Doncaster: Match reports and comments

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QPR Official Site

GAFFER: 'FAN-TASTIC SECOND HALF!'
Posted on: Sat 25 Sep 2010

Neil Warnock paid tribute to both his players and the fans, as the R's ran out 3-0 victors against Doncaster Rovers at Loftus Road.

After a goalless first half, a brace from Kaspars Gorkss and a late Adel Taarabt penalty clinched the three points.

"I just thought we had to step up a bit in the second half and we did that," Warnock told www.qpr.co.uk.

"Three or four of our attacking players weren't quite at it in the first half and I told them so at the break.

"But to be fair to the lads, we responded well in the second period.

"The goals came at the right times.

"On the pitch and off it now, we're very much a team."

Warnock added: "I thought the fans stepped up a gear in the second half.

"They got their bums off their seats and roared us on.

"Loftus Road is a great place to play when the fans are raucous like that and it drove us over the line.

"It's great to reward them, because they've been fantastic this season."

Warnock was also keen to pay credit to his back four, adding: "Paddy Kenny made a great save and Clint Hill was on the spot to clear the ball off the line in the first half, and that was massive for us."

www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~2165169,00.html


QPR Official Site

QPR continued their stunning start to the season with a 3-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers at Loftus Road this afternoon.

An unlikely brace from centre-back Kaspars Gorkss and an Adel Taarabt penalty sealed maximum points for Neil Warnock's side, and made it a staggering 22 goals scored in eight games.

In a hard-fought fixture, the R's work-rate was again on show as they battled for every ball, while making the most of their opportunities when they duly arrived.

Gorkss opened the scoring in the first half when he reacted quickest after seeing his initial header from a Hogan Ephraim corner blocked, while Taarabt doubled the lead from the spot when Heidar Helguson was brought down in the box by Donny keeper Neil Sullivan.

Late on, our Latvian defender grabbed his second and Rangers' third with a powerful far post header, Taarabt this time supplying the corner.

Warnock stuck with the same starting XI that served him so well last weekend against Leicester City. Fresh from the 2-0 triumph at the Walkers Stadium, Paddy Kenny continued between the sticks, while the back four, from left to right, consisted of Clint Hill, Gorkss, Matt Connolly and Kyle Walker, who was making his home debut after two excellent performances on the road.

Shaun Derry lined up in front of the back four alongside Akos Buzsaky, while Taarabt played just behind the attack.

Interestingly, the in-form Jamie Mackie operated down the middle, swapping with Helguson who played wide on the right, with Ephraim on the opposite flank.

Doncaster came into the match on the back of a four-match unbeaten run, a good reaction from Sean O'Driscoll's side to the 4-0 defeat they suffered at Cardiff City in August.

While Donny have been strong at home so far this term, they have experienced mixed form on their travels, winning on the opening day at Preston before that defeat in Wales was followed with a 2-2 draw at Watford's Vicarage Road.

The R's went into the game high on confidence after a sensational start to the season which has yielded 19 points from seven games, and the R's nearly had the lead in the opening minute in this match following an almighty goalmouth scramble which eventually fell at the feet of Ephraim, but his drive from six yards was blocked and cleared from dangers.

In the fourth minute, George friend miscued his clearance our of play down the Doncaster left, and Helguson was alive to the opportunity, with a quick throw-in finding Mackie in the area but, despite neat footwork, the R's front man was unable to get a shot away.

The R's enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening 15 minutes but faced a Doncaster side who were disciplined defensively, often having a number of bodies behind the ball.
Considering the start QPR have made to the season, this is something we can expect opposing sides to do at Loftus Road.

But it was the visitors who went closest to opening the scoring on 25 minutes when Martin Woods' stunning free-kick from 22 yards seemed destined for the top corner. Kenny had other ideas, however, and produced an incredible finger-tip save, high to his right.

But the danger wasn't over, with James O'Connor quickest to the rebound from close range. But just as the visitors thought they had broken the deadlock, Hill pulled off an unbelievable, acrobatic goal-line clearance.

On 35 minutes, QPR had their best chance of the game so far, when Walker went on a typical run down the right which Helguson, who had now switched to the centre, picked out with a perfectly weighted pass.

