It was a good win away from home today. Beating Derby away stamps our improved away form of late. Especially as we spent 2 thirds of the game down to 10 men.
Holloway is not happy with Furlong for getting sent off though. Agreed, Furlong was elbowed, but Holloway expects a player of Furlong's experience to be able to deal with aggressive tactics from the opposition without getting himself sent off.
Holloway On Performance >> I think the team showed everybody that they wanted to play and they wanted to get that result. Recently in certain games things didn't go for us but they did today and I'm delighted with every single one of the team. "They showed real guts and real determination. And what a goal from Kevin Gallen. He can play all over the pitch and he proved that today. We needed balance and we showed it out there. It was a brilliant performance.
"We won today without Lee Cook who is so vital to us and Gareth Ainsworth just sums it all up. I tell my players to run until their lungs burst and it looked as if his did today."
Holloway On Furlong Red Card >> "I was seething at what happened on two counts. First Furs got an elbow in his face and then his reaction, kicking out at Thome. He must remember it's a team game."
Holloway On Penalty Decision and Royce "Saves" >> "I thought the ball struck the hand for the penalty. It was very harsh but we got what we deserved when Roycey saved it. As for the other save, I'm not kidding - that is one of the best saves I have ever seen."
Holloway On QPR Fans >> "They've seen some decent performances away from home and they were absolutely magnificent today. They will have driven home from Preston deflated but today they will be elated. "I told my team that if you play with the pride and the passion that they show then they will always be ok."
QPR went down to 10 men after 34 and had a penalty against us, that Royce saved. We still won away from home. QPR's away form is on the up. If this continues we are in with a shout of the premiership.
Gareth Ainsworth got the first goal after half an hour, but Furlong got sent off 4 minutes later and it was backs to the wall. Sturridge was left up front on his own. Santos played well and found Gallen roaming forward and against the run of play, we got the second.
Blackstock nicked 1 back 4 minutes later, but Derby could not get the equalizer and Ranger come away from Pride Park with much pride and all 3 points. Very nice.
QPR now sit in 8th spot. Level on points with the playoff sides. 9 points off of automatic promotion.
Derby V QPR Teams Derby: Poole, Kenna (Thirlwell 58), Michael Johnson, Thome, Johnnie Jackson, Bisgaard, Idiakez, Seth Johnson, Whittingham, John (Blackstock 59), Peschisolido (Tudgay 81). Subs Not Used: Camp, Doyle. Booked: Peschisolido. QPR: Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Evatt, Dyer, Ainsworth (Milanese 90), Doherty (Langley 81), Santos, Gallen, Furlong, Sturridge (Moore 62). Subs Not Used: Shimmin, Donnelly. Sent Off: Furlong (34).
QPR Blog Comment >> Johnny Winterburn - We Are QPR!
Mirhat Redzic Update >> (november 10) QPR have decided not to sign goalie Mirhat Redzic. Redzic played in the 2-0 reserve defeat at Fulham and the decision was made thereafter
Mirhat Redzic - Goalkeeper - anyone know anything about this guy atall? Apparently a Slovenian goalkeeper who has been training with QPR for the last couple of weeks. Trained well enough to earn a contract. I guess Jake Cole will be dropped off of the bench. It would be nice if Mirhat Redzic is a better goalie than Simon Royce. Who knows?
I certainly never heard of the guy before. - "Mirhat Redzic"
Nygard is out. Bircham is out. Sturridge may get in up front against his old club Derby County - hopefully to haunt them. Santos is most likely to replace Bircham in the centre of midfield. Maybe Langley will be fit enough to get on the bench tomorrow.
We are on a decent run away from home. A win against Leicester. 2 draws against Millwall and Plymouth. Hopefully Ranger can return to Loftus Road victorious with all 3 points.
Lloyd Dyer has been playing at left back for the last month or so. Dyer has 5 games under his belt for us now. QPR left backs Milanese and Hslop are still injured and so is Matthew Rose, so Dyer will be staying and playing until the end of November.
