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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

QPR - On This Day: August 28... 1982/83 Championship-Winning Season Begins at Newcastle






-QPR History in Photos: From the 1880s to the 21st Century - The Bushman QPR Photo Archives


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On This Day...: August 28, 1982: QPR's Division 2 Championship-Winning season got under way. (Amazing the season started so late!) Newcastle 1 QPR 0
A few months after being "robbed" of the FA Cup Terry Venables QPR started the season with a 0-1 loss at Kevin Keegan's Newcastle.
The QPR team (with several injuries: No Clive Allen, Glen Roeder, Steve Wicks, Tony Currie): Hucker, Neil, Dawes, Waddock, Hazell, Fenwick, Micklwehite, Stewart, Sealy, Stainrod Gregory. Sub Burke.



Three Years ago...Two last minute goals at Derby...Keeps us unbeaten as Neil Warnock's Army Marches on...

QPR: Kenny, Orr, Hill, Derry (Buzsaky 61), Taarabt (Clarke 70), Helguson (Agyemang 62), Faurlin, Mackie, Gorkss, Connolly, Ephraim.
Subs: Cerny, Leigertwood, Ramage, German.
Goals: Agyemang (90 +1), Mackie (90 +4)

Match Reports
qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=15987




Also on this day:

August 28, 1984: Alan Mullery's first away game for QPR - QPR drew 1-1 at Watford. Gary Bannister scoring for QPR. - Team: Hucke, Neil, Dawes, Stewart, Wicks, Fenwick, Micklewhite, Fillery, Bannister, Stainrod, Gregory.


August 28, 1976: After two losses (0-4 at home to Everton; 0-1 away to West Ham, Dave Sexton's almost Championship winning team from the previous season drew 1-1 at home to Ipswich (Givens and Masson).
The "normal" QPR team except Ron Abbott deputizing for David Webb and Mick Leach wearing Gerry Francis #8 shirt (as Francis missed much of this season through injury).


August 28 1971: QPR drew 1-1 at home to Millwall. Marsh scoring for QPR (The season ended with both teams missing out on promotion: Millwall 3rd and QPR 4th - and with Rodney Marsh gone!)T
Parkes, Clement Gillard, Venables, Hunt, Hazell, Busby, Francis, McCulloch, Marsh, Leach.


August 28, 2000 (QPR's relegation year)- WBA 2 QPR 1


August 28, 1991 - QPR lost 0-1 at Liverpool.


August 28, 1993: West Ham 0 QPR 4: Ferdinand 2, Peacock, Penrice


August 28, 1990 Nott Forest 1 QPR 1



orn on this Day

Day

Ray Jones (RIP) would have been 25 today. Born August 28, 1988


Jamie Cureton, turns 38. Born August 28, 1975


The ex-Norwich/Reading striker was signed by QPR at the end of our Division 2 Promotion race. Unfortunately, at QPR for the most part, it didn't quite work out as many hoped

QPR Record: 20+ 23 as sub - 6 goals (including a hatrick).
Stats - www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=1843

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Historic QPR vs Swindon Programme Covers/Team Line Ups




QPR 8-3 Swindon Town





QPR 4-2 Swindon Town
Goal scorers: Goddard 2, Gofton 2.


QPR 5-1 Swindon Town

Goal Scorers: Cheetham 2, Lowe 2, Abel






QPR 2-1 Swindon Town

Goal Scorers: Bott, Mallett




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Monday, August 26, 2013

QPR On This Day: August 26...QPR Go Top of the League...First Game Back in Division Two...Blackpool Curshed Don Masson Birthday

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   QPR's FIRST Home Game Back in "Division Two" after Fifteen Years in Division Three (and before the Club "Lost" its Apostrophe (How the Apostrophe was Lost)




Springett
Clement Hunt Hazell Larazus
Keen I Morgan
Lazarus Allen Leach R Morgan







Also Second VIDEO - QPR vs Norwich from 1967
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loUnsSXCJ2E


- Birthday for Don Masson


August 26, 1992 - 21 years ago! Coventry 0 QPR 1 - Impey
Gerry Francis's QPR Go Top - The last time QPR topped the First Division/Premiership -
After drawing at Manchester City 1-1 (with Francis kvetching about having another game two days later), QPR then beat Southampton, Sheffield United and Covenntry to head the table. It didnt last! And who would have guessed the future....


