out for up to six weeks

Campbell’s nightmare season continues as hamstring tear keeps him out for at least a month

DJ Campbell is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines after tearing a hamstring in training.

The Rangers forward, who has been restricted to just 11 appearances this season thanks to injury and illness, pulled up in training ahead of QPRs match at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

Campbell was in the latter stages of his rehabilitation from a hamstring strain suffered in the match against Wigan Athletic last month, and admitted his latest injury comes as a massive setback.

"It's a grade two tear so I'm looking at four to six weeks," Campbell told London24.com. "It has been one thing after another but I just have to try to get on with it.

"Hopefully if I can do my rehab a bit better this time then it will be okay.

"It's frustrating but it happens, it's been like that all season. I was on the last day of my rehab and it went again. I've had a few injections on it, so were hoping that might get me back a bit sooner." London 24

Everton Official Site - QPR Ticket Explanation

Tuesday 14th February 2012 20:06@YourEverton
Everton officials clarify decision to accept reduced allocation.

Everton officials have clarified the chain of events that led to the decision to take a 1700 allocation of tickets for the away trip to Queens Park Rangers next month.

The Blues travel to Loftus Road on 3 March and following discussions with QPR were offered two ticket options for travelling supporters – either 1700 or 3000 tickets on a guaranteed sale only basis.

Everton suggested a revised sales figure of between 1700 and 3000 and also proposed that sales above the agreed figure could be on a sale or return basis. This was rejected by Rangers.

A club spokesman said: "Following various discussions between the two clubs and taking into account QPR’s adult ticket price of £40/45, we have opted to take what we feel is the most prudent allocation of 1700 tickets.

"We are disappointed that more Evertonians will not be down in the capital city next month cheering on the team, and whilst we tried to negotiate different terms with Queens Park Rangers, we accept and respect their decision."

The news of the reduced allocation will have a knock on effect on all allocations, which will be amended accordingly. If any supporters have any queries, then please do not hesitate to contact the Box Office at everton@evertonfc.com or on 0871 663 1878. http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2012/02/14/qpr-ticket-explanation

SKY - Serrant staying with QPR
Fitness coach remains part of manager Hughes' plans
By Soriebah Kajue.

Sky Sports understands Mark Hughes has handed fitness coach Carl Serrant a permanent position on his QPR coaching staff after a glowing reference from the players.

The 36-year-old former Newcastle defender, who saw his own career cut short by injury, was employed in a similar role by previous boss Neil Warnock.
There had been concerns over his future after Hughes arrived at Loftus Road last month with his trusted backroom staff of Mark Bowen, Eddie Niedzwiecki and Kevin Hitchcock.

Serrant was unsure whether he would be amalgamated into the new regime after Keith Curle and Mick Jones left with Warnock, while other members of the backroom team were left to sweat on their futures.

However, he was given glowing references by the club's current playing squad which was also taken into account by Hughes in making his decision.

The Rs boss is expected to take a view on other coaching positions at Loftus Road at the end of the season. Sky

- Past QPR Managerial Appointments: Where Came From

- The Premiership Compared to Other European Leagues

- VIDEO Flashbacks including Extensive video of QPR's 1975-76 Finale vs Leeds United (Goal appropriately from Dave Thomas and Stan Bowles!). Also Andy McCulloch's Debut Goal for QPR

- Flashbacks: QPR Off to Portugal....QPR Assistant Manager Arrested....QPR Deny John Gregory to be New Manager..QPR Youth Team lose in Palermo Tournament. QPR Youth Coach Axed..."We Are QPR"

- Change at QPR Holdings...New Name Associated with the Mittals, Sudhir Maheshwari appointed

- "Must Watch" VIDEO! Highlights of London Football 1968-1989, including of course some QPR moments. NOT previously available on Video: One of the famed QPR Terry Venables/Gerry Francis Free Kicks of the early 1970s (15 minutes into video].......Part II of the Video: London Football 1968-1989

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Armel Tchakounte Update

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

- QPR and the Other 19 Premiership Clubs Sign Sports Charter Against Homophobia (Don't think been a separate QPR Announcement re this)

QPR Report Tuesday: Tony Fernandes on Relegation Fight, Axing Warnock, Tweeting...Hughes on Taarabt...More "Blah.Blah.Blah" from a QPR Player

2012-02-14T10:09:00.011Z

-

-
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
-
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- On This Day in Football: February 14: QPR Crush Spurs Away...Waddock's First Managerial Defeat for QPR...Jackie Bass Exits QPR

- Managerial Trouble at The Anti-Christ/Demon Spawn!

- Past QPR Managerial Appointments: Where Came From

- The Premiership Compared to Other European Leagues

Sporting Life

FERNANDES: STARS MUST SAVE QPR

QPR owner Tony Fernandes has called on his players to hold up their end of the bargain in keeping the club in the Barclays Premier League.

Fernandes last month put his money where his mouth is, splashing out around £15million on Nedum Onuoha, Bobby Zamora and Djibril Cisse, as well as bringing in three others on loan in Federico Macheda, Taye Taiwo and Samba Diakite.

Fernandes, though, is being put through the wringer by his squad that has taken just six points from the last 39 on offer.

That sequence has left QPR in a position where only goal difference separates them from a place in the bottom three, and with 13 matches to save themselves.

They still have to play Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City, with the last three of those fixtures in their final four matches.

Assessing his side's seemingly troubled situation, Fernandes told Press Association Sport: "I always said from day one we would be in a relegation battle and our aim was to avoid relegation.

"Am I coping with the pressure? I'm not loving the pressure, but I'm loving the whole experience.

"I'm doing the best I can, and it's now up to the boys on the pitch and the manager to do what they can.

"We certainly have the players and ability to avoid relegation, but the Premier League is very tough, and only time will tell."

Fernandes certainly voiced his frustration over the weekend in the wake of his side's 3-2 defeat at relegation rivals Blackburn.

Fernandes turned to his Twitter account to let the fans know he was far from happy as he said: "Talent is one thing. Being able to cope with the pressures of talent is key.

"Everyone needs a spine to take the pressures of life. We need a spine in QPR. We need fighters not just talent."

Fernandes makes no apologies for using Twitter, a social media outlet that former boss Neil Warnock suggested had played a part in his own downfall.

Warnock felt Fernandes had read too many comments from fans before the axe was swung on his reign on January 8 after 22 months in charge.

Fernandes effectively went back on remarks made when he took over in the summer that he would not pull the rug from under Warnock's feet and that he would be given all the support he needed.

In his first interview since Warnock's departure and the subsequent appointment of Mark Hughes, Fernandes said: "That was the most difficult time I've encountered as a boss of any of my businesses."

The owner of Caterham F1 and airline AirAsia added: "I liked Neil, and I thought like with any of my employees it would be a long, long, long relationship.

"Sadly I ended up doing the one thing I said I wouldn't do, which is why it was tough.

"I'd rather not go into the reasons why I got rid of him. It was a decision that was made, and we've moved on from it."

Dismissing suggestions that he reacted to Tweets from fans, Fernandes said: "For people who have known me for a long time, my board and I will do what we think is right.

"We're not going to be pressurised by players, fans or anybody. We have to do what we think is right for the club in the long run.

"Like anything, though, I am in the public eye and I love transparency and openness, but there's a limit to what I can say and shouldn't say.

"That's because when you're in the public eye and say something it can affect other people, so you have to balance it."

Fernandes, meanwhile, seemingly has no qualms with another avid Tweeter in QPR captain Joey Barton.

The midfielder has been known for pushing the boundaries with his remarks on Twitter.

But Fernandes said: "Joey reports to the manager, and that's something for the manager and him to decide what's right and wrong."

However Fernandes added: "Again, when you're in the public eye, you have to be sensitive." Sporting Life

WEST LONDON SPORT - More to come from Taarabt, says QPR boss

Mark Hughes says he has been hugely impressed by Adel Taarabt – and believes there is plenty more to come from the Moroccan.

Taarabt was out of favour at QPR prior to Hughes’ appointment as manager and the club had been open to offers for him for some time.

Taarabt has impressed.

But the new boss is quick to point out the 22-year-old’s relative lack of experience and believes he can make him a better player.

Hughes said: “I’m enjoying working with him. He’s a very bright kid, he’s good around the place, and I’ve been really, really impressed with him.

“I think there’s more to come. With the right work and the right direction he could be more effective than he has been in the past.

“It’s his first season in the Premier League and we want to make sure he improves year on year. I think with my and my staff’s help he’ll be a better player.”

Taarabt’s recent display against Norwich was an encouraging sign and belied his reputation for immaturity.

With Rangers down to 10 men following the sending-off of Djibril Cisse he produced some of his best moments of the season – giving Hughes food for thought.

“I was pleased because he took on responsibility and that’s what you want from players,” Hughes explained.

“He understood the situation and that he had to really drive the game for us and that’s what he did.

“I like players who are able to understand what’s going on and are able to take responsibility in a game. Some shy away from it but he certainly didn’t.” West London Sport

SKY - RANGERS WILL BATTLE ON - BUZSAKY

Akos Buzsaky: We are strong enough to stay up

Akos Buzsaky has warned rivals that QPR will not give up their Premier League status without a fight.
The 29-year-old returned to the Rs' squad at Blackburn after an ankle complaint but could not prevent Mark Hughes' side slumping to a 3-2 defeat.

The result means only goal difference keeps QPR out of the relegation zone, leaving them in serious danger of an immediate return to the npower Championship.

Buzsaky has seen a lot of changes at the club since joining the west Londoners four years ago and believes the side can stave off relegation.

"When I came here, QPR were almost bottom of the Championship," he told Press Association Sport.

"A lot of things have changed and when I came there was a big, big thing about getting to the Premier League.

"There were big dreams about it and we wanted to get there within three or four years. That is what happened, we did it and we are in the Premier League.

"I think QPR deserve to be here and this is a club that does not want to go up and down, go up again and go down.

"We have done the hard bit and now we want to stay up and be an established Premier League side like Everton or Stoke.

"We definitely have a strong enough team to stay up, but you never know in football.

"Everyone knows we need to do our best because things can change.

"Even without the new signings, we shouldn't be fighting against relegation but we are because that is something we did not do properly.

"Everybody needs to look in the mirror and just give 100% from now on. I am sure under this new regime, we will be fine."

Buzsaky was little more than a bit-part player under previous manager Neil Warnock, making just five league appearances.

The Hungarian admits it was a frustrating time but believes the future is bright under current boss Hughes.

"It is really nice to be back in the team," he said. "I don't really want to talk about the past but if you're not playing, there is all sorts of things you think about.

"Things in football change so quickly; from one day to another everything could be different.

"I think it is promising [under Hughes] because the training has got better, the team shape has got better. We work a lot on that.

"I think everybody can see it is a positive impact he has made on the squad and on the players."

He added: "We have some big players now and they will help us.

"QPR do not want to fight against relegation. We want to be a good mid-table team in the Premier League.

"Because we are in the situation, the big players can always help with their experience and of course talent to get us as many points as we can."

While Hughes has brought Buzsaky back into the fold, the QPR boss has made no promises about his future at the club.

The midfielder is one of several players whose contract run out of the end of the season and the Rs boss revealed he will have to until the summer to discover whether he will get a new deal.

Buzsaky, though, remains philosophical about his future, adding: "At the moment I just want to play as many games as I can and help the team as much as I can. Things will take care of themselves." Football 365

- VIDEO Flashbacks including Extensive video of QPR's 1975-76 Finale vs Leeds United (Goal appropriately from Dave Thomas and Stan Bowles!). Also Andy McCulloch's Debut Goal for QPR

- Flashbacks: QPR Off to Portugal....QPR Assistant Manager Arrested....QPR Deny John Gregory to be New Manager..QPR Youth Team lose in Palermo Tournament. QPR Youth Coach Axed..."We Are QPR"

- Change at QPR Holdings...New Name Associated with the Mittals, Sudhir Maheshwari appointed

- "Must Watch" VIDEO! Highlights of London Football 1968-1989, including of course some QPR moments. NOT previously available on Video: One of the famed QPR Terry Venables/Gerry Francis Free Kicks of the early 1970s (15 minutes into video].......Part II of the Video: London Football 1968-1989

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Armel Tchakounte Update

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

- QPR and the Other 19 Premiership Clubs Sign Sports Charter Against Homophobia (Don't think been a separate QPR Announcement re this)

QPR Report Monday Update: Off to Portugal

2012-02-13T08:27:00.004Z

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Flashback! QPR in Portugal
-
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
-
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives - QPR's 1971-1972 Season in Photos
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- Compilation of Blackburn-QPR Match Reports, Manager and Chairman Comments

- VIDEO Flashbacks including Extensive video of QPR's 1975-76 Finale vs Leeds United (Goal appropriately from Dave Thomas and Stan Bowles!). Also Andy McCulloch's Debut Goal for QPR

- Flashbacks: QPR Off to Portugal....QPR Assistant Manager Arrested....QPR Deny John Gregory to be New Manager..QPR Youth Team lose in Palermo Tournament. QPR Youth Coach Axed..."We Are QPR"

Daily Mail/Chris Wheeler - Sun, sea and serious hard work for QPR flops after Hughes reads riot act

QPR leave for a four-day break in Portugal on Tuesday but it will be no holiday after Mark Hughes administered the first dressing-down of his reign at Loftus Road.
-Hughes admitted he was ‘astounded’ by his team’s first-half performance at Blackburn as they went three goals behind. Although Rangers recovered with two late strikes from substitute Jamie Mackie, it was not enough to save Hughes from a third defeat in five Premier League games in charge.
- Mackie’s second goal kept QPR above Blackburn and out of the bottom three on goal difference, and they now have a two-week break before facing their manager’s old club Fulham at home a week on Saturday.

Hughes will use it to give the Loftus Road pitch a rest and his players a change of scenery that he hopes will lead to a change of fortunes after making his feelings clear to them at Ewood Park on Saturday.
‘I’m still astounded by the first half, to be honest,’ he said. ‘We won’t labour the point because they were told in no uncertain terms about that.
‘It’s probably the first time they’ve seen that side of me but they’ll see it again if we have the same problem. We understood straightaway that that wasn’t acceptable and I don’t anticipate that we’ll see that level of performance again.
‘We’re going to Portugal to get some work done because we’re struggling at our training ground at the moment. It’s frozen so we’ve been training at the stadium and we need to give that a break.’

However, Hughes admits the trip will also give him a chance to assess the mentality of his new charges and rebuild their fragile confidence after their first-half performance at Blackburn.
He added: ‘It will give us the opportunity to have a couple of sessions a day and have a real understanding of what type of personalities they are and how they react to certain situations.
‘I’ve learned a lot about the group, both in the performance in the first half and in the second half as well. We conceded two goals from two shots and they were really poor from our point of view.
‘Given the circumstances we’re in, the confidence ebbed away somewhat and we can’t afford to have that. We’re in a position where, even if things go against us, we’ve still got to dig in and do the right things. In the first half we felt too sorry for ourselves.’ Daily Mail

- Forty Years Ago yesterday: Rodney Marsh's Final Game for QPR at Loftus Road (Played another couple away, before his sale)

- Change at QPR Holdings...New Name Associated with the Mittals, Sudhir Maheshwari appointed

- "Must Watch" VIDEO! Highlights of London Football 1968-1989, including of course some QPR moments. NOT previously available on Video: One of the famed QPR Terry Venables/Gerry Francis Free Kicks of the early 1970s (15 minutes into video].......Part II of the Video: London Football 1968-1989

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Armel Tchakounte Update

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

- QPR and the Other 19 Premiership Clubs Sign Sports Charter Against Homophobia (Don't think been a separate QPR Announcement re this)

QPR Report Sunday: Blackburn Reports...Fernandes' View...40 Years Ago Today: Rodney Marsh's Last QPR Game at Loftus Road

2012-02-12T09:45:00.010Z

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- Forty Years Ago Today: Rodney Marsh's Final Game for QPR at Loftus Road (Played another couple away, before his sale)

-
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
-
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives - QPR's 1971-1972 Season in Photos
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- Forty Years Ago Today: Rodney Marsh's Final Game for QPR at Loftus Road (Played another couple away, before his sale)

- "Must Watch" VIDEO! Highlights of London Football 1968-1989, including of course some QPR moments. NOT previously available on Video: One of the famed QPR Terry Venables/Gerry Francis Free Kicks of the early 1970s (15 minutes into video].......Part II of the Video: London Football 1968-1989

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Two Year Flashback: Rumours of Neil Warnock Taking Over at QPR

- Birthdays for Mick Harford and Timoska

- Change at QPR Holdings...New Name Associated with the Mittals, Sudhir Maheshwari appointed

- Matteo Alberti Italian Update

- Armel Tchakounte Update

- World's Richest Clubs: (QPR Not Included) - Deloitte's Annual Report - .... The Money League: Chart ...Read Entire Report

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

- QPR and the Other 19 Premiership Clubs Sign Sports Charter Against Homophobia (Don't think been a separate QPR Announcement re this)

BLACKBURN 3 QPR 2

Tony Fernandes Tweets

Talent is one thing. Being able to cope with the pressures of talent is key. Everyone needs a spine to take the pressures of life. We need a spine in QPR. We need fighters not just talent.

Not picking formatiins. Just stating facts. We seem to play better. And I won't sue you hahahah. Love the challenge... m.tmi.me/lMmkz
14 minutes ago

tonyfernandes Tony Fernandes
Don't lose faith. Every game we learn a bit more. Got 2 week break. Let's see. But I'm optimistic.
24 minutes ago

tonyfernandes Tony Fernandes
Bizzare as it sounds I'm not down. I'm more optimistic than I have ever been. We will come good.

QPR Official Site

HUGHES ON BLACKBURN
Posted on: Sat 11 Feb 2012

Mark Hughes pinpointed a 'very poor' first-half showing from Rangers as the key factor behind their 3-2 defeat at Blackburn Rovers.

Goals from Yakubu, Steven Nzonzi and Junior Hoilett put Steve Kean's men into a three-goal lead at the half-time break.

Substitute Jamie Mackie bagged a brace for QPR after coming from the bench in the second half - but the Hoops ultimately gave themselves too much to do following their lacklustre performance in the opening period

"We were very poor in the first half - the poorest we've been since I arrived at QPR," Hughes told www.qpr.co.uk.

"But it's understandable. We've not been through the door for any great length of time.

"The contrast between the first 45 minutes and the second was marked - but there shouldn't be a difference in performance of that size, in my opinion.

"The first half wasn't acceptable, but we'll take a little bit of comfort out of the second."

Hughes added: "I thought we completely dominated proceedings in the second half.

"You can't give any Premier League team a three-goal head-start and then try and get yourselves on level terms.

"Although, in fairness to us, we very nearly did that. That shows the players credit.

"But they have to understand that if you're going to win and take points in the Barclays Premier League, you can't be fundamentally flawed in the first 45 minutes.

"You have to be solid and have a base and a platform to win games. We didn't give ourselves that in the first half."

http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~2607902,00.html

WEST LONDON SPORT

First-half display ‘unacceptable’ – Hughes

11/02/2012
by Adam Borysiuk
Mark Hughes described QPR’s first-half display at Blackburn as “unacceptable” following his side’s 3-2 loss at Ewood Park.

Rangers were three down at half-time after a dismal defensive performance and Jamie Mackie’s second-half goals could not save them from a defeat against Hughes’ former club.

“You can’t give any Premier League team a three-goal start. The first half was unacceptable,” said R’s boss Hughes, whose team now have a two-week break before a derby at home to another of his former sides, Fulham.

“We were very poor in that first half. It was arguably the worst we’ve played since I came in,” he added

“We will take some comfort though from the second half, because I thought that we completely dominated it.”

http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/first-half-display-unacceptable-hughes/

SKY

Hughes - Defeat a learning curve
Boss unhappy with first-half show but takes positives from second
By Jamie Casey. Last Updated: February 11, 2012 7:00pm

Mark Hughes: Has his work cut out if he's to lead QPR to survival
Sky Bet

Mark Hughes deemed Queens Park Rangers' first-half performance against Blackburn "unacceptable" following a 3-2 defeat.

