Neil Warnock: I treated Sharon to a romantic Moroccan mini-break of snakes, souks – and two football games http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...uks-ndash-and-two-football-games-2259928.html
SIMON GRAYSON last night conceded the Championship crown to QPR – but insists his Leeds side can accompany them to automatic promotion. http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/184206/Simon-Grayson-backing-S1-flyers/?
Warnock plans QPR talks Apr 4 2011 By Yann Tear NEIL Warnock is to hold talks with the QPR board on Tuesday to discuss strategies for life in the Premier League. There is likely to be a preliminary debate about the amount of money the Rangers boss will need to make an impact in the top flight, should they get there. "We'll be talking in general about the rest of the season and what we will be looking for in the summer, depending on where we are," said Warnock. "We can't really do too much until we know for certain what division we're in. "I don't think we can start planning just yet, but we've got to cover all eventualities. We may discuss budgets, but it's not certain." http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/qpr-ealing/2011/04/04/warnock-plans-qpr-talks-64767-28454870/?
Seems a bit early for these sort of discussions Let us make sure of promotion and sort things out with the F.A Then have these discussions
Can QPR cut it in the Premier League? By Scott Wilson By 10pm tonight, Npower Championship leaders Queens Park Rangers may find themselves 9 points clear at the top of the table with 8 games remaining, meaning, barring an end-of-season collapse, Neil Warnock and his side will be battling it out with fellow money bags Manchester City and Chelsea next year. Former chairman Flavio Briatore promised Europe to fans by the 2012/2013 season, and although that may appear a little too optimistic, leading the Championship all season is no mean feat and with a few important additions this summer, Rangers may just find themselves back on the footballing map once more. For those of you thinking that QPR have ran away with the league, think again. Yeah, they may have been at the top since September, and the table never lies, but Warnock has seen his men win some of their most important points through 1-0 wins and the odd late comeback here and there. The reason why Rangers have looked so formidable is because they have the perfect Championship squad ââ¬â they boast the best defence in the league playing behind the instrumental Adel Taarabt (Championship Player of the Year), not to mention Heidar Helguson having without a doubt his best season to date in front of goal. Add Warnock to the equation and you have the perfect ingredients. Rangers really should make a How to win the Championship for Dummies edition, featuring tips on how to top the table stay there. Since a 4-0 drubbing over Barnsley on the 7th August, they have never looked back. One result which truly defined their Premier League credentials was the 1-0 win away from home (as I mentioned, important points coming from 1-0 wins) over Reading in February. The Rââ¬â¢s were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half time, but showed immense grit and pugnacity to scrape a goal and hold onto their lead. So what has turned this once mid-table, underachieving side into one of Premiership ambitions? The arrival of Warnock definitely didnââ¬â¢t hinder. Warnock joined in March 2010 and helped his side comfortably avoid relegation, starting his era with an emphatic win over West Bromwich Albion. In the summer he introduced the likes of Paddy Kenny, Bradley Orr, Clint Hill, Shaun Derry, Jamie Mackie and Adel Taarabt in the hope of building a successful team, but few could have believed they would gel like they did. I mean look at City, who completely ruin the idea that money buys you success. Only those of you living in a cave for the past 8 months would not have heard of Adel Taarabt. Some would argue that QPR are just a one man team, but the 1-0 win (I sense a pattern emerging) over Doncaster without Taarabt even in the country shows they have strength in depth required to do well in Englandââ¬â¢s top division. I guess you could counter-argue my point and say that if QPR fans are praising their side for winning without Taarabt, surely this shows that they have relied too heavily upon the Moroccan magician this campaign? I mean, he is our top goal scorer with 15 (the majority of which will be in the running for Goal of the Season) and leads the assist tally in the Championship, and like many others, I believe that QPR would still be a mid-table side without him. The problem for QPR this summer will be holding onto Taarabt. He can be hard to deal with, hence the reason why Harry Redknapp let him leave Tottenham, but we are talking about a player who is capable of bullying any defender to the extent where they need psychiatric help. Chelsea, WBA and Newcastle are rumoured to be interested in Taarabt who himself has said that Manchester United are after his signature. Hmm, is that a hint of cockiness I smell from the Moroccan, or is Sir Alex Ferguson really preparing a bid for the maestro? I canââ¬â¢t see it myself, but stranger things have happened. Warnock will definitely have to splash the cash in the summer if he wants to generate a side looking for a mid-table finish, but letââ¬â¢s be honest, with the money floating around at Loftus Road Warnock can probably afford to buy a second and third string side which could achieve just as much as the first could. At the minute Rangers are dependent on Taarabt and I personally believe that a number of their players are Championship level performers, including Helguson. That said, in the form of Shaun Derry and Clint Hill, they have two experienced players who wear their heart on their sleeve week-in, week-out. Who can blame them, at the ages of 33 and 32 respectively, this will surely be their last chance to battle with the big boys. For a side who have kept 22 clean sheets already this season, do not expect many additions to the defence in the summer transfer window. They need to bolster their attacking options, especially when you consider their top scorer plays in midfield. To be fair, Warnock looked to have signed a proven goal scorer in the summer when he bought Mackie in from Plymouth for an undisclosed fee, and after the striker scored 8 goals in his opening 7 games for the Hoops everyone forgot about Taarabt for a moment. This was until Mackie suffered a double-leg break in January, ruling him for the rest of the season. One player who Rangers fans would love to see is Watfordââ¬â¢s