Carling Cup: Bye bye

And so it continues… QPR’s Cup form is truly atrocious. Ok, the Carling Cup has proved more fruitful than the FA Cup over the last decade, which isn’t hard as we currently have the worst record of every team in the Football League in the latter, but we are still shambles when it comes to Cup football.

Although we all know the Championship is our main priority a run in the Cup wouldn’t have gone amiss this season. Never mind a run, a win would have been a start and against a League 2 side we should have at least made it competitive.

Yes, Warnock made changes to the first XI, but there was still a fairly strong spine to the side, which should seen us perform at a much higher level than we did.

In the end Port Vale ran out 3-1 winners at Loftus Road and no one can have any excuses about the result. It was a game littered with mistakes by the hosts and on another day could have been even more embarrassing.

Things don’t come any easier in the shape of a trip to Sheffield this weekend, but at least we can draw some solace that it is a league and not a cup fixture.

Finally, it was all too much for the QPR fan below, who went ballistic at the woeful performance…

Epic? No. Nowhere near. But that’s exactly what Amazon is sticking with to explain the contents of Mick Kelly’s Hooped Dreams. To be precise they have called the book an ‘epic story of QPR’s recent transformation’.

The book is more of a document at what happened after multimillionaire Flavio Briatore and billionaire Bernie Ecclestone decided to buy the club. Kelly speaks to a range of QPR fans, including DJ Robert Elms and MP Alan Johnson, as well as Rangers legends Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles to get their opinions on the takeover and reasons to be optimistic in the future.

Having prevented the club going into administration and potential oblivion, which we are frequently reminded in Hooped Dreams, there is a consensus that Briatore can run the club how he likes at Loftus Road as he saved the Championship side from going under.

QPR fan, Pete Davies, tells Kelly: “It‘s his money, so he can do what he likes with the club he owns. He saved it from going under, and I‘m forever grateful for that.”

A Kick Up The R’s editor Dave Thomas sees it slightly different and believes Flavio Briatore is unwilling and unable to compromise with the club’s supporters: “I don‘t think he’s listening or is interested in listening. I think he’s set on a course where he believes he‘s fundamental right in the decisions he makes and everything else is just irrelevant to that.”

It’s hard to argue with Thomas’ assessment of Briatore, who has been dogged by claims that he has forced managers to pick certain players and adopt certain formations. Not to mention the hike in season ticket prices and general disregard for the tradition and history of the club.

Although Briatore may have saved the QPR from certain administration there is an overwhelming sense that the divide between the club and supporters would not be so wide had he declined the offer of helping Gianni Paladini out.

The real tragedy of the Briatore era is not so much the results on the pitch, which have been disappointing due to the high expectations set out by the new regime, but the apathy that has engulfed the loyal fan base.

Overall, Hooped Dreams is a good account of what has happened over the course of the 2008/09 season, but a bit like QPR, it’s not always satisfying. Interesting? Sure, especially the chapters involving Marsh and Bowles, but it is offers a far from a enjoyable conclusion through no fault of its own.

The story of the what happened when a multimillionaire and billionaire decided to buy QPR is far from complete and with hindsight may no longer involve the duo, but let’s hope the next book to detail the shenanigans at Loftus Road is the ‘epic’ story that we so want to read.

Of course for QPR fans it was a case of what could have been. Ian Holloway, placed on gardening leave and subsequently sacked by Gianni Paladini in February 2006, on the premise that he had talked to Leicester City about their top job, which he claimed he had permission to do, was a hugely popular in his time in charge at Loftus Road.

That’s not to say that the football was always great with Olly at the helm, but since his departure QPR have lurched from one crisis to the next with Paladini central to all things going horribly wrong. The fact that no Rangers manager has bettered Holloway’s Championship points total of 2004/05 speaks volumes.

