QPR 0 Cardiff 1 - Reports and Comments

[QPR Report]

Small crowd

QPR Official Site

Joe Ledley grabbed a late winner, as Cardiff City earned a win over QPR that guarantees them a place in the top six.

A lively encounter throughout, the game looked to be heading for a stalemate until Ledley struck with just ten minutes remaining.

Mark Kennedy broke at pace down the left, looking up before crossing for the unmarked Ledley at the back post from the left-hand byline, and the midfielder made no mistake to plant his header home.

Rangers could - and probably should - have stolen a point with only minutes to spare, but David Marshall was on hand to superbly tip substitute Lee Cook's shot from close range out for a corner.

Rangers made one alteration to the side that defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 last weekend, with Jay Simpson replacing Damion Stewart (head) for the visit of the Bluebirds.

Meanwhile, Dusko Tosic made his home debut for QPR.

Radek Cerny was in goal for the R's.

Mikele Leigertwood and Tosic both started at full-back, while Peter Ramage partnered Kaspars Gorkss in the centre of defence.

In midfield, Tamas Priskin and Hogan Ephraim took up positions out wide, with Akos Buzsaky and Alejandro Faurlin starting in the middle of the park.

Adel Taarabt played just short of Simpson in attack.

In an open start to the game, Rangers fashioned the first opportunity to score.

Leigertwood picked up the ball on the right before his shot from 25 yards deflected into the path of Simpson, who fired just wide of the right-hand post.

The R's were looking sharp in the opening ten minutes, and after Simpson and Taarabt combined on the edge of the area, the latter's cross only just evaded Priskin six yards from goal before going out for a goal kick.

Cardiff weren't letting the Hoops have all of their own way, however, and Cerny had to be alert to claim Jay Bothroyd's low cross after the striker broke away down the left-hand side.

But the hosts were soon back on the offensive and only moments later, they went within inches of taking the lead.

Faurlin and Taarabt combined midway into the City half before the latter took the ball on and fired in a shot from 25-yards out that smashed back off Marshall's right-hand post before being cleared up field.

Play then switched to the other end. After a long ball was played up to Bothroyd, the striker flicked on to put Ross McCormack through on goal, but the hot-shot could only fire wide when under pressure from his marker, Ramage.

Soon after, Bothroyd found space down the left before playing a ball across the edge of the area that eventually found its way to Chris Burke, who blazed wide of the left-hand post for Cardiff.

Moments later, Hogan Ephraim received possession on the left before cutting in and firing a shot straight at the keeper from 25-yards out.

The Hoops almost grabbed the lead just before the interval.

Taarabt broke free down the right before sending in a cross that just missed Simpson, before Priskin made a hash of his effort as he swiped at the ball with the goal at his mercy.

The R's started the second period in similar fashion to the first when they created the opening chance of the half to find the net.

Tosic was the provider, sending in a delightful low cross to Priskin, but the striker could only fire a tame effort straight at Marshall in the Bluebirds net.

Moments later, Taarabt then found space down the left before sending over a dinked cross to Ephraim, but the winger could only get minimal contact on his header as the ball trickled into the hands of Marshall.

Play soon switched to the other end where Cardiff could - and probably should - have taken the lead.

After Peter Whittingham played over a devastating free-kick from the left, Cerny was unable to keep hold of the ball as it bounced into his path, directing the ball into the direction of Anthony Gerrard.

The City defender looked certain to notch the opening goal of the game from just a couple of yards out, before Ramage got across to expertly slide the ball out for a corner with a superb goal-saving challenge.

The Bluebirds, by now, were seeing much more possession, and Bothroyd was unlucky to see his effort go just over the crossbar after turning McCormack's centre goalwards following a Cardiff counter attack.

Soon after, it was Rangers' turn to miss a gift-wrapped chance of their own.

Taarabt's long ball was controlled brilliantly inside the City area by Simpson, before the striker touched the ball back to the oncoming Ephraim, who could only lash over from 12-yards out.