The on-loan Spurs man pulled the ball back for Mackie, but his shot from 10 yards was well saved by Neil Sullivan in the visiting goal.

The half drew to a close with both sides probably feeling they could have had more to show for their efforts.

After the break, QPR took just eight minutes to open the scoring. After some sustained pressure, the R's won a corner on the right.

Ephraim produced an excellent delivery, which Gorkss got on the end of with a powerful header. His initial effort was blocked in a packed six-yard box, but the Latvia captain was quickest to react as he slammed home the rebound to put the R's in front.

Rangers fans were in full voice. With QPR in front, coupled with Chelsea's defeat at Manchester City earlier in the day, the R's were "singing the blues".

The goal seemed to lift the hosts but on 57 minutes the R's had the frame of the goal to thank for protecting their lead. Buzsaky tried to find Walker on the right but his pass was intercepted and, with it, James Coppinger raced down the left before cutting in and curling a beautiful shot beyond the diving Kenny. Fortunately for Warnock's men, it crashed off the crossbar.

It served as a reminder to QPR that this match was far from over against a very good and determined Doncaster side.

With little over 20 minutes to go, the R's almost created the opening for a second. Taarabt went on a typical run in the middle of the park before sliding the ball through for Mackie.

In the area but with his back to goal, Mackie tried to lay off for on the on-rushing Buzsaky, but O'Connor was alive to the danger and cleared.

In truth, chances were few and far between for both sides in a tight affair. However, Rangers thought they had doubled their lead when Taarabt played a delightful ball through a packed penalty area for Ephraim, who coolly slid home. The offside flag was up, however, cutting short QPR's celebrations.

With 15 minutes remaining the outstanding Derry was replaced by Mikele Leigertwood, with the former Crystal Palace man appearing to carry a calf injury as he requested the substitution moments earlier.

While many anticipated this game to be one for the purists, it turned out to be another fixture where hard work and determination were essential. Derry excelled in both.

With ten minutes remaining the R's were given a great chance to increase their lead. Taarabt again picked a perfect through-ball, this time for Helguson, who reached the ball just ahead of Sullivan in the visiting goal.

The R's No. 9 went down under the challenge and referee Mr East rightly awarded a penalty - although, for the third time this season, QPR put the ball in the back of the net by the time they realised they had won a spot-kick!

It was Taarabt who assumed responsibility from 12 yards, sending the keeper the wrong way as he smashed the ball low to Sullivan's right.

At 2-0, the R's faithful were "singing the blues" louder than ever.

At the other end of the pitch, resolute defending from the R's limited Doncaster to shooting from distance, with Woods firing over from the edge of the box.

QPR made it 3-0 late on with another Gorkss goal, this time heading home Taarabt's corner at the far post.

As the game drew to a close, Buzsaky saw his shot from the edge of the box fly wide as QPR's impressive fitness-levels were again evident.

Make no mistake, this was a hard-fought fixture but QPR's incredible work-rate is allowing their star performers to shine while the likes of Derry and Hill quietly - and effectively - go about their work.

QPR: Kenny, Hill, Derry (Leigertwood, 76), Taarabt, Helguson (Agyemang, 88), Buzsaky, Mackie (Smith, 89), Gorkss, Walker, Connolly, Ephraim.

Subs: Cerny, Borrowdale, Parker, Rowlands.

Goals: Gorkss (53), (88), Taarabt, pen (80)

Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan, Martis, Woods, Coppinger, Gillett (Hayter, 79), Oster, O'Connor, Shiels, Sharp, Friend, Dumbaya.

Subs: Woods, Wilson, Stock, Fairhurst, Hird, Lockwood.

Bookings: Sharp (67), Sullivan (79)

Referee: Mr R East

Attendance: 13, 990 (Away: 630)

www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~52076,00.html

Gorkss double for QPR sees off Doncaster
Sep 25 2010 By Yann Tear

THE FIRST goals of the season from Kaspars Gorkss and an Adel Taarabt penalty swept Rangers merrily along towards another three points.

All the goals came in the second half – as was the case against Middlesbrough a fortnight ago – and Gorkss' first was much needed to raise Rangers from their slumber after a docile first half.

