11 Years Ago Today - Mark Hughes First Game in Charge of QPR

[Macmoish]

11 years ago: The Mark Hughes Era began at Loftus Road with a 1-0 Loss at Newcastle


QPR - Kenny, Hill, Derry, Gabbidon, Bothroyd, Mackie, Buzsaky, Young, Helguson, Wright-Phillips, Ferdinand

Subs: Cerny, Orr, Hall, Campbell, Smith, Ephraim, Macheda




NEWCASTLE - Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon; Ryan Taylor, Danny Guthrie, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez; Shola Ameobi, Leon Best
Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Shane Ferguson, James Perch, Dan Gosling, Mehdi Abeid, Gabriel Obertan, Hatem Ben Arfa


TABLE AFTER NEWCASTLE RESULT in 2011/2012


1 Man City 20 40 48
2 Man Utd 21 32 48
3 Tottenham 21 18 46
4 Chelsea 21 15 40
5 Arsenal 21 7 36
6 Newcastle 21 5 36
7 Liverpool 21 6 35
8 Stoke 21 -9 30
9 Norwich 21 -4 28
10 Swansea 21 -2 26
11 Everton 21 -4 25
12 Sunderland 21 3 24
13 Aston Villa 21 -4 24
14 Fulham 21 -6 23
15 West Brom 21 -10 22
16 Wolves 21 -14 18
17 Blackburn 21 -12 17

18 QPR 21 -17 17
19 Bolton 21 -21 16
20 Wigan 20 -23 15


PHOTOS
www.zimbio.com/pictures/2l6egDhtDUE/Newcastle+United+v+Queens+Park+Rangers+Premier/browse






Telegraph/Luke Edwards

Queens Park Rangers new manager Mark Hughes needs a striker to save the club from relegation

Mark Hughes did not get the win he would have dreamed of to start his reign as Queens Park Rangers manager, but he saw enough to predict they would stay up this season.

Hughes felt Queens Park Rangers created enough chances to have returned to the capital with a draw, although his predecessor used to say the same thing about a team which lacks a consistent goalscorer.

In the end, having slipped into the bottom three this weekend, safety is all that matters to Hughes and the club’s owner, Tony Fernandes, who decided last week that Neil Warnock was not up to the task.
Hughes has a tough job on his hands, but the Welshman has seen enough in the 1-0 defeat by Newcastle United to believe he can make a success of the job.

“It was always going to be tough for us here with the opposition and the stage they play on, but I thought we acquitted ourselves well,” said Hughes. “I’ve been impressed with the players’ application all week and their willingness to take on board what I’ve been telling them.

“I thought we created enough chances and I’m pleased with the performance, if not the result. We’ve got a committed team and the way they approach the game and work hard for each other augers well. Overall I’m pleased with what I’ve seen and we can build on this.”

Hughes would not discuss any specific transfer plans, despite claims the club have agreed a £3 million fee with Chelsea for Brazilian centre-back Alex. But he highlighted the need for a striker after Jay Bothroyd wasted several decent openings.
“We’ve got players to come back into the side and we’re trying to bring players into the club,” said Hughes, who dismissed any suggestion he will sell Joey Barton this month. “It’s hard in January, but we have targeted players we think can make an impact.
“We need to improve our goals for column. We had some good opportunities and if we had a bit more guile we might have converted one.”

Newcastle’s win moved them above Liverpool and up into sixth and Alan Pardew is pleased with the way his squad has coped so far with the departure of Demba Ba and Cheick Tiote to the Africa Cup of Nations.
“It wasn’t a game that was particularly entertaining or enthralling,” admitted Newcastle’s manager. “But we were very professional in what we did. We didn’t start well and just did enough to get the win.
“You’ve got to remember a lot of the guys who have come into the side are the same ones who did terrific for us last season. Danny Guthrie has won the man of the match and Leon Best got himself a goal. That will give us confidence to go through the rest of the month without Demba and Cheick.
“We are above Liverpool because we deserve to be. This isn’t just about what has happened today, it’s about 21 matches. We’ve got a very important period while those two boys are away and if we can pick up a couple of wins, we’re going to get a hell of a boost when they return.”

