Sc**thorpe Match Reports/Warnock Comments

[Macmoish]

2-0 QPR Top

Sc**thorpe Official SiteQueens Park Rangers 2-0 Sc**thorpe United
Report from Loftus Road

Click here for a detailed minute-by-minute analysis
http://www.sc**thorpe-united.co.uk/page/News/0,,10442~2128087,00.html

Sc**thorpe suffered their first away defeat of the season at league leaders Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Bradley Orr and Heidar Helguson notched in the first half to settle things for Neil Warnock's team, who could have added more to the scoreline.

United did have chances but failed to take them on a miserable afternoon at Loftus Road.

The Iron were forced into three changes heading into the fixture.

Rob Jones, David Mirfin and Garry Thompson missed out through injury and were replaced by Niall Canavan, Michael Raynes and stand-in captain Sam Togwell.

Joe Murphy started in goal, with Eddie Nolan, Raynes, Canavan and Jim McNulty forming the defence.

The midfield consisted of Michael O'Connor, Josh Wright, Togwell and Martyn Woolford, while Chris Dagnall supported Jonathan Forte in attack.

The substitutes, of which there were just six, were Sam Slocombe, Andrew Wright, Cliff Byrne, Bobby Grant, Michael Collins and Trent McClenahan.

Sc**thorpe started the game on the front foot, and the midfielders tried to probe the Rangers defence by sending balls into the area for Forte.

The hosts had their first chance six minutes in when Matthew Connolly stabbed an effort wide from the edge of the area and just past Murphy's right-hand post.

Adel Taarabt was next to come close, having plenty of space to curl in a 25-yard free kick which Murphy had to tip around his left-hand post.

The pressure from Neil Warnock's side continued as Taarabt went down under the challenge of Woolford, but referee Graham Sailsbury booked him for diving.

And the hosts went ahead in the 16th minute as Orr glanced home a header after Taarabt's corner from the left found him in space.

Sensing more goals, Taarabt came close again as he smashed a low drive wide from the edge of the area.

Seemingly in desperation, O'Connor had a smash at goal with a quickly taken free kick but his low drive went well wide of goal.

Murphy was drawn into a quick reaction stop on 26 minutes as he tipped out Helguson's header with one hand after Jamie Mackie's deep cross from the right.

Moments later, Nolan's volley towards goal was deflected wide for a corner. From Josh Wright's subsequent set-piece, Kaspars Gorkss headed towards his own goal but the ball hit the top of the netting.

The best Sc**thorpe chance of the game so far came in the 33rd minute when Dagnall clipped Forte in, who casually clipped the ball over the top of the crossbar.

In superb style, Helguson made it two for the Hoops, as he latched on to Taarabt's throughball and controlled the ball superbly before clipping it over Murphy and into the back of the net on 42 minutes.

The former Watford striker came close again just two minutes later, arrowing a header goalwards which Murphy tipped over the crossbar.

In the only minute of first half stoppage time, McNulty managed to get into the area and drag a drive wide of goal from the left as Sc**thorpe entered the break two goals down.

United returned for the second period showing a bit more intent, Woolford and O'Connor combined for a free-kick on the edge of the area which saw the former turn and drill in a low effort which Paddy Kenny had to tip around his left-hand post.

During a head to head with Mackie, who charged forward and tried to round Murphy after being clipped through before firing wide from an angle, the Iron goalkeeper was left needing treatment, but he got it and carried on.

Forte and O'Connor combined well on 65 minutes, with the Northern Ireland international's shot been deflected wide by Kenny at his left-hand post.

Forte then came close at the two linked up again, with the ex-Sheffield United man's hooked volley drawing a quick stop from Kenny.

On 68 minutes Helguson headed just wide of goal as he connected with Hogan Ephraim's cross from the left.

Then, just three minutes later, he prodded over the crossbar from six yards after being set up with a low cross from the left.

The Iron were out of luck themselves going forward though, as Forte capitalised on a slip to race clear after Wright's throughball but his tame shot drew a save from Kenny.

The visitors made their first change moments after, as Grant came on for Woolford, to add some fresh impetus going forward.

Murphy was drawn into another stop ten minutes from time, as substitute Akos Buszaky's curling effort was tipped wide by the Irishman.

There was a further Iron change shortly after as Byrne replaced McNulty and Nolan switched to left-back.

Five minutes of additional stoppage tiime were given but Sc**thorrpe struggled to create anything else of note.

United are next in action on Tuesday night when they host Sheffield Wednesday in the second round of the Carling Cup.

Attendance: 12,046 (439 away).
http://www.sc**thorpe-united.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10442~52727,00.html

[Macmoish]

Sc**thorpe Official SIte

QPR 2 THE IRON 0 - MATCHDAY LIVE
Posted on: Sat 21 Aug 2010

npower Championship
Queens Park Rangers v Sc**thorpe United
@ Loftus Road
Saturday, August 21, 2010


Listen live to Matt Dean and George Kerr on The Iron Player

FULL-TIME: QPR 0 SCUN 2: United have been completely outclassed from about the second minute. I don't think Kenny had to make one difficult save this bleak August afternoon. The Iron might as well have played a Premiership team - the difference in class really was that stark. Joe Murhy did very well though, and I can say with great certainty that if he hadn't have had his seemingly magic gloves on then QPR would've scored a bucket full today.
Article continues
Advertisement
Quantcast

90 Min: We're into the five minutes of added time now, but this is one of those days where I think a minute would have sufficed really. I can't see United turning this game on its head any more or less than I can see Blackpool winning the Prem. this season.

Sub: Helguson off; Antonio German on.

88 Min: Alejandro Faurlin comes within a whisker of scoring what would have been a certain contender for the goal of the season award. He takes down a high ball just outside the area, turns on it while doing keepy-uppys and then smashes a venemous dipping volley at goal which goes just a little bit wide. That really was something even Wayne Rooney would be proud of.

Sub: The big centre-back Leigertwood comes on for QPR.

85 Min: This game continues to dwindle away. Maybe United will get one goal, but I can't see them getting two. Back to what is actually happening though, and Jamie Mackie has just wedged a shot at goal which Murphy has had to catch.

