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








Saturday, September 27, 2008

QPR Suffer Ram Raid...


QPR 0-2 Derby

QPR's 100% home record came to an abrupt end this afternoon with two late goals, but in all honesty, it was a comfortable enough victory for the Rams in a game where Rangers were never really at the races...

Well, before I go on, I would like to make a Special mention to 'Corp', who made his first appearance of the season due to a neck injury - Great to see you back mate!

Moving on and after the R's triumph at Aston Villa, the mood became even more upbeat around Loftus Road after the draw for the fourth round of the Carling Cup was made - QPR will now travel to Old Trafford to take on Premier League and European Champions, Manchester United.




This is a fantastic draw for QPR and the game will be played in the week commencing 10th November.

The draw certainly lifted the Loftus Road crowd who were singing in the early stages about the trip to Old Trafford. Of course, many of you will be aware that there was a protest planned today with regards to the increase in ticket prices, this was eventually cancelled after the Football League supported Derby's appeal against their supporters paying £40 and in turn, the QPR fans prices were also returned to normal in the Loft end. Several fans groups have met with the Club and have aired their views, we can only hope now that the Club will actually listen.

Onto the game and many were wondering if we would get an 'After The Lord Mayors Show' type of performance and that, we did. In fact, when reading many of the previews and seeing that Derby had not won away from home in 18 months, there could only be one outcome really...




In an extremely dull first half, Rangers best chance fell to lone striker Dexter Blackstock on 22 minutes following unselfish work from Parejo, but right-back Paul Connelly slid in to stop what looked a certain goal. The second half began lively enough and Rangers went for it early on with Ledesma and Blackstock both hitting the post. But as mentioned earlier, Rangers were never really at the races today and Derby clinched the points late on with goals from Albrechtsen and Villa.

QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon (Leigertwood 70), Hall, Parejo, Blackstock, Buzsaky (Cook 55), Rowlands, Connolly, Ledesma (Agyemang 77). Subs: Camp, Ramage.

Lofty's Man of the Match - another awesome performance from Damion Stewart

To sum up, all credit to Derby. Paul Jewell had obvioulsy done their homework, they were fired up and thoroughly deserved their victory. Personally, I think Iain Dowie got things wrong today with his tactics and his substitutions, especially not to bring off Daniel Parejo who was having a dreadful match - but I'm not starting to panic or start having a go just yet - it just didn't happen for us today.

To finish, well, we have all heard and read about the increase in ticket prices of which Derby at first, refused their allocation and every respect for them for doing so. But the chant from the away end towards the end of the game (to the pigbag tune) of Greedy B******S!! was warmly received from the R's fans that were left in the stadium.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

QPR Rob The Villans...


Aston Villa 0 QPR 1

QPR won a place in uncharted territory and a place in the 4th Round of the Carling Cup, with a sensational 1-0 win at 4th in the Premier League, Aston Villa. The vital goal came in the 58th minute as Damion Stewart superbly headed home Daniel Parejo's cross from the right.


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This was just an amazing night and I can't even begin to sum this one up at 2 in the morning. But what more can anyone say about such a great night and result for QPR!?!? Myself, PK and the Henly mob were all in attendance and we just couldn't stop smiling all the way home! It was a wonderful birthday present for Sam and Leeroy also had the bonus of a 33/1 first goalscorer winner, good on you mate!!

I feel on this occasion, that pictures will speak more than a thousand words...


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Aston Villa: Guzan, Barry, Young, Harewood (Agbonlahor 68), Carew, Knight, Petrov, Shorey, Cuellar, Gardner, Osbourne (Routledge 68).Subs: Friedel, Delfouneso, Davies, Salifou, Reo-Coker.

QPR:
Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon, Hall, Parejo, Buzsaky (Leigertwood 82), Agyemang (Di Carmine 66), Rowlands, Connolly, Ledesma (Balanta 91). Subs: Camp, Blackstock, Gorkss, Ephraim.

Lofty's Man of the Match - Damion Stewart - another awesome performance!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING QPR v DERBY COUNTY


*Agreed Protest*

The following is an article from the Chairman of the QPR fans group, QPR 1st with regards to an agreed protest against the latest ticket price increase. The protest is supported by various other QPR fans groups and now, has the full support of Lofty Heights.


From QPR 1st

Following discussion between representatives of the main fans groups, organisations and messageboards within the QPR Community, it has been agreed that we should call for ten minutes silence at the start of the Derby match.

This Silence will be symbolic of where our club is heading if fans continue to be priced out. At the end of the ten minute silence, we urge everyone to get behind our team at full volume, again to demonstrate the difference between a full stadium and an empty one.

Should QPR score in that 10-minute period, all fans will be encouraged to celebrate per normal but we hope they will return to silence after play commences for the rest of the ten minutes.

This is not a protest against our Board of Directors and certainly not against our squad but against a policy which we believe is misguided and harmful to our Club and its reputation.

We will be meeting with Ali Russell on Tuesday in the hope that common sense will prevail and this protest will be unnecessary. Nevertheless if he continues to refuse to offer any concessions or guarantees on behalf of the Board then the protest will continue as planned.