Rangers found themselves three goals down at half-time, but Hughes was pleased with the response his side produced in narrowly missing out on a heroic point.

The former Blackburn boss has written the defeat off as a learning curve, for both him and his new crop of players, who have been working together for just over a month.

"You can't give any Premier League team a three-goal headstart," he told Sky Sports.

"As it was, we very nearly got back on level terms but, unfortunately, we gave ourselves too much to do because of the standard of our performance in the first half.

"We didn't defend correctly for the full 45 minutes in that half. We gifted two goals and then committed the cardinal sin of conceding just before half-time as well."

Rovers steamed ahead through goals from Yakubu and Steven N'Zonzi, and Nedum Onuoha's own goal on the stroke of half-time appeared to have the hosts in cruise control.
Response

QPR were much improved after the break, though, and striker Jamie Mackie inspired a comeback trail, scoring twice from the bench.

Hughes added: "In the second half, I asked for a response, and I got it. It's still early days, I'm still getting to know people, the players and how they react in certain circumstances.

"So it's a learning curve for me and certainly for them, they understand that that first half is unacceptable."

The Rs have won just once in their last 13 Premier League games and avoid the relegation zone only through a superior goal difference over Blackburn.

Hughes is in no doubt his side are firm relegation candidates, but insists he will get his side right before the difficult season run-in.

He said: "I think everybody is aware of the situation that we're in - we're very much in that mix at the wrong end of the table.

"We just need to learn very quickly what we need to do to start winning some Premier League games and certainly away games.

"Sometimes you learn from wins, sometimes you learn from defeats and we certainly have learned something today."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7506832/?

FULHAM CHRONICLE

QPR boss: It's back to the drawing board
By Tim Street Feb 11 2012 Add a comment

MARK Hughes admits he still has a lot of work to do with his QPR side following their 3-2 defeat at Blackburn Rovers this afternoon.

Rs found themselves 3-0 down at the break before a late Jamie Mackie brace gave them a lifeline, but it was not enough.

And Hughes, who has been in charge for less than a month at Lotfus Road, will now go back to the drawing board in a bid to avoid an instant return to the Championship.

The Rs boss said: “It was a lesson for us, a bit of a wake-up call, and I am still getting to know what I have to work with here.

“I saw things today I did not realise were wrong, but we have now have a two week break, which gives me more time to work with the lads.

“We then have two home games in a row, so it will be a crucial time for us coming up, and it's important we get it right.”

http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-....?#ixzz1m6do4DRo

Guardian/Richard Gibson

Blackburn's Yakubu Ayegbeni shines in defeat of Queens Park Rangers

Blackburn chose the visit of a revered guest to find an antidote to their Ewood Park vulnerability. While their capitulation against Arsenal seven days earlier exposed their defensive frailty, their charity this season began at home.

Before Mark Hughes's return, Rovers had lost nine of their 12 league fixtures on their own turf; a statistic in stark contrast to the Hughes blueprint for success during his successful four seasons in this east Lancashire enclave.

It took Hughes two seasons to lose that many matches on his own manor, and improvement will be crucial in Steve Kean's team's bid to beat the drop. Blackburn's first-half display – clinical and energetic – bore all the hallmarks of a Hughes side circa 2006. Unfortunately, in contrast, Queens Park Rangers' performance did not.

Their defence was breached three times in the opening 45 minutes and Blackburn led by three as a result. Yakubu Ayegbeni, returning after a three-game suspension, put them in front on the quarter-hour with his 13th Premier League goal of the season. Paul Robinson's raking long ball found its way into Yakubu's path from Steven Nzonzi's flick-on and a swivel of the hips left Anton Ferdinand in his wake, as the ball was transferred from left boot to right and beyond Paddy Kenny. "We've missed him and we're glad he's back," Kean said.

Midway through the half, French midfielder Nzonzi doubled the advantage. His surge from halfway created uncertainty in a retreating Rangers rearguard and, after feeding Junior Hoilett on the left, he loitered on the edge of the area to stroke in a delayed return pass.

However, against opponents that conceded seven at the Emirates in their last outing and without a clean sheet in any match for 10 months, QPR were always in the game and would have had a firmer foothold if Bobby Zamora's opportunistic hook over his own shoulder had gone the other side of an upright after Blackburn failed to clear a corner on the half-hour.

Confirmation that Zamora was to be defeated here for a second time this year – he was in the Fulham team who lost 3-1 to 10 men last month – was all-but delivered four minutes into first-half injury time when Yakubu headed Martin Olsson's free-kick across the box and Hoilett's drive from a diminishing angle struck Nedum Onuoha's ankles, looped over Kenny and went in off the underside of the bar.

"You can't give any Premier League team a three-goal head start," Hughes said. "The first 45 minutes were as poor as we've been since I've been in the door and arguably the poorest of any team I have been involved with, to be honest."

Things almost got worse seven minutes after the restart when Yakubu – a QPR target before the January window closed – cleared Kenny's leap but struck the underside of the crossbar with an audacious chip from 20 yards.

Djibril Cissé, one of the strikers they did manage to acquire, was serving a ban, so it was left to the QPR substitute Jamie Mackie, who broke his leg on his last visit to Ewood 13 months ago, to sharpen their attack. He turned in from inside the six-yard box to expose former Ranger Bradley Orr's 70th-minute defensive error, and then rifled in a beauty at the death to ensure that Blackburn were kept in the bottom three on goal difference.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/....e?newsfeed=true

QPR Official Site - Blackburn 3 QPR 2

Substitute Jamie Mackie's late double was not enough to stave off defeat for QPR, who went down to a 3-2 defeat at Blackburn Rovers.

The Scot came from the bench to notch a tap-in first on 71 minutes before adding another with a stunning strike in second-half stoppage time, but Mark Hughes' men probably left themselves with too much to do after falling three goals behind before the break.

Yakubu put Rovers into the lead on 15 minutes, before Steven Nzonzi doubled the home side's advantage eight minutes later.

Junior Hoilett added what proved to be a crucial third on the stroke of half-time.

Despite defeat, Rangers remain outside of the bottom three in the Barclays Premier League on goal difference.

Hughes made three changes to his R's side from last weekend's defeat at home to Wolves for the trip to Ewood Park.

Fitz Hall, Akos Buzsaky and Armand Traore replaced Luke Young (hamstring), Shaun Derry and Djibril Cisse (suspended) respectively.

Blackburn, meanwhile, handed a first start to Bradley Orr, who joined Rovers on deadline day of the January transfer window from QPR, while Yakubu returned to the starting XI for the hosts after serving a suspension.

Rangers set-up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Paddy Kenny in goal behind a back four of Nedum Onuoha, Hall, Anton Ferdinand and Taye Taiwo.

Shaun Wright-Phillips began from the right-hand side of midfield, with skipper Joey Barton and Buzsaky in the middle and Traore out wide on the left.

Adel Taarabt played just behind Bobby Zamora.

The opening stanza was understandably tight, with both sides failing to create any chances of note inside the first ten minutes.

The first real opportunity of the contest came on 15 minutes - and with it arrived the opening goal for Rovers.

A free-kick from deep was flicked on by the head of Nzonzi into the path of Yakubu, who took a touch to control the ball before lashing an effort into the bottom left-hand corner from the edge of the box.

Eight minutes later, Rovers left QPR stunned when they added a second goal.

Nzonzi - provider of the first - stole possession in midfield before finding Hoilett down the left.

Thereafter, the diminutive winger cut in to the box before finding Nzonzi on 16 yards, who powered an effort home past Kenny and into the top left-hand corner.

The R's created their first attempt just a minute later but that wasn't to trouble Rovers keeper Paul Robinson, as Taiwo blasted an effort high and wide of the target from distance.

Rangers' best chance of the half arrived just past the half-hour mark.

Barton's corner from the right caused all sorts of confusion in the Rovers box before the ball eventually fell to Zamora, whose backward hook with his left foot crept just inches wide.

QPR fashioned another chance on the stroke of half-time.

Zamora ran on to Barton's long ball over the top of the Blackburn defence before cutting the ball back from the left for Traore, whose low drive from 18 yards was comfortably held by Robinson.

Play then switched to the other end, where Rovers stretched their lead to three goals just moments before the break.

Morten Gamst Pederson's long free-kick was headed down by Scott Dann, before Hoilett arrived at the left-hand post to smash a deflected effort home via the underside of the bar.

Rangers started the second period brightly, creating the opening chance of the half. Wright-Phillips' lofted cross found Zamora, whose header went handsomely wide of the right-hand post.

Blackburn almost added an outrageous fourth on 53 minutes.

Pedersen's miscued strike rolled kindly into the path of Yakubu, whose spectacular lob from 25 yards crashed off the face of the bar before the danger was cleared.

QPR huffed and puffed in an attempt to try and muscle their way back into the match.

Taiwo perhaps should have done better when he could only fire an effort straight at Robinson from ten yards, following Taarabt's sumptuous slide-rule pass.

Hughes decided to freshen things up come the 66th minute, with Mackie introduced at the expense of Buzsaky. The R's switched to a 4-3-1-2 formation in the process.

Four minutes later, good work from Taarabt and Wright-Phillips eventually saw the latter free Taiwo down the left, but the Nigerian full-back could only fire wide of the near post.

A change in system saw a marked improvement in the R's, who pulled a goal back courtesy of substitute Mackie 19 minutes from time.

Play eventually swung the way of Taiwo down the left before the defender drove into the box and picked out Mackie, who got in front of his marker to prod home from six-yards out.

The goal appeared to lift Rangers and Robinson had to be at his best on 85 minutes to thwart Taarabt, after the Moroccan let fly with an effort from just inside the box.

Wright-Phillips, meanwhile, also went close with a rasping drive that went past the upright a minute before time.

Four minutes of second-half stoppage time went up on the board - and Mackie made sure of a nervy finish for Rovers with a splendid strike.

The industrious forward turned his marker on the edge of the box after Taarabt's clever pass, before drilling an unstoppable shot into the top right-hand corner.

Rangers' late show was to be in vein, however, as the hosts clung on for victory.

Blackburn Rovers: Robinson, Olsson, Formica (Modeste 66), Pedersen, Nzonzi, Dann, Orr, Hoilett (Henley 50), Yakubu (Goodwillie 90), Hanley, Lowe.

Subs: Bunn, Petrovic, Rochina, Vukcevic.

Goals: Yakubu (15), Nzonzi (23), Hoilett (45)

Bookings: Lowe (62)

QPR: Kenny, Hall (Gabbidon 90) Taarabt, Traore, Buzsaky (Mackie 66), Barton, Wright-Phillips, Taiwo, Ferdinand, Onuoha, Zamora.

Subs: Cerny, Hill, Derry, Bothroyd, Smith.

Goals: Mackie (71 & 90)

Bookings: Mackie (81)

Referee: Mr M Dean

Attendance: 20,252

http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~59136,00.html

- From the Bushman Archive

QPR Report Saturday: Blackburn...Warnock...Flashbacks ("Must Watch" Video of Venables Free Kick)

2012-02-11T09:23:00.012Z

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- LIVE CHAT TODAY: QPR - and Blackburn - Fans: Not at the Game? Join in the QPR Report "Live Chat"

- - From the Bushman Photo Archives

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- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
-
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives - QPR's 1971-1972 Season in Photos
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- "Must Watch Video"! Highlights of London Football 1968-1989, including of course some QPR moments. NOT previously available on Video: One of the famed QPR Terry Venables/Gerry Francis Free Kicks of the early 1970s (15 minutes into video].................Also Part II of the Video: London Football 1968-1989

- Next: Blackburn: Past Results/Shared Players/Reports

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- On This Day in Football: February 11...Gary Waddock's QPR Managerial Debut...Birthday for John O'Rourke...The Morgans Get Split Up (Missed by a few days)

MIRROR/David Anderson - Yakubu: I refused to leave Blackburn because they saved my career

Yakubu has revealed he snubbed a January move to QPR because he owed it to Blackburn to stay.

Rangers wanted to buy the Nigeria striker in a double deal with Rovers defender Chris Samba to boost their relegation fight, because of the hi impressive return of 12 goals in 16 league games.

But unlike Samba, who tried to force a move away from Ewood Park, Yakubu says he never contemplated leaving - because the Lancashire club saved his career.

The 29-year-old claims it would have been wrong to go after Rovers threw him a lifeline in August when they rescued him from the wilderness at Everton.

Yakubu claims he wasn’t tempted, even though QPR owner Tony Fernandes’ bags of cash probably give the Londoners a better chance than Blackburn of staying up.

“I didn’t look at it that way,” said the player. “I’m lucky to be here. Blackburn gave me the opportunity to prove myself, so why would I want to leave?

“I decided not to go. I said, 'I don’t want to go.' I wanted to stay here and be part of it. I didn’t want to make any move because I’m happy here.

“They gave me the chance to play in the Premier League again. It’s great to be here. If we could just stay in the league, it would be perfect.”

Yakubu now hopes to continue his red-hot scoring streak against Rangers QPR at Ewood Park on Saturday after completing a three-match ban.

However, he says his goals are not as important as avoiding relegation.

“It’s not just about me scoring goals and if we don’t stay up, my goals will mean nothing,” he said. “The most important thing is that we stay up.

"It’s good to score goals, but the most important thing is that we stay in the Premier League.

“It’s no good trying to be happy scoring goals when you’re not winning. If you score and the team wins, you’re happier than if you score and the team doesn’t win.”

Yakubu recalls how Portsmouth stayed up in their first couple of seasons after winning promotion because of boss Harry Redknapp's man-management.

“When we were struggling, we stayed up because we believed,” said the former Middlesbrough star. “If you believe that you won’t go down, then you’ll be fine. We have to believe we can turn it round.”

Rovers manager Steve Kean is delighted to have his talismanic striker back following last week’s 7-1 mauling at Arsenal and claims Yakubu is as important for him as Demba Ba is for Newcastle.

“Just look at his goals tally,” said Kean. “Newcastle have missed Demba Ba while he was away [with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations].

“Now he’s come back in again, looking sharp, and he’s made a difference. We think Yak can do the same for us.”

Team news: Samba and Givet are out, Hoops are short of strikers

Simon Bird's Premier League previews and predictions (Week 25) Mirror

NEIL WARNOCK WEEKLY COLUMN - INDEPENDENT

Remember that movie, Sliding Doors? It was about how the course of life can be shaped by seemingly minor events. In that case it revolved around Gwyneth Paltrow catching – or missing – a London tube train.

Similarly, if Tottenham had been able to agree a fee for Gary Cahill with Bolton at the start of this season, Fabio Capello and John Terry would still be England's manager and captain.

I'd better explain. Back in August, as the close of the transfer window was drawing near, I was trying to buy a centre-half for QPR with Anton Ferdinand and Sebastien Bassong two of the main targets. Bassong would have been a loan, which meant it was slightly easier to complete, but it hinged upon Spurs getting Cahill in, otherwise Harry Redknapp would have been a centre-half short.

As the days ticked by it looked as if Cahill was not moving so I began to focus on Anton. That paid off when Harry called me to say Cahill was not going to happen so we couldn't have Bassong. That was fine by me as I was pleased to get Anton. The rest is all headlines: Anton played against Chelsea in October; an incident occurred which led to Terry being charged; Terry lost the England captaincy once it became clear the case wouldn't be settled until after the Euros; and Fabio resigned.

I imagine Harry was really annoyed when he wasn't able to sign Cahill – but I bet he's happy at the way things worked out now!

I can't knock Capello for coming out and saying he was unhappy at the way things were done, because the FA should have handled it differently and kept him informed instead of doing it while he was in Italy. Knowing he was coming back, surely they could have hung on for a couple of days to make a decision which we all feel in England was an important one, though I'm not sure the Italians feel the armband is that important.

I was still surprised he went but not disappointed. I did an interview with BBC Five Live at about five to seven on Wednesday saying I hoped he went. The next thing I know the FA announces he has. I know some have said we're in chaos but I feel it is an opportunity. I wasn't looking forward to the finals. Make no mistake, we have some quality players – but there wasn't any sense of anticipation. Now they can get Harry in and we can really have a go.

Harry's head and shoulders above everyone else and just what we need. He has experience of dealing with these multi-millionaire players. He'll give them freedom to play within a team structure. And we'll be back to the old days when everyone wants to play, as there'll be humour in the dressing room. There won't be many boring games with him in charge. I can't wait to see the Euros now.

I was chuffed for Harry when I saw the result of the court case. Even knowing he's innocent, he's had to live with that for five years and yet he carried on doing his job so well. It must have cost £8m to bring that case, for less than £100,000 in allegedly unpaid tax.

Once he was cleared Harry became the only person for the England job and I'm sure, having spoken to him over the years, he'll feel it a great privilege to finish his career as national manager. We'll have to go cap in hand to Tottenham's chairman Daniel Levy and hope he'll do the country a favour. Daniel deserves compensation because he has contributed to what Harry has done at White Hart Lane, no more so than in the way he handled Luka Modric last summer. And yes, I do think Harry can do both jobs until the end of the season.

2. Chelsea need Terry to be the talker at the back

If you want to know why Fabio made such a fuss about John Terry you only had to watch Chelsea v Manchester United. I don't think Chelsea would have thrown away a three-goal lead if Terry had been fit to play.

United were fortunate with the second penalty after Danny Welbeck went down because these young lads know how to put their leg out and make sure there is contact. Adam Johnson was another example the day before – and what a guilty interview he gave afterwards when asked about the contact. But that third goal, Terry would have prevented – and I'm not talking about Javier Hernandez getting a free header. If Branislav Ivanovic had gone out to stop Ryan Giggs's cross as if his life depended on it, instead of ambling out and inviting Giggs to cross, then Chelsea would have won. If Terry had been on that pitch he would have been screaming at Ivanovic to close Giggs down, and that is the part you miss about Terry. Everyone knows he is not getting any quicker, but in the way he talks and rallies he is still a major part of the team.

You do need talkers and leaders at the back, which shows how well United are doing to hang in there despite losing Nemanja Vidic, who I think is the best centre-half in the country.

How about Arsenal? Less than a fortnight ago I was doing the FA Cup game against Aston Villa for ESPN and the fans were slaughtering Arsène. They have since scored 10 goals and conceded one. If I were Chelsea I would be concerned about them hitting this run. How many times in the past have Arsenal been written off and sneaked into the Champions League positions? And I do think they have more goals in the team than Chelsea. But they do need to keep Robin van Persie fit.

That is not, by the way, a dig at Fernando Torres. I thought he contributed a lot to Chelsea last week and one thing I like about him is that he is not hiding at all. He wants that ball every time, and that takes some guts with the criticism he is getting. I know people will say he's on 150 grand a week, or whatever it is, and so he should, but when he goes on the field he's not interested in money, only showing he can get back to the form of Liverpool days.

Manchester United are in the big game again this weekend, against Liverpool, and I just hope we can focus on the football and not the handshake. We should scrap the whole ritual. United are favourites but Liverpool have a habit of pulling out a result this year when people don't expect it. They will be delighted to have Luis Suarez back.

3. Best time to hit the ice cream? When it snows

What did we do in the snow last Sunday? We had an ice cream. It wasn't so much fun on Saturday night though, as I found myself caught in a snowstorm on the M4. The journey took hours and at one point I thought I would have to stop at a service station and spend the night there. My car is useless in those conditions so I decided to tag along to a lorry. When he went out to overtake I knew I had to go with him as if I didn't, and ended up stopping, I'd never start it again.

I finally made it to Richmond, and got stuck on a hill with my wheels spinning. Some guys helped me get it going again, which left me one last hill before home. It has traffic lights, so I had to wait for them to change and make a run at it.

The following day it all looked lovely, though, and Will and I built a snowman. Then we went into Richmond and, because it seemed the obvious thing to do, went to Gelateria Danieli, the best ice cream shop I have ever known (it's run by Italians, obviously). They must have 25 flavours. I had Christmas pudding flavour and rum and raisin flavours, Sharon pistachio, and Will chocolate brownie. I suppose it would have been nicer sitting in the sun by the green, but needs must, beggars can't be choosers, etc.

4. Ah, the delights of family life and dieting

On Monday I watched William having a golf lesson. It is amazing to see how easily kids of today pick things up. He actually swings a club like a golfer should. I used to swing it like a cricketer – but then, I played a lot of cricket as a boy and didn't pick up a club until I was in my twenties.

