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QPR 1-2 AC Chievo Verona
QPR ended their pre season campaign with their 3rd succesive defeat against Serie A new boys, Chievo Verona, in what was largely a disappointing match at Loftus Road.
Although the prices for this friendly were not exactly over generous, myself and the gang were keen to get back to Loftus Road. If only, to see the many changes that we have heard so much about during the Summer. Overall, I have pretty much calmed down now about the season ticket price hike etc and cannot wait until next Saturday, where it all starts again against Barnsley at home. But, as mentioned, throughout the close season, fans have heard allsorts from the Club about improving the match day experience and many changes/improvements made at Loftus Road for us all to look forward too...Well, on arrival, the first port of call was the Club Shop, or 'Superstore' as it's now called. It's basically, had a refit. It's the same shop, the layout is a bit better and now they have much welcomed air conditioning. It was also evident around the Stadium, that whoever has supplied QPR with blue and silver paint, has made a right killing!!So far, so reasonably good, but we were then eager to enter the Stadium and see our now 'Gold' seats in the Upper Loft. Apart from more splashes of silver paint, nothing much has changed. The Stadium as a whole, looked good with a new coat of paint and a big screen has been put up on top of the away end. Now, it was only a matter of time before we got one of these as our old scoreboard is not only a bit dated, but is really on it's last legs. The thing is, where our seats are, at the back of the stand, means that the long wait and excitement means nothing at all as that we will be able to see absolutely nothing of the new addition.
Anyway, moan over and onto the game, which as a whole was a typical friendly and a bit of a disappointment. However, Chievo looked very good and passed the ball around very nicely and the R's, playing a weird looking system with a lone striker, struggled to keep up with them. However, Rangers were denied a lead midway through the half when referee Howard Webb, ruled out Damien Delaney's header for a foul by Fitz Hall. Cheivo then went down the other end and scored through Bogdani following some neat passing. 
Onto the second half and just as Iain Dowie changed Rangers back to a more conventionall 4-4-2 system, Chievo doubled their lead through Bentivoglion who fired home from the edge of the box as Rangers were caught napping by a reasonably simple, set piece. With 20 minutes to go, Rangers got back into the game. Alberti was bundled over in the box and the referee, quite generously I must say, pointed to the spot. Following a tangle with Ledesma to get the chance to take the kick, Dexter Blackstock sent the keeper the wrong way - at the second time of asking as Howard Webb had ordered a retake after the first penalty was saved.
QPR: Cerny (Camp 85), Ramage, Delaney, Mahon (Bolder 76), Hall, Gorkss (Stewart 77), Agyemang, Leigertwood (Ainsworth 77), Blackstock (Di Carmine 73), Balanta (Alberti 59), Ledesma (Rose 83).
Despite the defeat, there were plenty of positives to take from the performance. Kaspers Gorkks had a decent game and certainly looks a good signing for us and when Connolly is fit, a back four of Delaney, Gorkks, Hall and Connolly looks a good choice. Good performances again came from Ledesma and sunstitute, Alberti. There was also a fair slice of negatives too, but with the season just one week away and reports of big news coming from Loftus Road this coming Monday, I won't dwell on that for now...
See you next week!!
QPR have today signed former winger, Lee Cook on a season long loan from Fulham, with a view to a permanent transfer.
Rangers were forced to sell Cook a year ago due to the financial position at the Club, but have been trying to get him back ever since - this despite the continued obstacles put in the way by Fulham. It must never be forgotten that Cook donated his signing on fee to help QPR's once precarious position.
Cook told the QPR Official Website;“I’m absolutely delighted to be back. Once it became clear I could leave Fulham there was only one club I wanted to move to. I had a great rapport with the supporters here in my previous spells and I’m looking forward to playing in front of the Loftus Road faithful again.
I’ve spoken to a few of the lads recently and there’s a great belief that we can achieve something this season. The gaffer has made some astute signings over the summer and as a QPR player and a QPR fan I’m absolutely buzzing ahead of the new season"
WELCOME HOME COOKIE!!!!
The transfer saga is finally over, as today, QPR clinched the signing of Latvian International defender, Kaspers Gorkks from Blackpool for an undisclosed fee.
With a £250k release clause in his contract, Rangers moved quickly to try and snap him up once the transfer window opened but things turned sour when Blackpool reported QPR to the Football League for making an illegal approach to the player - and when Blackpool Chairman, Karl Oyston said he would do everything in his power to stop the player moving to QPR, the deal looked all but dead in the water. But today, finally, the 26 year old defender has penned a 3 year deal with the R's.
