retired_blondie_524

The Coca-Cola Championship Table at the end of December

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Bolton | | 27 | 17 | 8 | 2 | 41 | 21 | +20 | 59 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Q.P.R. | | 27 | 18 | 3 | 6 | 49 | 28 | +21 | 57 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Sheff Utd | | 27 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 34 | 28 | +6 | 44 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Crystal Palace | | 27 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 39 | 28 | +11 | 43 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Leeds | | 27 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 31 | 23 | +8 | 43 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Hull | | 27 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 33 | 30 | +3 | 43 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Norwich | | 27 | 12 | 6 | 9 | 42 | 30 | +12 | 42 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Preston | | 27 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 42 | 34 | +8 | 42 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Cardiff | | 27 | 12 | 6 | 9 | 49 | 44 | +5 | 42 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Leicester | | 27 | 12 | 5 | 10 | 41 | 35 | +6 | 41 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Coventry | | 27 | 13 | 2 | 12 | 34 | 37 | -3 | 41 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Birmingham | | 27 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 34 | 23 | +11 | 39 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Portsmouth | | 27 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 44 | 46 | -2 | 39 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Plymouth | | 27 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 36 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Nottm Forest | | 27 | 10 | 6 | 11 | 35 | 36 | -1 | 36 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Millwall | | 27 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 29 | 28 | +1 | 32 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Stoke | | 27 | 6 | 13 | 8 | 30 | 34 | -4 | 31 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Ipswich | | 27 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 30 | 32 | -2 | 29 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Watford | | 27 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 29 | 39 | -10 | 28 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Derby | | 27 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 31 | 36 | -5 | 27 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Sheff Wed | | 27 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 37 | 56 | -19 | 26 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Crewe | | 27 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 30 | 48 | -18 | 21 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | | Oldham | | 27 | 5 | 6 | 16 | 24 | 46 | -22 | 21 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | | Bradford City | | 27 | 5 | 5 | 17 | 25 | 51 | -26 | 20 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_blondie_524

Monday 1st January 2006

I have won the Championship Manager of the Month award for December after the R's won five out of their seven games last month. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's goal against Leeds was voted the second best goal of the month but Jimmy Floyd worries me. He won't sign a contract extension at the moment and I fear the worst which is a shame as Jimmy's experience could really help us if we get to the Premiership.

Portsmouth v Queens Park Rangers
Coca-Cola Championship

In the first of two back to back games with Pompy I restored Lopes to the forward line and Rimkus to left back while Marcel Mahouvé gets the chance in Ciullo's right midfield spot.
The match was pretty poor in truth with chances at a premium. In a dour midfield battle the game was won by a flash of skill in the 52nd minute. When midfielder Gary O'Neill picked up the ball outside the area the defense failed to close him down as they were distracted by the run of Lua Lua. O'Neill spotted this and connected just right sending a curling 25-yarder into the top corner.
Portsmouth 1-0 QPR
Pompy scorers: O'Neill 52
QPR scorers: none
Att: 19,336

Bolton once more got the drop on us as they thrashed Crewe 4-1 while Sheffield United closed up with a 2-0 win over Stoke. Palace remained in 4th by beating Preston 2-1 and Cardiff's 2-0 win at Leicester took them 5th.

Tuesday 2nd January 2007

The reserves travel to Aldershot reserves who are in trouble as early as the 6th minute when they are reduced to 10 men. Rangers eventually win 6-0 with a hat trick for Baidoo and goals from Bailey, Cresswell and Nygaard.

Saturday 6th January 2007

To try to help our right midfield problem we have signed 24-year old Estonian international midfielder Aleksandr Dmitrjev. He cost us an initial £40,000 from FC Levadia, rising to £85,000 depending on promotion and goals scored.
Matthew Hislop who we sold to Colchester a while back has been transferred to Crewe, netting us £22,000 as part of the sell-on clause.