The Latvian rose highest to nod an Akos Buzsaky corner goalwards and although a defender got in the way, the ball rebounded kindly for Gorkss to smash in from six yards.


His second came when he headed in a Taarabt corner at the far post on 88 minutes - the ball arriving from the opposite corner to the first.

In between, Adel Taarabt stroked home a second from the penalty spot 10 minutes from time after Heidar Helguson had been upended by Donny's veteran keeper Neil Sullivan.

It should not have come to a spot kick though – ref Roger East having blowing too soon, just as Helguson was recovering his footing to fire into the net.

Rangers were lucky not to be trailing at the interval when only a fingertip touch onto his near post by Paddy Kenny denied Martin Woods a goal from a free-kick and Clint Hill's goal-line clearance thwarted James O'Connor's follow up effort.

It also needed a great block from Shaun Derry inside the area to prevent Donny' Dean Shiels from giving the visitors the lead during a spell in which Rangers had to get plenty of bodies in the way to survive.

Jamie Mackie had few chances to add to his eight goals for the season, but scuffed the best opening of the first half – easily saved by veteran stopper Neil Sullivan – after Kyle Walker had overlapped and sent in a low cross.

James Coppinger hit the Rangers crossbar as Rovers nearly responded immediately to the 53rd minute opener and the muscular running of Billy Sharp gave them hope of rescuing the day.

But in the end, Rangers did not even have an uncomfortable finish to worry about. Taarabt looked more subdued than of late, often running into a cul-de-sac of defenders. But you can't keep a good man down and he converted a penalty that his pass created before Gorkss administered the coup de grace in the final minutes.



Read More www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/london-qpr/2010/09/25/gorkss-double-for-qpr-sees-off-doncaster-64767-27341536/?#ixzz10Z5aZC7e

Gorkss brace keeps Rangers on track
soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=308439&cc=5739
Kaspars Gorkss scored twice as npower Championship leaders QPR maintained their 100% home record.
The Latvian defender's strike shortly after the break finally broke Doncaster's resistence, and he killed them off with a late header to add to Adel Taarabt's penalty as Rangers edged six points clear at the top.

Neil Warnock's side have yet to concede at home and, with seven wins and a draw from their first eight games, have made their best start to a season since 1947.

They endured a frustrating first half, but whatever Warnock said at half-time had the desired effect as the west Londoners finally clicked into gear after the break.

A pedestrian opening period did not spark into life until the 25th minute when Martin Woods' 25-yard free-kick was pushed onto the inside of the post by the diving Paddy Kenny.

The ball fell at the feet of James O'Connor, with Kenny still grounded, but the defender's goalbound shot was superbly cleared off the line by the sliding Clint Hill.

Rangers finally got a sight of goal after 36 minutes when Spurs loanee Kyle Walker overlapped down the right and and crossed for Jamie Mackie.

But the striker, who has scored eight goals in eight league games so far this season, saw his weak shot saved by Neil Sullivan.

Taarabt almost produced a goal for Rangers at the start of the second half, but his precise free-kick was headed over the top by Gorkss.

But the breakthrough eventually arrived in the 53rd minute when Gorkss met Akos Buzsaky's corner with another firm header.

His initial effort was blocked by Rovers right-back Mustapha Dumbaya, but the big centre-half reacted quickest to slam the loose ball past Sullivan.

Rangers midfielder Hogan Ephraim had the ball in the net in the 72nd minute but was just offside when he collected Taarabt's pass.

But the second goal did arrive in the 81st minute after Heidar Helguson was upended in the area by Sullivan.

Helguson got back to his feet and tucked the ball away but referee Roger East had already pointed to the spot.

Luckily for the official, Taarabt made no mistake with the penalty.

And Gorkss gave the scoreline a flattering look with a powerful header from Taarabt's corner two minutes from time to make the points safe and keep the Rangers bandwagon rolling.

WARNOCK'S WORDS WORK WONDERS
By Andy Sims, Press Association Sport

Neil Warnock's half-time team talk worked wonders as QPR maintained their 100% home record with a 3-0 win over Doncaster.

Rangers are now six points clear at the top of the npower Championship having made their best start to a season since 1947.