44 Years Ago...

August 26, 1969: QPR 6 Blackpool 1
Marsh hattrick; Bridges 2 and Venables.
QPR had 4 wins and a draw from first five games.

(Blackpool ended the season winning promotion; QPR faded)
The following game QPR travelled to Birmingham: Tony Hateley (father of...) made his debut...Destroyed the QPR defense...And Ex-Chelsea Bert Murray got a hatrick...
(Soon to be: Goodbye Ron Hunt (he didnt actually go anywhere) . Hello Vic Mobley.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

QPR ON THIS DAY - August 21...




 August 21, 1965: Brentford 6 QPR 1 (Roger Morgan for QPR) and Les Allen making his QPR Debut - And the Allen family relationship with QPR began (and seems to have ended)

Smith Watson Brady Hazell Langley
R Morgan Sanderson Keen Collins
Allen McAdams
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Additional 1965-66 in Photos (From Bushman Archives)


- Park Ji-sung makes return with Dutch club PSV in Champions League playoff

- Ex-QPR Loanee, Jason Puncheon Set for Crystal Palace Loan


  - Charles Sale/Daily MAIL - QPR in talks over flash new home as they look to become next club to upgrade


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- QPR London Call In with Kiyan Prince's Father and Part-Owner, Ruben Gnanalingam 



Express and Star - Trialist Hogan Ephraim awaits Wolves verdict





37 years ago, August 21, 1976: Three months after having our League Championship stolen from us...

QPR started the season at home to Everton (who'd we crushed the previous season 5-0)

QPR 0 Everton 4  :'( - And knew wouldn't be a repeat of the previous season

Asides from Webb and Francis, it was the "regular" Championship-winning (almost) 11


15 Year Flashback QPR Official Site

QUASHIE JOINS FOREST!!


RANGERS and Nottingham Forest have agreed a £3 million fee for the sale of Nigel Quashie to the City Ground.

Quashie is currently in Nottingham discussing the transfer. We'll bring you more news later today, when we hope to speak to the QPR management about the transfer.


QPR Official Site - HARFORD ON QUASHIE MOVE

NIGEL QUASHIE has moved from Rangers to Nottingham Forest in a £3 million transfer.

Quashie came up through the youth team ranks at Rangers, signing professional in September 1995. He made his first team debut three months later away to Manchester United. In January 1996, he became the second youngest player ever to score in the FA Cup (proper rounds) when he netted at Tranmere.

Nigel went on to make 62 league and cup appearances for Rangers, scoring five goals. He also represented England under-21’s and England ‘B’.

Rangers boss Ray Harford says:"Obviously, we’re very disappointed to lose Nigel. But we live in a real world and you have to be realistic. Nottingham Forest made an offer and the bid was accepted. So it’s my job to find replacements - from in house, if possible."

"I would stress that the club are not lacking in ambition. And I’m certainly not lacking in ambition. We want to be as successful as we possibly can. We’re hoping to have a good season."


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

#QPR On This Day

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1966-67 in Photos (Bushman Archives)




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- Ref on Saturday vs Bolton: James Adcock-

- On This Day in 1970: Bobby Moore Cleared in Bogota

- The Guardian: Revealed: The Premier League reaches an all-time low of English players• Two-thirds of Premier League players now foreign nationals • Only 12 Englishmen bought by top-flight clubs this summer





15 years ago today on the Official Site - August 20, 1998


QPR Official Site PLANS FOR THE FUTURE OUTLINED

LOFTUS ROAD Plc's new chief executive Simon Crane has some dynamic thoughts about the future of the club.

