retired_blondie_524

Tuesday 8th November 2005

The reserves beat Barnet 4-0 with two goals from Furlong plus efforts from Donnelly and Townsend. After 11 games QPR are two points clear at the top of Reserves Group 5 having only conceded five goals.

Thursday 10th November 2005

The reserves murder Brentford 6-2. Furlong adds another three with Townsend getting two and Rowlands weighing in with one.
Dominic Shimmin and Paul Lancaster have been called up to the England U19's squad to face Holland U19's.
Sebastian Larsson will return to Arsenal in a few days at the end of his loan, he's made 16 appearances but hasn't shown he's worth extending the loan.

Saturday 12th November 2005

Ugochukwu Ukah has been called up to the Nigerian U21 squad to face Romania.
Marc Bircham won his 24th Canadian cap against Saint Vincent and scored the only goal of the game.

Wednesday 16th November 2005

A reserves side undermined by international call-ups managed a 1-1 draw at Dagenham, Townsend scoring the R's goal.
Dominic Shimmin came on as substitute for England U19's and Ukah won his first Nigerian U21 cap when he came on a substitute.
Kilgallon and Larsson return to their clubs after their loans expire.

Friday 18th November 2005

The R's have taken 19 year old Swede Kristoffer Näfer on a three month loan from Õrebro SK.

Saturday 19th November 2005

Queens Park Rangers v Ipswich Town
Coca-Cola Championship

The 18th placed Tractor Boys come to town to face an R's side that showed two changes from the side that won 6-1 on the South Coast. Näfer came in to replace the departed Larsson and top scorer Sturridge is fit enough to sit on the bench after being out since mid October.
Ipswich drew first blood after 10 minutes when the R's defense failed to break up an attack on the left an finally Ian Westlake fired home. The visitors threatened to run away with it then but Lancaster and the defense stopped them dead. Rangers managed to get back into it with five minutes left of the half when Ciullo's cross set Jones up for a last which the keeper could only parry right to Gallen and he rifled it in. Gallen had the ball in the net four minutes later but it was scrubbed off for offside.
QPR piled on the pressure in the second half but their finishing was poor and Ipswich keeper Shane Supple turned in a M.o.M. performance to grab a point for the visitors.
QPR 1-1 Ipswich
QPR scorers: Gallen 40
Ipswich scorers: Westlake 10
Att: 19,125

Wolves remain top after a 3-0 win over Brighton while second placed Sheffield United could only draw 2-2 with Millwall. Palace put five without reply past Crewe and 4th beat 5th as Reading were 2-1 winners against Leicester. That leaves us a point behind in 6th, just ahead of Southampton on goal difference.

Sunday 20th November 2005

Norwich's 3-0 win over Burnley in the TV game sends them 5th above Leicester and ourselves.

Wednesday 23rd November 2005

Queens Park Rangers v Stoke City
Coca-Cola Championship

An unchanged R's side take on the 19th placed side from the Potteries.
The R's throw wave after wave of attacks at Stoke but lacked the final incisive ball until the 42 minute when Näfer's long ball into the box fell just right for Jones to power home a supurb header.
Stoke briefly threatened in the second half but soon faded. The game settled back into QPR dominating but failing to produce an end product. With two minutes left they finally wrapped it up, Gallen’s flat ball across found Sturridge and he fired high into the net.
QPR 2-0 Stoke
QPR scorers: Jones 42, Sturridge 88
Stoke scorers: none
Att: 19,123. [/b]

Winning our game in hand puts us up to 5th, two points clear of Norwich and Leicester but four points behind Reading.

Saturday 26th November 2005

Wolves drew 1-1 at Ipswich while Palace moved back to second with a 4-2 win at Brighton. Sheffield United slipped to third as they drew 0-0 at 4th placed Reading. Both Ipswich and Leicester could only gain away draws too.

