Fancy a Flutter?

This was highly tipped to be a new feature after mine and the gangs considerable success at the bookmakers, at QPR games towards the end of last season.

Although not everyone found the time or took the trouble to reply to my text, here are mine and some of the gangs predictions for Saturday's opener away at Bristol City. The only problem is, at this stage, I can offer no odds. Although a QPR win is generally being given at 11/5 across the various bookies.

Each bet could be taken as two singles or one double, depending on how brave or indeed, flush you are...

Lofty - a 3-1 Rangers win with Ben Sahar scoring the first goal.

Corp - a 1-0 Rangers win, Martin Rowlands the scorer

PK - 1-1, Dexter Blackstock the first scorer.

DJ - a 2-1 Rangers win and Ben Sahar the first scorer.

HAPPY PUNTING!! ;-)

Sweet and Sour...

I'm not normally one to gloat after seeing my beloved team winning football matches. But after Fulham took the lead, we had to sit and endure chants of 'easy, easy', 'We are Premier League' and the ridiculous 'one nil on your cup final!?!?!' - from the small band of Fulham fans. So, Rangers turning things around in this final friendly against our big spending neighbours - made the result even sweeter!



The result was somewhat soured though with the injury to new signing Simon Walton. Simon's studs seem to stick in the ground following a challenge and it is suspected that he has indeed broken his leg. We should find out more in the next 48 hours following X Ray results - Get Well Soon Simon!!



Just myself and Corp turned out for this one, after PK was busy with family duties and DJ choosing to watch on Santana/Sultana/Banana/SE-TAN-TA/Setanta Sports. But it proved a wise decision indeed as Rangers played their best football of the pre season and it was hard to see just which side had spent £22 million in the summer.

In the Fulham line up, was former R's winger, Lee Cook, who in general, got a good reception from the Rangers fans. Sadly, a small minority decided that they would boo his every touch. Rangers started the game the brighter with Bolder and Walton dominating the midfield but yet again, all that was missing was the final ball.

Then on 11 minutes, some shocking defending gave Fulham the lead. David Healy nodded Dempsey's cross back across goal, Stewart froze to let McBride steal in to poke the ball home. But Rangers got the goal they deserved on 58 minutes. Ben Sahar, who has been so impressive througout the pre season, twisted and turned into the box before firing the ball into the top corner.

Following a further chance from Moore, Rangers went deservedly ahead in the 68th minute. Adam Bolder robbed Dioup of the ball, which fell into the path of Sahar who calmly slotted the ball under substitute keeper, Warner. The Fulham support then went surprisingly quiet for the remainder of the game. Half chances for both sides follow but Rangers held on for a much deserved victory.

QPR: Camp, Rehman, Mancienne, Stewart, Barker (Bignot 76), Rowlands (Simmonds 82), Bolder, Walton (Bailey 17), Moore (St Aimie 90), Blackstock (Nygaard 72), Sahar (Nardiello 69). Subs: Cole, Shimmin, Baidoo, Timoska.

Lofty's Man of the Match - a few contenders for this one, with Rowlands and Bolder again impressing in midfield. Stefan Moore had a decent game on the right wing and Chris Barker also had a fine match at left back, supporting Rowlands at every opportunity. But for his performance and this time, his two goal, it goes to - Ben Sahar.

To sum up, this was a very good night for Rangers. The front pairing of Blackstock and Sahar were causing all sorts of problems for Fulham's defence and I will be very surprised if these two didn't start at Ashton Gate next week. Martin Rowlands and Adam Bolder bossed the midfield throughout and Chris Barker was solid defensively and was continually making runs into the attacking third.

Okay, so the defending for the goal was awful and the injury to Walton certainly looks like it will keep him out of action for some time. But there were so many positives to outweigh the negatives... and let's face it, if I was a Fulham fan, I would be extremely worried now about the season ahead.

Summer Breeze...

Harrow Borough 0-3 QPR

Goals from Marc Nygaard, Adam Bolder and Shabazz Baidoo gave Rangers a comfortable victory against Harrow Boro at Earlsmead.



A lovely summer's evening brought out another healthy Rangers following but surprisingly just two from the gang, myself and PK. PK however was rewarded for his loyalty late in the evening and managed to grab an exclusive interview with Rangers season long loanee, Michael Mancienne as he walked to the dressing room following his substitution on 78 minutes.

