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This is my first story, so be paitent, any critism or praise is welcome.
I was heading down to loftus road for an interview with the Q.P.R chairman about the availible managerial place. Ian holloway was recently sacked after a poor pre-season. I was nervous. I had to leave my post as Nottingham Forest manager, after relegation to League 1. I was ashamed of my self to let my supported club, who used to be european champions, down into the third teir of english football. I arrived at loftus road, the chairman greeted me, and we started talking, he eventually bought oput the contract, i agreed to sign. I would have £85K to spend on new players.
After my first training session, i had to pick out the players who most impressed me. Stephan Moore, a 21 Year old striker, who joined for free in the summer from aston villa. He was quick and had great finshing. And the other that stood out was Mark Bircham, a DMC from Canada. He was promising.
The Friendlies were all organised for me, we had to go to Crawley for my first game with the lads. Crawley 1 - 0 Q.P.R
I fielded a average team, the didnt play very weill as we crumbled 1-0 to crawley, who to be fair, played quite well. Daryl Clare scored the goal. Gareth Ainsworth went off injurd but it was only minor.
Burscough 0 - 3 Q.P.R
This was a much better performance from the lads. I fielded a stronger team for this game. Paul Furlong got himself 2 goals and Stefan Moore got the other one. Youngster Jake Cole was in goal, and he was excellent. but i would still be looking for a new keeper.
Q.P.R 5 - 0 Livingston
What a performance!. We were terrifc again. Although, Livingston were a poor team in truth. Yhey would have difficulties staying up in the SPL. Furlong, Moore and Rose got the goals. Next up was rangers.
Q.P.R 3 - 0 Rangers
This was the highlight of pre-season. Beating the Champions 3-0. Paul Furlong again with 2 and Kevin Gallen with 1. I was so happy with the way things were going in pre-season.
Gloucester 0 - 4 Q.P.R
Our final pre-season game ended in emphatic style, Paul furlong with a hat-trick, to take his pre-season tally to 9 goals!!. A Tom Webb own Goal gave us the 4th goal, to round off an excellent Pre-season. I was looking forward to the Start of the season.
I made 2 Signings in the Transfer Market: Tony Caig, GK - £50K - Newcastle United Adam Green, DL - 6 Month Loan - Fulham
It was now time for the season to begin. We had a tough home game again last years play off hopefulls Derby County.
Q.P.R 3 - 1 Derby County
This was an excellent performance from us. We totally Dominated Derby from the whistle. It took us 17 minuites to get going, Paul furlong with a header at the far post from a Richard Langley corner. Derby replied 1 minuite later. Tommy Smith, Heading in from 3 yards. 10 Minuites later, we took the lead again. Paul Furlong again on 28 minuites with a 20 yard piledriver. We went in at HT 2-1 up. 5 Minuites in to the second half, Derby defender, Andrew Davies, was sent off for violent conduct. This was a boost for us as they were down to 10 men. Derby held out well for 20 Minuites, but then we capitalised. Stefan Moore on 69 Minuites with a 10 yard shot, it beat Lee Camp in the goal. We went out winners 3-1. A great start to the season.
Q.P.R 2 - 1 Luton Town
It was another home game against Newly Promoted Luton Town. This wasnt going to be Easy. It took us Half an hour to break Luton down, on 31 Minuites, That man again, Paul Furlong got a goal from 12 yards. 9 Minuites later, Stefan Morre, got his 2nd Goal of the season. These two were linking well together. On 73 minuites, Luton Town replied, with a goal from Rowan Vine. It was getting tense. Luton had a goal Disallowed in the 92nd Minuite. We won the game 2-1. We went up to 2nd in the championship.
Hull 3 - 1 Q.P.R
This was the worst first half performance i had seen as manager. We were 3-0 down in the first 12 minuites. Goals from Fagan (4), Elliot(8) and McPhee(12). we replied on 16 minuites with a well worked goal from Stefan Moore. This wasnt good enough if we wanted to get to the premiership. Next up was Burnley away.