If Holloway hadn’t have been unceremoniously booted out of the could it have been QPR and not Blackpool that he secured promotion to the Premier League? We will never know. Although one suspects that the break Holloway had after being sacked from Leicester City helped him become the manger he is today.

Blackpool may have been instilled as the firm favourites for relegation in 2010/11, but the Premier League’s collective of prima-donnas and fancy dans will not relish the prospect of travelling to Bloomfield Road next season. If this season is anything to go by then don’t be surprised if Holloway’s Blackpool catch a few of the bigger boys off guard in the top flight.

Congratulations on reaching the promised land Olly and good luck in staying there where hopefully we will meet again soon.

It’s been a tough year being QPR fan. Having almost cruelly been treated to some brilliant attacking football in October, Rangers were then an utter shambles in the following 4 months.
It’s fair to say QPR had a one-way ticket to relegation under Paul Hart and Mick Harford, but since the removal of Flavio Briatore as chairman QPR improved considerably to allay any relegation fears.

Of course after Briatore was cast aside, in came Ishan Saksena as the new chairman of the club whose first job was to appoint Neil Warnock as the new manager. Since then QPR have finally secured their Championship survival and attentions have been turned to what’s going to happen next term.

Warnock and his assistant Mick Jones have both spoken openly about looking forward to the summer and the opportunity to mould a team that can be successful. But, what would and should realistically be considered a success next season?

A mid-table finish can hardly be deemed an achievement, but should we get carried away at the prospect of a play-off push or dare I say it a title-tilt? It’s not that I don’t want to be optimistic about the future at Loftus Road, but one too many false dawns has left me cautious to raise hope that next season could be anything but another disappointing 10 months of football.

It’s all well and good talking your chances up, but as we have previously seen with the Briatore-era, results have to stand up with what you are saying otherwise you just look a little bit silly and inevitably end up losing the confidence of those most important at the club, the fans.

So, here’s to cautious optimism for next season and a glimmer of hope that the next one will be slightly moew enyoyable than the last.

Akos Buzsaky celebrates putting QPR 1-0 up against Crystal Palace

Amid the backdrop of Neil Warnock returning to Selhurst Park for the first time since leaving Crystal Palace, QPR all but guaranteed their Championship survival with an impressive 2-0 win over Paul Hart’s side on Saturday.

The build-up to the game had unsurprisingly been dominated by the returning Neil Warnock. The former Sheffield Utd manager spent 2½ yrs in South London before joining QPR in March of this year.

At the time of his departure, Warnock insisted that the only reason he had left was due to the administrators agreeing a lucrative compensation package with QPR. Palace’s administrators saw it slightly different and slammed him for ‘not having the stomach to fight to save the club’, while outgoing chairman, Simon Jordan, also criticised Warnock for deserting the club in its hour of need.

With Warnock speaking at length in the week leading up to the clash about not looking forward to the game it was hard to fathom Rangers coming away with any points never mind the three that transpired.

On top of all that Rangers recent record against their London neighbours is nothing short of embarrassing. Since the glorious 6-0 mauling at Loftus Road in 1999 the R’s have won just once in 13 occasions against Palace leaving even the most optimistic of QPR fan cautious at best to predict a positive outcome.

Nevertheless, with the stars, sun and moon presumably all aligned against the visitors, Rangers done the unthinkable. They not only won, but played Palace off the park with some sumptuous football. Yes sumptuous.

The R’s took the lead through a fine Akos Buzsacky strike on 10 minutes and gave the hosts a mountain to climb on the hour mark when Kaspars Gorkks nodded in Adel Taarabt’s corner.

As he had been all week, Warnock was dignified in victory and wished his former club all the best in their battle to remain in the division. The result leaves Rangers on the brink of safety, with 4 games to go.

Victory at home to Cardiff next will mathematically secure the Hoops stay in the Championship, but this one against Palace could prove to be the most decisive of the lot.

