Today marks the first anniversary of the death of QPR striker Ray Jones, who was tragically killed in a motor accident 12 months ago, after his car was involved in an accident in East Ham. He was just 18.
Formely of Dog Chewed The Handle, Lee Van Sargeant and our very own, Gareth Ainsworth performed their own song as a tribute and in honour of Ray. I managed to catch the moving moment on video at a gig in Ruislip and would again, like to share with you all. New Star
I and indeed all friends and readers of Lofty Heights extends their deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Ray at this sad time.
'THOSE WE HAVE HELD CLOSE TO OUR HEARTS, WILL BE THERE FOREVER...'
QPR did the memory of Ray Jones proud with a comfortable 2-0 win over newly promoted Doncaster Rovers. Dexter Blackstock and Emmanuel Ledesma were the scorers in the game that marked the year anniversary of the death of striker Jones who was tragically killed in a car accident.
Before I continue, I must just say a big GET WELL SOON!!! to Corp, who suffered a nasty neck injury whilst on holiday and couldn't be at the game today - can't wait to see you back mate! His and indeed, PK's nephew Craig took his place today, but I won't mention who he actually supports at this time...
Anyway, onto the game which was a complete carbon copy of last weeks showing at Sheffied United as QPR turned in their best performance of the season so far. The visit to Bramall Lane will soon become just a distant memory, I'm sure. Rangers were ahead on just 5 minutes - Daniel Parejo floated over a free-kick that was stroked home by Dexter Blackstock who raised his black armband and kissed it, dedicating his goal to his close friend Ray - a very moving moment I must say!
Parejo and Ledesma were bossing the midfield as Rangers continued to create chances. Parejo really should have had his first goal for the R's but headed narrowly over from close range. But the second goal wasn't long in coming and on 28 minutes - Stewart found Ledesma in acres of space and the Argentinian midfielder cooly slotted home his first goal for Rangers.
Further chances fell to Stewart and Ledesma and despite some neat and tidy football form Doncaster, they never really threatened in the final third and that continued in the second half. Rangers were extremely comfortable against a Doncaster side who had come to Loftus Road in good form and although the second half wasn't as upbeat as the first, Rangers saw the game out well and could have extended the lead through substitute Balanta.
Lofty's Man of the Match - I have struggled with this one with many good performances throughout. Gavin Mahon was oustanding on his return to the team and Daniel Parejo had a fine match in the heart of the Rangers midfield. Matt Connolly slotted in for the injured Fitz Hall and looked more than at home as centre back. But I just can't call a final result between the two so the award this week goes to both Emmanuel Ledesma and Dexter Blackstock.
As mentioned, with this performance, Sheffield United is becoming a distant memory and this was the R's best performance of the season so far and a fitting tribute to the memory of Ray Jones.
It was also great to see the return of Captain, Martin Rowlands who replaced Parejo in the second half. With Buzsaky and Vine still to return, Iain Dowie will find himself with a huge headache before long. A nice problem to have though as I'm sure he will agree...
QPR got a huge reality check as a Billy Sharp hat trick gave the Blades an extremely comfortable win at Bramall Lane on Saturday and brought the R's back down to earth with a massive bump!!
The day started well enough with myself, PK and the returning Darren, setting off just after 10am and despite a minor hold up on the M1, arrived in plenty of time for some pre match food and drink. Due to QPR's raising their profile, such to speak, instead of finding a pub, we thought we would do what we did last year and take in the excellent 'Hellas Cafe Bar', in which we enjoyed a bistro type lunch and some cold bottled beers before the short walk to the stadium - which from there on in, the day went downhill, rapidly.
