Fresh from signing his new contract extension, Shaun Derry returns to the podcast to discuss, among other things, the win at Chelsea, the difference between Redknapp and Hughes and his reaction to the differing effort levels of members of the playing squad this season.

Derry was completely out of the picture at Rangers when he last appeared and tells the lads he would almost certainly have left the club this January had Mark Hughes been the manager. Under Redknapp though he has become a key part of the midfield since the humbling at home by Liverpool.

Asked the difference between the two managers Derry said: “Mark was a guy who spent a lot of his time on the training field, he had a huge input into everything. Harry is a different character. In terms of people, they’re so far away from each other – Harry’s a guy you can have a conversation with away from the realms of the football side of things, he takes an interest in what you are as a person. It’s nice to strike a relationship on a level away from football as well.

“It’s not for me to sit here and slate because obviously he didn’t pick me and players get the hump with that. I don’t want to slate Mark Hughes because he was a nice guy, but very different to what Harry is. What’s needed for QPR right now is a Harry Redknapp type of character. He very quickly grounds people, makes them aware of what’s required of them when they go out onto that field.”

Derry was later asked about the lack of effort certain members of the squad appear to have made in the early parts of this season and how he felt about it.

Pulling no punches as usual, Derry said: “What you have to understand is I arrived as a Championship signing, and I still see myself as the same person regardless of the league I’m playing in. When you come from that level, and lower, I appreciate what the game is about. I’ll never point fingers or go public with criticism of individuals, but when you play down there you really do appreciate what you’ve got at Premier League level. When you see characters not appreciating what the game is all about it really hurts when you’ve strived to throughout a career to achieve what I’ve achieved. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, to play at this level, and I’ll never ever take it for granted. When you see players take it for granted it really does hurt.

“Hand on heart I don’t resent anybody at the club for what they earn. There are guys there on absolute bucket loads, more than I could ever dream of earning, and honestly I don’t resent them for earning that. What I do get upset about is if they don’t work hard. You’ve got to work hard for your money whether you earn £10 a week or £100,000 a week. Work hard, put the effort in.”

It’s a fascinating interview as ever with Shaun and well worth a listen. To listen to or download the podcast please click here.

Tweet @QPRPodcast, @davidefraser, @chris_charles, @chrismendesUK

Pictures – Action Images

Photo: Action Images

qprmick added 06:56 - Jan 24 A strong work ethic, that is missing so often these days. Trudging through the snow delivering papers, that builds it, delivering groceries on those 'orrible bicycles and working 16 hour days in a factory. All that makes you appreciate what some of this dross have never done.
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QPRFish added 12:31 - Jan 24 The word legend is bandied about all too often these days to describe people / players that maybe flatter to deceive. But Shaun Derry, you deserve that moniker when it comes to playing for Queens Park Rangers Football Club. Without the likes of yourself, Clint Hill, Paddy Kenny and Neil Warnock this club would not be in the Premier League of english football. A position that the current board have done their best to f..k up royally with thier collective knowlegde of not knowing how to run a football club. You've never asked to be subbed when it's not going right. You've always sat on the bench when subbed and not stormed off thinking that's beneath you. You've kept your head down when cast aside but have always given 100% when called upon and that marks you out as not only a decent player but as an all round top fella. You have the same qualities as the man top right of this sycophantic rant and also share that same No.4 shirt and thats about as higher praise as i can give....

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Charlie1 added 13:07 - Jan 24 Legend!
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Kaos_Agent added 16:20 - Jan 24 Great interview with a top class guy. More insight into the team than we have gotten from anywhere else. Thank you Sean. What I got was that team cohesion is growing but still fragile. A deflating loss could wreck it; an inspired win could double it.
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carrotcrunch_R added 20:50 - Jan 24 What Charlie said
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CiderwithRsie added 22:48 - Jan 24 What a decent bloke! Interesting comments on MH - more input on the training pitch - which is presumably what was meant by "meticulous preparation" - and even a "nice bloke" - but not got Our 'Arry's people skills. On face if it I'd choose a guy who always wants to be involved in the training sessions over a cheery geezer who's good for a quote on Sky, but if MH couldn't see that Shaun Derry puts in more than Park then it doesn't really matter how much time he spent on training. Also, I'm always a bit cautious about damning players as "lazy" or "not trying" but Derry's comments about un-named tram-mates are pretty damning from a man in a position to know

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FDC added 19:32 - Jan 25 Just finished listening to this, and agree with QPRFish. Shaun Derry will go down as a legend of the modern era of QPR, and the perfect antithesis to the overpaid, under-performing, and overly self-regarding types that constitute the average premier-league footballer.
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