Successive wins over West Brom and Plymouth, as well as 5 draws in Neil Warnock’s opening 7 games had put Rangers on 48pts going into the Easter Monday game at the Walker’s Stadium.
However, QPR’s complete capitulation against the Foxes coupled with the teams immediately below the R’s all picking up points over the festive period has left us anxiously looking over our shoulders with 5 games still to play.

Although we are only 4pts off the mythical 52pt safety amount things don’t come any tougher than Saturday’s trip to Selhurst Park where Paul Hart’s Crystal Palace will be desperate to get one over their former boss.

Defeat doesn’t bear contemplating. Warnock has talked about a rebuilding job to do in the summer; let’s hope he realises he has an even bigger one to carry out in the here and now.

The Swans have proved difficult opposition to break down all season and it was no surprise that the game unfolded into a gritty affair, with both teams putting in workmanlike displays.

From a Rangers perspective it was encouraging to see the Hoops battle back from a goal down and nearly grab all 3 points at the death. Before the game I would have taken a draw against promotion chasing Swansea, but by full-time I found myself a little frustrated at a missed opportunity to pick up all 3 points

Antonio German came off the bench to rescue a point for the hosts and put in another decent shift. Comparisons with a certain Les Ferdinand maybe a little premature, but the strength and power the youngster possesses is impressive from the 17-year old.

So, what did we learn from the Italian tonight? Well in no particular order here is what Paladini said:

- Neil Warnock has total control – Whatever that means…

- Barcelona are sending scouts to watch Adel Taarabet play against Plymouth – Yep, I smell the same…

- Adel Taarabet is a ladies man – So what…

- That he personally wanted to keep hold of Dexter Blackstock, Lee Camp and Wayne Routledge at the club – Can still smell it Big G..

- QPR have made £0.5 million on the departure of the hopeless Pellicori – And again..

- On-loan striker Jay Simpson is not good enough to break into the Arsenal team – Err ok. I’m sure the player is going to be thrilled about that…

- Alejandro Faurlin was not signed for £3.5million, but came at hardly any price – Hmmmmm okay.

Paladini was frequently praised for agreeing to the radio appearance and was giving a glowing character reference from a studio guest. A QPR fan named Conners joined in the mood with the remarkable admission to Paladini that, and I quote, ‘Your signings would stand up next to a top flight manager’.

Hmmm I can see a few holes in your argument there Conners, but I’ll leave that for another day…

The questions on the most part were quite comfortable for Paladini. At no stage was he ever taken out of his comfort zone and the jovial presenter was keen to keep it light and informal. Instead of the cherry picked questions that he was asked it would have been of genuine interest, if he had been asked one of the following:

1. Why have Ian Holloway, Iain Dowie, Paoulo Sousa, Jim Magilton and Paul Hart all left under extremely controversial circumstances?

2. What did you exactly do under Briatore at QPR?

3. Should you have been sacked for your own failings at the club?

4. What is you long term role at QPR?

5. Do you realise that you are reviled amongst by some QPR fans? And why do you think that is?

6. Oh and finally. Do you remember that gun incident at Loftus Road? Well do you mind explaining what exactly happened?

Neil Warnock left Crystal Palace to take charge of QPR

When Neil Warnock was first appointed Rangers manager I wasn’t initially convinced, but as the week wore on I began to the warm to the idea and by the time Saturday arrived I was, dare I say it, pretty pleased that he had been named our 5th manager of the season.

A passionate, determined and often detestable character. Warnock is exactly what we need. An old school manager, who will not so much shake, but hopefully throttle the club from top to bottom. We desperately need someone to come in and bang the players heads together, get them playing together as a team again and give us something to cheer about. And I believe Warnock can be that man.

Indeed his tenure at Loftus Road got off to a perfect winning start with a 3-1 victory over promotion chasing West Brom. The match was by no means a classic and the quality from both sides was largely missing, but having witnessed so many defeats in the last couple of months it was nice to leave Loftus Road with that winning feeling.

Long may it continue…