Sub: Byrne on for McNulty. I won't lie, I was expecting to see a cameo from Trent McClenahan today; but clearly that's not to be.

Sub: Bobby Grant comes on. I'm informed that he has an ability to conjure something up out of nothing, and that'd certainly be useful today - as even though The Iron don't deserve it really, a goal would nevertheless make the last few minutes nervous for QPR. Woolford is the player who leaves the pitch.

75 Min: For the second time today, Forte gets in behind the home defence. In the area he checks onto his left-foot, and tries to pass the ball into the far corner as it were; but Kenny saves. Woolford tries burst in and score the rebound, but Kenny gets to the temporrily loose ball first.

Sub: Taarabt withdrawn: he's done his job and has earned his rest. He gets a standing ovation, and is replaced by Buzsaky.

71 Min: Ephraim accelerates away from O'Connor on the wing (in fairness, O'Connor was busting a gut to get back with him but Ephraim had a head-start). He gets to the byline, and lays it across for Helguson; but Helguson hits over when it would have been easier to score.

67 Min: The United defence is divided into two by a long ball which is planted deep into the box from Hogan Ephraim. It's met at the back post by a free Helguson, but his header is pretty woeful and ends up deeper in the stand than a good few spectators.

64 Min: Michael O'Connor gets the ball in midfield and obviously thinks 'what the heck, I'll have a crack'. He powers a drive at goal which bounces up and down off the greasy surface, and it causes Paddy Kenny a problem or two. In fact, Kenny botches his save, and only manages to get a solitary hand to it which just about turns it behind.

62 Min: QPR win a free-kick about twenty-five or so yards out. It's curled towards Murphy's goal, but he's able to save.

57 Min: Another let off for Sc**thorpe after Murphy and Raynes get in a tangle while trying to deal with a deep cross, meaning the ball runs for Helguson to slot home (which actually he doesn't manage - instead he swipes it wide) before the referee brings play back for a foul on Murphy by Helguson.

51 Min: Credit where it's due, United have looked better at the start of this half. As it stands though, QPR still haven't let in a single goal in the Championship this season. They're also highly likely to top the league at full-time, a fact that many of the reporters around here keep tediously repeating during the course of their match commentaries. Oh, and now their fans have started with the chant too ...

47 Min: A smart O'Connor, Woolford and Wright free-kick routine ends in a shot from distance by Martyn Woolford that comes very close to giving United a lifeline in this match. It was heading in from about twenty-five yards, had Paddy Kenny not bounded across his goal to tip it away.

45 Min: Togwell and O'Connor get us back underway. Let's hope for a better second half.

HALF-TIME: QPR 2 SCUN 0: I think that any United fan here today would be happy to see this game end now. There's a song that goes 'Things can only get better'; today has quite the opposite feeling surrounding it. Logic tells me that this is now about damage limitation.QPR have controlled practically every second of this half just gone, and only some fine Murphy goalkeeping means that the deficit is just two.
During half-time, QPR run a crossbar challenege competition, which involves covering the entire mouth of the goal with a plastic sheet so that no balls can fly into it. "United could do with one of them in the second half", someone sat near to me correctly asserts.
ATT: 12,406

45 Min: On a rare United attack, McNulty fizzes a shot wide.

42 Min: There's some confusion when Raynes and Taarabt collide in the box and the referee seems to point to the spot. Then he seems decides that Taarabt actually dived (for the second time today I might add) and after a mass confrontation play resumes with a United free-kick.

GOAL! QPR 2 SCUN 0: Heidar Helguson shows fantastic composure to firstly contol a long ball played into the box for him and then secondly slam it past the oncoming Murphy - and all without letting it touch the floor. Some of the football QPR are playing is a treat to watch.

33 Min: A mistake from one of the QPR back four gives the ball straight to Dagnall, who wastes little time in putting Forte in one-on-one. Forte buckles however, and when he tries to coolly chip the goalie he sees his effort go over the bar. This sounds really horrible, but it's hard to see United getting a better chance than that against a side as good as QPR.

27 Min: He might be playing for QPR, but Taarabt is simply a joy to watch today. He just received a standing ovation for taking on a couple of Scunny players (which including doing an audacious Cruyff turn around McNulty) before hitting a long shot at goal which deflected out for a corner.

23 Min: My internet has gone really slow again, explaining my lack of recent reportings. Anyhow, since the goal, QPR have dropped down a few gears, but I'd be lying if I said that's given United a way back into the game. To be honest, this feels a lot like Leicester or Sheffield Wednesday away last season (sorry to say it - it's just true). As I'm typing Helguson heads at Murphy from point-blank range. It was both a good save and bad miss.

GOAL! QPR 1 SCUN 0: This place goes mental as QPR finally get the goal that's been coming since the second minute. Taarabt puts in a corner which an unmarked Bradley Orr meets at the near post and manages to glance across the goal and in.

14 Min: In the next attack, Taarabt gets into the box and then goes down all-too-easily under a Woolford challenge. I think they call that penalty-hunting. Forunately the referee realises this, and waves away Taarabt's appeals.

13 Min: That metaphoric hook is very kind to Niall Canavan when he heads back towards his own goal when trying to clear a QPR cross. Instead of flying in though, Canavan is let off the aforementioned hook when Joe Murphy makes a wonderful save and keeps it at 0-0 - for now.

10 Min: Things are not looking all that great at the moment. The home team are spending way too much time on the ball; and United look nervous when in possession. Joe Murphy's taken note of this, and is now taking his time over getting the ball back into play from a goal-kick he has.

8 Min: United are rattled. Taarabt firstly strikes a free-kick towards the bottom corner which Murphy can only palm out for a corner. That's then floated into the box, and it takes seemingly forever for United to get it cleared.

6 Min: Matthew Connolly strikes wide from just outside the box after some good work from Taarabt. All things considered, he should have done better there I feel.

4 Min: Arguably the hottest property outside of the Premier League, Adel Taarabt, hooks a cross into the box. It's caught by Murphy with ease, but still manages to draw one of the most hyperbolic cheers I've ever heard.

