 Monday, 17th Jan 2011 19:58 by Clive Whittingham Neil Warnock was in positive mood after his much talked about Monday board meeting to discuss transfer targets.
NewsThe QPR boss has spoken for several weeks about the need to strengthen his team following the loss of Kyle Walker, Jamie Mackie and Patrick Agyemang. With Alejandro Faurlin pulling up with a worrying looking injury at Burnley on Saturday the need has grown stronger but following a meeting with the board today Warnock told the club’s official website he is confident of making three additions to his side in the short term. He said: “The squad is a bit thin. We've lost three quality players inJamie Mackie, Patrick Agyemang and Kyle Walker but we showed at Burnley that we're not short on character. The board have supported me so far and we're looking to bring two or three players in this week. There wasn't a lot on the bench on Saturday that we could win the game with. I'm sure we'll put that right." Following Saturday’s draw at Burnley the QPR manager was full of praise for Adel Taarabt who maintained a high level of performance in the face of some physical challenges from the Burnley players. Warnock told the club’s official website: “I thought we were composed and back to normal today. Defensively we were very solid, had great shape in the midfield and always looked a threat in attack. It was a good recipe for a good performance. "I thought today was as good as I've seen Adel play away from home. When you consider the conditions and the fact that he was getting kicked every time he got on the ball, I was delighted with his performance. I can't speak highly enough of him. Fans pay to watch stuff like that. “The conditions made it difficult for both sides but I was delighted with the application. I thought we stood up well. I think Burnley will be the happier of the two teams to come away with a point.” Burnley defender Michael Duff praised his own team’s rear guard action and seemed happy to have escaped from the game with a point. He told Burnley’s official website: “It was a good point. They are a good team and they are top of the league for a reason. In the last two home games we have scored four, which is great, but when we are at that creative sometimes we get done at the back through lack of numbers. From a defender's point of view it's nice to get a clean sheet. If you are scoring four goals every week you're not going to keep that many clean sheets, because it's normally one way or the other. But we have shown a different side to us today and I think that's important. It was a team performance. When we score four goals everyone takes the credit for that and I think it's got to be the same when we keep clean sheets.” Caretaker manger Stuart Gray also acknowledged that QPR had played well and that Burnley were happy with their point. He told Burnley’s official website: “I'm just a little bit disappointed that we haven't ended on a high by nicking it 1-0, but importantly we have kept a clean sheet, which the team can take pride in because it's been a while. I'm just disappointed we didn't do as much with the ball as we could. I thought QPR did a good job on keeping Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears quiet down the right. But all credit to them. That's why they are top of the league and if you were asking me before the game would I take a clean sheet, of course I would. The only surprise is that with the creative players we have in the team that we haven't scored." Elsewhere assistant manager Mick Jones has encouraged the players to make the second half of the season one to remember in tribute to Jamie Mackie who will miss the rest of the campaign with the broken leg he suffered at Blackburn last week. Jones told the club’s official website: “This is a massive, massive blow from Jamie's perspective. You can't comprehend how he will be feeling. He was desperate to play against Blackburn because they are a Premiership side and he wanted to show how good he is. He is such a genuine kid, and for it to happen to him is a tragedy. In hindsight, we shouldn't have played him but these things happen in football and, from a professional side, we've got to get on with it and drive the players on. I'm sick for Jamie, but we have to use this as an extra motivation for the rest of the team. It has already been spoken about. "We were actually going to give the players Monday off, but they went to the Manager and asked if they could come in because they wanted to get it out of their system. It has affected the players, there's no doubt about that. But we've got to put the dark side behind us and crack on. We've got to make sure the second half of the season turns out to be good, not only for ourselves, but particularly for Jamie. I have spoken with him, and the best way to deal with Jamie is to have a joke with him. He told me after the game that his agent was giving him a lift home, and I said: 'You'd normally offer to hop, are you losing your incentive or what?' A few of the lads were having a laugh with him, people like Bradley Orr were taking the mick. It's the only way to handle the situation." Another clean sheet for Paddy Kenny at Turf Moor have prompted talk of an Ireland recall. Kenny is currently behind Man City’s Shay Given and Coventry’s Keiren Westwood in the Ireland pecking order but is keen to be considered. He told the Ealing Gazette: “You can never say never in football, so there is still hope of me playing for Ireland again. But for now I'm only focused on club football and winning promotion with QPR.” Off the field much maligned deputy managing director Ali Russell is leaving the club after three years to start his own consultancy business, although he will continue to work with the club in his new job. He said: “I have enjoyed my time at QPR but have an opportunity to start my own business which I cannot let pass. I am happy to be leaving the club in such a good position and I wish the club, its fans and partners all the best in the future."