We're all going swimming today. We've not been for a while and I will have to get some new trunks. I had a shock on Tuesday when I took Sharon for afternoon tea at the Connaught – I thought I'd better get some credit in while I'm not working – and I inadvertently tried to put on the wrong jeans. I thought I must have been ill, as I had about three inches spare. "They're your old ones," said Sharon, "from before you dieted." I couldn't believe it.

Maybe I need to find that woman at the dry cleaners who over the last few years has let out nearly every pair of my trousers – and ask her to take them in again. Independent

ROMONE ROSE UPDATE - South Wales Argus/Michael Pearlman
Exiles’ new Rose is ready to bloom

Saturday 11th February 2012

THERE are few better ways to ingratiate yourself with your new supporters than by belting home a wonder goal on your debut, but County winger Romone Rose is promising the Spytty Park faithful that they haven’t seen anything yet.

The former Queens Park Rangers flyer admits he doesn’t want to hang around at Conference level for too long, but is determined to shine at Newport and impress enough to make a return to the Football League.

And on first impressions you wouldn’t bet against it after Rose scored a quite stunning debut goal in Tuesday’s 4-0 FA Trophy win over Carshalton Athletic.

“As soon as I came on I was looking to make my mark and scoring a goal like that should help,” he said.

“The goal I scored is certainly up there with my best and I would say it’s in the top three I have ever scored.”

The 22-year old is part of a growing core of young players at Spytty Park and while admitting he sees County as a stepping stone, Rose is confident the Exiles are on the right track and was desperate to join Justin Edinburgh’s revolution.

“A move to Newport County came about because I knew a few of the lads already at the club and they said I should come down and check the place out,” he continued. “Ryan Charles had a word on my behalf with the gaffer and he invited me to training. He liked the look of me, I proved myself so they signed me and I was thrilled to come here.

“I was out in Thailand but I thought that it wasn’t going to do much to develop my game or enhance my reputation. I enjoyed it out there, but I wanted to come back to the English game even if I had to start out in the lower leagues and work my way back up.

“There is a lot of quality here and we shouldn’t be battling against relegation with the quality we have here, surely not. We should be up there fighting to go up and we aren’t playing like a team fighting relegation.

“I had been at QPR since I was 14 and my aim is to get back up the leagues. You have to aim high. I believe I am good enough to play in the Championship or higher but I need to prove that with Newport.”

Manager Justin Edinburgh confirmed that Rose has fitted in nicely at County but the player himself confesses that moving to Wales isn’t quite the adventure he is used to.

“I came here after a spell in Thailand, at Robbie Fowler’s club Muangthong United, and it’s a bit different to Newport to be fair, playing in Thailand,” he joked.

“I lived about 30 minutes outside of Bangkok and it was completely unique in terms of the culture. I think experiencing that will make me a better player, it makes me more focused on making my mark in the English game because it was very up and down out there.

“The standard of football in Thailand is excellent, I would compare it to maybe Champion-ship level over here.

“The heat was obviously quite novel. In many ways it was a great experience, especially working with Robbie Fowler and playing abroad has helped me to grow up.”

Rose is hopeful of a start at Stockport today and believes the hosts will be surprised by new look County if the match goes ahead after an 8.45am pitch inspection.

“We have a good core of young players and that is important, we have everything to prove and nothing to fear. I think the youngsters the gaffer has got in are adjusting well. I think it’s positive that he is building the team around players with pace and power and we head into every game now with confidence.” South Wales Argus

- Newcastle vs QPR - FA Youth Cup: Newcastle Won - Match Reports

- Nice Piece how well Ian Holloway is Doing this season at Blackpool

- Portsmouth set for Administration again

- For Fifty Pounds: Chance to Name a Stadium (whatever you like) for a year

- World's Richest Clubs: (QPR Not Included) - Deloitte's Annual Report - .... The Money League: Chart ...Read Entire Report

- Alberti Italian Update

- West Ham's New Signing Reported Homophobic Rant/Tweet

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

- QPR and the Other 19 Premiership Clubs Sign Sports Charter Against Homophobia (Don't think been a separate QPR Announcement re this)

- Change at QPR Holdings...New Name Associated with the Mittals, Sudhir Maheshwari appointed

QPR Report Friday: "Found"Video" -The Famed Terry Venables/Gerry Francis Free Kick

2012-02-10T09:04:00.008Z

-

-
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
-
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives - QPR's 1971-1972 Season in Photos
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- Great Video! Highlights of London Football 1968-1989, including of course some QPR moments. NOT previously available on Video: One of the famed QPR Terry Venables/Gerry Francis Free Kicks of the early 1970s (15 minutes into video].................Also Part II of the Video: London Football 1968-1989

- Also 12 Minutes of Video of QPR's Quarter Final FA Cup Win against Crystal Palace

- On This Day in Football: February 10 - QPR Crushed by Preston and Gerry Francis Set to Quit...Alan McDonald Returns to QPR as Coach to Gary Waddock

- Newcastle vs QPR - FA Youth Cup: Newcastle Won - Match Reports

- Nice Piece how well Ian Holloway is Doing this season at Blackpool

- Portsmouth set for Administration again

- For Fifty Pounds: Chance to Name a Stadium (whatever you like) for a year

- World's Richest Clubs: (QPR Not Included) - Deloitte's Annual Report - .... The Money League: Chart ...Read Entire Report

- West Ham's New Signing Reported Homophobic Rant/Tweet

- Change at QPR Holdings...New Name Associated with the Mittals, Sudhir Maheshwari appointed

- Next: Blackburn: Past Results/Shared Players/Reports

West London Sport/David McIntyre - Diakite to join QPR squad on overseas trip

Mark Hughes will take his players for a break in the sun next week – and plans to use the trip to help Samba Diakite settle among his new team-mates.

QPR have a two-week gap in fixtures after Saturday’s game at Blackburn and manager Hughes wants them to recharge their batteries ahead of the London derby against Fulham on 25 February.

The trip has not yet been finalised, with Portugal a possible destination for the squad.

And midfielder Diakite, Rangers’ recent signing from Nancy, is expected to join them after playing in Mali’s final match at the Africa Cup of Nations this weekend.

“He’s got a third v fourth-placed play-off to play in and I’m hoping he’ll then come straight over to join us,” Hughes confirmed.

Hughes will hope his side fly out in buoyant mood after the vital game at Blackburn, where a victory against his former club would ease Rangers’ relegation worries.

Back-to-back home league defeats have left QPR struggling at the wrong end of the table, with the sending-off of Joey Barton against Norwich and Djibril Cisse against Wolves proving costly.

Hughes believes those dismissals cost the R’s six points, but insisted: “You can look back on spilt milk, but we can’t do anything about it.

“You’ve got to get on with it – the games you’ve got ahead of you. That’s what we’re focusing on. It’s important that we’re really positive.” West London Sport

EALING GAZETTE/JACOB MURTAGH - QPR boss wants more from Wright-Phillips

MARK Hughes reckons QPR fans will see the best of Shaun Wright-Phillips now the winger is playing in his preferred position.
The former Manchester City man has been a big disappointment since his multi-million pound switch to Loftus Road in August, while also failing to find the net in 22 appearances.
However, Sparky reckons he can bring the best out of the 30-year-old, who was an England regular during his time under the Welshman at City.
Wright-Phillips returned to his more natural position on the right flank in Saturday's defeat to Wolves, and will get another chance to impress at Blackburn tomorrow.
“I think Shaun's doing okay,” said Hughes. “In fairness I probably haven't been able to play him in his most preferred position, which is wide right.
“I've moved him around, I've played him in the middle and I've predominantly started him on the left. He's got enough ability to be able to adapt so I've been pleased with that.
“But obviously most players will tell you they would ideally play in their preferred position. We've got players coming back that will allow me to do that and Shaun will feel he can have more of an impact.”
One player who is keen to hook up with Wright-Phillips is pal and former City team-mate Nedum Onuoha.
With Luke Young ruled out with a hamstring injury, Onuoha could be used as a makeshift right-back at Ewood Park.
And he insists there's no reason why his mate can't rediscover the form that made him one of the hottest prospects in the country.
Onuoha added: “I've seen him when he was at his absolute peak at City where he scored 12 goals just before he went to Chelsea.
“The thing with Shaun is as a person is that he's very humble and hard working and there's nothing stopping him from being that player again. Ealing Gazette

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

- PFA's Gordan Taylor Warns of Crowd Abuse of Players Complaining of Racism

- QPR and the Other 19 Premiership Clubs Sign Sports Charter Against Homophobia (Don't think been a separate QPR Announcement re this)

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

QPR Report Thursday: QPR NOT One of World's Richest Clubs...QPR Bring Down England Manager!

2012-02-09T07:39:00.008Z

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Daphne Biggs and others: From the Bushman Archives: Other Supporter Club Committee Photos
-
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard
- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- TONIGHT: Newcastle vs QPR - FA Youth Cup

- World's Richest Clubs: (QPR Not Included) - Deloitte's Annual Report - .... The Money League: Chart ...Read Entire Report

- Is relegation inevitable for QPR? Thomas Bermingham Blog/EPLIndex

- On This Day in Football: February 9 including...QPR Humiliated by Southend...and Flavio Briatore booed after Mick Harford's QPR Lose (Again) 1-2 at home to Ipswich

- Capello Resignation Aftermath

- John Terry Captaincy Aftermath: Reactions - Including from England Manager, Fabio Capello

- West Ham's New Signing Reported Homophobic Rant/Tweet

- Change at QPR Holdings...New Name Associated with the Mittals, Sudhir Maheshwari appointed

[Putting QPR Finances into just a little perspective: ArcelorMittal Lost a billions dollars in the last three months!]

- Next: Blackburn: Past Results/Shared Players/Reports

"Argentinian football league renamed in honour of the General Belgrano • 30th anniversary of Falklands war is in April • Top flight renamed Crucero General Belgrano Primera División

- Two Years Ago: Harold Winton (RIP)

- John Terry...Fabio Capello...England Updates

- Emergency Loans Set to be banned from 2014 - Thanks to FIFA!]

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

- PFA's Gordan Taylor Warns of Crowd Abuse of Players Complaining of Racism

- QPR and the Other 19 Premiership Clubs Sign Sports Charter Against Homophobia (Don't think been a separate QPR Announcement re this)

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

GOOD LUCK TO CLINT HILL

West London Sport/Dave McIntyre

Defender resigned to leaving QPR

Clint Hill accepts he will leave QPR at the end of the season after being told he will not be given a new contract.

The defender, whose current deal expires in the summer, had hoped to extend his stay at Loftus Road.

But Neil Warnock twice failed to convince the club’s hierarchy to offer Hill a contract prior to his sacking as Rangers manager and the player has since been nudged down the pecking order by the signing of Taye Taiwo.

Hughes was keen to sign a left-back.

He was recently included in boss Mark Hughes’ 25-man Premier League squad but his first-team chances look slim, so Hill is preparing to move on.

“I think when you get knocked back for a new contract like that you pretty much know where you stand,” he told West London Sport.

“I’ll give my all if I’m called upon and then will hopefully get fixed up at the end of the season.”

Hill, 33, went on loan to Nottingham Forest when he was out of the QPR side earlier in the campaign.

But Hughes has indicated that he is reluctant to allow his fringe players to go elsewhere between now and May.

“I can completely see where he’s coming from. A manager in his position will often want to call upon an experienced player if he needs to,” said Hill.

“The manager’s spoken to me and has been top class. I just think the club’s now heading in a different direction.”

http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/defender-resigned-to-leaving-qpr/

QPR Report Wednesday: QPR Plans Even if Relegated...Change at QPR Holding...QPR Team of 1903-04...Beckham vs Barton

2012-02-08T08:07:00.015Z

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- QPR of 1903-04 From the Bushman Photo Archives
-
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard
- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- Change at QPR Holdings...New Name Associated with the Mittals, Sudhir Maheshwari appointed

[Putting QPR Finances into just a little perspective: ArcelorMittal Lost a billions dollars in the last thre months!]

- Next: Blackburn: Past Results/Shared Players/Reports

- On this Day in Football: February 8...Birthdays Today for Ex-QPRs Martin Rowlands and Tommy Langley...Nine Years ago today, Ian Holloway's QPR drew at Terry Fenwick's Northampton (Teams and Match Report)

- Beckham Slams Barton Over Tweet

"Argentinian football league renamed in honour of the General Belgrano • 30th anniversary of Falklands war is in April • Top flight renamed Crucero General Belgrano Primera División

- Two Years Ago: Harold Winton (RIP)

- John Terry...Fabio Capello...England Updates

- Emergency Loans Set to be banned from 2014 - Thanks to FIFA!]

- Next (Thursday February 9th): Newcastle vs QPR - FA Youth Cup

QPR's CEO: QPR Prepared Even if Relegated
Sporting Life - DROP WOULD NOT DERAIL PLANS - BEARD
QPR chief executive Phillip Beard insists relegation from the top flight would not prevent the club achieving their lofty ambitions.

Beard, who was a senior member of the successful London 2012 Olympic Games bid team, joined QPR in August following Tony Fernandes' takeover.

With the transfer window closed, the club are turning their attention to achieving long-term ambitions, which include building a new training ground, improving their youth system and eventually moving from Loftus Road to a new stadium.

QPR face a battle to make sure their immediate future is in the Premier League, but Beard insists the club will press on regardless of what division they are in next season

"I am working hard to make sure everything we need to do to maintain our position in the Premier League this season can happen," he told QPR podcast Open All Rs.

"Whatever happens, whether we hopefully stay up or, heaven forbid, things don't work out and we go down, that cannot be a signal to stop what we want to achieve with the club.

"What we have to do is do everything we can to stay up, which is our number one priority.

"The second priority is we need to build and facilitate a new training ground, not just for the first team but we need to build the academy at the club.

"For young people coming through we need to make this a club that people want to come and join at a very early age so we can develop and nurture talent.

"And then if we really have long-term goals and aspirations - and I think they are achievable - we need to find the right location to look at developing a new ground for QPR, somewhere the club is the anchor tenant at that stadium and where we will be able to do other activities in terms of sport and entertainment.

"Football will be the bedrock of that stadium and a place where we can generate additional revenues from other activities so that the business plan for the club is sustainable.

"That is the goal and objective of all the shareholders. It is the objective of myself and everybody at the club and I hope every QPR fan will share that vision and dream that we can achieve that.

"The first thing, and it is absolutely without question the most important thing, is to make sure we try and stay in the Premier League."

While Beard believes the club's future lies away from Loftus Road, he insisted they would remain in the Shepherds Bush area and that "two or three options" are already being mooted.

"I can't talk too much about it because it is still in its formative plan," he added. "What I can say is that we totally understand it needs to have great transport links.

"It has to embrace everything that Loftus Road stands for and, by that definition, it has to be somewhere that is in the same vicinity." Sporting Life

David McIntyre/West London Sport

Mark Hughes is planning a review of QPR’s scouting set-up.

Hughes brought in his own coaching team when he took over as manager at Loftus Road last month and has hinted that he may now make changes in other areas of the club.

“We’re in the process of looking at what we’ve got and making judgements,” he told West London Sport.

“Obviously the scouting side is important and if we feel that’s underfunded then that’s an area we’ll have to improve.

“For the time being I’ve been getting by on using my own contacts to a large extent. Moving forward it’s something we’ll have to look at in greater detail.” West London Sport

West London Sport - QPR have abandoned their Harlington training ground because of the wintry weather conditions.

The squad are instead training at Loftus Road ahead of this weekend’s vital game against fellow strugglers Blackburn.

They hope DJ Campbell and Jay Bothroyd will resume full training later this week and be available for the trip to Ewood Park.

Both strikers have been troubled by hamstring injuries and could be called upon as Djibril Cisse is suspended and Heidar Helguson has been nursing a groin problem. West London Sport

- Five Years Ago Yesterday: The "China Brawl"

- On This Day in Football: February 8...QPR Knock Brian Clough's Derby County out of the FA Cup...Two Ex-QPR Birthdays

- 45 Years Ago Yesterday: Third Division QPR Reach Wembley

- Nice: Piece "Moment in Time: When QPR Almost Won The League"

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

- PFA's Gordan Taylor Warns of Crowd Abuse of Players Complaining of Racism

- QPR and the Other 19 Premiership Clubs Sign Sports Charter Against Homophobia (Don't think been a separate QPR Announcement re this)

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- John Terry Captaincy Aftermath: Reactions - Including from England Manager, Fabio Capello

- Ex-QPR Matteo Alberti Gets a New Club

QPR Report Tuesday: Warnock Reportedly Wants QPR Payment...On This Day Flashbacks: The China Brawl...Third Division QPR Reach Wembley

2012-02-07T07:29:00.014Z

-

-
- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard
- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
_____________________________________________________________________________________

- Five Years Ago Today: The "China Brawl"

-
UPDATES:
- Change at QPR Holdings (Whatever it means)

QPR's CEO: QPR Prepared Even if Relegated
Sporting Life - DROP WOULD NOT DERAIL PLANS - BEARD
QPR chief executive Phillip Beard insists relegation from the top flight would not prevent the club achieving their lofty ambitions.

Beard, who was a senior member of the successful London 2012 Olympic Games bid team, joined QPR in August following Tony Fernandes' takeover.

With the transfer window closed, the club are turning their attention to achieving long-term ambitions, which include building a new training ground, improving their youth system and eventually moving from Loftus Road to a new stadium.

QPR face a battle to make sure their immediate future is in the Premier League, but Beard insists the club will press on regardless of what division they are in next season

"I am working hard to make sure everything we need to do to maintain our position in the Premier League this season can happen," he told QPR podcast Open All Rs.

"Whatever happens, whether we hopefully stay up or, heaven forbid, things don't work out and we go down, that cannot be a signal to stop what we want to achieve with the club.

"What we have to do is do everything we can to stay up, which is our number one priority.

"The second priority is we need to build and facilitate a new training ground, not just for the first team but we need to build the academy at the club.

"For young people coming through we need to make this a club that people want to come and join at a very early age so we can develop and nurture talent.

"And then if we really have long-term goals and aspirations - and I think they are achievable - we need to find the right location to look at developing a new ground for QPR, somewhere the club is the anchor tenant at that stadium and where we will be able to do other activities in terms of sport and entertainment.

"Football will be the bedrock of that stadium and a place where we can generate additional revenues from other activities so that the business plan for the club is sustainable.

"That is the goal and objective of all the shareholders. It is the objective of myself and everybody at the club and I hope every QPR fan will share that vision and dream that we can achieve that.

"The first thing, and it is absolutely without question the most important thing, is to make sure we try and stay in the Premier League."

While Beard believes the club's future lies away from Loftus Road, he insisted they would remain in the Shepherds Bush area and that "two or three options" are already being mooted.

"I can't talk too much about it because it is still in its formative plan," he added. "What I can say is that we totally understand it needs to have great transport links.

"It has to embrace everything that Loftus Road stands for and, by that definition, it has to be somewhere that is in the same vicinity." Sporting Life

- On This Day in Football: February 7...QPR Knock Brian Clough's Derby County out of the FA Cup...Two Ex-QPR Birthdays

- 45 Years Ago Today: Third Division QPR Reach Wembley

- Nice: Piece "Moment in Time: When QPR Almost Won The League"

- Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road. And Help Charity!

- PFA's Gordan Taylor Warns of Crowd Abuse of Players Complaining of Racism

- QPR and the Other 19 Premiership Clubs Sign Sports Charter Against Homophobia (Don't think been a separate QPR Announcement re this)

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- John Terry Captaincy Aftermath: Reactions - Including from England Manager, Fabio Capello

- RIP: Nottingham Forest's Chairman Nigel Doughty (and Father of QPR Youth Player, Michael)

- England U-19 Squad Announced (Sadly none from QPR)

- Ex-QPR Matteo Alberti Gets a New Club

- Next (Thursday February 9th): Newcastle vs QPR - FA Youth Cup

Mail/Neil Ashton

EXCLUSIVE: Sacked Warnock chasing £1m contract pay-off from QPR

Last updated at 10:32 PM on 6th February 2012

Neil Warnock will meet QPR chiefs on Tuesday in an attempt to resolve a bitter £1million pay dispute with the Barclays Premier League strugglers.