2 Min: The Iron have started with a 4-4-2. O'Connor is on the right-wing, and the rest is pretty self-explanitary. United have put QPR under some early pressure too, which the home fans don't appreciate.

KICK-OFF: Is taken by the home side. A chorus of "We are QPR" bellows out from the packed stand behind the goal to my left.

Sam Togwell leads United out; but he's overshadowed just a little bit by the officials, who are wearing the most colourful shirts I've ever seen. They're sort of a blend of red, pink and orange, and they don't half stand out!

Two Championship games have already taken place today, with Leeds beating Millwall 3-1 and Coventry edging out Derby 2-1 at the Ricoh Arena. The kick-off countdown on the (very) big scoreboard says that were just ten minutes away from the game here.

And to make matters worse, there's a fully-grown man wearing a sombrero, waving a flag and blowing a horn right in-front of me (it could be worse I suppose though - at least it's not a vuvuzela); but to re-iterate, these are not good signs ...

The music playing here is getting rather tiring now. Hearing 'Wave your flag' is not a good omen, considering how it links in with what was a pretty woeful World Cup this summer. The speed that the editorial programme for this website is working at isn't doing much to improve my mood either! It's taken me literally forty minutes just to log-in to it!

When we arrived, we overheard some members of the London press talking in the press room, and they described this game as a potential banana-skin. That's positive, but having seen the teams United do look rather depleted: we're without Mirfin, Jones and Thompson (the match-winner here last year) which is not encouraging news in any way, shape or form. Resultantly, Niall Canavan and Michael Raynes will start in the middle of defence - Cliff Byrne is on a six-man bench.

TEAMS:
QPR: Kenny, Orr, Hill, Derry, Taarabt, Helguson, Faurlin, Mackie, Gorkss, Connolly, Ephraim.
Subs: Cerny, Leigertwood, Clarke, Buzsaky, Ramage, German, Parker.
SCUN: Murphy, McNulty, Togwell, Woolford, O'Connor, Dagnall, Raynes, Forte, J. Wright, Nolan.
Subs: Slocombe, A. Wright, Byrne, Grant, Collins, McLenahan.

PREAMBLE
Today's away trip is to QPR, London, so constitutes something of an adventurous day out from us fans point of view. Indeed, many will have got here by way of the Underground and other forms of London public transport, which to me always seem to have an aurora of exciting novelty about them. Of course, we're actually here for a football match though; a game which on paper, does not make reassuring reading for Scunny. The team we're up against, QPR, have made a cracking start in the league, winning two out of two and scoring seven goals without conceding. I guess they'll have to lose sometime though, and when you look at the stats the Iron have tended to do well in the capital in recent times.

http://www.sc**thorpe-united.co.uk/page/News/0,,10442~2128087,00.html

[Macmoish]

Guardian

Football League: your thoughts

Are QPR the real deal? Is Eddie Howe a hotter property than Brett Pitman? And are there any positives for Barnet fans?

Click here for all of Saturday's Football League scores and scorers.

So, plenty of goals around today (108 of them). It's going to be a late night for Manish Bhasin and co this evening.

• Are QPR the real deal? A 2-0 win over Sc**thorpe makes it three wins out of three (the Championship's only 100% record), with nine goals being scored and none conceded in the process.

www.guardian.co.uk/football/football-league-blog/2010/aug/21/your-football-league-thoughts

[Macmoish]

Bradley Orr celebrates Bradley Orr celebrates QPR's opener. Photograph: David Field/Action Images

[Macmoish]

QPR Official Site

QPR OFFICIAL SITE


QPR's fine start to the season continued against Sc**thorpe United, as goals from Bradley Orr and Heidar Helguson sent them back to the summit of the npower Championship at Loftus Road.

Orr got the ball rolling for the Hoops on 17 minutes, heading home from close range following Taarabt's brilliant centre from the right.

And just four minutes short of the break, the win was sealed.

Article continues
Advertisement

The outstanding Taarabt clipped a superb through ball over the top of the visitors' defence, before Helguson nipped in to coolly lob the keeper and send the R's on to their best start to a league campaign for 63 years.

Taarabt was named skipper for the visit of Sc**thorpe to W12, while Fitz Hall was replaced by Matt Connolly in a 4-2-3-1 formation owing to a hamstring injury.

Paddy Kenny was in goal for QPR, with a back four consisting of Orr, Connolly, Kaspars Gorkss and Clint Hill.

Shaun Derry and Alejandro Faurlin were deployed in defensive midfield. Hogan Ephraim, Taarabt and Mackie occupied more advanced positions in front of the two holding players.

Icelandic international Helguson spearheaded the R's attack.



Possession was fairly even in the opening five minutes, though Rangers had the first notable attack when Taarabt's delicious pass with the outside of his foot found Orr wide on the right, though his sweeping cross was too close to Joe Murphy, who caught the ball with ease.

Taarabt was his usual self - causing the opposing defence all sorts of problems - and he was unlucky not to find the net when his beautifully struck free-kick from 25-yards out was tipped away for a corner.

The R's were playing some elegant and controlled possession football, switching the ball from right to left with relative ease - much to the delight of the vocal R's faithful.

Moments later, QPR went their closest yet to taking the lead. Taarabt was again in the thick of the play, bending in a pinpoint centre from a free-kick on the right that was diverted towards goal by a Sc**thorpe defender, with Murphy scurrying across to excellently tip the ball away for a corner kick.

Rangers weren't made to wait too much longer for that opening strike, however, and they took a 17th minute lead from an unlikely source.

Taarabt played the architect, sending over a sweeping corner from the left that was expertly met by Orr, who leapt superbly to head the ball into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Just less than ten minutes later, QPR should have doubled their advantage in W12.

Taarabt and Orr combined well before the latter produced a devastating cross from the right onto the head of Helguson, whose nodded effort forced a stunning save from the Iron keeper.

It was all one-way traffic, with QPR fans especially marvelling in the individual technique of Taarabt, who was greeted with chants of 'he's just too good for you'.

Soon after, Sc**thorpe created their only recognisable chance of the first half. Faurlin lost possession when under pressure in the middle of the park, before Jonathan Forte eventually found himself clean through on goal.