We would ask all fans to join in this protest and hopefully encourage Ali Russell on a policy which will eventually ensure that for the majority of the exisiting fan base going to matches becomes a luxury that we and our families can no longer afford.


With the game being selected as the main one on ITV's The Championship, this could really work and help put the message out there and I would like to encourage you all to support this protest.

Thank You

Saturday, September 20, 2008

One of Those Days...


Coventry 1-0 QPR

QPR's impressive start to the season suffered a set back with defeat at the Ricoh Arena. A first half penalty by Elliot Ward was enough to seperate the sides in a game that in truth, Rangers shouldn't have lost.

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The writing was on the wall as soon as midday really... myself and PK set off in good time and the ever trusty sat nav estimated a 12.40 arrival, plenty of time for a pub lunch and a couple of beers before the game. However, horrendous traffic on the M1 meant that we didnt arrive until 1.30 - and after the sat nav directed us to the wrong pub all together, we gave up and went to the ground - we just didn't fancy a pre match of morris dancing...

After meeting with the Henley mob, we took a mountaineering expedition to our seats at the top of the away end and the Ricoh was it's same, lifeless self. The picture below is yet more evidence against Rangers moving to a new, bigger stadium at present - the attendance was a reasonable, 16,718.


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Onto the game and Rangers were pretty slow out of the starting blocks and Mikele Leigertwood's foul Jay Tabb gave the home side the chance from the penalty spot. It looked a bit if a dubious one with Tabb going nowhere, but there were little complaints from the R's defenders. Elliot Ward put the Sky Blues in front despite Cerny getting a good hand on the spot kick, it couldn't quite keep the ball from crossing the line.

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Emmanuel Ledesma had Rangers best chance late in the first half, but fired straight at the keeper when one on one. Onto the second half and I don't think we will see Rangers dominate a game as much this season, but without any real end product. Lee Cook, Parejo, Stewart all saw good chances go begging, but the in form Dexter Blackstock missed a golden chance on 75 minutes scooping the ball over from close range following a great cross from Delaney.

QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon, Liegertwood, Blackstock (Agyemang 76), Gorkss, Rowlands, Ramage (Parejo 56), Cook, Ledesma (Buzsaky 53).Subs: Camp, Hall.

Lofty's Man of the Match - Martin Rowlands

In summary, I would put this down to just one of those days where we just didn't get the rub of the green. You couldn't really knock the performance in my opinion, except that we lacked that killer instinct in front of goal and didn't score. We simply dominated proceedings, especially in the second half and didn't deserve to come away with nothing. Myself and PK had a brief but interesting chat with a 'gutted' Gianni Paladini after the game of which I must show respect to our opposition today and not repeat...

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

We Only Need 10 Men...


Norwich 0-1 QPR

Okay okay, so the title is a bit on the cheesy side, but QPR gained a fantastic victory at Carrow Road this evening. A Martin Rowlands free kick on 33 minutes was enough to seperate the two sides - in a game where Rangers played for over an hour with ten men following Matt Connolly's sending off on 28 minutes.




Well due to the pressures of work for PK and minor eye surgery being booked for myself this week, very selfishly if you ask me, neither of us could make the trip this evening. Luckily, the op went very smoothly and I was able to pay a visit to the gym. As I was leaving, I had a text from PK saying that the game was on BBC London Radio, so I eagerly switched on in the car, just in time to hear that Matthew Connolly had been sent off for a second yellow card.

Minutes later, my anger had turned to joy as Martin Rowlands gave the R's the lead from a thrice taken free kick - and after just seeing the goal on SSN, what a fine strike it was too! I returned home and spent the rest of the match trying to eat some dinner, which included more than one finger nail. I have often said that listening on the radio is much worse than being there and tonight was no exception. It was a huge relief when the referee finally blew the full time whistle on a great result and what seemed a thoroughly deserved three points. Rangers are back in fourth place as this wonderful start to the season continues.

QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon,Leigertwood, Blackstock (Agyemang 76), Rowlands, Ramage, Connolly, Cook (Gorkss 29), Ledesma (Buzsaky 81). Subs: Camp, Parejo.


The R's now take their great form away to one of Iain Dowie's former clubs, Coventry on Saturday and normal Lofty Heights service will be resumed. The only bad thing is, that if Rangers continue in this form, the prices will probabaly go up even more...

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Will This Ever End??


I really don't know where to begin with this one?

As extortionate as it was, many have now settled down with the increase in the season ticket prices and are getting on with enjoying the season. But quite astonishingly, the club have now raised the ticket prices again after only six matches of the season!

Fans have criticised the suggestion that they will see an improved product both on and off the pitch this season - the catering is still rubbish in both price and quality, a lick of silver paint is all that seems to have been done in the Loftus Road Stand, the name plates we were promised for our seats as season ticket holders are in fact strips of sellotape and you now cannot put a bet on once inside the stadium?

