Lofty Heights... 'Ohhh Bobby Zamooooora!!!'

A look at Queens Park Rangers F.C. through the eyes of the fans - follow us on twitter @loftyheights70, @LoftyQPR and @qprleeroy








Sunday, July 29, 2007

Wycombe 0-1 QPR


A stunning 25 yard free kick from Martin Rowlands on 40 mins, was enough to beat a determined Wycombe side in a dull game at Adams Park.

Time after time, I keep asking myself why I bother with friendly games and today was no different. But with all the transfer activity this week, I suppose there was extra appeal and it's always nice to be going to football again after several boring Saturday afternoons! Myself, PK and nephew Craig made the easy journey up the A40 and our pre match was enjoyed in the very welcoming Scores bar at the Stadium.

We got into the ground just before kick off and what a welcome sight it was to see Lee Camp run into the Rangers goal. The 22 year old keeper got a fantastic reception from a very healthy Rangers following.

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Onto the game, and as you may have guessed, it wasn't one for the purists. Wycombe had much the better chances in the first half but Martin Rowlands stole the show with a stunning free kick into the top corner on 40 minutes.

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The second half saw a flurry of substitutions but the outstanding Camp had to be at his best to keep out Jermaine Easter. There isn't really much else to say about the game itself, but the new boys all seemed to settle in well. Nardiello was quiet on the right wing, but after a shaky start, Simon Walton looked composed alongside the again excellent Adam Bolder. Mancienne and Curtis both had decent games at the back, but the best of the new bunch for me was Ben Sahar. Despite a distinct lack of service, his touch and running off the ball, looking for space is quite superb.

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QPR: Lee Camp (Jake Cole 65), Michael Mancienne, Dominic Shimmin (Sam Timoska 56), Damion Stewart, John Curtis (Zesh Rehman 79), Danny Nardiello (Stefan Moore 56), Adam Bolder, Simon Walton (Stefan Bailey 86), Martin Rowlands, Dexter Blackstock (Marc Nygaard 79), Ray Jones(Ben Sahar 56).

Lofty's Man of the Match - Martin Rowlands

Okay, so it was only a friendly and a win is a win. But much like the Celtic game, there was plenty of good passing and movement from defence and midfield, but again, that killer ball in the final third and the service to the front men was sadly lacking. Two more friendlies to come, let's wait and see...

Friday, July 27, 2007

Welcome Simon Walton...


QPR took their spending to half a million pounds this Friday afternoon with the signing of Simon Walton from Charlton for £200,000.



The 19 year old midfielder has put pen to paper on a 3 year deal and becomes John Gregory's seventh signing of the summer.

WELCOME and GOOD LUCK SIMON!!

Camp Comes Home...


QPR have made their biggest signing of the summer so far with goalkeeper Lee Camp arriving from Derby for £300k on a three year contract.

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Well, another great Rangers transfer saga comes to a close and I think even the most optimistic of R's fans may have given in on this one. Camp has enjoyed two successful loan spells with QPR in the past.

WELCOME HOME and GOOD LUCK LEE!!

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Sahar Signs...


QPR have signed 17 year old striker, Ben Sahar on loan from Chelsea.



The Israeli International has signed an initial 3 month loan deal and looks set for a debut against Wycombe on Saturday.

Welcome and Good Luck Ben!!

Friday, July 20, 2007

Mancienne Returns...


Michael Mancienne has rejoined QPR on a season long loan from Chelsea.



The 19 year old defender had an outstanding 7 month spell with the R's last season and went on to make 30 appearances.

Welcome Back and Good Luck Michael!

Thursday, July 19, 2007

So, What Happened to £10 million???


Well, the Lee Cook transfer saga is finally over as he has signed for neighbours, Fulham for £2.5 million - the fee could potentially increase to £4.5 million.



Amazing though, when you think that just before the last transfer window, Gianni Paladini put a £10 million price tag on his head. Okay, so perhaps that was a bit optimistic, but there is no doubt amongst the majority that yet again, due to the Clubs perilous financial situation, that we have let another quality player go 'on the cheap'.

However, a not so great deal for Rangers is a great one for Cook, who is now a Premiership player earning Premeiership wages. It must be mentioned that Cook has waved his slice of the transfer fee so Rangers can benefit.

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING COOKIE AND GOOD LUCK FOR THE FUTURE!!!

Sunday, July 15, 2007

A Comfortable Afternoon for Celtic...


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So, the first report I have had to write for a few months and sadly, I am writing about a crushing defeat in what was a comfortable afternoon for the Scottish Champions. Although the result was very disappointing, I suppose you have to keep at the back of your mind that this was only a friendly and was Celtic's fourth compared to our first and the evidence was there for all to see. There for all to see also, was as always, the huge following of Celtic supporters. The R's turnout was a tad disappointing if I am honest, but some people just don't do friendlies and I guess the tickets were a bit on the pricey side too.


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But despite everything, it was great to be back and a great chance to get a look at our new signings. But as the teams were read out, it was obvious that John Gregory was using the game as a bit of an exercise as a lot of the presumed first choice players were left on the bench.

The game began lively enough with both sides playing some good football. But Celtic went in at half time with a two goal lead with a fortunate goal from Caponi, who's shot swerved a decieved the unlucky Jake Cole, who had earlier saved a penalty (which I think the large Celtic support won for them) from every reporters nightmare, Venegoor of Hesselink. Brown added the second on 38 minutes with a well taken finish.

Onto the second half and if I sat here going through all the team changes, I will be writing this report forever. But to sum up, Celtic largely controlled proceedings and added 3 more goals to their tally. Two more for Venegoor of Hesselink and one for Macdonald. But the highlight of the half and the best goal of the day, was a superb solo effort from young starlet, Kieron St Aimee.

QPR First Half - Cole, Curtis, Stewart, Shimmin, Barker, Ward, Bolder, Bailey, Rowlands, Nygaard, Moore.

QPR Second Half - Cole, Timoska, Stewart (Cullip), Shimmin (Rehman), Barker (Howell), St Aimee, Bolder, Bailey (Cochrane), Rowlands (Baidoo), Blackstock (Arthur), Nardiello

Lofty's Man of the Match - Adam Bolder

I think it's probably best not to dwell too much on this one and let's not forget that Celtic were good opponents and today played some decent one touch football. Rangers did okay but seemed to lack that killer ball in the final third.

The new boys did pretty well with Curtis shining at right back and Barker looking solid on the left. Nardiello showed some decent touches and I don't think it will be too long before he hits the back of the net for us. I must also mention that despite conceding 5 goals (and some may blame him for one of them), Jake Cole put in a more than creditable performance in the R's goal.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Harrow Boro Friendly...


Rangers have replaced the Shrewsbury friendly with a trip to Earlmead and a tie against Ryman League, Harrow Borough.



The game will take place on Tuesday 31st July, kick off 7.45pm - unless of course, that in the meantime Harrow Boro don't get a better offer!?

I'm not bitter, really! ;-)

Monday, July 09, 2007

'Impractical'


Shrewsbury have cancelled the friendly between us that was scheduled for the end of July. Apparantly, as part of a player transfer deal, Manchester City had agreed to officially open their new stadium but the only date they offered to play them was on Wednesday 1st August - just 24 hours after our fixture. As they state it 'impractical' to have two back to back fixtures, it has been decided that our game is to be cancelled.

So, in the English Dictionary, does impractical mean the following?...

'had a better offer'

'something better has come up'

or...

'let's wait and see if a Premiership side is available'.

Bitter, who's bitter? ;-)