The striker had what seemed like an eternity of time before trying to dink an effort over the onrushing Kenny, but his shot went harmlessly over the crossbar.

Play then switched to the other end, where QPR deservedly doubled their lead ahead of the break in some style.

Taarabt found possession down the left and played a magnificent lobbed through pass for Helguson.

The Icelandic striker controlled the ball fantastically well with his first touch, before lobbing Murphy in immeasurable style with his second to put the Hoops in firm control.




As the second half got underway, the Iron were unfortunate not to reduce their arrears when Martyn Woolford swung at goal a free-kick that looked to be heading for the bottom right-hand corner from 25 yards, though Kenny was alert to tip the ball around his post to safety.

However, Rangers were soon back on the attack, and after Derry turned superbly in midfield, he sped at the United defence before smashing a low effort straight at the keeper.

Minutes later, the R's almost added a third strike.

Taarabt won a free-kick after being felled 30-yards out on the left-hand touchline before sending over a dangerous cross towards the back stick for Gorkss, who saw his headed effort clip the top of the bar on its way over the net.

QPR were knocking on the door, and when Helguson was awarded with a free-kick just short of the penalty box after he was pushed over, Taarabt's eventual free-kick was well held by Murphy.

How Rangers were not further in front was hard to believe, especially when they created arguably their greatest chance to net after half time.

The lively Ephraim took control of the ball out wide on the left, and when his in-swinging centre was met in the area by the unmarked Helguson, he could only nod wide of the goal.

Unbelievably Helguson was then gifted with an easier chance to add to the R's advantage.

However, it was a chance that he couldn't take. Ephraim and Taarabt's neat one-two set the former free down the left-hand channel, and when the QPR wing wizard found Helguson six yards from the target, he could only scoop an effort agonisingly over the net.

R's boss Warnock decided for freshen things up in the 74th minute, bringing on Akos Buzsaky for Taarabt, who was given a rapturous applause from the field of play for another outstanding display.

And it was Buzsaky who almost netted with his first few touches, taking possession of the ball on the left-hand edge of the box before his curling effort was tipped superbly to safety by the keeper.

QPR: Kenny, Orr, Hill, Derry (Leigertwood 87), Taarabt (Buzsaky 74), Helguson (German 90), Faurlin, Mackie, Gorkss, Connolly, Ephraim.

Subs: Cerny, Clarke, Ramage, Parker.

Goals: Orr (17), Helguson (41)

Bookings: Taarabt (43)

Sc**thorpe United: Murphy, McNulty (Byrne 82), Togwell, Woolford (Grant 76), O'Connor, Dagnall, Raynes, Forte, Wright, Nolan, Canavan.

Subs: Slocombe, Wright, Collins, McClenahan.

Referee: Mr G Salisbury

Attendance: 12, 046 <a href="http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~52727,00.html">QPR</a>

[Macmoish]

(Cue the snide Sousa comments from those who previously didnt want to mention his name!)

BBC

1 QPR 3 9 9
2 Cardiff 3 5 7
3 Burnley 3 4 7
4 Coventry 3 3 7
5 Ipswich 3 3 7
6 Millwall 3 5 6
7 Norwich 3 2 6
8 Watford 3 1 5
9 Leeds United 3 1 4
10 Doncaster 3 -2 4
11 Hull 3 -2 4
12 Barnsley 3 -3 4
13 Swansea 3 0 3
14 Crystal Palace 3 -1 3
15 Derby 3 -1 3
16 Sc**thorpe 3 -2 3
17 Preston 3 -5 3
18 Reading 3 -1 2
19 Nott'm Forest 3 -1 2
20 Bristol City 3 -3 2
21 Middlesbrough 2 -2 1
22 Portsmouth 3 -3 1
23 Sheff Utd 2 -3 1
24 Leicester 3 -4 1

[Macmoish]

Fulham Chronicle/Yann Tear

Sc**thorpe brushed aside by Taarabt-inspired QPR
Aug 21 2010 By Yann Tear
Add a commentRecommend Bradley Orr Image 2
QPR 2-0 Sc**thorpe United



LUCKY Rangers fans were treated to another Adel Taarabt magic show as the Moroccan masterminded a win that takes the Rs clear at the top of the league.

Neil Warnock made sure his star player had added reason to do well – unexpectedly handing him the captain's armband in the absence of the injured Fitz Hall – and how his thrilling star player responded.

Taarabt was full of feints, dummies, dribbles and incisive passing in front of a terrorised Sc**thorpe defence and was once again involved in every serious Rangers attack.

No wonder the fans repeated their mantra 'He's just too good for you!'

There was an end product too. His corner was glanced home by Bradley Orr's head in the 17th minute – giving the full-back his first goal for the club.

And a sweet move involving Taarabt and Orr (pictured) should have brought a goal – Heidar Helguson having his close-range header kept out by United keeper Joe Murphy.

But the moment of the match was a sublime 40-yard pass that picked out Helguson, who sprang the offside trap and lifted the ball over the advancing Murphy.

Murphy was seriously overworked and did well to keep out another Helguson header just before the break – with Hogan Ephraim the provider for once.

Taarabt does have another side to his game maybe and was booked for a dive inside the area by ref Graham Salisbury.

He got away with a ticking off for one borderline tangle but did not escape a yellow card when he went down under a challenge from defender Sam Togwell late in the first half.

Taarabt was much quieter in the second half and by extension, so were Rangers, although Kaspars Gorkss sent one header onto the top of the crossbar and Helguson was again guilty of a glaring miss after Ephraim had scampered onto a Taarabt pass and pulled the ball back invitingly from the byline.

But his fade-out at least allowed Rs fans their first sight this season of another player with a golden touch - Akos Buzsaky.


www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/london-qpr/2010/08/21/sc**thorpe-brushed-aside-by-taarabt-inspired-qpr-82029-27110302/

[Macmoish]

Warnock/QPR Official Site
GAFFER PRAISES R'S SPIRIT

Posted on: Sat 21 Aug 2010

Neil Warnock praised the attitude of his players after Rangers made it three wins from three with another convincing display against Sc**thorpe United.

Two goals before the interval from Bradley Orr and Heidar Helguson ensured that the R's got off to their best start in a league season since the start of 1947/48 campaign.

