10 Years Today: #QPR BEAT Doncaster - Reports and Comments

And Match Report (This attendance figure just UNDER 11,000!)

QPR Official Site - QPR 2, DONCASTER 1
Posted on: Sat 20 Feb 2010

Antonio German and Jay Simpson were both on the scoresheet as the R's secured a maximum return against Doncaster Rovers at Loftus Road.

The young striker opened the scoring in the 25th minute after he pounced on a loose ball when Jay Simpson's initial header was superbly saved by Neil Sullivan for Donny.

Rovers levelled the scores just six minutes after the interval. Billy Sharp's low cross found James Hayter, who fired the ball home six yards from goal.

Both sides had chances to win it, though it was Rangers who took the points in an exciting finale in W12, after Akos Buzsaky's exquisite through ball was powered home by Simpson.

Rangers boss Mick Harford made one change from last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Coventry City.

German was handed his first league start for QPR, replacing Tamas Priskin who made way.

Carl Ikeme was once again in goal for Rangers.

Peter Ramage and Matt Hill occupied the full-back positions, with Damion Stewart and Kaspars Gorkss at the centre of defence.

Buzsaky, Alejandro Faurlin, Matt Connolly and Lee Cook made up the R's midfield quartet.

Simpson joined German up front.

On a cold but sundrenched afternoon in West London, the R's fashioned the first chance of the opening period.

After the ball found its way into the Doncaster box, Connolly received possession before his blasted shot at goal was blocked away for a corner

Moments later, Faurlin picked the ball up just past midway before passing to Buzsaky.

The Magical Magyar drove at the Rovers penalty area before unleashing a stinging effort that only just went over the crossbar.

Soon after, it was Donny who had their first chance of the match.

Following a short corner from Mark Wilson, the ball eventually found its way to Brian Stock, whose low shot came off the leg of a Rangers defender before going wide for a corner.

Although Rangers, by this stage, had created one or two more chances to score, there was little to separate the two sides.

Rovers were next on the attack and missed their best chance to date to find the net.

James O'Connor burst down the right before crossing to Sharp, and when an R's defender blocked the ball away only as far as Elliott Ward, he could only fire wide of the goal.

It was a missed chance that Donny would live to regret, and moments later, a lovely passing R's move saw them take the lead.

Passes were exchanged between Buzsaky, Faurlin and Cook before the left winger crossed for Simpson. The Arsenal loanee looked certain to nod home just six yards from goal, only for Sullivan to pull of a brilliant save.

It didn't matter though, as German was on hand to touch the ball over the line in his first league start.

Full of optimism from their first strike, the R's set about adding another when Cook took possession on the left before drilling a low effort at goal that went just wide of the right-hand post.

Rangers were now playing with confidence that was clear for all to see, with German's goal giving the hosts the extra belief to get the ball down and play football.

The R's almost gave themselves a chance of adding a second before the half-time whistle, only to be denied by a superb save from Neil Sullivan, who did well to get down low after Gorkss headed Cook's corner towards the goal.

As the second half commenced, it was QPR who had the first chance of any note.

Faurlin won possession inside the Doncaster half before sending in a low curling shot that went only inches wide of Sullivan's left-hand post.

Moments later, Rangers missed a guilt-edged opportunity to put themselves further in front.

Cook was the architect, sending in a delightful centre from a corner on the left, and German could only head over when unmarked around six yards from goal.

Boosted by the reprieve, Rovers punished the R's inability to add to their opening goal, levelling the scores through Hayter.

A long ball was played up to Sharp in the area, who turned and crossed for Hayter, and the frontman had the simplest of tasks from close range to tap home.

The R's responded to the setback soon after, and when Cook found space down the left, his cross rolled agonisingly across the six-yard box before eventually being cleared by the Rovers defence.

QPR were now the side most likely to score, and when Buzsaky's centre was cleared only as far a Connolly in the penalty area, he flicked the ball over a defender before seeing his effort blocked away for another corner.

Play then switched to the other end, with James Coppinger sending in a low shot 12 yards from goal that was collected by Ikeme for Rangers.

Soon after, Rangers stole the points in fine style.