Warnock is demanding that Rangers pay up the remainder of his contract after he was replaced by former Manchester City and Fulham boss Mark Hughes last month.

He still had 18 months left on his deal and wants a settlement agreed as he contemplates a return to football management.
Settlement: Neil Warnock will seek £1m from his former club QPR

Settlement: Neil Warnock will seek £1m from his former club QPR

Warnock is still being paid by Rangers and cannot work again until his dispute has been resolved, but he will meet chief executive Philip Beard to thrash out terms.

He was the lowest paid manager in the Premier League after taking Rangers back into the top flight last season. Incredibly, Warnock was still working on Championship money of £750,000 a year at the start of this campaign.
New man: Mark Hughes took over as boss of QPR after Warnock was sacked

New man: Mark Hughes took over as boss of QPR after Warnock was sacked

He had been expected to sign a new £1.5m-a-year deal, but talks were delayed because of the club’s chaotic ownership situation.

The former Sheffield United and Crystal Palace boss worked under three different owners in six months at Loftus Road after taking Rangers up.

Warnock has won seven promotions during a colourful managerial career and is now considering his options. He has told friends he is enjoying his current media work, but also believes he has ‘one last challenge’ left as a manager. Mail

- Martin Rowlands Additional QPR Comment

- VIDEO - Flashback Thirty Years: Extensive video of Newcastle vs QPR: (QPR's first game of their Championship Winning Season)

- Articles and Analysis on John Terry's Axing as England Captain

TONY FERNANDES: I'LL STAY EVEN IF RELEGATED

-Chairman Tony Fernandes tweeted yesterday that would stay with QPR even If relegated:
In response to the the Tweet "What Fans Would REALLY Like to Hear: That IF #QPR Do Go Down - You'll Still be With Us Next Season" Tony Fernandes replied "If it happens I will be here and I'm sure all the other will. Its a project
[ "If it happens I will be here and I'm sure all the other will. Its a project. RT @QPRReport: @tonyfernandes @Amit_Bhatia99 @Ruben_E_G What Fans Would REALLY Like to Hear: That IF #QPR Do Go Down - You'll Still be With Us Next Season - Tony Fernandes February 5 Tweet

Play at Loftus Road - and Help Football Aid Charity

2012-02-06T13:25:00.003Z

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- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!
- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard
- Visit the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
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Football Aid 2012 – Play at Loftus Road!

With the transfer window closing this week it looked like football squads all over the UK had been finalised for the rest of the season.....however with the first set of Bidding positions closing at next week there's still the chance to book your place in QPR’s starting 11 for 2012!

Football Aid promises you a unique opportunity to Live the Dream of an authentic match day experience; gaining exclusive access to the pitch and tunnel areas, pulling on your own personalised shirt in the official changing rooms, walking down the tunnel to the sound of a cheering crowd and ultimately to step out onto the hallowed turf and represent QPR in a never to be forgotten football match. And it's all for charity as well!

Getting involved couldn’t be easier, just visit , select QPR and position, then place your bid – it really is that simple. Bidding's available throughout the month of February with the last available positions closing on Wed 7th March and there promises to be some hugely exciting auction action in the weeks to come.

Week 1 should appeal to any Midfield Maestros out there, with the 45 min No 6 (CM), 90 min No 7 (RM) and 45 min No 8 (LM) closing on consecutive days between Tue 7th and Thu 9th February. Week 2 features the always popular 90 min No 9 (CF), No 10 (CM) and No 11 (CF) positions closing Tue 14th, Wed 15th and Thu 16th. Week 3 gives an opportunity for any defensive stalwarts to claim their place at the back with the 45 min No 2 (RB), 90 min No 4 (CH) and 45 min No 5 (CH) closing Tue 21st, Wed 22nd and Thu 23rd and Week 4 gives a chance for any super subs to claim their place with the No 14 (CM), No 15 (CH), No 16 (RB) and No 17 (LM) closing between Mon 27th Feb and Thu 1st March. All that's left is the last line of the defence, the 90 min No 1 GK position which closes on Fri 2nd. Finally, Wed 7th March sees any remaining positions made available in our always frenetic final day of bidding.

Home Team positions close at 15:00 pm with the Away Team closing at 16:00 pm. If you’re concerned about losing out in injury time, or won't be available to monitor your bid for any reason, make sure and use the automated Maximum Bid option and remember you can close an auction early by using the Buy Now option on selected positions.

So don’t get left on the bench, visit www.footballaid.com now and make your bid to secure a place on your Field of Dreams!

Football Aid celebrated their 11th anniversary in 2011 and have allowed over 12,225 football fans the chance to ‘Live the Dream’ in more than 460 matches. They are a groundbreaking organisation which generates funds annually by hosting charity football matches at iconic stadiums all over the UK. The unique concept was the brainchild of businessman and Football Aid Chairman Craig Paterson and funds raised from the event will benefit the work of a charitable project nominated by the club, as well as projects nominated by Football Aid’s parent charity Field of Dreams.

QPR Report Monday Roundup: Chairman Tony Fernandes Pledges to Stay Even if QPR Relegated...Barton Tweeting...Wolves Loss...Ex-QPR: More Youth Develop

2012-02-06T08:21:00.018Z

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- From the truly-fascinating Bushman QPR Photo Archives
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- Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!

- QPR REPORT MESSAGEBOARD - Visit the cutting-edge, football-only, QPR Report messageboard

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TONY FERNANDES: I'LL STAY EVEN IF RELEGATED

-Chairman Tony Fernandes tweeted yesterday that would stay with QPR even If relegated:
In response to the the Tweet "What Fans Would REALLY Like to Hear: That IF #QPR Do Go Down - You'll Still be With Us Next Season" Tony Fernandes replied "If it happens I will be here and I'm sure all the other will. Its a project
[ "If it happens I will be here and I'm sure all the other will. Its a project. RT @QPRReport: @tonyfernandes @Amit_Bhatia99 @Ruben_E_G What Fans Would REALLY Like to Hear: That IF #QPR Do Go Down - You'll Still be With Us Next Season - Tony Fernandes February 5 Tweet

- Updated Compilation of QPR vs Wolves Match Reports & Comments

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Six Years Ago Today: QPR Manager Ian Holloway Shamefully Axed (Placed on "Gardening Leave")

-
- Six Years Ago Yesterday: Ian Holloway's Final Game as QPR Manager (Leeds Loss): Teams & Match Reports

- On This Day in Football, February 6: The Munich Air Disaster...(And obviously, far, far less important: Two Years Ago QPR's Peterbrough Loss

- John Terry Captaincy Aftermath: Reactions - Including from England Manager, Fabio Capello

- Articles about Footballers going to China...Australian Football Promise...Chaos in Italy and York's New Stadium

- RIP: Nottingham Forest's Chairman Nigel Doughty (and Father of QPR Youth Player, Michael)

- Ex-QPR Matteo Alberti Gets a New Club

- Martin Rowlands Additional QPR Comment

PAUL WARBURTON/FULHAM CHRONICLE - QPR boss reveals surprise strike partner for Zamora

QPR boss Mark Hughes is ready to re-launch Adel Taarabt as an out-and-out attacker.

The loss of Djibril Cissé to a three-match ban after the £4million new signing was red carded in the 2-1 defeat to Wolves on Saturday has left Sparky with a lot of square pegs for a round hole.

The manager could have anything up to three target men ready to play alongside Bobby Zamora at Blackburn on Saturday – but what he wants is someone with a different set of skills to compliment Saturday’s scorer.

Hence the idea of pushing Taarabt one slot forward from central midfield.

Hughes added: “Adel can be moved up and play off Bobby.

“Hopefully, Heidar (Helguson) will be better for a week’s training. Jay Bothroyd might be an option and possibly DJ Campbell. There are a number of combinations we can use.

“But it’s a it’s a hard lesson for him (Cissé) after he made a good start. It’s a shame for him and us.

“Given Djibril’s injury history you can understand his reaction (to the foul by Roger Johnson), but referees have to stick to the letter of the law.” Fulham Chronicle

Ben Kosky/London 24 - May 3

Former QPR star urges club to focus on youth system

Warren Neill says young players must be brought through

Former QPR defender Warren Neill says his old club need to place more emphasis on bringing players through their youth system.

Neill was one of a glut of young players who broke into Rangers’ first team during the early 1980s to become key members of the side that reached the FA Cup final and qualified for Europe.

Striker Clive Allen, goalkeeper Peter Hucker, midfielders Gary Waddock and Wayne Fereday and Neill’s defensive colleague Ian Dawes all emerged from the junior ranks during that era.

Gone

By contrast, Richard Langley – who made his debut just over 13 years ago – was the most recent youth team graduate to hold down a regular first-team place at Loftus Road.

Neill, who was the last coach of Rangers’ under-18 side before the club gave up their Academy status in 2001, told the Times: “We should have more homegrown players in there and it hasn’t happened.

“Gone are the days when we had four, five or six in the team who had grown up together – there was a time when we’d be getting one or two through every year.

“I know it was tough with the owners that were there before [the current board], but now it looks like everyone’s pulling in the right direction and this is something they need to address.”

That downgrading from Academy level was the main reason that bigger clubs snapped up the Rs’ most promising young players of recent years before they got anywhere near the first team.

Cherry

Dean Parrett, who signed for Tottenham, and England youth international Raheem Sterling, who joined Liverpool two years ago, were just 15 years old when they left QPR.

“It’s so much easier for the big clubs now to cherry pick young players, filter out the ones they don’t want and keep the cream,” Neill added.

“But I’d still urge players to stay at a club like Rangers – you should have more chance of getting in there than going for the glory at somewhere like Manchester United.” London 24

Dave McIntyre/West London Sport - Helguson likely to return for QPR

Heidar Helguson is likely to return from injury for QPR’s vital match against fellow strugglers Blackburn on Saturday.

The veteran forward has been nursing an ongoing groin problem and missed Rangers’ last two matches.

But he will resume training this week and his expected to be available for the trip to Ewood Park.

The news is a boost for manager Mark Hughes, who will be without recent signing Djibril Cisse as the striker is suspended after being sent off against Wolves.

DJ Campbell and former Rovers player Jay Bothroyd are recovering from hamstring problems and could also be in contention.

“I think Heidar will be better having had a week off and I’m hopeful that we’ll get him back,” said Hughes.

“Jay Bothroyd could be an option and DJ possibly. We’ll be fine. Adel Taarabt can be pushed further up front as well, so I’ve got plenty options.” West London Sport

BARTON & HIS TWEETS

Dave McIntyre/West London Sport - QPR boss may speak to Barton over tweets

Mark Hughes may be running out of patience with Joey Barton’s antics on Twitter.

The QPR manager has repeatedly insisted he has no objections to Barton’s often controversial posts on the micro-blogging website and sees no need to speak to him about the issue.

But that could change amid reports the Attorney General is looking into comments made by Barton in relation to the John Terry-Anton Ferdinand saga.

“I’ll wait to see if that’s confirmed and if it is then it’s a different conversation that needs to be had,” said Hughes.

The current Attorney General – the government’s senior law officer – is Dominic Grieve QC, and part of his remit is to ensure people facing criminal allegations receive an unprejudiced fair trial.

Chelsea captain Terry, who will stand trial in July, denies racially abusing QPR defender Ferdinand during a Premier League match at Loftus Road in October. West London Sport

EALING GAZETTE/Paul Warburton

Hughes waiting to act over Barton tweets
Feb 5 2012 By Paul Warburton

MARK Hughes will wait to see what the Attorney General does next before taking action against Joey Barton over comments the QPR captain made on Twitter.
The Rs boss reckons the point where he bans players using the social networking site has yet to arrive, but there was a large intake of breath at the club on Saturday when Barton used Twitter to post views on the Anton Ferdinand-John Terry case.
The Chelsea skipper is accused of racially abusing Ferdinand in the derby game back in October. An initial hearing last week produced a trial date for Terry, who denies the charge, straight after the European Championships in July.
An unrepentant Barton (pic) also tweeted he would ‘go to jail for a month’ rather than give up ‘free speech’ he insists his nimble fingers and a mobile should allow.
But the office for Attorney General Dominic Grieve has been alerted to the tweets that might produce sub judice problems for the trial and for Barton.
Hughes said: “I’ll wait and see and if that’s the situation (that Grieve acts) – then it’s a different conversation we need to have.
“Sometimes issues in some minds become more focused when things aren’t going well – and they (tweets) become an irritation, but we’re not at that point yet.”
Gazette

GUARDIAN/Paul Doyle

Mick McCarthy confident Wolves owner won't visit dressing room again
• Mick McCarthy says owner Steve Morgan is full of support
• Manager credits assistant with key tactical switch at QPR

Mick McCarthy is thankful that he still has a job in which to be undermined. The Wolverhampton Wanderers manager may have been dismayed when the club's owner, Steve Morgan, stepped on his toes after the club's 3-0 home defeat by Liverpool last week by barging into the dressing room to berate the players, but he knows that many other chairmen would have chosen an even less attractive course of action – and sacked the manager.

McCarthy has made it clear he would not welcome another intervention by Morgan, even if it were just to congratulate the players on their first Premier League victory in two months, which is what they achieved at Loftus Road. The pair spoke about Morgan's dressing‑room incursion the day after it happened, and when McCarthy was asked whether the owner had been to see the players following their victory over Queens Park Rangers, he replied pointedly: "No, I haven't seen him and I don't think I will be."

Lest that be interpreted as a breakdown in the relationship between Morgan and the man who has been manager at Molineux since 2006 and is presiding over precisely the sort of relegation scrap that he vowed to avoid after last season's narrow escape, McCarthy added: "Can I just say something about my owner: I've won three games in 22 and I'm still here as the manager of Wolves – that's some level of support and let's not forget that. When everybody's been trying to write negative stuff about me, he's been as supportive as anybody else so I owe him a debt of gratitude."

Despite being placed under intense pressure by his team's poor results this season, McCarthy was magnanimous enough to give much of the credit for the victory that lifted Wolves out of the relegation zone to his assistant, Terry Connor. The manager explained that, with their side trailing 1-0 after a debut QPR goal for Bobby Zamora, it was Connor who suggested the half-time reshuffle in which Kevin Doyle was brought off the bench to replace the right-back Richard Stearman, with Kevin Foley dropping back into defence so that Doyle could raid from the right.

Doyle had not scored a league goal since October and his form had sunk so low that he was omitted for the last three matches and even when Emmanuel Frimpong suffered an injury in the 21st minute at Loftus Road, Doyle was overlooked as Sylvain Ebanks-Blake came on instead. However, following Connor's suggestion, the Irishman was introduced at half-time and the tactical switch transformed the game even more than Djibril Cissé's sending-off in the 33rd minute. Doyle created the equaliser for Matt Jarvis within a minute of his arrival and constantly looked menacing before scoring the winning goal in the 71st minute.

"I was interested to hear one of the tennis players, I think it was [Rafael] Nadal, talking about how they can find these shots when it's most necessary and it's the same with good footballers like Kevin Doyle," said McCarthy.

"He's had a tough time where it's just not been happening for him but the class is always there and when I needed a good substitute, Doyle proved to be the one."

Doyle's return to form and the impressive performance of Wolves once they played with an attacking formation and mindset, as opposed to the torpid caution of a first half in which Steven Fletcher was frequently isolated up front, may encourage McCarthy to go on the offensive next weekend against West Bromwich Albion, rivals in terms both of geography and league position. "We can bring them back into the relegation mix or they can put us further apart, so it's a really vital one," said McCarthy of that match.

QPR will also contest a match with big implications for the bottom, because they travel to Blackburn Rovers. Their manager, Mark Hughes, will have to find a winning formula that does not feature the suspended Cissé.

That is an obvious frustration when in the half hour before his dismissal the Frenchman had linked well with Zamora and Adel Taarabt, the triumvirate that Hughes is counting on to get QPR out of trouble so that they can pursue the more lofty ambitions that their manager believes are tantalisingly within reach.

"I knew when I came here that the most difficult part of the job would be staying in this league," said Hughes. "Once we get through this and survive, which I have every confidence we will do, then we'll have some fun here." Guardian

- VIDEO - Flashback Thirty Years: Extensive video of Newcastle vs QPR: (QPR's first game of their Championship Winning Season)

- Articles and Analysis on John Terry's Axing as England Captain

- QPR and the Other 19 Premiership Clubs Sign Sports Charter Against Homophobia

QPR Report Sunday: Chairman Tony Fernandes Says Will Stick With QPR Even IF Relegated...QPR-Wolves Reports & Comments Compilation

2012-02-05T08:04:00.012Z

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-
-Perhaps the most positive item of the day: Chairman Tony Fernandes tweeted today would stay with QPR even If relegated:
- "If it happens I will be here and I'm sure all the other will. Its a project. RT @QPRReport: @tonyfernandes @Amit_Bhatia99 @Ruben_E_G What Fans Would REALLY Like to Hear: That IF #QPR Do Go Down - You'll Still be With Us Next Season - Tony Fernandes February 5 Tweet
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- For comprehensive and latest QPR news-related pieces and discussion, visit the football-only, somewhat-different QPR Report Messageboard. All QPR Perspectives genuinely welcomed! Or comment on any of the articles posted below - QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
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- RIP: Nottingham Forest's Chairman Nigel Doughty (and Father of QPR Youth Player, Michael)

- Ex-QPR Matteo Alberti Gets a New Club

- Martin Rowlands Additional QPR Comment

- VIDEO - Flashback Thirty Years: Extensive video of Newcastle vs QPR: (QPR's first game of their Championship Winning Season)

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Articles and Analysis on John Terry's Axing as England Captain

QPR vs WOLVES REPORTS & COMMENTS

THE VIEWS

QPR Official Site - HUGHES ENCOURAGED IN DEFEAT
Posted on: Sat 04 Feb 2012

Mark Hughes was adamant Djibril Cisse's sending off 'completely changed the context of the game,' as ten-man Rangers succumbed to a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to Wolves.

The R's led through Bobby Zamora's early goal, only for Cisse to raise his hands at Roger Johnson following a poor tackle from the Wanderers skipper, resulting in a red card for the Frenchman.

Wanderers struck back courtesy of Matt Jarvis seconds into the second half, before Kevin Doyle struck a late winner.

"It (the sending off) completely changed the context of the game," Hughes told www.qpr.co.uk

"We were in complete control and then the red card knocked us out of our stride.

"It was a game I felt really comfortable in. We were so dominant."

Hughes added: "Djibril has apologised to the players. He acknowledged what he did was wrong.

"The way the game is refereed in this country, you can't raise your hands, and Djibril has learnt that the hard way today.

"In his defence, it was a poor challenge from Johnson from behind.

"Having suffered a few horrific injuries before in his time in this country, you can kind of understand why he reacted initially, but his second reaction got him sent off unfortunately."

Despite the defeat, Hughes was encouraged by the way his side stuck to the task in the second half, commenting: "I'm very encouraged by the way we played.

"I'm learning so much about this group of players and the more I see, the more I am encouraged.

"The attitude and the work-rate was very pleasing.

"We could've dealt with their two goals a lot better, but we stuck at it and probably deserved to get something out of the game."

Hughes revealed Luke Young (hamstring) could miss the trip to Blackburn Rovers next weekend, but the Rangers boss hopes to have Heidar Helguson and Jay Bothroyd available for selection at Ewood Park.
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~2600265,00.html

KILBURN TIMES/Ian Cooper
Mark Hughes, QPR boss
QPR boss refuses to blame official after defeat to Wolves

Mark Hughes admitted that referee Mark Clattenburg had no choice but to send off Djibril Cisse during QPR’s 2-1 defeat to Wolves on Saturday.

With Rangers leading 1-0, Cisse was sent off for reacting to a tackle from Roger Johnson by raising his hands to the Wolves defender, and was shown a straight red card.

It proved the turning point as Wolves took advantage of their superior numbers to score twice in the second half, but Hughes insisted Cisse had only himself to blame.

