Disappointing...

Cardiff 3-1 QPR

Rangers were well beaten at Ninian Park this evening, in what overall, was a very comfortable night for the in form Cardiff and a R's performance, that some are reporting as both 'disappointing' and sadly,'woeful'.

Well, as you may have guessed by now, myself and PK were unable to make the trip across the border due to work commitments but instead, had to endure the commentary on London Radio - which more often than not, can be as, if not more painful than actually being at the game.

The pain started at about 7.58pm as, albeit a bit late, I turned on the radio to hear something along the lines off - 'what a dreadful back pass, it falls to Parry, who squares to Ledley who scoooooooooooooooooooooooooores'. It didn't get any better...

In fact, it seemed that if it wasn't for Lee Camp, it may have been embarrasing! Ledley scored his second 5 minutes before the break and on 57 minutes, it was all but over as more weak defending saw Hasselbaink set up Paul Parry for a well-taken third.

Rangers plugged away and pulled a goal back on 75 minutes but there seemed a great deal of confusion about the scorer and indeed, if it was indeed a goal? The radio gave it to Vine and then changed their mind and gave it to Agyemang. The Sky Sports videprinter then flashed up Hogan Ephraim as the scorer?!? I then recieved a text from my friend Samm, who was at the game, surprisingly asking if we had scored!?!?

The Official QPR website have given it to Patrick Agyemang and that's good enough for me, although at the end of the day, I suppose it doesn't really matter... Final Score 3-1.

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mahon, Stewart, Buzsaky (Ephraim 62), Rowlands, Connolly (Blackstock 45), Agyemang, Vine, Hall (Mancienne 38), Leigertwood. Subs: Lee, Crowther.

Gigi De Canio commented after the game, translated of course ;-)

"It was not the real QPR out there, but credit to Cardiff. They really surprised us and took full advantage of our mistakes."

More worrying comments from the QPR Manager, came in regards to new signings, Fitz Hall and Matthew Connolly, who both left the field injured;

"We will assess the injuries in the morning, but at this stage they look like they could be serious. The two injuries summed up our night, but we need to re-group ahead of the match against Bristol City on Saturday."

I hope there is a 'call back' clause in Simon Walton's Hull City loan?

Nothing To Report...

... today as yes, you guessed it, it's QPR's Annual FA Cup day off. There may actually be another one on Feb 16th as Barnsley are in the 5th Round, but hopefully, common sense will prevail and a midweek fixture will be re arranged. But, don't hold your breath - Football Association and common sense just DON'T go together!

Normal service will resume soon...

Comfortable...

QPR 2-0 Barnsley

Goals from Patrick Agyemang and Rowan Vine, saw the R's to victory in what was overall, a comfortable afternoon at Loftus Road.



A ticket promotion brought in a very healthy attendance, who had come to see what was the new look QPR, with no less than 5 players making there home debuts. In fact, the amount of times the PA announcer had to say 'home debutant' when reading the team sheet, spoke volumes of the recent investment since the transfer window opened.

But, the 'extra' support the R's had today, no doubt went home extremely happy. In fact, the only real disappointment today, was that we only scored twice, especially after dominating the second half. Surprisingly enough, the better the R's play, the more difficult the reports are to write - when I don't have to pick the bones out of the performance, tactics, referees etc.

Rangers made the perfect start in what was a genrally scrappy first half - going ahead after just five minutes - Vine crossed from the right and Dexter Blackstock's lay-off found Agyemang, who lifted the ball over keeper Heinz Muller before applying the finishing touch with his head, for his second goal in as many games. On the stroke of half time, it was two nil - Vine combined brilliantly with Agyemang, twice exchanging quick passes before tapping the ball home for an excellent goal.



Onto the second half and sadly, the goal fest we had all hoped for, never arrived, depsite Rangers dominating. Martin Rowlands made a decent attempt at clinching the goal of the season, by weaving his way past three defenders, rounding the keeper, only for his shot to be cleared off the line by Dennis Souza.



A delightful chip from Matthew Connolly flew just over and Mikele Leigertwood's drive brought a fine save from keeper Muller. Although the chances continued to come, Barnsley also had their moments, with most of their good play coming from the impressive Campbell-Ryce, who had a shot well saved by Camp late on.

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Stewart (Lee 84), Blackstock (Ephraim 89), Buzsaky, Rowlands, Connolly, Agyemang, Vine, Hall (Mancienne 80), Leigertwood. Subs: Crowther, Balanta.

Lofty's Man of the Match - a few contenders here, with Damien Delaney having a fine debut at left back and there was another wholehearted midfield display, which was almost topped with a fantastic goal, by Martin Rowlands. But today's award, for a goal, an assist and for being a constant threat all afternoon, goes to Patrick Agyemang.