Buzsaky made the chance, dinking a high ball up to an unmarked Simpson in the area, who controlled the ball with his first touch before smashing home into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

QPR: Ikeme, Ramage (Taarabt 77), Stewart, Buzsaky, Gorkss, Connolly (Borrowdale 85), Cook, Faurlin, Hill, Simpson, German (Vine 90).

Subs: Cerny, Quashie, Balanta, Oastler.

Goals: German (25), Simpson (77)



Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan, O'Connor, Sharp, Chambers, Stock (Mutch 85), Hayter, Wilson (Roberts 83), Oster, Hird, Coppinger (Shiels 83), Ward.

Subs: Smith, Guy, Spicer, Dumbuya.

Goals: Hayter (51)



Referee: Mr D Whitestone

Attendance: 10, 960

www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1971843,00.html

Sporting Life

QPR 2 Doncaster 1

QPR began life after Flavio Briatore with a rare win after goals from Antonio German and Jay Simpson sank Doncaster.

Mick Harford's side ended a run of five straight defeats after controversial Italian Briatore announced his resignation as chairman last night

For a club who, under Briatore, signed 47 players in less than two-and-a-half years, it was heartening to see local lad German given his full debut in attack.

And the 18-year-old grabbed his chance with both hands with his first professional goal.

Rangers' familiar jitters kicked in after the break and Doncaster levelled through James Hayter.

But moments after a streaker showed more fancy footwork than most of the players on show, Simpson popped up to tuck away the winner.

Whether it proves enough to keep Harford in a job remains to be seen.

New bosses are more frequent than London buses in Shepherd's Bush these days with Briatore having overseen 10 changes of manager, and Crystal Palace's Neil Warnock is still rumoured to be close to becoming the next.

When these teams last met in November, Rangers were fourth and Rovers 19th. Yet so spectacular has been Rangers' decline that they kicked off two points off the drop zone.

But with a new sense of optimism sweeping around Loftus Road, the Londoners went ahead in the 24th minute.

Akos Buzsaky crossed from the left, Simpson's close-range effort was superbly saved by Neil Sullivan but German followed up to net with the rebound.

They could have had a second on the stroke of half-time but Sullivan, who turns 40 next week, somehow kept out Kaspars Gorkss' point-blank header with his feet.

Rovers also had their chances in the first half, with Brian Stock having a shot deflected wide and Billy Sharp firing over.

And Stock squandered their best opportunity when he skied over from eight yards from John Oster's clever cut-back.

After the break Alejandro Faurlin whistled a shot wide for the hosts before German should have doubled the lead with a free header from Lee Cook's corner, only to nod the ball over the top.

It is 22 games, and three managers, since Rangers last kept a clean sheet and six minutes into the second half Rovers were level, Sharp wriggling free down the right and crossing for Hayter to lash the ball home.

But Rangers secured their first win of 2010 in style with 14 minutes remaining, when Simpson controlled Buzsaky's chip on his chest and stroked the ball past Sullivan.

www.sportinglife.com/football/live/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/10/02/20/manual_153609.html

THanks....

QPR Official Site

HARFORD: 'WE DESERVED THE WIN'
Posted on: Sat 20 Feb 2010


Rangers boss Mick Harford was full of praise for his side after QPR recorded a 2-1 victory at home to Doncaster Rovers.

Antonio German opened the scoring on 25 minutes, before Rovers equalised on 51 minutes. With time running out on the clock, in the 77th minute Jay Simpson thumped home when through on goal to give the R's a much-needed win at Loftus Road.

Manager Harford was elated with the victory, reserving special praise for German who scored on what was his first league start.

"I thought Antonio German was the best player on the pitch," explained the R's boss.

"He made his debut and deserved it because he's worked so hard on the training ground.

"If you give someone a chance the fans will back them, I thought he was fantastic today.

"I was so happy for him, he's got to continue to work hard ahead of what should be a good and long career I hope. But if he can put on performances like that he's got a bright future.

Harford added: "I've said it over the past few weeks that our performances have been more than acceptable.

"We just haven't had the breaks.

"I thought today that the players showed fantastic attitude along with the ability that they've got against what are a very good Doncaster team, who play their football in the right way.