Both sides were pushing for a winner in this pulsating affair, and Gorkss was unlucky to see his header go just over the target following Taarabt's sweeping corner kick from the right.

Though Cardiff were the side who got that all-important first goal courtesy of Ledley when they hit Rangers on the break.

Kennedy was the architect, bursting down the left before crossing for Ledley, who couldn't miss to head home just a yard from goal.

The Hoops had chances to equalise, namely when Cook's effort from a Taarabt centre was expertly tipped wide by Marshall, but Cardiff held out to seal the points.

QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Leigertwood, Buzsaky, Gorkss, Faurlin, Simpson (Cook 83), Ephraim (Parker 85), Tosic, Priskin (German 90), Taarabt.

Subs: Vine, Hill, Oastler, Putnins.

Bookings: Ramage, Taarabt

Cardiff City: Marshall, McNaughton, Kennedy, Whittingham, Bothroyd, McPhail, Burke (Etuhu 67), Gerrard, Ledley, Blake, McCormack (Chopra 63).

Subs: Gyepes, Capaldi, Enckelman, Matthews, Wildig.

Goals: Ledley (80)

Referee: Mr M Oliver

Attendance: 12, 832 (1613)
www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~48998,00.html

[QPR Report]

QPR Official Site - WARNOCK: WE NEED STRIKERS

Neil Warnock admitted that his side are 'thread-bare' up front after seeing his side squander a number of chances before eventually going down to a 1-0 defeat to Cardiff in W12.

Dominant for long spells of the game, the R's were made to pay for missing a whole host of opportunities when Joe Ledley headed home on 80 minutes following a Mark Kennedy centre.

Warnock told http://www.qpr.co.uk: "Roll on the summer. You've got to score goals to win games - at times we don't look like scoring.

"You look at their bench and you look at ours, we are a bit thread-bare.

"It's just frustrating at the moment, but I've got to think of the long-term, really.

"I don't think we ever looked like scoring, even though there were some great balls across the box.

"We've just got to get through this season and enjoy ourselves next year."

The Hoops boss added: "We played a team that are in the Play-Offs and were far better than them.

"You put as much effort in to a game as that and then you get punished by a sloppy pass by Ali (Alejandro Faurlin), hopefully he'll learn not to make the same mistake.

"I thought that Adel (Taarabt) looked like our only chance of scoring a goal today.

"I think the fans know that we were the best side today, but it's goals that win games.

"I'm desperate to go up next season, there's nothing in the league this year that worries me.

"We've just got to get over the line this year, and give one or two of the kids a chance."

www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~2027467,00.html

[QPR Report]

BBC

1 Newcastle 43 52 95
2 West Brom 44 40 89

3 Nottm Forest 44 22 75
4 Cardiff 44 20 73
5 Leicester 44 13 70
6 Swansea 44 5 68

7 Blackpool 44 15 66
8 Middlesbrough 44 11 61
9 Reading 43 5 59
10 Bristol City 44 -10 59
11 Sheff Utd 43 2 58
12 Doncaster 44 0 56
13 Ipswich 44 -8 55
14 Preston 44 -11 54
15 Derby 44 -11 53
16 Coventry 44 -13 53
17 Barnsley 44 -15 53
18 QPR 43 -8 51
19 Sc**thorpe 43 -21 50
20 Watford 43 -13 48
21 Crystal Palace 44 -3 47
22 Sheff Wed 43 -19 45
23 Plymouth 43 -19 41
24 Peterborough 44 -34 31

Blackpool3-1Nottm ForestFT
Coventry1-1PrestonFT
Derby1-1Crystal PalaceFT
Ipswich1-1DoncasterFT
Leicester4-1WatfordFT
QPR0-1CardiffFT
Reading6-0PeterboroughFT
Sc**thorpe3-0Bristol CityFT
Swansea3-1BarnsleyFT
West Brom1-0MiddlesbroughHT

newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/default.stm

[QPR Report]

Cardiff Official Site

Steve Garland, from Loftus Road

Snapshot

Joe Ledley's third goal of the season secured Cardiff City's place in the play-offs, as the Bluebirds ran out 1-0 winners against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.


