|
|
Post by QPR Report on Dec 21, 2009 8:23:31 GMT
QPR really, really, REALLY need to win this oneBristol Evening Post
Bristol City face a tough challenge at QPRMonday, December 21, 2009 The last Bristol City player to score a winning goal at Queens Park Rangers was Tom Ritchie. The striker's second spell at Ashton Gate ended in 1985. That fact underlines the size of the task facing the Robins when they visit Loftus Road this Saturday. Football statistics can be misleading. Barely a Saturday goes by without fans being told that Team A have not beaten Team B in 87 years. More often than not Teams A and B have only played each other about twice during that period. But that is not the case for City and QPR. The Robins are winless in 11 visits to the West London club, having lost six times – often heavily. Scotsman Ritchie sits fifth in the list of all-time City appearance makers having helped his adopted side win promotion to the top flight in 1976 with 18 strikes. He scored the only goal of the game at QPR in April 1977, an effort which went a long way to ensuring first division survival that year. Since then City's record at Loftus Road does not make pleasant reading with only five draws offering crumbs of comfort. Indeed, twice the Red army has returned after a 3-0 thumping and in September 1980 wounds were licked following a 4-0 cuffing. Of the current squad, Bradley Orr, Jamie McCombe, Ivan Sproule, Marvin Elliott and Lee Johnson will all recall losing by a three-goal margin there in Ferbruary 200, while the last meeting between the sides in the capital saw City lose 2-1 in March. French wing wizard Adel Taarabt scored the winner that day and the on-loan Tottenham man remains one of QPR's main threats. Despite the now familiar managerial chaos at the club, Rangers are still one of the most dangerous sides in the Championship. Few teams are capable of matching their attacking verve when the mood takes them. It was only a month or so ago that Jim Magilton's men were sweeping aside all comers with an effervescent brand of forward play. But with the success-hungry former Formula One chief Flavio Briatore in charge of QPR, time was never going to be on the Northern Irishman's side. When a few games went astray it came as no real surprise that Magilton was relieved of his duties, suspended for an alleged dressing room incident involving Hungarian Akos Buzsaky, another of QPR's enigmatic wingers, before parting company with the club last week. Former Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest boss Paul Hart is the latest incumbent manager, with ex-Luton chief Mick Harford as his number two. QPR's recent 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion saw them go within a stoppage time goal of claiming a major scalp and underlined that they have enough attacking talent to threaten any Championship opponent. In Ghanaian striker Patrick Agyemang, QPR have a bull-like targetman capable of ruffling the feathers of even the most heavyweight of defenders. Alongside him has been on-loan Arsenal youngster Jay Simpson, who spent last season on loan at West Brom in the Premier League. Right winger Wayne Routledge also has top flight experience with Aston Villa and his pace could put the City defence on the back foot. Ben Watson and skipper Mikele Leigertwood form an aggressive and able central midfield pairing while Latvia international centre half Kaspar Gorkss is a proven aerial weapon at set pieces. Records are there to be broken, of course, and I wouldn't want to put anyone off the trip to London for the 1pm kick-off. After all City's Boxing Day games have a habit of turning into goalfests as the net has rippled 15 times in their last three matches played on December 26. www.thisisbristol.co.uk/sport/Bristol-City-face-tough-challenge-QPR/article-1628190-detail/article.html
|
|
|
|
Post by QPR Report on Dec 21, 2009 8:26:19 GMT
Past QPR vs Bristol City Resultswww.soccerbase.com/head2.sd?team2id=376&team1id=2093This season: A 0-1 loss in August at Bristol CityBristol City: Gerken, Orr, McAllister (Velicka 65) (Johnson 72), McCombe, Elliott, Clarkson, Maynard, Hartley, Skuse (Fontaine 37), Haynes, Nyatanga. Subs: Akinde, Sproule, Wilson, Basso. QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Stewart, Hall, Leigertwood, Routledge, Buzsaky, Agyemang (Pellicori 67), Faurlin (Helguson 85), Borrowdale, Taarabt (Vine 66). Subs: Mahon, Gorkss, Connolly, Heaton. Match Reports and Magilton Commentsqprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=6061Last season:A 2-1 win at Loftus Road last March for Sousa's QPR