retired_blondie_524

Top places in the Coca-Cola Championship

| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1st | | Wolves | | 20 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 38 | 14 | +24 | 43 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2nd | | Crystal Palace | | 20 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 43 | 18 | +25 | 41 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 3rd | | Sheff Utd | | 20 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 37 | 19 | +18 | 40 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 4th | | Reading | | 20 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 25 | 17 | +8 | 38 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 5th | | Q.P.R. | | 19 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 34 | 22 | +12 | 33 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 6th | | Norwich | | 20 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 29 | 17 | +12 | 32 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 7th | | Leicester | | 20 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 29 | 26 | +3 | 32 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 8th | | Southampton | | 20 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 27 | 22 | +5 | 30 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

retired_blondie_524

Top places in the Coca-Cola Championship
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Wolves | | 20 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 38 | 14 | +24 | 43 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Crystal Palace | | 20 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 43 | 18 | +25 | 41 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Sheff Utd | | 20 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 37 | 19 | +18 | 40 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Reading | | 20 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 25 | 17 | +8 | 38 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Q.P.R. | | 19 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 34 | 22 | +12 | 33 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Norwich | | 20 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 29 | 17 | +12 | 32 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Leicester | | 20 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 29 | 26 | +3 | 32 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Southampton | | 20 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 27 | 22 | +5 | 30 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_blondie_524

Sunday 27th November 2005

Coventry City v Queens Park Rangers
Coca-Cola Championship

Matthew Rose had to replace Milanese who's suffering with a stubbed toe while Gareth Ainsworth fills in for Robail and his bruised head.
The Rangers players disgraced themselves on TV as they let Coventry walk all over them. It started brightly when against the run of play Jones took advantage of confusion in the home defense to nip in and slot home but went downhill fast. Lancaster couldn't hang on to Stern John's 23 minute shot and allowed John to poke in his own rebound and then just before half time the defense left John alone to curl one into the top corner from 18 yards
Things didn't improve in the second half even when Coventry keeper Stephen Bywater had to go off injured after 71 minutes. Rangers failed to test reserve keeper Clayton Ince with anything other than Rowland's 20-yard free kick.
Coventry 2-1 QPR
Coventry scorers: John 23, 45
QPR scorers: Jones 13
Att: 27,569

We remain 5th after the defeat but could have closed to within two points of Reading with a win. Sturridge who came on as a substitute has pulled a hamstring and will miss another three to four weeks while Näfer has bruised ribs.

Wednesday 30th November 2005

The reserves draw 1-1 with Oxford despite losing keeper Jake Cole with a groin strain at halftime.

Queens Park Rangers v Liverpool
Carling Cup 4th Round

Royce returned to the net because Lancaster is not eligible to play against his own club and with Cole injured we have no back-up on the bench. Roelandts takes Näfer's place, Rose and Ainsworth continue to deputise for the injured Milanese and Robail.
Kevin Gallen got Rangers off to a flyer against a fairly strong Liverpool side in the ninth minute. Ainsworth flicked Bircham's cross on to Gallen who turned Traoré and fired in his 10th of the season. Cook replaced the injured Ciullo in the 21st minute.
The R's got the perfect start to the second half when Jones nodded down Ukah's long ball straight to Roelandts who sent a 20-yard screamer into the roof of the net. Liverpool got back into it on 51 minutes when Sinama-Pongolle dribbled through the defense and although Royce parried his shot, it was Sissoko who reacted first to poke it in. Sinama-Pongolle turned villain after 68 minutes, booked for pulling Ainsworth back he pushed Ukah over in the ensuing melee and received his second yellow. Substitute Simon Donnelly was tripped by Zak Whitbread in the box with five minutes left and Gallen slotted home the penalty. Liverpool were handed a lifeline in the 90th minute when Bircham pushed Crouch in the area and Peter Crouch got up to score against his old club. Rangers held out through four minutes of injury time to record a wonderful victory.
QPR 3-2 Liverpool
QPR scorers: Gallen 9, 85 pen, Roelandts 48
L'pool scorers: Sissoko 51, Crouch 90 pen
Att: 19,098

Newcastle, Birmingham, Burnley, Chelsea, Palace Middlesbrough and Southampton join the R's in the Carling Cup Quarter-Finals

retired_blondie_524

Thursday 1st December 2005

Kevin Gallen got the third place in the Championship November player of the month award for his revitalized performances since being used as a starting forward while Mathieu Robail came second in the young player of the month award.