"We stopped them playing and imposed ourselves, we deserved the win."

www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~1972024,00.html

Sporting Life

HARFORD IN THE DARK

By Andy Sims, Press Association Sport

Click here to follow us on Twitter!
Click here for our special Transfer Centre!
Click here for more football headlines!

QPR's first victory of 2010 is unlikely to be enough to keep Mick Harford in the manager's job at Loftus Road.

Harford, who was put in charge until the end of the season after Paul Hart walked out in January, broke his win duck at the seventh attempt with a 2-1 success against Doncaster.

But despite the resignation of chairman Flavio Briatore last night, Rangers are believed to be on the look-out for a new permanent boss - their seventh in less than two-and-a-half years since the controversial Italian arrived at the club.

Briatore's replacement Ishan Saksena spoke to the players in the dressing room at Loftus Road before the game and will have the final say on who the new manager will be.

Crystal Palace's Neil Warnock is rumoured to be top of the list but Rangers will have to wait until after their FA Cup replay at Aston Villa next week.

When asked if he expects to be in charge against Middlesbrough next weekend, Harford said: "I don't know."

He added: "The club needs to appoint a football manager. If it's me, great. If it's not me then they need to bring someone in, long-term, back him and give him the opportunity to take the club forward.

"My remit is just to look after the team. There was no timescale, just look after the team until they appoint a permanent manager.

"If the results had been better I would have been in a stronger position, make no bones about it.

"What I'm bothered about is this club. Whatever they decide has to be for the good of this football club."

Goals from Antonio German and Jay Simpson did at least ensure Rangers began life after Briatore in style.

Rangers had signed an incredible 47 players since Briatore took charge, so it was heartening to see local lad German given his full debut in attack.

And the 18-year-old grabbed his big chance with his first professional goal.

"I thought he was the best player on the pitch," added Harford.

"He's technically very good and if he continues to improve he's got a good future."

Rangers' familiar jitters kicked in after the break - they have not kept a clean sheet in 22 games - and Doncaster levelled through James Hayter's close-range strike.

But Arsenal loanee Simpson popped up to tuck away a fine winner.

"We were awful, we never got going," said Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll.

"Our two centre-halves played like it was only their second game together - which it was.

"But you have to give some credit to QPR, and the young boy was excellent."


www.sportinglife.com/football/live/quotes/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/10/02/20/SOCCER_QPR_2nd_Nightlead.html

Mail's Headline "German Efficiency..."

Mail
QPR 2 Doncaster 1: German efficiency gives Rangers renewed optimism
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 10:04 PM on 20th February 2010
Comments (0) Add to My Stories Flying high: Jay Simpson grabbed the winner for QPR
QPR began life after Flavio Briatore with a rare win after goals from Antonio German and Jay Simpson sank Doncaster.

Mick Harford's side ended a run of five straight defeats after controversial Italian Briatore announced his resignation as chairman last night.

For a club who, under Briatore, signed 47 players in less than two-and-a-half years, it was heartening to see local lad German given his full debut in attack.

And the 18-year-old grabbed his chance with both hands with his first professional goal.

Rangers' familiar jitters kicked in after the break and Doncaster levelled through James Hayter.

But moments after a streaker showed more fancy footwork than most of the players on show, Simpson popped up to tuck away the winner.

Whether it proves enough to keep Harford in a job remains to be seen. New bosses are more frequent than London buses in Shepherd's Bush these days with Briatore having overseen 10 changes of manager, and Crystal Palace's Neil Warnock is still rumoured to be close to becoming the next.

When these teams last met in November, Rangers were fourth and Rovers 19th.

Yet so spectacular has been Rangers' decline that they kicked off two points off the drop zone.
But with a new sense of optimism sweeping around Loftus Road, the Londoners went ahead in the 24th minute.

Akos Buzsaky crossed from the left, Simpson's close-range effort was superbly saved by Neil Sullivan but German followed up to net with the rebound.

They could have had a second on the stroke of half-time but Sullivan, who turns 40 next week, somehow kept out Kaspars Gorkss' point-blank header with his feet.