Sunday 7th January 2007

Queens Park Rangers v Portsmouth
F.A. Cup 3rd Round

For the second time in a week we faced Portsmouth, this time in the FA Cup live on BBC. Lacombe is suspended following his fifth yellow so Stefan Bailey takes over and Dmitrjev makes his debut alongside him.
Portsmouth were the most inventive side in the first half but their finishing was wayward, they spurned several good chances to go ahead.
Hasselbaink instead produced a flash of magic two minutes into the second half; he picked up the ball out wide and launched a vicious curling shot which ended up in the far corner. Portsmouth still looked dangerous and it was no surprise when Mbesuma waltzed through the defense in the 63rd to slot home the equaliser. Rangers looked like they might have to settle for a replay at best when substitute Debuchy limped off three minutes after he became the last substitute used but R's struck lucky in the last few minutes. Bischoff's cross cum shot was semi-blocked by the keeper and Baidoo poked it home in the ensuing melee.
QPR 2-1 Portsmouth
QPR scorers: Hasselbaink 48, Baidoo 87
Portsmouth scorers: Mbesuma 63
Att: 14,222

The win came at some cost, Debuchy has sustained fractured ribs and Hasselbaink twisted his ankle. Both of them could be missing for a month at a vital period when we're trying to wrap up our promotion bid.

retired_blondie_524

Tuesday 9th January 2007

QPR will play away in the F.A. Cup 4th round against the winners of the Southampton v Palace tie.

Saturday 13th January 2007

Queens Park Rangers v Nottingham Forest
Coca-Cola Championship

Rangers returned to league action with a home game against 15th placed Forest. Cresswell took the place of the injured Hasselbaink while Lacombe returns to the side after his suspension. Ainsworth gets the injured Debuchy's spot on the bench.
Rangers dominated the game and held Forest without a single shot. Trouble was the R's only managed to get three out of their shots on target themselves. Robail only lasted 5 minutes before leaving the game with a fractured arm, further adding to our injury list.
QPR 0-0 Notts Forest
Att: 19,120

Despite the loss we creep a point closer to Bolton after they lost 1-0 to 22nd placed Oldham. Sheffield United's 1-0 win at Crewe moves them to within eight points of us. Palace continued in 4th with a 1-0 win at Wednesday while Hull's 3-0 win over Birmingham left them 5th.

Tuesday 16th January 2007

The reserves chalked up yet another win as they beat Bristol Rovers reserves at Loftus Road thanks to first half goals from Baidoo and Nygaard.

Thursday 18th January 2007

Despite fielding several U18 team players the reserves handed out a 5-0 thumping to Grays reserves. Marc Nygaard and Stefan Moore tallied two each and U18 winger Ray Jones finished off the rout.
The reserves have now gone 22 games unbeaten this season, racking up a +66 goal difference (75-9) in the process.

Following Southampton's win on penalties at Palace in their cup replay the R's will face Premier League side Southampton in the 4th round.

Jake Cole has broken his hand in training and will miss the best part of a month, making him the fifth first team squad member out with a serious injury.

Saturday 20th January 2007

Birmingham City v Queens Park Rangers
Coca-Cola Championship

For the visit to 13th placed City Paul Lancaster takes over in goal from the injured Cole. Ciullo returns after injury to take the place of the injured Robail while Adam Miller took Elberkani's seat on the bench.
Birmingham started brightly but were caught on the break after a quarter of an hour. Lopes broke down the wing and although Melchiot headed away his cross, Lacombe fired it back into the area and Lopes tucked it away. Birmingham deservedly leveled on 36 minutes when the defense was drawn to Gray on the wing with the ball. He slipped it to the unmarked Forssell who crashed it home from just inside the area.
The home side suffered a blow seven minutes into the second half when Julien Gray was red carded for going in late on Janocko. Just after the hour Rangers stole the win when Lopes flicked the ball into the path of Cresswell and he fired across his marker to bury the ball in the top corner for his first of the season.
Birmingham 1-2 QPR
Brum scorers: Forssell 36
QPR scorers: Lopes 14, Cresswell 62
Att: 29,814

Bolton paced us with a 2-0 win over Derby and Sheffield United beat Oldham by the same score. Fourth placed Palace lost ground as they only drew 2-2 against Coventry.

retired_blondie_524

Wednesday 24th January 2007

With a side weakened again by first team call-ups and injuries the reserves traveled to Watford reserves. Despite being behind twice the reserves battled back and Stefan Moore snatched the 3-2 win with 20 minutes left, Nygaard getting the earlier two goals.
VÃ*tor has twisted his ankle in today's match and as he will be injured for the remaining part of his loan we have sent him back to Manchester United. He scored two goals for the first team in six substitute appearances.

Friday 26th January 2007

Bolton have strengthened their promotion bid by snapping up Fulham's striker Darryl Duffy for £5.25M. He has recently scored 13 goals on loan at Cardiff.