QPR started the stronger, dominating the early stages of the game but failing to take advantage of opportunities from Adel Taarabt and Jay Simpson. In fact Taarabt hit the inside of Marshall's near post with just under twenty minutes gone, much to the relief of the City defence.

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The Bluebirds would finally settle, but could only muster a long range Stephen McPhail effort from their period in possession and would have been happy to have gone into the break on level terms.


City returned from the interval reinvigorated and should have taken the lead as Radek Cerny fumbled a Ross McCormack free-kick to Anthony Gerrard. But with the goal at his mercy, Gerrard could only tap wide under pressure from the Rangers defence.


QPR continued to threaten through Taarabt and Simpson, but with just ten minutes remaining, Joe Ledley would start and finish the move that would send the Bluebirds into the play-offs. The Welshman headed home a superb Mark Kennedy cross to break the deadlock and subsequently seal the three priceless points.



Chronological Report

The Bluebirds travelled to Loftus Road in the knowledge that a play-off spot could become a certainty if they could claim maximum points against a Queens Park Rangers side, not yet certain of Championship survival themselves.


But it would be the home side who would dominate from the off, tricky playmaker Adel Taarabt instantly stating Rangers' intentions with an early run and shot that just skipped past the far post. Jay Simpson was next to threaten the Bluebirds goal as he got hold of a mishit Leigertwood shot from the right, but Simpson would also fail to test keeper David Marshall in goal.


City had barely ventured into the QPR half in the opening ten minutes and the Hoops' soon threatened once again, as Hogan Ephraim chipped in from the left towards Tamas Priskin, but before the Hungarian could nod home, Marshall scrambled to cut out the cross and deny him the opportunity.


Peter Whittingham would bring momentary restbite for the Bluebirds with a delightful chip to put Jay Bothroyd in space on the edge of the penalty area. Jay hit a low cross, which was easily cut out by Cerny, leaving McCormack to scream for the ball on the penalty spot.


But QPR instantly responded with their closest effort yet. Taarabt again troubled the City midfield with a mazy run, giving him the time and space to test his shooting boots once again. This time though, he would trouble City's David Marshall, beating him all hands up with his effort, only to be denied by the inside of the near post.


But the Bluebirds looked to have weathered the storm, as City finally found some sort of rhythm at Loftus Road. Some good interplay between frontmen Bothroyd and McCormack showed signs of promise, before Whittingham capitalised on some space vacated by an attack minded QPR formation, cutting inside before setting McPhail up for the shot; an effort the Irishman could only hit just wide of the near post.


Ephraim instantly responded with a tame long range effort for QPR, but the game would soon cool off as it headed towards the break. There would be time for one more Rangers chance and it again stemmed from the unpredictable Taarabt with just stoppage time left.


Teasing Kennedy with his trickery, Taarabt left the Irishman chasing shadows as he hit a low cross into the penalty area. It was in perfect range for Priskin but instead of slotting home, the on loan Ipswich striker produced a complete air shot, to ensure the sides remained level going into the break.


HALF TIME: QUEENS PARK RANGERS 0-0 CARDIFF CITY




City had now failed to score in over 220 minutes of football, but as the second period got underway, neither side looked like breaking the deadlock as they continued to cancel each other out. It would quickly come to life as Peter Ramage hacked down an advancing Bothroyd on the edge of the penalty area.


McCormack lined up the free kick from twenty yards out, curling the ball over the wall to what looked like an easy test for Rangers keeper Cerny. Instead the Czech stopper fumbled, handing the chance to Anthony Gerrard to tap the ball home and give City the lead, but instead only tapped wide under pressure from Ramage, who atoned for his earlier error.


