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With the transfer window barely open, QPR have made three permanant additions to their squad. Firstly, I had great pleasure in sending the texts to the gang this morning with the news that the Iceman, Heidar Helguson had made his loan move from Bolton permanant by signing a 2 and a half year deal for an undisclosed fee. Helguson has made seven appearances for the R's so far, scoring 3 times.
With me being at work and finding web access tricky, Sam took over the text duties and I was thrilled to see the one saying that QPR had signed Wayne Routledge from Aston Villa.
With a good few clubs, including Cardiff who he was previously on loan with, chasing his signature, the 23 year old winger has signed a 3 and a half year deal with QPR for an undiclosed fee, believed to be around the £300,000 mark.
Hot on the heels of that news, came another text from Sam saying that Coventry left back, Gary Borrowdale had also signed on the dotted line and made his loan deal a permanant one.
Borrowdale, who is yet to make an a first team appearance during his loan spell, has also signed a three and a half year deal for an undisclosed fee.
With the excitement brewing following a morning of text messages (thanks, Sam), it was almost disappointing that no further news came forward today, but hey, the window has only been open two days. I am absolutely thrilled with the signings of Helguson and Routledge. Not so much with Borrowdale as I have yet too see him play, but am happy all the same that Rangers are bringing new faces in. A striker, a full back and a midfielder will hopefully be forthcoming and I will be a very happy bunny indeed!!
But for now, GOOD LUCK Heider, Wayne and Gary and WELCOME to QPR!!!
QPR 0-0 Watford
QPR's biggest home crowd of the season saw a hugely disappointing goalless draw against Watford in the final game of 2008.
I have to be honest, I expected to be writing this report with Rangers now sitting in the top six. After the win over Preston before Christmas, I was extremely hopeful of 6 points over the festive period and would certainly have taken 4. But to say I am disappointed to get just 2, following games against Watford and Charlton, is an understatement.More disappointment today, was that for the second home game running, there was no soup on sale in the kiosk in the lower loft!!
The first half particularly, was extremely poor and Watford had much the better of the chances. Heidar Helguson missed QPR's best chance of the half by heading wide from Lee Cook's free-kick.
Watford had to defend for much of the second half but were unlucky not to go ahead through Lee Williamson, who's free-kick from the edge of the area struck the post, then Cerny before going out for a corner on 82 minutes. Previous to that, Martin Rowlands' free-kick was headed back into the danger area by Helguson and an unmarked Blackstock was unable rise high enough to add the finishing touch.
Rangers had a soft appeal for a penalty waved away after Agyemang went down in the area under a challenge from Lloyd Doyley and almost went ahead when a goalmouth scramble ended with Helguson's close-range shot being pushed away by Loach and from the resulting corner by Rowlands, Blackstock headed over.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon (Leigertwood 84), Hall, Agyemang, Rowlands, Ramage, Cook (Blackstock 46), Ephraim, Helguson. Subs: Connolly, Ledesma, Alberti.
Lofty's Man of the Match - Patrick Agyemang
In summary, this was disappointing, both in result and performance but in saying that, credit to Watford who came and had a go, hassled Rangers, worked very hard and were deserving of their point. With plenty of rumours starting, it remains to be seen just what business QPR will do, if any, in the January transfer window.
Before I close, I managed to scoop another exclusive LH interview, this time with PK's favourite player, Lee Cook as he was leaving the stadium and discussed his impending permanant transfer back to Loftus Road.
Lofty - Hi Lee, Happy New Year
LC - Hi mate, thanks
Lofty - so, are you signing, has your deal been done yet?
LC - not yet, next week
Our thanks go to Lee Cook for his time in conducting this interview...And finally...
As this is the last match report in 2008, I would to sincerely thank you all, so much, for your continued support of these pages and wish every single one of you, A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS 2009!!!
Come on You R'sssssssssss!!
Charlton 2-2 QPR
Struggling Charlton twice came back from behind to deny QPR, at an extremely cold Valley on Boxing Day.
The tradition of the Boxing Day fixture, which was a lot kinder to us than the trip to Plymouth last season, brought a full car load as Corp and California Hoop joined myself and PK, with the Henley contingent following us in from South Mimms as we made the relatively easy trip to the Valley. With food and alcohol indulgence the day before, the mood was a little subdued than the norm, but certainly cheerful enough as we decided to walk straight past the pub and onto the chip shop instead.