Rangers are committed to returning to the Premiership and there is also the possibility of a new stadium in the future.

Simon says: "The biggest thing I�ve learnt so far is that it is going to take a substantive collective effort as we go through the challenges that face us over the next few years.

"We need to take a vision as to where we as a club and as a business are going in the future. Certainly the first big barrier that I need to knock aside is in establishing that vision, collectively involving other stakeholders. Key stakeholders are the fans of both Queens Park Rangers and Wasps.

"Then we need to put into place an action plan. This will be with the help of the very able people that I�ve discovered are already employed by this company. Our plan will cover the steps we are going to take to get to where we want to be.

"What I would say to interested parties is...We are going to get to where we want to be. It�s going to be a slow process. Some big decisions need to be taken along the way. But, and I�ll say it again, we are going to get to where we are going to go.


Six year Flashback

As Nick De Marco, Kevin Steele and James Ferrary resigned prior to the takeover. They were all "interesting" Board appointments

QPR Holdings Board of Directors Resigns as Preparatory Step to Takeover
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QPR Official Site - BOARD CHANGES
Posted on: Mon 20 Aug 2007


The Board of Directors of QPR Holdings Ltd have tendered their resignations with immediate effect ahead of potential new investment.
Speaking to www.qpr.co.uk earlier today, out-going Board members Nick De Marco, James Ferrary and Kevin Steele issued the following statement.
"We are delighted to be able to tender our resignations from the Board of Queens Park Rangers Football Club in order to assist in the changes set to take place this week.
We believe the new investment coming into the Club will be the most important for years; will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in over the past years; and should put the Club in an excellent position to move forward.
We would like to thank Gianni Paladini in particular for attracting this important new investment and we are delighted he will stay on as Chairman of the Club. Gianni has had a difficult job keeping the Club going but he has pulled off a master-stroke in bringing in this new investment.
We are also deeply grateful to Antonio Caliendo and Franco Zanotti for both financing the Club over the past years and for the terms upon which they have agreed to assist with the new investment.

We are certain the new investors and the new board will get behind John Gregory and give him the support he needs. We are also positive that the fans can get behind a new board and continue in their loyal and unrivalled support for the team.
It has been an honour for all of us to serve this great Club, and we are grateful to all the staff and supporters we have had the pleasure to work with."
*The Club will be making no further comment at this stage.

qprreport.blogspot.com/2007/08/qpr-holdings-board-of-directors-resigns.html

And the Press:

TIMES ONLINE August 20, 2007
QPR board resigns ahead of takeover

Times Online and Agencies

The board of directors at Queens Park Rangers have resigned from their posts with immediate effect ahead of potential new investment in the club.
Flavio Briatore, the Renault Formula One team boss, has been widely tipped to complete a �22 million takeover at Loftus Road this week.
The outgoing board members of QPR Holdings Ltd Nick De Marco, James Ferrary and Kevin Steele issued a statement saying: "We believe the new investment coming into the club will be the most important for years. It will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in and should put the club in an excellent position to move forward.
"We would like to thank Gianni Paladini in particular for attracting this important new investment and we are delighted he will stay on as chairman of the club.
The Times

PA Sports - BOARD RESIGN AT QPR

The board of directors of QPR Holdings Ltd have resigned from their posts with immediate effect ahead of potential new investment.
Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore has been widely tipped to complete a �22million takeover of the Championship club this week. And ahead of the expected announcement, outgoing board members Nick De Marco, James Ferrary and Kevin Steele issued a statement on the club�s official website.
"We believe the new investment coming into the club will be the most important for years. It will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in and should put the club in an excellent position to move forward," read the statement. PA Sports

BBC - QPR move step closer to takeover

Briatore may be set to be part of the QPR takeover
QPR's board of directors have resigned ahead of an expected takeover by a group that includes Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore.
It comes after major shareholder Antonio Caliendo and his backers agreed to sell their stake in the club.

