QPR boss Warnock challenges new signing to fulfill his potential -

QPR boss Warnock challenges new signing to fulfill his potential - QPR - London 24

Armand Traore has completed his move to QPR from Arsenal
QPR boss Warnock challenges new signing to fulfill his potential

Ian Cooper, QPR correspondent Monday, September 5, 2011
12:22 PM

Rangers managers urges Traore to ‘knuckle down’

Neil Warnock has challenged new defensive recruit Armand Traore to ‘knuckle down’ and cement his place in the QPR side this season.

Traore, a product of the Arsenal youth academy, made just 33 appearances in all competitions in his five years with the Gunners before his move to QPR last week, also spending time on loan at Portsmouth and Juventus.

But Warnock sees plenty of promise in the 21-year-old left-back, who will compete with Clint Hill for a starting spot in the Rs defence, and he believes the Senegalese international can finally fulfil his potential at Loftus Road.

“I like the young lad Armand, he’s one that if I’m honest I’ve always felt should have done better,” Warnock told London24.com. “I always thought he’d come through and be first choice at Arsenal but he’s never done that, he’s never quite taken things by storm, so he needs to knuckle down and show what he’s about.”

Warnock submitted his 25-man squad to the Premier League on Friday, and is satisfied with his side’s transfer dealings, which saw five new recruits arrive in west London since Tony Fernandes completed his takeover of the club three weeks ago.

The manager did, however, concede his disappointment at failing to sign another striker on transfer deadline day, with targets Peter Crouch and Craig Bellamy both opting for moves elsewhere.

And he revealed that midfielder Hogan Ephraim was in his 25-man squad right up until the very last minute on Wednesday night, only to make way when Jason Puncheon completed his late loan move from Southampton.

Puncheon’s move, coupled with Warnock’s surprise inclusion of striker Jamie Mackie, who is nearing a return from a broken leg sustained last season, meant that Ephraim was excluded and is now set to spend the first half of the season on loan with a Championship side.

“With Hogan, it was a bit of a last minute thing really, we only had Jason Puncheon down two hours before the deadline and we were also waiting for the physio’s report on Jamie Mackie.

“As soon as we found out Jamie would be back within three to four weeks he had to be in the squad really, and we needed Puncheon because he brings that pace which Hogan doesn’t really have.

“We wanted to bring in players with Premier League experience, that’s going to be vital for us, and obviously players Luke Young and Joey Barton have got loads of that experience,” added Warnock.

“We’ve covered most positions, if I were greedy I’d have said we need another striker, but if you’d told me at the start of August that we’d get the players we have I’d have snapped your hand off.”

Follow Ian Cooper on Twitter @QPRTimes

iReader

 

Well, We do not need Beckham as I feel he is over the hill now. If he was that good then other larger clubs would be in for him? So there!!!! I`m off for a glass of Champs, again! 1st. to day before any of the smart one`s get on here ! Keep the faith Lads!!

 

One thing stands out in our new squad for me. Considering we got 23 clean sheets last season which was phenomenal by any standards, its amazing that we'll probably start the game against Newcastle with an entirely new back four. Now I was disappointed that Kasper left but assuming Nelly knows what hes doing, this highlights perfectly the difference between the CCC and the Prem.

As a few football men have noted on here more than once, the top flight is all about pace, pace and more pace. As COLIN said before last season: "We need one team to get us up and another team to keep us up".

 

Agree on the pitch James but Beckham is a marketing dream all the time he wears football shorts ... The profile of the club is mega important as we found out last year by being in the news all the time. We need to keep the showbiz element at all times as football is the biggest thing on the planet and if we get QPR global then its all good. Last year we got off serious charges i believe because of our old owners and the fact that they could have caused a real storm to the FA. Our old owners and our new majority share owner TF love the PR ... it ultimately leads to more money. I am convinced that if were a Norwich City team last year then we would have been docked points and wouldn't be here now. I am off for a nice glass of rose now alas my second bottle of the day.

Nice to have you on here James

 

Reading that load of twaddle I'd say you've had about 4 bottles mate!!

 

Worrying thing is he makes less sense when hes sober

 

We got off last year because the FA buggered up and also found themselves in a position that meant they had to go against the money of BE and the Mittals who promised to bring their legal muscle. If we didn't have that threat then I agree with the majority we would have been punished. The sporting world knows this twaddle or not.

As for Beckham ... even the story is great PR

I am guessing you know very little about Marketing

 

There were No serious charges to face. I can't believe you've brought this up AGAIN!!
On the Becks issue....see my post above.

 

Sad but a fact.

 

thats what most ppl say it is... but he looked alright in the ceremonial

 

Ah hem! Getting back to Traore...

He has the pace, pace, pace Swords speaks of BUT can he give us a reliable barrier on the left? I think that's what SIR NEIL is talking about.

 

...hic