Aaron Brown has gone on loan to Torquay United until the end of the season.
Brown has just recovered from a broken leg and is searching out full match fitness. A blast down the leagues with Leroy Roseniors Gulls is a good opportunity for Aaron Brown to prove to himself he is ready to move forward with his Rangers career.
A good spell on loan for Brown is just what the doctor ordered. Hopefully Brown is outstanding down the leagues and is raring to go up and down out wide left for the QPR first team next season.
I gather Martin Rowlands got the winner after playing quite well. Rotherham played quite aggressively by all accounts, but the better football of QPR prevailed.
The QPR Official Website has a report on it about the impending signing of striker Dean Sturridge (31).
Dean Sturridge is a decent enough forward with a bit of pace, which is needed really to play next to Furlong. Gallen, Thorpe and Cureton are not quick by any stretch of the imagination. I have read rumours that Cureton is on his way out to Martin Allen's Brentford, so Sturridge could be replacing Jamie long term.
Derby County were lucky to get away with a home draw against QPR today. Ian Holloway played loan signing Davies from Middlesbrough next to Danny Shittu and moved Santos into midfield next to Bircham. Rowlands went on the wide right and Gareth Ainsworth dropped to the bench. I think Ainsworth was unlucky not to start, he was man of the match at home to Watford in my opinion.
A 0-0 draw and a clean sheet away to Derby is a good result. Derby barely threatened and we had a good few chances. Most notably Kevin Gallen in the second half.
Holloway is after 72 points to hopefully get us in the playoffs. On this form we may just do it. If Davies arrival sets up a few clean sheets, we may just be in business.
Arthur Gnohere was on the long term injury list and was also one of our highest paid players, has been sacked by QPR. Gnohere had his contract terminated for apparent breach of the clubs disciplinary code. Gnohere was previously disciplined for failing to show up for pre season training on time. Gnohere went on to do his achilles I think it was. (edit - knee injury)
Gnohere played very well while on loan from Burnley initially, that was when Clark Carlisle was out having rehab for alcoholism and Shittu was long term injured at the time. Gnohere was brought to Rangers with the help of fans money, so it is sad things ended up like this for Gnohere.
♠ talkSPORT Radio 1089 - 1053 am between 6 am and 10 am - Ian Holloway Live ♠
Ian Holloway will be talking live to Rodney Marsh, Graham Beecroft and Paul Breen Turner tomorrow morning (wednesday) on talkSPORT Radio 1089 - 1053 am between 6 am and 10 am.
What will Holloway be talking about on the radio?
My guess is it would be QPR related. So listen in.
Note :: talkSPORT Radio 1089 - 1053 am between 6 am and 10 am - Ian Holloway Live.
Simon Davies, Simon Royce and Aaron Brown Sign Up For QPR
Simon Davies has joined on loan from Middlesbrough for the wrest of the season. Davies is a decent centre back. We need a decent centre ack to play next to Shittu and maybe Santos will move into midfield.
Simon Royce has signed for another month on loan.
Aaron Brown, who joined us after leaving Bristol City on a free only to break his leg via Marcus Bignot of all people, is back to full fitness - so Aaron Brown has signed a 15 month deal to stay at the Rangers (Brown scored 12 goals in 189 games for Bristol City)
Aaron Brown has had 3 or 4 reserve games now at left midfield and has clearly done enough to impress Holloway into offering him a contract. I hope Aaron Brown plays well for us in the coming seasons.
Goalkeeper Simon Royce Extends His Loan At QPR By A Month
Goalkeeper Simon Royce has done well for QPR in the 5 games he has played in his second loan spell at Loftus Road. Royce has decided to extend his stay for another month from London neighbours Charlton. Royce has has 2 clean sheets and should have had another against Watford except for Ardley's floater from 25 yards.
QPR Net have posted an interview with the head of QPR's youth developement Joe Gallen.
I don't copy content from other QPR sites, press here to read the Joe Gallen Interview
Joe Gallen details the workings of the QPR youth set up with John O'brien. I have had serious misgivings in the past about the QPR youth setup. The lack of proper scouting was ridiculous. There was a time when the QPR scouts seemed not to be working in tandem with the QPR youth coaches who did their best in the community.
By reading the Joe Gallen interview you will notice that Joe is a coach AND a scout for us and actually has the ear of the manager Ian Holloway to boot. Oh my, I am becoming fearful QPR will actually see some results from the youth set up over the next 5 years.
Watford came a cropper and went down 3-1 at Loftus Road today in their attempt to close down QPR to 2 points in the league and virtually guarantee themselves a relegation free end of season. As it stands Watford sit precariously with only 4 points seperating them from the drop zone.
My view from the South Africa road stand above the paddock seemed odd to me as I usually sit in the Ellerslie Road stand when I go to QPR home matches. It was a pleasant change in the end as the Rangers players dominated from start to finish.