Gianni Paladini will stay on as chairman, but James Steele, Nick De Marco and James Ferrary are leaving.

"The new investment will be the most important for years," said a statement from the trio of ex-board members.

The statement continued: "It will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in and should put the club in an excellent position to move forward.

"We would like to thank Gianni Paladini in particular for attracting this important new investment and we are delighted he will stay on as chairman of the club.

"We are certain the new investors and the new board will get behind manager John Gregory and give him the support he needs." BBC
qprreport.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html

Six year Flashback

As Nick De Marco, Kevin Steele and James Ferrary resigned prior to the takeover. They were all "interesting" Board appointments

QPR Holdings Board of Directors Resigns as Preparatory Step to Takeover
-
QPR Official Site - BOARD CHANGES
Posted on: Mon 20 Aug 2007


The Board of Directors of QPR Holdings Ltd have tendered their resignations with immediate effect ahead of potential new investment.
Speaking to www.qpr.co.uk earlier today, out-going Board members Nick De Marco, James Ferrary and Kevin Steele issued the following statement.
"We are delighted to be able to tender our resignations from the Board of Queens Park Rangers Football Club in order to assist in the changes set to take place this week.
We believe the new investment coming into the Club will be the most important for years; will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in over the past years; and should put the Club in an excellent position to move forward.
We would like to thank Gianni Paladini in particular for attracting this important new investment and we are delighted he will stay on as Chairman of the Club. Gianni has had a difficult job keeping the Club going but he has pulled off a master-stroke in bringing in this new investment.
We are also deeply grateful to Antonio Caliendo and Franco Zanotti for both financing the Club over the past years and for the terms upon which they have agreed to assist with the new investment.

We are certain the new investors and the new board will get behind John Gregory and give him the support he needs. We are also positive that the fans can get behind a new board and continue in their loyal and unrivalled support for the team.
It has been an honour for all of us to serve this great Club, and we are grateful to all the staff and supporters we have had the pleasure to work with."
*The Club will be making no further comment at this stage.

qprreport.blogspot.com/2007/08/qpr-holdings-board-of-directors-resigns.html

And the Press:

TIMES ONLINE August 20, 2007
QPR board resigns ahead of takeover

Times Online and Agencies

The board of directors at Queens Park Rangers have resigned from their posts with immediate effect ahead of potential new investment in the club.
Flavio Briatore, the Renault Formula One team boss, has been widely tipped to complete a �22 million takeover at Loftus Road this week.
The outgoing board members of QPR Holdings Ltd Nick De Marco, James Ferrary and Kevin Steele issued a statement saying: "We believe the new investment coming into the club will be the most important for years. It will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in and should put the club in an excellent position to move forward.
"We would like to thank Gianni Paladini in particular for attracting this important new investment and we are delighted he will stay on as chairman of the club.
The Times

PA Sports - BOARD RESIGN AT QPR

The board of directors of QPR Holdings Ltd have resigned from their posts with immediate effect ahead of potential new investment.
Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore has been widely tipped to complete a �22million takeover of the Championship club this week. And ahead of the expected announcement, outgoing board members Nick De Marco, James Ferrary and Kevin Steele issued a statement on the club�s official website.
"We believe the new investment coming into the club will be the most important for years. It will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in and should put the club in an excellent position to move forward," read the statement. PA Sports

BBC - QPR move step closer to takeover

Briatore may be set to be part of the QPR takeover
QPR's board of directors have resigned ahead of an expected takeover by a group that includes Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore.
It comes after major shareholder Antonio Caliendo and his backers agreed to sell their stake in the club.

Gianni Paladini will stay on as chairman, but James Steele, Nick De Marco and James Ferrary are leaving.

"The new investment will be the most important for years," said a statement from the trio of ex-board members.

