Cullip In, Ward Out...

Rangers made third transfer window signing with experienced defender, Danny Cullip joining from Nottingham Forest.



The 30 year old has signed and 18 month deal and is likely to make his debut for the R's at home to Burnley on Saturday.

Welcome and Good Luck Danny!!

Also, Nicky Ward has joined Brighton on loan until the end of the season.



Nick has been disappointing and dare I say, 'over hyped' in his short time at Loftis Road and joins Matthew Rose, Egutu Oliseh, Kevin Gallen, Jon Munday, Scott Donnelly, Tommy Doherty, Sean Thomas, Matthew Hislop, Ian Evatt and Ugo Ukah through what has become a revolving door at Loftus Road.

©LOFTY

Painfully Worrying...

Barnsley 2-0 QPR

Well, we have been threatening it, but Rangers slipped into the bottom three of the Championship tonight, after losing yet another one of those 'must win' games away at fellow strugglers Barnsley.



I have mentioned this before I know, but whatever is the reasoning at the FA, behind sending London sides to Yorkshire on a Tuesday night is beyond me? Pressure of work, amongst other things, meant it was always going to be a tall order to get there tonight. So it was the BBC Radio commentary for me and I now can't make up my mind what is worse or more painful - listening or going?

I was hardly filling with confidence either after hearing things like;

'What is Rehman doing' - 'Rangers look nervous' - 'defenders standing like statues' - 'disgraceful defending' - masters of their own downfall'

Rangers went behind just on half time after being well on top - Richards scoring for the Tykes. In the second half, the major incident was a 'stonewall' penalty for the R's being waved away by the referee for handball. But the nail was finally hammered into the Rangers coffin when Brian Howard lobbed Royce in stoppage time for 2-0.

QPR: Royce, Rehman (Nygaard 85), Bolder, Lomas (Ainsworth 74), Cook, Stewart, Timoska, Furlong (Jones 70), Blackstock, Smith, Mancienne Subs: Cole, Kanyuka

We are in trouble and we can no longer look over our shoulders and rely on other results because we are now in the bottom three.I really don't like to make comments about the performance when I wasn't there, but when I hear the commentator at the end of the game say;

'why are the supporters clapping them off, they were rubbish'

makes me wonder...

Other results tonight - Hull 1-2 Leeds, Birmingham 1-3 Southend...

Anyone else worried?

©LOFTY

Welcome Adam Bolder

John Gregory has made his second signing of the January transfer window as combative central midfielder Adam Bolder has joined from Derby County. Gregory has been chasing his man for weeks and beat Hull City to the signature late on Saturday night.



Adam is likely to go straight into the side for Tuesday's crucial game at Barnsley on Tuesday night.

Welcome and Good Luck Adam!!

©LOFTY

Cup Day Off 2...

The event will be taking place on February 17th due to our opponents that day, Preston, beating Crystal Palace today and going through to Round 5.

©LOFTY

Nothing To Report...

... today as it is QPR's Annual FA Cup day off.

Normal service will be resumed soon...

©LOFTY

Gutted...

Luton 1-0 QPR

The title of this post tonight says it all, as Rangers went out of the FA Cup, yet again, at the third round stage at a bitterly cold Kenilworth Road.

I have to be honest, that over the past few days, I was in two minds about this game and in our present state, did Rangers really need this? But as the day wore on, I was becoming more and more positive and dare I say, looking forward to a game with Blackburn... sadly, it was not to be and the Annual QPR FA Cup Saturday off goes ahead as planned this coming Saturday.



However, as I sit here thawing out and writing this report, I am still finding it hard to believe that we have lost. Rangers simply dominated the game and how this wasn't won by half time I will never know. We created chance after chance and as much as I don't like singling out players for criticism, Marc Nygaard must be held responsible for missing two absolute sitters in the first half.

Onto the second half and cue Nygaard to miss another sitter - blasting wide when it was easier to score. But the game changed on 72 minutes when Stefan Bailey received a straight red card for a two footed tackle on Brkovic. Even then, Rangers still looked the more likely but on 80 minutes, disaster! Morgan volleyed across the box and the unfortunate Rehmann scuffed the ball into his own net. With respect, an own goal was the only way Luton were going to score tonight.