Good Luck Kaspers and WELCOME to QPR!!
Going the other way is Zesh Rehman, who has joined Blackpool on a 6 month loan deal. Striker, Daniel Nardiello is also likely to be a Blackpool player following his contract at QPR being terminated by mutual consent. We wish both players well in their future careers!
Kilmarnock 1-0 QPR
Rangers were narrowly beaten at Rugby Park but according to reports, can take heart from a performance in which the R's dominated. Radek Cerny and Kaspers Gorkss made their R's debuts...
Latvian defender, Gorkks, was given special permission to play by Blackpool and this long and drawn out transfer saga is set to come to an end tomorrow! Well, hopefully...As mentioned, despite dominating proceedings, the R's went down to a Manuel Pascali header in the first half. Iain Dowie told the Official QPR Website;
"I was quite pleased with the display today. We created plenty of opportunities but one moment of madness in the first half cost us. We didn't pick up the runner into the box and paid the price for that.
I wanted greater creativity from the players and I got that. We had 18 shots on goal in the first half alone which is incredible - and four of those were one on ones. We dominated the game and should have won comfortably."QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Delaney, Mahon (Walton, 76), Hall, (Gorkss, 46) Stewart, Ainsworth (Alberti, 78), Leigertwood (Bolder, 62), Agyemang, Balanta, Ledesma (Rose, 82). Subs: Camp.
Well, two defeats from two games North of the border, one more friendly to go against Chievo Verona at home on Saturday, then it all starts again!!
I can't wait!!
Falkirk 2-0 QPR
Iain Dowie lost his first match as QPR boss as the R’s were beaten by Falkirk on Saturday afternoon.
Myself and PK had originally planned to make the trip to Scotland, but in the end, a lack of funds and the draw of the legendary comedian 'Jimmy Jones' at Harrow Borough proved too much - and a great time was had by all of the gang.
Two goals in as many minutes in the first half (D.Stewart OG, J.Stewart) had Rangers beaten, but the most concerning moment of the afternoon would have been the sight of Matt Connolly leaving the field on a stretcher with an ankle injury. 
Thankfully, the Official QPR website have today reported that Connolly's injury isn't as serious as first thought. Iain Dowie told www.qpr.co.uk;
"Matt has rolled his ankle but it doesn't look too serious, thankfully. At this stage, there certainly doesn't seem to be any suggestion of a break, but we will need to wait for the results of a scan before we know for sure."
QPR: Camp, Connolly (Ramage 55), Hall, Stewart, Delaney, Ledesma (Ainsworth 68), Rowlands (Bolder 61), Mahon, Ephraim (Alberti 46), Agyemang (Balanta 78), Blackstock. Subs not used: Crowther, Walton, Rehman, Rose
QPR continue their mini Scottish tour, taking on Kilmarnock this coming Tuesday evening.
Northampton 0-1 QPR
A goal midway through the first half from Dexter Blackstock, was enough for the R's to clinch their second pre season win and bury the Northampton hoodoo at the Sixfields Stadium.
It was a bit of a case of what time I would be able to get away from work, if I was able to make the game. Clive from Loft for Words had asked me to let him know as he was looking for a match reporter and at around a quarter past five last evening, I had officially got the job as a text message confirmed my attendance at Sixfields. With none of the gang present this evening, I happily joined the Henley QPR contingent for this one. In fact, we very didn't make the game at all as on the A43, my car's fuel injection seemed to cut out, which meant we virtually rolled into Northampton at around 7.15. Thankfully, it was only a temporary blip and much fun was had by all on the journey back...
From the short walk from the car park, we were then greeted by 3 large queues outside the away end, so like anyone would, joined the shortest. Only to find on arrival at the turnstile, to be turned away to purchase my match ticket from the portakabin and following that, return to the original queue to get in. Why the many stewards saw fit to just stand there and say nothing until you were literally getting your cash out at the turnstile, is beyond me?
The players were already on the pitch when many disgruntled R's fans got into the ground and another healthy following meant that one of the two closed stands was opened up to accomodate the latecomers and indeed, those who had been ridiculously held up outside the stadium.