Lloyd Dyer >> Lloyd Dyer my Lord, Lloyd Dyer, Lloyd Dyer my Lord, Lloyd Dyer, Lloyd Dyer my Lord, Lloyd Dyer, oh Lord Lloyd Dyer
In fact, Lloyd Dyer looks like he'll be a better left winger than left back. Maybe Lloyd will nick us a goal or 2 before he leaves.
Before the match today, Holloway was talking to Richard Langley, who he had left out. From the sidelines, a QPR fan shouted out, "don't worry Rich, he won't be here much longer". Holloway went over to the fan and told the guy to say it to his face. The guy did and they chatted for 10 minutes.
Holloway >> I was on the pitch chatting with Richard Langley, who I left out, and a fan shouted 'don't worry Rich, he won't be here much longer'.
"So I went over and asked him to say it to my face, and we chatted for about 10 minutes. He's entitled to his opinion but our fans need to refocus on what's important at a football club, and that's the team.
"Stability at a club comes from what happens on the field, but there's always something going on here. Maybe it's the upheaval in the boardroom, I don't know.
"A couple of years ago we wouldn't have believed where we are now.
"I'm very proud of what we've achieved here, if it ended today I would look back on this period of my life with nothing but pride."
QPR over-ran Norwich in a strong first half display. Whether it was our strength or their weakness is open to opinion. Probably a mixture of both.
Nygaard got in to give QPR an early 11th minute lead and QPR went on from strength to strength form there. Soon after Furlong got on the scoresheet. It is good to see Furlong back in form. Santos came off the bench to replace the injured Bircham and proceded to kill off the match as a contest withing 5 minutes of entering the pitch by nicking the 3rd.
Nygaard is injured an so is Bircham. Sturridge replaced Nygaard after only 26 minutes and had a good match. Dean Sturridge in form will help QPR no end, trust me.
Rangers are now 10th in the league, 2 points off the play-offs and Holloway does'nt think we have been playing up to our squads true potential this season. A good day for QPR and Holloway sounded proud.
Holloway Said: A couple of years ago we wouldn't have believed where we are now and I'm very proud of what we have achieved. "If it ended today I would look back on this period of my life with nothing but pride, but this club is not about a little bloke from Bristol.
"There's more important things than my contract, I'm not that important."
Ian Holloway likes to play 2 defensive midfielders. Some may prefer to call those midfielders combative midfielders, or even ball-winners. So, stiff down the middle and the flair and creativity out wide on the flanks is Holloway's want.
I knew Holloway wanted to play with 2 defensive midfielders and the flair players out wide, rather than a creative midfieleder in the centre like Langley, or indeed Ray Wilkins a good while ago.
Holloways latest comments on the QPR Official Website are the first time I have seen confirmation of my thoughts on Holloway's tactics for the midfield.
Holloway >> "It's all about the widemen and the quality we've got out there on the wings.
We need to get hold of the ball, get it out to the wings and then get quality balls into the box - that's how I like to play.
But at the moment I'm trying to get the balance right to get us some goals, we need to get crosses in for our centre-forwards.
Once we find that balance I think we'll be fine"
QPR Blog Comment >> So 2 strong ball-winners in the middle and the flair out wide it is. Time for Lee Cook and Ainsworth to make a name for themselves. They may play out wide, but they are key players in the QPR side under Holloway.
QPR totally outplayed Plymouth but only managed to nick a 1-1 draw. Not a good day result-wise, but we played alot better than of late.
Some bloke called Buzsaky rifled home from fully 30 yards a few minutes before half time. We were all over them, but could'nt find a way through, then up stepped Buzsaky with a wonder-strike.
The second half we were all over Plymouth again, but they were proving to be dangerous on the break at times. It took ages to get the equalise. Gallen swung in a corner and Scott Taylor hand-balled. Gallen converted the penalty easily. An assist and a goal for the captain would be a hundred thousand to one shot in my book. The 1-1 draw was only 8/1 in places.
