Ready to Go?

San Antonio 0-4 QPR

Goals from Ward, Nygaard, Baidoo and Jones gave Rangers a comfortable victory in their last friendly before the big kick off.

Reports are suggesting that this was overall a good performance, with Ainsworth and Bignot highlighted as the star men. It was a strong Rangers line up and one that I think won't be too far away from the Burnley line up.

QPR -Jones 7, Bignot 8, Rose 8 (Kanyuka 7), Fortune 7, Milanese 6 (Howell 6), Ainsworth 8, Rowlands 7 (Bailey 6), Ward 7, Cook 7, Nygaard 6 (Jones 6), Czerkas 6 (Baidoo 6).

Waddock seems to have decided that his first choice midfield will be Cook, Ward, Rowlands and Ainsworth. But the other positions are not so clear - i.e. the Dan Shittu situation, reported injuries to Gallen and Rowlands and the rumoured arrival of Dexter Blackstock on Monday... hopefully ;)

Whatever happens, the waiting is almost over and the time has come again.

Come on you R'ssssssssssss!!

©LOFTY

Just...

...when we all thought everything was going well?

Sorrento 5-1 QPR

So Rangers first game in Italy ended in a crushing defeat. Having to play on a plastic pitch, Waddock didn't take any risks. So with a makeshift side (including sub appearances from Macca and Tony Roberts), the result shouldn't really give us much cause for concern...

Should it??

Rangers: Cole, Bailey, Armel, Fortune (Roberts), Howell, Ward (Rowlands), Baidoo, Pinto (McDonald), Donnelly, R Jones, Czerkas (Cook).

Goal: Czerkas

©LOFTY

A Ray of Light...

Gillingham 0-1 QPR

A Ray Jones goal was enough for Rangers today, in our last game before the players jet off to Italy to continue their pre season.




What is now becoming, the 'usual' three gang members, took the trip over to Kent. The M25 was it's normal, charming self, and we arrived at Priestfield with little to spare - although just enough time to sneak a quick beer in.

It was great to see Nick Ward make his long awaited R's debut, and a suprise, and a pleasant one, to see Dan Shittu in the Rangers back four. At first Dan wasn't listed in the original squad, adding fuel to the 'will he,won't he' stay saga. It was also rumoured, that he would NOT be travelling to Italy with the rest of the squad. So, seeing Dan has confused all the speculation somewhat, but nevertheless, it was great to see him out there.


Onto the game, which wasn't one for the purists and was a hard fought, battling performance against a plucky Gillingham side. Ray Jones scored his first goal for the R's first team on 70 minutes - with perhaps, a slightly fortunate stab which somehow found it's way into the net. The first half was the definite highlight, with Nick Ward shining in the Rangers midfield. Ward was denied a goal that his performance deserved by a great save from Homoet in the Gills goal. The second half continued to stop and start due to wholesale substitutions from both sides, but a good victory and a clean sheet all the same.

Performances of note came from Nick Ward, Kevin Gallen and my man of the match, Damion Stewart in the Rangers defence.

QPR: P Jones, Bignot (Bailey 44), Howell (Rose 46), Stewart, Shittu (Kanyuka 46), Ainsworth, Rowlands (Baidoo 72), Ward (Donnelly 46), Cook (Tchakounte 46), Nygaard (R Jones 46), Gallen.

Gang: Lofty, DJ and PK.

©LOFTY

Promise...

Stevenage 1-4 QPR

Rangers ran out comfortable winners in what was a promising display against Conference side Stevenage.


DJ, PK and myself made the short trip up the A1 for the second friendly and a stronger Rangers side that the one at Aldershot, included 3 of our 5 new signings - Damion Stewart, Egutu Oliseh and Adam Czerkas. We were then treated to a great 1st half with two fantastic goals from the R's - A 35 yard screamer from Ainsworth on 17 minutes, and a delightful curler into the top corner from Donnelly on 32 minutes. A well taken goal from Dobson in between(21 mins) meant that Rangers were leading 2-1 at the break.

The second half saw a few changes and Rangers took control. Two well taken goals from Captain, Kevin Gallen saw Rangers end up comfortable winners.

QPR: P Jones (Cole 58), Bignot, Stewart (Rose 58), Kanyuka, Howell, Ainsworth, Oliseh (Bailey, 40), Rowlands (R Jones 58), Donnelly, Czerkas (Baidoo 58), Gallen.

Performances of note came from Ainsworth and Donnelly, and second half subs Baidoo and Jones looking very lively up front. Gallen looked much sharper than at Aldershot and took his 2 goals well.

A healthy Rangers following included friends of Lofty Heights, Gobi and Corinne - great to see you again guys.

Rangers now travel to Gillingham on Saturday for our final friendly before the Italian games. Hopefully, we will get to see the highly anticipated debut of Nick Ward in the Rangers midfield.

©LOFTY

Signing No 5...

and yes, at last, it's a striker!!!

Rangers have today clinched the signing of Polish frontman Adam Czerkas on a one year long loan deal from Kolporter Korona SSA.


The 22 year old has also impressed in his trial period, and Rangers have the option of signing the Kolporter Korona SSA striker on a permanent basis at the end of his loan spell.

Speaking to the Official site, Manager Gary Waddock says:

"Obviously I'm delighted we've secured his services and if what we've seen in training and in the practice match is anything to go by, R's fans are in for a treat next season."

Let's hope he is right!

Welcome and Good Luck Adam!!

©LOFTY

More in Midfield...

Nigerian midfielder, Egutu Oliseh (25) has signed a two year deal with the club after impressing in his trial period.

The former Nancy player could make his debut in the Stevenage friendly on Wednesday.