Saturday 3rd December 2005

The Carling Cup draw for the quarter finals came out as
QPR v Crystal Palace
Birmingham v Newcastle
Southampton v Burnley
Chelsea v Middlesbrough

Queens Park Rangers v Sheffield Wednesday
Coca-Cola Championship

A real makeshift side hosts 10th placed Wednesday. Royce is rewarded by retaining the keepers jersey while Cook replaces Ciullo, Robail is just about fit enough to fill a bench spot.
The R's wrapped up the points in the first half hour as this match provided precious little entertainment after that. Roelandts' second minute pass found Bircham in space and as everyone backed off him he fired a 30-yard rocket into the top corner. Rangers doubled the lead after 18 minutes when Ainsworth's deep cross into the six yard box was powered in at the back stick by Jones. The points were safe after 25 minutes as Jones outpaced the defense and slipped it across the box for Gallen to slid it in at the far post. Wednesday were shell shocked and although they out shot Rangers they rarely looked like getting anything out of the match.
QPR 3-0 Sheff. Wed.
QPR scorers: Bircham 2, Jones 18, Gallen 25
Sheff. W scorers: none
Att: 19,125

Wolves beat Coventry 1-0 to remain top as Palace drew 1-1 against Ipswich. Reading's 2-0 win at Watford closed the gap on third placed Sheffield United after their 2-2 draw with Burnley. Norwich and Leicester both had 1-0 home wins to keep a point behind R's.

Sunday 4th December 2005

Rangers sign 26 year old midfielder/striker Andrew av Fløtum on a free from Danish side Fermad Amager. Andrew was out of contract and will join when the transfer window opens, he has 21 caps for the Faroe Islands.
The reserves won 3-1 at Swansea with Langley opening the scoring and Nygaard adding two more.

Tuesday 6th December 2005

The third round draw for the FA Cup sends us on our travels to 6th placed Premier League side Newcastle in what should be a money spinner for us even if we have little chance of advancing to the next round.

retired_blondie_524

Wednesday 7th December 2005

Marc Nygaard scores all four goals as the reserves beat Woking 4-0 but Furlong joins the injured ranks with bruised ribs.

Saturday 10th December 2005

Luton Town v Queens Park Rangers
Coca-Cola Championship

Mauro Milanese returned as left back dropping Rose to the bench for the short trip to old rivals, 20th placed Hatters. Näfer and Robail are fit enough to sit on the bench.
Both sides spent most of the game blazing shots high and wide, QPR missed 9 out of 15 while the home side missed 7 out of 12. The lion’s share of possession went to the R's and they drew first blood, Ainsworth waltzed round his man on the wing and delivered an excellent ball to the six yard area for Gallen to head home three minutes from the break.
Rangers looked comfortable in the second half but threw it away on the hour. Royce's aimless clearance was fired back and Steve Howard caught the R's on the break, powering the length of the half and drilling it low under Royce. Another poor display in front of the cameras.
Luton 1-1 QPR
Luton scorers: Howard 60
QPR scorers: Gallen 42
Att: 10,495

Wolves march on with a 1-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday and Palace win 2-0 at Coventry. Sheffield United drew 1-1 at Cardiff while Reading don't play till tomorrow. Norwich (0-1 at Derby) and Leicester 2-1 at bottom club Leeds both lost to give us a bit of breathing space.

Sunday 11th December 2005

Reading drop two points in a 1-1 tie with Plymouth at the Madejski Stadium to leave them behind Sheffield United on goal difference. Both clubs are five points ahead of us.

Tuesday 13th December 2005

Our away game at Palace in March and the home game against Luton in April have both been picked for Sky coverage in 2006.

Queens Park Rangers v Hull City
Coca-Cola Championship

Francesco Ciullo returned to left wing after injury in the only change for the visit of the 11th placed Yorkshiremen.
Hull came with a 4-5-1 formation and packed men behind the ball. The R's hit the post twice before Jones finally broke the deadlock in the 41st minute. Gallen pumped the ball forward and although John Welsh intercepted it, Jones dispossessed him and buried it in the bottom corner.
The R's pressed hard to add to their tally without ever really threatening and paid for it with 18 minutes left. A long clearance found Craig Fagan behind the R's defense at least 5 yards offside but the flag stayed down and Fagan chipped the keeper to steal a point.
QPR 1-1 Hull
QPR scorers: Jones 41
Hull scorers: Fagan 72
Att: 19,134

Wolves continue with a 2-0 win over Luton while Palace thrash Sheffield Wednesday 5-2. Reading's 1-0 win at Southampton lifts them above Sheffield United who could only draw 1-1 with Leeds. Norwich and Leicester both drew as well as the playoff spots race stagnates.
Mathieu Robail suffered a calf strain and will miss another month.

