Aldershot 0-4 QPR - Match Report

By Lee Brown

Lee Brown brings us his report from QPR's 4-0 friendly win away at Aldershot on Saturday, in Jim Magilton's first game in charge. Many thanks, Lee!



Well it was the first pre season friendly of the season time for us to see how preparations are coming along with the season 4weeks away. With all pre season friendlies you can never read into them too much as its more of a fitness based exercise than a performance that us as fans should worry about.

On a lush and very wet surface the game kicked off with a first team team that was very experimental and in a 4-4-2 formation.

The team was (from right to left): Cerny; Rose, Hall, M Connolly, Borrowdale; Routledge, Alberti, Mahon, Buzsaky; Helguson, D Connolly.

Aldershot started the brighter of the 2 teams and were playing some attractive passing football, causing our midfield and defence a number of problems at times. It took until the 12th minute before Rangers had a decent effort on the Shots goal, Routledge crossing into the trialist David Connolly, who flashed his shot just over the bar. A lot of Rangers more dangerous attacks were coming from our wide areas with Routledge and Buzsaky causing a fair few problems on numberous occasions.

The breakthrough came on 25 minutes, Alberti, who was in the unusual role as a centre midfielder, found Buzsaky on the left edge of the 18yard box and he took on 2 defenders before unleashing a thunderous effort into the top right hand corner. 1-0 Rangers.

Two minutes later it was 2-0. Buzsaky sent in a scuffed cross from the left which seemed to foil everyone except Helguson, who done his best to miss the target from close range but fortunately his effort hit the post and trickled in. Aldershot continued to play some very good football, and if it wasnt for a last ditch challenge from Matt Connolly when one of their strikers was through on goal then the scoreline could've easily been 2-1.

In the second half it was all change, except for Cerny. We tried out a 3-5-2 or 3-4-1-2 formation, I think it was the latter with the following (from right to left):- Cerny; Ramage, Oastler, Gorkss; Ainsworth, Leigertwood, Balanta, Ephraim; Vine(German); Blackstock, Agyemang

With a more assuring team fielded in the second half it was nice to see us try out something different and it also gave us a chance to see some youth in with some more experienced 1st teamers. Rangers looked more comfortable from the beginning and it wasnt long until a 3rd goal was added.

Leigertwood, who was captaining the second half team, dinked a ball over the top of the Shots defence and the pacey Agyemang took chase, out sprinted the defence before taking 3touches and lifting the ball over the advancing Aldershot keeper. A well taken effort. A fourth goal followed 5 minutes later. Ainsworth's cross from the right caused all sorts of confusion in the Aldershot defence and Blackstock was on hand to tap home an easy effort to really kill the game off.

Aldershot did nearly get a goal that I feel they deserved from their 1st half performance, Oastler mis-timed his sliding tackle to upend one of the Aldershot strikers. The penalty was very Gareth Southgate like and Cerny managed to produce a comfortable save.

The last memorable action of the second half was when Ainsworth challenged a 50-50 ball and crunched into one of their poor defenders which left him needing treatment for a good 5 minutes or so. I wouldnt be surprised if Ainsworth had some studs going up the side of him either. Vine did have to come off with 10-15 mins to go, he looked to be holding his knee, hopefully it was only a precautionary thing.

A quick round up of how I thought individuals looked.

Cerny - Solid, had little to do and produced a good penalty save
Rose - For an attacking midfielder playing at right back I thought he looked hungry and it will be nice to see him develop.
Hall - Looked very rusty and played a lot of hoof balls.
M Connolly - Very assuring performance, definately needs to be kept at centre back
Borrowdale - After today you can see why he never got near the 1st team last year.Very poor, disinterested, looked like a kid in a playground attempting to play football.
Routledge - Dangerous and used his pace well. Supplied a few decent crosses for the forwards
Alberti - Didnt look comfortable in the centre of midfield, would be good to see him played out wide next time round
Mahon - Slow, but still has a decent engine on him. Needs to shake the rust off his legs
Buzsaky - Star of the 1st half, scoring 1 and assisting the second, flashes of the old Buz.
Helguson - Scored 1, didnt look outstanding but you cannot critisize his efforts today
D Connolly - Hussled the defence a lot and put himself around. Would be nice to see him get another chance as he could be useful
Ramage - Reliable, didnt have to do much, supported Ainsworth well on the right hand side
Oastler - Seemed reassured in possession, was unfortunate with the penalty decision. Definate promise in the youngster.
Gorkss - Played simple football and was very assured.
Ainsworth - Still played with the same passion, kept on running until the end, provided some decent crosses and left his mark on one of their defenders
Leigertwood - Wasnt at his best today but set up the 3rd.
Balanta - Full of running, looked decent
Ephraim - Played well, wasnt outstanding but the effort was there
Vine - Has bulked up since the end of season, looked the fittest player on the park today
Agyemang - Not outstanding, not bad
Blackstock - Was useful but not brilliant
German - Didn't have long to do anything.