Pardew surprisingly defended QPR midfielder Shaun Derry, even though Yohan Cabaye was carried off as a result of his studs-up tackle and was furious a red card was not shown.
The Frenchman does not appear to have suffered any lasting damage and Pardew praised referee Chris Foy, even though he also failed to see Ákos Buzsáky’s handball in the area.
He said: “It’s a strong challenge, but Shaun Derry is a player who makes strong challenges. I thought the referee was right on top of it and it was borderline red or yellow. I think he was right to only show him the yellow because he got the ball.”

www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/queens-park-rangers/9016678/Queens-Park-Rangers-new-manager-Mark-Hughes-needs-a-striker-to-save-the-club-from-relegation.html

[thetfordranger]

It wasnt handball tho.

[Macmoish]

INDEPENDENT

www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/mark-hughes-sees-bright-signs-from-his-new-charges-6290122.html

[superckat]

Jan 16, 2012 0:49:36 GMT Macmoish said:

INDEPENDENT

www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/mark-hughes-sees-bright-signs-from-his-new-charges-6290122.html

I loved the way they described the goal by saying it went past Kennys outstretched left arm. Kenny was diving in the opposite direction to where the ball was going. So his left arm was nowhere near it.

[Jo-Onenil]

To be honest, I'm very pleased with our performance today. I think you could see a huge difference in our tactics today. We had a lot of players going forward, 6 to 7 players always around their box, 4-4-2, you really could see that our positionning was outstanding, a lot of pressing and Newcastle really struggled to go past our 4-midfielders. We didn't look exposed at all and they only had one shot on target.

To sum this up in one word I'd say we looked like a "balanced" team. With NW we scored goals but conceded a lot OR were solid but didn't look like scoring. Today we looked strong at the back but created an awful lot of chances. I would say I haven't seen us sowell prepared for a game this season, and even, we played without our two central midfielders...

With three or four additions, we'll be alright. But we need to put the ball home now...

[Macmoish]

Star

MARK HUGHES: I'LL KEEP QUEENS PARK RANGERS UP

ABOVE: QPR boss Mark Hughes With more care and devilment, it could have been very different
New QPR boss Mark Hughes
16th January 2012 By Ian Murtagh
Your Shout ( 0 )


LEON BEST ruined Mark Hughes' big day with his first goal since mid-September to haul Newcastle into the top six yesterday.

But QPR's new manager last night claimed he saw enough in his side's performance to believe they will survive their first season back in the big time.

The visitors missed a string of early chances before Best struck in the 35th minute with his fourth goal of the season.

“With more care and devilment, it could have been very different,” said Hughes.

“I'm pleased with the performance, if not the result.”

Hughes, who this week hopes to sign Brazilian pair Alex from Chelsea and Henrique, who plays for Sao Paulo, admits Rang- ers must sharpen up in front of goal.

“It’s obvious there are areas we must improve,” add- ed the Welshman. “We must improve the goals for column because that is hinder- ing us at the moment.

“But I was impressed with the team’s application and willingness to take on board what I have been saying.

“What I saw was a very committed team and the most pleasing thing was the way they looked after each other. That augurs well.

“As the weeks go by, there’s no doubt we’ll get better.”

Toon chief Alan Pardew refused to condemn Shaun Derry for the tackle which led to Yohan Cabaye being stretchered off in the 25th minute.

Allaying fears that the Frenchman was badly injured, he backed under-fire referee Chris Foy for only booking the tough-tackling Rangers’ midfielder.

“It was a strong challenge by Derry, borderline but probably yellow.

“The ref was right on top of it so I am not going to criticise the decision.

“There were some heavy tackles flying in but the ref got the big calls right.”

“Cabaye looks OK. In fact, the doc thinks he might not need a scan. It’s not an injury which should give us a problem.”

Best had not scored in his last ten starts but in the absence of Demba Ba, picked the perfect time to hit the goals trail again.

“That will be very important for him,” added Pardew. “He’s had a good season without scoring the goals he did last year.

“Leon only had one chance but finished it with real confidence.

“It was never going to be a spectacle but on a professional front, we did a good job and just enough to win.

