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QPR have been drawn at home against fellow Championship side, Burnley in the F.A. Cup Third Round.
I guess we all had our personal choices of who we wanted and where - personally I fancied Arsenal or Man City away. But, if I am honest and with respect of course, I am slightly disappointed with this one. However, we are at home so it can't be all bad.
The tie will be played during the weekend commencing Saturday 3rd January 2009.
Crystal Palace 0-0 QPR
QPR continue to struggle in front of goal on their travels, but gained a creditable point with a battling performance at Selhurst Park.
Well, before I go on with the report and make my comments on what an encouraging, hard fought display this was from the R's, I am still wondering just how Heidar Helguson managed to miss an open goal from 16 yards out?!? I also am still finding it quite hard to accept, that I actually thought that referee Rob Styles had a very decent game!! - there, I have said it!
Despite being a London Derby, Palace away is one of my least favourite fixtures, mainly because despite being just across the river, we can get too and from a great deal more away games outside of London a lot quicker and I eventually arrived back at Lofty Towers just before 8pm. The over zealous stewarding outside the away end hardly made us feel welcome on our arrival either.
Anyway, onto the game and after an even first half, Heidar Helguson came off the bench in place of the yet again, inneffective Daniel Parejo, to make his R's debut and it was almost a dream start for the striker. With keeper Speroni advancing to clear, Agyemang managed to poke the ball into Helguson's path with the keeper stranded. But with his first touch of the ball since coming on, the Icelander somehow managed to sidefoot the ball wide with the goal gaping! Both sides had decent spells of possession, but Palace nearly broke Rangers hearts in stoppage time, but a superb save from Radek Cerny denied Craig Beattie.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon, Leigertwood, Parejo (Helguson 46), Blackstock (Rowlands 57), Agyemang (Di Carmine 90), Gorkss, Ramage, Ephraim Subs: Cole, Borrowdale.
Lofty's Man of the Match - Kaspers Gorkss - an awesome performance at the back for QPR!
In summary, this was a decent point and a decent hard working performance from the R's and a million miles away from the shambles at Vicarage Road last week. Some decent performances throught, namely Gorkss, Cerny, Liegertwood, Ephraim, Agyemang and despite the miss, Helguson. Once again, forgettable from Parejo, which brings me onto a comment heard from a young lad sitting behind me, about 6 years old I would think, saying to his Dad - 'why don't we send him back to Spain?' - The Wisdom of Children!
Rangers face runaway leaders Wolves at LR next week, live on Sky, but before that is the F.A.Cup Third Round Draw. A big away day or a decent cup run? Can't quite decide, we shall see...
Following all the confusion and rumours last week, QPR have today announced the loan signing of Bolton striker, Heider Helguson on an initial one month deal.
The 31 year old will go into Paulo Sousa's squad to face Crystal Palace on Saturday.
GOOD LUCK AGAIN HEIDAR and WELCOME TO QPR!!!
QPR have today confirmed the loan signing of Coventry City left back Gary Borrowdale.
The 23 year-old has signed a deal until the 31st December 2008, and is in strong contention to make his R's debut against former Club, Crystal Palace, on Saturday.
GOOD LUCK GARY and WELCOME to QPR!!
QPR 2-1 Charlton
QPR got back to winning ways as a brace from Dexter Blackstock secured a 2-1 win over Charlton at a very cold Loftus Road last night - The match was dedicated to the memory of Kiyan Prince and The Kiyan Prince Foundation - Kiyan would have been celebrating his 18th birthday. Prince, a former QPR player, was tragically stabbed to death at the age of 15 following an altercation with another student outside the gates of the London Academy in Edgware in May 2006.
Following the debacle at Watford at the weekend, the mood was somewhat downbeat and subdued around Loftus Road before kick off. There were only probably two positive people amongst the gang before kick off, one who was Glenn, a Spurs fan and guest for the night - why he would want to come and watch QPR with the upturn in fortunes at White Hart Lane, surprised everyone - and Corp, of who we met briefly before the game who had enjoyed more Corporate Hospitality. He had great pleasure in describing his excellent meal after we had just paid a visit to the fish shop. PK unfortunately, got home from work too late too attend and listened in the warmth of his home.
Onto the game and after the presentation of Paulo Sousa to the home supporters, it took a while to get going, but on 17 minutes, Damiano Tomassi fired in a low cross from the left which found Blackstock unmarked seven yards out, the striker made no mistake to claim his eighth goal of the season. If the Charlton defending was bad enough for the goal, the R's more than made up for it on 30 minutes when Therry Racon arrived unmarked to slide home Hameur Bouazza's fiercely driven cross.