Cardiff City Substitution: Ross McCormack off - Michael Chopra on (62 mins)


It signalled a period of pressure for City as Joe Ledley put McCormack into space on the right flank. The Scot whipped in a superb cross into the area, only for Bothroyd to scoop his effort over the bar.


However, the home side would respond just three minutes later, as Alejandro Faurlin hit a perfect long ball over the City defence to find Jay Simpson in the penalty area. The on loan Arsenal striker laid the ball off to Ephraim under pressure, only to slash his effort high and wide of Marshall's goal.


Cardiff City Substitution: Chris Burke off - Kelvin Etuhu on (67 mins)




The game would again cool off as both sides looked for any route to break the deadlock. But with just ten minutes remaining, Joe Ledley would start and finish a move that would secure the Bluebirds a play-off spot and finally break City's recent scoreless run, by nodding home his third goal of the season at the far post.


In City's best move of the match, Ledley started a delightful series of passes to find Whittingham who in turn put Mark Kennedy free on the left flank. In space, the City left back floated in a superb cross to the far post, meeting the superb run from deep by Joe Ledley who happily headed home to give City the lead and secure their play-off place.


GOAL: Queens Park Rangers 0-1 Cardiff City (Joe Ledley 80 mins)


QPR Substitution: Hogan Ephraim, Jay Simpson off - Josh Parker, Lee Cook on (83 mins)


Making an instant response to falling behind, Rangers' manager Neil Warnock introduced Lee Cook to the proceedings, and it almost proved to be inspired as Taarabt hit his latest cross into the area. Substitute Cook picked up the cross on the edge of the six yard box, and looked destined to equalise, but could only hit his effort straight at David Marshall who saved well at close range.


QPR Substitution: Tamas Priskin off - Antonio German on (90 mins)


A few tense, teasing last few minutes remained as the travelling Bluebirds fans waited with bated breath for the referee to blow his whistle for full-time. But there would be no further QPR chances to come as the referee signalled for full time to the delight of the Bluebirds fans and players. Play-off's were now a certainty.


FULL TIME: QUEENS PARK RANGERS 0-1 CARDIFF CITY

www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10335~48998,00.html

[QPR Report]

QPR & Relegation Rivals Remaining Games
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[QPR Report]

Sporting Life

JONES WANTS LEDLEY TO STAY

By Andy Sims, Press Association Sport

Joe Ledley looks set to be playing in the Premier League next season after firing Cardiff into the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs.

The Wales international's goal in the 1-0 win at QPR guaranteed City a top-six finish, but he is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with Stoke, Blackburn and Everton.

Bluebirds boss Dave Jones admits the only way Cardiff can hang on to their prized asset is by securing promotion themselves.

"I've got no problem with what Joe is doing," said Jones.

"He's in a position where he can pick and choose but he wants to stay here and the only way we'll probably keep him is by getting there ourselves."

Ledley has suffered an injury-hit season and only recently returned to action following a double hip operation.

But he picked the perfect time to score his third goal of the campaign, tucking away Mark Kennedy's cross with 10 minutes remaining.

His strike finally banished the memories of last season's dramatic collapse - Cardiff picked up one point from their last four games to miss out on the play-offs by a single goal.

There are no such worries this time round with the Welshmen assured of a shot at Wembley and the top flight with two games to spare.

"It's a fantastic achievement but it's only the first part of the achievement," added Jones.

"It's no good getting there and not having a right good go at it.

"We've got good momentum and we want to keep that going. There's no point taking your foot off the gas.

"The players are a great bunch and they are different to last year. There is a confident quietness about them that was probably missing at the end.

"We've got players coming back who are fresh whereas last year we ran out of steam. Now we can chase down third place."

Rangers were expected to be in the promotion shake-up thmselves this term but instead they have living dangerously at the other end of the table.

Adel Taarabt went closest to finding the net for the hosts when his 20-yard shot crashed against the post.

Rangers should be safe, lying six points above the drop zone with three games remaining, and the end of the season cannot come soon enough for boss Neil Warnock.