There is no way to sugar coat it, this was a shocking performance from Rangers, who went a goal behind on just two minutes - Halford hurled in a long throw and striker Darius Henderson flick-headed the ball into the danger area to find Sharp, 'unmarked' to stoop and place his header out of Radek Cerny's reach. Ten minutes later and it was 2-0 - Mikele Leigertwood dithered and veteran Gary Speed stole the ball. He angled an ball for Sharp who let's be honest, after a big money move fromScunthorpe last year, couldn't hit a barn door from the inside last season! He raced into space leaving Rangers trailing and rifled a cool shot past Cerny and Rangers went into the break fortunate to be just 2 goals down.
Six minutes into the second half and it was game over - Sharp finally added his third goal when he stabbed the ball in from close range after Cerny flapped at a Tonge corner. The best it got for Rangers was during a brief 20 minute spell, when Ledesma struck the Blades post from outside the box and Blackstock was denied at the rebound by a great tackle from Ehiogu.
Don't get me wrong, Sheffield United are a decent outfit and this was always going to be a tough game for Rangers. But, as mentioned, this was a HUGE reality check for the R's and many questions could be asked of Iain Dowie's team selection against an as always, physical Sheffield United side? The back four looked like they had never met before and plenty of work needs to be done before the visit of Doncaster to Loftus Road. Personally, I am not worrying just yet as with all the expectation surrounding the club at the moment, this heavy defeat may well do us some good in the long run. One of Dowie's favourite quotes is 'bouncebackability'. Let's hope we see some next Saturday!
QPR secured a shock 3-2 cup win against Swindon Town in the first round of the Carling Cup on last night.
With Corp still on foreign soil and PK stuck at work, PK's bro, Steve joined myself for what should have been a relatively straight forward midweek journey to the County Ground. Which it was, until junction 13 of the M4 and the delays meant we missed the first 20 minutes of the game.
Walking to the ground, there were plenty of oooo's and aaar's coming from the home end, leading us to think we could be in for a tough night. Thankfully, we arrived in plenty of time to see Angelo Balanta give the R's the lead from close range on 33 minutes. But sadly, by the time I had written the texts to the gang not in attendance, I was quickly editing it to say that Swindon had levelled through Cox.
And, if the Swindon PA announcer wasn's annoying enough after the goal, he was even more so after 'Billlllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Payyyyyyyyyyyyynteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer' gave the home side the lead on 42 minutes and many R's fans were scratching their heads in wonder of just HOW, we were losing this match.
Well, myself and Steve thought we had done so well, getting to the ground when we did and NOT missing any goals. So at the very least, we thoroughly deserved a half time beer!! So that was eagerly consumed and enjoyed and a quick visit to the gents before the second half, then - 'YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES' is what is heard from above. We arrived back to our seats to find lots of smiling faces and Rangers level through Dexter Blackstock. After watching the Carling Cup highlights on ITV1, we saw it was hardly the 'goal of the season' contender that many had teased us with, but a fine goal all the same as the Cook/Blackstock partnership was back in force.
Nine minutes later and Rangers were ahead and yes, we saw this one!! Captain for the night, Damien Delaney fired home from ten yards with a cool finish after Ledesma's corner was only half cleared.
Despite plenty of pressure for the home side, Rangers looked the bigger threat coming forward and even after 5 minutes of time added on, the dreaded extra time didn't come and Rangers held on to amazingly, win a Cup game!!!
Lofty's Man of the Match - a few contenders for this one with fine performances from Parejo and again, Ledesma. But last night's award goes to returning defender, Matt Connolly who did the work of two defenders last night following a poor performance from Damion Stewart.
So, after an easy enough journey home, I now sit here writing this, knowing I will be back on here later to report details of the 2nd Round draw, what a good feeling that is!!!
Fitz Hall scored twice and then missed a penalty as QPR came from behind to beat Barnsley, as the season started with a win at Loftus Road.
How good it is to be back!! Okay, well we had a sneak peek at the new look Loftus Road at last weeks friendly with Chievo, but gladly, things seemed a lot more organised today. For one reason or another, the gang all arrived at different times and at different places - with Corp in Majorca, but with persistant rain all afternoon, it seems he has made the right decision? But of course, he is missing football and we arrived at our seats eagerly awaiting the kick off and indeed, the new season.
