Post by QPR Report on Sept 12, 2009 7:00:26 GMT
[While in the media, reports that Paladini (who was not the Chairman wanted Diaz as manager - who later did so well in England!)
QPR Official Site - September 11, 2004
QPR 3 Plymouth- 2
Attendance: 15,425 Referee:
Rangers move up to 18th place in the league after their first home win of the season against last season's second division champions Plymouth.
Two Paul Furlong goals cancelled out David Friio's opener before a Kevin Gallen strike made sure of the points.
Marino Keith grabbed a consolation goal in the 90th minute, but nothing was going to take the glory away from Rangers on this occasion.
The blustery conditions certainly helped Rangers to start off with the wind in their sails as they set out to prove a point against last year's Division Two champions Plymouth.
Paul Furlong returned to the starting line-up and Marc Bircham made his first start of the season.
With both sides gaining automatic promotion last season, the Pilgrims have adjusted to life in the Championship a lot quicker than Rangers so far. But Ollie's men had a point to prove in this, their bid to kick-start their season against competition they know only too well.
Despite a promising start from Rangers, it took just six minutes for Plymouth to show the home side how to adapt to life in the new league as Paul Wotton's corner was whipped in to the near post for David Friio to head home.
Rangers did not dip their heads though and play swung straight up the other end as Kevin Gallen chested down for Furlong to unleash a fierce shot from 20 yards which fizzed over the bar.
Although a goal down, Rangers continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession and could have equalised on 18 minutes.
Furlong's free kick from the right hand corner of the box was kept low and somehow managed to deceive its way past the Plymouth defence but finished just wide of the target.
The chances came thick and fast for Rangers as Martin Rowlands made his way towards goal before spying Lee Cook to his left in acres of space.
Slipping him in, Cook almost got his season's account off the mark as his curling shot from the edge of the box just failed to swing in enough to land in the top corner of the net.
It was only a matter of time therefore before Rangers got back on level terms and they did so with a flowing passing move which sent Loftus Road into a frenzy.
Marcus Bean sent the ball from the right wing over to the far post for Cook to coolly knock down and lay off for Paul Furlong. The burly centre forward then controlled the ball before hammering it through a sea of players into the back of the net.
Rangers could have easily taken the lead two minutes later when Rowlands' free kick bent around the wall and flew just over the bar.
Then Chris Day helped to keep parity when Micky Evans' 45th minute header was well held by the Rangers stopper as it made its way towards goal.
All of Rangers hard work could have easily been undone two minutes after the re-start as David Norris picked up the ball on the half-way line and with an empty attacking half behind him, made his way towards goal.
Unchallenged, he bore down on goal with only Day to beat but somehow managed to screw his weak shot wide of the right-hand upright.
Gallen continued the Rangers pressure when he raced down the left wing and cut inside, drawing Luke McCormick from off of his line. The Pilgrims stopper was equal to his effort however and got down well to deny him.
Still the chances came for Rangers as the tale of the table looked to be severely deceiving, as judging by this performance, it should be Holloway's men who began the day fourth in the table.
Bean whipped yet another telling ball into the box to catch Plymouth on the back foot and Furlong should have done better instead of hooking his shot over the bar.
You could see the Rangers dominance about to pay off and it did just that with 71 minutes on the clock.
Georges Santos put the boot in with an almighty clearance from near his own by-line and set Paul Wotton on a desperate chase with Furlong breathing down his neck.
Shoulder to shoulder, Furlong nicked the ball from Wotton's boot to send it looping over McCormick and into the back of the net, despite the chase from two back-tracking defenders.
Plymouth tried to salvage something from the game when Steve Crawford went through on goal, but Day was well placed to scoop up the effort.
But the game was put well beyond their reach when Kevin Gallen tied up the three points after latching onto Kevin McLeod's pass and firing the ball down the middle of the goal and straight past McCormick.
There was just time for a last minute consolation goal from second half substitute Marino Keith. Steve Crawford put the ball into the box for Keith to fire home, but it was too little too late for last season's champions as Rangers took the spoils.
