Top of the League, I'm having a Laugh...

Just checked the current Leaderboard of the QPRNet.com's Fantasy Rangers Competition. Click the link below...

QPRNet.com Leaderboard

I have a nosebleed

One of the Reasons...

... why I no longer post about England games on Lofty Heights;

ISRAEL 0-0 ENGLAND

Enough said I think...

Double Good News...

John Gregory has beaten the loan deadline by minutes to sign Wolves midfielder Rohan Ricketts on loan until the end of the season.



Rohan can play in 7 of our remaining 8 games as the term of his loan means that he cannot play against Wolves in our final away game.

And there is more good news as Zesh Rehman has joined League One Brighton on loan until the end of the season.

Such a Perfect Day...

Leicester 1-3 QPR

Rangers finally got a result that their performance deserved with a morale boosting and impressive away win against the Foxes - including a 'goal of the season' contender from Marc Nygaard. Yes, I did say Marc Nygaard.



Myself, PK and Corporate(Al Murray) made the trip to the impressive Walkers Stadium today and to pass the time during the easy journey, we had a small wager on a prediction competition - on the outcome of today's games in the Championship. I managed to get 6 correct, Corp 4 and PK 2... who was later downgraded to 0 points as despite knowing the result of the previous night's Southampton v Colchester clash, he amazingly predicted it wrong!! Sorry PK, I just couldn't leave that out ;-)



So after a drink and a catch up with friends at 'The Counting House', it was onto the game and a dullish first half saw Leicester create the better chances and Lee Camp had to be at his best to keep them out. Rangers slowly came into the game and on the stroke of half time, Nygaard shot wide which had the whole Rangers end thinking he had scored.

But it wasn't long before we were celebrating as Idiakez headed home Nygaard's knock back to give the R's the lead. Four minutes later and we were in dreamland as Maybury tripped Furlong in the box and the R's had a penalty for the second game running. A confident Nygaard picked up the ball and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way to send the travelling support into raptures.



On 68 minutes, the game was all but safe as Camp's goal kick was flicked on by Furlong to Nygaard, who lashed an unbelievable volley into the Leicester net from 30 yards out. The Rangers fans celebrations were of both delight and total disbelief and we were well on the way to three valuable points. Hume pulled a goal back from the spot in injury time but I don't think any R's fan in the ground was overly bothered as the final whistle sounded shortly afterwards - except maybe us three who had 3-1 at 33/1 on our betting slip.

QPR: Camp, Mancienne, Cullip, Stewart, Bignot, Bolder, Ainsworth (Smith 89), Idiakez (Lomas 63), Cook, Furlong (Ray Jones 84), Nygaard. Subs not used: Cole, Kanyuka.

Lofty's Man of the Match - and to be honest, I never ever thought I would be saying this - Marc Nygaard

Well, as mentioned, it was great to finally get a result that our performance deserved and days like today, are what being an R's fan is all about! The travelling support so deserved a day like this! We were also rewarded with results going majorly in our favour as Southend and Leeds drew 1-1, Barnsley lost 4-1, Luton lost at home, Hull lost and Burnley also were beaten which yet again meant that our stay in the bottom was a temporary one.

It must also be mentioned that the gang collectively got the match forecast and result right at the bookies too - CHING CHING!!

As the title says... such a perfect day!

Ram Raid...

Derby 1-1 QPR

Rangers gained a more than creditable point away at high flying Derby, but yet again, it has the feeling of a defeat. We were just three minutes away from a fantastic evening - Rangers were comfortable and leading through Martin Rowlands 14th minute goal, when Darren Moore equalised for the Rams and what with other results going against us, we fall back into the bottom three.



Well, first thing this morning, there were 3 of the gang making the awkward midweek trip to Pride Park. PK was the first to bow out around lunchtime, followed by myself after a late call out from work and then Corporate(Al Murray). I had pre-arranged an early finish from work especially, which leaves me convinced I am sure the powers that be know I am going to football!!

So, not for the first time this campaign, we were all set for a nerve racking evening with the BBC London commentary. Again, I must just have a quick moan at the FA people who arranges these ridiculous midweek fixtures - this season has been especially bad.

However, Graham SB of www.footballchants.org, was at Pride Park and although disappointed, has given us a run down. There were outstanding performances from Lee Cook, Steve Lomas and despite being barracked by the travelling support, Marc Nygaard. Not suprisingly, he also mentioned that we had yet another diabolical, card happy referee.

He went onto say that although Rangers were well worth a point with pretty a decent performance, we were fully deserving of all three. A comment which was backed up by SB's Derby supporting brother in law.

Thanks for the call 'SB'

QPR: Royce, Bignot, Cullip, Rowlands (Rowlands 27), Lomas (Smith 90), Cook, Stewart, Idiakez, Furlong (Jones 83), Nygaard, Mancienne. Subs: Cole, Kanyuka.

SB's Man of the Match - Steve Lomas

If given the choice of taking a point from Derby before the kick off, I have no doubt that many Rangers fans would have said a BIG yes! But with the reports of Paul Merson on Sky Sports, BBC London Radio and now, SB, you just cannot help being disappointed. The last 2 games have seen 2 good performances, but just 2 points on the board.