But they did not play like it during a first half in which Doncaster looked by far the better team while Warnock's attacking riches, such as Adel Taarabt, Jamie Mackie and Hogan Ephraim, misfired.

Rangers almost conceded their first goal at Loftus Road this term after 25 minutes when Paddy Kenny tipped Martin Woods' free-kick onto the post and Clint Hill cleared James O'Connor's rebound off the line.

However, two second-half goals from Kaspars Gorkss, either side of Taarabt's penalty, gave Rangers the victory, albeit by a flattering margin.

"At half-time I told three or four of my major players they were a bit short and needed to step up, and they did," said Warnock.

"It's just as important to keep a clean sheet as it is to score three goals and I thought the save from Paddy and then the clearance from Clint Hill epitomised the team spirit.

"The goals came at good times. We were off the boil but Doncaster were the reason we were off the boil.

"I told my players this would be our toughest game so far, so I wasn't surprised.

"Doncaster are a good team and have a very good chance of being in the play-offs."

Gorkss opened the scoring in the 53rd minute when he met Akos Buzsaky's corner with a firm header.

His initial effort was blocked by Rovers right-back Mustapha Dumbuya but the Latvian centre-half reacted quickest to slam the loose ball past Neil Sullivan.

Rovers were still in the game until the second goal arrived in the 81st minute after Heidar Helguson was upended in the area by Sullivan.

Helguson got back to his feet and tucked the ball away but referee Roger East had already pointed to the spot.

Luckily for the official, Taarabt made no mistake with the penalty, and Gorkss wrapped up the scoring with a header two minutes from time.

"Overall I thought we played really well," said Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll.

"I'm pleased with the performance but not with the result, but that's what happens in this division.

"Now we have to be resilient and bounce back."

Eus good to see Hall got into match, , because his name wasnt on sub list, but he did well anyway.

Warnock: 'QPR star players were off the boil'
Sep 25 2010 By Yann Tear

NEIL WARNOCK said he had to gee up his star players in the dressing room at half time because they were so off the pace.

Rangers rescued an unpromising start with three second half goals against Doncaster to maintain their stranglehold at the top of the Championship.

But they were far from at their best and the boss laid into them.

“I thought three or four of our major players were a yard short first half,” said Warnock, who refused to name names.


“Obviously I told them that I thought we had to step up a little bit and I thought we did second half.

“They responded and when you have three or four quicker in thought and energy and pace, then you've got a better chance.”

The QPR boss added: “It's all about winning games when you're off the boil, although if you say that, I think you take away a little bit from Doncaster. I think they were the reason we were a bit off the boil.

“We knew they would keep the ball quite a lot and that was fine as long as they didn't get chances. It was just as important to keep a clean sheet as to score three goals and I'm delighted we managed to get both. It's every manager's dream.”

Warnock has again stressed he fully expects Rangers' smooth progress to hit the buffers at some point.

“There will be a result where nothing goes in for us and their goalie has a great game and we end up losing one or two nil,” he said. “There's nothing you can do about that.

“At the moment, we've just got to keep grinding away. The fans also did their bit. They got the volume up second half and that doesn't half help. This is an intimidating place.”



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www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/8024143/Queens-Park-Rangers-3-Doncaster-Rovers-0-match-report.html?

The Telegraph
By Neil Trainis
A resounding scoreline will hoodwink the ignorant into believing that Queens Park Rangers steamrollered Doncaster Rovers.
The Championship leaders were flattered by their margin of victory but even those who did not witness this encounter will know the West London club continue to crush all obstacles in their path by whatever means.