A 1-1 draw at Bristol City in August 2008
|
|
|
|
Post by QPR Report on Dec 21, 2009 8:35:27 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by QPR Report on Dec 21, 2009 8:40:48 GMT
The Ref for the Bristol City Game - D J PHILLIPS (Background, hopefully to be provided by one of our "sister" messageboards  ) |
|
|
|
Post by QPR Report on Dec 21, 2009 10:58:04 GMT
Bristol Evening Post
Bristol City fan's view: Gary Johnson has lost his sparkleMonday, December 21, 2009, Bristol City fan Matt Withers: I have to be honest; it has been a real struggle to write this week's column. Unfortunately, yet another late goal cost City all three points, however, it would have been daylight robbery if Reading had left Ashton Gate without at least a share of the spoils. It disappoints me to say it, but once again we were second best and but for some fine saves by Dean Gerken and some woeful Reading finishing we would have been on the end of a defeat. Each home game seems to merge into the other. The performances of the players, the style of play and the inevitable late opposition goal is this season all too a familiar story. It seems incredible that City's last home victory on a Saturday afternoon was against Middlesbrough back on August 29. Things are just not happening for City at the moment. The players seem low on confidence, the fans are restless and the manager has lost his sparkle. Where has the attacking, attractive football gone? At the moment, I sit in my seat in the Atyeo and find very little if anything to get excited about. On paper the team that played against Reading would have been the team selected by a large number of City fans, me included. Prior to kick-off I couldn't see how a managerless Reading struggling to stay out of the relegation zone could get anything from the game, but I was wrong again. In fairness, City started brightly and closed the ball down well and took the lead from an unstoppable Paul Hartley penalty but from that point on things went down hill. Gary's decision to play five at the back did not work out. City looked at sixes and sevens for much of the game and too often the defence needlessly gave the ball away. Cole Skuse and Paul Hartley were willing runners and always prepared to receive the ball but again all too often without any outlet. Evander Sno was poor giving the ball away on too many occasions, and while playing on the left is not his favoured or best position that is not an excuse. Up front, Dave Clarkson ran his legs off with no reward and Nicky Maynard hustled and bustled to try to make an opening. It's the forwards I feel most sorry for. I don't think they had a single cross into the box to attack in anger. As the game wore on the crowd began to get agitated and it was at the point that they were showing their most vocal support of the afternoon, that Reading scored their equaliser. The next few games are massive in terms of this season but also in terms of the future of the club. It is necessary for players, fans, management and the chairman and his board to stay strong. Successful clubs are built on strong foundations and with the announcement that Bristol has been selected as one of FIFA's 2018 world cup bids stadiums, it is vital that the club continues to move forward but also recognise where it has come from. With a couple of wide-men additions in January and the confidence that a couple of wins on the bounce can bring, things can look an awful lot rosier. For his part, Gary has to get the team back to playing the ball on the ground and in a formation that suits all of the players, which would appear to be a 4-4-2. It is not that long ago that the media and managers of rival clubs were giving plaudits to the way that Gary Johnson had his side playing football. This is the same squad of players who played some exhilarating football against QPR and Blackpool, and players and fans need reminding of that. www.thisisbristol.co.uk/cityfan/Bristol-City-fan-s-view-Matt-Withers-familiar-story-City-struggled-home-Reading/article-1627879-detail/article.html