The statement continued: "It will save QPR from the perilous financial position we have found ourselves in and should put the club in an excellent position to move forward.

"We would like to thank Gianni Paladini in particular for attracting this important new investment and we are delighted he will stay on as chairman of the club.

"We are certain the new investors and the new board will get behind manager John Gregory and give him the support he needs." BBC
qprreport.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html



QPR started at home to Shrewsbury and drew 2-2: Les Allen and Rodney Marsh - 6,343 were there.

Springett
Watson Sibley Hunt Hazell
Lazarus Collins, Keen, Rorger Morgan
Allen Marsh


Other On This Day Results -


On this day in 1962 (NOT the opening game) QPR 5 Halifax 0



19 Years Ago Today, Kevin Gallen made his QPR Debut on Opening Day at Manchester United (QPR Lost 0-2)


36 Years ago: August 20, 1977 - QPR, with Frank Sibley having replaced Dave Sexton as QPR Manager - at age 29...Kicked off at Loftus Road against Aston Villa.
QPR Lost 2-1. I think Dave Needham and Bryan Williams making their QPR debuts


And Two Years ago: Everton 0 QPR 1

Match Reports & Comments (and Photos)
qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=25510

Queens Park Rangers
01 Kenny
02 Orr
05 Hall Booked
06 Gabbidon
16 Connolly
04 Derry
07 Taarabt
11 Faurlin
14 Buzsaky
19 Agyemang (Bothroyd - 55' )
21 Smith (Ephraim - 66' )

Substitutes
26 Murphy
13 Gorkss
15 Perone
23 Moen
25 Ephraim
36 Andrade
10 Bothroyd

Read more: http://qprreport.proboards.com/thread/15789/1966-season-gallen-debut-bthdays#ixzz2cVlOMpcS


BIRTHDAYS

Former Manager, Stewart Houston Turns 64 - Born August 20, 1949.

Houston was appointed QPR Manager in 1996 (instead of Venables, Graham or a real possibility, Alan Curbishley). Took over from Ray Wilkins and was QPR Manager for just over a year, forming a partnership with Bruce Rioch.
Among the players he signed for QPR: John Spencer, Gavin Peacoc-k, Matt Rose, Steve Morrow, Lee Harper and Mike Sheron.
- Houston/Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Houston

Stewart Houston's QPR managerial career
Team From To Games Won Lost Drawn
QPR 16-09-1996 10-11-1997 63 25 23 15
www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=1161



Lee Charles Turns 42 - Born August 20, 1971...
Charles was signed by Ray Wilkins from non-League. Charles made a few appearances in QPR's relegation season and the following season, before moving on to Barnet.

Lee Charles Profiled/Interviewed
Q: ".... What is the most memorable moment of your career?
A: Signing for QPR. As a kid I always supported Liverpool but my best mate's granddad used to be chief steward at QPR. Signing pro was what I always wanted to do.


Thursday, August 15, 2013

QPR Report: An Ipswich Town Fan Perspective of Ipswich and QPR - On and Off the Field

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- See Additional Past QPR vs Ipswich Photos/Programmes - From the Bushman Archives





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- QPR's Greatest Captain




FLASHBACKS:

- 26 Years Ago Today: QPR Win Season Opener at West Ham, with Paul Parker, Mark Dennis, Kevin Brock and Dean Coney Making their QPR Debuts

- 43 Years Ago: Frank Saul Makes his QPR Debut (and Ex-QPR Mike Kelly makes his Debut for Birmingham City) as Birmingham Win Season Opener vs QPR

- Birthday Today for Georges Santos - First Signing Ian Holloway Made after Winning Promotion out of "Division III")

- Flashback Six Years: Former QPR Chairman Bill Power Speaks Out and Poses Questions About QPR Takeover Developments-


