QPR 1 Real Madrid 0

QPR 1 Real Madrid 0: Basement battle beats Bernabeu bench for Granero

I'd have been mad to stay on the fringes at the Spanish champions says midfielder now scrapping away at the bottom of the Premier League

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Esteban Granero has claimed he would have been “mad” to stay at Real Madrid after swapping the Spanish champions for the bottom of the Premier League.

And the midfielder revealed he made a move to Loftus Road in August with the blessing of Jose Mourinho and Xabi Alonso.

The 25-year-old has yet to win a game in English football since his £3.5m summer move.

But speaking before Sunday’s crucial home six-pointer against fellow strugglers Reading, Granero insisted he would rather be a “leader” at QPR than a bit-part player among the superstars at his boyhood club.

“For me, Madrid is the best club in the world and I didn’t need to leave,” he said.

“But I would have been mad to stay where I was - though if you ask have I taken a risk coming here, then definitely.

“I left because I am ambitious.

"In Madrid, you have it all. But I look in the mirror and I want to be honest with myself and I know what I need - life is short and I want to play.

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“Here, I’m more in the field - and needed that. They [QPR] hold me in high regard and I’ve risen to the challenge.

"They have invested a lot of money in me and that is something that I appreciate and gives me an injection of confidence. That’s what I was looking for. I like to be a leader and pull my weight. I feel full of energy to meet this challenge.

“I need challenges I am confident that I will be a better player and a better person. I am very happy with this new project.

“So far, the results haven’t been the best, but they will be. It’s going to be a very good season.”

Esteban, nicknamed The Pirate in Spain because of his beard and curly hair, revealed he sought the advice of Mourinho and Alonso before deciding to embark on his voyage to the Premier League.

“He [Mourinho] always wanted what’s best for me,” the Spaniard told Marca. “He didn’t want me to leave, but he understood. He wished me the best, he gave me good advice and he helped me with my decisions.

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“Xabi also assured me that I was going to go well. His word is important to me. He told me it was a football that would suit me and he was right.”

And Esteban admitted the differences between Real Madrid and QPR.

“When you play in Madrid, you have to accept the fame, and it is true that you win here in anonymity,” he observed.

But the Spaniard claimed a first victory will change Rangers’ season - and their fortune.

“When you get the first win after losing many games, it’s like an injection of confidence and it can help you to start winning and being more lucky,” he said.

“We weren’t lucky against Arsenal [losing 1-0 at the Emirates last Saturday], so maybe we’ll be luckier with the refereeing in the next game.”
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...ooGoCQ&usg=AFQjCNErSVS5lCqbw73Ihh1tvr9tmWklRA

 

Great stuff. Love the OP Title! Esteban is right, it is time we had some Luck, and a win could give us a huge confidence boost.

 

£3.5m!!!!! I've seen this figure a couple of times now, certainly a bit less than the previously quoted £9m. Whatever you think of his management Hughes has a track record of getting in top class talent at bargain prices......Chris Samba, Kompany, Dembele and now Pirate and hopefully Diakite and M'bia.

Granero is rapidly turning into my favorite R since Stan. Love the way he plays and love his attitude and intelligence off the pitch too. Captain in waiting.

 

Yes, some very good signings as you say for us - Granero, Diakite, Cisse, M'bia (maybe). But also two that must be right up there among the worst in our History, in Green and Park. I was not impressed either by the wealth of midfielders he has, but lack of a quality youngish CB and striker, nor by his over - emphasis on ageing, experienced but injury prone and/or not re-sellable players like AJ, Bosingwa & Nelsen, though Nelsen at least is doing all right.

 

I have to disagree with Oslo about the bad signings. I think Rob Green is a good keeper. Agree he had a bad game against Swansea but definitely not a bad keeper. Also Park keeps being played on left, much better on right. Not fantastic but a good solid player in the right position. Agree with the good signings though. The good times will come starting on Sunday, i'm sure of it

 

Thank you..said this as soon as we signed him but was quizzed about it...is this one of those TYS moments !! lol!

 

There was a bit same kind of article of him in a finnish sport and betting magazine called Veikkaja. In that article Granero was described as a player with a bohemian style. He is very intrested about old (60's & 70's) movies and literature. With his silky skills and not being an average player type, he might be coming another Stan Bowles......(well stanleys intrest in literature was limited in betting magazines) Also they wrote that with players like Granero, Diakite, M'bia and Hoilett there is no fear of relegation. The magazine pointed out, that QPR showed that they are getting their act together in matches against Everton and Arsenal. They also wrote , that bad mistake by the referee gave Arsenal their victoryagainst us.

 

I think you're being a bit harsh there given some of the players that came in under Cash & Tango. I don't think Green and Park can be put into the same category as the likes of Alberti and Pellicori. Hughes does however seem to balance out his skill shown in the transfer market, which is limited in itself, with his tactical ineptitude.