|
|
|
|
Post by QPR Report on Dec 23, 2009 7:30:55 GMT
A Sick/missing manager? Bristol Evening Post Bristol City boss struggling to make Boxing Day trip to QPR Wednesday, December 23, 2009, 07:00Comment on this story Gary Johnson could be a surprise doubt for Bristol City's big Boxing Day trip to Queens Park Rangers. Assistant boss Keith Millen revealed the Robins manager has missed training for the last two days. "He is not well – he is not good at all," admitted the former centre- half. "He has got a chest infection and a cold and the last couple of days he has been in bed. "He is seeing the doc and hopefully he will be with us to travel down to London on Christmas Day." If Millen is in charge it will not be the first time he has been at the helm on a matchday. After Brian Tinnion left the club in 2005, Millen, who was the Geordie's No 2, led City for a 1-1 draw at home to Blackpool and a 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest. And the following season Johnson was ill when Bristol City went to Rotherham and Millen managed the Reds to another 1-1 draw. Bristol City, who trained on the artificial pitch at Filton College yesterday because of the snowy conditions, will assess the fitness of central midfielder Marvin Elliott tomorrow. The former Millwall man limped out of the 1-1 draw at home to Reading with a dead leg. But whoever is representing the Robins at Loftus Road, Millen is underlining the importance of the game and the home fixture with Watford that follows just two days later for a City side that is ninth in the Championship. "Two games in three days really can turn the tables any way you want to go," said the former Hornets skipper. "If you win both you are definitely in the play-offs and if you don't get any points you are in the bottom half. "Last Boxing Day we won at Watford and I think we won something like six on the spin after that. It's a big weekend and we have to get back to winning ways. "Six points would make me happy and we have to go into both games knowing we can do it." www.thisisbristol.co.uk/sport/Bristol-City-boss-struggling-make-Boxing-Day-trip-QPR/article-1636963-detail/article.html |
|
|
|
Post by QPR Report on Dec 23, 2009 12:43:08 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by QPR Report on Dec 24, 2009 7:49:49 GMT
Bristol Evening Post
London location has helped QPR, says Bristol City's Millen
Thursday, December 24, 2009 Keith Millen believes the location of Saturday's opponents Queens Park Rangers gives them an advantage over Bristol City. Two of QPR's star men this season have been the on-loan pair of Arsenal striker Jay Simpson and Spurs midfielder Adel Taarabt. City's assistant manager Millen admitted he and boss Gary Johnson had tried to sign players on loan from Premier League clubs in London, only to see them opt to stay in the capital. "That is one of the bonuses for a London club if they are looking for Premiership players," he said. "It is inviting for them because they don't have to move house and they might even go back and train with their parent club, so it is certainly an advantage for them. "We have tried to get players down here on loan from London clubs and it is more of an upheaval (than) if there is another London club they can go to." City have generally tended to look abroad for loanees rather than to the Premier League in recent years, with Evander Sno (Ajax), Alvaro Saborio (Sion) and the luckless Andrius Velicka (Rangers) this season's temporary signings. City travel to Loftus Road on Boxing Day sitting one place above Rangers in the Coca-Cola Championship table. And Millen feels QPR have underachieved so far this term, given the ability of their squad. He said: "I saw them play West Brom on TV (a 2-2 draw), and that summed them up perfectly. On the ball they were fantastic but at Watford the week before, on a poor pitch, their flair players didn't produce on the day. "It is getting that balance of having the flair in the team and having a strong team work ethic that keeps you in games. "They have had a good run already this year, with four or five wins on the bounce, so they can do it, but they are inconsistent. "You could say their front four are a danger and if you give them time and