The QPR boss was understandably thrilled with his side's 2-0 victory and told http://www.qpr.co.uk: "The attitude of the players has been superb.

"I thought Sc**thorpe today were going to be very difficult to beat.

"It's so difficult because you're expected to win. We're delighted.

"I think the opportunities were there. We played some really good football and if their goalkeeper doesn't get ten out of ten in the newspapers tomorrow, there's something wrong isn't there!

"Adel's (Taarabt) doing well at the moment, we play a system that suits him as well. It's all about teamwork and getting the best out of every individual."

Warnock added: "We missed out on signing two players last week, but life goes on.

"If not by Derby next week, I want at least another couple of forwards in by the Middlesbrough home game.

"We've got to get one or two more quality players in, but the directors are doing their best. We have missed out on a couple of players, but we'll keep persevering

www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~2130322,00.html

[Macmoish]

Sky Report and PLayer Rankings....Taarbat Gets a 10
www.skysports.com/football/match_facts/0,19762,11065_3285938,00.html

[Macmoish]

That was Helguson's 100th Goal

Telegraph

Queens Park Rangers 2 Sc**thorpe United 0: match report
Read a full match report of the Championship game between Queens Park Rangers and Sc**thorpe United at Loftus Road on Saturday Aug 21 2010.

By Neil Trainis

The pleasurable football of Adel Taarabt brutalised Sc**thorpe United. The Moroccan instigated Queens Park Rangers’ ascent to the Championship’s summit with the brushstrokes of a footballer who belongs on a higher plane.

He may be the second tier’s most astute signing this summer but his arrival at Loftus Road on a permanent basis is paradoxical, given that the fantasy with which he splayed this fixture would normally appeal more to Harry Redknapp than a hardy pragmatist in Neil Warnock.

Indeed, he may have struggled to suppress a grin. His recent suggestion that Taarabt could one day grace Camp Nou or the Bernabeu might have sparked disdainful chuckles but football visionaries would argue it is no delusion of grandeur.

Defenders more perceptive than those offered by Sc**thorpe will read the Moroccan’s sharp pirouettes but, when afforded time and space, Taarabt can play with an encapsulating brazenness.

It would be unfair on Sc**thorpe to suggest they provided him with the capacity to inflict damage. Caution was required since it was difficult to execute tackles when the ball was tied to his bootlaces and his feet were a blur of movement.

Evidence of this came in the first half when Taarabt’s jinking run compelled Michael Raynes to stick out a leg and fell the playmaker.

Referee, Graham Salisbury, pointed to the spot before, perplexingly, opting to book Taarabt for diving. Officials sometimes believe that footballers of great flair have a play-actor waiting to break out.

Vulnerability, characterised by the lumbering Kaspars Gorkss, hinders QPR’s backline and Jonathan Forte scooped over with Paddy Kenny exposed.

Scouts attempting to decipher any weakness in Taarabt would point to his temperament. Frustration encounters him easily and his influence dwindled in the second half. The first period, though, belonged to him.

One exquisite pass with the outside of his boot found Bradley Orr scampering into space.

Sixty seconds later he tormented his marker with little drag-backs before sliding a pass into Alejandro Faurlin. Soon he disorientated Michael O’Connor with subtle feints and nonchalantly flicked the ball into Jamie Mackie.

Taarabt was QPR’s protagonist and Sc**thorpe’s tormenter. Orr nodded in his corner before Taarabt, unleashing another artful pass, located Heidar Helguson’s shrewd run.

The Icelandic forward, who later bungled an open goal, claimed his 100th strike in English football with a deft lob. Taarabt lasted 74 minutes but they were enough to remind everyone of his potential.

www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/7957945/Queens-Park-Rangers-2-Sc**thorpe-United-0-match-report.html

[Macmoish]

BBC - Paul Fletcher

Warnock's Rangers look the real deal
Post categories: Football

At Loftus Road

QPR manager Neil Warnock was at The Oval watching the Test match between England and Pakistan on Wednesday when he found out that Jon Walters had joined Stoke City.

Warnock had been trying to sign the want-away Ipswich forward for weeks and spent 14 hours in his office on Tuesday trying to put together the finishing touches to a deal.

He was so frustrated at missing out on the player that when he returned home from the cricket he headed straight out on his bike and cycled around Richmond Park for two hours in an attempt to blow off some steam.

"Walters could have done two jobs for me - playing out wide and up front," Warnock told me. "Missing out on him means I have to try to sign at least two more players."

Warnock may be 61 but his passion for the game is as strong as ever.

Warnock is insistent that his Rangers team is very much a work in progress and is desperate to sign two strikers before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

"I think at the moment we are in the top six-to-10 bracket but with a couple more forwards we can have a real go at getting in the play-offs," he added.

However, after watching Rangers repeatedly slice open Sc**thorpe at Loftus Road, Iron boss Nigel Adkins said he expected QPR to claim an automatic promotion place.

On the evidence of Saturday's display, it is easy to see why Atkins thinks QPR are capable of mounting a strong push for promotion to the Premier League.

Bradley Orr and Heidar Helguson found the net but the 2-0 scoreline could have been a lot more one-sided if Iron keeper Joe Murphy had not pulled off a string of sensational saves.

The result lifted Rangers to the top of the Championship and they have now started a league campaign with three straight wins for the first time since 1947. They are the only team in the division with a 100% record and have yet to concede while averaging three goals a game.

After years of instability (Rangers had five different managerial combinations last season alone), there finally seems to be a sense of togetherness and some much-needed leadership at the London club.

They have a strong-willed manager in the experienced Warnock, who looks to be blending a side that boasts both steel and skill.

"The club has let me manage," said Warnock. "Everyone knew there would be a time when they had to give the job to a trusted manager rather than changing all the time."

Warnock told me that the period between his appointment in March and the end of last season gave him a valuable opportunity to assess his squad.

The first thing he concluded was that the club had too many loan players. Warnock estimated that there were eight when he arrived and felt that it reduced the sense of unity that you only get from permanent signings.