“Obviously we were disappointed with the initial challenge, given Djibril’s playing history and the injuries that he has had,” said Hughes.

“He reacted to that, and if he had kept it to the initial reaction when he jumped up and confronted the guy he would have been okay, but unfortunately he went back and raised his hands towards the guy’s neck area, and we all know you can’t do that. The referee had to send him off.”

Hughes was also disappointed by the manner of his side’s defending for both Wolves goals, although he admits he saw enough positives going forward to be encouraged for the future.

“I was really pleased with what we were producing. I thought the interplay between Djibril, Bobby (Zamora) and Adel (Taarabt) was good, and augured well for the future,” he added.

“If we had 11 against 11 I think we would have won the game quite comfortably. But we conceded two poor goals. We’d done really well defensively, but then we let ourselves down a little bit for the first goal, and maybee we needed to be a little bit stronger in terms of our challenges for the second one. With one less guy on the pitch it was always going to be a hard task for us.”
http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/qpr/qpr_bo....olves_1_1198668

DAVE MCINTYRE/WEST LONDON SPORT
QPR boss takes heart from Taarabt’s display

QPR manager Mark Hughes took encouragement from Adel Taarabt’s performance in the defeat against Wolves.

Taarabt, back from the Africa Cup of Nations, was excellent in the second half as Rangers played with 10 men following the sending off of Djibril Cisse.

It suggested to Hughes that he has enough attacking ability at his disposal to steer the club away from trouble.

Hughes said: “I thought he [Taarabt] was excellent. I admired him from afar but had not seen much of him close up, and thought he was outstanding today.

“With his ability and the strengths of the other strikers we do have the ability to score goals in the Premier League. It just wasn’t to be today.

“It wasn’t just his ability but also his attitude and application, which has maybe been questioned in the past but couldn’t be today.

“Although we were beaten I was encouraged by what I saw. I was really pleased with what we were producing. The interplay between the three up front augers well.

“Adel coming back has really helped us. Moving forward we’ve now got real options up front.”

Hughes admitted that referee Mark Clattenburg had little choice but to send Cisse off after the Frenchman’s reaction to a rash challenge from Roger Johnson.

Cisse, who suffered a horrific broken leg earlier in his career, first pushed the Wolves defender and then grabbed his throat.

Having initially protested at the decision, Hughes conceded that his player had to go.

“It was probably because of his injury record that he reacted, and if he had kept it at the initial reaction he would have probably been okay,” said Hughes.

“But he went back and raised his hand to the neck area and as we know you can’t do that, so the referee had to send him off.

“I’m pretty confident in saying that if it had stayed 11v11 we would have won the game fairly comfortably, although we conceded two poor goals if I’m honest.

“At 2-1 down and with one less guy on the pitch it was always going to be difficult. But we took the game to them, had some great efforts, and on another day we would have scored.”
http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/qpr-boss-takes-heart-from-taarabts-display/

Dave McIntyre/West London Sport

Hughes frets over injury to defender

QPR are assessing a hamstring injury suffered by defender Luke Young during their home defeat against Wolves.

Young hobbled off early in the second half of the game at Loftus Road and could be set for a spell on the sidelines.

New signing Bobby Zamora, who scored Rangers’ goal in the 2-1 loss, was also taken off but his condition is not causing concern.

“Bobby was cramping up. He should be okay,” revealed manager Mark Hughes.

“He didn’t want to damage himself any further and was correct to say ‘I want to come off’.

“Luke Young – that’s slightly different. Hopefully it’s not too serious but it does look like he’ll now be missing.”

http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/hughes-frets-over-injury-to-defender/

DAVE MCINTYRE/West London Sport

Woe for new-look QPR as Cisse sees red

Bobby Zamora scored on his QPR debut only for Djibril Cisse’s sending-off to alter the course of the game.

Zamora fired home following Shaun Wright-Phillips’ flick on, but Rangers were reduced to 10 men when Cisse lashed out at Roger Johnson after a rash challenge from the defender.

Matt Jarvis levelled less than a minute into the second half, cutting in and bending a shot beyond keeper Paddy Kenny.

And substitute Kevin Doyle netted a 71st-minute winner for Wolves after Jamie O’Hara’s cross was diverted into the striker’s path by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

A home defeat against another struggling side is a body blow for Rangers, who are hoping their latest glut of big-money signings can haul them away from trouble.

Zamora, a deadline-day arrival from neighbours Fulham, made a dream start to his R’s career but was substituted in the second half after complaining of cramp.

And the sending-off was a disaster for Cisse, who scored against Aston Villa in midweek and was razor-sharp in the opening third of this game.

Cisse was making his home debut, as were Taye Taiwo and Nedum Onuoha, with the latter showing his versatility by switching from central defence to right-back after Luke Young hobbled off early in the second half.

Rangers’ new-look strikeforce looked full of promise right from the start and delivered the opening goal after 16 minutes.

Wright-Phillips nudged Cisse’s ball into the box off to Zamora, who blasted in from 15 yards. Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessy got a strong hand to the shot but was unable to keep it out of the net.

But Cisse’s afternoon ended abruptly when he was dismissed for his reaction to Johnson’s lunge.

He first pushed the centre-back and then grabbed his throat, which was enough for referee Mark Clattenburg to produce the red card.

Rangers were in control but Cisse’s exit was a massive boost for Wolves – as was the half-time introduction of Doyle.

He made an instant impact, delivering a cross from the right for Jarvis, who finished beautifully.

Stephen Fletcher then twice came close to putting Wolves ahead, first heading against the bar and then seeing his poked effort cleared off the line by Anton Ferdinand during a goalmouth scramble.

But there was no let-off for Rangers when O’Hara and Ebanks-Blake combined to set up Doyle, who shot through the legs of Taiwo and into the bottom corner.

There were at least a couple of positives for Rangers even in defeat; their dominance before the loss of Cisse, and the encouraging performance of Adel Taarabt.

Back from the Africa Cup of Nations, Taarabt started on the left and stepped up to the plate while Rangers’ attacking options were limited in the second half.

He had a well-struck free-kick pushed away by Hennessy, who also did well to tip over a blistering 25-yarder from the Moroccan.

And Taarabt was unlucky again two minutes from time when he wriggled away from his man and dinked a shot inches over the bar.

http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/woe-for-new-look-qpr-as-cisse-sees-red/

THE TWEETS

TONY FERNANDES TWEETS

- Very disappointing. But players showed character. And adel showed some great form. We really through it away. I still feel with this squad we will get points from teams we wouldn't have thought we can.

- Hey guys pick yourselves up. I think we got a good squad and the game showed character. I'm bullish and optimistic. I'm not disappointed like norwich. I see light at the end of the tunnel.

AMIT BHATIA
And Amit Bhatia

Amit_Bhatia99 Amit Bhatia
I admired @djibrilcisse1 for manning up this evening. Is unfortunate what happened and appreciate him addressing it. Was an awful challenge.
4 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Amit_Bhatia99 Amit Bhatia
Will learn about each other and our team will get stronger and better. I remain confident that we are good enough to stay up. Good night all
4 hours ago

Amit_Bhatia99 Amit Bhatia
There are many positives to take. Both our strikers have scored on debut and will only get stronger. Adel looked in sparkling form. Players
4 hours ago

Amit_Bhatia99 Amit Bhatia
To play for. Am sure Mark will work hard with our team to help them improve and remain together and united. Whilst its still sore 2nite
4 hours ago

Amit_Bhatia99 Amit Bhatia
Reflecting on today's match and am gutted. Tough results back to back for fans, players and owners. But we're still 16th and have everything

philipb1 Philip Beard
Must take positives from tough result. Great team spirit. Need to keep focussed on primary objective, staying up. Big games ahead. #QPR
2 minutes ago

djibrilcisse1 djibril cisse
I promise you all fans and to my team to make it up to you all
41 minutes ago
Retweeted by QPR_FC

djibrilcisse1 djibril cisse
But my reaction was stupid and I feel really bad cause I let my team down and we lost 3 vitals points
42 minutes ago
Retweeted by QPR_FC

djibrilcisse1 djibril cisse
I have to say that the tackle was very dangerous and he could of break my leg and after 2 legs break I felt scared and I reacted like this
46 minutes ago
Retweeted by QPR_FC

djibrilcisse1 djibril cisse
Hi I would like to appologise for my stupid reaction who cost us the game I shouldn't react like this

WOLVES OFFICIAL SITE - Boss Delighted With Huge Win
Posted on: Sat 04 Feb 2012

Boss Mick McCarthy marked his 100th Barclays Premier League game as Wolves manager with a crucial win at Queens Park Rangers this afternoon.

Bobby Zamora opened the scoring for Rangers on his debut before Djibril Cisse was sent off for retaliation after a Roger Johnson challenge.

Half time substitute Kevin Doyle was then involved in Matt Jarvis' equaliser before grabbing the winner himself on 71 minutes.

"That was a really important win for everyone at the club," said Mick.

"It's vital for us to stay in the Premier League and it's a lot better feeling than getting beaten that's for sure.

"I got the response I expected from the players because they generally do and they are a great bunch.

"We maybe got a bit of luck with the sending off but sometimes things like that can change seasons.

"I'm not getting carried away because there is a long way to go but it's a huge win."

More reaction from Mick to follow later.

http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~2600276,00.html

THE REPORTS

GUARDIAN/Paul Doyle

Kevin Doyle gives Wolves victory after QPR's Djibril Cissé sees red

QPR's Djibril Cissé grabs Wolves defender Roger Johnson, an act which led to the striker being sent off. Photograph: Phil Cole/PA
An afternoon that began so brightly for QPR and their new strikeforce ended in a controversial defeat as a red card for Djibril Cissé helped Wolves overcome a Bobby Zamora goal to plunder their first Premier League win for two months. Matthew Jarvis and Kevin Doyle completed a turnaround that only increases the intrigue in this season's relegation battle.

Zamora's debut goal following his £6m move from Fulham rewarded an enterprising start by QPR in which they looked far superior to the glum visitors. The Cissé-Zamora partnership on which the QPR manager, Mark Hughes, has pinned much of his survival hopes sparkled almost immediately, although it was another new recruit, left-back Taye Taiwo, who teed up Cissé's first chance, the striker latching on to his long ball before firing at Wayne Hennessey from 16 yards. Hennessey has made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season and he had to perform another one to push away a curling effort from Zamora.

With the Wolves striker, Steven Fletcher, in grim isolation, the visitors offered no attacking threat and it was no surprise when QPR took the lead. Cissé fizzed a pass in to Shaun Wright-Phillips, whose touch with his instep may have been an attempt to control the ball but turned out to be the perfect lay-off to Zamora, who poked into the net from 12 yards.

Not until after the 24th-minute injury to Emmanuel Frimpong – sustained while fouling Joey Barton – did Wolves begin to look a force of any significance. The introduction of Sylvain Ebanks-Blake for Frimpong prompted a shift to 4-4-2 and a bout of territorial pressure from the visitors, who, nevertheless, could not manage a shot on target in the first half.

That was despite having a numerical advantage after Cissé was sent off for grabbing Roger Johnson by the throat after the defender caught him with a late tackle. Not an especially helpful reaction to be sure, but perhaps an understandable one given that Cissé's career has twice been interrupted by gruesome leg-breaks. The referee, Mark Clattenberg, did not consider that relevant and, to Cissé's incredulity, dismissed the striker.

The Wolves manager, Mick McCarthy, clearly knew that if his team could not claim any points from this game their survival prospects – and perhaps his own job security – would be bleak, and he went for broke at half-time by replacing Richard Stearman with Kevin Doyle. That attacking change paid an immediate dividend as Doyle set up the equaliser in the first minute of the second half, Jarvis curling the ball smartly into the far corner after receiving the Irishman's cross.

Wolves, now playing 3-4-3, were a side transformed and four minutes they nearly took the lead as Fletcher headed Kevin Foley's cross against the bar. Two minutes later the Scot was denied again, this time Anton Ferdinand clearing his shot off the line.

QPR steadied themselves after that and appeared to have weathered the Wolves storm. In the 71st minute, however, they were punished for sluggishness, as Jamie O'Hara ran past Barton and sent in a pass that found its way to Doyle via Ebanks-Blake. The striker turned away from Nedum Onuoha and fired a low shot past Paddy Kenny from 10 yards.

QPR rallied after that but were denied by a stupendous save from Hennessey, who threw himself across his goal in the 81st minute to tip away a splendid 25-yard shot by Adel Taarabt. Guardian

QPR Official Site

Wolves came from behind to end a nine-match winless run in the Barclays Premier League, thanks to a 2-1 victory over ten-man QPR at Loftus Road.

In a match between two sides striving for survival, this fiercely-fought encounter ultimately hinged on Djibril Cisse's dismissal on 34 minutes, after a coming together with Roger Johnson.

Rangers took the lead on 16 minutes through debutant Bobby Zamora, who fired home in the box to cap a superb team move

But Cisse's red card put Wolves in the ascendency and, after Matt Jarvis levelled just a minute after the break, substitute Kevin Doyle won it for Wolves nineteen minutes from time.

Mark Hughes made two changes to his starting XI for the visit of the Molineux men, following Wednesday night's 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.

Zamora was handed his R's debut, brought in to replace Rob Hulse, while Adel Taarabt - on his return from international duty for Morocco at the African Cup of Nations - came in Jamie Mackie.

Kenny was in goal for Rangers, behind a back four of Luke Young, Nedum Onuoha, Anton Ferdinand and Taye Taiwo.

In midfield, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Taarabt began from the wings, with Captain Joey Barton and Shaun Derry in the middle.

Zamora was joined by Cisse - scorer of Rangers' first at Villa Park - in attack.

The R's made the brighter start, testing Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessy after just four minutes.

Taiwo's long pass over the top of the Old Gold defence was controlled beautifully by Cisse, before the French striker shot straight at Hennessy.

Less than a minute later, Rangers went close again. Derry found Zamora on 25 yards, before the former Fulham man's subsequent effort forced a smart save from Hennessy, who tipped the ball away from goal.

Taarabt and Cisse already appeared to be striking an understanding and it was the former who was next to go close on seven minutes, executing a lovely give-and-go with Zamora before shooting wide of the right-hand post.

Wolves did settle as the half progressed but rarely troubled Kenny in the Rangers goal, with Steven Fletcher's wayward effort the visitors' only real effort of note with a quarter of an hour gone.

The R's deservedly led after 16 minutes - and what a well-worked goal it proved to be.

Taarabt, Cisse, Wright-Phillips and Zamora were all involved in a wonderful move, before the latter smashed home an effort - despite a touch from Hennessy - that flew into the top-right-hand corner.

Wolves, to their credit, played better after conceding the opening goal.

Fletcher soon went close with a fine effort from a free-kick, seeing his left-footed shot from 25 yards whistling just past the right-hand post.

Controversy sparked nine minutes before the break, after Johnson's strong challenge on Cisse eventually saw a coming together between the two.

Johnson was duly booked but, much to the surprise of the majority of the Loftus Road crowd, Cisse was shown a straight red card by referee Mr Clattenburg.

With that, the R's would have to play out nearly an hour a man light.

It was that numerical advantage that told just a minute after the break, as Wolves levelled.

Kevin Foley's ball eventually found Jarvis on the left-hand side of the box, before the tricky winger cut in to curl home a delightful effort into the bottom right-hand of the net.

Wolves were rampant after equalising and soon went close to taking the lead, after Fletcher's header - again from a Foley centre - crashed back off the bar.

Soon after, the visitors continued to press. Jarvis was again involved, finding Fletcher, whose prod towards goal was cleared off the line by Ferdinand to prevent what would have been a simple tap-in for Ebanks-Blake.

Mick McCarthy's charges were now in control, with Doyle soon seeing a rasping drive beaten away by the fists of Kenny.

The Rangers defence were given a momentary break when the home side won a free-kick 25 yards from goal, with Taarabt firing the resultant set-piece inches wide of the right-hand post.

But Wolves were soon on the attack once again. Doyle went close on 61 minutes, seeing his glancing header from Foley's cross bounce just wide of the target.

Rangers made a double switch on 65 minutes, with one change enforced on Hughes.

Fitz Hall was brought on to replace the injured Young, while Armand Traore came on for Derry.

That double substitution couldn't prevent a Wolves second, however, as the visitors seized the initiative on 71 minutes.

Jamie O'Hara's ball into the box was flicked on by Ebanks-Blake for Doyle, who held off his marker with his back to goal before turning to fire an effort into the bottom right-hand corner from 12 yards.

The R's huffed and puffed for an equaliser in the closing stages. Taarabt twice went close with outrageous efforts, while Ferdinand fired just wide in second-half stoppage time.

But they couldn't muster a second, as Wolves moved level on points with Hughes' men with victory.

QPR: Kenny, Derry (Traore 65), Taarabt, Barton, Young (Hall 65), Cisse, Wright-Phillips, Taiwo, Ferdinand, Onuoha, Zamora (Hulse 74).

Subs: Cerny, Hill, Mackie, Smith.

Goals: Zamora (16)

Red Cards: Cisse (34)

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hennessey, Edwards, Stearman (Doyle 46), Fletcher, Ward, Johnson, Frimpong (Ebanks-Blake 25), Jarvis, Bassong, O'Hara (Milijas 87), Foley.

Subs: De Vries, Elokobi, Hunt, Berra.

Goals: Jarvis (46), Doyle (71)

Bookings: Johnson (34), Fletcher (38), Bassong (45)

Referee: Mr M Clattenburg

Attendance: 17,351 (1649 away)

http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~59514,00.html

Norwich 24 32 -5 34 2-0 FT v Bolton
Swansea 24 30 -3 26 2-1 FT v West Brom
Everton 24 30 -3 24 1-1 FT v Wigan
Stoke 24 30 -13 23 0-1 FT v Sunderland
Aston Villa 23 28 -3 28
Fulham 24 27 -5 29 0-2 v Man City
West Brom 24 26 -10 24 1-2 FT v Swansea
QPR 24 21 -16 25 1-2 FT v Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton 24 21 -17 27 2-1 FT v QPR
Bolton 24 20 -21 28 0-2 FT v Norwich
Blackburn 24 18 -20 34 1-7 FT v Arsenal
Wigan 24 16 -28 21 1-1 FT v Everton

- Six Years Ago Yesterday: Ian Holloway's Final Game as QPR Manager (Leeds Loss): Teams & Match Reports

- David Lacey/The Guardian "Without will of the fans some football clubs would just fade away

- QPR and the Other 19 Premiership Clubs Sign Sports Charter Against Homophobia

QPR Report Saturday: Welcome Wolves...Apology to Chelsea!

2012-02-04T08:52:00.019Z

-
- WOLVES 1 QPR 2: COMPILATION OF MATCH REPORTS & MANAGERIAL/OWNER COMMENTS

- From Bushman Photo Archives
-
- For comprehensive and latest QPR news-related pieces and discussion, visit the football-only, somewhat-different QPR Report Messageboard. All QPR Perspectives genuinely welcomed! Or comment on any of the articles posted below - QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
_______________________________________________________________________________________

- QPR vs Wolves: Live Messageboard Chat - Feel Free to Join In

- Ex-QPR Matteo Alberti Gets a New Club

- QPR'S Press Man, Ian Taylor Confirms GAME ON: "No problems with the pitch at Loftus Road. Undersoil heating works a treat. Game on!"

- Past QPR vs Wolves Matches, Match Reports, Photos & Shared Players

- Remaining Fixtures: Bottom Six Clubs

- Articles and Analysis on John Terry's Axing as England Captain

- Neil Warnock's Weekly Column

- Six Years Ago Today: Ian Holloway's Final Game as QPR Manager (Leeds Loss): Teams & Match Reports

- Yan Tear - Chelsea season was derailed by QPR - Villas-Boas

- On This Day in Football and for QPR: February 4

- David Lacey/The Guardian "Without will of the fans some football clubs would just fade away

- QPR and the Other 19 Premiership Clubs Sign Sports Charter Against Homophobia

- All Premiership Clubs 25 Submitted

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - HUGHES: 'FOCUS IS PARAMOUNT
Posted on: Fri 03 Feb 2012

Mark Hughes insists his new-look QPR side can ill-afford to look at what's going on around them in the Barclays Premier League - and instead focus on themselves over the coming weeks.