“Can we stay in the top six? Ask me the question again if we can nick another couple of wins without Demba Ba and Cheik Tiote.”

www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/230422/Mark-Hughes-I-ll-keep-Queens-Park-Rangers-up/

[Macmoish]

Photos from Newcastle vs QPR (Lots of Mark Hughes looking serious!)
www.zimbio.com/pictures/2l6egDhtDUE/Newcastle+United+v+Queens+Park+Rangers+Premier

[Macmoish]

STANDARD

Room for optimism at QPR but there's space for fresh faces too
Simon Johnson
16 Jan 2012

Having watched the new QPR manager closely in his first match in charge as Rangers lost 1-0 to Newcastle, Simon Johnson gives his verdict on how Mark Hughes coped and what the future holds

As Mark Hughes took his position in the Queens Park Rangers dug-out for the first time, he knew the eyes of the nation were upon him.

Having arrived amid great publicity last week after being named as Neil Warnock's successor, Newcastle provided the first test of his plans to keep QPR in the Premier League.

His debut came live on Sky Sports, meaning there would be no escape from the spotlight as the cameras followed his every move and gesture.

More importantly, he knew that it gave everyone the chance to see if his arrival had made any difference to a team whose run of eight games without a win had prompted owner Tony Fernandes to act in the first place.

On the surface it just appears more of the same after a rather unfortunate 1-0 defeat, however Standard Sport takes a closer look at Hughes's performance and sees there is room for optimism.



The presence of two strikers up front in a 4-4-2 caught out Newcastle, allowing the visitors to dominate the opening exchanges.

For most of the campaign, Rangers have played with only one forward and interchanged between a 4-1-4-1 and 4-5-1 system.

Warnock's aim was to make his team more solid and yet Hughes's line-up was far more effective in keeping Newcastle at bay for long periods, mainly because they pressed in twos and threes.

When out of possession, Heidar Helguson dropped back to help out midfield, leaving Jay Bothroyd to hold up the ball should they win it back quickly.

However, when QPR were in attack, the 34-year-old was alongside Bothroyd and the duo caused Newcastle problems for most of the match.

Significantly after the game, players were talking off the record about how they felt much more organised and compact than in previous weeks.

This was some accolade considering they were without influential midfielders Joey Barton, who was suspended, and Alejandro Faurlin, who was sidelined by a knee problem.

Newcastle's winner - an excellent effort from Leon Best in the 37th minute - came from their first shot on target after QPR had already hit the woodwork twice. Hughes's game-plan merited at least a point.



One of the reasons Hughes was hired is because of his vast experience both as a player and as a manager and he used it to provide a calm assurance for his squad, many of whom are not used to coping with the pressure of playing in the Premier League.

It was noticeable, particularly in the first half, how he was pulling players aside to give bits of advice or apply some tactical switch every time there was a stoppage in play.

Luke Young, Jamie Mackie and Helguson were all given an individual talk when referee Chris Foy's back was turned.

Hughes wasn't the only one to get involved as his assistants, Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki, also gave their opinions to some players.

There was constant encouragement coming from the sidelines and Hughes only appeared to lose his temper with Foy's decisions rather than the team.



When Hughes was in his first job in club football at Blackburn, his team earned a reputation for being very physical.

It won Rovers numerous critics, few friends and so many yellow and red cards that the club finished bottom of the Fair Play League in each of Hughes's four seasons at Ewood Park.

The manager appears to have passed this trait on to his new team straight away as they picked up four yellow cards, which was more than in any other game they have played this season.

It was evident how Hughes's new team made one strong challenge after another. Shaun Derry set the tone with a terrible tackle on Yohan Cabaye in the 19th minute, which led to the midfielder being shown a yellow card and the Frenchman carried off on a stretcher. Three more Rangers players went into Foy's book and it could have been even more but it put Newcastle off their game, with the hosts creating few chances.

The determination to make challenges also showed the spirit Hughes has already introduced and fans would have welcomed the sight compared to the limp resistance they have been seeing.

SUBSTITUTIONS

There wasn't a wealth of talent on the bench so the 48-year-old was unable to change the game radically.

It was surprising that Federico Macheda, who joined on loan from Manchester United two weeks ago, was left out of the first XI.

Then with QPR starting to run out of ideas in the second half, it was strange that his first option was to put on Tommy Smith for Helguson with 26 minutes remaining.