He also thought that he was short of experience. The subsequent arrival of goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, defensive duo Orr and Clint Hill and midfielder Shaun Derry has given Rangers a combative edge that was previously absent.

The QPR boss was asked several times after Saturday's victory to pay tribute to his eye-catching players, particularly the scintillating Adel Taarabt, yet he repeatedly stressed that from a manager's point of view players such as Derry are invaluable.

Taarabt was the captain on Saturday in the absence of the injured Fitz Hall, but it was noticeable that it was Derry who relayed instructions from the manager to the rest of the team.

Derry and Argentine Alejandro Faurlin were outstanding in a deep-sitting central midfield role, allowing the team's creative players the license to pour forward.

Warnock described his job as being like the conductor of an orchestra, trying to bring all the parts together in such a way that they play to their strengths.

In a sense I think that he is shaping a team in his own image. The outspoken Warnock is not to everyone's taste but as much as he is a chippy and abrasive character, he is also undoubtedly colourful and, in my opinion, pretty entertaining.

Stand-in skipper Taarabt was outstanding against Sc**thorpe

Nobody provides more entertainment at Rangers than the mercurial Taarabt, who recently signed on a permanent basis from Tottenham after two previous loan spells at Loftus Road.

The 21-year-old was at his impudent best on Saturday, showing flashes of skill that would grace any contest. One graceful spin and turn was particularly sublime, but there was also a cutting edge to his play. He had a hand in both goals and drew several saves from Murphy.

Much has been rightly made of Cardiff's stunning coup in signing Craig Bellamy, but if Taarabt can consistently reproduce Saturday's form then he will undoubtedly be one of the most important players in the division.

With the likes of Hogan Ephraim, Akos Buzsaky, fit-again Martin Rowlands and summer signing Jamie Mackie, as well as Derry and Faurlin, Rangers have plenty of options in midfield. They also look solid at the back, with Hall, Matthew Connolly and Kaspars Gorkss vying for the central defensive spots.

But I can understand Warnock's assertion that he wants to boost his striking options. Helguson scored a goal of great skill on Saturday but he also wasted several other opportunities and, 33 on Sunday, he is unlikely to figure every week.

Leon Clarke has arrived from Sheffield Wednesday but has been a peripheral figure so far, while Patrick Agyemang is out of favour - and Warnock knows he lacks the artillery to last a long and trying season.

Rangers' superb start to the season must also be put in perspective. Warnock has been quick to point out that Barnsley, Sheffield United and Sc**thorpe all had good chances to score against his team at a point in their respecive games when the result was far from clear cut.

Sc**thorpe opened the season with a victory at Reading, won at Loftus Road last season and thrashed Crystal Palace 4-0 at Selhurst Park when Warnock was in charge of the Eagles. But they have lost key players since last season and were without their first choice central defenders at QPR.

"Our results have flattered us a little bit and I am sure the rub of the green will even itself out at some point," said Warnock.

The 61-year-old is the oldest manager in the division and has won promotion to the Premier League with Sheffield United.

He is far too canny and experienced to start talking up his team at this stage of the season.

But after years when the club have lurched from one bad decision to another, it is starting to look as though bringing the Yorkshireman to the club could pay rich dividends
www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2010/08/warnock_moulds_rangers_in_his.html

[Macmoish]

Yann Tear/Fulham Chronicle

We don't belong in top bracket yet - Neil Warnock


NEIL WARNOCK rates his team as barely play-off material, even though they have made it nine goals without reply in their best start since 1947.

Goals from Bradley Orr and Heidar Helguson continued table-topping Rangers' perfect start to the campaign, but the boss is still desperate for more firepower.

“Records are there to be beaten and I'm delighted we've beaten in, but I don't kid myself. We're far from the finished product.

“We've had three great results, but the three teams we've played against could have scored goals and we've managed to get away with it.

“I would say we are sixth to 10th at the minute in squads. When I look at Bellamy, Chopra, Bothroyd, no disrespect to our front three, but we're not in that level yet.

“If we get one or two injuries up front, we have to have a bit more quality.

“But if we can get a couple of forwards in, hopefully before the Middlesbrough game [on September 11], then we've got a decent squad.

“I've been unlucky this week. I had eight hours in my office on Monday and 14 on Tuesday and missed out on two players, but somebody else will get an opportunity.”

Warnock is happy with the rest of his squad and said the return of Martin Rowlands was particularly exciting.

“I'm hoping to have him on board in the next fortnight,” Warnock said.

“He's busting a gut at the moment and that will be a fantastic [addition] for us. I couldn't buy anybody better than him.”

Meanwhile, Sc**thorpe boss Nigel Adkins said QPR 'will probably be in the top two at the end of the season.'

“All credit to them. They've got a group of talented players who worked extremely hard today, which they maybe didn't do in the past,” he said.

www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/london-qpr/2010/08/21/we-don-t-belong-in-top-bracket-yet-neil-warnock-64767-27110498/

[Macmoish]

Independent/Mark Burton

Stunning display by Taarabt gives QPR the look of royalty

Adel Taarabt seems to has found his feet at Queens Park Rangers, where his excellent start to the season has contributed to them being top of the table with a perfect record after three games.


Influential in last week's 3-0 victory at Sheffield United, the mercurial Moroccan was in outstanding form again yesterday as QPR brushed aside Sc**thorpe by a 2-0 scoreline that did not reflect their dominance. Taarabt, a constant torment to Sc**thorpe, took the corner from which Bradley Orr headed Rangers in front after 17 minutes, and he slid a pass through the left channel for Heidar Helguson to lob the second four minutes before half-time. The only blot for Taarabt was being booked for diving.

Cardiff, Burnley, Coventry and Ipswich are in hot pursuit, two points behind.

www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/stunning-display-by-taarabt-gives-qpr-the-look-of-royalty-2058745.html

[Macmoish]

Sunday Mirror

QPR 2-0 Sc**thorpe: Sunday Mirror match report

Adel Taarabt served up a majestic display that swept Rangers clear at the top of the Championship – and on this showing Neil Warnock’s men will take some stopping.

Skipper for the day Taarabt gave Rangers the edge from the start. And the Moroccan was magical with a five-star display that had Loftus Road fans purring with delight.