Now, I will go back briefly to the increase in Season Ticket prices and with one of the so called sweeteners, being that our names would be put on our seats for the forthcoming season. Well, despite me requesting to the box office, not to do so, there was my name, gloriously standing out on a labelled piece of sticky tape. I along with many others will no doubt be rest assured, that the extra money was certainly put to good use...
Anyway, enough of that and onto the game and the expectant crowd were silenced when Iain Hume put Barnsley ahead after only four minutes. Rangers had started nervously, no more so than debutant keeper, Radek Cerny. But for a stupid minority of R's fans to start chanting 'there's only one Lee Camp' after only 12 minutes of the game was outrageous, if not disgraceful!!
After the shaky start, Rangers got themselves back on level terms on 29 minutes - Barnsley keeper Luke Steele parried Emmanuel Ledesma's free-kick into Hall's path and he bundled the ball home at the second attempt after his first effort came back off the bar.
Just two minutes later and Loftus Road erupted - after Barnsley failed to clear a Lee Cook corner, the ball dropped to Hall near the edge of the area and the centre-back brilliantly hooked it back over his shoulder and into the far corner of the net to give the R's the lead.
From there on in, it was pretty comfortable for Rangers and Agyemang spurred and opportunity to extend the lead early in the second half. This before Darren Moore brought down the hardworking Blackstock in the box to give the R's a penalty on 58 minutes. Now, whether or not it was a gesture from his team mates, to give Fitz Hall the chance to get his hat trick, remains to be seen. But Hall saw his penalty comfortably saved by Barnsley keeper, Luke Steele. Luckily, the miss didn't end up costing us...
Lofty's Man of the Match - despite two goals from Fitz Hall, today's award goes to Emmanuel Jorge Ledesma, who terrorised Barnsley all afternoon. It has nothing to do with the penalty miss, honest ;o)
So, the season starts with a win and a reasonably good performance. There were a good few negatives, especially in the first half but plenty of positives also, with Ledesma's performance, Hall's goals and a very solid display from Gavin Mahon in midfield. Daniel Parejo got a twenty minute run out, which is hard to judge any player, but enough was seen in that time to suggest he is a fantastic signing!!! It must also be remembered that the R's were starting the season without the injured Vine and Buzsaky, the suspended Stewart, Di Carmine and Captain, Martin Rowlands who was ridiculously sent off in the last game against West Brom last season. But I saw enough today to feel that this could be a very exciting season with a lot more to come from these players.
Well, when I started all this, I never thought for a second I would be writing a story like this...
But, in a press conference today, QPR have announced the signing of Real Madrid starlet, Daniel Parejo on a season long loan.
Rangers have beaten off stiff competition from a number of Europe's top Clubs - including Arsenal, Deportivo La Coruna, Espanyol, Getafe and Villarreal - for the young starlet and with all due respect to the players signed so far, this is the first real example of our wealthy owners flexing their muscles in the transfer market.
Flavio Briatore said:"We are delighted to have agreed a deal to sign arguably the hottest prospect in European football. This is an incredible coup for Queens Park Rangers.
"I am eternally grateful to Ramon Calderon for giving QPR the opportunity to sign such a talented young player. Daniel is a great, young talent and we are looking forward to welcoming him to the QPR family.
Iain Dowie said:"Daniel is a special talent. He's one of the stars of their academy, he gets it and gives it and is the link man we've been looking for.
"It shows the benefit of having Flavio Briatore's contacts and we're indebted to him and his relationship with Ramon Calderon that we've managed to bring in one of the brightest young prospects in Spain." Daniel Parejo said:"I am very happy to be coming to London to play for QPR. When Madrid told me I could come here on loan I and my family were very excited. I had a very nice meeting with Mr Briatore and he has great ambitions for this club." GOOD LUCK DANIEL and WELCOME to QPR!!