Onto the game and with Charlton 14 games without a win, I am sure I wasn't alone in amongst the healthy R's support in absolutely dreading this game! With two games in two days, the team was much changed and initial fears were starting to drift away as the R's dominated the first half and were deservedly ahead on 17 minutes, as Lee Cook gave PK a belated Xmas pressie, curling a superb free kick into the top corner.
QPR were made to pay for not putting this game to bed in the first half, when Charlton equalised just three minutes into the second half when Nicky Bailey headed home from the impressive, Lloyd Sam's cross. Charlton had a decent little spell after the goal, but slightly against the run of play, the R's went back in front on 68 minutes - Leigertwood headed a pass to Blackstock who coolly slotted the ball past Elliot for his 11th of the season.
With ten minutes remaining, Charlton were level once again when Radek Cerny could only punch out a Martin Cranie cross and Bailey headed the ball into the net for his second goal of the afternoon. Lloyd Sam had a great chance to clinch the points for Charlton late on, but Rangers themselves were denied three points in stoppage time - Helguson struck the foot of the post, with the rebound falling kindly for Ledesma, who smashed home what was seemingly the winner - only for referee Taylor to adjudge that Blackstock had committed a foul and the wild celebrations in the away end came to an abrupt halt.
QPR: Cerny, Hall, Leigertwood, Blackstock, Gorkss, Rowlands, Ramage, Connolly, Cook (Ledesma 67), Alberti (Ephraim 59), Di Carmine (Helguson 81). Subs: Mahon, Agyemang
Lofty's Man of the Match - Kaspars Gorkss
Although an entertaining game, I came away from the Valley very disappointed that the R's had dropped two points, especially after dominating the first half and sitting back somewhat in the second. Would love to have another look at Ledesma's disallowed goal as I didn't see an awful lot wrong with it at the time. But I guess as many times as I do look at it, it won't change the result so a point it is. There will probably be wholesale changes in the R's line up again for Sunday's clash with Watford as Rangers will be looking to get a decent return from the Christmas games.
I hope you all had a lovely Christmas!!
QPR 3-2 Preston
Dexter Blackstock came off the bench to score a superb late winner, in what was a very entertaining afternoon at Loftus Road.
Before I go on, my apologies for the lateness of this report, but straight after the game, myself and the gang celebrated the victory by going into Shepherds Bush for a few Christmas drinks and if the way my head feels this morning is anything to go by, a very good time was had by all.
Onto the game and Rangers started extremely well and it was no surprise when we took the lead on 16 minutes. Lee Cook's inch perfect cross from the left flank was met by Helguson's head at the far post, who cleverly nodded into the left corner, giving Lonergan no chance.
After dominating the early stages, Rangers were pegged back on 28 minutes and some bad defending let Mckenna cross to find Sedgewick in space to head past Cerny in the R's goal. But just five minutes later, the R's were back in front - former Preston man, Agyemang headed Martin Rowlands' corner back across goal where Cook and Helguson were the first to react and from three yards out, the pair managed to bundle the ball into the net, though the goal was attributed to Helguson.
Onto the second half and why do the Championship have to suffer when a Premier League referee has a bad game and is hence demoted for a week? Alan Wiley went on to stamp his mark on the second half with a quite awful display of refereeing, which included an diabolical penalty award to Preston on the hour - when Wiley deemed that Cerny had felled Sean St Ledger in the area, much to the disgust of the home supporters. At the time, I was personally undecided, but as I have mentioned before, player reaction speaks volumes. Neither St Ledger, or any of the Preston players appealed for it, their fans in the upper School End didn't appeal for it and the R's players looked completely gobsmacked as they surrounded the referee. But, given it was and Davidson brought the two sides level.
Paulo Sousa then went for it and changed the formation to a 3-4-3 with Blackstock and Hall coming on in place of Delaney and Ramage. Alan Wiley again angered the R's supporters when he waved away a penalty appeal as Blackstock was sent flying in the 6 yard box. But when the game was looking like it was heading for a draw, Cook was awarded a free-kick on the left and Rowlands cross was nodded powerfully into the net by Blackstock for his 10th goal of the season.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney (Hall 81), Stewart, Mahon (Leigertwood 62), Agyemang, Gorkss, Rowlands, Ramage (Blackstock 81), Cook, Ephraim, Helguson. Subs: Ledesma, Di Carmine.