“No one else wanted him,” quipped Warnock, who also had words of praise for the Sc**thorpe goalkeeper Joe Murphy. “He was ­outstanding – almost as good as Adel. He was unbeatable at times.”

Warnock refused to get carried away by Rangers’ best start to a league season since 1947, saying: “Records are made to be broken. But I don’t kid myself – we’re far from the finished product.


“We’re short of strikers and we need two good players in the next fortnight.”

Nonetheless, the Super Hoops stroked the ball around with a flamboyant style that makes them a joy to watch.

Hogan Ephraim is another stylish performer who ­combined well with man-of-the-match Taarabt – and so too did Heidar Helguson, who served up an early ­candidate for goal of the ­season.

But the stubborn ­resistance of Murphy, and some wasteful finishing by Helguson, spared Sc**thorpe a thrashing.

Taarabt got the ball rolling with a pinpoint corner that Bradley Orr guided inside the far post with a soaring header on 17 minutes.

The Moroccan had already fired an early warning when he sent Murphy scrambling across his goal to turn wide his well-placed free-kick.

An Orr cross then set up Helguson for a header saved at point blank range by Murphy. And Taarabt continued to shine with a dazzling run and shot deflected wide.

Jonathan Forte blazed Sc**thorpe’s lone first-half chance high and wide when he broke free.

Then Helguson made Sc**thorpe suffer with a peach of a goal, set up by another flash of brilliance for Taarabt.

The Moroccan found his striker with a superb pass and ­Helguson teed himself up with a sumptuous first touch before lobbing Murphy with his second.

Rangers had chances to bury Sc**thorpe after the break with Kaspars Gorkss hitting the bar.

But Murphy’s defiance kept the visitors alive and Paddy Kenny had to keep out Michael O’Connor and Forte as Sc**thorpe rallied.

Sc**thorpe manager Nigel Adkins said: “We had to make three changes to our back four and lost our ­centre-half when Rob Jones went down sick on the bus.

“But we fought back after conceding a couple of soft goals against a top side.”

Read more: www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/QPR-2-0-Sc**thorpe-Sunday-Mirror-match-report-Adel-Taarabt-turned-on-the-style-as-Rangers-go-top-article561169.html#ixzz0xJNR757m
Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here


www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/QPR-2-0-Sc**thorpe-Sunday-Mirror-match-report-Adel-Taarabt-turned-on-the-style-as-Rangers-go-top-article561169.html

[Macmoish]

BBC/By Paul Fletcher at Loftus Road

QPR 2 - 0 Sc**thorpe

Bradley Orr gave QPR a 17th-minute lead


QPR brushed aside Sc**thorpe to go top of the Championship as Neil Warnock's side maintained their 100% record.

Rangers scored their two goals in the first half with stand-in captain Adel Taarabt playing a role in both.

Bradley Orr put them in front from a Taarabt corner and Heidar Helguson deftly controlled a pass from the QPR skipper before guiding the ball home.

Warnock's team would have won by a much larger margin but for a string of fine saves by Iron keeper Joe Murphy.

Rangers had not won their opening three league games since 1947, but with Millwall losing at Leeds they are now the only side in the Championship with a 100% record and have yet to concede a goal.

Taarabt, signed permanently in the summer after two spells on loan from Tottenham, illuminated the contest with his dead-ball artistry and breathtaking skill, although his occasional theatrics drew the ire of the modest contingent of away supporters and he was booked for diving shortly before the break.


The Morocco international, replaced by Akos Buzsaky after 73 minutes, had signalled his intent in the opening minutes with a brilliant curved pass that picked out Jamie Mackie and, midway through the first half, he executed an audacious spin and turn that bamboozled two opposition players.

There was also plenty of end product to Taarabt's play; a precise free-kick forced a low save while a teasing ball into the box was headed towards the Sc**thorpe goal by Iron defender Niall Canavan, that drew a brilliant reaction stop by Murphy.

But the Iron keeper was powerless to prevent Orr from converting Taarabt's corner with a glancing header after the former Bristol City defender made a determined run towards the near post.

Helguson should have headed a second for Rangers with a powerful effort after a precise cross from Orr but again Murphy came to Sc**thorpe's rescue.

However, Helguson did extend his team's lead before the break, with a goal that was a combination of great vision, skill and execution.

The veteran striker, 33 on Sunday, controlled a pass from Taarabt with his chest before lifting the ball beyond Murphy.

At times in the opening 45 minutes it appeared as though Nigel Adkins' side were being completely over-run.

The visitors might have scored through Jonathan Forte but, after beating the offside trap, his audacious lob flew harmlessly over.

Sc**thorpe, who won at Reading on the opening day of the season, enjoyed a much greater share of the contest after the break.

Rangers keeper Paddy Kenny was finally forced into action, saving crisp long-range strikes from Martyn Woolford and Michael O'Connor, as well as pulling off a brilliant one-handed stop to deny Forte.

It looked as though Rangers had lost a little of their first-half drive but they still created enough openings to extend their lead.

Kaspars Gorkss headed against the crossbar after a Taarabt free-kick, while Helguson missed from seven yards after the Rangers captain and Hogan Ephraim had combined to slice open the opposition defence.

Substitute Buzsaky forced a one-handed save with a strike across goal and Alejandro Faurlin narrowly missed with a long-range strike in the closing minutes.

newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8918902.stm

[Macmoish]

Photos of Match (Sc**thorpe Perspective)
http://www.sc**thorpe-united.co.uk/page/Gallery/0,,10442~2130757,00.html

[Macmoish]

Dave McINtyre/Daily Mail

QPR 2 Sc**thorpe 0: Adel Taarabt inspires rampant Rangers to third league win

Adel Taarabt, a surprise choice as stand-in captain, led QPR to a resounding victory that left them top of the Championship.
With skipper Fitz Hall sidelined, boss Neil Warnock’s decision to hand the armband to the temperamental Moroccan seemed strange, even ludicrous.

