"This one doesn't boast the history, tradition, passion... the sheer rivalry of Tottenham against Arsenal." ======================= Come on mate, no-one can argue about that! In fact I see Fulham as a bit like Brentford, just they got Fayed and the other got Noades!
Yeah, thatâs fair enough Northy, QPR and Fulham are of course much smaller and relatively less successful clubs than Arsenal and Spurs, plus theyâve not been in the same league as each other that often, so any rivalry is bound to be on a much smaller scale ⦠But he almost sounds annoyed to be having to talk about it at all! Clearly heâd rather be writing a piece about the big boys from North London, but someone above at MOTD has lumbered him with the âotherâ London derby, and heâs clearly pretty miffed about it. Itâs supposedly a report about Fulham v QPR, so why even mention Arsenal and Spurs at all?
Agreed with the above. Its almost ridiculing. It isn't as big a derby, but why the **** write about that? Terrible journalism
THE MIKE NORMAN COLUMN FULHAM v QPR: TIPSTER ON TOP FORM Mike Norman: 30 September 2011 After six out of six winning selections the previous week and a 3.6 winning nap last week Mike Norman's form is not in question... It's not very often - because Betfair layers know their stuff - I glance at a market and believe the odds are wrong, but in this instance I think they are. I could be completely wrong of course but my tissue had Fulham at 2.4 and QPR at 3.2, so to see the away side available to back at 4.2 and the home side available to lay at 2.04 looks too good an opportunity to miss. Article continues below... I don't have any stats to back up my hunch but I just don't like clubs that have played away in Europe a few days before, and although Fulham won quite easily in Denmark, Martin Jol did field a pretty strong side similar to the one he'll field in this fixture. And as Opta point out, the stats are very much in our favour. Fulham have won none of their last nine London derbies in the Premier League and they've failed to win any of their last seven league games, drawing their last three. The only thing that dampens my enthusiasm for an away victory is Fulham's record on home soil. The Cottagers have lost just one of their last 12 league games at home but they have drawn five of them including all three this season. I just can't get away from QPR though at the odds, and it adds further confidence when I read Opta stating the Fulham have already failed to score in a game on six occasions this season (all competitions). Match Odds: Fulham v QPR, KO: 15:00 (Sunday), Match Odds: Fulham 2.02, QPR 4.2, The Draw 3.5 Recommended Bets: Best Bet: Back QPR @ 4.2 to beat Fulham Lay Fulham @ 2.04 to beat QPR
Posted on: Fri 30 Sep 2011 It's a case of 'friends reunited' for Heidar Helguson this weekend, as the Icelandic front-man prepares for a return to his former side Fulham on Sunday. Helguson, of course, enjoyed a two-year spell with the Cottagers between 2005 and 2007, where the 34 year-old scored 11 goals in 31 league starts. Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk ahead of the weekend, Helguson said: "It promises to be a great game - our first London derby in the Premier League for over 15 years and we're going to enjoy it. "I had two fantastic years at Fulham. They've done really well and kicked on since they saved themselves from relegation on the final day of the season a few years ago. "It'll be a tough game for us but one that I'm sure will be entertaining. Both teams will be going out to win." Helguson came on as a 79th-minute substitute in our 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last weekend, with his cross leading to Richard Dunne's late, late own goal. It was the striker's first appearance for the R's since our opening day defeat to Bolton, with a mixture of injury and new arrivals keeping Helguson out of the starting XI. He added: "It feels great to be involved again - you want to play games and you want to be a part of it. "We've done really well since the opening day. All the new faces have raised the expectation levels, but I think that we'll do well. "I'm ready and hoping to be involved in some capacity on Sunday." This weekend's West London derby will be the first of two in October, with Chelsea also set to visit Loftus Road later in the month, and Helguson continued: "These are always great fixtures for the fans. "It's all about the bragging rights and these are the types of games that we've got to look forward to."
Me neither I'm afraid, but fancy Adel to stick a couple away Sunday. His luck has gotta change soon and away at the Cottage feels like the moment.
i must say that without Traore at left back we will lose a bit of pace. with Zamora and AJ back for them i see it being a hard day for our defence. Would take a draw now.