Danny Graham. The Rââ¬â¢s are rumoured to be interested in the Championshipââ¬â¢s top goal scorer, who netted twice against them in December to inflict Rangersââ¬â¢ first loss of the season (the one and only game I was unfortunate enough to attend). Other strikers QPR may be interested in are Sylvain Ebanks-Blake of Wolves and Craig Bellamy of Manchester City. Ebanks-Blake will definitely want to stay in the Premiership if Wolves do not avoid the drop, although he has only netted 7 times for Mick McCarthyââ¬â¢s side. As for Bellamy? Well, I doubt the Welshman is ever going to play for City again and I think that he would play a key role with the right service from Taarabt, Alejandro Faurlin and co. A few more names include Jobi McAnuff, Matt Phillips and Steven Fletcher, however these are all just rumours. Rangers have been thrilling to watch all season and have the right man in charge to steer them across the line. The next step will be cracking the Premiership, but who knows, with the right additions in the summer, QPR may just be able to relive the successful days where Rodney Marsh ran the show. Step forward Adel Taarabt, your time has come. http://footybunker.com/can-qpr-cut-it-in-the-premier-league/1830
Liverpool are reportedly interested in Qpr playmaker Adel Taarabt who has been in fine form this season helping the West London side to the brink of return to the top flight after an absence of 15 years. The Moroccan international has been a big hit since his arrival from Tottenham and is now being trailed by a number of Premier League sides. Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli is keen on bringing the former Lens man to Anfield and was the man who brought the young attacker to White Hart Lane in 2007 and is more than aware of what the talented youngster is capable of. Qpr boss Neil Warnock has talked of his concerns that a big club could come in and make an offer that would tempt Taarabt to leave Loftus Road and with the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle United said to be interested the emergence of Liverpool as a prospective suitor may put further weight to those fears. Liverpool are looking to bring in more creative attacking talents and also have an eye for youthful signings with good sell on value and Adel Taarabt may helpfully fulfil all those criteria. Thus far this season the 21 year old has netted 15 goals and assisted another 15 as he has helped QPR to a seemingly unassailable nine point lead at the top of the table with eight games left to play. ã9m rated Taarabt can either play in the hole behind the strikers or on either wing and given that the likes of Joe Cole, Maxi, Milan Jovanovic and to a lesser extent, make-shift wide man Dirk Kuyt, have all failed to deliver the goods from the wide areas a move for new attacking options would appear very wise. http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/04/05/liverpool-set-sights-on-9m-rated-qpr-starlet-adel-taarabt/?
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2331846,00.html http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/we...5/fa-set-date-for-qpr-hearing-82029-28466326/ http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_6854483,00.html
Sorry to intrude - but will you guys please do more of these threads as it might keep Northolt busy and prevent him coming onto his favoured Watford board too often
We have lost Mitch - don't think he has found the Dark Nest - or not 606 at all in fact - if you find him send him home please
Me thinks we get very bored of this and that club making a bid for AT. Difficult one to call, if he is only rated at ã9mil, then that is a no-brainer. I think he is worth + ã20m possibly more, as we dont need to sell. Well if Carrol is worth ã50mil, and Newcastle obviously needed the cash, then make that ã30mil for AT.
IS THAT ALL YOU TAKE AWAY! QPR - IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION 07 Apr 2011 Distribution procedure for Loftus Road trip... We will receive an allocation of approximately 1800 tickets for our visit to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday May 7 (12.45pm). After deducting the allocation for away season ticket holders, the balance of tickets available will be allocated on a loyalty basis. Ticket prices range from ã21 to ã30 for adults, ã13 to ã20 for concessions (junior U'16, young adult 16 to 21 years and senior citizens aged 60+) Coach travel will be available priced at ã25 adults and ã19 concessions, departing from Elland Road at 6.30am. The loyalty for this game is based on away games from Nottingham Forest on Sunday August 15 2010 up to and including Sheffield United on Saturday March 19 2011. Ticket Services will NOT be writing to the fans who qualify for a ticket. We will accept advance applications by post, fax or via the online away booking form from Wednesday April 13 2011 at 10am. The deadline for ALL applications is 5.15pm on Wednesday April 20 2011. Please note: The applications will only be processed based on the number of away games attended NOT by the time and date the application was submitted. We estimate that supporters who have attended/received loyalty for 14 or more away games will be successful providing that they apply within the advertised timescales. In the event that any tickets remain from the allocation reserved for fans that have attended/received loyalty for 14 or more away games, then the remaining tickets will be processed based on the number of away games attended. Therefore, we are advising any fans that have attended /received loyalty for 12 or 13 away games to also apply within the advertised timescales. This may result in a ballot. If an application consists of Season Ticket holders/Members that have not all attended the same number of away games, then the application will be placed on file as the lowest number of games attended. Within the ticket allocation, there are a limited number of disabled tickets. These tickets will also be allocated on a loyalty basis. This may result in a ballot. Disabled supporters must also apply within the advertised timescales. For further information, please call our Disabled Coordinator, Tracey Lazenby on 0113 367 6178. If you have any queries or would like assistance please contact Ticket Services on 0871 334 1992 or email [email protected] The link to the online away booking form will be live at 10am on Wednesday 13th April 2011 on our website within the 'Latest Ticket News' section. Please note, the online form will only be available to season ticket holders / members who have attended /received loyalty for 12 or more away games during the current season.