But it proved to be a masterstroke, as Taarabt - for once - showed maturity as well as his usual electrifying ability to embarrass defenders.
Bradley Orr and Heidar Helguson provided the goals, but it was Taarabt who provided the inspiration for QPR’s third league win out of three.
Too good for you: Taarabt was on inspired form as QPR eased past Sc**thorpe


It was from Taarabt’s 17th-minute corner that Orr put Rangers in front, heading home from close range to score his first goal since moving from Bristol City.
Orr then crossed for Helguson, whose header was blocked by keeper Joe Murphy,
before Jonathan Forte missed a golden chance to level for Sc**thorpe when he fired over after being put through by Josh Wright.
It was a costly miss because, four minutes before half-time, Taarabt sublimely set up QPR’s second goal by chipping the ball into the path of Helguson, who calmly lobbed Murphy.

Taarabt, a £1million summer signing from Tottenham, continued to torment Sc**thorpe after the break.

His free-kick was headed against the bar by R’s defender Kaspars Gorkss, and Hogan Ephraim served up an equally useful delivery only for Helguson to tamely fail to hit the target.

Orr-some: The Rangers players celebrate taking the lead over The Iron

Helguson then missed another sitter when Ephraim raced onto Taarabt’s clever
pass and crossed to the Icelander, who somehow shot over.

That was Taarabt’s last contribution before being substituted to a standing ovation. 'Taarabt’s too good for you,' the home fans chanted.

That could apply not just to Sc**thorpe, but the whole of the Championship.

Not that the visitors did not have chances. As well as his earlier miss, Forte squandered two second-half opportunities by firing at keeper Paddy Kenny.

But Rangers were more than worthy winners and Taarabt’s replacement, Akos Buzsaky, had a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area tipped away by Murphy.

The fit-again Buzsaky is a mercurial player in his own right, as is Argentine midfielder Alejandro Faurlin, who sent a blistering late drive inches wide of the near post.

Warnock, the division’s oldest manager, hadn’t even been born when QPR last won
all three of their opening league matches.

That was in 1947, when Rangers were a Division Three South outfit. They went up
that season, and the current side’s promotion prospects look good at this stage.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1305011/QPR-2-Sc**thorpe-0.html#ixzz0xK6e5x5I

[Macmoish]

LFW's Clive Whittingham Match Report
www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/queensparkrangers/fb_news.php?storyid=8931&title=heidar_has_sc**thorpe_in_hel_as_qpr_go_clear_at_the_top_–_full_match_report

[Macmoish]

TELEGRAPH/Neil Trains - QPR manager Neil Warnock says Adel Taarabt is 'breath of fresh air' at Loftus Road
Neil Warnock remarked light-heartedly recently that Barcelona and Real Madrid would not touch Adel Taarabt with a bargepole and Sc**thorpe United struggled to get near him all afternoon at Loftus Road on Saturday.

The visitors’ ploy was to improve their ball retention and they managed that in spurts but retrieving possession was an ordeal for them.

Shaun Derry, an experienced campaigner all too familiar to Warnock, provided the base for Queens Park Rangers’ attacks at the heart of a 4-3-3 in an unglamorous water-carrier role, yet Moroccan playmaker Taarabt, flitting from right to left, captured the imagination. He is not a Neil Warnock-type footballer but the oldest manager in the Championship has been won over.

“If he could put the teamwork into his game, the sky’s the limit. I’ve never seen anybody with ability like his. QPR fans have been spoilt, with Rodney Marsh and Sam Bowles,” Warnock said. “Taarabt is a breath of fresh air. At 61, I’ve never seen anyone like him in my life. That’s why I spent so long to make sure he signed.”

He took three months trying to convince Taarabt to sign a three-year contract and such persistence was justified again.

In the first half, everything QPR attempted was channelled through his sleight of foot and subtle tricks. A drop of the shoulder here, a step-over and a drag-back there, the ball was magnetised to his bootlaces and he created both goals to propel his side to the top of the table.

Bradley Orr glanced in his corner before Heidar Helguson, released by Taarabt’s sublime pass, chipped in his 100th goal in English football.

Jonathan Forte blew two clear openings, one in each half, as Sc**thorpe United highlighted deficiencies in QPR’s backline.

Yet Warnock, who revealed he is still pursuing Blackburn Rovers’ forward Jason Roberts, was preoccupied by unadulterated ingenuity and audacity.

Sc**thorpe manager Nigel Adkins said. “We tried to present QPR with problems, and credit must go to them because under Neil Warnock they’re showing a work-rate that they maybe haven’t shown in the past.” <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/queens-park-rangers/7958732/QPR-manager-Neil-Warnock-says-Adel-Taarabt-is-breath-of-fresh-air-at-Loftus-Road.html">Telegraph</a>

[Macmoish]

More Photos - QPR Official Site
www.qpr.co.uk/page/Gallery/0,,10373~2131473,00.html


Video Highlights (UK Only)
news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8934929.stm

[Macmoish]

Daily Mail

MAIL/Ian Gibb
QPR 2 Sc**thorpe 0: Adel Taarabt weaves magic as the crowd vanishes at Loftus Road

When magic Moroccan Adel Taarabt is leading QPR to the top of the Championship as the only team with a 100 per cent record, you have to wonder where the punters have gone.

Admiring QPR boss Neil Warnock said after his side beat Sc**thorpe 2-0: 'He's lovely, you put bums on seats with Adel. You'd pay to watch him on his own.'

So how come only 12,046 turned up - the second lowest in the division?
With Taarabt producing the crowd-pleasing stuff that used to come from Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles, it is a huge worry for QPR that they can't attract a decent crowd.

Taarabt, the forward Spurs sold for a bargain £1million, ran the show until he tired and was cheered off on 73 minutes after making goals for Bradley Orr and Heidar Helguson.

But Warnock reserved special praise for Argentine Alejandro Faurlin, who quietly ran midfield.

Warnock raved: 'I've never worked with anyone better. Ally sees things way before me and I think, "Bloody hell, I'm lucky to have him''.'

Sc**thorpe boss Nigel Adkins said: 'QPR will probably finish in the top two because talented individuals are working as a team. 'We could have got something, although we were missing three important players.'

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1305239/QPR-2-Sc**thorpe-0-Adel-Taarabt-weaves-magic-crowd-vanishes-Loftus-Road.html