Saturday 27th January 2007

Southampton v Queens Park Rangers
F.A. Cup 4th Round

For the visit to Premiership Southampton Paul Lancaster continued to deputise for the injured Cole and Ortiz took the right wing slot with Ciullo moving back inside.
Southampton looked bight early on before the R's came back into it as the half wore on. Rangers were unlucky to fall behind midway through the half when Lee Miller lost De Silva just outside the area and fired in a volley, which Lancaster will be rather disappointed to have let go in off his near post.
Rangers were deservedly back in it eight minutes into the second half after Cresswell burst through the hone defense and was chopped down by former R's favourite Nigel Quashie in the box. Ciullo calmly dispatched the penalty into the far corner of the net. Substitute Baidoo put Rangers behind the eight ball when his sloppy pass back to Bischoff was intercepted by O'Connor, leaving Bischoff no alternative but to bring him down and pick up the straight red for it. The 10 men battled on and had a few chance
to win it but we'll settle for a replay at Loftus Road.
Southampton 1-1 QPR
Soton scorers: Miller 24
QPR scorers: Ciullo 53 pen
Att: 15,693

Bolton got a 3-0 hammering off Spurs in their tie while Charlton were held 2-2 by League One Swindon. Sheffield United won 3-1 at Premiership Sunderland and non-league Kidderminster were unlucky to go down 2-1 at West Brom.

Monday 29th January 2007

Rangers today added three players, one now and two at the end of the season. Feyenood's Danish 26-year old left back has been signed for an initial £50,000 while AS Roma's 24 Italian striker Alessandro Tulli has agreed to join us on a free at the end of his contract. Tulli has spent last season on loan at Serie B side Triestina scoring 15 times in 28 appearances. 25-year old Dutchman Joos Van Barneveld is also joining on a free from Fortuna Sittard; he is an attacking midfielder who has 17 goals in 116 appearances for them. Forest have signed our 18 year old defender Matthew O'Connor for £10,000.

retired_blondie_524

Tuesday 30th January 2006

Bolton Wanderers v Queens Park Rangers
Coca-Cola Championship

For the tough away trip to 1st place Bolton Patrick Mtiliga made his debut and Ortiz replaced the suspended Bischoff. Ciullo moved back to right wing and Mahouvé takes his central midfield spot.
Bolton were operating a strangely conservative 4-1-4-1 formation which contributed to a rather dull an lifeless first half with Bolton getting the only two shots on target.
Rangers were solid at the back and finally got the breakthrough just after the hour. Janocko threaded the ball down the left for Cresswell and as he burst through the defense, he fired low and hard across the keeper into the far corner of the net. Bolton still didn't really step up and the R's wrapped up the points with five minutes left when Ortiz flung a high ball deep into the six-yard box and out of the cluster of players and keeper that went up for it, substitute Thorne was the one who got the contact to squeeze it into the net. Bolton had to wait until the final minute for their best chance but Kevin Nolan's crashing 30-yard drive came back off the bar.
Bolton 0-2 QPR
Bolton scorers: none
QPR scorers: Cresswell 63, Thorne 85
Att: 28,017

The magnificent win moves us to within a point of Bolton while Sheffield United's 1-1 draw with Hull gives us a 10 point cushion over third. Coventry are up to 4th after a 5-2 win at Forest as Norwich only draw and Palace lose.

Wednesday 31st January 2007

The reserves get their 22nd win of the season, a comfortable 3-0 win over Millwall reserves. Goals came from Miller and Gallen in the first half with Thorne scoring in the last minute to complete the scoring.

Saturday 3rd February 2007

Queens Park Rangers v Sheffield United
Coca-Cola Championship

Having seen off 1st placed Bolton, Rangers returned home to try to do the same to third placed Sheffield United with an unchanged squad.
Rangers started off well in this game, opening the scoring in the 36th minute when Mahouvé's 30-yarder came back off the post and Lopes was on hand to tuck in the rebound.
It got better two minutes into the second half after Janocko fired in a 20-yard free kick. Then it all fell to pieces, four minutes later Kabba crossed and Doughty got ahead of Shittu to pull one back. Three minutes from time it was De Silva's turn to lose his man and allow Dickson Etuhu space to head in an undeserved equaliser. Lopes had two second half goals scrubbed for offside but Rangers had to settle for the draw.
QPR 2-2 Sheffield United
QPR scorers: Lopes 36, Janocko 47
Sheffield scorers: Doughty 51, Etuhu 87
Att: 19,128

Bolton don't play till tomorrow at Preston so temporarily at least the Rangers take over top spot on goal difference with Sheffield left ten points behind. Coventry's 3-1 win over Birmingham maintains their fourth spot while Portsmouth's 2-0 win at Leeds takes them 5th ahead of Norwich who lost 1-0 at Derby.