QPR: Royce, Milanese, Rehman, Lomas, Cook, Bailey, Stewart, Nygaard (Jones 71), Blackstock, Smith (Ainsworth 83), Mancienne. Subs: Cole, Kanyuka, Furlong.

Lofty's Man of the Match - Lee Cook - outstanding!

Well with the first replay postponed, it was a longer cup run than normal, but it was so disappointing to go out at this stage yet again. But unlike recent weeks, there are so many positives to take from tonight. The earlier than expected return of Gaz Ainsworth from the bench was a welcome sight. Also, there was little wrong with the performance and I truly believe that if Ray Jones or Paul Furlong would have started instead of Nygaard, it surely would have been a different result! We simply dominated and I truly believe that if we can continue to play like this, our luck will change and we will NOT go down!

©LOFTY

Reasons Not too...

...go for a beer at half time.



©LOFTY

Decisions Decisions...

QPR 0-2 Southampton

I deliberately delayed this report until I had seen 'The Championship' on ITV this morning. I was angry yesterday after it seemed we were cheated out of a hard fought point against Southampton... and now I am even more angry!



Although lacking that final bit of quality , Rangers matched their high flying opponents until the 82nd minute. Then from a corner, Bradley Wright-Phillips challenged Simon Royce who fumbled the ball to Rasiak who stabbed the ball home from close range. Rangers then went straight up the other end and from a long throw, Davis fumbled and Blackstock stabbed the ball home - this time it was disallowed for a foul on the keeper. Blackstock celebrated, the fans celebrated and then stared in disbelief. The fact that Davis clattered into Damion Stewart when going for the ball, not the other way round, made it even more painful.

Wright-Phillips made the game safe in stoppage time for the Saints with a neat finish. But it makes things even more disappointing when you hear the opposition Manager, George Burley say;

"To be honest I thought both goals were fouls. Both keepers were nudged and for me they were both free-kicks so if I was John Gregory, I'd be very disappointed."

QPR: Royce,Rehman, Mancienne, Stewart, Timoska, Baidoo, Lomas, Bircham (Bailey 19), Smith, Jones (Nygaard 73), Blackstock. Subs: Cole, Kanyuka, Furlong.

Lofty's Man of the Match - Mancienne was yet again, a class act. But for a more than solid home debut, the award goes to Sami Timoska.

So yet another home defeat, but we were denied a crucial point by some poor refereeing. Rangers are in trouble without a shadow of a doubt, but it makes things even more frustrating when things like this happens. The day was also topped off nicely by my car breaking down after the game, waiting for the AA and very nearly missing my mate's party.

Moving on and personally, I have mixed views on the FA Cup tie at Luton this coming Tuesday. On one hand, we win and it's a televised clash with Blackburn next Saturday and some needed revenue for the Club. On the other hand, in our present state, do we really need this? I would swap a Cup run with Championship points any day.

Finally, I feel I must just mention that for the second week on the trot, the players just trudging off the field at the end of the game and NOT acknowledging the supporters!

Okay, we understand that you must be disappointed, but hey, so are we!!!

©LOFTY

It Never Rains...

Luton P-P QPR

QPR are still in this years FA Cup as tonight's replay at Kenilworth Road was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Yet again, the normal two were making the short trip up the M1 when the news filtered through. Luckily, due to hectic days at work, we were running a bit late and were still on the road. However, I was working not a million miles away from Luton and it was raining ALL day long. So why the referee left it until an hour before kick off to inspect the pitch is anyone's guess? Still, at least it wasn't too far to come home.

The re-arranged date for the game is next Tuesday 23rd January.

The comment Corinne made on hearing the news of - 'this could be our longest cup run for a while', was not only funny, but sadly true...

©LOFTY

One Nil, and We Effed it Up!!!

Hull 2-1 QPR

Well firstly, I must just mention that my public call online for the gang to make the effort fell on deaf ears and just the normal two, myself and PK made the long, but easy trip to Yorkshire today. Incidentally, it must also be mentioned that with PK suffering a heavy cold and myself, let's just say feeling the pinch a bit after Christmas, we still made the effort! PK also, defied the Sat Nav that was desperately trying to take us up the A1(M), and stuck with the M1 and knocked a massive 30 minutes of the ETA.



