Warnock Refuses to Talk re QPR

SKY

Warnock silent on speculation
Eagles boss happy with players' effort despite defeat
Last updated: 20th February 2010

Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock refused to comment on speculation that he will soon move to QPR.

The Palace boss, who saw his side cruelly defeated by Coventry at Selhurst Park, is widely expected to take the manager's job at Rangers after the Eagles' FA Cup fifth round replay against Aston Villa on Wednesday.

Palace were undone by the Sky Blues thanks to a goal from substitute David Bell with just five minutes remaining.

The South Londoners slip into the relegation zone in the Championship after the 1-0 reverse, with the administration-hit club also struggling off the field.

However, Warnock praised his players and would not be drawn on the QPR rumours.

He said: "I don't even want to mention it, I'm sorry. No comment - so you can make a story out of that. I won't be talking about that tonight.

"I'm talking about my players tonight. I've done nothing but talk about that."

Asked if he would still be in charge for the Villa game he declared: "I'm looking forward to it."

As he did after the initial Cup tie against Villa, Warnock berated the officials and thinks referee Darren Deadman missed an obvious penalty in the second half.

"The referee said he was in a bad position so he couldn't see it," he added. "Ironic isn't it?

"The one decision at 0-0 when we needed a little bit of luck.

"I'm obviously disappointed. The lads couldn't give me any more than that. They were fantastic.

"How we didn't score a goal I'll never know. They are shattered and demoralised but they will have to pick themselves up."

Sky Blues reaction
Coventry manager Chris Coleman, meanwhile, thought his side deserved the win although he had sympathetic words for the club he used to play for.

He said: "They are a team that if they hadn't had 10 points deducted would have been on the edge of the play-offs so they are a good team.

"They have had a poor run in the last two or three games but they could have knocked Villa out of the Cup.

"We competed from the first minute to the last and overall we were worthy of the three points.

"David Bell doesn't score tap-ins, he's scored some terrific goals for us, he's got that little bit of quality. It was a great connection.

"The keeper never asked Belly a question, he gave him the answer, but nevertheless it was a fine finish."

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