"I told Cardiff to make sure they go up because next season we will be a different ball game," he said.

"We need to get though this season and then look to enjoy ourselves next year.

"You need goals to win games and we don't look like scoring goals. It's frustrating."

www.sportinglife.com/football/live/quotes/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/10/04/17/SOCCER_QPR_2nd_Nightlead.html

[beanofire]

''McCormack lined up the free kick from twenty yards out, curling the ball over the wall to what looked like an easy test for Rangers keeper Cerny. Instead the Czech stopper fumbled, handing the chance to Anthony Gerrard to tap the ball home and give City the lead, but instead only tapped wide under pressure from Ramage, who atoned for his earlier error.''

Er, was it just me, or did I see the ball spit up viciously at Radek, who did well to get anything on it at all??!!
Sometimes I wonder what game these people were watching........

[londonranger]

Im in a rantaway mode. He needs one fcucking goal, right? Where the H is German. He can poke one in, tuck it in, they signed him, paid enough. One fing point and if Wed lose tomorrow we stay up,. took my tranquiliser, sorry.

[QPR Report]

News of The World

NEIL WARNOCK ON WAR-PATH FOR NEXT SEASON

LOOKING AHEAD - Neil Warnock is focussing on next season
QPR 0 - 1 CARDIFF
By Andrew Warshaw, 17/04/2010

ROLL on next season. That was QPR boss Neil Warnock's stark admission after his hit-and-miss side again flattered to deceive.

Patched-up Rangers had the bulk of possession and hit the woodwork but came off second best as Cardiff clinched a play-off place after missing out by one goal last season.

Rangers may still need something from their last two games to be mathematically safe from relegation.

But Warnock is already looking beyond the summer to achieve his goals after arriving at Loftus Road in early March from Crystal Palace.

Warnock, desperate to build his own side and get Rangers into the top flight, said: "Roll on the summer.

"We had some great balls across the box today but at times we just haven't looked like scoring. We were far better than Cardiff but that's life.

"It'll be a totally different ball game next season, I promise you that. That's when we can start enjoying ourselves."

Warnock inherited a squad full of loan players, including Arsenal striker Jay Simpson and Tottenham's Moroccan midfielder Adel Taarabt - the pick of the Rangers team.

He doesn't expect many to be around by August.

Warnock explained: "We've got more points with Adel than we would have done without him but I relish the opportunity to bring in my own players.

"I'll be surprised if I have one on loan. If I do it means I haven't done my job.

"The fans know we were the best side today and I am desperate to go up.

"There is nothing in this league this season that worries me, let alone next. We just need to get over the line and then look forward."

Rangers put Cardiff under pressure for long periods, Taarabt thumping the ball against the post early on with an low drive that had the pink-attired David Marshall scrambling across his line.

A goal then would have galvanised Rangers, who were hoping to finish with a flourish following last weekend's impressive win at Crystal Palace, Warnock's former club.


Instead, they continued to push forward but rarely threatened a Cardiff defence marshalled superbly by Anthony Gerrard, cousin of Liverpool's Steve.


Stewards ordered Cardiff's 1,600-strong following to remove a Welsh flag draped over the stand which prompted a torrent of nationalistic chanting but, thankfully, no trouble.


Taarabt's surging run down the right was missed by two Rangers players and it was their last real chance to go in front.


Gerrard almost took advantage of a slip by Radek Cerny but with 11 minutes to go, Cardiff finally ended a barren spell at Loftus Road with a smash-and-grab special.


Mark Kennedy burst down the left and Joe Ledley, subject of a £6million bid from Stoke earlier in the campaign, stole in unmarked to send the visiting Bluebirds diehards into ectasy.


Taarabt was booked for diving when Rangers thought they should have had a penalty and Marshall saved superbly from substitute Lee Cook.


But Cardiff held on to make it into the Championship play-offs 50 years to the day since they last gained promotion to the top flight.


Warnock lamented: "Look at their bench and look at ours. We were a bit threadbare but I like Cardiff and good luck to them.