- Ex-QPR Youth Goalie, Liam O'Brien Trialing with Brentford

- 45 Years ago Yesterday: QPR's First-Ever Away Game in Division I

- Four QPR Birthdays Yesterday: Karl Ready, Martin Allen, Andy King, Dave Metchick



- Why Soccer (Football!) Teams Score Fewer Goals than 100 Years Ago
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NEXT: IPSWICH TOWN

2 1/2 Years ago, Ipswich Town Fan (and at the time, Ipswich Town Rivals editor) Darren Campbell very kindly gave his view of Ipswich and QPR....Now no longer editor of the website, but still very much an Ipswich Town Fan, Darren Campbell offers his updated perspective. Many thanks to Darren (and good luck to Ipswich - after Saturday's game)


Q and A With Ipswich Town Fan, Darren Campbell

Do Ipswich have one (or two) special rivals? Is it an equal two-way rivalry? (I'm assuming it's Norwich. And that Colchester don't factor in)

Norwich City is the big one (the ‘Old Farm’ Derby, as some call it) though we haven’t had the opportunity to play each other in the past couple of years owing to the regretful situation that the ‘Budgies’ are in the top flight nowadays. It’s probably just as well, given our last two games against them in the 2010/11 season saw us get tonked 4-1 away and 5-1 at home! Some have been hoping Norwich will come back down soon, though I’m not one of them; I’d rather see us both in the Premier League gaining more exposure for what in my experience has always been an entertaining derby. Having said that, I wouldn’t want the exposure if it turned out like those last couple of meetings!

Colchester United and Southend United are also considered ‘East Anglian’ rivals of sorts, but they don’t have the same ferocity because historically we haven’t spent long enough in the same league. Usually the only time we play them nowadays is in regular pre-season friendlies, though we were all in the Championship together for one season back in 2006/07. I think Colchester fans take their rivalry with us more seriously than we do – they certainly enjoyed beating us in the league that year.

In recent years, the regional media has also sought to build up a bit of rivalry between us and Peterborough United. Even though it’s over 80 miles from our ground to theirs, they have been one of the shortest trips for us outside of London in recent seasons and we have had to play them in both league and cup on several occasions over the past few years. It’s been spiced up a bit by the fact that we’ve often been battling with them against relegation recently, plus we’re still hurting a bit from the embarrassment of when they spanked our nine men 7-1 at London Road two years ago, live on Sky TV! Not something we’ll have to worry about this season though.

What do you think of your current manager? What did you think of his predecessors?

Quite possibly the most qualified manager to take up the Ipswich Town job for a long time. Beyond a few complaints about his playing style or areas we may still be needing improvement, you won’t hear many Town fans have a bad word to say about Mick McCarthy.

In case you’re not aware of what has happened at Portman Road in the last couple of years since we last played you, here’s a summary: Ipswich’s last trip to Loftus Road came shortly after Paul Jewell had taken over from Roy Keane. Keane’s reign had pretty much been 20 months of misery before he was sacked midway through the 2010/11 season with us worrying about relegation, but Jewell steadied the ship significantly for the second half of that campaign. I was there at Loftus Road when we lost to you on a cold Tuesday evening in February while you marched towards the title, but I felt we held our own pretty well for the vast majority of that game and there was no shame in the defeat.

Hopes were high that we would subsequently flourish under Jewell’s leadership, especially after a summer in which we brought in plenty of new faces, the likes of Michael Chopra, Jimmy Bullard and Lee Bowyer among them. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a false dawn. Despite being in the playoff places at one stage in October, 2011/12 quickly descended into another relegation battle. Defensive frailties were the hallmark of Jewell’s time at Town as big defeats – like the aforementioned thumping at Peterborough – became a regular occurrence, while the big name signings never delivered. (Chopra indeed was probably the worst of them, bringing us significant off-field troubles and without scoring enough on the pitch to make up for it. Plenty of fans were happy to see him booted off to Blackpool this summer.) When we subsequently started the 2012/13 season still shipping goals like nobody's business and with just one win from our first 13 matches, Jewell left the club in late October with us 5pts adrift at the bottom of the league.