I will break from the match report now for the interview...

PK - Michael, when are you signing?

Michael Mancienne - Thursday!

We would like to thank Michael for his time in giving us this interview!

Anyway, back to the game and I am sure that most Rangers fans would have enjoyed this one as in truth, it was a bit of a mismatch and Rangers dominated. It was also a great chance to see most of the first team sqaud because every Rangers player that started the game was replaced.



QPR: Lee Camp (Jake Cole 45), Zesh Rehman (Marcus Bignot 78), Michael Mancienne (Dominic Shimmin 78), Damion Stewart (Chris Barker 68), John Curtis (Sam Timoska 68), Stefan Moore (Kieron St Aimie 55), Simon Walton (Stefan Bailey 71), Martin Rowlands (Adam Bolder 45), James Simmonds (Shabazz Baidoo 60), Marc Nygaard (Dexter Blackstock 62), Ben Sahar (Danny Nardiello 71).

Performances of note again came from Mancienne, Rowlands and Bolder. Sahar's movement and touch was again a joy to watch and trialist James Simmonds looked extremely lively on the left hand side and probably has done enough to get a run out at some point agaisnt Fulham on Friday.

Wycombe 0-1 QPR

A stunning 25 yard free kick from Martin Rowlands on 40 mins, was enough to beat a determined Wycombe side in a dull game at Adams Park.

Time after time, I keep asking myself why I bother with friendly games and today was no different. But with all the transfer activity this week, I suppose there was extra appeal and it's always nice to be going to football again after several boring Saturday afternoons! Myself, PK and nephew Craig made the easy journey up the A40 and our pre match was enjoyed in the very welcoming Scores bar at the Stadium.

We got into the ground just before kick off and what a welcome sight it was to see Lee Camp run into the Rangers goal. The 22 year old keeper got a fantastic reception from a very healthy Rangers following.



Onto the game, and as you may have guessed, it wasn't one for the purists. Wycombe had much the better chances in the first half but Martin Rowlands stole the show with a stunning free kick into the top corner on 40 minutes.



The second half saw a flurry of substitutions but the outstanding Camp had to be at his best to keep out Jermaine Easter. There isn't really much else to say about the game itself, but the new boys all seemed to settle in well. Nardiello was quiet on the right wing, but after a shaky start, Simon Walton looked composed alongside the again excellent Adam Bolder. Mancienne and Curtis both had decent games at the back, but the best of the new bunch for me was Ben Sahar. Despite a distinct lack of service, his touch and running off the ball, looking for space is quite superb.



QPR: Lee Camp (Jake Cole 65), Michael Mancienne, Dominic Shimmin (Sam Timoska 56), Damion Stewart, John Curtis (Zesh Rehman 79), Danny Nardiello (Stefan Moore 56), Adam Bolder, Simon Walton (Stefan Bailey 86), Martin Rowlands, Dexter Blackstock (Marc Nygaard 79), Ray Jones(Ben Sahar 56).

Lofty's Man of the Match - Martin Rowlands

Okay, so it was only a friendly and a win is a win. But much like the Celtic game, there was plenty of good passing and movement from defence and midfield, but again, that killer ball in the final third and the service to the front men was sadly lacking. Two more friendlies to come, let's wait and see...

Welcome Simon Walton...

QPR took their spending to half a million pounds this Friday afternoon with the signing of Simon Walton from Charlton for £200,000.



The 19 year old midfielder has put pen to paper on a 3 year deal and becomes John Gregory's seventh signing of the summer.

WELCOME and GOOD LUCK SIMON!!

Camp Comes Home...

QPR have made their biggest signing of the summer so far with goalkeeper Lee Camp arriving from Derby for £300k on a three year contract.



Well, another great Rangers transfer saga comes to a close and I think even the most optimistic of R's fans may have given in on this one. Camp has enjoyed two successful loan spells with QPR in the past.

WELCOME HOME and GOOD LUCK LEE!!

Sahar Signs...

QPR have signed 17 year old striker, Ben Sahar on loan from Chelsea.



The Israeli International has signed an initial 3 month loan deal and looks set for a debut against Wycombe on Saturday.

Welcome and Good Luck Ben!!