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








Friday, August 31, 2007

Place Your Bets...


QPR v Southampton

Well, the gang and I have deliberated, cogitated and digested the possible outcomes of tomorrows game and we can see nothing other than a Rangers win;


PK - 3-1 to Rangers and Rowlands to score first

Corp - 2-1 to Rangers and Rowlands to score first

DJ - 3-0 to Rangers and Blackstock to score first

Lofty - 2-0 to Rangers and Sahar to score first

As always, these selections can be either doubles or individual bets, Happy Punting!!

Welcome Leigertwood


QPR have confirmed the signing of Mikele Leigertwood from Sheffield United. The 24 year old has signed a 3 year deal with the R's and can play in either defence or midfield but it is highly likely that John Gregory has brought him in to bolster the R's midfield following the injury to summer signing, Simon Walton.



The fee is in the region of £900,000, however the club haven't mentioned this, or how the transfer has been funded, in their press release today. This serves as unofficial confirmation that the takeover has gone through.

Welcome and Good Luck Mikele!!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

A Wonderful Gesture


John Gregory and the entire QPR Squad have requested that this Saturday, every QPR player involved in the game against Southampton will wear a shirt with 'Ray Jones' name on the back in tribute to the young striker who sadly died on Saturday. In addition the 31 shirt which Ray wore last season is to be retired by the club.



Everyone at QPR must be congratulated on both a wonderful and fitting gesture!

Rest in Peace Ray

Saturday, August 25, 2007

RAY JONES 1988-2007


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Ray Jones 1988 - 2007


'those we have held close to our hearts, will be there forever.' - Lofty


Rest In Peace


Monday, August 20, 2007

Is This It???


QPR's board of directors have resigned ahead of an expected takeover by a group that includes Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore.



Gianni Paladini will stay on as chairman, but Kevin Steele, Nick De Marco and James Ferrary have all resigned.

Fingers crossed, it looks like it's all GO GO GO!!!

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Worrying...


QPR 0-2 Cardiff

Apologies for this report being much later than the norm, but after the game, the gang descended on the Brook House for the excellent 'Dog Chewed The Handle' gig, and what a great gig it was too! I did attempt to write the report this morning, but after watching the goals on the Championship, and having a slightly sore head, I decided that I would leave reliving the misery until this evening.


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

It just goes to show that a week in football can be an incredibly long time. This time last week, it was all positive and there was clear disappointment that we only got a point at Bristol after playing them off the park. So what happens, a week goes by and we are out of the Carling Cup, the Briatore takeover was off and we are facing administration again and yesterday, we were totally outplayed by Cardiff in what was not only disappointing, but also a very worrying defeat.

Well, on arrival at the ground, the talk amongst the gang and indeeed plenty others, was of the Flavio Braitore takeover and that it is now a done deal. The Formula One influence brought an interesting comment from Corp about how Rangers will be carrying out substitutions from now on. But seriously, I really hope that the latest news is true because us QPR fans certainly deserve some good news! No more so than after this latest performance.

Slack defending gifted Cardiff both their goals from Maclean and Parry, but it was no more than they deserved. Rangers had good spells at the start of each half and you never know, if Stefan Moore's shot would have gone in instead of hitting the post, it may have been a different story. But that was about it, and some terrible finishing from Cardiff meant that Rangers started the second half still in the match and you can certainly see why they have brought in Fowler and more recently, Hasselbaink.

QPR: Camp, Stewart, Mancienne, Bolder, Nardiello (Nygaard 63), Blackstock, Rowlands, Moore (Ward 63), Curtis, Ephraim, Rehman. Subs: Cole, Bignot, Cullip.

Lofty's Man of the Match - well this is a definite first for Lofty Heights but in truth, I can't honestly pick an R's player worthy of the award when one of the visitors had such a great match - former R's winger, Trevor Sinclair.

To sum up, if Rangers would have got anything from the match, it would have been a travesty. Cardiff were well organised and played as a team and Rangers performance was one of individuals. As mentioned with the pre season games expecially, the team is lacking width and that final ball into the final third. We need to go to Burnley now to kick start this season and hopefully we will be able to - on the back of a successful takeover during the week.