Despite the club continuingly telling us that we have sold a record number of season tickets, that tickets for home games are in high demand and for fans to 'get in quick' to ensure they see the game, seem not to be true, surprise surprise. With four home games now played, we have yet to sell out Loftus Road.

This is also having a knock on effect as QPR supporters are noticing the ticket prices for away games are starting to increase. Now, you cannot blame them when you think we are charging now between £25 and £40 for them to sit in one of the worst away ends in the division. A classic example, is that of Southampton's small following on Sunday. The Saints continually pack out the away end to the rafters, but could anyone honestly say, that you would pay travelling costs, programme, food and drink costs etc, plus £30 for a Championship match that is being televised?


I don't know when, but there will sadly be a day when I decide to hang up my season ticket for whatever reason and pick and choose the games I go and watch. But, I wanted it to be my choice, not the Club's! It has already got to the point where it has now become VERY difficult for me, personally to bring friends or loved ones to watch a game with me one Saturday afternoon. Where/when is this going to end?

The next paragraph has been taken from an excellent article from Clive Whittingham from Loft for Words...


Derby County, facing the prospect of telling their fans that it will cost them £40 to sit in one of the division's worst away ends, have posted a small story on their official website saying that they have withdrawn QPR tickets from sale because of a stock issue. There is a rumour going around that they're considering refusing the allocation at the ridiculous, scandalous, prices QPR are asking for. I'd would encourage them to do just that. Apologise to their supporters but state clearly why they are refusing the allocation. ITV are featuring the Derby game as their top Championship match that day and the sight of an empty away end in protest at this piss take will speak a thousand words - even more than the pathetic and frankly embarrassing sight of our club's precious W12 and C Club sitting almost totally empty in front of the Sky cameras at the weekend. That's the W12 and C Club that we were so desperate to have we moved season ticket holders from their long held and much treasured South Africa Road seats.

The Club need to be asked some serious questions very quickly...

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Saints Get a Sunday Roasting...


QPR 4-1 Southampton

QPR stormed into the top six of the Championship with a thumping 4-1 win over Southampton, in front of the Sky Sports Cameras at Loftus Road.


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It has been a curse over recent years when the Sky cameras pay us a visit, either at home or away, but that has certainly been well and truly lifted now. But it didn't make it any less stranger than going to watch Rangers on a Sunday afternoon - and in the Premier League 4pm slot too. Some may say that we will get used to it in the future, but I will not get too carried away with that sort of talk just yet. Also, it makes it even less easier sitting down to write this after eating an enormous roast dinner.

With Corp still on his sick bed (get well soon mate!) and the somewhat strange non appearance of California Hoop, Craig joined myself and PK and we had barely sat down before we were up again celebrating after just 38 seconds of the game - the Saints defence failed to clear Gavin Mahon's long throw and Blackstock had time to steady himself and volley home from ten yards out.

If going behind so early was bad enough, the Saints were down to ten men on the half hour as a quite disgusting tackle (I have now seen the replay) by Lancashire on Damien Delaney, saw the Saints debutant given a straight red card. Rangers continued to threaten, but found keeper Kelvin Davis in sensational form, saving brilliantly from Blackstock three times and Damien Delaney.

At one point, it seemed the misses would prove costly for the R's as seven minutes after the break, the 10 men drew level - Lallana burst into the area, collected Simon Gillett's pass and slotted the ball past R's keeper Radek Cerny and into corner of the net. Iain Dowie then rang the changes, reverting to a 4-4-2 formation and nine minutes later, substitute Martin Rowlands' free-kick was nudged home by the offside Damion Stewart ( again, I have seen the replay).


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Southampton keeper Davies was almost single handedly keeping the R's at bay with a further string of fine saves, but Rangers made the game safe on 76 minutes - Cook released Patrick Agyemang and after the striker's shot was blocked by Davis, Blackstock cooly fired home the rebound.

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There was still time for Blackstock to set up Agyemang, who collected his strike partner's pass and shot past Davis to register his first goal of the season.

QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon, Leigertwood, Parejo (Rowlands 59), Blackstock, Ramage, Connolly, Cook, Ephraim (Agyemang 59). Subs: Camp, Gorkss, Balanta.

Lofty's Man of the Match - well, for QPR, Dexter Blackstock. But despite conceding 4 goals, I just can't ignore a fantastic goalkeeping display by Southampton's, Kelvin Davis.


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Well, when was the last time we started a season so well? We are in 4th place in the league after 5 games and have a trip to Aston Villa in the Carling Cup to look forward too! Without wanting to sound too negative, the R's didn't play as well as they can do today by any means. But results are what count at the end of the day and you won't hear many complaints about a 4-1 home win... surely??

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Welcome Damiano Tommasi...


QPR have today announced the signing of Italian midfielder, Damiano Tommasi



The 34 year old former Italian International has signed a short term deal until the end of the season. Tommasi began his career at Serie B side Hellas Verona, before moving to AS Roma. Following 10 years Roma, he joined La Liga side, Levante in 2006 and was released at the end of last season.

Good Luck Damiano and Welcome to QPR!!