retired_blondie_524

The Coca-Cola Championship table as at February 3rd 2007
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Q.P.R. | | 32 | 20 | 5 | 7 | 55 | 32 | +23 | 65 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Bolton | | 31 | 19 | 8 | 4 | 47 | 25 | +22 | 65 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Sheff Utd | | 32 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 42 | 31 | +11 | 55 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Coventry | | 32 | 17 | 3 | 12 | 48 | 42 | +6 | 54 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Portsmouth | | 32 | 15 | 7 | 10 | 54 | 48 | +6 | 52 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Norwich | | 32 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 46 | 33 | +13 | 50 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Crystal Palace | | 32 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 44 | 33 | +11 | 50 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Hull | | 32 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 39 | 33 | +6 | 50 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Leeds | | 32 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 34 | 28 | +6 | 50 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Cardiff | | 32 | 14 | 7 | 11 | 60 | 52 | +8 | 49 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Leicester | | 32 | 14 | 7 | 11 | 49 | 41 | +8 | 49 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Plymouth | | 32 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 39 | 37 | +2 | 45 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Preston | | 31 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 45 | 39 | +6 | 44 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Birmingham | | 32 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 40 | 32 | +8 | 43 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Ipswich | | 32 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 38 | 38 | 0 | 39 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Nottm Forest | | 32 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 39 | 44 | -5 | 39 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Millwall | | 32 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 32 | 36 | -4 | 36 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Stoke | | 32 | 6 | 15 | 11 | 37 | 46 | -9 | 33 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Watford | | 32 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 36 | 47 | -11 | 33 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Derby | | 32 | 7 | 11 | 14 | 35 | 43 | -8 | 32 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Sheff Wed | | 32 | 8 | 6 | 18 | 40 | 63 | -23 | 30 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Oldham | | 32 | 7 | 7 | 18 | 32 | 54 | -22 | 28 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | | Bradford City | | 32 | 7 | 6 | 19 | 33 | 61 | -28 | 27 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | | Crewe | | 32 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 36 | 62 | -26 | 22 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_blondie_524

Sunday 4th February 2007

Bolton only manage a 0-0 draw at Preston but it's enough to move them back to the top of the table by one point.

Wednesday 7th February 2007

The reserves racked up yet another win as they turned over Swansea reserves 3-0. Gallen scored early on and after Swansea were reduced to 10 men two minutes into the second half Moore and Thorne added goals in the last 10 minutes.

Saturday 10th February 2007

Queens Park Rangers v Southampton
F.A. Cup 4th Round Replay

Jake Cole is fit enough to take over in the net again but Lopes is suffering from a bruised rib so Gallen comes in for his first start of the season. Patrick Mtiliga has had a course of injections to allow him to play with a bruised shin.
Rangers enjoyed a good first half against the cup holders and took the lead with a Janocko 25-yard free kick four minutes from half time. The one black spot was the loss of Ciullo just before the break meaning we had to play Elberkani on the wing out of position.
Southampton finally drew level on the hour as Elberkani lost the ball near halfway and three passes later it was in the net. Janocko then turned villain with a dreadful backpass which left Cole stranded as Lee Miller lobed him from 40 yards. Two goals in the last 10 minutes gave the scoreline a flattering look but the cup holders go on to meet Newcastle at home.
QPR 1-4 Southampton
QPR scorers: Janocko 41
Soton scorers: O' Connor 59, Miller 74, Ormerod 83, Prutton 89
Att: 11,258

Peter Thorne has joined the ranks of the injured with strained knee ligaments which will probably see him miss most of the rest of the season.

Bolton took advantage of us not playing to move four points clear again by beating Hull 2-0 at the KC stadium. Sheffield United stay third despite crashing 3-0 at Derby as Portsmouth and Coventry swap places following the South Coast side's 3-2 win at Coventry. Leeds climb to 6th with a 4-0 win over Millwall.

retired_blondie_524

Monday 12th February 2007

Wigan signed Freddy Eastwood from Southend at the end of August for £675,000 but have failed to give him a start since. He turned down several other offers to join us on a three month loan; he has four goals in nine reserve outings for Wigan this season.