space to play then they can hurt you, definitely. "But we know that and we have seen enough of them and we had a good result against them at home, when we won 1-0. "We played really well (in the) first half and they dominated the second half. We managed to hold on that day, so that is one of the few games we have done it. "They are a good attacking unit but they have also got some strong defenders. We have to make sure we deal with them and make sure we are more of a threat going forward than we have been." In previous seasons, Johnson has bemoaned the way some City fans choose to leave games early. Had they continued to do so this year they might be under the impression that City have won several more points than they actually have. "The stats aren't good reading," admitted Millen. "We could be second in the league. We have scored late goals as well and we are not the only team who concede late on. "If a team is winning you know the other team is going to go all out to get a winner. "We certainly aren't telling the team to drop back and defend. We kept two up against Reading and we even thought about going three up front just to try to get us further forward." www.thisisbristol.co.uk/sport/London-location-helped-QPR-says-Bristol-City-s-Millen/article-1638988-detail/article.html
|
|
|
|
Post by QPR Report on Dec 24, 2009 10:13:35 GMT
So maybe Buzsaky... ITV.com QPR v Bristol City Published: Thursday, 24 December 2009, 9:52AM QPR manager Paul Hart has received a boost with the news that Akos Buszaky and Matt Connolly can return to the squad for the clash with Bristol City at Loftus Road. Hart, looking for his first win since taking over at Rangers, will be able to include the duo after they returned from knee and pelvic injuries, respectively. However, QPR will be without Jamaican centre-back Damion Stewart through suspension. Stewart picked up his fifth booking of the season in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Sheffield United and therefore incurred a one-match ban. City midfielder Marvin Elliott faces a race against time to be fit. Elliott picked up a knee injury when appearing as a substitute against Reading last weekend and will be assessed prior to the game. Elliott is the Robins` only fresh injury worry, with Ivan Sproule already missing with a hamstring injury. City do have problems off the pitch, though, with manager Gary Johnson ill with a chest infection that is likely to prompt assistant boss Keith Millen to take charge of the side www.itv.com/sport/football/news/championship/previews/qpr-v-bristol-city-853348872.html |
|
|
|
Post by QPR Report on Dec 24, 2009 17:06:49 GMT
Bristol City Official Site MATCH PREVIEW: QPR AWAY Posted on: Thu 24 Dec 2009 Read Adam Baker's match preview blog, only on bcfc.co.uk. TEAM Mid-table at present following a mixed start to the season. The Hoops haven't won in their last six matches. Loan stars Adel Taarabt (Tottenham), Ben Watson (Wigan) and Jay Simpson (Arsenal) are the stars of the show. Rangers enjoy the security of Czech Radek Cerny in goal. Martin Rowlands is one to watch in midfield. MANAGER This will be Paul Hart's second game in charge. Having recently been sacked by struggling Premier League side Portsmouth, Hart has taken over from Jim Magilton at Loftus Road. Previously boss of Rushden & Diamonds, Nottingham Forest and Chesterfield. Much of his management career has been through the guidance of youth players, having enjoyed roles at Leeds and Forest's youth academies. FORM DDLLDL REFEREE David Phillips from Sussex. Only his third-ever Championship game. Has never overseen games involving City or QPR before. The official has shown 49 yellow cards and one red in 15 games this term. ODDS QPR are Boxing Day favourites with even odds via online partner bet365.com. The draw is priced at 12/5, and an away victory can be found at 11/4. www.bcfc.co.uk/page/BCFCBlogsDetail/0,,10327~1913567,00.html |
|
|
|
Post by The Godfather on Dec 24, 2009 21:20:16 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by QPR Report on Dec 24, 2009 22:02:40 GMT
Thank you as always, G-dfather! Hope you have a great Christmas and a fabulous Boxing Day |
|
|
|
Post by The Godfather on Dec 24, 2009 22:23:22 GMT
Many thanks, same to you and all QPRREPORT message board members and readers!