Rovers also had their chances in the first half, with Brian Stock having a shot deflected wide and Billy Sharp firing over.

And Stock squandered their best opportunity when he skied over from eight yards from John Oster's clever cut-back.

After the break Alejandro Faurlin whistled a shot wide for the hosts before German should have doubled the lead with a free header from Lee Cook's corner, only to nod the ball over the top.

It is 22 games, and three managers, since Rangers last kept a clean sheet and six minutes into the second half Rovers were level, Sharp wriggling free down the right and crossing for Hayter to lash the ball home.

But Rangers secured their first win of 2010 in style with 14 minutes remaining, when Simpson controlled Buzsaky's chip on his chest and stroked the ball past Sullivan.



Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1252528/QPR-2-Doncaster-1-German-efficiency-gives-Rangers-renewed-optimism.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0g7a3dE6Y

It was quite a funny game yesterday.

QPR put in a performance that was massively better than any other this year, but on reflection it was still a pretty poor performance helped dramiticaly by an under performing Doncaster side.
For once Harford got the tactics spot on and by playing a very high line we looked like a George Graham Arsenal side relying on the off-side trap to contain Rovers.
This only works if the defense is disciplined enough to stay in line and all move up together. It was obvious Harford had worked on this in training and each defender played his part, stiffling the opposition's attackers.

We looked better immediately from kick off, maybe the mid-week break benifitted us as it gave us more time to get our confidence back as we looked like actually wanting to win for a change. Maybe Cook's recent revival has caused this as well and it is of no surprise to me to see a change in attitude amongst the playing staff now that Leg's is not captain and Cook is.

Starting German up front was just reward for the youngster for his recent appearances from the subs bench with Balanta occupying the bench. Bent and Priskin's omission was not just a reminder of our recent inexplicable transfer policy but also served to highlight a change in atmosphere and seeming direction from the past two years. Up front was a young, raw striker who had come thru our ranks trying to make a name for him-self on the big stage. An opportunity that was taken well and justly rewarded with a goal.

Ikelme had nothing to do all game, Doncaster had one shot on target I think and other than refusing to role the ball out on more than a few occasions, particulary to Buz had a alright game and was once again let down by his defense for their goal. I still much prefer Cerny.

Ramage was his usual self, full of effort and passion but technically woefully lacking in ability. He and Buz from the off were on a different wavelength, Ramage tucking in to keep the line of the defense and Buz not tracking back to defend the space left like Cook did all game to help out HIll. In fact the difference between Hill and Cook's understanding of each other's position was so markedly different to Buz and Ramage's that I don't like to see Buz on the right as he doesn't help out defensively at all and is better and more effective given a free role in the middle.

Gorkss and Stewart had in the main an average game each. At times they did their job but all to often Doncaster were able to pass the ball into our box and with better finishing could have been 2 goals up at half time. Protecting the defense in the mid-field was Conolly. Playing in the center of mid-field is a massive task for him as he has not played there since his youth days at Arsenal, but on yesterdays performance he certainly build on it and make that position his own whilst Mahon and Rowlands sit out the rest of the season (I've given up on Leigertwood, he let me down massively after he signed his new contract with rubbish performances and a lack of commitment and passion).

Connolly somehow just managed to pull off his role in a very hap-hazard fashion that belied his lack of experience playing in that role at this level but did just enough to create the space for that Buzsaky needs to play his game. On to many occasions Doncaster got the ball in the middle of the park and Connolly was innefective at stopping them as he was out of position but the high line worked and even Tony Adams would have admired our defense yesterday. Given more time to play that role, I believe if he improves his understanding and reading of the game along with his short passing he could really excel playing there. A rough and ready performance that set the tempo for the whole team yesterday and one that Quashie was meant to provide, so well done to Connolly to stepping up to the plate, especially at this point in the season and putting in a battling committed performance. His injury does worry me as it looked like he kicked the undersole of the Donny player and went down in pain with what could be a damaged toe, hopefully a bruise and nothing more serious. He did indicate that he would play on but it looked serious enough to take him off and rightly so.