Tuesday 13th February 2007

Leicester City v Queens Park Rangers
Coca-Cola Championship

Almost fit again Hasselbaink partners new boy Eastwood up front. Rimkus replaced Mtiliga who is still bothered with his bruised shin, Robail is pressed into service at right wing despite being only 85% fit.
Leicester were the architect of their own destruction in this match starting as early as the third minute. Lacombe pressurized Kisnorbo into heading Janocko's cross into his own net and Kisnorbo compounded it all by managing to pick up two yellow cards in the next half hour to leave the home side struggling on with 10 men.
The Leicester fans stared on in disbelief as seven minutes into the second half Ben Wright and keeper Frank Fielding got themselves into a terrible mess and Wright added City's second own goal. Leicester made their third fatal mistake in the final minute when Nils-Eric Johansson dwelt far too long on the ball just outside the area and substitute Cresswell nipped in to notch Ranger's third.
Leicester 0-3 QPR
Leics scorers: none
QPR scorers: Kisnorbo OG 3, Wright OG 52, Cresswell 90
Att: 32,275

Bolton remained four points ahead as they beat Wednesday 2-0 while Portsmouth's 3-0 win over Millwall took them third on goal difference above Sheffield United who beat Preston 2-1.

retired_blondie_524

Wednesday 14th February 2007

The reserves 25 match unbeaten run came to an end at Cardiff. Adam Miller put the R's ahead early on but two from Alan Lee and one from Rhys Weston before the hour mark sealed the reserves first defeat. Bailey pulled one back in the last five minutes but the reserves record drops to 23-2-1.

Saturday 17th February 2007

Queens Park Rangers v Norwich City
Coca-Cola Championship

For the visit of the 8th placed East Anglian side Ciullo returned to midfield after his latest injury and Lopes also returned to partner Hasselbaink. The bench takes on a whole new look as Paul Bignot gets his first seat alongside Eastwood and Mahouvé displaced from the starting XI and Miller, impressive in recent reserve games.
In a drab first half Rangers seemed content to sit back and let Norwich do their worst. Both sides could only manage one shot on target each, unfortunately Norwich's shot was Andreas Johansson's 20-yard free kick five minutes from the break which went flew into the top corner.
Rangers didn't pick up till the last 10 minutes when they finally started to carve the Norwich defense open and Gallacher in the visitors net had to make two brilliant saves from Eastwood to preserve their lead. Too little, too late, a poor lacklustre performance from R's.
QPR 0-1 Norwich
QPR scorers: none
Norwich scorers: Johnansson 40
Att: 19,121

Bolton are now seven points clear of us following their 1-0 win at Coventry. Portsmouth's 4-1 win at Palace moves them to within 7 points of us as they try to break into the automatic promotion race.

retired_blondie_524

Wednesday 21st February 2007

Queens Park Rangers v Plymouth Argyle
Coca-Cola Championship

This is our game in hand so we must win this to claw Bolton back. Lopes after some poor performances between injuries drops to the bench, replaced by Freddy Eastwood in the only change.
All the recent injuries seem to have taken their toll on us, many of the retuning players seemed well below par in this poor match. Plymouth were allowed to dominate, we were just lucky that they weren't good enough to take advantage of that.
QPR 0-0 Plymouth
Att: 15,183

The disappointing result still leaves us with six points to catch up on Bolton and Sheffield United moved level with Portsmouth after their 2-1 win at Hillsborough in the Steel City derby.

Thursday 22nd February 2007

Jake Cole has broken a finger in training and will miss most of the rest of the season; our promotion bid rests on the shoulders of Paul Lancaster now.

Saturday 24th February 2007

Bradford City v Queens Park Rangers
Coca-Cola Championship

The visit to 23rd placed Bradford must get our season back on track. Lopes replaced Hasselbaink who dropped to the bench and Ainsworth replaced Robail at right wing. Mtiliga came back into the left back spot following his injury.
Rangers got the perfect start after 10 minutes when Ainsworth's deep cross found Janocko on the far side of the six yard box. He turned away from his markers, spun round and fired a snap shot into the roof of the net. Bradford suffered a blow after the half hour when Maghoma was dismissed for aiming a kick off the ball at Lacombe. With under 10 minutes left of the half Lacombe's threaded ball put Eastwood behind the defense and his first goal for the club doubled our advantage.
The second half Bradford tried to make a comeback but Lancaster was on fine form and the game was up when Hall became the second City player dismissed for an off the ball incident.
Bradford 0-2 QPR
Bradford scorers: none
QPR scorers: Janocko 11, Eastwood 36
Att: 6,708

Bolton play Ipswich tomorrow so we're only three points behind at the moment. Both Portsmouth and Sheff. Utd remain on our tail as they both win and Palace's 4-0 win at Palace leaves them at the head of three teams on 57 points.