Preston stole a late equaliser through Mawene in reply to Danny Shittu's 61st minute goal.
I was following the match at the QPR.org live chatroom and the concensus there was that Holloway tried to get the players to sit on the 1-0 away win for the last 10 minutes. Obviously we failed and Preston equalised. Still a good away point.
QPRnet.com >> The David Bardsley Interview > David Bardsley Speaks
A nice interview by Ron Norris with David Bardsley.
Bardsley was the best right back I have seen play live at QPR. Dave Clement was before my time. Apparently it is close between the two who was the superior full back.
Bardsley played alongside Alan McDonald, Darren Peacock and Clive Wilson in defence. Jan Stejskal in goal, Sir Les was up front with Allen - Penrice or Bailey, Holloway and Wilkins in centre midfield, Impey and Sinton out wide. Sinton was sold on and replaced by Trevor Sinclair. That team came fifth in the top league.
Things have gone downhill somewhat since then, Bardsley touches upon why that happened in the interview.
Lomas will return from injury to replace suspended Marc Bircham in midfield. Nygaard is fit again, so too Gallen and Sturridge. Plenty of strikers for Holloway to choose from. Gollum will be pleased.
Preston are struggling with 2 key players out, midfielder Brian O'Neil (thigh) and striker Dave Nugent (illness).
It will still be a tough assignment for QPR. An away win for Ranger would make it 2 away wins in a row. Something QPR rarely achieve. If we can start winning away, allied with our strong home form, QPR could well find themselves in the Premier league next season.
Ian Holloway wants more strikers, or so I read. Sheffield United have more strikers than us, so Holloway wants more. I am glad Gollum is so ambitious. Holloway clearly intends to challenge for a premiership place.
That said, I thought we had a good few strikers as it was. 6 first team squad strikers at the last count.
Paul Furlong Kevin Gallen Marc Nygaard Dean Sturridge Stefan Moore Shabazz Baidoo
Holloway must get what he wants, so hopefully Paladini will okay a new signing or two up front. I can't see where he will play them all, but if Holloway wants more strikers, more strikers it is.
I figure we have a decent number of forwards, if not the quality Holloway is after.
A top quality loan signing for up front would be young Rossi at Man Utd. The boy is in a different league to all of the present QPR strikers. I doubt if Fergie would let Rossi go out on loan, but you never know with sir red nose.
Marc Nygaard hs been voted man of the month by the QPR fans at QPRnet.com - Lee Cook ran Nygaard a close second. Danny Shittu was in third place.
Marc Nygaard 23.08%
Lee Cook 21.54%
Danny Shittu 16.92%
Gareth Ainsworth 13.85%
Simon Royce 9.23%
Steve Lomas 6.15%
Mauro Milanese 4.62%
Marc Bicham 3.08%
Tommy Doherty 1.54%
September Monthly Award Winners >>
♠ Man of the month - Marc Nygaard.
♠ Goal of the month was scored by Lee Cook. The free kick winner against Luton at Loftus Road.
♠ Match of the month was the 2-1 away win against Leicester.
QPR Blog Comment >> Big Marc Nygaard sure has done well as Paul Furlong's cover. In fact, Nygaard has clearly outplayed Furs this month.
Swansea have secured an extension of the Marcus Bean loan. Bean has played 6 times in the month for Kenny Jackett's swans. Swanmsea in that time, have been in great form.
Marcus Bean wants to stay at Swansea, but Holloway may have other plans. It is clear that Holloway plays 2 combative central midfieders at all times, so Bean I think should stick around. First team experience on loan can only improve Bean's ability to perform consistently. Bean has the ability, will he gain the edge one day? I hope so.
Ian Holloway has been fined by the FA to the tune of £1500
The fine was imposed for using "abusive and/or insulting words to a match official" after the 3-0 Carling Cup defeat at Northampton in September when Ian Evatt was sent off.
I doubt if Holloway could stop talking even if he tried. The FA just cxollected money for old rope if you ask me.
