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The start of a new week and surprise surprise - more bad publicity as the FA have today charged QPR under rule E20 (again) following the training ground fight with the Chinese Under 23 Olympic side last month.
It is suprising really that the FA have come down heavy on us yet again, seeing as the match in question was a non FA sanctioned match. But in saying that, this is QPR we are talking about - a Club that the FA decide to charge when their keeper gets assaulted by a Stoke fan at the Brittania Stadium. Stoke City however, get let off the hook!
It must also be mentioned that the representatives for the Chinese team accepted full responsibility for the incident and the Chinese FA have dropped all charges.
Hey, but as I said, we are QPR...
Let's see what the FA do with regards to the melee at the Carling Cup Final yesterday? I bet it's not nearly as much as we are going to get fined?
QPR 1-1 Plymouth
Ian Holloway's long awaited return to Loftus Road ended all square and although the result was disappointing, it was a spirited performance from the R's. Despite recieving a warm welcome from the home fans, 'Ollie' kept his return pretty much low key - arriving in the dugout just seconds before the kick off to avoid the mass ranks of photographers and very rarely venturing into his techincal area throughout the match. However the two rival managers did find time for a 'YMCA' type dance routine...
Onto the game and the first half was a scrappy affair. But Rangers should have been ahead as soon as the first minute when Blackstock who fired straight at McCormick. The rebound fell to makeshift striker Lee Cook who's shot was tipped away by the keeper. Unable to capitalise on the fast start, Rangers were behind in the 32nd minute when Nalis headed home Ebanks-Blake's flick on.
Rangers battled hard to get back into the game and after an Ainsworth chance was deflected wide and a penalty appeal turned down, we finally had a piece of good fortune on 59 minutes. McCormick fumbled the ball under pressure and Lee Cook fired home at the second attempt to level the scores.
To be fair, it looked like the keeper was fouled and 9 times out of 10, the decision would go against you. But after recent bad luck, especially at the Southampton game, it was a huge relief when the referee pointed to the centre circle.
There was now only one team in it as Rangers went for the winner. But as the clock ticked down, McCormick denied us again as substitute Paul Furlong's effort cannoned of his legs. Minutes later, Furlong had the ball in the net only to see it ruled out for an offside decision that looked somewhat marginal to say the least.
QPR: Camp,Cullip, Bolder, Ainsworth, Rowlands (Furlong 79), Lomas, Cook, Stewart, Timoska, Blackstock, Mancienne. Subs: Cole, Kanyuka, Jones, Smith.
Lofty's Man of the Match - Adam Bolder
So at the end of the day, it was a disappointing result, but you couldn't knock the R's fighting spirit to get back into the game. Fortunately, other results were kind to us again, but home games are now becoming must win matches if we are to avoid the dreaded drop. Sadly, you have to say that today was a missed opportunity...
Leeds 0-0 QPR
Rangers finally got something from yet another 'six pointer' with a deserved draw at Elland Road. But maybe, it could have been all three?
I know I have said this before, but whatever inspires the FA to arrange for London teams to travel to Yorkshire midweek is beyond me. Not for the first time this season, work commitments amongst other things, meant that I had to give this one a miss tonight. So, it was the BBC London commentary in which in my experience, is often more painful to listen too than actually watching the game.
I also had Sky Sports News on to catch the other goings on and it ultimately led to mixed conclusions. The BBC favoured Rangers, saying that we were by far the better side, Leeds were average and the game was there to be won. However, when Sky reported from Elland Road, it was Leeds that were well on top and creating all the chances!
Either way, I would have definitely taken a point before kick off so I am reasonably happy. But being unbiased as I am, I will go along with the BBC London opinion. By all accounts it was a dogged and determined Rangers display and one that was much improved on the Roots Hall showing.
QPR: Camp,Cullip, Bolder, Ainsworth, Rowlands, Lomas, Cook, Stewart, Timoska, Blackstock, Mancienne. Subs: Cole, Kanyuka, Furlong, Jones, Smith.
I realise that Rangers need to sort out their own form rather than rely on other results - but I must just say, that despite not playing, this weekend's results have been pretty damn good to us...
Sunderland 4-0 Southend
Southampton 5-2 Barnsley
Cardiff 1-0 Leeds
Stoke 0-0 LutonAll in a weekend that also saw Loan Rangers - Kevin Gallen(Plymouth), Tommy Doherty(Wycombe) and Nick Ward(Brighton) all hit the target for their clubs.
Well, seeing as we haven't had a match this week, or indeed tomorrow, it has been another normal, crazy week at Loftus Road with the usual ups and downs - Lee Camp signing on loan shortly after Simon Royce's seaside shocker - JG's number 2, Richard Hill suspended from the Club following investigations after the 'Great Brawl of China' - and a player that I am pretty sure no one knew existed, Taku Watanabe having his contract terminated.
Following that, there was an article posted in the Independent entitled 'The Crazy World of QPR'. An interesting, if not worrying read, brought about something in the opening paragraph that just sums us up perfectly...If Wimbledon were the "Crazy Gang", what are Queen's Park Rangers? Try the maddest club in world football!Independent Article
A HUGE Welcome Back to 22 year old keeper, Lee Camp, who has signed on loan today.
Lee, who played a massive part in our promotion season 2003/2004, has put pen to paper on an initial 3 month deal.
WELCOME BACK LEE!!