Although delighted another signing is on board - Waddock's fourth, I am still concerned that we have not yet signed a striker. However, with 11 midfielders in Rangers first team squad, has Nick Ward been signed as a striker?? Or could it also mean that Oliseh's arrival could mean the departure of Marc Bircham??

Either way, I would like to say "Welcome and Good Luck Egutu!"

©LOFTY

The Masters...

This evening, myself and DJ decided to take in the Masters Tournament at Wembley Arena. This National competition is becoming very popular and is a great chance to see some of the old heroes you used to watch, strut their stuff in a six a side contest.

Rangers were drawn in a heat with Chelsea, West Ham and Southampton. The Rangers line up was: Tony Roberts, Andy Tilson, Danny Maddix, Maurice Doyle, Karl Connoly, Michael Meaker, Martin Allen, John Byrne and Steve Palmer.


Rangers on the night, probably had the weakest side on paper, with Zola, Poyet, Wise, Le Tissier in attendance for the opposition. But we didn't fair too badly at all, reaching the final. Sadly, we fell at the final hurdle.

The results were:

QPR 4-4 Chelsea
QPR 2-1 West Ham
QPR 3-0 Southampton

Final - QPR 1-5 Chelsea

Although an extremely dissappointing end to the evening, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening's football. The entertainment between matches was pretty good too...

©LOFTY

Familiar...

Aldershot 1-1 QPR

With the World Cup not quite finished yet, it was suprising that the friendlies had begun so early for Rangers. Out of the gang, only myself and DJ took the chance to see, what was hoping to be a new look Rangers.



But as it was, it turned out to be no more than a training match/run out for the R's, with more or less a different team each half. A few trialists were on show, as well as Armel our new Cameroon International. There was aslo a few that perhaps we didn't expect to see - transfer listed Bignot, Lomas, Evatt and Doherty. It was Doherty that gave Rangers the lead in the first half with a perfectly executed free kick from 25 yards.



Aldershot levelled the score late on and deservedly so, but I left the game thinking that it all looked so familiar. Okay, it was only a friendly and your never going to see a classic football match. Or maybe, we have been spoilt by a fantastic World Cup tournament. But Rangers played some good stuff and times, playing from the back, passed the ball well and used the wings - but as so many times seen last season, there was no end product. There are a few weeks before the season starts and hopefully, a new front man must be a priority signing for us!


QPR first half: Thomas, Bignot, Tonkin, Armel, Tobi, Kanyuka, Ainsworth, Olisen, Moore, Doherty, Baidoo
QPR second half: Thomas, Kanyuka (Tobi), Munday, Cook, Evatt, Lomas, Donnelly, Gallen, Bailey, Trialist, Hislop


©LOFTY

He's Finally Arrived...

Rangers finally completed the signing of Australian midfielder NICK WARD today.


The highly rated, 21 year old midfielder has put pen to paper on a 2 year deal.

Ward made 21 appearances for Hyundai A-League side Perth Glory last season, bagging five goals - has represented his country at all levels and only just missed out on a spot in the Socceroo's World Cup squad.

Welcome and Good Luck Nick!

©LOFTY

David Beckham...

David Beckham has announced he is standing down as captain of England at an emotional press conference in Germany.

Beckham's statement:

On 15 November 2000, Peter Taylor gave me the greatest honour of my career in making me captain of England and fulfilling my childhood dream.

Now nearly six years later, having been captain for 58 of my 94 caps, I feel the time is right to pass on the armband as we enter a new era under Steve McClaren.



It has been an honour and a privilege to captain our country and I want to stress that I wish to continue to play for England and look forward to helping both the new captain and Steve McClaren in any way I can.

I came to this decision some time ago but I hoped to announce it on the back of a successful World Cup, but sadly that wasn't to be.



This decision has been the most difficult of my career to date. But after discussing it with my family and those closest to me, I feel the time is right.

Our performance during this World Cup has not been enough to progress and myself and all the players regret that and are hurt by that more than people realise.

I wish to thank all the players for their support during my time as captain as well as Peter Taylor, Sven and all the coaches.

I would also like to thank the press and of course the England supporters who have been great to me and to my teammates. I want them to know that for me it's been an absolute honour.



Finally, I have lived the dream. I am extremely proud to have worn the armband and been captain of England and for that I will always be grateful.

I would personally like to thank David Beckham for being a great England Captain, both on and off the pitch!

©LOFTY

It's Over...

England 0-0 Portugal (Portugal win 3-1 on pens)

So that's the end of another tournament for England, as we fell to our penalty shoot out curse again in the Quarter Finals!



Personally, the pain was lifted shortly after the match as many beverages were consumed at DJ Senior's Birthday party. A trip to Hyde Park yesterday to see 'The Who' also helped. But there is no question that England's failure to progress further than the last eight, again, was a MASSIVE dissappointment!

Writing the report 2 days after is probably a little easier, especially now I have calmed down a bit too. We have all seen the papers, the highlights, whatever?? But wouldn't you just love England to, perhaps, lose a match without all the controversy. Instead we are left yet again with lots of 'IF's'... i.e. IF Rooney wasn't sent off, IF the referee wasn't Argentinian, IF Sven would have ditched the 4-5-1 system etc etc etc.



The incident involving Rooney was no more than a yellow card in my opinion. I have watched it over again and to me, he wasn't sent off for the alleged 'stamp', but for pushing who is probably now the most hated footballer in England. Now, to interfere with something that was nothing to do with him, and try to influence the referee, was bad enough... but to his own Clubmate??!!?? I could go on and on and call him every name under the sun, but instead, I will just post the picture below of Christiano Ronaldo in the position you see him in, week in and week out for Manchester United...



Anyway, at the end of the day, I could write forever, but it will change nothing. We are out of the World Cup. A tournament that promised so much for England, and one that I firmly believe the current squad of players could have won!

©LOFTY