Rangers head into Saturday's all-important showdown against Wolverhampton Wanderers with a three point gap between themselves and the bottom three.

And whilst most QPR fans will be keeping one eye on what's going on elsewhere come 3.00pm tomorrow afternoon, Hughes insists the focus is very much upon what Rangers do when Wolves come to town.

"I think you've got to be a little conscious of what's going on around us, but we're just trying to get as many points as we can on board," he told www.qpr.co.uk.

"We're aware of what's going around us, in terms of the fixtures, but you can't look too far away from your own camp.

"More so, from our point of view, it's of paramount importance that we focus on ourselves.

"If we get the job done, then we'll be fine.

"If you worry too much about what others are doing, you might come unstuck, so we'll focus on ourselves and get the points we need." QPR

London 24 - Ian Cooper - QPR boss gives his backing to Taarabt

Hughes insists midfielder can play a key role for Rangers this season

Mark Hughes insists Adel Taarabt can play a major part in helping QPR avoid relegation this season.

The Morocco international returned from the Africa Cup of Nations this week, and is in line to feature in the crucial Premier League match against Wolves at Loftus Road tomorrow afternoon.

Taarabt has endured a frustrating season so far, but has insisted he wants to stay at the club and is set to play a major role under Hughes, with the manager hinting he could at times be switched to a left-sided midfield position.

“I think he’ll enjoy the work and the chance to get games. He’ll have an impact on games between now and the end of the year,” Hughes told London24.com.

“He’s a talented boy and we’ve got to make sure we use the ability he has got to the best effect. If we can do that then he will help us win games.

“You can play him just off the front, or on the left of the three, or even on the left-hand side of a four and allow him that freedom to know when he can drift in between the lines.

“Then it’s up to the rest of the team to find him in good areas. That’s what we’ll work on from now until the end of the season.
London 24

Dave McIntyre/West London Sport - Rangers boss backs keeper Kenny

Mark Hughes says he has no doubts about Paddy Kenny’s long-term fitness.

The goalkeeper struggled with a mysterious hip problem prior to Hughes’ appointment as QPR manager but the injury appears to have healed.

Rangers were refused permission to take someone on loan while Kenny was sidelined with what Hughes’ predecessor Neil Warnock suggested was an ongoing condition.

But, despite being linked with the likes of Ben Foster and Tottenham’s Heurelho Gomes, Hughes showed no interest in signing a keeper during the transfer window and believes Kenny is 100% fit.

“There seemed to be a concern there before I came but it looks fine now,” Hughes told West London Sport.

“Obviously we were aware of the problem Paddy had and have had a good look at him, but there’s no sign of any issue at all now.

“We’ll keep an eye on him of course but he’s fully fit and I’m very pleased with the keepers I’ve got here.” West London Sport

Mirror - Blackburn new boy Orr: QPR begged me to stay
Published 21:59 03/02/12 By MirrorFootball
.
Bradley Orr snubbed Mark Hughes’ plea to be part of his QPR revolution by joining Blackburn’s relegation battle.

The right-back, 29, headed north on deadline day having grown fed up of waiting in the wings at Loftus Road.

That was despite new Rangers boss Sparky’s best attempts to sweet-talk him into staying in west London.

Orr was a mainstay of the Hoops side which won promotion to the Premier League last season, but has been marginalised this term.

Now he is geared up for a survival scrap with Rovers – starting with Saturday's lunch-time kick-off at Arsenal.

He said: “Mark Hughes was brilliant and told me that he wanted me to stay. He tried to get me to stay at least until the end of the season as he felt I could play a big part under him.

“But my mind was made up once Blackburn were interested. I’ve missed the buzz of 3pm on a Saturday and establishing myself at Rovers really excites me.” MIRROR

Clubcall - Boss targets top ten finish
Queens Park Rangers, 14:55, February 3, 2012
QPR boss Mark Hughes is backing his new-look strike force to guide the team to Premier League safety and beyond.

Hughes is convinced his £10m investment on Bobby Zamora and Djibril Cisse will prove money well spent as he believes the duo are good enough to take the Londoners into the top-half of the table.
The Welshman knows Zamora particularly well from his time working with him at Fulham, and he is set to be unleashed for his R's debut in Saturday's crucial game against Wolves.
However, Hughes is just as excited about the man who the England international will be playing alongside, having watched the former Liverpool and Sunderland marksman score for his new club in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.
He said: "I'm really looking forward to seeing them play together, they've got great qualities that will complement each other.
"I think Bobby enjoyed his time under me at Fulham. The type of work we gave him helped him and we supported him when he was out through injury.
- "When he came back in the second half of last season he was exceptional and was a big reason why we ended up eighth in the Premier League. If he can have a similar impact in the second half of this season that will augur well for us because we need to win games and score goals, that's why he is here."
Cisse, 30, is back in England after spells with Panathinaikos and Lazio and took just 12 minutes to get off the mark for his new club at Villa Park.
- Hughes added: "Djibril's style of play is made to measure for the Premier League. In Italy the style of play was too slow, he's very much a Premier League player in my opinion. If you look at his goalscoring record he has played just over 450 games and scored 220 goals, at top clubs, and not many strikers have that goals-to-game ratio. I'm very comfortable with the work we did in the window and the quality of strikers is now very good Clubcall

FULHAM CHRONICLE/Jacob Murtagh
QPR defender lifts the lid on Manchester City exit

NEDUM Onuoha admits it's nice to feel wanted again and intends to make his mark at QPR.

The January arrival from Manchester City made his first league start for more than six months in Wednesday night's draw at Aston Villa.

Chronicle Sport exclusively revealed QPR's latest interest in the defender back in November, with Neil Warnock keen on signing him before he got axed as manager.

Onuoha was left out in the cold at his hometown club under Roberto Mancini before eventually making the move south to hook up with former boss Mark Hughes at Loftus Road.

And now he is hellbent on becoming a regular in the starting XI rather than being stuck in the stands.

He said: “It was difficult not playing for so long. That was my hometown club and you always have a dream you want to stay at one club and be a part of that for your entire career.

“But after going to Sunderland you quickly realise that isn't necessarily going to be the case. It's disappointing not being available but it's good to see the club I've been at for so long be successful.

“At the end of the day, it's a short career and at my age I felt I needed to play. I could have sat there for two-and-a-half years and watch it all go on but I wouldn't have kicked many balls in that time.”

He added: “It's a good feeling to be wanted. I've not had a proper run in a side since last season at Sunderland and hopefully I can be a regular player in the Premier League.

“I would like to get a run of games under my belt. The manager has showed confidence in me to put me in the team, so I need to repay him Fulham Chronicle

QPR vs WOLVES

- Past QPR vs Wolves Matches, Match Reports, Photos & Shared Players

WOLVES OFFICIAL SITE - Win Would Make All The Difference
Posted on: Sat 04 Feb 2012

Boss Mick McCarthy says Wolves will travel to QPR today seeking the win which would provide a crucial confidence boost and breathe fresh impetus into their Barclays Premier League survival fight.

Wolves are without a win since beating Sunderland on the first weekend of December, but the boss admits there is no magic formula to turning things around apart from continuing to give their best and show the necessary quality on the pitch.

Today promises to be another stern test against a QPR side complete with several new signings at a ground where their fans always create a partisan atmosphere.

"We'll go down there and try and get a result like we do all the time," said the boss.

"If I had an instant remedy for it, it would all be done and sorted out.

"I need a response from the players and the club need a response from me and the team.

"We're just going to go there and try and win the game as we've done all season - do our level best, which is all we can do.

"But there is no magic formula and it's not something you can just change by clicking your fingers.

"It demands hard work and performances and not making any mistakes.

"We are capable of going on a decent run, no question, it's just getting that first one that's the problem.

"There isn't a switch for confidence, you can only get that by going down there and playing well.

"It is amazing the difference a win can make if you can nick one from somewhere.

"That's what gives you the confidence.

"The knowledge that we have done it before based on our away performances does give you a little bit of heart."

Wolves have produced four successive draws on the road, including at Arsenal and Tottenham, lending weight to hopes they may not be too far away from a first away success since the opening day of the season.

"We've had good performances away from home and have played well," Mick added.

"The onus is on the opposition to attach which possibly helps but we need another performance tomorrow.

"I'm going there full of optimism as I always do although it is going to be difficult.

"QPR played well at Villa on Wednesday and they have signed new players and got a new manager.

"There will be a great atmosphere and the place will be jumping tomorrow because they are full of optimism.

"I do like spoiling parties though I have to be honest and we do have the capability to upset the applecart."

Jamie O'Hara returns to the squad for tomorrow's game but Ronald Zubar is still not quite ready having missed out on a potential comeback for the reserves earlier this week due to illness.

Wolves

QPR REPORT OPPOSING FAN PERSPECTIVE: WOLVES BLOG's THOMAS BAUGHhttp://www.wolvesblog.com

Many thanks to Thomas Baugh of http://www.wolvesblog.com/ :-* good luck for the rest of the season, but only after saturday!
And thanks as always to QPR REPORT's MaudesFishnChips

How long have you supported Wolves?

20 years give or take.

How did you get to your blog? Has it evolved how you would of expected?

Sort of by accident actually. The summer after we won the Championship I saw a picture taken from our 5-1 win over Notts Forrest and thought 'that would look really good as a banner on a Wolves blog'. So I did a search and saw that no such blog existed, so I created one myself. Almost immediately I met another Wolves-supporting blogger and between us, we've made the blog what it is today. It's everything I expected and much more. I'm tremendously proud of it.

Who are Wolves’s biggest Rival (or Rivals) and why?

West Brom.
The normal reasons - near-neighbours, lots of banter, general very annoying supporters.

Are you happy with your team and how things are to date? – What are your opinions on your manager ? His spending/selling so far?

Not really.
We're in the bottom 3, again. It's going to be a mighty struggle to stay up from here.
We haven't progressed as we should done in our third season in the Prem and the blame in my opinion falls at the feet of the manager.
I like Mick McCarthy as a bloke but his tactics at times have been baffling and he doesn't seem able to get the best out of the players he has.

What do you think of your current Owner? WHY is he involved? What do you expect from him?

Steve Morgan seems to have his head screwed on straight, so the one plus point is that the club will never overspend or go to financial rack and ruin.
I think he's a genuine football fan and does care about the club. However, he's a shrewd businessman above all else and has already used his position at the club to secure land for development.
It will be intriguing to see where we are as a club in a few years time, and determine whether all the things he's promised have come to fruition.

How do you think Wolves treats its fans? Appreciates them? Listens to them? Screws them?

Badly in my opinion.
This season in particular has been a PR disaster for the club, as players, managers and even our CEO have been finger pointing at their own supporters.
We pay the money and it's simply not on.
They need to do better in understanding the frustrations of fans and dealing with the consequences of that.

Who are you Dangermen/Most valued/most overrated/most underrated players?

Important players:
Steven Fletcher - the man we rely on to do the most important job of all, put the ball in the onion bag.

Matt Jarvis - chief supplier to the above.

Wayne Hennessey - Has let soft goals in recently but overall has had a tremendous season. We'd be even worse off without him between the sticks.

I think our most underrated player is probably Stephen Ward. Has improved a great deal this season and his link-up play with Jarvis down the left is often our most potent attacking outlet. Overrated I'd say Adam Hammill. The fans seem to love him but I've yet to see him do much in a gold shirt.

Are you happy with your youth set up? Is your club doing enough to bring young/local talent through the ranks?

Well, none of our young players get a look in so something obviously isn't right.
Even the highly rated ones tend to be loaned out and then sold without being given any sort of opportunity. This must change sooner rather than later.

Who would you say was the greatest Wolves player that you yourself personally saw? And past player? (You can name more than one if it's that close!)

Steve Bull - hands down.
Not the most talented footballer but a great finisher and so often the hero. A crying shame he never graced the Premier League.

What is your prediction for Wolves this season?

Sadly, I think our time has run out in the top flight.
I look at the players we have and genuinely believe we should be closer to midtable than the bottom three. The manager just doesn't seem to have what it takes to get them playing a higher standard of football though.

Who do you predict to be in the bottom three at the end of this season

Wolves, Wigan and Bolton.

Are you aware of any player or manager links between our two clubs past and present?

Can't think of too many actually, it's a difficult one.
Andy Sinton, he was still top quality when he came to Wolves in the twilight of his career. Loved how he cross with both feet. Seemed unstoppable in his pomp.
Hmm...Simon Osborn? Clutching at straws.

What is your view and the general Wolves view of QPR?

First off, a little bitterness after you tonked us at Molineux earlier in the season. I can't lie - revenge would be very sweet indeed.
But I think overall we're currently a bit jealous because you changed your manager and invested heavily in January, thus showing greater ambition to survive.
Maybe our two very different approaches will both work out, but right now I'd back you to stay up over us everyday of the week.

Who(if any) is your most memorable/favourite QPR Player over the years?

Always liked Les Ferdinand - good old fashioned striker.
Trevor Sinclair for 'that' goal too.

Any memorable matches between our two clubs that stand out for you? And the reasons why?

Easy peasy.

The 1-0 at Molineux a few years back, which saw our promotion confirmed.
Not a great match but the result was all that mattered for us.
I also recall a 1-1 about 15 years ago when Daniele Dicchio scored a screamer to equalise.

Your score prediction for QPR v Wolves?

I reckon it will be a draw - 2-2.

That result wouldn't do much for either team. Obviously I'd love a Wolves win and we're definitely capable of it. However, we're just as likely to implode and lose convincingly - hence why I'm sitting on the fence.

What, realistically, do you think Wolves are capable of achieving in the next five years?

The best we can probably do in that time frame is become a Stoke-like team - never really in danger of going down, floating around midtable and having the occasional cup-run.
Depressing when you think of it like that.
Of course if we go down this year, we'll be incredibly lucky to get anywhere near that.

Thanks for having me on. All the best.

Many thanks to: WOLVES BLOG's THOMAS BAUGHhttp://www.wolvesblog.com and profound thanks as always to MaudesFishnChips!

QPR Report Friday: Wolves Preview and Q&A...The QPR 25 Who'll Keep QPR Up...Martin Rowlands Says Farewell

2012-02-03T07:43:00.013Z

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-
- For comprehensive and latest QPR news-related pieces and discussion, visit the football-only, somewhat-different QPR Report Messageboard. All QPR Perspectives genuinely welcomed! Or comment on any of the articles posted below - QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
-
-: "PETITION: An Appeal to the FA and Fabio Capello: Strip John Terry of the England Captaincy Pending Trial and FA Hearing"

- FA to make John Terry Decision

- QPR and the Other 19 Premiership Clubs Sign Sports Charter Against Homophobia

- David Fraser/Sabotage Times: Queens Park Rangers: Where’s All The Money Coming From?

- On This Day in Football February 3...Birthday for Darren Peacock

- Five Year Flashback: QPR Chairman Gianni Paladini Responds

THE QPR 25

Queens Park Rangers - 25 squad players
1 Kenny, Patrick
2 Traore, Armand
3 Hill, Clinton Scott
4 Derry, Shaun Peter
5 Hall, Fitz
6 Taarabt, Adel
7 Zamora, Robert Lester
8 Hulse, Robert William
9 Campbell, Dudley Junior
10 Bothroyd, Jay
11 Diakite, Samba
12 Mackie, James Charles
13 Gabbidon, Daniel Leon
14 Buzsaky, Akos
15 Taiwo, Taye Ismaila
16 Onuoha, Chinedum
17 Barton, Joseph
18 Young, Luke Paul
19 Smith, Thomas William
20 Helguson, Heidar
21 Cerny, Radek
22 Murphy, Brian
23 Wright-Phillips, Shaun Cameron
24 Ferdinand, Anton Julian
25 Cisse, Djibril

Home Grown
No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes No

Queens Park Rangers - Under 21 players (Contract and Scholars)
Adekunle, Oluwatobi Aliu
Andrade, Bruno Miguel Carvalho Balanta, Angelo Jasiel
Brown, Ben
Buck, Jordan Winston Bryan Champion, Frederick
Daly, James Christopher
Deane, Gareth Ivan
Doughty, Michael Edward
Downs, Jake Louis
Ehmer, Maximilian Andreas
Fitzpatrick, David Hugh Aborlo
Francis, Adam Royston Lawrence Gibbons, Jordan Leon Chidubem Harriman, Michael Grant Henry-Francis, Marcel Laurel
Hewitt, Troy Roger
Hubble, Conor Stephen James
Koeris, Justin Vernon
Lennox, Aaron Keith
Lumley, Joseph Patrick
Macheda, Federico
McDonnell, Daniel Michael
Nguemkam Monthe, Emmanuel Gaetan Olley, Luke Stephen
Parmenter, Taylor Louis
Putnins, Elvijs
Sendles-White, Jamie Alexander Shariff, Abdalla Mohamed
Simmonds, Bradley Michael Sutherland, Frankie Jay
Trani, Tommaso
Walker, Jordan
Webb, Callum Taylor

- All Premiership Clubs 25 Submitted

- Past QPR vs Wolves Matches, Match Reports, Photos & Shared Players

QPR REPORT OPPOSING FAN PERSPECTIVE: WOLVES BLOG's THOMAS BAUGHhttp://www.wolvesblog.com

Many thanks to Thomas Baugh of http://www.wolvesblog.com/ :-* good luck for the rest of the season, but only after saturday!
And thanks as always to QPR REPORT's MaudesFishnChips

How long have you supported Wolves?

20 years give or take.

How did you get to your blog? Has it evolved how you would of expected?

Sort of by accident actually. The summer after we won the Championship I saw a picture taken from our 5-1 win over Notts Forrest and thought 'that would look really good as a banner on a Wolves blog'. So I did a search and saw that no such blog existed, so I created one myself. Almost immediately I met another Wolves-supporting blogger and between us, we've made the blog what it is today. It's everything I expected and much more. I'm tremendously proud of it.

Who are Wolves’s biggest Rival (or Rivals) and why?

West Brom.
The normal reasons - near-neighbours, lots of banter, general very annoying supporters.

Are you happy with your team and how things are to date? – What are your opinions on your manager ? His spending/selling so far?

Not really.
We're in the bottom 3, again. It's going to be a mighty struggle to stay up from here.
We haven't progressed as we should done in our third season in the Prem and the blame in my opinion falls at the feet of the manager.
I like Mick McCarthy as a bloke but his tactics at times have been baffling and he doesn't seem able to get the best out of the players he has.

What do you think of your current Owner? WHY is he involved? What do you expect from him?

Steve Morgan seems to have his head screwed on straight, so the one plus point is that the club will never overspend or go to financial rack and ruin.
I think he's a genuine football fan and does care about the club. However, he's a shrewd businessman above all else and has already used his position at the club to secure land for development.
It will be intriguing to see where we are as a club in a few years time, and determine whether all the things he's promised have come to fruition.

How do you think Wolves treats its fans? Appreciates them? Listens to them? Screws them?

Badly in my opinion.
This season in particular has been a PR disaster for the club, as players, managers and even our CEO have been finger pointing at their own supporters.
We pay the money and it's simply not on.
They need to do better in understanding the frustrations of fans and dealing with the consequences of that.

Who are you Dangermen/Most valued/most overrated/most underrated players?

Important players:
Steven Fletcher - the man we rely on to do the most important job of all, put the ball in the onion bag.

Matt Jarvis - chief supplier to the above.

Wayne Hennessey - Has let soft goals in recently but overall has had a tremendous season. We'd be even worse off without him between the sticks.

I think our most underrated player is probably Stephen Ward. Has improved a great deal this season and his link-up play with Jarvis down the left is often our most potent attacking outlet. Overrated I'd say Adam Hammill. The fans seem to love him but I've yet to see him do much in a gold shirt.

Are you happy with your youth set up? Is your club doing enough to bring young/local talent through the ranks?

Well, none of our young players get a look in so something obviously isn't right.
Even the highly rated ones tend to be loaned out and then sold without being given any sort of opportunity. This must change sooner rather than later.

Who would you say was the greatest Wolves player that you yourself personally saw? And past player? (You can name more than one if it's that close!)

Steve Bull - hands down.
Not the most talented footballer but a great finisher and so often the hero. A crying shame he never graced the Premier League.