QPR 1 Gareth Ainsworth (19)
Crystal Palace 3 Marco Reich (14, 17) Tom Soares (89)
Ian Dowie came back to haunt QPR at Loftus Road and left victoriously with all 3 points with his Crystal Palace team. German Marco Reich (14, 17) did the damage. QPR were 2 down by the 17th minute. Wild thing Ainsworth nicked one back quickly to make it 2-1 after nineteen minutes, but QPR could not find the equaliser for love nor money.
In the end, Santos went up front and Palace capitalised in his absence, sealing their win in the 89th minute from a tap in from Tom Soares.
QPR Net.com Simon says >>
Rangers crashed to a humbling 3-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace after turning in an abysmal performance. Palace didnā??t need to play well to run out easy winners as Rangers threw away two goals in two first half minutes and then showed an alarming lack of creativity as they chased the game.
When Gerry Francis left, Holloway came in and brought his own staff with him. That meant there was no room for the then assistant manager Ian Dowie. Of course, Holloway showed Dowie the door. Ian went to manage Oldham and then went onto roaring success with Crystal Palace early on.
Dowie On Holloway >>
Cutting my teeth in coaching under Gerry Francis was brilliant. I don't think many managers in QPR's history have a better record than him," said Dowie.
"Then Ian came in and understandably he wanted his own men around him. He has done a terrific job over there.
"I've got a lot of time for Holloway. He is very personable and he has a good rapport with his players
QPR Blog Comment >> Dowie may say no grudge here, but somewhere in there Dowie will want to put one over the Rangers win our next match against the Palace. Hopefully Dowie leaves empty handed.
Dean Sturridge said he feels he is getting back to form and felt sharp in the Millwall game. Good news for QPR as the injury prone Sturridge is due some goals because he is the kind of striker that scores in bursts when things go his way.
A high paced, highly talented out and out goalscorer who is not short of the ability to stream past an opponent, is what Dean Sturridge can bring to a squad if he is right. Of course, Wolves lost patience with Dean, which is no surprise as he was injured quite a lot. Wolves never played Dean when he was fit though. However, Sturridge knows Holloway will play him and has been nursed back to full fitness by the QPR staff. Sturridge has had 3 60 minute outings in 2 weeks. Dean seems excited by Holloway's faith in his abilities.
If Sturridge gets fit and stays fit for a reasonable spell and gets in the groove, QPR will find goals a lot easier to come by than in recent years. I am looking forward to the next few weeks regarding Sturridge specifically.
Millwall 1 Hayles 45 QPR 1 Nygaard 25 Match referee > D Gallagher Attendance > 10,322
A good away draw for QPR against the improving Millwall. London derbies are always dodgy and the 1-1 scoreline will do me just fine.
QPR are now 7th in the league, 1 place off the play-off places and I gather Holloway is on Paladini's trail to bring in some more attackers and defenders.
Nygaard got the QPR goal, only to see old Fulham boy Barry Hayles capture an equaliser just before half time. I think we played k in the second half, but it was far from the dominance Holloway wants.
Holloway Said >> I refuse to apologise for the move that had allowed Nygaard to evade his markers and score the goal.
"Marc is not the prettiest player in the world - at 6ft 5ins, he isn't going to be."
"But he will be a handful. One of the Millwall players nearly fell over when he saw Marc in the tunnel, and that is two goals in two games for him now.
"As for the goal, those are moves we practise all the time. It's Hutchison's fault if he didn't manage to stay with his man."
Holloway also revealed that his players had exchanged cross words during the interval following Hayles' equaliser in the final seconds of the half.
"They had a bit of a go at each other, but they shouldn't, because they're still learning," he added.
"Having said that, I was disappointed we didn't deal with the situation, because we hadn't looked in trouble at all before that."
Millwall Team >> Marshall, Lawrence, Vincent, Dunne, Livermore, Hutchison (May), Williams, Ifil, Wright, Hayles, Asabaunused subs: Phillips, Fangueiro, Braniff, Jones