Onto the game and Iain Dowie had named a strong starting line up. As per the Stevenage encounter, both sides started nervously and following half chances for both sides, Rangers got into their stride with Ledesma at the heart of nearly everything. The Argentinian midfielder almost opened the scoring on 21 minutes, firing wide from 25 yards. But the goal the R's were threatening came just four minutes later, when Ledesma picked up the ball from the impressive Alberti on the right hand side, before curling in a perfect cross for Blackstock to glance a header home from close range.
Rangers were now in complete control, but the score remained at 1-0 at half time as two chances from Agyemang went begging, as well as a strong penalty appeal after Ledesma was shoved firmly off the ball.
Following a decent first half, came a pretty drab second, due mainly to the several stoppages for substitutions for both sides. Chances were few at either end but the best came to the home side. Just after the restart, Northampton broke down the left and Giles Coke somehow miscued from 6 yards out when he really should have levelled. In amongst the many changes of personel and formations, Leon Constantine missed another great chance for the Cobblers when his delicate chip over Lee Camp went just over.
With time creeping on, Rangers finished the game the brighter and really should have had more than one goal to show for their efforts, with Bolder and Balanta both having decent chances to put the game to bed.
QPR: Lee Camp, Matthew Connolly, Damien Delaney (Zesh Rehman, 76), Damion Stewart, Fitz Hall (Simon Walton, 71), Marrtin Rowlands (Adam Bolder, 71), Matteo Alberti (Gareth Ainsworth, 65), Gavin Mahon, Dexter Blackstock (Samuel Di Carmine, 75) Patrick Agyemang (Angelo Balanta, 75), Emmanuel Ledesma (Hogan Ephraim, 76).
Subs: Reece Crowther, Romone Rose
Although it wasn't the best game in the world, it was enjoyable none the less with Ledesma and Alberti again catching the eye. Di Carmine and Balanta looked a good pairing up front when they came on. It was shame however, that after an impressive half at Stevenage, that we didn't get to see Romone Rose come off the bench.
Also, and rather unfortunately, the side of Ledesma seen at Stevenage was evident again in the second half when the slightest touch sent him falling theatrically to the floor, didn't hear any screaming this time though! Let's hope Dowie and co will put a stop to this and soon!
Stevenage 1-3 QPR
Rangers got their pre-season underway with a comfortable 3-1 win at Stevenage on Saturday. Hogan Ephraim, Ramone Rose and Matteo Alberti scored the QPR goals.
Well, despite what has been a Summer of discontent for many, with the season ticket price increases etc, it was back to the on the pitch action and the footy buzz had definitely returned to the Lofty house. Just after midday, an almost full car load of myself, PK and California Hoop, set off for a short hop up the A1. Sadly, Corp was absent due to work committments. It was then straight to Stripes bar for a couple of drinks and a catch up with friends. We even had a couple of Spurs fans with us as well as a Stevenage fan who filled us in on our opposition.
Onto the game and with Iain Dowie having a good look at his squad, there was a different team for each half, Lee Camp aside due to Cerny's injury. So it was a good opportunity to have a look at our new signings. Ephraim gave QPR the lead before the break and Sam Di Carmine smacked a diving header against the foot of the post. As mentioned, wholesale changes at half time saw QPR step it up a few gears and scored within 60 seconds of the restart through Romone Rose.
The impressive Ledesma, cracked the crossbar with a free kick and Matteo Alberti added a third from an acute angle before Stevenage pulled one back through former Orient striker Iyseden Christie.
QPR First Half: Camp, Ramage, Rehman, Stewart, Barker, Ainsworth, Bolder, Rowlands, Ephraim, Agyemang, Di Carmine.
QPR Second Half: Camp (Crowther) Connolly, Walton, Hall, Delaney, Alberti, Mahon, Ledesma, Rose, Blackstock, Balanta
It's perhaps a tad unfair to pick a man of the match from this one. The 1st half team didnt really get going but 2nd half team were very lively from the off and went on to control proceedings. Stevenage were really quite neat and tidy, the ball was played around quickly and they looked a decent side that likes to play football, very refreshing to see.
Overall, I was pretty pleased with what I saw today, albeit being the first friendly. Di Carmine was unlucky not to score and looks like he could be a decent signing, as does Alberti who was extremely pacey and took his goal very well! Ledesma looks a class act and after chatting to a few of the players after the game, they all seem to be raving about him so we shall see? But the performance of former youth team starlet, Romone Rose was the highlight of the day for me!
This photo however, has kind of back up my feeling that we are still in need of a striker or two??
It's good to be back!!!