What is your prediction for Wolves this season?

Sadly, I think our time has run out in the top flight.
I look at the players we have and genuinely believe we should be closer to midtable than the bottom three. The manager just doesn't seem to have what it takes to get them playing a higher standard of football though.

Who do you predict to be in the bottom three at the end of this season

Wolves, Wigan and Bolton.

Are you aware of any player or manager links between our two clubs past and present?

Can't think of too many actually, it's a difficult one.
Andy Sinton, he was still top quality when he came to Wolves in the twilight of his career. Loved how he cross with both feet. Seemed unstoppable in his pomp.
Hmm...Simon Osborn? Clutching at straws.

What is your view and the general Wolves view of QPR?

First off, a little bitterness after you tonked us at Molineux earlier in the season. I can't lie - revenge would be very sweet indeed.
But I think overall we're currently a bit jealous because you changed your manager and invested heavily in January, thus showing greater ambition to survive.
Maybe our two very different approaches will both work out, but right now I'd back you to stay up over us everyday of the week.

Who(if any) is your most memorable/favourite QPR Player over the years?

Always liked Les Ferdinand - good old fashioned striker.
Trevor Sinclair for 'that' goal too.

Any memorable matches between our two clubs that stand out for you? And the reasons why?

Easy peasy.

The 1-0 at Molineux a few years back, which saw our promotion confirmed.
Not a great match but the result was all that mattered for us.
I also recall a 1-1 about 15 years ago when Daniele Dicchio scored a screamer to equalise.

Your score prediction for QPR v Wolves?

I reckon it will be a draw - 2-2.

That result wouldn't do much for either team. Obviously I'd love a Wolves win and we're definitely capable of it. However, we're just as likely to implode and lose convincingly - hence why I'm sitting on the fence.

What, realistically, do you think Wolves are capable of achieving in the next five years?

The best we can probably do in that time frame is become a Stoke-like team - never really in danger of going down, floating around midtable and having the occasional cup-run.
Depressing when you think of it like that.
Of course if we go down this year, we'll be incredibly lucky to get anywhere near that.

Thanks for having me on. All the best.

Many thanks to: WOLVES BLOG's THOMAS BAUGHhttp://www.wolvesblog.com and profound thanks as always to MaudesFishnChips!

GUARDIAN/Jamie Jackson
John Terry trial date will disrupt QPR's build-up, says Mark Hughes

Anton Ferdinand's pre-season will be affected
Anton Ferdinand will be a key figure at John Terry's trial when the QPR player should be preparing for the new season.

The timing of John Terry's trial will disrupt pre-season for Anton Ferdinand and Queens Park Rangers, according to Mark Hughes.

The Chelsea captain, who denies allegations he made a racist comment to Ferdinand when the sides met in October, could face a five-day trial starting on 9 July. "Anton is obviously involved in the case and they have been given a date that is slap-bang in the middle of our pre-season from my point of view and Anton's point of view. That is going to impact on his preparation for a new season," the QPR manager said.

"I don't know how they have come up with the date, whether they have had discussions with the FA and [made sure] it doesn't impact on the Euros. They haven't discussed it with us. They have certainly not discussed the date with me. It seems to be set in stone and it's slap-bang in the middle of our pre-season operation when ideally I would want my player available.

"If John goes to the Euros it impacts on his holiday; it doesn't impact on his pre-season because he'll get a rest after the Euros. It's just in his down-time, it's not in Anton's down-time. My understanding is that we were not involved in the discussion about a date. I might be completely wrong but certainly I wasn't in that discussion if there was one.

"We'd like to have had a chance to put our point across to make them understand that there could be a little bit of an issue from our point of view."

It is understood that the Football Association was not consulted regarding the trial's date. The decision was taken by judge Howard Riddle at Westminster magistrates court on Wednesday, with a letter from Ron Gourlay, the Chelsea chief executive, part of the process.

Hughes is frustrated that the case cannot be heard earlier. "I think everybody believes it has been dragging on forever," he said. "From my point of view, and certainly Anton I would have thought, [we] would have preferred it to be done and dusted by now. I think everybody would."

Asked if he thought the date of the trial will also affect Fabio Capello's England side at the European Championship, Hughes said: "Well that's a decision for England. I'm sure discussions will be held in that regard on whether it will have a negative impact in terms of selection but it's not for me to comment."

QPR host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday having picked up four points from their past two league outings to take them to 16th in the Premier League and Hughes said: "The target is to stay up. I think it's important we take something from every game. We've beaten Wigan and got a good point at [Aston] Villa. If we can get maximum points at the weekend, it's seven from three and that's a decent return. That's what we need to do, keep picking up points."

Hughes, who is likely to pair his new signings Bobby Zamora and Djibril Cissé for the first time against Wolves, stated he was content with the draw at Villa despite squandering a two-goal lead. "There was disappointment in the dressing room because we were leading 2-0 but it's a good sign that you are disappointed about getting a point at Villa Park. Beforehand we would have been delighted with a point." Guardian

Dave McIntyre/West London Sport - QPR boss backs Cisse after Twitter abuse

Mark Hughes has declared his support for Djibril Cisse after the player was subjected to racist abuse on Twitter.

On Thursday afternoon the QPR manager was made aware of the insults aimed at Cisse following the French striker’s move to Loftus Road from Lazio.

“I’ll speak to him about it. I haven’t had an opportunity to do so before now,” said Hughes.

“One of the negatives of social media is that it gives people the opportunity to hide, be anonymous and able to spout vitriol.

“It’s unpleasant and unnecessary but as we know there are individuals like that and always will be.

“These people can’t be allowed to hide. They may be under false names or whatever but they will be found and eventually brought to book.” West London Sport

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - ROWLANDS: GOODBYE & THANK YOU
Posted on: Thu 02 Feb 2012

Martin Rowlands has bid an emotional farewell to QPR after he left the Club on Tuesday by mutual consent.

The 32-year-old midfielder joined the R's in 2003 and his combative and passionate displays in the centre of the park quickly made him a firm favourite with the Loftus Road faithful.

Now, after deciding his future lay elsewhere, he told www.qpr.co.uk: "This is an emotional time right now as I move onto new things but I have had a fabulous time over the last nine years and would only change the last couple of seasons really.

"QPR has been a great part of my life and a period in my career that I will always remember and look back on fondly."

Rowlands' arrival in W12 in the summer of 2003 took many by surprise - as he was nursing a broken leg when Ian Holloway signed him!

"I owe Ollie a lot and always remind him of that when I see or speak to him," Rowlands said. "He showed a lot of faith in me, signing me like that.

"I am forever grateful to him because it was the start of a great time for me at the Club."

Rowlands quickly repaid the faith of his Manager, making 50 appearances in all competitions and netting ten goals as the R's secured promotion back to the Championship in his maiden campaign.

"That was a fantastic year," he admitted, "and a fantastic first season for me. I will always remember the game at Sheffield Wednesday where we secured promotion.

"It was great, and ranks as one of my best memories in football."

Rowlands' consistency over the years saw him scoop the Players' Player and Supporters' Player of the Season awards in 2004 and 2008, and they are accolades which he holds dear.

"To have won those awards means an awful lot," he stressed. "It was, and is, a big honour.

"The fans have always been fantastic to me and I really appreciate all their support over the years. Hopefully I did well enough for them during my time at the Club. I am forever grateful to them."

As well as building a close relationship with the fans. Rowlands says he also made mates for life during his stay in W12.

"I made some great friends with people I will always stay close to," he added. "People like Kev Gallen, Steve Lomas, Marc Bircham, Gareth Ainsworth, Lee Cook and Peter Ramage are friends for life.

"I have been lucky that I have been able to make such close friends over the past nine years."

Rowlands scored 35 goals for the R's, and says three stick in his mind.

"My first goal for QPR was away to Wrexham and I remember that very well," he said. "But a special goal for me was in that first season when we played Swindon at home.

"We needed to win because we had Bristol City chasing us and I managed to score in a 1-0 win. It wasn't the greatest goal ever but I remember it because it was a very important goal at that time.

"And I scored against Wolves at Loftus Road on TV with a good strike and we went on to win that 1-0.

"They are the goals that I really remember over the years but I was always more concerned with the team winning rather than what I did or didn't do in the game.

"I was always more focused on how the team played and the team doing well."

And even though he has now set his sights on a new challenge, Rowlands says he will always watch the progress of the R's - from close quarters!

"The Club is now moving in a fantastic direction under Tony Fernandes and Amit Bhatia. The type of signings the Club is making now can only be good for QPR, and on top of that is talk of a new training ground, a new stadium, it's great.

"As soon as I haven't got a game I am going to be straight down to Loftus Road to watch the team and cheer them on.

"That will be the case for many years because I truly love the Club and wish it well for the future."

Rowlands also had words of praise for new Manager Mark Hughes, explaining: "He was fantastic with me.

"He has allowed me to move on because I wasn't going to be a part of his plans and I fully understand that. I am certainly not bitter about it - I just can't wait to see QPR moving up the Premier League!

"I am so happy for the fans to see the Club back where it belongs. I am sure the supporters are going to have a great time, and under Mark Hughes the only way is up."

This morning (Thursday) Rowlands joined Colchester United until the end of the season, and he added: "I am 32 now and haven't played too much recently and that's what I want to do - get back out there playing football.

"I want to test myself and play at the highest level I can.

"Hopefully one day I will come back to QPR to say goodbye." QPR

See ALSO: QPR REPORT

-

Compilation of Aston Villa Reports...QPR CEO Beard on Transfer Deadline Day...OTD Flashback: Chris Wright Resigns...Strip Terry of Captaincy Petition!

2012-02-02T08:07:00.012Z

-
- Series of Photos from Aston Villa vs QPR
-
- For comprehensive and latest QPR news-related pieces and discussion, visit the football-only, somewhat-different QPR Report Messageboard. All QPR Perspectives genuinely welcomed! Or comment on any of the articles posted below - QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
_______________________________________________________________________________________

- PETITION to Strip John Terry of the England Captaincy - If you Agree Sign and send on!

- Martin Rowlands Gets a New Club: Colchester United

- 11 Years Ago Today: Chairman Chris Wright Announces QPR Resignation....Five Years Ago QPR Announce "No China Game at Loftus Road"...The QPR Team Lineup from Nine Years Ago

- Dave Clement (RIP): Would Have Been Sixty-Four Today

TELEGRAPH/Philip Beard

Deadline day at Queens Park Rangers - the inside story, by Philip Beard, the club's chief executive

Transfer deadline day started at 5.30am with me worrying whether Djibril Cissé had been forced to sleep in the reception of the hotel where we had sent him. The last I had seen of Djibril had been less than four hours earlier when he and his agent were bundled into the back of a car after he had passed his medical ahead of his move to QPR.

I was then driving home, absolutely on my last legs, when I had got a call at 2.30am from the agent saying they were at the hotel but the hotel could not find their booking. So I was then on the phone to the night porter saying “whatever you do, get him the best room you have – this is a multi-million pound footballer”. I got home at 3am, struggling to sleep, wondering about Djibril.

Almost 24 hours earlier, my seven-year-old daughter had woken me up. Of course, she did not have a clue that I was entering a day that would define QPR's season.

I headed for the stadium, parked up and the television cameras were outside. That was about 8.30am and, soon after, Djibril arrived with us smuggling him through the doors.

My first impression of him – when I had met him the night before – is that he’s a fantastic guy. He has a great sense of humour and was very happy even though he had waited around in Rome all that day. We had a plane on standby that kept missing its slot as negotiations continued with Lazio. Their president eventually spoke to the airport authorities so it could take off.

We got Djibril to a clinic for his medical that night and, while he went in and out of rooms over the next two hours for various scans, I thrashed out his personal terms.

Once at Loftus Road, we went through the paperwork and spent more time with him to ensure he was happy that he had made the right decision and to explain the structure of the club, what we want to achieve and to hear about him and his family. He was then smuggled to the training ground to meet Mark Hughes and the players.

Throughout the transfer window I have tried to focus only on the players on our wanted list. Being newly promoted and under new ownership, we are a buying club. As a result, I get hundreds of calls from hundreds of agents about hundreds of players. The phone did not stop. Yet, in our minds, we had three or four targets.

Some crazy numbers been bandied about over what we have to spend. Most are fictitious, some ridiculous, but the squad read about them. So I have had a lot of conversations with players explaining that, though ambitious, we are also running a business that has to be realistic.

With Djibril done, I turned my attention to Bobby Zamora. With his club being Fulham and with us a rival London side and also in the lower half of the league, I was unsure whether they would sell but had heard that they might.

I called Alistair MacKintosh, their chief executive, and said: “If we made an offer, is it something we could talk about?” I got the feeling that it was. That was about 9am.

Zamora was Plan A and everything was geared to him. But we had to think of a Plan B, C and D. The transfer window is a bit like a chess game. As we were trying to bring Zamora in, we could see how that could work because Fulham were trying to sign a player in Germany. But if that didn’t happen, did we go for Nikica Jelavic, who looked like he was going to Everton, say, or Hugo Rodallega? Or change tack and go for Steven Pienaar?

I focused 100 per cent on Bobby but in the back of my mind I had to be prepared. We agreed Bobby should go for a medical. At that stage I was in discussion with his agent but our figures were miles apart. I was seriously concerned about whether we would find common ground.

While waiting for Bobby to return, we had time to consider one more loan deal. I sat with the club’s owners, Amit Bhatia and Tony Fernandes, on the line. I made about 20 calls to different clubs to see if they were prepared to loan. Most just laughed and said “you have to be kidding”. We were also on the phone to Mark saying “we can do one more thing if Bobby doesn’t happen” but he was just saying “make it happen”.

Bobby returned at about 7pm. I spent some time with him and explained about the takeover, the owners and the vision for the club. I realised this was possibly the most important decision of his career.

He was also interested that we had brought Mark in. That was a big attraction for him, as was the fact that he knew Anton Ferdinand and Shaun Wright-Phillips. We then reconvened with the agent.

As often happens, it was a bit like a Brian Rix farce because you have people in all these different roles — agent, owners, finance people – and you are moving between each trying to make it work.

Then Man City v Everton came on the television and I watched it with Bobby. I saw the handcuffing and wondered whether I should try to handcuff Bobby to one of the goalposts at QPR, using that as a negotiating tactic.

But seriously, you just have to make it work. It’s a compromise, just like any negotiation, but ultimately it had to be a football decision.

At 10.15pm we shook hands on a deal, got the paperwork done and everyone relaxed. We did a bit of high-fiving then, suddenly, everyone was gone and it was finished and I was in my car on the way home. I got there at about 12.15am and realised I was starving.

The buzz was just extraordinary. I was involved in the Olympic bid. It’s not quite like awaiting that decision but, when you’re shaking hands Bobby Zamora or Djibril Cissé having agreed a deal, you feel that you have done something that will be important to the fans. You hope that it means that they will get to watch a team that will stay in the Premier League.

If I can play a small part in that, it will be fantastic. Telegraph

ESPN - QPR's Cisse hits back over racist comments

February 2, 2012

QPR striker Djibril Cisse has reacted angrily after apparently being subjected to racist abuse on Twitter.

Cisse, who joined the west Londoners from Italian side Lazio this week, retweeted two messages seemingly from supporters of the Rome club before turning on his tormentors.

A Twitter user initially targeted the former Liverpool forward with a message saying: "Die n***** b****** Lazio fans hate you!!!!"

Another user then added: "djibril is a big monkey."

The France international, who scored in his new team's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Wednesday evening, responded in a series of Tweets.

"Wow u are an idiot man insulting me like this coz I left lazio wow u are a real idiot,'' he responded to the first user.

After the second message was posted Cisse added: "Wow is it the idiot parade today.

"I retweeted them just to show how some people are f****** stupids just because I left a club I'm a f****** n***** who deserve to die or a big monkey?wow I'm really shocked u 2 guys are f****** brainless and u should be f****** ashamed."

The incident is the latest in a number of recent racial flashpoints, with Liverpool striker Luis Suarez currently serving a suspension for comments made to Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra and England captain John Terry standing accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, allegations he denies. ESPN

ASTON VILLA 2 QPR 2 - REPORTS & COMMENTS

Sunderland 23 5 4 3 19 11 3 2 6 13 13 30 8
Stoke 23 4 4 3 15 13 4 2 6 8 22 30 -12
Everton 23 4 3 5 12 13 4 2 5 11 13 29 -3
Norwich 23 4 4 3 17 15 3 4 5 15 24 29 -7
Aston Villa 23 3 4 5 14 16 3 6 2 14 15 28 -3
Fulham 23 5 4 3 22 18 1 5 5 7 14 27 -3
Swansea 23 5 6 1 16 7 1 3 7 8 21 27 -4
West Brom 23 2 2 7 8 14 5 3 4 15 18 26 -9
QPR 23 2 4 5 12 18 3 2 7 12 21 21 -15
Bolton 23 2 2 8 14 25 4 0 7 14 22 20 -19
_____________________________________________
Blackburn 23 3 0 9 16 24 1 6 4 17 23 18 -14
Wolverhampton 23 3 2 7 16 23 1 4 6 9 20 18 -18
Wigan 23 1 4 6 10 21 2 2 8 10 27 15 -28

QPR Official Site - HUGHES: 'A GOOD POINT IN THE END'
Posted on: Thu 02 Feb 2012

Mark Hughes refused to be downbeat, despite seeing his Rangers side surrender a two goal lead to draw 2-2 at Villa Park.

Djibril Cisse's debut goal and a Stephen Warnock own goal handed the R's a dream start, before Darren Bent pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time.

Charles N'Zogbia set up a grandstand finish with an equaliser 11 minutes from time, but Rangers held on to earn a vital point.

Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Hughes said: "The lads are disappointed in the dressing room, but we've got to look at the positives and this is a good point.

"We had a fantastic start - playing well, creating chances.

"If we'd have gone into the break two goals up at half-time, it might have been a different outcome.

"It would have been more difficult for Villa, but the goal lifted them.

"We knew we'd have to dig in during the second half.

"They were always going to push on in the second period, but we stuck at it and it's a good point in the end.

"A point at Villa Park, especially in the circumstances with very little preparation time with this group, is a good point."

Speaking about Cisse's impact, Hughes added: "We were absolutely delighted with the impact Djibril made.

"I think everybody saw his qualities.

"He was tired towards the end and was cramping up. I had to take him off.

"He's had a long few days and we had to protect him.

"There's so much more to come from him, but he's made a promising start."

http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~2597066,00.html

SPORTING LIFE

HUGHES SALUTES CISSE IMPACT

Mark Hughes praised QPR striker Djibril Cisse after he marked his debut with a stunning goal in the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.

Cisse only received clearance to play 90 minutes before kick-off but needed just 12 minutes to score the opening goal.

A Stephen Warnock own goal doubled QPR's lead but Villa snatched a point thanks to Darren Bent's 100th Premier League goal and Charles N'Zogbia's first for the club.

Hughes said: "I thought Cisse was excellent and everyone can understand now why I wanted to bring him to the club.

"We only got clearance for him to play as I was walking into the entrance at Villa Park when a text came through.

"But he is going to be vital for us. He was bright, intelligent and powerful.

"The fact he has already played in the Premier League (with Sunderland and Liverpool) was a factor in signing him because it means he can hit the ground running.

"It is difficult in January to bring players in who do not know the Premier League."

Hughes felt Bent's goal shortly before half-time was the turning point.

He said: "Had we gone in 2-0 up, it would have been more difficult for Villa to come back into the game.

"But the goal gave them a lift, they gained momentum in the second half and we could not stop an equaliser.

"But I was delighted to get something away from home as we have not picked up too many points on our travels this season."

Alex McLeish is demanding his side reproduce their second-half performance for 90 minutes in games after being unhappy with their first-half efforts.

He said: "We showed a lot of resilience again to come back but I was not pleased with the first-half performance.

"The goals were a joke but we were pedestrian, there was no imagination or creation.

"The goal just before half-time gave us an injection and during the break we demanded that we played with a much greater tempo.

"They responded and full credit to them but we need to see that for 90 minutes in games."