Brynjar Gunnarson was sent off on about the 20 minute mark after saving a shot from Ainsworth I think it was. It was a very good reflex save, instictive. Happily for QPR Gunnarson was not the Watford goalkeeper. Gallen missed with the penalty after his weak spot kick was saved and crashed the rebound off the bar with a header, Cook then proceded to header the 2nd rebound over the bar. The writing was on the wall though for 10 man Watford.
QPR GOAL 34 On 34 Paul Furlong struck low and left footed from just around the penalty spot after the ball had ricocheted around the Watford penalty area for a while. QPR were playing rather direct which Watford dealt with quite well. It was when we played the ball on the deck and down the wings that Watford's 10 men became stretched and then left gaps in the middle.
QPR GOAL 46 Half time it was 1-0 but that scoreline soon changed after Wild Thing Gareth Ainsworth skinned the left back and ex Ranger Jermaine Darlington wide right with 1 touch and exploded into the box to lay up Gallen for an easy finish on 46.
QPR GOAL 57 Lee Cook was playing well against his old team and provided the 3rd for QPR and Gallen's second with a well delivered left foot cross. Watford could'nt clear first time up so Cook fed Gallen again who headed home for his second.
Soon after the third goal went in Matthew Rose was replaced by Richard Edghill who went to right back, Bignot shifted over to the left back slot. With about 15 to go Furlong was replaced by Adam Miller and we lost our shape for a bit. We struggle without Furlong. (36, you're having a laugh echoed around the ground when Furs was rested up)
WATFORD GOAL 80 Niel Ardley soon took advantage with a nice finish floating the ball over Royce from 20 yards. Ian Holloway could'nt have been amused and decided to go back to 442 after Watford's consolation goal by putting Tony Thorpe up front next to Gallen by removing Lee Cook and moving Rowlands out to left midfield.
Official man of the match - Kevin Gallen (c) QPR Blog man of the match - Lee Cook (that's more like it Cookey)
QPR Blog Comment ::
My main concern would be the two chances from floated crosses that the Hornets did not put away. More quality on the end of those crosses where Shittu and Santos were nowhere to be seen and it could have been a different game alltogether. The arrival of Davies on loan from Middlesbrough will hopefully improve the concentration at the back. Santos can slot back into midfield where he has played very well recently for us.
I have been guilty myself of saying QPR are erratic form-wise. My conclusion is that is an unfair observation as the team are over achieving, therefore performing amazingly well in some games, whereas in others they are playing normally. Hardly describable as erratic I think. More like flying high.
QPR v Watford Saturday 12th March 2005 Kick Off 3:00pm East Paddock Sold Out, West Paddock and Loft Lower - limited availability Loftus Road Upper Severely Restricted Views - limited availability South Africa Road and Ellerslie Road Cargiant Stand - Wing Sections available
Matthew Hislop (18) has signed a 2 year contract to play for QPR. Hislop is predominately a left back and can play in midfield on the left.
Matthew Hislop was an England international schoolboy and played for the Arsenal reserves this season. Not sure why Arsenal released him. I think Hislop is quick, but not massively skillful if I recall. He is quite a lump though. Big, strong, aggressive, quick and powerful. I think he will fit in at left back quite nicely, even in the first team. Padula has not produced this season and Rose has nicked that spot, even though he's not really a left back.
Hislop was obviously not happy about being released by Arsenal and decided to join QPR over a few clubs. Hislop stated he likes what Holloway has to say about how he fits into his plans for the club. I think John O'Brien (youth recruitment officer) had a lot to do with Hislop's decision to be honest, seeing as O'Brien recently joined QPR from Arsenal.
Bean Interview - On Loan Marcus Bean Has Settled At Swansea
Marcus Bean is on loan at division 2 Swansea FC who are currently 5th in the league standings. Only 9 points off the top and 3 points off 2nd spot and automatic promotion, Swansea fans are apparently putting the Swansea players under a bit of pressure due to the expectancy and desire to gain promotion.
This Is South Wales have done a very nice interview with Marcus Bean, where Marcus likens the pressure to that of the QPR fans last season in our promotion push. Settling in was a small problem for Marcus, even though it his first time away from QPR and his family.
Bean is a decent ballwinner in midfield and I am sure he will not let anyone down at the Swansea.
Sir Les limped off after half an hour and that spelt no goals for some reason. I think that will be the last time Sir Les Ferdinand graces the Loftus Road pitch in anger, for any team.
Reading Reading had the best chance of the match after only 2 minutes but Brooker was blocked by well by loan keeper Simon Royce in a 1 on 1. Dave Kitson had a Reading goal disallowed for offside.
QPR Matthew Rose hit the bar for QPR and Kevin Gallen nearly drove home but the Reading keeper saved. Paul Furlong was nearly the saviour again but was denied by the width of a rizla paper after a left footed volley across the goal skimmed agonisingly wide.