EPHRAIM: 'BIGGEST SEASON OF OUR LIVES' Tue 19 Jul 2011 Hogan Ephraim says that there's a great hunger within the R's squad to do well next season, as Rangers prepare to return to the Premier League for the first time in 15 years. Diminutive wide-man Ephraim netted four times in the QPR's 13-0 defeat of Tavistock last night (Monday), completing 85 minutes in the process. Despite facing a side quite a way below them in the English football pyramid, some free-flowing football was particularly impressive from the R's, with Ephraim telling www.qpr.co.uk: "I was pleased with the goals and, until the minute I came off, I felt strong. "It was a good team performance - some good movement and a good work-out. It looks like the rustiness has gone. "And it was nice for us to score some goals. Goals in any game will give the boys confidence." Ephraim added: "Some of the goals were very good, no matter what the opposition was. "There were some fantastic one-twos and the amount of goals that Patrick Agyemang was involved in was ridiculous. "It's pleasing to see some of the movement that we showed after just a week back to pre-season training. "The boys have come back really fit this season. There's a great professionalism within the team. "I think we realised that we needed to come back at our sharpest." Next season will see many of the R's First Team squad have their first proper crack at top-flight football, and Ephraim continued: "We're going to go out there, give it our best and we won't fear anyone. "It's a massive season for us. You saw in the second half, we didn't let-up and wanted to keep on going. "No-one wants to let themselves down. We all want to do ourselves, the Manager and our families proud. "For all the boys, it's the biggest season of their lives." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WARNOCK: 'FITNESS HELPED US' Posted on: Tue 19 Jul 2011 R's gaffer Neil Warnock feels that the high levels of fitness work that his side are currently doing on the training pitch played a major factor in QPR's 13-0 rout of Tavistock yesterday (Monday) evening. Hogan Ephraim was the largest contributor with four goals on the night, as Warnock's charges ran riot - albeit against lesser opposition - especially in the second half, where Rangers hit nine. "We had a really good, hard training session yesterday morning, where we did a lot of running" Warnock told www.qpr.co.uk. "Although the game petered out with so many goals, the fitness work that we're doing really helped us. "I know where I am down here. I like the people and it's good to show them a Premier League team. "It's great to come down here and not forgot the people that you've known for many a year. "It's not just that. The attitude is good down here, and so are the pitches." The R's had a number of trialists on show, not least Welsh international centre-back Danny Gabbidon, who is now a free agent following his release by West Ham United at the end of last season. "We're just looking at Danny," added Warnock. "I spoke to him last week and I told him to come to Cornwall - there's no pressure down here. "He can come and train and, like I said, we had a really tough session running yesterday morning. "It also gives him the chance to look at us too." A number of the R's faithful were also visible in and around Langsford Park, and Warnock reserved special praise for the travelling QPR support, saying: "It's great to see so many Rangers fans around - I think there are a lot of them based down here. "It ties in well with everything we're trying to do. "We're trying to make it a family environment and are encouraging people to come and watch us. "I'm sure in the Devon and Cornwall area that there are a number of blue and white hoops!"
The Camp sounds very positive and exuberant. Will that be enough? No, but there's no doubting our boys and Nelly's desire to upset the odds. Its such a shame the board aren't on this bandwagon because it could go really far. One things for certain. This bunch won't go down next year without a fight.
This is Warnock in his comfort zone, planting seeds and working his magic in a way that only he can. He knows the score and is wise enough to know that in such circumstances your weakness can become a major strength. Players who would've been looking for work elsewhere realise that the club's stinginess is their chance to shine. Like Warnock, this is perhaps the one real opportunity they'll get to feature regularly on MOTD... Like Swords, I'm moving from great expectations through great reservations and am now starting to pin my hopes for the future on great reserves - in every sense of the word! **** the owners, with Sir Neil we'll manage despite them cos WE R QPR!!!
I`ll drink to that Brixton R ! It is sad that our rich leaders have not, nor will they ever have our feelings about our club, And when they are long gone, we will still be here as we are QPR!