RumoursFollowing the Emmanuel Ledesma saga last week QPR continue to be linked with moves for former fans’ favourites at Loftus Road. The Fulham Chronicle says the R’s are lining up a six month deal for giant centre half Danny Shittu who is coming to the end of a three month contract at Millwall and has been linked with Cardiff. Neil Warnock twice tried to sign Shittu from QPR when he was the manager at Sheffield United. And our former right winger Wayne Routledge is also being linked with a loan move to W12 after falling out of favour at Newcastle United. Just a month ago Routledge was being linked with an unlikely big money move to Liverpool but blogs in the North East have suggested that if Alan Pardew is successful in bringing in Shaun Wright Phillips this January then Routledge could return to W12 just a year after leaving. The Fulham Chronicle does however state that Rangers have ended their interest in Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate, who should feature in the visiting 11 at Harlington tomorrow when QPR meet Tottenham in a behind closed doors reserve game.
Loan WatchRowan Vine’s excellent adventure has now led him to League One side MK Dons where our former coach John Gorman is the assistant manager. Vine has already spent time on loan with Hull and Brentford this season but has yet to score and failed to make it onto the pitch at all during his time at Griffin Park. Nevertheless the Dons have taken the opportunity to bring him in for a month. Vine came on for the final 25 minutes of the Don’s 2-0 home victory against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday. Elsewhere it was a bad weekend for Joe Oastler who came on as a substitute for Torquay with six minutes left of their game at Morecambe and then could only watch in horror as the Gulls blew a one goal lead to lose 2-1 in the dying seconds of the game. Max Ehmer’s impressive run of form for Yeovil continued as they won 1-0 at Swindon thanks to a goal from former Ipswich man Dean Bowditch. Yeovil have won three and drawn one of Ehmer’s four games so far without conceding a goal and while they are still in the League One relegation zone they are now only in the bottom four on goal difference from Tranmere. Mikele Leigertwood is also still unbeaten in eight appearances for Reading and celebrated extending his deal until the end of the season with a 90 minute run out in the 3-0 win at Doncaster on Saturday.
Former R’sFormer QPR keeper Tony Roberts has been talking to the London Evening Standard about his double life as Dagenham’s first choice keeper and Arsenal’s first team coach. Roberts kept a clean sheet as the Daggers boosted their League One survival hopes with a 1-0 win at Hartlepool at the weekend.Roberts said: “I am fortunate to be in a position where I experience both spectrums of football life. Anyone would want to still be playing at my age but I also get to work for one of the best clubs in the world.Arsene Wenger is trying to get the club back to winning trophies. Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I am standing there among top players and coaches and learning so much. But I'm also amazed to still be playing in front of big crowds. There are not many people who have the kind of hopes I have for the rest of the season. I want Dagenham to stay in League One and Arsenal to win the Carling Cup, Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League! You have to reach for the stars. “There is no reason to retire just because you reach a certain age. I have told the manager don’t think of me as 41, think of me as 25 and if I'm performing then play me. I only do two-three days of training at most but my work with Arsenal makes me stay in shape anyway because of the things I have to do. I hope to reach the 500-game landmark sometime this season and I always take a decision on my future season by season. If I wake up one morning and feel I can't be bothered any more then obviously I'll stop but I said to someone last year that I could play until I'm 50. It was said in jest but you never know.” Stuart Wardley is still going strong at the age of 36, playing at the heart of Haverhill Rovers’ defence in the Ridgeon’s League Premier Division. Rovers are currently fourth having been bottom of the table when Wardley arrived at the end of last season and the former QPR Player of the Year says he is enjoying his football again. Wardley told the Pink Un: “Two years ago Haverhill were rock bottom. Last year the club brought new players in who did pretty well to finish in mid-table, which was good considering the season they had before. We moved to our new ground at the start of this season and the facilities and pitch here are excellent. The club is moving in the right direction, and if we can keep building on that it will continue to go only one way. “I am getting on a bit now, so have declared myself as a centre half! We have got a great bunch of lads here and I am enjoying my football more now than in previous years. When I was young I had to perform really well all the time, whereas now I am just happy to be out there on the pitch, There is not so much pressure on me compared to what there used to be when I had to perform every week in the professional game. As long as I am enjoying it I will continue to play for as long as I am able to, as people say you will miss it once you retire.” Marlon Broomes, who spent five games on loan with QPR in the 2000/01 season, has handed in a transfer request at Tranmere. The 33 year old is out of contract at the end of the season and has struggled with injury so far this term. Manager Les Parry said: “In the present climate, at the end of the season there ends up being hundreds of players without clubs. He wants to secure a longer contract before the end of the season." Marcus Bent entered a not guilty plea in absence at Warley Magistrates Court on Friday to a charge of travelling down the M5 at speeds of up to 120 mph in October last year. Bent, who endured a torrid time on loan at QPR last season, has recently returned to Birmingham City after a similarly ineffective spell with Wolves. Swansea have agreed to cancel the contract of Spanish midfielder Jordi Lopez after he fell out of favour with new manager Brendan Rodgers. Lopez has made just 13 starts and seven substitute appearances for the Swans since signing on a free transfer from QPR 18 months ago.