The Coca-Cola Championship Table at the halfway stage

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Wolves | | 23 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 42 | 14 | +28 | 52 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Crystal Palace | | 23 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 51 | 21 | +30 | 48 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Reading | | 23 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 29 | 18 | +11 | 45 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Sheff Utd | | 23 | 11 | 10 | 2 | 41 | 23 | +18 | 43 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Q.P.R. | | 23 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 40 | 26 | +14 | 38 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Norwich | | 23 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 31 | 19 | +12 | 36 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Leicester | | 23 | 11 | 3 | 9 | 32 | 29 | +3 | 36 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Plymouth | | 23 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 28 | 21 | +7 | 34 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Preston | | 23 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 39 | 32 | +7 | 33 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Hull | | 23 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 36 | 29 | +7 | 31 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Southampton | | 23 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 28 | 26 | +2 | 31 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Coventry | | 23 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 25 | 27 | -2 | 31 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Cardiff | | 23 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 21 | 25 | -4 | 31 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Derby | | 23 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 25 | 30 | -5 | 30 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Sheff Wed | | 23 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 41 | 46 | -5 | 28 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Watford | | 23 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 27 | 41 | -14 | 26 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Brighton | | 23 | 7 | 4 | 12 | 28 | 43 | -15 | 25 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Ipswich | | 23 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 31 | 36 | -5 | 24 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Stoke | | 23 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 25 | 35 | -10 | 24 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Millwall | | 23 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 23 | 37 | -14 | 24 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Crewe | | 23 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 28 | 37 | -9 | 22 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Luton | | 23 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 21 | 37 | -16 | 21 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | | Burnley | | 23 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 22 | 42 | -20 | 18 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | | Leeds | | 23 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 26 | 46 | -20 | 16 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_blondie_524

Saturday 17th December 2005

Queens Park Rangers v Millwall
Coca-Cola Championship

For the visit of 20th placed London rivals Millwall Marcus Bignot replaced young Ukah who's given a week off while Näfer comes into the side in place of Roelandts who has a sprained wrist. Langley and Adam Miller get a seat on the bench.
In a dire first half both sides only managed one shot on target despite the R's having 56% of the possession. The only other thing of note was Bircham picking up his fifth booking of the season.
The second half was a total change. Rangers were rocked in the 56th minute when Bircham picked up his second yellow, Millar replaced Bignot and we swapped to 3-4-3. Millwall caught us at a corner 10 minutes later when Livermore was left totally unmarked and although Royce got out to block his first effort, he couldn't stop his second shot hitting the net. Rangers looked shaky after that and it was somewhat of a surprise when De Smet flick put Jones through to fire the equaliser across the body of the keeper into the far corner with five minutes left. Millwall sent their fans into raptures with a minute left as Milanese missed his clearance leaving Barry Hayles to blast home the winner. Rangers weren't done though and deep into injury time Jones put in De Smet who burst clear of the defense to beat the keeper at his near post.
QPR 2-2 Millwall
QPR scorers: Jones 85, De Smet 92
Millwall scorers: Livermore 66, Hayles 89
Att: 19,138

Wolves remain top after a 2-2 draw with Hull, Palace draw closer with their second consecutive five goal haul as they beat Luton 5-1. Reading retain third with a 3-1 win at Stoke. Sheffield United play tomorrow but Leicester's 2-1 win over Preston moves them level on points with us.

Ipswich's 0-4 home defeat to Coventry leaves them 19th and costs Joe Royle his job.

Sunday 18th December 2005

Sheffield United drop two points in a 2-2 draw with Derby leaving them 4th four points behind Reading but still five points ahead of Leicester and us.

Tuesday 20th December 2005

Rowlands and Nygaard scored as the reserves won 2-0 at Wycombe.