On not long arriving back home, obviously gutted but in good spirits, I have trawled through the various QPR sites for news and views etc and have been stunned by gaffer John Gregory's post comment of - "we were cruising until the last eight minutes!?!

If 'cruising' means that we spent the whole second half fighting for our lives and somehow surviving wave after wave of Hull attacks, then I guess he was right. But any R's fan at the game will surely be as amazed and perhaps as worried as I am with that statement.

As you would expect in a relegation clash, the first half was tight, nervy and at times scrappy. But on the stroke of half time, the game swung in Rangers favour as Myhill failed to deal with Cook's low cross and Dexter Blackstock stabbed the ball home to give the R's the lead.



The second half - and again, as you would expect, Hull came out at us and created chance after chance - missing an open goal, hitting the post, hitting the bar, you name it... and although disappointing, it was no surprise when the equaliser finally came on 85 minutes through Elliot. Lee Cook then received his second yellow for speaking out of turn to the referee about a penalty appeal when Furlong was firstly brought down, then a Hull arm caught Cook in the face. His deserved first, for hacking at a Hull player for having the cheek to take the ball off him - Nice one Lee! We just needed you missing for Luton and Southampton...

If things couldn't get any worse and just as we were ready to take a valuable point home, Elliot headed home a free kick in stoppage time to give Hull the victory that in fairness, they deserved.

QPR: Royce, Bignot (Timoska 32), Bircham (Baidoo 60), Lomas, Cook, Kanyuka, Stewart, Jones, Blackstock (Furlong 77), Smith, Mancienne. Subs: Cole, Bailey.

Lofty's Man of the Match - Steve Lomas

This was a bit of a double edged sword for Rangers. If we would have held on to win, it would have no doubt gone down as a hard fought, battling performance. But the fact that we lost in the manner that we did, means that people are now questioning the tactics of trying to hang on to what we had?

Either way, it doesn't mean that I am any less gutted tonight...

©LOFTY

Massive Game...

This post is directed mainly at the gang..

I am more than a bit disappointed that it will only be the normal two travelling to the KC stadium on Saturday.

Come on people, this is a MASSIVE game for our Football Club and we should all be there, not sitting there waiting for the texts to come in - I am calling for you all to make a HUGE effort for this (pay on the day) six pointer on Saturday!

I wonder how many comments I will get for this one? ;)

Enough Said...

©LOFTY

Blackburn Await??

Unfamiliar territory it may have been, but Rangers were in the FA Cup 4th Round draw this afternoon. If we get through our replay with Luton Town, we will be rewarded with the visit of Mark Hughes's Blackburn Rovers at Loftus Road.



Okay, so with respect, it's not a massive game, but a Premiership side nevertheless. But before we get too excited, let's wait and see if we get past Luton first...

©LOFTY

Baidoo Hands Rangers a Replay...

QPR 2-2 Luton

Yet again, I find myself writing the report on a Sunday morning with a slight hangover as after the game, the gang descended on the Grand Junctions Arms in Southall for as always, an excellent gig from Dog Chewed The Handle. An added bonus, was that we were also in the company of Bad Manners frontman, Buster Bloodvessel who was more than happy to have a chat with everyone - lovely stuff!!

But beforehand, the gang that DID actually turn up to the game (stand in a corner Mr Corp!!) saw a typical FA Cup tie. The game had just about everything - farcical conditions, mistakes, bad refereeing, four goals and also, a touch of controversy thrown in!

Rangers were well on top for about 40 minutes with Smith and Cook peppering the Luton goal. We were then wondering just if it was going to be our day when a stonewall penalty was waved away on 17 minutes - Jimmy Smith up-ended in the box by Robinson. But we eventually broke the deadlock on 36 minutes as Blackstock headed home Cook's superb corner!

Luton then did exactly what they did in the league game, and two quick goals had Rangers trailing. Rowan Vine finished well on 44 minutes and just after the break, a defensive mix up saw Feeney stab the ball home from close range. It was then anyone's game but on 76 minutes, Rangers drew level in controversial style. A corner from Cook caused a massive goal mouth scramble and as the defender on the line went to clear, Shabazz Baidoo threw himself into the mix - the ball struck his hand a flew into the net.