The second half was a more lively affair and Sousa had introduced Patrick Agyemang in place of Di Carmine, but it was Charlton who made the more encouraging start. Rangers had decent 20 minutes spell but it was Charlton who were looking the more likely in front of goal and nearly snatched the lead with 15 minutes remaining when skipper Mark Hudson glanced debutant Keith Gillespie's cross narrowly wide.But this miss was to prove costly, as moments later QPR broke up the other end and Hogan Ephraim crossed for Blackstock, who steered a fantastic header into the top corner. Blackstock should have had his hat trick as minutes later, Ephraim's pin-point cross picked out Blackstock, but this time he could only head the ball agonisingly wide.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Leigertwood, Parejo (Ledesma 73), Blackstock, Gorkss, Ramage, Tommasi (Mahon 61), Di Carmine (Agyemang 46), Ephraim. Subs: Cole, Oastler.
Lofty's Man of the Match - despite two good goals and an very hard working performance from Blackstock, the award goes to Patrick Agyemang who made a massive impact up front when he came on for the second half.
Well, in summary, this was not the best performance by any means but it was a massive improvement on the disgrace at Watford and you have to say, that a win is a win and it was three very welcome points. Let's not forget that we were also without Fitz Hall, Lee Cook, Martin Rowlands, Matt Connolly and long term absentees, Akos Buszaky and Rowan Vine. Personally, I was very disappointed AGAIN, with Daniel Parejo, who's theatrics were not only annoying last night, but extremely unconvincing. There is a great player in there somewhere, let's just hope we get to see it soon.
And finally, for those who sit in the Loftus Road Stand, I can highly recommend the soup sold at the bagel bar, which used to be the Ladbrokes booth in the Lower Loft - SUPERB!! - and definitely just the job on a very cold night!
Watford 3-0 QPR 'Project'
I am ashamed to say, that Watford easily brushed aside a disjointed and disinterested QPR at Vicarage Road in Paulo Sousa's first game in charge.
What with the developments at Loftus Road this week, the mood was extremely upbeat and the much mentioned, new manager syndrome, would surely come into effect with the players going all out to impress their new boss. Sadly, someone forgot to tell QPR this and after the much publicised Paulo Sousa interviews this week, where he has been demanding hard work, ambition and loyalty, else they have no part in this 'project' - there must be a good few QPR players who will be fearing for their jobs after this performance.
After reading the various reports since I have been home, the Official QPR site have obviously tried to sugar coat this defeat a bit by stating that Sousa watched from the stands today and left managerial duties to Gareth Ainsworth, seeing as though he has only been here for 2 days. What it doesn't do is make this any better as today's performance was totally unnacceptable and our worst of the season by a long way.
Tommy Smith set the home side on their way from the penalty spot in the 26th minute after he was adjudged to have been barged in the back by Mikele Liegertwood. It looked a soft penalty, it was a soft penalty and extremely harsh of the referee to award. In fairness, the Watford players didn't appeal for it and everyone in the stadium seemed genuinely stunned when it was awarded.
If that wasn't bad enough, the Rangers backline were at fault for Watford's second eight minutes later. Lee Williamson's fine 25-yard free-kick rebounded off the post, but their failure to react to the loose ball allowed Jon Harley to cross the ball back in for Darren Ward to score. On the stroke of half time, the game was over, as Smith robbed Leigertwood in the left back area and pulled the ball back for Williamson to fire a shot that creot under Radek Cerny.
At this point, I nearly went home and I certainly would not have been alone as many disgusted R's fans made for the exit. But I was talked into staying by PK and also, the hope that Rangers would come out and give it a real go as there was nothing to lose. This would be the case, surely...
It didn't happen and I have to be honest, if I were a Watford fan, I would be very disappointed that my team didn't get 5 or 6 today. To make matters worse, Fitz Hall was given a straight red card with 10 minutes to go. I am afraid I cannot offer any comment regarding this as I had long left the stadium by this time. I cannot remember the last time I had left before the end of a QPR game and also, when I had readily joined in with a chorus of 'what a load of rubbish', but that I did and I don't regret doing so.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon (Tommasi 46), Hall, Leigertwood, Blackstock (Di Carmine 63), Agyemang, Ramage, Ledesma (Parejo 53), Ephraim. Subs: Cole, Gorkss.
Lofty's Man of the Match - you are seriously, having a laugh!! N/A
I must admit, that when I first heard this midweek, it went over my head somewhat. But to continually hear Queens Park Rangers referred to as a 'project' rather than a Football Club by the owners and now, the Management, is great cause for concern - as was vented loudly by the R's following at Vicarage Road today. But what concerns me more, is that this performance 'could' be the players protesting at an absolute joke that Flavio Briatore is turning our Club into...
That folks, is all for now...
QPR have today announced the loan signing of Bolton striker, Heider Helguson on an initial two month deal.
The 31 year old will go straight into Paulo Sousa's first squad to face one of his former clubs, Watford on Saturday. Helguson, who has made over 40 International appearances for Iceland, scored the only goal of the game for his country against Malta last night.
GOOD LUCK HEIDAR and WELCOME TO QPR!!!