Burnley 2 - 2 Q.P.R
We played very well in this game, dispite going 1-0 down in the first 6 mins. Kyle Lafferty with the goal for the clarets. On 35 minuites, that man, stefan Moore got an excellent equilaiser, with a 25 yard shot. We went in 1-1 at half time. I told the players that they culd win the game, and the start to the second half was briliant. Stefan Moore with his 5th of the season out us 2-1 up. we held out well until the 83rd minuite. Gifton Noel-Williams scored with a close range header. I was gutted, but we got a point away from home which was good.
Nice one !! :thup:
Being an R's supporter it's nice to see a story about them, I can't do one because I get too emotionally involved - look forward to following this
Shrewsbury Town 1 - 3 Q.P.R
I knew before the game that it wasnt going to be. We had a terrible first half an hour, we went 1-0 down after 27 minuites after a goal from Colin McMenamin. But we replied well, on 41 minuites, Paul Furlong scored with a header at the near post. We went in at half time with the score at 1-1. I made 3 subsitutes at half time. New signing adam green replaced Mauro Milanese, Richard Langley replaced Martin rowlands, and Dean Sturridge replace Paul furlong. It remained 1-1 and we were forced into extra time. We started it well, Dean sturridge shooting from 10 yards in to the bottom right hand corner to make it 2-1. To wrap the game up. Dean Sturridge scored again on 118 minuites to put us through in the Second Round of the Carling Cup.
Q.P.R 1 - 1 Plymouth
This was a game i was expecting to win. we were unbeaten at home and i was looking forward to the game. We made a flying start. Paul Furlong scoring after 18 seconds. We were outstanding throughout the first half. The second half started badly, Nick chadwick got the equiliser on 50 minuites. Tony pulis must of given the a kick up the arse at half time. We had chances to win the game but didnt take them. It finshed 1-1.
Crystal Palace 2 - 0 Q.P.R
I wasnt expecting much today. Palace are a quality side and are tipped for promotion. it took 45 minuite for Palace to break us down. Clintom Morrison broke the offside trap and cleanly finished. 1-0 at half time. On 54 Minuites, Marco Riech scored a header at the far post. Palace had most of the possesion. We were totally out classed today.
Q.P.R 1 - 2 Stoke City
This game would be difficult. Stoke are one of the promotion contenders this season. It was a hard fought game until the 39th minuite, Sambegou Bangoura slotted home a shot after good work by darrel Russel. We went in 1-0 down at half time. It took us 69 Minuites to get the equiliser. Marc Bircham with a fanstastic free kick pulled us level. We had so many chances stopped by Stoke 'Keeper Steve Simonson. Then, a killer blow, Bruce Dyer cooly slotted home an effort after getting round the defence. This was disappointing but the show must go on.
Leeds United 3 - 4 Q.P.R
This was a thrilling match to watch. The goals started on 22 minuites when Richard cresswell scored from close range. Stefan Moore got the equiliser 4 minuites later, and 2 minuites before half time, he got his second to make it 2-1 to us at half time. We made an excellent start to the second half. Paul Furlong on 58 minuites made it 3-1. Sean gregan got a goal back on 62 minuites, from a free kick. On 87 minuites, Cresswell got his second to make it 3-3. I thought that was it. But, on 93 minuites, Richard Langley headed the ball home to give us all 3 points. Our first win in 6 games.
Q.P.R 2 - 2 Coventry
I was hoping that we could capitalise on the away victory at leeds. But no game is easy. Coventry were 11th and we were 14th. so it was a middle of the table clash. Paul Furlong opened the scoring for us on 25 minuites to make it 1-0 at half time. Coventry came out all guns blazing in the second half. on 53 minuites, Q.P.R old boy, Andy Impey scored in his return to Loftus road. Coventry DOminated possesion, until the 85th minuite. Youngster Stefan Bailey,17, on his debut scored what i thought would be the winner. We couldnt hold on. on 86 Minuites, Gary McSheffery equilsed and meant the Cov went home with a point.
