OK...Back to 2011
And here's the first comment "from Helguson"
QPR Official Site HELGUSON: ‘HARD WORK STARTS NOW!’Posted on: Thu 07 Jul 2011
QPR's First Team squad begin pre-season training this morning (Thursday) and, while R's striker Heidar Helguson isn't particularly looking forward to the vast amounts of running that the squad are likely to partake in, he feels it's essential if Rangers are to get off to a flying start next term.
Neil Warnock's charges kick-off the new Barclays Premier League season on August 13th against, ironically, one of Helguson's former teams in the shape of Bolton Wanderers at Loftus Road.
But, for the meantime, the R's are set for a testing month of pre-season, which includes trips to Cornwall and Italy.
Speaking exclusively before the start of training this morning, Helguson told http://www.qpr.co.uk: "The hard work starts now.
"It's the first day of pre-season training and I'm not particularly looking forward to it!
"But it has to be done. I'm expecting a lot of running - a beep test and then some running.
"I don't think we'll see much of the ball early on!
"Pre-season has stayed pretty much the same in my time as a professional but has become a bit more scientific and technical - more than just running and running.
"That's the biggest change, with all the heart monitors and stuff.
"But it's always tough, and that just has to be done."
Pre-season for 2011/12 is the second for Warnock in his reign as Rangers boss, and Helguson believes that, on the back of lifting the npower Championship trophy, the R's gaffer's tried and tested preparations won't alter too much.
"I don't think he'll do a lot different," Helguson continued, "it worked last season and I think pre-season will be pretty similar to what it was before.
"I think that the tours to Cornwall and Italy will stand us in good stead.
"We had a fantastic time on both tours last year and I can't see why we won't again.
"It's important that we're in tip-top condition for the first game of the season, because we have to hit the ground running.
"We cannot afford to not be ready for any of the games - every point counts.
"We're going to have to be in the best form that we can ready for the first game."
QPR kick-off their top-flight campaign against Helguson's former team, the Trotters, and the Icelandic international added: "I've got fond memories of my time at Bolton.
"I spent 18 months there and had a really good time, but was unlucky with injuries.
"I never got started, really.
"I didn't play a lot, but the people I met up there and the Club as a whole was fantastic - it's just that I was injured for a lot of the time.
"It's always better if you start at home, but only better if you win.
"It's going to be tough, but you'd pick a home game to start.
"We'll go into next season with no fear. If you have fear, you have no chance.
"We're going to go out there as we did last season and see where that that takes us."
www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2387956,00.html
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
KENNY: 'IT'S HARD WORK!'
Posted on: Thu 07 Jul 2011R's keeper Paddy Kenny returned to Harlington for pre-season training this morning (Thursday) and admits that, while he was under no illusions how tough the opening session would be, it was still nonetheless a punishing first day back.
There was no let-up for QPR's First Team squad, who braved heavy rainfall whilst taking part in an exhausting session, including circuit training and vast amounts of running - all under the watchful eye of R's gaffer Neil Warnock and the rest of his backroom team.
And the former Sheffield United custodian, who clinched both the QPR Players' Player and Supporters' Player of the Year last term after collecting 24 league clean sheets, told http://www.qpr.co.uk: "It was just like what I'm used to.
"You've got to do it and you've got to get through it.
"It's hard work. I've had several of those pre-seasons now with the Manager over the course of the years, and it doesn't get any easier!
"It's always a similar sort of work and it does get you fit. You've just got to put up with it because it's essential.
"Nobody enjoys pre-season, but we all know that we've got to do it and work hard."
With Rangers moving up to the Barclays Premier League next season, there'll be an even greater onus on Warnock's men to physically be at the top of their games.
Kenny believes that the R's fitness levels towards the end of the last season were a major factor in QPR clinching the npower Championship title - and also says that a similar pre-season this time around will prove just as effective in Rangers' quest for success next term.
He added: "It should stand us in good stead over the course of the season.
"If you watched our games towards the end of last season, where fitness levels do come into it, we were as fit as anyone.
"That's what we'll need next season."
www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2388386,00.html
July 7, 2011 at 8:23am
QPR Official Site
PRE-SEASON UNDERWAYWith just under six weeks to go until the opening weekend of the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League campaign, Neil Warnock's First Team squad returned to Harlington today (Thursday) for pre-season training.
Rangers begin their top-flight season with a home fixture against Bolton Wanderers in the second weekend of August, but the main focus this morning was running ... and lots of it!
Under the watchful eye of Strength & Conditioning Coach, Carl Serrant, the R's squad were put through their paces in a series of drills on the lush Harlington pitches.
The R's squad will spend next week at the impressive training facilities at Hampton School, before their opening pre-season clash at Harrow Borough on Friday 15th July.
Rangers will then embark on a tour of the West Country, where the Hoops will lock horns with Tavistock, Plymouth Argyle and Bodmin Town, with the trip to Home Park - home of the Pilgrims - on Wednesday 20th July, part of Romain Larrieu's testimonial celebrations.
Following the trip to Cornwall, the focus turns to a prestigious tour of Italy.
During their week-long stay at Milano Marittima, Rangers will twice face Serie 'A' opposition, as well as Europa League finalists SC Braga.
Cesena, who have recently signed former Chelsea attacker Adrian Mutu, are first up on Wednesday 27th July, before QPR will contest the 'Trofeo Bortolotti' - a highly-regarded one-off competition involving Atalanta and SC Braga on Saturday 30th July.
Upon their return from Italy, Rangers will travel to the Broadfield Stadium - home of Blue Square Premier Champions Crawley Town - on Tuesday 2nd August, before the all-important opening day showdown against Owen Coyle's Trotters.
2011/12 PRE-SEASON FIXTURES
Harrow Borough v QPR - Friday 15th July - 7.15pm
Tavistock v QPR - Monday 18th July - 7.00pm
Plymouth Argyle v QPR - Wednesday 20th July - 7.45pm
Bodmin Town v QPR - Friday 22nd July - 7.15pm
Cesena v QPR - Wednesday 27th July - 8.30pm (local time)
SC Braga / Atalanta v QPR - Saturday 30th July - Trofeo Bortolotti Tournament (a) 8.00pm (local time) onwards
Crawley Town v QPR - Tuesday 2nd August - 7.45pm
www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2387927,00.html