Wednesday 21st December 2005

Queens Park Rangers v Crystal Palace
Carling Cup Quarter Final

Adam Miller made his first start in place of the suspended Bircham and Cook comes in for Ciullo who has a bruised thigh. Ukah takes over again at right back after his break.
Palace came at Rangers hard and it was somewhat against the run of play when the R's took the lead after 16 minutes. A fine move between Näfer, Jones and Gallen led to Kevin placing his shot into the bottom corner. The lead lasted barely 10 minutes before Mahouvé handled in the box allowing Dougie Freedman to stroke home the equaliser from the spot.
A backpass from Danny Granville to his keeper on 56 minutes led to Rangers regaining the lead as Jones volleyed the keeper's poor clearance right over his head into the net from 35 yards. It was Jones who seemed to wrap up the tie with 12 minutes left when Nygaard's cross bobbled to him and he fired into the far corner. Palace didn't give up and Hall's deep cross was met by Jon Macken who ghosted behind the defense with two minutes left to give the visitors some hope. Simon Royce made several fine saves in the desperate final minutes before to referee blew up to send QPR into the Carling Cup semi's.
QPR 3-2 C Palace
QPR scorers: Gallen 16, Jones 56, 78
Palace scorers: Freedman 24 pen, Macken 88
Att: 19,118

Joining the R's in the semi finals will be Newcastle who best Birmingham on penalties, Chelsea 2-1 winners over Middlesbrough and Burnley, victors on penalties at St Marys against Southampton.

retired_blondie_524

Saturday 24th December 2005

In an early Christmas present the Semi Final draw for the Carling Cup gives us our deadly West London rivals Chelsea with the first leg at Stamford Bridge. We might have slipped off old moneybags radar at the moment but it wasn't so long ago (well, Ok, it was a few years ago!) that we beat Chelsea 6-1 in the Premiership. A fact that I'm sure our supporters will remind the Chelsea boys about.

Monday 26th December 2005

Reading v Queens Park Rangers
Coca-Cola Championship

A Boxing Day visit to the third placed team saw just one change to the R's side, Bircham returned from suspension and Miller dropped to the bench.
Reading ran the show early on but Royce was in commanding form and they couldn't find a way past him. The R's capitalized on this and against the run of play, Gallen's 41st minute ball over the top of the defense put Jones away to cut into the area and fire home across the keeper.
The Royals looked lost in the second half, their confidence evaporated as Rangers came more and more into the game. On the hour Jones doubled the lead when Cook drew the defense to him before he slipped the ball to Jones who caught the keeper by surprise as he beat him at the near post. Gallen had the luxury of having his 67th minute penalty saved, Brynjar Gunnarsson scored a 25-yard rocket goal two minutes from the end but it was just a consolation.
Reading 1-2 QPR
Reading scorers: Gunnarsson 88
QPR scorers: Jones 41, 61
Att: 24,085

Wolves drew 2-2 at Millwall but still extend their lead at the top as Palace lost 1-0 at Hull. Reading remain third while Sheffield United drew 2-2 at Preston and are now just three points ahead of us. Norwich beat Leicester 1-0 to climb over them into 6th, two points behind us.

The press are full of stories about how Coppell kept his team locked in the dressing room after their defeat to us, nice that for once we stood up to the big boys.

Tuesday 27th December 2005

The reserves racked up another comfortable win, 3-0 against Millwall this time. Townsend added two more to his total while Shimmin scored his first of the season. Ryan Johnson has been moved permanently from the U18's to the reserves as he is showing signs of developing into a quality player.

Wednesday 28th December 2005

Queens Park Rangers v Burnley
Coca-Cola Championship

The end of a busy Christmas program sees us entertain 23rd placed Burnley. Ukah moves to partner Mahouvé in place of Evatt who has a bruised head while Rose fills in at right back. Miller replaced the suspended Bircham, Shimmin and Bean join the bench sitters.
The R's get the perfect start when Jones cracks one in off the bar from 30 yards after only two minutes. Instead of building on that though Rangers eased off probably due to the effects of the busy week. Burnley took control but lucky enough their shots were mostly from distance and wide. The loss of Jones after 36 minutes finished the R's off and it was backs to the wall from then on.
Burnley couldn't find the killer ball until the 70th min when Ade Akinbiyi's chip across the box somehow curled over Royce's head into the far corner. A disappointing result after Monday.
QPR 1-1 Burnley
QPR scorers: Jones 2
Burnley scorers: Akinbiyi 70
Att: 16,294

Wolves suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Reading and Palace went down by the same score at home to Millwall. Sheffield United gained a five point advantage over us again with a 2-1 win over Norwich while Plymouth's 1-0 win over Derby took them sixth.

