DJ: GREAT TO BE INVOLVED Posted on: Mon 12 Dec 2011 Saturday's game at Liverpool may have resulted in defeat for QPR, but there were a number of positives to take from the game. The performance of Radek Cerny was undoubtedly one of them, as was the return to action of striker DJ Campbell. The 30-year-old hadn't featured since our loss at Fulham in October, owing to a fractured metatarsal he sustained in training. But he was back and looking as lively as ever during our 1-0 defeat at Anfield, despite the lengthy lay-off. Campbell only returned to full training last week, and he told www.qpr.co.uk today:"I only got back to full training four days before the game so it was great to be involved. "Obviously I need a bit of time to get my sharpness back because that was my first game in two-and-a-half months, but I enjoyed it." Campbell could be seen geeing up the travelling R's fans while he warmed up shortly before coming on, and he admitted: "I sensed there was an opportunity to take something from the game. "I went there last year with Blackpool and we got three points, and I felt it was possible to get something out of it. "We played better in the second half and the lads did well, they dug in deep. On another day we could have nicked a point. But it wasn't to be." The hosts had a number of opportunities to wrap the game up but, as the match entered the last 15 minutes, Rangers began to look dangerous and there was a nervous tension amongst the home supporters. And Campbell admitted: "If you were to ask one or two of their players, I am sure they would agree it was a bit of hang-on time for them in the last few minutes. But they played well and could have had a few more goals, truth be told." QPR fans once again showed unwavering support for the R's, chanting throughout the game and after the final whistle. "They are enjoying being in the Premier League, but that's not to say they only plan to be here for a short time," said Campbell, himself a boyhood Hoop. "And why should they feel like that? Our aspirations are high with Tony Fernandes coming in and spending the money he's spent. "It's only right the fans are thinking positively. They have been superb all season and once again they were great at the weekend. "Hopefully we can get more results for them because they deserve it." On Sunday afternoon, the R's host Manchester United at Loftus Road. With Heidar Helguson missing the trip to Merseyside owing to injury, could Campbell be set to start in W12? "I don't know about the starting line-up," he said. "I was a bit surprised to get 30 minutes at Liverpool if I'm honest. "I'll just continue to train hard and try to get match fit. If the gaffer calls on me, then he calls on me. If he needs me, I am there for him." iReader
DJ Campbell DJ Campbell DJ Campbell [video=youtube;9AlH2oYedfk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AlH2oYedfk[/video]
The QPR Monday Verdict: Why DJ Campbell’s return could be perfect timing - QPR - London 24 DJ Campbell The QPR Monday Verdict: Why DJ Campbell’s return could be perfect timing Ian Cooper Monday, December 12, 2011 1:05 PM Striker makes his comeback at Liverpool - and could be be in line to start against Manchester United DJ Campbell’s surprise at playing the final 24 minutes of QPR’s defeat at Liverpool was accompanied by relief, a feeling which will be shared by many who witnessed his team-mates’ display at Anfield. The fractured metatarsal that Campbell suffered in October not only continued his frustrating start to his career at Loftus Road, it denied Neil Warnock the services of an attacker whose pace and versatility make him a valuable alternative to Heidar Helguson and Jay Bothroyd. Campbell is hopeful of featuring against champions Manchester United on Sunday, and his presence is an option to which Warnock will need to give careful consideration. “It was a surprise being involved because I haven’t had a reserve game yet, but I was delighted to play a part and disappointed not to get a better result,” Campbell said. “There’s a friendly on Tuesday which I’ll be involved in, and then we’ll take it from there. Hopefully by next Saturday I’ll have a week’s training under my belt and can be involved with the first team. “It has been a frustrating start for me, but that’s football. Last year I didn’t have any injuries, it was a clean season for me. This year has been completely different, but I’m still focussed on my job and when I do get called upon hopefully I can perform.” Campbell’s availability for selection could not come at a better time for Warnock, whose options up front have for much of the season been limited to Helguson and Bothroyd. Helguson has been something of a revelation, and it is unlikely that Bothroyd would have started against the Reds had the Iceland international not suffered an injury in the build-up to the