Macheda still has a lot to prove at the highest level, yet it was bizarre that he had to wait until the 76th minute to enter the fray.

At least Hughes was bold by putting the Italian on for midfielder Akos Buzsaky but it came too late to make much of an impression.

WHAT NOW

Rangers needed to sign new players when Warnock was in charge and the match showed why Hughes will step up his efforts to strengthen the squad in this window.

The former Wales manager may have made an impact in some areas, however, without that extra bit of quality in the squad, the club will still be in danger of going down.

For example, Bothroyd is just not good enough at this level as his record of two goals since joining from Cardiff proves. The England international wasted some great chances to add to that tally at Newcastle and when he did show some quality in the first half, there was no luck either as the ball struck the post.

At the back Rangers are still vulnerable and in midfield there is plenty of effort but not much creativity, so the transfer window will still be key to Hughes's hopes of keeping them up. If he can add someone of Premier League class to defence, midfield and attack - preferably players with some pace - then Hughes is capable of leading QPR to safety.

There should be a word of warning, though, because their last four games are against Tottenham, Chelsea, Stoke and Manchester City, so he better get plenty of points clear of the bottom three before that difficult run-in.
www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-24028260-room-for-optimism-at-qpr-but-theres-space-for-fresh-faces-too.do?

[mikehunt]

terrible performance against probably the worst newcastle side thats ever been in the prem.
shite.

[Macmoish]

Bump: One Year Ago Today...The Mark Hughes "Era" began with a defeat at Newcastle

[Macmoish]

QPR - Kenny, Hill, Derry, Gabbidon, Bothroyd, Mackie, Buzsaky, Young, Helguson, Wright-Phillips, Ferdinand -
Subs: Cerny, Orr, Hall, Campbell, Smith, Ephraim, Macheda

NEWCASTLE - Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon; Ryan Taylor, Danny Guthrie, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez; Shola Ameobi, Leon Best
Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Shane Ferguson, James Perch, Dan Gosling, Mehdi Abeid, Gabriel Obertan, Hatem Ben Arfa


TABLE AFTER NEWCASTLE RESULT in 2011/2012


1 Man City 20 40 48
2 Man Utd 21 32 48
3 Tottenham 21 18 46
4 Chelsea 21 15 40
5 Arsenal 21 7 36
6 Newcastle 21 5 36
7 Liverpool 21 6 35
8 Stoke 21 -9 30
9 Norwich 21 -4 28
10 Swansea 21 -2 26
11 Everton 21 -4 25
12 Sunderland 21 3 24
13 Aston Villa 21 -4 24
14 Fulham 21 -6 23
15 West Brom 21 -10 22
16 Wolves 21 -14 18
17 Blackburn 21 -12 17

18 QPR 21 -17 17
19 Bolton 21 -21 16
20 Wigan 20 -23 15

[sharky]

Mark who?!

[Macmoish]

2012

[Macmoish]

Bump - 3 Years Ago...

[Macmoish]

4 Years ago yesterday

[Macmoish]

Flashback 5 Years Today

[sharky]

Dark day it was when he came to Loftus Rd. We're still feeling the impact of his ludicrous signings.

[Macmoish]

6 years

[Macmoish]

10 years ago today - Didnt quite work out

[maude]

Didn’t work out because fernandes told him lies .

[Macmoish]

Not sure Fernandes told him lies...QPR certainly spent enough money in those first 2 years of Warnock and Hughes (and the following 2 years of Hughes and Redknapp)...Now who was responsible for which signing can discuss. And the competence. But not the commitment

[maude]

Bit unpopular but I tolerated hughes.
He was given the impression of wealth in the club . But not quite enough wealth to push on with it .
Bit like giving too much pocket money to your child just because you are at a party , In front of people, drunk, and boasting.
Regretted in the morning .

[Lonegunmen]

I might be alone but I loved that red/white quarter kit. I wish I had bought that top.

[sharky]

Sparky! Couldn't manage his way out of a packet of chips!

Now managing Bradford City in League 2. Just about his competency level IMHO.

[Lonegunmen]

Hill, Helguson & Derry. Not brilliant players but had the smarts, passion, and respected the club and badge.