It was definitely a case of ball to hand and no way deliberate, but you do see these disallowed. But in a game where as mentioned, a clear penalty was waved away, I will take that gratefully and things do indeed even themselves out at times. But things wouldn't quite be the same in a Rangers/Luton game if Mike Newell didn't have anything to whinge about!

QPR: Royce, Bignot, Mancienne, Stewart, Kanyuka, Cook, Smith, Lomas (Bircham 71), Ward (Baidoo 71), Blackstock, Jones (Furlong 63). Subs: Cole, Rehman.

Lofty's Man of the Match - Lee Cook

So, the 4th Round of the Cup is still proving elusive for the R's, but at least we are in the hat this time round. Overall, I think a draw was about fair on the day but I must be honest and say that on a personal note, a replay was the last thing I wanted. Still, let's see what the draw brings and let's wait and see if we get our traditional Saturday off soon...

©LOFTY

Ray of the Rangers

With the transfer window opening and all the other work I do for Loft for Words/QPR Rivals, I seem to have been permanantly sat at the computer this week.

But it is all in a good cause as I bring the great news that Ray Jones has finally put all the transfer speculation to bed by signing a 3 and a half year deal with QPR.



After the players agent got involved and deal after deal was being rejected, I suspect most of us, including John Gregory, were almost resigned to losing the 18 year old striker.

Great News Indeed and Good Luck Ray!!

©LOFTY

What's That Coming Over the Hill, is it Timoska?

Okay I know, I know, it's terrible ;)

Just welcoming our new signing, Sampsa Timoska.



The following is blatantly cut and pasted from QPR Rivals/Loft for Words... but seeing as I wrote it, I think it's allowed;

John Gregory has made his first signing of the January transfer window and has moved to strengthen the defence. Finnish Defender, Sampsa Timoska has signed from Mypa 47 on an 18 month deal as is all set for a debut against Luton in the FA Cup.

Timoska, who can play at either full back or centre back, has starred in the Champions League this season for Mypa, who were knocked out of the competition in the qualifying stages by FC Copenhagen.

Back in November, Sampsa had an unsuccesful one week trial at high flying Colchester United of which U's boss, Geraint Willaims told their official website;

"Having had a close look at Sampsa, we have decided that at this time there isn't anything we can offer him"

The versatile 27 year old is set for his debut for the R's in the FA Cup Tie at home against Luton on the 6th January 2007.

Gaffer John Gregory has said of his new defender;

"Sami will be a valuable member of the squad and for him to play in London is a dream move. He's versatile and he will go straight into the side."

Welcome and Good Luck Sami!

©LOFTY

Happy New Year!!

QPR 1-0 Colchester

All I can say after this great result is - 'its a funny old game' as Rangers entered the new year in style with a great win over high flying Colchester United.

I don't think even the most optimistic of Rangers fans, especially those who were present at Carrow Road two days ago, could have predicted this outcome. There was also little enthusiasm from a subdued, hungover/ill/tired gang at the pub before the game.

Not only did Rangers win, but it was a decent performance too and we were a mere shadow of the side that practically laid down and died against Norwich and the final scoreline perhaps flattered the visitors in the end. The goal came courtesy of contract rebel, Ray Jones on 36 minutes - a towering header from the outstanding Lee Cook's cross. Rangers went on too create some more great chances as Ward hit the post and Blackstock, Gallen, Jones and Furlong all went close.



Colchester did at times look a decent side and played some good football along the way. But all in all, they were second best to a much improved Rangers side. With not adding to the one goal, it became a very nervy finish but Rangers held on for an important and much needed, three points.

QPR: Royce, Bignot, Ward (Baidoo 59), Gallen, Lomas, Cook, Kanyuka, Stewart, Jones (Furlong 76), Blackstock, Mancienne. Subs: Cole, Rehman, Bailey.

Lofty's Man of the Match - well, so many contenders today. PK opted for the excellent Blackstock. The back four were all outstanding with Mancienne again standing out. But for me, it was Lee Cook who was a constant threat all afternoon and the U's defence never did quite come to terms with him.

I can't say enough just what a great three points this was, especially when you consider how well Colchester are doing. But we also were up against a referee that gave us absolutely nothing and who also deems that two footed tackles are acceptable!

To sum up today, we couldn't have asked for a better start to 2007 so long may it continue!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

©LOFTY