game. But the fact remains that Bothroyd and Helguson are similar players who render QPR’s attack too one-dimensional with little genuine pace. At Anfield, Rangers’ problems were two-fold. Their midfield was ponderous and hesitant, frequently gifting the ball back to their hosts and inviting pressure time and again. On the occasions when the ball was played long to Bothroyd, the lone striker found himself far too isolated and rarely held the ball up for long enough to bring his team-mates into play. After producing flickers of his true ability with goals against Tottenham and Manchester City, Bothroyd has reverted to his early-season form, and was ineffective once more. It would be unfair to criticise Bothroyd for his efforts in fulfilling what was an admittedly difficult role, but it is clear that Warnock urgently needs to spice up his attack with an injection of pace and unpredictability. In that respect, this could be the perfect moment for Campbell to make his mark. In the continued absence of Adel Taarabt Rangers are missing the link between midfield and attack. Shaun Wright-Phillips was ear-marked for that role at the start of the season but appears devoid of ideas when not playing in his preferred position of right midfield. Campbell’s versatility could make him the perfect answer; the 30-year-old is equally comfortable playing up front alongside another striker – the position from which he scored 13 goals for Blackpool last season – or floating ‘in the hole’. Away from home in paricular, Campbell’s pace makes him a dangerous weapon capable of stretching opposition defences in a way niether of his fellow strikers can. Warnock is relieved to have Campbell back in the side, likening his return to the arrival of a new signing. It would be no surprise to see him start against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, and as the games mount up over the Christmas it could be just the boost Warnock needs. Follow me on Twitter @QPRTimes iReader http://www.london24.com/sport/champ...ll_s_return_could_be_perfect_timing_1_1151521
Striker to feature in QPR-Spurs friendly QPR’s management team will get a chance to assess DJ Campbell – and Tottenham’s fringe players – in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday. A reserve-team match against Spurs will give striker Campbell an opportunity to measure his fitness following his recent return to action. And the game at Harlington could prove useful for Rangers in more ways than one. Much of their transfer strategy in recent years has revolved around which players Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is willing to part with. QPR’s management team will monitor Campbell. The approaching transfer window is no exception, with the R’s waiting to pounce for Sebastien Bassong if Redknapp succeeds in signing another defender. In August, they thought they were getting Bassong on loan with a view to a permanent move but the deal collapsed when Tottenham failed in a bid to capture Gary Cahill from Bolton. Spurs striker Jermain Defoe is top of Neil Warnock’s wish list this time around and he remains interested in Bassong, while others could also come into the equation depending on who becomes available. Defoe is one of a number of strikers being targeted by Warnock, although the Rangers boss’ limited attacking options have at least been improved by Campbell’s recovery from a foot injury. Campbell came on as a substitute in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Liverpool despite having not kicked a ball since returning to light training after nine weeks on the sidelines. The summer signing from Blackpool is expected to feature in Tuesday’s game and hopes to be in the squad for this weekend’s match against Manchester United at Loftus Road. He said: “It was a surprise being involved [against Liverpool] because I haven’t had a reserve game yet, but I was delighted to play a part and disappointed not to get a better result. “There’s a friendly on Tuesday which I’ll be involved in, and then we’ll take it from there. Hopefully by next Saturday I’ll have a week’s training under my belt and can be involved with the first team. “It has been a frustrating start for me, but that’s football. Last year I didn’t have any injuries - it was a clean season for me. “This year has been completely different, but I’m still focused on my job and when I do get called upon hopefully I can perform.” Follow West London Sport on Twitter iReader http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/striker-to-feature-in-spurs-friendly/
@RealDJCampbell DJ Campbell Just wanna say thanks 2u all for ur welcome back tweets god bless u all...
And they are with Phillips?! You've got a peculiar view on football matches. Mind you, from your vantage point in the day room of Ward 9 in Broadmoor everything must look a wee bit curious