But, this is QPR we are talking about, does anything go smoothly or normal with this Football Club?

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Lofty Bet No 3...


QPR v Cardiff

Well, if you have followed our selections so far, you would have huge dents in your wallet's/purses. I can only apologise and repeat what PK texted me earlier about our optimism..


if Rangers followed the way we bet, we would win the league by Christmas and Blackstock would have the golden boot!


Despite Tuesday's debacle, we have all remained surprisingly positive and all back the R's to turn things around. A bit simpler also because we all have gone for the same scoreline -

QPR to win 2-1

All but one of us have the same first scorer too, Dexter Blackstock. Corp/Al has however, selected Adam Bolder.

As always, these can be individual bets or doubles, HAPPY PUNTING!!

The law of averages means that we will get one right one day! ;-)

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

'O' Dear...


QPR 1-2 Leyton Orient

Rangers consistant poor cup form continued tonight as we crashed out of the Carling Cup at the first attempt, to League One side, Leyton Orient and I must add, how they deserved it too!!


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Well, the night started badly enough as the news filtered through, via text, from an excellent and relaible source, that the much publicised Flavio Briatore takeover of the Club, had fallen through. If that wasn't bad enough news, news of further possible reprecustions followed, of which I won't dwell on here for now. On arrival home, the statement on the Official QPR Website confirmed that there indeed is truth in the rumours. The Statement reads;

Antonio Caliendo, Chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd, has made the following announcement:

"There have been many rumours spread in the newspapers recently about QPR.

"The Club is not for sale."

Antonio Caliendo
Chairman, QPR Holdings Ltd

*The Club will be making no further comment at this stage.


Myself and the gang felt so deflated at this point, that I even fancied going on home... and I so wish I had now!

Following the excellent performance on Saturday, the build up was full of talks about Cup runs etc. John Gregory also announced he would be making changes for the game, some enforced. Well, we got the changes...

To be completely fair, Orient were well worthy of their win and goals from Demetriou 54 and the impressive Boyd 63, gave the O's the advantage following nine, mad second half minutes for Rangers. The yet again, outstanding Martin Rowlands reduced the arrears on 68 minutes. But despite a flurry of late corners, in which we saw Lee Camp in the opposition box, Orient held on for a thoroughly deserved win.

QPR: Camp, Bignot (Curtis 81), Cullip, Mancienne, Bolder, Rowlands, Moore (St Aimie 64), Bailey, Rehman (Stewart 81), Ward, Nygaard. Subs: Cole, Timoska.

Lofty's Man of the Match - Martin Rowlands

Not a lot to sum up really. Okay, some may say we can do without the Carling Cup, but it would have been nice to have some sort of cup run!? But with that in mind, I would have dearly hoped we would have drawn a big side, so I wouldn't be forced to sit in South Africa Road again. Someone of 6ft 4 stature has trouble enough getting both cheeks of my backside on the seat and managing to keep my legs in, then to have to sway side to side as the ball travels behind the big pylons that you literally can't avoid anywhere in the stand.

As for the betting feature, shall we give up now lads? ;-)

Lofty Bet...


QPR v Leyton Orient, Carling Cup 1st Round

Here are mine and the gangs seletions for tonights game. Can be done as individual bets or doubles, depending on how brave you are;


Lofty - QPR to win 2-0, with Marc Nygaard the first goalscorer

PK - QPR to win 2-1, with Danny Nardiello the first goalscorer

Corp - QPR to win 3-1, with Martin Rowlands the first goalscorer

DJ - QPR to win 3-0, with Danny Nardiello the first goalscorer

HAPPY PUNTING!!

Saturday, August 11, 2007

The Late Show...


Bristol City 2-2 QPR

How good it is to be back!? A stoppage time goal from Damion Stewart earned Rangers a point against newly promoted Bristol City. A draw was the very least that the R's deserved in what was a very entertaining start to the new season!


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

The car was full for the trip as PK, Corp, Phil and myself made the trip to the West Country, made all the more difficult by a balloon festival in Bristol and our pre match was extremely delayed by heavy traffic. So we decided on going straight to the ground to have a pre match beer and arrived to our third disappointment of the day - no beer on sale and no bookies! (a good job in hindsight after reviewing our predictions). The first disappointment was the demise of my ever trusty and many a saviour, sat nav, which fell off the windscreen in the hot weather and smashed onto the gear stick. :-( The second was the non appearance of Ben Sahar, who we later found out had been rushed into hospital Friday night with an appendicitis and will be out for up to 4/5 weeks. Get well soon Ben!!