"I thought they would go up last year and I told them that. This time, you could probably put all four in a hat and toss a coin. There is no outstanding team in the play-offs."


Cardiff boss Dave Jones, who has worked wonders with a limited budget, said he now wanted to chase down Forest and finish third.


Jones saw his team extend their unbeaten run to nine games and said: "It's a fantastic achievement but it's only the first part.


"It's great to reach the play-offs with two games to go but we don't want to take our foot of the gas.


"We've got good momentum and want to keep that going. It's no good getting there and then soft pedalling


"The difference to last year is a quiet confidence plus the squad players have stepped up to the plate."


REMAINING GAMES - QPR: Tue v Watford (h); Sat v Barnsley (a); May 2 v Newcastle (h).


CARDIFF: Sat v Sheff Wed (h); May 2 Derby (a).
www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/football/match_reports/championship/784943/QPR-v-CARDIFF.html

[QPR Report]

Mirrror

QPR 0-1 Cardiff: The Sunday Mirror match report
Published 20:36 17/04/10 By Mike Allen
Recommend

Joe Ledley finally headed Cardiff into the play-offs to help banish the nightmare of a year ago.

Cardiff knew that a win would carry them towards the end of season jamboree 12 months after they missed out by a single goal.

The victory came at the end of a nervy afternoon when Ledley arrived ­unmarked inside the six- yard box to nod home Mark Kennedy’s looping cross from the left.

A brilliant save from ­Bluebirds keeper David Marshall denied Lee Cook an equaliser and the final whistle from referee Michael Oliver sparked scenes of jubilation among the 1600 visiting fans. ­Cardiff manager Dave


Jones said: “It is a fantastic ­achievement, but it is only part of the achievement.

“We have got to keep our momentum. We mustn’t take our foot off the gas because it is very difficult to put it back down again.

“It is different to last year. There is more confident quietness about the players and maybe the difference is that the squad players stepped up to the plate.”

Cardiff, who could face neighbours Swansea in the play-offs as they battle to become the Premier League’s first Welsh club, will enter the season’s ­finale in good shape on the pitch.

With two matches still to go in the league season they are unbeaten in their last nine matches and boss Jones has virtually all his squad available. Off the pitch, though, the problems continue to mount, and the £45million Premier League bonanza will be more than a little handy to a club that has debts approaching £20million and faces a winding-up order in the High Court next month.

A Malaysian businessman could yet ride to the rescue, but it is no wonder if the players are feeling the ­pressure, and those nerves were apparent right from the start yesterday.

QPR, who should be safe but still have relegation demons circling, ­dictated the pace and terms of the game until Ledley ­settled the match. Until then Cardiff’s only real chance came when Ross McCormack’s free-kick was spilled by keeper Radek Cerny into the path of Anthony ­Gerrard, but Peter Ramage somehow got to the ball first and cleared.

Otherwise Rangers dominated the ­exchanges, with Adel Taarabt having the best chance.

He collected the ball 20 yards out, took a couple of strides forward and beat Cardiff keeper David Marshall, only for the shot to hit the upright and ­rebound across the face of goal.

The game would have benefited from it going in and it was not until a few moments before half-time that another decent chance arrived, but this time Taarabt’s cross was missed first by Jay Simpson and then Tamas Priskin.

QPR manager Neil ­Warnock said: “Roll on the summer. We don’t look like scoring goals.

“I’ve told the Cardiff staff they better win the play-offs this year because next ­season we will be ­different.”

www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/QPR-0-1-Cardiff-Joe-Ledley-uses-his-head-to-finally-bag-Bluebirds-a-play-off-spot-The-Sunday-Mirror-match-report-article395469.html

[QPR Report]

Fulham Chronicle

Loan signings would signal failure, Neil Warnock admits
Apr 17 2010 By Yann Tear
Add a commentRecommend Neil Warnock Image 1
NEIL WARNOCK says he will consider himself a failure if his rebuilding of the team for next season leads him to recruit more than one loan signing.