Championship Shorts- As expected Burnley have today confirmed that Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe is their new manager. Howe said: “This is a fantastic club and you only had to see the fans at the game here on Saturday to see how passionate they are. It is just a fantastic opportunity for Jason and myself to join such a big, ambitious and progressive club and we are delighted. We had such a great time at Bournemouth and it was always going to take a special club for us to leave because of the fantastic success we have had there in the past two years. We just felt Burnley was that club and we are ready to take on a huge challenge.” - Ipswich have confirmed that Chris Hutchings has been appointed as their new assistant manager following his recent sacking by Walsall. Hutchings formed a formidable managerial partnership with new Town gaffer Paul Jewell at Bradford and Wigan where they twice won promotion to the Premiership. Jewell’s first act as manager has seen Rory Fallon’s loan deal ended early and he will now return to Plymouth. - Scunthorpe have had a bid accepted for Kilmarnock’s Republic of Ireland Under 21 international striker Connor Sammon and will now discuss terms with the player. The Iron have lost nine of their last ten matches in all competitions and have already added Preston’s Eddie Nolan, Colchester’s Paul Reid and Man City’s Abdisalam Ibrahim to their squad in this transfer window. - Derby have had a second bid for Notts County midfielder Ben Davies rejected. The Rams offered £250,000 for the player last week and returned with an improved bid today but have been told he is not for sale. - Norwich have also been warned off an impressive League One talent. Canaries scouts were at Brighton at the weekend to see winger Elliott Bennett score one and make another as the Seagulls beat Peterborough 3-1. Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said: “There's interest, we can't deny that. There has been interest from Norwich, but we do not want Elliott to go anywhere and we have made that clear to them." - Coventry say four clubs have expressed an interest in goalkeeper Keiren Westwood, with his former club Man City said to be leading the chase, but they are yet to receive an official offer for the keeper who is out of contract at the end of the season.
Transfer WindowChampionship deals done so far: Aaron McLean, Peterborough to Hull, £1.3m Matty Fryatt, Leicester to Hull, £1.2m James Chester, Man Utd to Hull, £300k Michael Morrison, Leicester to Sheff Wed, £250k Jon Parkin, Preston to Cardiff, £100k Sol Bamba, Hibs to Leicester, undisclosed Seamus Connely, Galway to Sheffield United, undisclosed Jermaine Easter, MK Dons to Palace, undisclosed Abdisalam Ibrahim, Man City to Scunthorpe, undisclosed Liam Lawrence, Stoke to Portsmouth, undisclosed Alex Marrow, Blackburn to Palace, undisclosed Josh McQuoid, Bournemouth to Millwall, undisclosed Andy O’Brien, Bolton to Leeds, undisclosed Paul Reid, Colchester to Scunthorpe, undisclosed Matt Ritchie, Portsmouth to Swindon, undisclosed Theo Robinson, Huddersfield to Millwall, undisclosed Marc Tierney, Colchester to Norwich, undisclosed Marcus Tudgay, Sheff Wed to Forest, undisclosed Tommy Smith, Portsmouth to QPR, undisclosed Miguel Comminges, Cardiff to Southend, free Steffen Iverson, Rosenborg to Palace, free Lubo Michalik, Leeds to Carlisle, free Eddie Nolan, Preston to Scunthorpe, free Zac Thompson, Everton to Leeds, free Petter Vaagan Moen, Brann to QPR, free John Akinde, Bristol City to Dagenham, loan Cian Bolger, Leicester to Bristol Rovers, loan Liam Cooper, Hull to Carlisle, loan Mark Cullen, Hull to Bradford, loan Ritchie De Lait, Man Utd to Portsmouth, loan Liam Dickinson, Barnsley to Rochdale, loan Nathan Ellington, Skoda Xanthi to Preston, loan Corry Evans, Man Utd to Hull, loan Ben Gordon, Chelsea to Scunthorpe, loan Brad Guzan, Villa to Hull, loan Oli Johnson, Norwich to Yeovil, loan Julian Kelly, Reading to Lincoln, loan Kevin Kilbane, Hull to Huddersfield, loan Matt Kilgallon, Sunderland to Doncaster, loan Marc Laird, Millwall to Brentford, loan Shane Lowry, Villa to Sheff Utd, loan Vito Mannone, Arsenal to Hull, loan Joe Mattock, West Brom to Sheff Utd, loan George McCartney, Sunderland to Leeds, loan Ben Mee, Man City to Leicester, loan Danny Philliskirk, Chelsea to Sheff Utd, loan Rowan Vine, QPR to Mk Dons, loan Callum Wilson, Coventry to Kettering, loan Yakubu, Everton to Leicester, loan Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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