In form centre half Kaspars Gorkss has said that he joined QPR in the summer to pursue a dream of playing in the Premiership rather than because of the money they were offering.

Blackpool reported QPR to the Football League during their summer, saying they had made it clear to Gorkss how much money he would earn at Loftus Road before being given permission to speak to him. In the end relations thawed slightly with Zesh Rehman and Daniel Nardiello heading to Bloomfield Road as well as the £250k release fee in Gorkss’ contract.


Initially it looked like being a big mistake for all concerned as Gorkss made a slow start to life at Loftus Road but after a spell out of the team in the autumn he has come into his own over the last three months, keeping Fitz Hall out of the team and leading our vote for December’s player of the month by some distance.


The Latvian received a good reception from the home fans at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday night before starring in a 3-0 QPR win. Afterwards he spoke about his motivation for the move with the Blackpool Gazette


Gorkss said: “In your career you never know how many opportunities you'll get to play for a team that is really trying to push for the Premier League. QPR had very big ambitions and that was my main reason for going. I know a lot was spoken about money but it wasn't the most important thing. The thing that's most important to me is my dream to play in the Premier League and the move has enabled the dream to get a bit closer.



“I still keep in touch with a lot of the Blackpool lads, especially good mates like Ben Burgess. Ben has been telling people I've got a big mansion with a swimming pool in the back garden but he lies. Don't believe a word he says! Every fifth word is true at best. I think the minimum aim for QPR now is the play-offs but I think and I hope that Blackpool can stay up.”


Following the win at Blackpool QPR now face two home games against fellow top six competitors Reading and Swansea. Rangers got a goalless draw at both these clubs earlier in the season but it was the style of play adopted by the Swans that impressed the QPR fans and players the most.


Captain Gavin Mahon told the Kilburn Times: "Personally, I think Swansea are the best team I've seen or played against this season. A lot of teams have gone there and lost. I watched them on TV the other week against Burnley and they passed them off the park. Their movement off the ball is so good, especially with Jason Scotland up front. I think Roberto Martinez has done a great job at Swansea and I wouldn't be surprised if he goes on to a bigger club. These are going to be two big games. There aren't many people talking about QPR, but we've beaten some of the top teams in this league and there's no reason why we can't keep doing that."


A couple of items to note – Lee Cook will miss the Swansea match with a one game ban after picking up a fifth booking of the season at Blackpool for trying to steal the ball from goalkeeper Paul Rachubka as he launched a drop kick down field. Also on Tuesday Rangers fans may want to keep one eye on Arsenal v Cardiff – if the Welsh side win and progress in the FA Cup our away match there currently scheduled for Sunday February 15 would be off and Rangers fans would face another difficult Tuesday night away trip. Likewise the home game with Sheffield United which will be moved to a Tuesday if the Blades beat Hull City in the fifth round of the cup and having watched Hull at West Ham last night I would say that is highly likely.


Defender Zesh Rehman has been talking about his loan move to Bradford City last week that seems to bring an end to his unhappy time with QPR with his contract expiring in the summer.


Rehman said: “I had spells when I was a regular in the team, then a new manager would come in with different ideas and his own players and change it all round. It was hard to get established. I was only prepared to drop down the leagues to play for this club. I spoke to the manager and chairmen and I know they want to get Bradford back up to where they belong. I’ve been involved in relegation battles in the past and it’s nice to be joining a club pushing for promotion – that’s a good pressure to have.”


Off the pitch and it is nearly time for the dreaded season ticket prices for next year to be released. Last season’s prices, an the way the club released them and then spun lines to the supporters throughout the summer, caused great controversy and the club are keen to avoid a repeat with the return of an ‘early bird’ discount one of the measures being taken.


According to Marketing Week our season ticket “campaign” will “encompass broader brand positioning work.” The club has shortlisted Newcastle-based Cravens, Dawson & Partners, B-street, and design agencies Cuda and Cre8 to work on the campaign and this apparently “is the latest move in an overarching strategy to position QPR as a global brand, as stated by club chairman and Renault’s Formula One boss Flavio Briatore.”


Ignoring this nonsense it will be interesting in the current economic climate to see what on earth we are going to be charged next season.


Although QPR’s transfer activity in this window seems to be winding down following the capture of Liam Miller from Sunderland the papers are still linking us with one or two players – The Daily Star has us down as potential suitors to Man City midfielder Michael Johnson with a £2m fee mooted.


Finally in former QPR news Richard Pacquette has given up his job at a school to concentrate on getting back into league football. He has 13 goals in the Conference South for Maidenhead this season. Marc Bircham, who was forced to retire from Yeovil by a long term ankle injury last month, has said that he would one day like to return to QPR as manager.


Bircham said: “"Football's all I've ever known and I started doing my badges when I was 26. In the long-term, if a job comes along at whatever level, I'd be interested. Of course I'd love to go back to QPR as a coach or manager one day. I know the club's operating at a different financial level now, but I'd love to do it, whether it was the first team, reserves or whatever."

Photo: Action Images

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