Given that we only had 7pts after almost a third of the season had gone, I think our fans are still feeling something of a sense of amazement that we didn't end up getting relegated last year. But that's testament to what McCarthy then achieved. Within a month, he'd sorted out our defence completely with a much more organised style of play, and for a team that had the worst defence in the division under Jewell, we went on a run of 10 clean sheets in 14 matches between February and April. Mick not only kept us up, but having won 53pts from his 33 matches in charge, it's an oft-quoted statistic that if the season had started when he was appointed on 1st November, Ipswich would have finished sixth. An unbelievable achievement for a team that looked relegation certainties six months earlier.

It seems that FFP has us in a bit of a stranglehold at the minute (probably in no small part to all the money Keane threw away while he was in charge a few years back), so McCarthy's not had much cash to play with in the transfer market this summer. But he's a canny old dog, Mick. He's brought in nine permanent signings this summer - with experienced Premiership and Championship players like Christophe Berra, Jay Tabb, David McGoldrick and Paul Anderson among them - and he's only spent £50,000. Only time will tell whether we can actually succeed with such minimal investment, but right now, there's something very refreshing about our team spirit at present and the honest, hard-working ethic McCarthy has introduced back into our team, and we're keeping our fingers crossed that we could yet reap some fair rewards from it.

What do you think of the current Ipswich Owners? WHY are they involved with Ipswich? (Ipswich have a strong reputation for board and managerial stability and dignity). What do you expect? Could they realistically have done more to boost your chances?

Since we last spoke, the chief executive Simon Clegg has left the club, and I don't think there were many fans who were sorry to see him go. But the jury's still out on our secretive owner Marcus Evans. You'll find fans who think he's a tight-fisted guy who knows nothing about football and hasn't backed our last couple of managers since he was 'bitten' by Keane's excessive spending in 2009, but then you'll find those who are still exceedingly grateful that he continues to bankroll the club (with debts now owed to him of £72m, so I hear) and are just glad he's not like Steve Morgan or Venkys. To his credit - and to Clegg's - after making two poor appointments in Keane and Jewell, I think they finally got it right with McCarthy.

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

Ask the Town fans and you'll get a mixed reaction on this one. I personally think we're not treated that badly and that the club does a lot to reach out to the community - after all, we have historically always been a family club. But there are some who feel that the club has become too business-like and is losing its family touch. 

There's a lot of bitterness around about our current ticket prices too. Paying £30 or above in most areas per match is a joke when we've not finished above 13th in the Championship for four years now, and I still get embarrassed when I hear of how shocked away fans are when they see how much they have to pay to sit in the not-so-plush Cobbold Stand. I hear our upper band season tickets are among the most expensive in the country too.

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

We're still learning about our new squad at the minute, but there are a few players who are making an impression already. David McGoldrick is probably our main attacking threat nowadays - he's got some neat skills and creativity, but I don't think we're giving him the service he needs at the moment. Our backline of Aaron Cresswell, Luke Chambers, Tommy Smith and Elliott Hewitt (average age 23) is pretty much the same foursome that kept so many clean sheets in the second half of last season - albeit with teenager Hewitt replacing loanee Richard Stearman - and there's high hopes they can star again. Keep your eyes out for Paul Anderson and Cole Skuse in midfield too - the former is capable of whipping in a dangerous ball, and the latter controlled the middle of the park against Millwall last weekend.

Prediction for season promotion/relegation places
     
I think most fans are probably making the same predictions at the moment - yourselves, Reading and Wigan all to finish highly as the relegated trio, while the likes of Watford, Bolton and Nottingham Forest figure highly in many people's expectations. I'd be wary of Leicester too, and it's not beyond Leeds to mount a challenge this year. Fingers crossed Ipswich can have a go, but I think the realist in me can't possibly expect us to finish any higher than about 10th.