N'Zogbia scored his first goal since his £9million summer move from Wigan and McLeish said: "Hopefully that will help to kick-start his season."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/liv.....html&B ID=3660

GUARDIANStuart James

Charles N'Zogbia helps Aston Villa rescue lost cause against QPR

A night that began with Queens Park Rangers celebrating an immediate return on their £4.5m investment in Djibril Cissé on deadline day, ended with Aston Villa rejoicing at the sight of Charles N'Zogbia finally opening his account for the club to complete a stirring comeback.

Trailing to Cissé's brilliantly taken opener – the striker also scored on his Premier League debut for Liverpool and Sunderland – and an own goal that Stephen Warnock will have nightmares about for weeks to come, Villa looked down and out until Darren Bent registered his 100th Premier League goal just before the interval to provide a flicker of hope.

Booed off at the break, Villa were transformed in the second half and got the equaliser they richly deserved when N'Zogbia, a £9.5m signing from Wigan in the summer, crashed home Stilian Petrov's centre with a superb volley. It was a goal that denied Mark Hughes his first win at Villa Park as a manager in eight attempts and, in the process, provided Alex McLeish with some respite. The natives remain restless in these parts and a fifth home defeat in six matches would have been hard to stomach.

For Rangers, there was disappointment that such a promising start had failed to yield the three points that would have put daylight between themselves and the bottom three. Jamie Mackie will rue the moment he was unable to connect with a cross from Shaun Wright-Phillips to make it 3-1, although that was a rare Rangers attack in a second half when Villa's creative trio of Stephen Ireland, Robbie Keane and N'Zogbia became increasingly influential.

Cissé was certainly that in the easy stages, his pace and movement catching the eye every bit as much as his blue boots and Mohican haircut. His early goal, which was his first in the Premier League since he scored for Sunderland against Hull in April 2009, was dispatched with aplomb, his low shot drilled into the far corner after the ball had dropped kindly for him following Ireland's attempted block on Wright-Phillips.

"I thought Cissé was excellent," Hughes said. "I think everybody understands why I wanted to bring him to the club. I thought he was bright, he was intelligent with his running and showed the power and pace that we all now that he has, and it was a good finish as well. He's going to be vital for us because that's something we haven't had in the football club before, in terms of his quality, power and technical ability."

Bobby Zamora, another deadline day signing, was ineligible and Hughes revealed that it had been a close call as to whether Cissé took part. Asked when he knew that Cissé had been granted international clearance, Hughes replied: "I think we were about 20 yards from the [Villa Park] entrance. I got a text but I didn't tell him because I wanted him to focus. I thought I was being clever but when I got in the dressing room his agent had told him already, so it was a waste of time."

If McLeish was annoyed that Cissé was left totally unmarked for his goal, it was nothing compared to the dismay he felt when Warnock headed a cross from another Rangers debutant, Taye Taiwo, into his own net in farcical circumstances. Warnock, who was booed by the Villa fans later in the half, after a wayward cross ended up in row Z, seemed to think that Richard Dunne was going to head the ball clear. McLeish buried his head in his hands in the dug-out and not even the sight of Bent stabbing home Alan Hutton's cross on the stroke of half-time could paper over the cracks of a listless opening 45 minutes.

"I just couldn't believe the first-half performance," McLeish said. "The goals were a joke. It was a pedestrian performance. We never penetrated, there was no running off the ball, no imagination or creation. We spoke at half-time and we demanded that if you play in a Villa jersey, it's got to be a much quicker tempo, especially in front of our own fans. And they responded. But I would love to see them playing in the first half, like we did in the second half. We've got to be at it every game."

Villa should have had a chance to level from the penalty spot early in the second half, when Shaun Derry clearly blocked Ciaran Clark's shot with a raised hand, but the referee, Neil Swarbrick, waved away the home appeals.

The home team were, though, cranking up the pressure on Rangers and there was a sense of inevitability about the equaliser. Ireland helped to create it, with a sublime reverse pass that released Petrov. When the Bulgarian crossed to the far post, N'Zogbia executed a sumptuous volley. "Hopefully that kick-starts his Villa career," said McLeish. "In the second half he was much more electric."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/feb/01/aston-villa-qpr-premier-league

TELEGRAPH/Henry Winter

Aston Villa 2 Queens Park Rangers 2: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers at Villa Park on Wednesday Jan 31, 2012.

Djibril Cissé and QPR started this entertaining game in style but Aston Villa finished by far the stronger, and were unfortunate not to win. Only Paddy Kenny’s reflexes kept QPR in it.
So cautious in the early stages, when a Cissé strike and a surreal Stephen Warnock own goal put Rangers in charge, Villa responded impressively. Darren Bent clinically and Charles N’Zogbia flamboyantly brought Villa level but Kenny denied them further reward. Rangers ended with a point and the memory of Cissé’s strong debut.
The final piece of paperwork from Lazio to the FA had gone through 90 minutes before kick-off, so clearing Cissé to play. After the red tape had been unravelled, the £4 million striker cut through the claret-and-blue defence as if were ribbon. QPR’s tactics had clearly been to release Cissé as quickly as possible, using his pace to get behind Richard Dunne and the hapless Warnock on the left of Villa’s back four.

The Frenchman, returning to the Premier League, hit the ground running, scoring and putting in a first-half display of back-heels and back-flips that had the visiting fans purring. “There’s only one Cissé,’’ they chanted. Newcastle United fans will disagree but this was love at first sight between QPR and their new No 23.

Cisse was unstoppable, scoring a good goal after Shaun Wright-Phillips had somehow laid the ball into his path. As the Holte End looked on in horror, the unmarked Cissé hammered the ball past Shay Given. His celebration was even better, that familiar collection of flips getting an airing.

Villa could not deal with him. Warnock had already welcomed him back with a strong challenge, leaving him spinning on the turf and appealing to Neil Swarbrick for action. The referee ignored the claims.
His movement was too much for Villa. He almost scored a second with an acrobatic volley. He then raced away from Dunne, never an equal sprint race, and lifted in a cross that was just too high for Wright-Phillips. The England winger was working the left, occasionally moving central, and linking well with Cissé, who found him with a neat back-heel midway through the half.

Jamie Mackie provided the width on the right while Rob Hulse partnered Cissé . The prospect of Bobby Zamora, who did not sign in time for this game, forming an exciting attacking axis with Cissé also warmed the hearts of the QPR fans on a freezing night.
Alex McLeish became increasingly frustrated with Warnock, shouting instructions at the left-back, who had rarely been in favour with Gerard Houllier. Warnock’s stock fell even lower than the temperature when addressing a seemingly harmless cross from Taye Taiwo, the visitors’ new left-back.
Warnock’s reaction was extraordinary, resembling a sports-shy schoolboy trying to get out of games. Instead of heading clear, Warnock headed the ball firmly past Given. Villa’s keeper has been down this road before with Warnock, even saving from his team-mate against Everton, but he had no chance there. Warnock’s header flew between Given and upright.
The Holte End howled. McLeish held his head in his hands. Yet his team responded, their momentum accelerated by the waning of QPR’s initial adrenalin charge.
Robbie Keane was inevitably involved, firing goalwards and forcing Paddy Kenny to push the danger away. Dunne then Ciaran Clark threatened. Villa screamed for a penalty when Mackie appeared to handle. Still the hosts pressed, knowing the level of opprobrium that could await them at the break. Bent headed wide.
The pressure told when Keane found Alan Hutton down the right and the Scot drilled the ball across low and hard, perfectly for the clever run of Bent. The England striker stole a march on his marker, nipping in to score with a typical first-time finish for his 100th Premier League, becoming the 22nd man to achieve the feat.
Though trailing only 2-1, the mood among the Villa faithful was initially still unforgiving, with some boos ringin out.

But the Holte End was soon at its supportive best as the second half opened. Villa were attacking this famous bank of humanity, and every fan shouted for a penalty when Clark’s strike hit Shaun Derry’s hand. Swarbick waved play on.
Back came Villa again, Stiliyan Petrov and Keane thwarted by Kenny.Then Charles N’Zogbia raced through the gears, sprinting into the box until closed down by Joey Barton.
Rangers’ third debutant, Nedum Onuoha, was settling in well in defence, helping Barton to frustrate N’Zogbia and attempting to deal with the rising claret-and-blue tide. Bent almost found a way through but Taiwo was too substantial a barrier.

McLeish had introduced Barry Bannan’s subtle gifts into the fray. He tried his luck with a long-range free-kick that thudded into the QPR wall.
Hughes’ side were defending increasingly deep. Cissé was a distant figure.
Villa took increasing advantage. Stephen Ireland released Petrov down the right and his cross was met magnificently by N’Zogbia, who drove the ball past Kenny.
Villa were terrific. Bent had a shot cleared off the line then Kenny saved brilliantly from N’Zogbia. Again. Telegraph

ASTON VILLA OFFICIAL SITE

McLeish proud of fightback but frustrated with start against QPR
Alex McLeish on QPR draw.1st Feb 2012

By Paul Brown

Alex McLeish was proud of the brilliant fightback from his players against QPR - but annoyed that they couldn't turn on the style from the start.

McLeish was impressed with the way his stars dug in to turn the match around from two-down early on.

But he was frustrated with the way they conceded two "joke" goals and gave themselves a mountain to climb.

The boss wants accomplished displays for 90 minutes in coming games.

He said: "I just couldn't believe the first half performance. The goals were a joke.

"It was a pedestrian performance. Although we probably had more of the ball, we never penetrated.

"There was no running off the ball, no imagination, no creation.

"But the goal just before half-time gave us an injection.

"We spoke at half-time and we told them that wearing the Villa jersey it has to be a much quicker tempo, especially in front of the home fans.

"They responded, credit to them for their recovery.

"They have done that a few times this season but I would love to see us play in the first half the way we played in the second half.

"We have to be at it in every single game. We can't turn it on and off.

"We can't have slow possession and then turn speed up like Man City. We have to play at a more dynamic style.

"You do think 'is it going to be our night' after the chances we had but the one thing about the education of players is that you never give up. You just never give up. You go to final whistle.

"But they should have done that from the start, they may have won the game.

"It's a little bit of nervousness for some reason. We had 10 internationals out there and I feel they must show that international experience.

"International players have 15-20 games in a row showing consistency. But we are having a wee bit of inconsistency just now and we need to put that right.

"It's sucker goals we're losing, not in keeping with what I expect in terms of the experience we have back there.

"But they have shown their resilience in other games, like Chelsea in the fantastic win, Wolves in the second half where they rolled up the sleeves and showed great character.

"If we can show more composure throughout, we will be a better team for it."

While McLeish felt mixed-emotions after the slow start and stunning comeback, he was steadfast in his view on Villa's penalty appeal in the second half.

Shaun Derry appeared to handle in the box but referee Neil Swarbrick waved away protests.

McLeish added: "We were unlucky.

"Shaun definitely stopped the ball heading for the top corner.

"I don't know why his hand is up by his face, maybe he was protecting it.

"You weren't allowed to put your hand in front of your stomach or your chest or your face when I played. You have to take it square on and be brave."
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2597116,00.html

BBC - Alistair Magowan
BBC Sport
Aston Villa recovered from two goals down to draw with Queens Park Rangers as Djibril Cisse scored on his debut.
The French striker, who signed for QPR from Lazio on Tuesday, fired in after a blocked Shaun Wright-Phillips shot.
Stephen Warnock scored a bizarre own goal from Taye Taiwo's cross to double the lead, before Darren Bent pulled one back from Alan Hutton's centre.
Villa bossed the second half and grabbed a second when Charles N'Zogbia volleyed in Stiliyan Petrov's cross.
Having spluttered through the first half, Villa were only prevented from completing a superb turnaround by some last-ditch QPR defending.
Tommy Smith denied Darren Bent on the line, while Paddy Kenny was called into action on several occasions as the hosts looked a completely different team after the break.
But with his side having failed to win any of their previous five home games, McLeish will at least be thankful he got a response after the visitors dominated the opening period.
BENT AND CISSE LANDMARKS
Darren Bent's goal was his 100th in the Premier League, the 22nd player to achieve that mark
Cisse's goal means he has scored on his debut for Liverpool, Sunderland and QPR
QPR boss Mark Hughes captured Cisse and Bobby Zamora barely 24 hours before this game. Zamora was unable to feature, and Cisse was only cleared to play an hour before kick-off after paperwork delays from his former club.
But after a firm challenge from Warnock welcoming him back to English football, the 30-year-old former Liverpool striker wasted little time in having an impact on his first game in the Premier League since May 2009.
Jamie Mackie was involved in the build-up and when Wright-Phillips had his shot blocked the ball fell to Cisse, who made no mistake by firing an angled shot into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
With both teams knocked out of the FA Cup at the weekend, this game gave them the opportunity to concentrate on their league form and despite being four places beneath their opponents in the table, it was QPR who started with far more purpose.
Despite featuring debutants Taiwo and Nedum Onuoha, they doubled their lead in fortunate circumstances just before the half hour when Warnock, under no pressure, headed Taiwo's cross past Shay Given into his own net from eight yards.
McLeish was understandably dumbfounded but the goal finally drew a response from the hosts with Richard Dunne's header saved by Kenny, while Robbie Keane's deflected shot hit the bar.
Villa also had a handball claim when N'Zogbia's through ball clipped Mackie's hand, but it was not long before they reduced the deficit.
Keane approached the QPR defence before passing wide to Hutton, and the Scot's low cross was met by Bent for his 10th goal of the season.
The hosts continued in the same vein after the break, with Kenny saving shots from Petrov and Keane, while Ciaran Clark had a very good penalty appeal rejected after his strike cannoned off Shaun Derry's arm.
And by the hour mark the game had turned, with QPR struggling to contain Villa, who were stringing together a series of attacks.
Hughes's side had a great opportunity to restore their two-goal lead against the run of play when, following a corner, Mackie mistimed an attempted shot from Wright-Phillips's low centre with the ball fizzing through his legs.
But that remained an isolated chance for the visitors, and Bent could have drawn Villa level before N'Zogbia made his mark on his return to the side in place of the injured Gabriel Agbonlahor by hitting a sweetly-timed volley to level matters.
That was the cue for the Villa supporters to find their voice and only Tommy Smith's goal-line clearance prevented Bent from grabbing a winner.
QPR were also thankful to debutant Onuhoa who, along with Kenny, was a solid foil in defence as the visitors grabbed a well-earned point.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16714062

QPR Official Site

Aston Villa came from two goals behind to earn a share of the spoils with the R's.

QPR enjoyed the perfect start when Djibril Cisse put the visitors in front just 12 minutes into his Rangers debut.

Stephen Warnock then put through his own net in the 29th minute to double the R's advantage, with Mark Hughes' men appearing to be on their way to back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since December 1995.

Darren Bent, however, reduced the arrears when he struck his 100th Premier League goal on the stroke of half-time - and that shaped how the second period would pan out.

Indeed, Villa dominating proceedings after the break and, after Charles N'Zogbia equalised for the hosts on 79 minutes, they laid siege on the R's goal.

But Rangers held on - that despite four minutes of second-half stoppage time - to earn a point.

Hughes handed debuts to three new signings at Villa Park - and made five changes in total from the team that lined up against Chelsea in the FA Cup last weekend.

Cisse, Nedum Onuoha and Taiwo all began for Rangers, while there were also places in the starting XI for Shaun Derry and Rob Hulse - making his first QPR start since April.

Paddy Kenny was in goal for Rangers, in a now accustomed 4-4-2 formation under Hughes.

Former Villan Luke Young, Onuoha, Anton Ferdinand and Taiwo made up Rangers' back four.

Jamie Mackie and Shaun Wright-Phillips occupied the wide positions in midfield, with skipper Joey Barton and Shaun Derry in the middle.

Cisse was partnered by Hulse in attack.

Ironically, it was 35 years to the day that these two sides met in a semi-final first leg in the 1967 League Cup - a goalless draw at Loftus Road.

The R's, of course, would go on to win that particular competition and Hoops fans will no doubt remember our third round Carling Cup defeat of Villa back in September 2008.

Damion Stewart's second-half header sealed a memorable victory in the Midlands.

This time, it was the bread and butter of the league campaign, but a similar result would have provided a timely tonic for QPR in the battle to beat the drop.

Seven points separated these two prior to kick-off. The R's knew that a win would close the gap on hosts Villa and, with that, increase the distance between themselves and the bottom three.

The conditions were bitter but Rangers made a dream start, taking the lead after only 12 minutes.

Neat interplay in midfield involving Derry and Mackie concluded with the ball finding Wright-Phillips, whose scuffed shot fell into the path of Cisse in the box.

The R's debutant needed no second invitation thereafter, lashing an unstoppable drive into the left-hand corner of the net, leaving Villa keeper Shay Given with no chance.

The home side responded two minutes later, with Bent shooting straight at Kenny from just outside the penalty area.

But Rangers - and Cisse - almost added a second goal under a minute later.

Barton picked up possession down the left-hand channel and, when the Liverpudlian's clip into the box found Cisse at the back post, his downward volley was collected by Given.

Play soon switched to the opposite end, where Ciaran Clark fired an effort into the hands of Kenny, following Stiliyan Petrov's knock-down.

QPR's second goal of the night eventually arrived just short of the half-hour mark - that thanks to helping hand from the home side.

Wright-Phillips found the advancing Taiwo on the left and, when his looping centre fell to Warnock in the box, the Villa defender got his attempted cushioned header back to Given all wrong, diverting the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

Despite going two behind, Villa raised their performance as the half wore on.

Rangers had Kenny to thank for a fine point-blank save from Richard Dunne's header on 33 minutes, following Petrov's corner from the right.

Soon after, Robbie Keane saw an effort from the edge of the box deflect off Derry and crash back off the bar.

Bent then saw a header go just wide after Hutton's centre on 41 minutes - but the England hot-shot didn't spurn his next opportunity, halving the deficit on the stroke of half-time.

Stephen Ireland and Keane combined to free Hutton down the right-hand side of the box, before the Scot's low centre was fired home by Bent.

Villa continued to threaten at the start of the second period.

Kenny was forced into a low stop to block away Petrov's stinging effort on 50 minutes, after the R's failed to clear their lines following a free-kick.

Alex McLeish's side then had strong appeals for a penalty waived away, after Petrov's shot appeared to clatter against the outstretched arm of Derry in the box.

The home side's strong start to the second half saw Rangers chief Hughes take action, with Tommy Smith brought on to replace Hulse.

However, Villa siege continued. Kenny was forced into a superb low save to thwart Keane, before Rangers cleared the danger.

At the other end, Taiwo's low shot from an acute angle was taken at the second attempt by Given, before Mackie somehow swiped at Wright-Phillips' cross-come-shot without connecting from close range.

But the R's were still defending for their lives. Bent was unlucky not to see his header creep in at the right-hand post, following Hutton's centre from the right.

Villa's unrelenting pressure forced Hughes into another substitution in the 73rd minute, with Hogan Ephraim replacing Derry. That also saw QPR adopt a 4-1-4-1 formation.

The change in personnel - and shape - couldn't halt the home side's revival, however, with Villa notching a deserved leveller 11 minutes from time.

Ireland picked out Keane down the right and, when his cross found N'Zogbia at the back post, he drilled a low effort into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

Villa almost struck a winner with seven minutes left on the clock.

Petrov's corner eventually fell to Bent, whose snap-shot was cleared off the line by Smith, before Keane's second effort was blocked away by Mackie for a corner.

N'Zogbia's blast from 20 yards was then tipped away by the diving right arm of Kenny four minutes from time.

Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock, Petrov, Clark (Bannan 70), Ireland, Keane, N'Zogbia, Bent.

Subs: Guzan, Weimann, Baker, Lichaj, Heskey, Gardner.

Goals: Bent (45), N'Zogbia (79)

QPR: Kenny, Derry (Ephraim 73), Mackie, Barton, Young, Hulse (Smith 54), Cisse (Macheda 81), Wright-Phillips, Taiwo, Ferdinand, Onuoha.

Subs: Cerny, Hill, Hall, Ephraim, Balanta.

Goals: Cisse (12), Warnock (OG 29)

Bookings: Young (50)

Referee: Mr N Swarbrick

Attendance: 32,063
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~59504,00.htm