So equipped with bottles of water, we took our seats and got ready for the season to start. As you would expect from a newly promoted side, Bristol were well fired up and were soon putting the R's under pressure. But Rangers soon settled down and started to look dangerous coming forward. Rowlands free kick was brilliantly saved by Basso, but on 32 minutes, City took the lead - Camp didn't get enough on Johnson's shot and the ball bounced over the line. But the lead was short lived as just two minutes later, Blackstock broke through to poke the ball over the keeper to send the 2,000 travelling fans wild. Just before half time, Rangers had a strong penalty appeal turned down after Carey appealed to handle in the six yard box.


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

The second half was dominated by the R's and the chances were soon being carved out. Rehman's shot was blocked in the 6 yard box, Rowlands saw a shot hit the post and shortly after, saw his curler come back off the underside of the bar. He later beat three players before being denied the goal his performance deserved by a great save by the substitute keeper.

Just as the game looked set to end at 1-1, Scott Murray unleashed a stunning curler in the 89th minute to give City what they must have thought was an opening day win. But Rangers never say die attitude rose to the surface once more, as Rowlands free kick was nodded back by Nygaard to Stewart, who headed home in stoppage time. However, there was still time for Camp to save Rangers a point, by tipping Elliot's shot round the post.


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

QPR: Camp, Rehman, Stewart, Mancienne, Curtis, Rowlands, Bolder, Bailey, Moore, Blackstock (Nygaard 69), Nardiello (Ephraim 59). Subs: Bignot, Cullip, Cole.

Lofty's Man of the Match - a close call as Michael Mancienne and Damion Stewart were colossal at the back for Rangers. But I am sticking with my original nomination for the oustanding, Martin Rowlands.

To sum up, I couldn't help feeling just a tad disappointed with the result as Rangers second half performance could have seen us winning comfortably. But as previously mentioned, the never say die attitude and comebackability Rangers are now showing under John Gregory, is refreshing to say the least.

So, after a pretty uneventful journey home, helped by some PSP entertainment (thanks Phil), I am home now to settle down, write this report and look forward to Match of the Day which is just starting, and another disappointment - Gary Lineker still presents it!! :-(

IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK!!!

Friday, August 10, 2007

Rangers Borrow a Hammer...


Rangers have today signed midfielder Hogan Ephraim on a one month loan from West Ham.



The 19 year old who played 21 games on loan to Colchester last season, goes straight into the squad for tomorrows opener at Bristol City.

WELCOME AND GOOD LUCK HOGAN!!

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Fancy a Flutter?


This was highly tipped to be a new feature after mine and the gangs considerable success at the bookmakers, at QPR games towards the end of last season.

Although not everyone found the time or took the trouble to reply to my text, here are mine and some of the gangs predictions for Saturday's opener away at Bristol City. The only problem is, at this stage, I can offer no odds. Although a QPR win is generally being given at 11/5 across the various bookies.

Each bet could be taken as two singles or one double, depending on how brave or indeed, flush you are...


Lofty
- a 3-1 Rangers win with Ben Sahar scoring the first goal.

Corp - a 1-0 Rangers win, Martin Rowlands the scorer

PK - 1-1, Dexter Blackstock the first scorer.

DJ - a 2-1 Rangers win and Ben Sahar the first scorer.

HAPPY PUNTING!! ;-)

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Sweet and Sour...


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

I'm not normally one to gloat after seeing my beloved team winning football matches. But after Fulham took the lead, we had to sit and endure chants of 'easy, easy', 'We are Premier League' and the ridiculous 'one nil on your cup final!?!?!' - from the small band of Fulham fans. So, Rangers turning things around in this final friendly against our big spending neighbours - made the result even sweeter!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

The result was somewhat soured though with the injury to new signing Simon Walton. Simon's studs seem to stick in the ground following a challenge and it is suspected that he has indeed broken his leg. We should find out more in the next 48 hours following X Ray results - Get Well Soon Simon!!