Carling Cup 2nd Round
Blackburn Rovers 2 - 3 Q.P.R
This was the best result so far this season. It was a horrible first half. The first goal came from Mikele Leigertwood(35). The second goal came from Balckburns new signing from Start - Ben Wright(38). We went in 2-0 down at half time, and had no hope for the second half. I said the the players that they should play for pride. and they gave me pride in the second half!. We got a goal back from Paul Furlong on 79 minuites. This gave us the confidence to push forward. And he got his second on 90 minuites. I couldnt beleive it. We were going to extra time - or so i thought. It was one last attack from us, And Paul Furlong was there agian with his Hat-trick. it send our fans wild. A great comeback from 2-0 down against a premiership side. Im delighted with my players.
Ipswich Town 1 - 2 Q.P.R
we were able to capitalise on our fantastic cup win to get all 3 points at Portman road. The first goal came on 8 minuites. Ipswich's midfielder Matt Richards scored from close range. We Went in 1-0 down at half time. I gave the players a talking to. 7 Minuites into the second half, we equilised, Kevin Gallen got his 2nd goal of the season, after a fine passing move with Richard Langley. We went a head 5 minuites later. Mauro Milanese with his first ever goal for the R's. it was a rebound after gallen had missed the original shot. I rested Furlong, Bailey and Jake COle for this game, as they needed a rest. And the players who played were excellent. It all going well at Loftus Road.
Q.P.R 1 - 2 Sheff Utd
We were very unluky not to have got a point in this game. We took the lead after half time on 51 miniutes with a goal from Dean Sturridge. 9 miniutes later, scottish international Allan Johnston scored from 20 yards to make it all square. Then, a stroke of luck for United. A free-kick taken by Micheal Tonge, hit Nick Mongomery and sent Simon Royce the wrong way. The goal was in the 90th minuite and it was a blow. The lads played well though.
Watford 2 - 2 Q.P.R
I truth, we should of won this game. The scoring started on 4 minuites when Dean Sturridge got his 5th goal of the season. 6 minuites later, Darius Henderson equilised for Watford on 12 minuites. We then pegged back Watford on 21 miniutes, Dean Sturridge with his 6th goal of the season. This lead to the Rangers fan shouting "DEANO, DEANO, DEANO". we went at half time with the score at 2-1. 9 Minuites into the second half, Watford equilised again through Darius Henderson. We had many chances to win the game, But Alec Chamberlain was on form to deny us all three points.
Q.P.R 1 - 2 Southampton
i knew this game would be hard, southampton were on a roll, unbreaten in 5. The game started badly. Kamil Kosowski scored his first of the season on 18 minuites, poor defending let him in and he slooted home from 4 yards. The score at HT was 0-1. I told the players to relly go for it in the second half, and they did. Dean Sturridge scored a cracker on 46 minuites. Twisting and turning from the defence, beating Antti Niemi from 20 yards. The game was very tight until Paul Dickov, got the winner for The Saints (74). This was a diappointing result for the club.
Cardiff City 1 - 1 Q.P.R
This is a game we should of won. It was a fairly even First half with possesion at 50-50. A forgetful first half shall we say. The second half was alot better. I told the players to go for it and really dig into Cardiff. They responded well. Stefan Moore got his 8th Goal of the season on 53 minuites. well held out well until the 78th minuite, when some poor defendeing allowed alan lee to score. The game was fairly even through out.
Q.P.R 1 - 1 Crewe Alexandra
This was a crap performance from everyone. We should have walked this game with all the chances we had. We scored at the start of the second half with a goal from Stefan Moore(49). It was his 9th of the season. And again, it was a late goal from the opposition that made us go home with a point. Eddie johnson got the equiliser on 87 minuites after terrible defending. I laid into the players after the game. They were awful. This bad run needs to stop.
Carling Cup 3rd Round
Ipswich Town 3 - 0 Q.P.R
This was an awful game from start to finish. Dean Bowditch on 22 minuites opened the scoring. He scored again on 37 minuites. It was nt looking good. I thought it was vital that we got a cup run going but the players thought otherwise. Nicky Forster (58) finished off the rout and we were out the Carling Cup.
Down to London...... 
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