Rangers have made full use of hired hands this season and have even had more than they could field at any one time.

The Rangers boss says that is not what he wants next year because he wants players committed to longer term futures with the club.

“I would be very surprised if I've got more than one loan player at any time next season. Very surprised,” he said.

“It means I won't have done my job properly or been a little bit unlucky in the summer, because I don't want loan players.

“That's no disrespect to any of the lads, but you've got to want the shirt and have the heart. I'm not complaining, because I'm sure in their own way, they're doing the best they can, but my requirements are a little bit more than that.”

Warnock was given more food for thought about the next campaign by Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Cardiff – a match in which Rangers made little use of superior possession – and succumbed to a late breakaway goal from the play-off contenders.

The result leaves Rangers still just short of safety with three games to play, but the boss refused to condemn one of the recurring themes of the afternoon - Adel Taarabt's shoot-on-sight policy, which endangered the fans rather more than the Cardiff goal.

“I think they know we were the best side today, but it's goals that win games,” Warnock said.

“Was it right for him to keep shooting? Yes why not? I thought he was our only chance of scoring a goal today.

“I haven't got a problem with Taarbs. We've got more points than we would have had without him. But we've just got to get over the line now so we can give one or two of the kids a chance before the end of the season.”

www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/london-qpr/2010/04/17/loan-signings-would-signal-failure-neil-warnock-admits-64767-26265194/

[QPR Report]

Sunday People/Marc Isaacs

18 April 2010
QPR 0-1 CARDIFF

Joe Ledley has been constantly linked with a move into the Premier League - and he could finally get his wish.

He scored the goal that helped Cardiff secure their place in the play-offs for the first time since gaining promotion into the Championship.

Ledley has been one of the star performers for Cardiff in recent years, and stole the headlines once again when he netted the only goal on 80 minutes.

A number of top-flight clubs, including Everton, Stoke and Tottenham, have been tracking the progress of the £6millionrated Welsh international, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones insists he is not worried about losing Ledley and feels they will stand a great chance of keeping him if they gain promotion.

Jones said: "I haven't got a problem with Joe. He can pick and choose what he wants, but he wants to stay here. The only chance of definitely keeping him is if we go up, but it's not affecting him.

Agony
"It's nice that we don't have to rely on other people, but we can't afford to take our foot off the gas. "I am now chasing down Nottingham Forest to finish in third place.

" Cardiff fans can finally put to bed the agony of missing out on the play-offs last season when Preston beat them by one solitary goal. Ironically, the last time Cardiff won the play-offs, they beat QPR in the League One final back in 2003.

Qpr are still not safe and manager Neil Warnock will be hoping to secure their Championship status with a win over fellow strugglers Watford on Tuesday. Warnock is adamant his team will be a force to be reckoned with next season and is planning wholesale changes.

"Roll on the summer," he said. "I've said to Cardiff, 'Make sure you go up this season' because we'll have goalscorers next year. I've never been this excited." The home side could have opened the scoring after 18 minutes when Adel Taarabt fired a low shot against a post.Qpr had another golden chance after the break when the unmarked Hogan Ephraim struck his shot over the bar.

Cardiff made them pay as Ledley headed in the winner following Mark Kennedy's left-flank run and perfect cross to send the away fans wild.

Qpr: Cerny 6 - Leigertwood 7, Ramage 7, Gorkss 6, Tosic 6 - Faurlin 6, Buzsaky 6, Priskin 7 (German, 90mins) - *TAARABT 8, Simpson 7 (Cook, 84mins), Ephraim 6 (Parker, 84mins).

Cardiff: Marshall 7 - McNaughton 6, Gerrard 6, Blake 6, Kennedy 6 - Burke 6 (Etuhu, 67mins, 6), McPhail 7, *LEDLEY 8, Whittingham 7 - McCormack 6 (Chopra, 62mins, 6), Bothroyd 7.

Referee: M Oliver 6.
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