So in summary, this was a decent performance that won three valuable points. Rangers are now up to 17th and breaking clear of the drop zone. With that,you just can't help but feel, that once the new players begin to gel together, better is yet to come. It certainly is an exciting time being a QPR supporter at the moment.

And finally, I must just mention, that the LH winning bet run continued, with faith retained in Patrick Agyemang at 5/1 for first goalscorer! Same again next time I think...

Hello and Goodbye...

WELCOME DAMIEN DELANEY...

...who has signed a three and a half year deal with the R's today for an undisclosed fee.



The 26 year old defender becomes Rangers ninth signing since the opening of the transfer window and is likely to go straight into the squad for Saturday's visit of Barnsley to Loftus Road.

WELCOME TO QPR AND GOOD LUCK, DAMIEN!!!

On the way out of Loftus Road today, were 3 graduates from the QPR Youth Team. Kieron St Aimee, Shabazz Baidoo and Pat Kanyuka all had their contracts terminated by mutual consent. Baidoo has gone on to join Dagenham and Redbridge until the end of the season.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU!!

Goodbye Biggy and Thanks!!

Marcus Bignot has left QPR and looks set to join League One side Millwall although there is late interest from elsewhere.



In two spells with the R's, Marcus made a total of 193 appearances in all competitions and captained the side under John Gregory last season as we secured our Championship status.

A genuinely nice guy, on and off the pitch and I am sure everyone would like to join me to say a BIG THANK YOU and wish Biggy all the very best at his new club!!

A 'Handy' Win for the Blades...

Sheffield United 2-1 QPR

Rangers slipped to a narrow defeat at Bramall Lane, in a game where some awful refereeing and two fantastic saves, ultimately led to the outcome. Although not both the saves were from the goalkeeper in a proverbial game of two halves...



Despite being held up by an aaccident on the M1, we arrived in Sheffield in plenty of time. Myself and PK also welcomed Corp back to the away day fold and it was his influence that led to us enjoying our pre match drink and eats in the excellent Hellena sandwich and deli bar, rather than finding the normal, suitable public house.

So it was from there onto the ground, where a very healthy away following, saw Rangers take a deserved lead going into the break. Patrick Agyemang fired home from close range on the stroke of half time, following good work from Connolly on the right. Previous to this, Buzsaky had tested Paddy Kenny a couple of times - one notably from a vicious free kick that was brilliantly saved by the Blades keeper.



The mood around the Rangers end was naturally upbeat during the break, but we all knew that the home side would come at us in the second half - and come at us they did. Yet another own goal saw the Blades level on 64 minutes. A dubious looking corner saw the ball fall to Tonge, who forced a fine save from Lee Camp. Unfortunately, in the melee that followed, Rowlands attempt to clear cannoned off Damion Stewart and flew into the back off the net.

Five minutes later, and the Blades were ahead - the referee waved away a certain foul on Buzsaky on the edge of the box and United broke away at pace. Hendrie and Connolly wrestled in the box, Hendrie got to his feet first before firing home. Two further attempts from Rob Hulse should have made the game safe, but in the 91st minute, the ref hammered the final nail in the Rangers coffin. Buzsaky's stunning volley was brilliantly saved on the line - but not by Paddy Kenny, but Matt Kilgallon, who clearly used a hand to palm the ball away.



The R's players lengthy protests fell on deaf ears but the fact that Kilgallon was walking away from the scene of the crime, grinning and laughing, spoke volumes.

QPR: Camp, Barker (Blackstock 74), Mahon, Stewart, Buzsaky, Rowlands, Connolly, Agyemang, Lee, Vine, Hall. Subs: Bolder, Ainsworth, Walton, Ephraim.

Lofty's Man of the Match - Akos Buzsaky

So, yet another disappointing defeat after so much promise from the first half performance, but the second half tactics were all wrong. We survived the first ten minutes but then after simply gifting them a goal, down went the heads and the substitution to bring on a second striker was the wrong one - as it moved Buzsaky out of the midfield to the left hand side and from there, we had no answers. Also, did anyone else spot that Agyemang played most of the second half injured??

On a brighter note, the LH betting syndicate made a winning return, with Agyemang, first scorer at 8/1! :-)

Welcome Back Rowan...

Following his 3 month loan deal with the R's, striker Rowan Vine has made his stay at the R's a permanent one and is Rangers 8th signing of the current transfer window.



Rowan has signed a 4 and a half year contract for a fee believed to be around £1 million.

WELCOME BACK TO QPR AND GOOD LUCK, ROWAN!!