There has also been a distinct lack of comments too... it is all getting too much for everyone!?

In Case Anyone Missed It....

A Point or a Defeat?

QPR 1-1 Sheffied Weds

This is beginning to sound all too familiar! Another 'must win' game, another decent performance from the R's, a shocking referee and sadly and more importantly, another disappointing result.

Due to the previous night's birthday celebrations, the pre match was a bit more subdued than normal. But all of the gang seemed upbeat, especially after the signing of Idiakez and I was confident that Rangers would give me birthday present of 3 points. It must also be mentioned that the celebrations continued to the Grand Junction Arms for the excellent 'Dog Chewed The Handle' gig. Special mention to Jill, Lucy, Martin and Michael!



Just how this game was not won by half time was anyones guess as Rangers dominated proceedings. It was just our luck also that Iain Turner was having a blinder in the Wednesday goal. Blackstock and Idiakez both saw efforts brilliantly saved, Cook hit the bar and Furlong shot inches wide.

But in the second half and with their first chance of the game, the Owls took the lead through Chris Brunt on 56 minutes. It was the one mistake the back four made in the game and it cost us dearly as Brunt arrived unchallenged to poke the ball home from Tudgay's flick on 56 minutes.



The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Rangers and you could see the heads had clearly gone down. But on 72 minutes, we were given a lifeline when Nygaard was bundled over in the box and Martin Rowlands cooly slotted home the resulting penalty.



Rangers then threw everything but the kitchen sink at Wednesday but despite chances coming thick and fast, we just couldn't find our way through and three precious points went begging.

QPR: Camp, Bignot, Cullip, Bolder, Rowlands, Cook, Stewart, Idiakez (Ainsworth 67), Furlong, Blackstock (Nygaard 60), Mancienne. Subs: Royce, Kanyuka, Smith.

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

Other result's going against us made the result even more disappointing. But all was missing from the performance was the killer instinct in front of goal which is making it even more frustrating. With the next two games away from home, it highlights the desperate need to win the home games which sadly, we are not doing.

Football certainly can be a strange game - where a decent performance feels like a defeat.

Birthday Present!!

I've got to the point when Birthday's are no longer a reason for celebration... However, Rangers have given me a great present today by signing Inigo Idiakez from Southampton on a one month loan deal.



I am being greedy now, but could I also have 3 lovely points too please?

Destiny...

Maybe I have got it wrong? Maybe our destiny is NOT in our own hands?

Tonight's Result - Hull 2-5 Ipswich

We are out of the bottom three!

Maybe we shouldn't play more often?! ;-)

Missed Opportunity...

Ipswich 2-1 QPR

It just had to happen didn't it? Ipswich had failed to score in the six previous games leading up to this one, in a run that had pulled them deep into the relegation scrap. But today they got two as Rangers yet again failed to capitalise in a game that was there for the taking!

Three of the gang made the easy trip to Portman Road today as we welcomed back 'Corporate' for a rare away day, hoping that the R's would give him 3 birthday points(Happy Birthday mate!). His nickname may well be looking to change shortly as before the game, he was compared greatly to comedian 'Al Murray' for his stand up routine ;-)

As for the game, it was yet again a question of what might have been? Rangers were dominant in the first 20 minutes or so and were denied two first half penalties from one of the worst referees we have seen this season. The inevitable then happened on 26 when Lee headed the home side ahead on 26 minutes.



Rangers then lost their way and Lee Camp was almost single handedly keeping the Tractor Boys at bay. But on 54 minutes, Walters latched onto a through ball and made it 2-0 - which ultimately led to a great deal of frustration aimed at the bench from the away end - 'we want our Rangers back!', 'there's only one Furlong' and 'we'll never win with one up front' were being chanted... as well as a large majority aiming insults at Chairman Paladini.



Paul Furlong joined the proceedings shortly after and pulled a goal back on 72 minutes - Rowlands shot from the right hit the post and Furs hammered home the rebound. More baffling decisions followed from referee Lewis and in injury time, Paul Furlong again went close, despite being clearly pulled back and the referee waving away yet another penalty appeal.

QPR: Camp, Cullip, Bolder, Ainsworth (Furlong 63), Rowlands, Lomas (Smith 82), Cook, Stewart, Timoska, R Jones, Mancienne. Subs: Cole, Moore, Kanyuka.

Lofty's Man of the Match - Lee Camp

To sum up, it wasn't the worst performance in the world, but without doubt, it was another missed opportunity as amazingly, results went our way yet again. But we just cannot continue to rely on this and next weeks home game against Sheffield Wednesday is yet another 'must win' game!

Despite the disappointment, there were some positive vibes coming from the lads from 'tractorboys.com'. In having a natter with them after the game, they were extremely complimentary about the football Rangers played. They were also more than impressed with the travelling R's faithful and stated - 'that's how to support your team away from home!'

Also, I must just say how great it was to finally meet up with Leeds based R's fans Vickie, Joe and Paul. After forgetting their match tickets and also getting lost on the way down, it was a shame that they couldn't have had a happier journey home!

p.s. Thanks for the tickets Gaz!