They were not fluent and owed their triumph to a brace of goals from Latvian defender Kaspars Gorkss. Six points clear at the top, the notion that Rangers seamlessly scamper away from the rest overwhelms any sense of weakness within their game.
“There will be moments where they won’t win games like that,” said Doncaster manager Sean O’Driscoll. The first half was exasperating for the home side.
"Adel Taarabt, their exuberant playmaker, struggled to decorate his tricks with penetration. The Moroccan was crowded out and over-elaboration does not sit well with those who demand success.
Nonetheless, Doncaster dared not neglect him. When he did escape two markers he was cynically checked by Shelton Martis.
Amid the flying tackles and close defensive attention, Taarabt’s ability to manufacture space still entrances. With no margin for error, a nonchalant back-heeled flick on halfway released Akos Buzsaky.
In the second period Heidar Helguson, on his 300th league appearance, was felled by goalkeeper Neil Sullivan. Taarabt converted the penalty to double his side’s lead.
Expectant paying customers endured plenty of fervour without a cutting edge for long spells. Kyle Walker, on loan from Spurs, was keen to sprint up the right flank from full-back but deliveries into the box were at a premium.
Invention did not pierce often enough for Neil Warnock’s liking but victory soothed those anxieties. “You’ve got to keep grinding away. We’re difficult to play against,” he said.
Doncaster, a collection of underrated footballers who have raised eyebrows, menaced.
The game was goalless when Martin Woods’ free kick was pushed on to a post by Paddy Kenny. James O’Connor’s follow-up was cleared off the line.
The visitors were not robust enough when it mattered. Taarabt’s corner at the start of the second half found Gorkss, whose effort was blocked. The defender slammed in the rebound. James Coppinger struck the bar for Doncaster but Gorkss headed in another Taarabt corner.
This was not memorable but their rivals find it arduous to reveal telling flaws in QPR.

I'll take no lessons from a man who has been to a game since the invention of electricity

Da Bears are getting a mauling this weekend too

Eureka, the solution, watching the match report coming thru on computer, via BBC, at half-time 0-0, my time 11pm, I fell asleep. Thirty five minutes later I awoke, the score QPR 2 Donny 0. Should I continue with this system.

Thank you as always, G-d Father

Clive LFW
Gorkss' double moves QPR six points clear
www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/queensparkrangers/fb_news.php?storyid=9426

And the Mirror

QPR 3-0 Doncaster: Daily Mirror match report

Neil Warnock has seen it all in his 30 years as manager, including six promotions, but the QPR boss insists he has never been happier.

Rangers have made their best start to a campaign since 1947 and are looking a good bet for a return to the Premier League for the first time in a decade.

Unlike recent years, there is not much the Loftus Road faithful can moan about at the moment. The ­Championship leaders are free-scoring and miserly in defence – and Warnock admits he’s loving it.

Over the years, the controversial boss has probably taken more pleasure from winding people up and rattling a few cages than putting smiles on faces, but perhaps he is mellowing with age.

The 61-year-old said: “It’s a nice situation to be in at the moment. I have never enjoyed myself as much the way we play in my whole career. I have always loved entertainment.

“I like crosses and shots and saves and tackles and headers and at the moment all the ­ingredients are there around me and I am really enjoying it.”

Rangers were on the ropes in the first half as the visitors stroked it around with ­confidence and purpose. But their clean sheet stayed intact thanks to some remarkable resilience, summed up when Paddy Kenny tipped Martin Woods’ free-kick on to the bar and Clint Hill hacked James O’Connor’s follow-up off the line.

“Paddy Kenny’s save and Clint Hill dying to keep the ball out, that’s what gives me most ­satisfaction, definitely. After the game, I said to the lads ‘without that, who knows?’ We work so hard on the back four. We are ­religious with that and it’s paying off.

“It’s about ­positioning, but you still have to have desire. A lot of players would have let it go and not been there to save that but Clint carried on. It was superb. It shows the team spirit we have.” Rangers have rattled in 22 goals this season – and even defender Kaspars Gorkss is getting in on the action.

The Latvia international grabbed the opener eight minutes after the restart and rounded off a comfortable but flattering victory in the dying seconds with a header.

Adel Taarabt grabbed the second after 83 minutes from the penalty spot after Heidar Helguson was upended by Rovers keeper Neil Sullivan.

Doncaster were impressive in the first half and did not deserve to lose by such a margin.

Winger John Oster said: “The goals changed the game. Even though they’re flying high in the league we came here and played pretty well.”

However, he tipped former boss Warnock to take the Hoops up. He added: “He gets the best out of the players he has here.”



www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/QPR-3-0-Doncaster-Daily-Mirror-match-report-Rangers-make-their-best-start-to-a-campaign-since-1947-and-Neil-Warnock-is-delighted-article588639.html