As for relegation, Barnsley have been knocking on the door for most of the last decade and somehow keep getting away with it, but surely their luck will run out soon. I worry for Millwall too - Steve Lomas has signed plenty of experienced heads this summer but they've looked pretty poor so far this season and I'm not sure whether they can find their feet quickly enough this season after losing Kenny Jackett. Yeovil have got it all to do to prove they can survive at this level as well, though I wouldn't put it past them to surprise plenty of people.

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

What other Town fans might think of QPR is something I can only speculate on. From my point of view however, I think your club is in a real state of flux at the minute and this could be a very important season. Considering the scale of investment over your two years in the top flight and bringing in an experienced head like Harry, you didn't seem to learn anything from your close shave in 2011/12. Your title win in 2010/11 was impressive (though probably overdue given the investment and managerial merry-go-round at Loftus Road for several years prior), but I suspect you will find it harder going this season. Your stay in the top flight didn't do much to suggest you truly belonged there, but if you believe you do, it's up to your lads to prove that they don't actually belong down in the Championship any more.

Are you looking forward to playing QPR?

The fixture list has thrown up a pretty tough start for us this season, because we started away at Reading, we have the trip to your place this weekend and then we're off to Wigan in September! I think most fans have been looking forward to it though because it feels like our squad is up to the challenge - they played well in the first half at the Madejski and were a bit unlucky to lose in the way that we did (via an own goal and a deflection), so it will be interesting to see how we cope with the test of travelling to Loftus Road. Sadly I won't be there this time though.

SCORE PREDICTION for QPR vs Ipswich?

I think most of us Town fans would take a draw, but I suspect it could end up like it did last time we visited, so I'll say 2-0 QPR and hope that I'm wrong.

Where, realistically, do you think Ipswich will be in five years time?

To be honest, I reckon we'll be in the Championship, though whether we'll have had a short spell in the top flight by then, I couldn't possibly predict. Frankly we just want to see some progress for the immediate future - we've had five years of going nowhere, so as long as it's not another five years of that, or worse, then right now I won't be too disappointed! now I won't be too disappointed!


Again profound thanks to Ipswich's Darren Campbell!





Saturday, July 6, 2013

Chairman Tony Fernandes Speaks about QPR: Lessons Learnt

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Follow QPR REPORT on TWITTER!




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- Samba Officially Gone


THE CHAIRMAN TWEETS
  QPR Chairman Tony Fernandes returned last night to the  Twittersphere to speak on the subject of QPR: On lessons learnt Among other things the Chairman spoke about how things now are going to be very different at the club; and that the club is going to very careful about the players that are signed by the QPR. In addition the Chairman himself will be taking a personal, hands-on role regarding player fining!
 
  In a series of tweets, The Chairman declared:


 " Few have gone. Few more to go. Targets Identified. Discipline key for both is season. No more messing"

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 "Learnt a lot last year. We will not have players who don't fit our culture. And very very careful who we bring in to QPR."

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In a strange strange way relegation is going to make us a much much better club."
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"Lots and lots of work to do. But boy we have done our homework. Really prepared. Stadium and training ground on the way."
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Players and agents are going to see a very different Tony Fernandes. Those who are committed honest and loyal will see the same."
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"I will be in charge of player fining system. 4 already fined. No one no one will take us for a ride anymore. Patience is over."

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 "The fans come first. I owe it to the fans. We will not let you down. I will leave no stone unturned to ensure that your pride returns as a QPR fan."
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 "Thank you to all Ranger fans. Season tickets at a record high. We all appreciate it and I shall make sure all involved in qpr ensure you get your moneys worth."
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   QPR Fans have of course heard many things from a series of Chairmen (including the present one). They will be watching and hoping that these commitments are kept; that words do in fact become deeds; and that "the new QPR" returns to becoming the QPR that many of us remember.  Onwards and Upwards!