Welcome Alejandro Faurlin...

Well, it's been a long time coming, but QPR made their first signing of the close season today, smashing their transfer record by signing Argentinian playmaker, Alejandro Faurlin. The deal, which is subject to International clearance, is said to be worth £3.5m.



The 22 year old Instituto midfield player made 34 appearances in the top flight of Argentinean football last season. On his first signing as QPR Manager, Jim Magilton told the official QPR Website;

“He is a good signing for the football club. We have had a good look at him and we believe he will be a valuable addition to the squad. He is a likeable young lad who plays the game with a smile on his face so we will have no problems.”

GOOD LUCK Alejandro and WELCOME to QPR!!!

Holloway Returns as Blackpool are First Up for QPR...

The fixtures for next season were released today and the R's kick off with a home game against Ian Holloway's, Blackpool. This is followed by two long trips to Exeter and Plymouth respectively. Although when you take a look, the fixtures computer has been reasonably kind to the QPR supporter this time around, especially the away followers amongst us, with all the midweek aways within reasonable distance and a rare home Boxing Day fixture. The only real disappointment is that the eagerly awaited trip to Newcastle is to take place on Wednesday 30th September.

As mentioned, other than that it has been pretty kind and the weekend's away to Blackpool(twice) and Newcastle, albeit when we take on Middlesbrough, are already being planned. Bring it on...

QPR, Coca Cola Championship 2009/10 fixture list

Sat Aug 8 Blackpool H
Wed Aug 12 Carling Cup 1
Sat Aug 15 Plymouth Argyle A
Tue Aug 18 Bristol City A
Sat Aug 22 Nottingham Forest H
Wed Aug 26 Carling Cup 2
Sat Aug 29 Scunthorpe United A

Sat Sep 12 Peterborough United H
Tue Sep 15 Crystal Palace H
Sat Sep 19 Cardiff City A
Wed Sep 23 Carling Cup 3
Sat Sep 26 Barnsley H
Wed Sep 30 Newcastle United A

Sat Oct 3 Swansea City A
Sat Oct 17 Preston North End H
Tue Oct 20 Reading H
Sat Oct 24 Derby County A
Wed Oct 28 Carling Cup 4
Sat Oct 31 Leicester City H

Sat Nov 7 Sheffield Wednesday A
Sat Nov 21 Doncaster Rovers A
Sat Nov 28 Coventry City H

Wed Dec 2 Carling Cup 5
Sat Dec 5 Middlesbrough H
Tue Dec 8 Watford A
Sat Dec 12 West Bromwich Albion A
Sat Dec 19 Sheffield United H
Sat Dec 26 Bristol City H
Mon Dec 28 Ipswich Town A

Sat Jan 2 F.A . Cup 3
Wed Jan 6 Carling Cup Semi-Final (1)
Sat Jan 9 Plymouth Argyle H
Sat Jan 16 Blackpool A
Wed Jan 20 Carling Cup Semi-Final (2)
Sat Jan 23 F.A. Cup 4
Tue Jan 26 Nottingham Forest A
Sat Jan 30 Scunthorpe United H

Sat Feb 6 Peterborough United A
Tue Feb 9 Ipswich Town H
Sat Feb 13 Coventry City A F.A. Cup 5
Tue Feb 16 Watford H
Sat Feb 20 Doncaster Rovers H
Sat Feb 27 Middlesbrough A
Sun Feb 28 Carling Cup Final

Sat Mar 6 West Bromwich Albion H F.A. Cup 6
Sat Mar 13 Sheffield United A
Tue Mar 16 Reading A
Sat Mar 20 Swansea City H
Tue Mar 23 Derby County H
Sat Mar 27 Preston North End A

Sat Apr 3 Sheffield Wednesday H
Mon Apr 5 Leicester City A
Sat Apr 10 Crystal Palace A F.A. Cup Semi-Final
Sat Apr 17 Cardiff City H
Sat Apr 24 Barnsley A

Sun May 2 Newcastle United H

QPR Welcome John Gorman and Face a Tricky Cup Trip to Exeter...

QPR yesterday appointed John Gorman as their no 2 to new Manager, Jim Magilton.



The very experienced, 59 year old coach has signed a 2 year deal with the club and yesterday, told the Official QPR Website;

'I am honoured at being given this exciting opportunity and I thank the Club's management for choosing me.

QPR has plenty of history and a big following. I know most of the players and have great respect for them. I rate them highly and look forward to working with such good players.

"The expectations are high and I will do my very best to meet them, assisting Jim and working hard to have our best shot at getting the Club promoted.'

GOOD LUCK JOHN and WELCOME to QPR!!!

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Carling Cup 1st Round Draw

QPR face a tricky opening round and will make the long trip down to League One, Exeter City in the first round of the Carling Cup.

The tie will be played in the week commencing August 10th 2009.