Rangers: Day, Bignot, Padula, Rose, Santos, Cook (McCleod 61), Rowlands (Cureton 61), Bircham, Bean, Gallen, Furlong
Subs: Edghill, Johnson, Gnohere
Bookings: -
Scorers: - Furlong 29, 71, Gallen 88
Plymouth Argyle: McCormick, Worrell, Friio, Coughlan, Norris (Lasley 67), Crawford, Evans (Keith 73), Capaldi, Wotton, Makel, Gilbert
QPR Official Site - September 10, 2004
LET'S DO IT AGAIN
One of Rangers' best performances last season came against Plymouth at Loftus Road and Ian Holloway wants more of the same.
The Superhoops went to the top of the Division Two table last season with a convincing 3-0 win against the Pilgrims.
But it would be Plymouth who would go on to secure the title and this season they have got off to a flyer with victories against Cardiff, Sunderland and Nottingham Forest.
Speaking to QPR World, Ollie admitted that it will be tough but believes his players are up to the task.
He said: "Look at their start - it's putting us to shame. They've picked up where they left off, whereas for us it's been a bitty start with all our injuries.
"But they're not invincible. We beat them here last year and the lads are up to do it again."
Thankfully, Ollie is now able to choose from a stronger squad with players returning from injury. Nevertheless, he remains undecided about long-term absentee Dan Shittu.
The Rangers Boss acknowledges that his height and presence could be vital against Plymouth and his value to the side could be the deciding factor, particularly after a stellar performance for the reserves in midweek.
"He was absolutely awesome in everything he did. He's gained confidence and I'll think about it. He could give us a bit of height and we'll need it because they're fantastic at set-pieces."
Regardless of the challenges ahead this weekend, Ollie is nevertheless relieved to be focusing on football matters once again and not concerning himself with idle media speculation of late.
As he explained, the Rangers Boss takes it all in his stride.
He said: "As far as I'm concerned the right people are and I want to be a part of it. But there is no-one here that is bigger than the club.
"It's now up to the players to show that they can step up to this standard and when they're all fit, they'll be good enough."
For the whole of this interview with an Holloway head to QPR World now.
Billy Rice's big match preview also includes interviews with physio Prav Mathema and Chief Scout Mel Johnson who picks out his Plymouth danger man.
www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~562519,00.html
Subs: Hodges, Milne, Adams
Bookings:
Sent Off: -
Scorers: Friio 6, Keith 90
Attendance: 15,425
Referee: Mr A M Marriner
www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~27307,00.html
QPR Official Site - September 11, 2004
QPR 3 Plymouth- 2
Attendance: 15,425 Referee:
Rangers move up to 18th place in the league after their first home win of the season against last season's second division champions Plymouth.
Two Paul Furlong goals cancelled out David Friio's opener before a Kevin Gallen strike made sure of the points.
Marino Keith grabbed a consolation goal in the 90th minute, but nothing was going to take the glory away from Rangers on this occasion.
The blustery conditions certainly helped Rangers to start off with the wind in their sails as they set out to prove a point against last year's Division Two champions Plymouth.
Paul Furlong returned to the starting line-up and Marc Bircham made his first start of the season.
With both sides gaining automatic promotion last season, the Pilgrims have adjusted to life in the Championship a lot quicker than Rangers so far. But Ollie's men had a point to prove in this, their bid to kick-start their season against competition they know only too well.
Despite a promising start from Rangers, it took just six minutes for Plymouth to show the home side how to adapt to life in the new league as Paul Wotton's corner was whipped in to the near post for David Friio to head home.
Rangers did not dip their heads though and play swung straight up the other end as Kevin Gallen chested down for Furlong to unleash a fierce shot from 20 yards which fizzed over the bar.
Although a goal down, Rangers continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession and could have equalised on 18 minutes.
Furlong's free kick from the right hand corner of the box was kept low and somehow managed to deceive its way past the Plymouth defence but finished just wide of the target.
The chances came thick and fast for Rangers as Martin Rowlands made his way towards goal before spying Lee Cook to his left in acres of space.
Slipping him in, Cook almost got his season's account off the mark as his curling shot from the edge of the box just failed to swing in enough to land in the top corner of the net.
It was only a matter of time therefore before Rangers got back on level terms and they did so with a flowing passing move which sent Loftus Road into a frenzy.
Marcus Bean sent the ball from the right wing over to the far post for Cook to coolly knock down and lay off for Paul Furlong. The burly centre forward then controlled the ball before hammering it through a sea of players into the back of the net.