DANNY MURPHY: WE SHOULD HAVE GOT ADEL TAARABT Adel Taarabt can destroy defences Saturday October 1,2011 HE wanted him as a team-mate at Fulham, but instead Danny Murphy will have to stop Adel Taarabt from punching holes in their defence tomorrow. Fulham captain Murphy trained with Taarabt when the pair were at Tottenham and liked what he saw. Taarabt has yet to score this season and rediscover the explosive form of last season that brought him 19 goals and carried Queens Park Rangers to the Premier League, but Murphy knows he remains a class act. “I knew him at Tottenham where he had a superb temperament,” said Murphy. “If he got kicked, he never moaned. He had a strong mentality and he’s reaping his rewards now, so he’s probably destined for bigger and better things. “A couple of years ago I actually said to our gaffer then, Roy Hodgson, to get him, even if it was on loan, because I thought he was an unbelievable talent when he was at Spurs. “We’ve got to deal with him on Sunday, so we’ll have to be careful.” I thought he was an unbelievable talent when he was at Spurs. Danny Murphy Taarabt, 22, has lost the QPR captaincy to Joey Barton and, given his supposedly volatile nature, many expected the Moroccan to react badly to Neil Warnock’s decision. So far, no fireworks and Murphy thinks the decision may be a blessing. “Adel is one of these guys who just loves playing,” he said. “Giving him the captaincy was maybe something to keep him at QPR last year when everybody wanted him. “It might go the other way and free him up a little as he won’t have as much responsibility. I know Joey and he’s actually all right. He’s a leader who gets people going and it’s going well for him and the team so far. “He plays with passion and sometimes gets a bit carried away, but we’re all guilty of that. I’m looking forward to another tussle with him too.” Taarabt is one of only four of the Championship-winning side to feature regularly since Tony Fernandes’s takeover of the club and the raft of new signings that followed. Murphy has sympathy for those missing out. “I feel a little bit for the lads who got them up because I don’t think many of them are in the team,” he said. “I think Neil Warnock had to do it because, on the opening day, they were beaten 4-0 at home by Bolton. “But they’ve made some astute signings, including Barton and Luke Young, but Shaun Wright-Phillips maybe being the most important because he can switch defence into attack so quickly. He’s a massive danger.” Fulham go into the match as the only Premier League club without a victory and possibly without their Europa League hero Andy Johnson. But striker Bobby Zamora is set to return following a virus. Johnson, 30, scored both goals in the 2-0 victory in Odense on Thursday and is in negotiations with the club over a new contract. Murphy thinks the goals and his general attitude can only help his case in those talks. “I’m pleased for AJ because he hasn’t played too much recently. And to score two goals will do him the world of good and give him confidence going into the next few weeks,” he said."
DERBY DAY TRAVEL NOTICE Posted on: Sat 01 Oct 2011 Supporters heading to Craven Cottage on Sunday for the West London derby between Fulham and QPR should be aware of the following closures and disruptions across the tube and rail network this weekend. Circle Line: No service this weekend. District Line: No service between Edgware Road and High Street Kensington and no service between Putney Bridge and Wimbledon. Hammersmith & City Line: No service between Royal Oak and Baker Street. Jubilee Line: No service between West Hampstead and Stanmore. Replacement buses operate. Metropolitan Line: No service between Aldgate and Uxbridge. Replacement bus services operate. Chiltern Railways will operate additional trains between Marylebone and Harrow-on-the-Hill. Northern Line: No service between Camden Town and Kennington via Bank. Piccadilly Line: No service between South Harrow and Uxbridge. Victoria Line: (Until 12pm on Sunday) Suspended between Victoria and Brixton due to planned engineering works. Replacement buses operate. DLR: No service between Bank / Tower Gateway and Poplar/West India Quay. A replacement bus operates. Overground: No service between Highbury & Islington and New Cross/New Cross Gate. Use local buses. Also, no service between Sydenham and Crystal Palace. Replacement buses operate. iReader
Neil Warnock says he's 'really looking forward' to Sunday's short trip to Fulham - QPR's first West London derby for over seven years. The R's last came against Brentford back in February 2004, while Rangers haven't faced Fulham in league competition for over 10 years. Speaking to www.qpr.co.uk ahead of the weekend - and the first-ever Premier League clash between these two sides - Warnock said: "I'm really looking forward to it. "I've definitely never been to Fulham with a team like this. "Craven Cottage is similar to Loftus Road - it's got great character. "A local reporter reminded me that I've played at the Cottage four times as a player and four times as a Manager - and never won! "I've always enjoyed going there but I never gave my record a thought until I was reminded!" He added: "I don't think that's a bad thing - last year we broke one or two bad omens. "You've got to look at the positives and it's not something that I'll be thinking about. "All I can concentrate on is us performing and, with the way that we are, I can't see us not." Fulham picked up a credible 2-0 victory at Danish side Odense in the Europa League in midweek, with Andy Johnson bagging a brace for the Cottagers. On the subject of Martin Jol's charges, Warnock said: "I think it'll be a cracking game, because Fulham are a good team who are in a false league position. "That was evident on Thursday night, when they went to a difficult place, kept a clean sheet and scored two good goals through Andy Johnson. "They've got a good squad and they'll be desperate to get a win over us. But likewise, I'm sure our fans will be looking forward to it." Indeed, close to 3,000 R's fans are set to make the short journey to the Cottage on Sunday. Warnock continued: "Derbies are fabulous for the supporters." "The lads have told me how important this one will be to the fans, but they all are to us. "I won't change my way just because it's a derby, but I'm looking forward to it."