QPR Welcome Jim Magilton...

QPR have today confirmed the appointment of former Ipswich Town boss, Jim Magilton as their new manager on a two year contract.



Owner Flavio Briatore told the Official QPR Website of his 5th permanant Manager;

"We had an incredibly high number of applicants but Jim was the stand out candidate for the role. We sat down with him on four separate occasions over the last month to discuss our goals and ambitions and he has really impressed myself, Mr Ecclestone, Mr Mittal and Mr Bhatia with his knowledge, understanding and passion for football. He did a very good job at Ipswich Town playing some fine, attacking football and he has ambition to achieve in this next chapter of his career. We are all really looking forward to working with him"

On his appointment, Magilton himself added;

"I am really looking forward to the challenge of managing this great football club. The board are highly ambitious but they are realistic at the same time. I have huge ambitions to succeed as a manager though and our aim is to keep progressing year after year. There is a very strong group of players at the club and with one or two additions over the summer we can expect to be in a position to drastically improve upon the eleventh placed finish secured last season"

It is pleasing to hear that Magilton will retain Gareth Ainsworth as part of his coaching staff, but is rumoured to be keen on former Wycombe manager John Gorman as his assistant.

Okay, so maybe a surprise choice for many and not the big name we all had hoped for? But be honest, who else would want to come to QPR at the moment?? And for that, I will give my full support and I wish Jim Magilton all the VERY best of luck, your gonna need it!!

GOOD LUCK JIM and WELCOME to QPR!!!

Glad It's All Over...

Preston 2-1 QPR

Preston sneaked into the play-offs on the last day of the season with a 2-1 win over QPR at Deepdale on Sunday, but only just...



My sincere apologies for the lateness of this report, but as mentioned, what with it being the last game and all, the gang and I thought we would make a long weekend of it and descended on Blackpool. Little did we know at the time of booking, that we would be in a Bed and Breakfast in the gay area and was welcomed on arrival by a Paul O'Grady look and soundalike, but that's another thing. Sadly, PK was unable to join us at the last minute due to an ankle injury, hope you feel better soon mate!

Anyways, moving swiftly on and we made the short trip over to Deepdale for the lunchtime kick off and arrived in good time for a much needed hair of the dog in a local pub. As you know, Preston needed to win, which normally means an inevitable defeat for the QPR. But this was far from an easy ride for the home side as the R's put in a very decent performance.

Albeit watched through glazed eyes, Preston took the lead on 37 minutes through an uncharacteritic mistake from Kaspars Gorkss, who received a goal kick from Cerny, underhit it back to his keeper and Jon Parkin nipped in to take the ball, round Cerny and fire into the net. The expected Preston onslaught/QPR surrender did not happen and Rangers drew level on 57 minutes - Vine played a through ball to Agyemang and he beat Youl Mawene to slide the ball past the keeper to level the scores.



Shortly after, Deepdale lifted with news of Cardiff's demise at Sheffield Wednesday and they re-took the lead on 74 minutes - when a Parkin long throw was flicked on by substitute Chris Brown and St Ledger headed home from inside the six-yard box, depsite Connolly's desperate attempts to clear off the line. I was particularly disappointed that it was Sean St Ledger that got the eventual winner, as my memories of him are that of a spoilt brat whingeing,moaning,sulking and generally throwing his toys out of the pram in the corner, all because he was asked to play right back in training. This was during his time at Peterborough of course and the Big Ron Manager documentary.

QPR pushed on and made it a nervous end for the home supporters, with Ephraim having a deflected effort saved and then, right at the end, Carter cleared off the line from Matthew Connolly in stoppage time to the relief of a nervy Deepdale. The final whistle went soon after, the home fans poured onto the pitch in celebration and the R's travelling support had to once agan, politely acknowledge their opponents successes. Well Done Preston and Good Luck in the Play-Offs.

QPR: Cerny, Mahon (Balanta, 82), Delaney, Vine, Gorkss, Leigertwood, Connolly, Routledge, Ramage, Agyemang (German, 75), Ephraim. Subs Not Used: Hall, Cole, Alberti

Lofty's Man of the Match - Hogan Ephraim

So, despite the good performance, it was another disappointing end to what has been a very trying season. The end of the football season is something I have always dreaded, but to be honest, I am welcoming this one with open arms and am looking forward to the Summer break immensely.

Yes, I will be renewing my Season Ticket and yes, I will be travelling up and down the country next season and yes, I will be returning for the friendlies. But for now, all that remains for me to do is thank Lee for his excellent additions to these pages and to each and everyone of you for your continued support of this site. It isn't always easy to write and remain upbeat, but your support and comments certainly help me through the not so good times.

Thank You All and Come On You R'sssssssss!!!!

Delayed...

Preston 2-1 QPR

Due to myself and the gang seeing the season off in style, with a weekend in Blackpool, the report will be slightly delayed due to tiredness and over indulgence...

I thank you...