Rangers could have easily taken the lead two minutes later when Rowlands' free kick bent around the wall and flew just over the bar.
Then Chris Day helped to keep parity when Micky Evans' 45th minute header was well held by the Rangers stopper as it made its way towards goal.
All of Rangers hard work could have easily been undone two minutes after the re-start as David Norris picked up the ball on the half-way line and with an empty attacking half behind him, made his way towards goal.
Unchallenged, he bore down on goal with only Day to beat but somehow managed to screw his weak shot wide of the right-hand upright.
Gallen continued the Rangers pressure when he raced down the left wing and cut inside, drawing Luke McCormick from off of his line. The Pilgrims stopper was equal to his effort however and got down well to deny him.
Still the chances came for Rangers as the tale of the table looked to be severely deceiving, as judging by this performance, it should be Holloway's men who began the day fourth in the table.
Bean whipped yet another telling ball into the box to catch Plymouth on the back foot and Furlong should have done better instead of hooking his shot over the bar.
You could see the Rangers dominance about to pay off and it did just that with 71 minutes on the clock.
Georges Santos put the boot in with an almighty clearance from near his own by-line and set Paul Wotton on a desperate chase with Furlong breathing down his neck.
Shoulder to shoulder, Furlong nicked the ball from Wotton's boot to send it looping over McCormick and into the back of the net, despite the chase from two back-tracking defenders.
Plymouth tried to salvage something from the game when Steve Crawford went through on goal, but Day was well placed to scoop up the effort.
But the game was put well beyond their reach when Kevin Gallen tied up the three points after latching onto Kevin McLeod's pass and firing the ball down the middle of the goal and straight past McCormick.
There was just time for a last minute consolation goal from second half substitute Marino Keith. Steve Crawford put the ball into the box for Keith to fire home, but it was too little too late for last season's champions as Rangers took the spoils.
Rangers: Day, Bignot, Padula, Rose, Santos, Cook (McCleod 61), Rowlands (Cureton 61), Bircham, Bean, Gallen, Furlong
Subs: Edghill, Johnson, Gnohere
Bookings: -
Scorers: - Furlong 29, 71, Gallen 88
Plymouth Argyle: McCormick, Worrell, Friio, Coughlan, Norris (Lasley 67), Crawford, Evans (Keith 73), Capaldi, Wotton, Makel, Gilbert
QPR Official Site - September 10, 2004
LET'S DO IT AGAIN
One of Rangers' best performances last season came against Plymouth at Loftus Road and Ian Holloway wants more of the same.
The Superhoops went to the top of the Division Two table last season with a convincing 3-0 win against the Pilgrims.
But it would be Plymouth who would go on to secure the title and this season they have got off to a flyer with victories against Cardiff, Sunderland and Nottingham Forest.
Speaking to QPR World, Ollie admitted that it will be tough but believes his players are up to the task.
He said: "Look at their start - it's putting us to shame. They've picked up where they left off, whereas for us it's been a bitty start with all our injuries.
"But they're not invincible. We beat them here last year and the lads are up to do it again."
Thankfully, Ollie is now able to choose from a stronger squad with players returning from injury. Nevertheless, he remains undecided about long-term absentee Dan Shittu.
The Rangers Boss acknowledges that his height and presence could be vital against Plymouth and his value to the side could be the deciding factor, particularly after a stellar performance for the reserves in midweek.
"He was absolutely awesome in everything he did. He's gained confidence and I'll think about it. He could give us a bit of height and we'll need it because they're fantastic at set-pieces."
Regardless of the challenges ahead this weekend, Ollie is nevertheless relieved to be focusing on football matters once again and not concerning himself with idle media speculation of late.
As he explained, the Rangers Boss takes it all in his stride.
He said: "As far as I'm concerned the right people are and I want to be a part of it. But there is no-one here that is bigger than the club.
"It's now up to the players to show that they can step up to this standard and when they're all fit, they'll be good enough."
For the whole of this interview with an Holloway head to QPR World now.
Billy Rice's big match preview also includes interviews with physio Prav Mathema and Chief Scout Mel Johnson who picks out his Plymouth danger man.
www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~562519,00.html
Subs: Hodges, Milne, Adams
Bookings:
Sent Off: -
Scorers: Friio 6, Keith 90
Attendance: 15,425
Referee: Mr A M Marriner
www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~27307,00.html