Great! Thanks Northolt, more of the same today though I reckon their back 4 will be a bit stronger than that lot!
Underdogs QPR can shock Fulham, says Warnock [email protected] Saturday, October 1, 2011 1:00 PM Rs boss believes his side can upset all their London rivals, starting with their trip to the Cottage Neil Warnock insists that QPR go into Sunday’s derby against Fulham as underdogs – but believes there is enough quality in his side this season to pull off some shock results against all of their London rivals. Rangers head to Craven Cottage having not even scored a goal in their last four games against Fulham, while Warnock has suffered a dismal personal record, losing all six visits to the ground as player and manager. But the Rs boss believes that all the pressure will be on Martin Jol’s men, who are yet to win in the league this season, and on Chelsea, who will travel to Loftus Road for another crunch derby clash on October 27. “I like Fulham, I think the ground is very good; it’s like Loftus Road. I don’t think I’ve ever won there, but I don’t think that’s bad really, I can remember a lot of clubs like that,” said Warnock. “Last year we broke one or two bad omens. It’s a different ball game, I’ve definitely never been to Fulham with a team like this, so I’ve got to go and look at the positive side. “I think it’ll be a good game because Fulham are a good team, they’re in a false position as well. They’ve got a good squad, and they’ll be desperate to get a win over us. Likewise, I’m sure our fans are looking forward to it. “Chelsea coming up as well, it’s fabulous for the supporters to have local derbies like that in London. “I’m really looking forward to them, I know they’re difficult games, but we’re going in as underdogs, irrespective of league tables, we go into both games as underdogs and we’re actually looking forward to that. “Most of the games I don’t think people will be expecting anything, but I think the opportunity is there for everyone to ruffle a few feathers. We can take points off all the London clubs, but I don’t think anybody will be shocked if we don’t take any points off them.” Warnock also admitted that his side have been short of goals this season, particularly at home, where Richard Dunne’s own goal against Aston Villa the only time the ball has ended in the opposition net this season. “We have to look at trying to score more goals, especially at home,” added Warnock. “I’m quite happy away from home, because we should have won all three games. But teams come to our place and they’re quite happy to try to shut up shop, so maybe we need to have a little bit more to unlock the door.” Follow Ian Cooper on Twitter @QPRTimes
QPR and Fulham gear up for first ever top-flight meeting Ian Cooper Saturday, October 1, 2011 12:00 PM Preview: Fulham v QPR The last time QPR scored a league goal against Fulham, 35-year-old Neil Warnock was fresh out of his playing career, and in charge of non-league Burton Albion. While there have been enough encounters between QPR and Chelsea over the years to keep that rivalry simmering, Rangers have had precious few chances to renew their other west London duel, against their neighbours from the banks of the Thames. This is, in fact, the first ever time the two sides will meet in English football’s top flight. Since that last QPR goal, in a 3-1 win at Loftus Road in May 1983, the clubs met four times in the old Division One, with Fulham winning three and the fourth ending in a 0-0 draw. The last encounter, in March 2001, ended in a 2-0 win for Fulham at Craven Cottage, in a season which ended with Fulham winning promotion to the Premiership, and QPR suffering relegation to Division Two – and hurtling towards administration. Ten years on, both clubs have achieved far more than they could have hoped, with Fulham establishing themselves as top-flight mainstays, and Rangers climbing back up the league ladder to once again sit on a level playing field with their neighbours. For Fulham, the last two years have been an upward curve. Since they escaped relegation on the final day of the 2007-8 season, the club ended the following three campaigns in seventh, 12th and eighth, and famously reached the Europa League final under Roy Hodgson in 2010. Their start to the current season, however, has been indifferent; under the new management of former Tottenham boss Martin Jol, Fulham are the only top-flight side without a win, with four draws and two defeats – and just four goals – from their opening six matches. Blank That last stat tells the story of the current