Tommy Smith sends QPR warning By Yann Tear Apr 7 2011 1Share Add a comment Recommend (1) THE FINISHING tape is in view - but Tommy Smith insists QPR are doing their utmost not to think about the promotion prize dangling tantalisingly in front of them. Rangers moved nine points clear of second placed Norwich City after Monday night's 3-0 home win over Sheffield United and 13 ahead of third placed Cardiff and Swansea. It means three more wins will clinch a Premier League spot. "As hard as it is, we're trying not to think about that too much," Smith said. "I think once that gets in your head, you kind of take your foot off the pedals. "We are just trying to concentrate on winning our games and until we've got that little P against our name, we're just going to keep trying as hard we can. "It would be nice to get it done as quickly as we can because after our next home game against Derby, we've got a pretty tricky run-in, but we have to be confident with the form we're showing at the moment. We're scoring goals and keeping clean sheets." Smith says Rangers' ability to get on top early on against the Blades was key to avoiding any anxiety at Loftus Road - that and their cushion of points at the top. "Getting a good start in games helps," he said. "If you sit back a little bit and let teams get on top of you, then I think that's when the nerves show, but we got a good start and a goal midway through the first half and that really settles you down. "I don't think we are feeling too nervous. With the gap that we've got, it just takes away a few of the nerves and with Swansea losing on Saturday, that's taken a bit of pressure off between us and third place and we just kind of go out and enjoy it. "That's something the manager tries to say in each talk before a game - just go out and enjoy it because we're in a great position." Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest QPR news. Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/lo...ds-qpr-warning-82029-28477218/?#ixzz1Ipo9GsaQ
Clear Championship table-toppers QPR are 1.12 to finish the campaign in first place and that's a price well worth tucking into now judging by the rumours that they won't be deducted points for the controversy surrounding their 2009 purchase of Alejandro Faurlin. It has been reported that the signing of the Argentine midfielder breached a number of regulations regarding third-party ownership and The Sun are reporting that while the Hoops will be found guilty of several of the seven rule breaches they are accused of, a hefty fine is the most likely punishment. The reaction of manager Neil Warnock if similarities between the arrangement bringing the 24-year-old to Loftus Road and Carlos Tevez's 2006 switch to West Ham are shown to exist but the west Londoners escape with their 79-point tally intact will be eagerly anticipated. The outspoken coach reacted furiously to the authorities' failure to dock points off the Irons in 2006-07 campaign and attempted to pinpoint it as the reason for his Sheffield United side's relegation, ignoring the fact that the Blades blew an 11-point advantage over them in the final nine games. QPR have been comfortably the strongest team in the second tier this season and have established such a lead at the top, sitting nine points clear of second-placed Norwich and 13 ahead of Swansea in third with seven matches remaining, that they could probably even survive a deduction in the worst case scenario. Any two of Norwich, Swansea, Cardiff, Leeds, Reading, Nottingham Forest, Millwall and Burnley appear to have a chance of joining them in the Premier League (have the trio promoted from League One ever fared so well before?), with this weekend set to be a pivotal one with six of the top eight colliding.
QPR eye Cardiff City's on-loan Hull midfielder By Paul Warburton Apr 8 2011 QPR are weighing up an approach for Nigerian international Seyi Olofinjana as they gallop towards the final fence of a return to the Premiership. The 30-year-old midfielder has totalled ã8million in three transfers since his arrival in England, but only has one year left of his ã22k-a-week contract at Hull City when he returns from his season-long loan at Cardiff. Rangers boss Neil Warnock met chairman Gianni Paladini and former supremo Flavio Briatore on Tuesday to discuss the future, although the manager was keeping cards close to his chest about their chat. "Flavio and Gianni are excited about our prospects as well they should be," said Warnock. "But needless to say I canââ¬â¢t go into detail about discussions at this stage." But insiders at the club revealed the table-topping Rs are keen to line up players for a tilt at the top flight ââ¬â with Olofinjana one of a number of targets that include Wolves' Kevin Doyle ââ¬â as exclusively revealed by Chronicle sport. The source said: "QPR need a mixture of athleticism and skill for next season, and although Olofinjana has had a mixed couple of years ââ¬â look what the manager did for the careers of Heidar Helguson and Wayne Routledge to name but two."