Lofty's Man of the Match - Lee Cook
We needed to win this one to keep in touch with the play off pack and we did just that! Huge amount of credit goes to Paulo Sousa. He took a massive risk and got a massive reward. After losing the lead twice to a strong, physical side, how many previous Managers would have thrown on a defender and gone to a 5-4-1 or 4-5-1 in an effort to hold on to the point? Sousa went for the three points and they duly arrived.
On a negative note, there was no soup available for today's game, but the lady has assured me it will return for the Watford game on the 28th.
After the game, we were fortunate to catch Heidar Helguson for a Lofty Heights exclusive interview as he, along with most of the team, made a brief appearance at the LSA Childrens Christmas Party at the Spingbok.
Lofty - good game today, Heidar.
HH - Thank you
Lofty - will you be signing for us in January?
HH - yes, hopefully
Our thanks go to Heidar Helguson for his time in conducting this interview...
Moving on to Charlton away on Boxing Day and a fixture I am now dreading. After yesterday, Charlton are now fourteen games without a win and you know what that normally would mean?? We shall see...
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!!
Daniel Parejo's loan at QPR has ended after Real Madrid recalled him to help with an injury crisis.
Parejo played 18 games in all for QPR and I was slightly surprised to see the following on the BBC Website;'Parejo played 18 games for QPR during an impressive spell at the London club.' ??!!??
I have made no secret on these pages that I am not his biggest fan and certainly, Christmas has come early for me. However, I do actually think there is indeed a quality player in Daniel Parejo and I wish him well.
Plymouth 1-1 QPR
It's finally happened!! After more than 13 hours without one, QPR finally ended their away goal drought with Heider Helguson hitting the back of the net and giving the R's the lead after 16 minutes at Home Park.
Well, I'm truly ashamed to say that I also missed this one too. With PK stocking up for Christmas on a booze run across to France and a distinct lack of interest from anywhere else, I didn't fancy the long and cold journey alone. So, instead my boss used it as an opportunity to drag me into work and thankfully, I will not be boring you with the life and times of an alarm engineer on these pages. With the above in mind, HUGE respect and acknowledgement goes to the 657 R's fans who did travel to Home Park today despite many, many problems on the rail and road!
I did however, manage to catch some of the commentary on QPR World and much was discussed with regards to Martin Rowlands disallowed goal, which it seemed, was wrongly chalked off for offide!? As time went on, it looked as though the R's would hold on for three valuable and most welcome away points, but on 83 minutes, substitute Steven MacLean levelled the scores.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon, Leigertwood, Agyemang (Blackstock, 76), Gorkss, Rowlands, Ramage (Hall, 81), Cook (Ephraim, 68), Helguson. Subs: Cole, Tommasi.
Leeds based R's fan, Paul Dennison has been kind enough to send me a brief summary of last nights game, so I thought I would share seeing as I was not in attendance myself. Thanks Paul...
Last night – very disappointing, played well until penalty miss, up to the Rowly was outstanding and his penalty was a good one, although straight down the middle, but Lee Grant made an excellent , if lucky save. Helguson missed another very easy chance after about 10 minutes and was invisible all match (although I thought he did play well on sat) – My ratings would be:
Cerny – solid, but maybe at fault for the goal
Ramage – worked hard, his run and cross led to the pen
Delaney – struggling big time (although I thought he did play a bit better than usual on Sat)
Mahon – held things together
Stewart – solid
Gorkss – good
Leigertwood – ineffective
Rowly – excellent until penalty miss – faded away
Agyemang – excellent – caused problems all night, let himself down though in front of goal
Helguson(?) – totally invisible
Ephraim – worked hard, caused problems
Subs
Hall – came on in 91st minute as a striker!
Cook – involved a lot in his 20 mins
De Carmine - -on with 10 mins to go, did well – why is he always brought on when its too late!!
Overall – missed chances galore, now nearly 12 hours without an away goal – seems to be getting to the players
Atmosphere – almost non existent
Freezing Cold!!!!
Value for money 3/10
Summary – different Manager, same s@@t!!!!