|
|
|
|
Post by QPR Report on Dec 25, 2009 8:15:34 GMT
Bristol Evening Post
Know your oppo: QPR v Bristol CityFriday, December 25, 2009, QPR in the spotlight ahead of Bristol City clash: Paul Hart is QPR's 10th different manager since February 2006 when Ian Holloway left the club. Jim Magilton took the helm this summer but was suspended following a much-disputed dressing-room incident following a defeat at Watford earlier this month. The Hart era could not have started any better with a second-minute goal from skipper Mikele Leigertwood against Sheffield United on Saturday. But the lead lasted only six minutes. If past experience is anything to go by, Hart should not be planning for his Loftus Road testimonial, especially as he only has a contract until the end of the season and there are reports that Alan Curbishley could be ready to step in next summer. Hart, however, remains bullish. He said: "We've got a strong squad of players and we feel we might cause a bit of damage in the Championship." But this Saturday he will have to make do without centre-half Damion Stewart, who serves a one-match suspension. That could mean Fitz Hall is given the chance to partner Kaspar Gorkss in the heart of defence. Ex-Tottenham keeper Radek Cerny will be in goal with former Newcastle man Peter Ramage at right-back and Tom Williams, back in west London for a second spell, at left-back. QPR's main threat will be from out wide through Wayne Routledge and Spurs loanee Adel Taarabt. Ben Watson and Leigertwood are the middle men while top-scorer Jay Simpson and targetman Patrick Agyemang look set to start up front. www.thisisbristol.co.uk/sport/Know-oppo-QPR-v-Bristol-City/article-1636517-detail/article.html
|
|
|
|
Post by QPR Report on Dec 25, 2009 8:17:43 GMT
QPR Official Site
THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: ROBINS Posted on: Fri 25 Dec 2009 Bristol City are the opponents for the R's final home fixture of 2009 on Boxing Day. Just one position and one point currently separates the R's from the Robins, and if this season's fixture at Ashton Gate is anything to go by, it's sure to be another tight affair on Saturday afternoon. City ran out narrow 1-0 victors in mid-August, thanks to Nicky Maynard's 78th minute strike, but the history books suggest a home victory could be on the cards this weekend, with Rangers unbeaten in 11 matches against the Robins at Loftus Road, dating back to the mid-seventies. Team News Akos Buzsaky and Matt Connolly both returned to training earlier this week and could feature against the Robins. However, Damion Stewart misses out owing to suspension and Lee Cook, Gareth Ainsworth, Martin Rowlands and Gavin Mahon remain sidelined. City's Ivan Sproule (hamstring) and Brian Wilson (shin) are likely to be out of action for another few weeks, but the big news concerns Robins boss Gary Johnson. Johnson may not travel to Loftus Road for the Boxing Day clash after being laid low with a bug. The Robins' gaffer has contracted a bug and according to Assistant Manager, Keith Millen, may not be back in time to take his place in the dug-out. Star Man Nicky MAYNARD (Striker) Bristol City completed the signing of Crewe Alexandra striker Nicky Maynard for a Club record fee of £2.25 million on July 31st 2008. The 22 year-old arrived on a four-year contract, having successfully completed a medical at Ashton Gate. A highly-rated product of Crewe's much-acclaimed Academy, Nicky has a record of 35 goals in 57 starts for the Cheshire Club. The Robins had to fight off stiff competition from a whole host of Clubs rumoured to be chasing Maynard's signature, but it was Gary Johnson's side that made the move to bring the diminutive front-man to Ashton Gate. The striker became City's second signing of the summer, following former Ipswich Town midfielder Gavin Williams into the Robins' ranks. The pacy forward marked his debut in stunning fashion, netting a hat-trick in the pre-season friendly with Dutch side Royal Antwerp. Classic Encounter QPR 3, Bristol City 0 Coca Cola Championship - Saturday 2nd February 2008 Rangers bounced back in emphatic fashion against high-flying Bristol City, as Patrick Agyemang's scintillating form continued with a deadly double. The former Preston North End front-man - currently enjoying the richest goalscoring form of his career - bagged a first-half brace, before Akos Buzsaky put the icing on the cake for the hosts with yet another stunning contender for goal of the season. Hungarian international Buzsaky played a neat one-two with Agyemang, before letting fly with an unstoppable left-footed volley that flew past the startled Adriano Basso. The 3-0 victory - Rangers' fourth win in a row at Loftus Road - put the ghost of the R's previous display at Ninian Park firmly to rest, as Championship front-runners Bristol City were out-classed and out-fought in every department. Match odds with Bet365 QPR win - Evens Draw - 12/5 Bristol City win - 11/4 Match Coverage QPR Player will be providing live commentary of this fixture, as well as offering extended highlights next week. Click here to join QPR Player. www.qpr.co.uk/page/Preview/0,,10373~1912320,00.html
|
|
|
|
Post by QPR Report on Dec 26, 2009 8:15:35 GMT
|
|
)