DEZZA: 'COMPETITION IS HEALTHY' Posted on: Thu 08 Sep 2011 R's midfield-general Shaun Derry has revealed that the new faces in the Rangers squad have helped raised the bar in training this week. Speaking ahead of Monday's live Sky Sports showdown against Newcastle United at Loftus Road, the experienced midfielder told www.qpr.co.uk: "The lads have fitted in straightaway because they've arrived in great numbers. "Sometimes when you join a new Club you stay in the background and find your feet that way, but this is very different with so many lads arriving at once. "They've all been voices together. "They've come in and installed their personalities with us and vice-versa - the spirit in the camp is something special, like it always has been here. "We're bonding at a good level with strong personalities, so it bodes really well." Derry also admitted that the tempo in training has gone up a notch, adding: "The sessions have gone up a notch or two, that's for sure. "Quality players are just that - whether it's on a matchday or in training. "There's been a real keenness in training and to be fair to the boys that were already here last year, they've stepped it up a notch too, which is all credit to them." Commenting on the R's new summer signings, Derry added: "We all knew there would be major signings made at this Club since the end of last season. "In my eyes, these are signings the gaffer wanted to make as soon as the Championship campaign ended. "For one reason or another they didn't happen then, but they're here now. "They're not just fresh faces - they're faces with quality - and that gives us a great chance of consolidating our status in the Premier League." Competition for places is now at an all-time high at Loftus Road and Derry is adamant that is a healthy problem for R's gaffer Neil Warnock to have ahead of the visit of the Toon Army to W12. "When you look over your shoulder and see the quality of the lads that are vying for your shirt, you realise you've got to be at it each and every day, whether it's in games or on the training pitch," he said. "I'm sure the Manager will have a lot of tough decisions to make ahead of Monday, but what a selection headache to have. "Newcastle are a very good side - it will be a very tough game. "With it being on Sky as well and Joey arriving - the story is there already. But for us, we want to get the points on board. "I'm really looking forward to it already and so are the rest of the boys." iReader
