Hogan Ephraim is determined to kick-start his QPR career under new manager Mark Hughes, after being âbrushed asideâ by former boss Neil Warnock. Midfielder Ephraim was a surprise omission from Warnockâs 25-man squad in August, instead spending three months training with the reserves until eventually being loaned to League One Charlton in November. The 23-year-old, who signed for the Rs in January 2008 and helped the side win promotion last season, says he was constantly ignored by Warnock and never once spoken to regarding his future. Now back at Loftus Road, Ephraim is keen to impress Hughes, who replaced Warnock on Sunday evening. Hughes will submit his 25-man squad to the Premier League at the end of this month, and Ephraim is intent on winning back his place in the side. âWith the new manager I see it as a clean slate and I want to try to impress,â Ephraim told London24.com. âHe was a player in the not too distant past, so he knows how to treat players. The training so far has been superb, so I hope I can make an impression and get into the squad. âIt was strange for me under Neil Warnock. I thought I did well when I went out on loan to Charlton, but when I came back to QPR things were just the same. I was training with the reserves in the morning and then again at three oâclock. It was just something that was brushed to the side. âThe gaffer said to me a week before the window closed in the summer that there had been three or four clubs come in for me, but that he wasnât letting me go, he was giving me a chance in the Premier League. âA few days before the deadline there was another bid which he wasnât accepting, he still wanted me to stay. âThe day after the window shut I was away, and I just got left a voice message telling me I wasnât in the squad. âHe said we would speak face to face when I was back, but I was never spoken to by the management, there was never one conversation. I was just told I had to train with the reserves. âTimes like that are hard, youâve got to keep yourself motivated. Youâre playing in reserve games and you know that how well you play you canât get anywhere because of the 25-man rule.â Ephraim impressed during his spell at the Valley, scoring one goal in five appearances for the Addicks. Hughes has already outlined plans to add new players to his midfield before the transfer window closes, but Ephraim believes he is at least finally on a level playing field with the rest of the squad. âI havenât spoken to him (Hughes) one-on-one, but I spoke to Eddie (Niedzwiecki) the first team coach two days ago when I was playing in a reserve game against Tottenham,â added Ephraim. âHe was giving me advice about my game, and thatâs the sort of thing you want as a player, you want people who care about you and want to help you develop as a player. Itâs great that heâs taken such a keen interest. âGoing out to Charlton got my love for football back, it got me wanting to get out there on a Saturday afternoon and playing in front of the fans. âI feel Iâm good enough to play in the Premier League, of course I do, I said that at the time I was left out of the squad. I train with the boys all the time and I know for a fact that Iâm among the 25 best players in the squad. âI know the manager has gone in record in saying he wants to add new players to the team, but hopefully I can get a few games under him and show that I deserve to be there.â http://www.london24.com/sport/champ...andoned_me_now_i_want_my_place_back_1_1177467 Interesting perspective on what was going on behind the scenes.
The more I hear about NW and his coaching staff the more disturbed I am about just how they handled some of the players. Maybe MH can really make some of them look like completely different (and better) players!!?
I never rated him and dont want him in the 25 but all these people banging on about loyalty to Warnock. That is why you sack him if hes not good enough, Warnock doesnt have any loyalty to most of the squad so its insane to say we owed him anything.
Not a premiership player by a long way i would say championship to league one player will never get in the 25.
Thats what was thought about Heider Helguson but he seems to be more than holding his own. So who knows?
Too lightweight and will often go invisible when the going gets tough, numerous times Ive not even known hes playing until the 2nd half because hes quite happy to stay out of the action. One kick and hes hiding.
according Ephraim, aka the invisible man........ and been AWOL when a match turns physical excellent league one player, average Championship player. but thats my opinion
Another ridiculous statement. How did he handle the players when we were down in the Champ last season? He managed to get us up from being nearly bottom the year before that! You can only have 25 in the squad. Obviously NW thought he was surplus to what he thought he needed at the time. If Ephraim wants to get back in, he can work for it. Now that Faurlin's gone and no talk of any other big midfielders, may be he can get back in and prove himself.
I do remember one game when he played in central midfield and actually played very weel. Anybody remember that?
Well, we should all have the mentality that if he can do well enough and be a good assett then he should get into the team. If he can do a job for QPR, then that's good. We should be cheering him on not putting him down. I forgot how young he is. He still can develop. He needs to toughen himself up a bit and gain some strength at the gym.
If he was surplus why turn down bids for him or tell him he will be given a chance and then leave a message on his answerphone stating he is out. If they thought he would develop then why not train with the first team? It doesnt make any sense but thats the past so lets look to the future. He could be a diamond in the rough for us.
I bet he was in the 25 squad until we signed JP at the very last minute - bit gutted for him really. Chipped in with a few goal last season although I do think he needs to improve which may happen with some game time and a arm from MH All say awwwww
Ephraim is a good player, saw him play for Charlton vs Walsall a while back, was very impressed, I'm sure he could cut at at this level given the chance
He looked good for then because thats his level, hes a mediocre NPC player and certainly not a PL player.