side’s problem so far: their inability to find the net without talismanic striker Bobby Zamora. Zamora missed the clash with West Brom on Saturday with an ankle injury, and watched on as his side stuttered to a 0-0 draw. Fulham’s £10.6 million summer signing Bryan Ruiz has struggled to adjust to Premier League life, drawing a blank in his four appearances and missing the decisive penalty as Fulham crashed out of the Carling Cup in a shoot-out with Chelsea last week. Costa Rica international Ruiz, signed from FC Twente, has promised goals, but was benched by Jol against West Brom despite the absence of Zamora, and Andy Johnson through illness. If fit, Zamora will start against the Rs on Sunday, so Jol’s dilemma up front is whether to stick with Moussa Dembele – also yet to score this season – or hand Ruiz the chance to shine. Fortunately for Jol, what his side lacks in striking potency, they make up for in a talented midfield, where former Liverpool star Danny Murphy has shone for the last four years. Murphy is likely to be joined in central midfield by Steve Sidwell, handed the chance to rejuvenate his career after unsuccessful spells at Chelsea and Aston Villa. American international Clint Dempsey is capable of playing on the left of Jol’s four-man midfield or up front, and was the club’s top scorer last season with 13 goals in all competitions. Threat Another ex-Liverpool man, John Arne-Riise, played at left-back against the Baggies and should keep his place. The Norwegian has lost much of the pace that made him such a threat in his hey-day, but his dangerous left foot makes him a threat at set pieces. Brede Hangeland and Northern Ireland’s Chris Baird are likely to start at centre-back, with Czech Republic international Zdenek Grygera on the right, ahead of Mark Schwarzer in goal. With the two sides netting a combined total of nine goals in 12 matches so far this campaign, the first west London derby between QPR and Fulham for a decade looks destined to be a tight affair. QPR will be confident of breaking their goal-drought against the Cottagers, and a point in a 1-1 draw will be a welcome return from a very welcome renewal of old rivalries. Follow Ian Cooper on Twitter @QPRTimes
No point us trying to whip up a rivalry that just doesn't exist. We're neighbours yes, but that's about it. In all of our combined 250 odd year histories, Rangers and Fulham have rarely had to seriously compete for anything much more than the very occasional match; and neither have the kind of frothing-at-the-mouth fan base to turn our geographical proximity into a debate, much less a row. For both sets of fans it's always been a case of we know the other club's around but because our successes seem to alternate, we know very little about each other from interpersonal experiences. Yes it's a London derby but it's one that needs to be repeated far more often to generate much interest from anyone outside two small parts of one small borough. For this reason I very much want to see both clubs stay up for years to come. If that happens, the buzz, passion and genuine rivalry will evolve. If not, it'll remain the damp squib it's always been. Let's hope for a cracking game tomorrow to get things started eh?!! URRRsss!
Americanisms I'm not going to go back over the American world of sport versus the real world. We all know that apart from athletics, we're worlds removed in just about everything else. Suffice to say maybe, that whilst the US national team has genuinely earned our respect with their fresh, fast and fluent approach in recent World Cups, the tendancy of the Yanks to impose their ways on traditional cultures is widely considered nauseating. That's what I think lit QPAAAAAGH's fuse when DR talked 'offense' as opposed to 'attack' as everyone else puts it. You might be American DR mate but this is football we're talking about - not soccer. To us there's a big difference, believe me. Question is DR, are you a traditional Fulham fan or just a plastic following a club with a charismatic American up front? I ask this because the answer would explain where you're coming from. If you're a traditional we'd expect you to show respect for the culture by adopting common parlance. If not, we'd expect the kind of disdain that sits beneath that 'special relationship' of ours: the disdain that invariably ends up in a little bit of blue on blue if you know what I mean... Whilst we welcome the US into the world of football, we won't be letting you to run riot and fix what in our culture ain't broke. Hope that explains some of it QPAAAAAGH!