Connoly's ablity to do enough to not allow Doncaster to run the midfield as opposed to Coventry and Ipswich recently gave Buz the freedom to drift around a bit and as usual was always looking for the ball. At times when he got it he showed flashes of his actual ability and overall looked a lot better than recent form. His passing was great at times and for once he overshadowed Faurlin who had a relatively quiet game and whilst his distribution and effort were once again top class, he's still to raw to play a commanding role in midfield and needs a Mahon or Rowlands next to him or for now Connolly.

The strikers were for once given the service they needed, German winning a lot of flick ons with his head like Ray Jones used to do and with more game time with Simpson will learn where to direct them better in the future. He took his chance well and continued playing all the way up to his substitution and deserved standing ovation, the best debut start in a long, long time. Congratulations and appreciation to all those in the youth set up responsible for his development. He played a blinder and will hopefully go on to stake a claim in the first team next season.

Simpson was also relishing the service, his movement aroung German was very good at times and his run and take from Buz's superb lobbed pass into the box was exquisite and taken with confidence and style. He faded a bit when he played on the right as Connolly dropped back into the right back position when Ramage went off for the last 15 mins. but is was evident that playing him up front with German and leaving Taraabt on the bench suits our style of play at the moment and represents much better options for the team as a whole.

Overall I was ecstatic at the result and pleased with the much improved performance but in perspective we have a long way to go before we are safe, we need to improve on this performance as it was the first time Harford has got it right in a while tactically, but if we pick the same side from now on and they continue to play well and improve we should be well safe by the time Newcastle come to town.

We can sleep a little easier in our beds tonight but the alert still remains at a high level, no matter who the manager is next game.

LFW's Clive Whittingham Match Report
www.clubfanzine.com/QPR/v2.showNews.php?id=27518

Thanks as always, G-dfather!

QPR 2-1 Doncaster: The Daily Mirror match report
Published 05:00 22/02/10 By Steve Skerry

Mick Harford would be prepared to act as Neil Warnock's assistant boss if he leaves crisis club Crystal Palace and is appointed the new manager at QPR this week.

Harford guided Rangers to their first victory of 2010 and a winning start to the post-Flavio Briatore era following the Italian's resignation as chairman on Friday night.

But the 51-year-old, in his second spell as caretaker boss of QPR, accepts his first win in seven attempts will not increase his chances of being handed the job on a permanent basis.

Warnock has been linked with the QPR position for weeks and is expected to takeover after Palace's FA Cup fifth round replay with Aston Villa on Wednesday night.


However Harford, whose contract runs out in May, says he would be happy to revert to his previous role as assistant boss if Warnock arrived.

He said: "I've never had dealings with Neil Warnock and I don't know him. I know he's a very good manager and got a great record. If he is the right man for the job and he was coming here then I would back him."

On the back of fifth straight defeats, Harford made the bold decision of giving 18-year-old Antonio German the first professional start of his career.

The young striker responded by firing in a rebound for the opener after Doncaster keeper Neil Sullivan has parried Jay Simpson's shot.

James Hayter equalised for Rovers after the break but Simpson slotted home to seal the points.

German was only told an hour before kick-off he would be playing after new QPR chairman Ishan Saksena made the players sit through a motivation video of Rangers' best goals of the season.

German said: "The gaffer read the starting line-up out about an hour before and I was surprised but ready. The new chairman made us watch a video to give us confidence and it worked."

Doncaster midfielder James Coppinger admitted Rovers were caught out by German as they were not expecting him to start.

Coppinger said: "We saw him in the hotel before but we didn't realise he was going to play. He looked good and if he continues to play like that he's got a bright future ahead of him."
www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/QPR-2-1-Doncaster-German-makes-most-of-first-start-as-Rangers-grab-first-victory-of-2010-The-Daily-Mirror-match-report-article330817.html

Official Site Photos
www.qpr.co.uk/page/Gallery/0,,10373~1973327,00.html

6 Years...And one player from the team still at QPR....

For QPR these days, even having one player is amazing: And it's FAURLIN

Ikeme Ramage(Taarabt) Stewart Buzsaky Gorkss Connolly(Borrowdale) Cook FAURLIN Hill Simpson German(Vine) +Cerny Quashie Balanta Oastler