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Just myself and Corp turned out for this one, after PK was busy with family duties and DJ choosing to watch on Santana/Sultana/Banana/SE-TAN-TA/Setanta Sports. But it proved a wise decision indeed as Rangers played their best football of the pre season and it was hard to see just which side had spent £22 million in the summer.

In the Fulham line up, was former R's winger, Lee Cook, who in general, got a good reception from the Rangers fans. Sadly, a small minority decided that they would boo his every touch. Rangers started the game the brighter with Bolder and Walton dominating the midfield but yet again, all that was missing was the final ball.

Then on 11 minutes, some shocking defending gave Fulham the lead. David Healy nodded Dempsey's cross back across goal, Stewart froze to let McBride steal in to poke the ball home. But Rangers got the goal they deserved on 58 minutes. Ben Sahar, who has been so impressive througout the pre season, twisted and turned into the box before firing the ball into the top corner.

Following a further chance from Moore, Rangers went deservedly ahead in the 68th minute. Adam Bolder robbed Dioup of the ball, which fell into the path of Sahar who calmly slotted the ball under substitute keeper, Warner. The Fulham support then went surprisingly quiet for the remainder of the game. Half chances for both sides follow but Rangers held on for a much deserved victory.

QPR: Camp, Rehman, Mancienne, Stewart, Barker (Bignot 76), Rowlands (Simmonds 82), Bolder, Walton (Bailey 17), Moore (St Aimie 90), Blackstock (Nygaard 72), Sahar (Nardiello 69). Subs: Cole, Shimmin, Baidoo, Timoska.

Lofty's Man of the Match - a few contenders for this one, with Rowlands and Bolder again impressing in midfield. Stefan Moore had a decent game on the right wing and Chris Barker also had a fine match at left back, supporting Rowlands at every opportunity. But for his performance and this time, his two goal, it goes to - Ben Sahar.

To sum up, this was a very good night for Rangers. The front pairing of Blackstock and Sahar were causing all sorts of problems for Fulham's defence and I will be very surprised if these two didn't start at Ashton Gate next week. Martin Rowlands and Adam Bolder bossed the midfield throughout and Chris Barker was solid defensively and was continually making runs into the attacking third.

Okay, so the defending for the goal was awful and the injury to Walton certainly looks like it will keep him out of action for some time. But there were so many positives to outweigh the negatives... and let's face it, if I was a Fulham fan, I would be extremely worried now about the season ahead.

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Summer Breeze...


Harrow Borough 0-3 QPR

Goals from Marc Nygaard, Adam Bolder and Shabazz Baidoo gave Rangers a comfortable victory against Harrow Boro at Earlsmead.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

A lovely summer's evening brought out another healthy Rangers following but surprisingly just two from the gang, myself and PK. PK however was rewarded for his loyalty late in the evening and managed to grab an exclusive interview with Rangers season long loanee, Michael Mancienne as he walked to the dressing room following his substitution on 78 minutes.

I will break from the match report now for the interview...

PK - Michael, when are you signing?

Michael Mancienne - Thursday!


We would like to thank Michael for his time in giving us this interview!

Anyway, back to the game and I am sure that most Rangers fans would have enjoyed this one as in truth, it was a bit of a mismatch and Rangers dominated. It was also a great chance to see most of the first team sqaud because every Rangers player that started the game was replaced.


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

QPR: Lee Camp (Jake Cole 45), Zesh Rehman (Marcus Bignot 78), Michael Mancienne (Dominic Shimmin 78), Damion Stewart (Chris Barker 68), John Curtis (Sam Timoska 68), Stefan Moore (Kieron St Aimie 55), Simon Walton (Stefan Bailey 71), Martin Rowlands (Adam Bolder 45), James Simmonds (Shabazz Baidoo 60), Marc Nygaard (Dexter Blackstock 62), Ben Sahar (Danny Nardiello 71).

Performances of note again came from Mancienne, Rowlands and Bolder. Sahar's movement and touch was again a joy to watch and trialist James Simmonds looked extremely lively on the left hand side and probably has done enough to get a run out at some point agaisnt Fulham on Friday.