The big blow is that 16 goal Kenwyne Jones has pulled a hamstring and could be out for some time.

retired_blondie_524

Monday 2nd January 2006

The Transfer window opened yesterday and our three signings arrive, midfielder Bjarki Arnarsson and striker Andrew av Fløtum on frees plus defender Rick Slor who cost £14,000.

Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United
Coca-Cola Championship

The R's ring the changes for the visit of the bottom placed former Yorkshire giants. Rick Slor goes straight into central defense partnering Mahouvé with Ukah moving back to right back. Fit again Ciullo comes back after injury at left wing, Bircham returns after suspension and Av Fløtum plays alongside Gallen, who's making his 400th career league appearance, up front. Arnarsson joins fit again Roelandts and Sturridge on the bench.
The R's looked very lethargic and left Leeds to run the show. They paid for it on 23 minutes when Mahouvé sold Slor short and Dickov nipped in to intercept. He ran clear and although Royce did well to parry his shot, Blake was on hand to tuck home the rebound. Rangers were outshot 9-1 in the first half which I made them quite aware at halftime was just not good enough against a side which has won just three games this season.
Gallen celebrated his 400th appearance by curling a 30-yard free kick into the top corner two minutes into the second half but the R's failed to build on that. It was my turn to keep them locked in the dressing room after the game. One shot out of THREE on target against the bottom side doesn't get you a ticket to the Premier League. Some of the players had better start looking hard at themselves, especially Sturridge who came on for the last 28 minutes and only touched the ball four times.
QPR 1-1 Leeds
QPR scorers: Gallen 47
Leeds scorers: Blake 24
Att: 19,138

Palace's 2-0 win over Burnley took them top on goal difference after Wolves lost 3-2 at home to Cardiff. Reading and Sheffield Utd both had clean sheet away wins, opening up a seven point gap between us and fourth. Plymouth's 2-0 win against Norwich moved them level on points with us and a point behind them are Southampton after their 2-0 win over Preston.

retired_blondie_524

Tuesday 3rd January 2006

Looking to next season we have secured the signature of Roda JC's Moroccan midfielder, 23 year old Mohammed Elberkani on a free when his current contract expired in July. Mohammed is a pacey midfielder who has good passing, dribbling and crossing skills.
Nygaard scored the only goal of the game as the reserves won 1-0 at Leyton Orient.

Wednesday 4th January 2006

Cardiff City v Queens Park Rangers
Coca-Cola Championship

For the visit to the mid-table Welshmen I give the lads a chance to redeem themselves, Roelandts starts in place of Miller and Nygaard replaced Sturridge on the bench.
The worst possible start for QPR when their defense was caught short as Cameron Jerome broke clear and Mahouvé brought him down in the area, Mulryne stepped up to convert the penalty. The R's struggled to keep in the match then as Cardiff carved their defense open several times with the pace of Jerome. Cardiff though handed them a way back in the 35th minute when a sloppy backpass by Koumas ended up in no-mans land and Gallen beat the keeper, Alexander to it, leaving him with a 40 yard pass into the empty net.
Nygaard replaced Fløtum who had picked up a knock at halftime. Mauro Milanese was the story of the second half, hero and villain. In the third minute the R's took a surprise lead when Milanese headed in his first ever goal for Rangers off Slor's inswinging corner. It looked as if R's would win then as the home side posed few problems as the half wore on but Milanese was the villain in the final minute of injury time. A high desperate cross came in and the referee spotted him pull back Jeff Whitley and awarded the spot-kick. Darren Purse kept his nerve and slotted home the equaliser with the last action of the game.
Cardiff 2-2 QPR
Cardiff scorers: Mulryne 2 pen, Purse 93 pen
QPR scorers: Gallen 35, Milanese 48
Att: 21,968

It's 10 games unbeaten now for R's but too many of them have been draws, six out of the last eight. Southampton's 1-0 win at Derby gives the fifth place above us while Plymouth's 1-0 loss at Preston keeps them below us. Wolves regain top spot with a 2-0 win at Burnley while Reading move up to second by beating Palace 2-1.