Doncaster media are claiming Rovers chances of them loaning Lumley for the rest of the season have hit a snag, as QPR have started negotiations with Lumley to extend his contract.
I actually don't think it's unfair to say QPR considered Dieng to be the no.3 keeper. Here's why: Dieng is 26. Kelly and Lumley are both 25. So we can't say Dieng is "one for the future" amongst the bunch. There is, of course, no official no.1, no.2, no.3 system. It's not posted on the wall somewhere at QPR. But how players are used tells us how they are regarded. At different points, both Lumley and Kelly were each given enduring chances in the starting 11. Dieng was not, until his current run, given such an opportunity. In fact, the club went back and forth between Lumley and Kelly, for varying reasons, but mainly due to form. Of course, players with potential are sent out on loan. But some players at QPR who have never had a real sniff at the starting 11 get sent on loan repeatedly. So, that tells me QPR send players out on loan who they don't necessarily see as a future starting 11 player, which is not to say the club aren't keeping tabs on any surprise development. There can be many reasons for this. What does all of this say to me? The club did not consider Dieng to have as much quality and readiness for first team football as Kelly and Lumley, and they seemed to hold that opinion for a while. Which tells me that there was an issue in spotting talent, seeing as Dieng has shown he is levels above the other two keepers. Here's his senior history, for reference:
We'd be better off signing Gary Rhodes... Even dead, he'd probably provide more value for money than Jordan!
I got all excited when I saw the headline this morning that a QPR star had finally ironed out a new contract with the club. Then I read on and saw it was Lumley
However, IF Doncaster really want him then they will have to offer cash.......or a midfielder player...... Contract probably means that we dont want to lose him for nothing - I cannot see him dislodging Dieng
Apparently Whiteman wants to stay up north and will go to Preston. You’d like to think we have other targets.