http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/today/view/breaking_news_detail/0,,10373~389468,00.html Swindon Town striker Eric Sabin has agreed to terms, but not yet signed. He had four goals in 27 league starts and 12 substitute appearances for the Robins last year. He had what the official website calls "an encouraging trial game in the blue and white hoops at the end of last season." Overall, the 28-year-old Frenchman has nine goals in 60 league starts (& 13 subs) for Swindon Town. Sabin's stats: http://www.soccerbase.com/footballlive/?MIval=players_details&playerid=25106&seasonid=132 Chris Day has agreed to re-sign, but has not put pen to paper. Same with Richard Pacquette. Rumor read elsewhere said Pacquette was to have a trial for West Ham, but I haven't read that anywhere other than a couple of message boards. Gino Padula has not accepted the latest two-year offer. Rumor I read elsewhere says he has one-year offers from two First Division clubs for more money, and a two-year offer from QPR for more than last year, but less than the First Division offers. He's rumored to be holding out for either more cash from QPR or a two-year deal from one of the First Division clubs. Steve Palmer still has an offer from QPR and is still weighing things up in light of Wimbledon's move into administration.
Chris Plummer is being pursued by Barnet and Swansea. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/barnet/2978698.stm
According to the Evening Standard, Cardiff midfielder Gareth Ainsworth is set to sign for QPR tomorrow. The 30-year-old Ainsworth played this year for Wimbledon, then on loan at Walsall, then back at Wimbledon, before being sold to Cardiff. He scored three goals in total this year. The article is primarily about former Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale having asked about the situation at QPR, but goes on to note that he seems to be focusing on Barnsley. About QPR, it says "the discussions are unlikely to lead anywhere." http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/football/articles/5240739?source=Evening Standard
BBC reports that terms have been agreed with Brentford midfielder Martin Rowlands. He is coming off of a broken bone in his fibula and will need to pass a medical before signing, but is said to be jogging and should be fit for pre-season training. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/2979570.stm The 24-year-old midfielder has scored 20 League goals for Brentford since joining them at the beginning of the '98/'99 season (just one last season). Rowlands' career stats: http://www.soccerbase.com/footballlive/?MIval=players_details&playerid=11186&seasonid=132
Thanks, Art. If it's doing any fellow R's any good, I'll keep doing it. Martin Rowlands has officially agreed to terms on a two-year deal with Rangers. He'll sign when his contract with Brentford expires (6/30), assuming he passes a thorough, multi-part medical exam. The official site says the midfielder can play either in the center of midfield or wide right. http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/today/view/breaking_news_detail/0,,10373~390196,00.html
Gino Padula still hasn't accepted the latest club offer, but says he wants to stay at QPR. "At the moment I do not want to know about any other clubs. I am so happy at QPR and want to go back. There are First Division clubs interested but I am only thinking of QPR. Perhaps later I will have to listen to other clubs but I have said to my agent that until then, I am speaking about QPR only." Otherwise, the story below repeats the Sabin, Rowlands, and Ainsworth stories, but does indicate that we are speaking to Jamie Cureton as well (there was some question as to whether we made an offer or not based on last week's stories). It'll be interesting to see if Cureton is in RFK Stadium this weekend at the DC United/Columbus Crew game, as has been reported elsewhere. The link below contains three stories -- the third is an interesting, if pessimistic, review of last year and ahead to next season. They give season-long player ratings for the whole squad. http://www.queensparkrangersfc.com/papers1106.htm
"Ian Holloway was said to meeting with Jamie Cureton this week in the hope of persuading the Reading man to step down a division rather than accept a possible move to America." The story also reports the Rowlands news. http://queensparkrangers.rivals.net//default.asp?sid=925&p=2&stid=8310530
Ginoooo! Gino Padula has agreed to terms on a two-year deal to remain at Loftus Road. It was looking a bit sketchy there for awhile, but the R's have secured their starting left back's services through the summer of '05! While it would still be nice to get Kelly back, a very strong starting backline is now under contract: --Padula---Carlisle---Shittu---Forbes-- ----------------------Day--------------------- The rumored deal with Gareth Ainsworth has come to pass with the former Cardiff and Wimbledon player also agreeing to a two-year deal. Ainsworth is a right sided midfielder, so with Rowlands (who plays on both the right and in the center) and Ainsworth added to the other guys who can play over on the right, we should be set at that spot. Now to find someone for the left... http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/today/view/breaking_news_detail/0,,10373~390911,00.html
On the Gino Padula story, the BBC reports "QPR have offered him better terms while staying within the club's wage limit." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/2990530.stm
Just got back from the Confed Cup in France. Was keeping up with the QPR comings and goings while I was away, but didn't have time to post things here, so... The newest news is that young Richard Pacquette has signed on for another year at Loftus Road. From what I've seen of him, I think he's got a good deal of potential. I'm glad he decided to stay. http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/today/view/breaking_news_detail/0,,10373~394527,00.html Skipper Steve Palmer returns for another, probably final, season. With the Wimbledon troubles, I guess one more year at Loftus Road started to look good to him! http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/today/view/breaking_news_detail/0,,10373~393361,00.html Also in the news is that Richard Langley has rejected a contract extension to take him beyond this year. http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/today/view/breaking_news_detail/0,,10373~391798,00.html Langley himself says he rejected it, in part, because it was at a reduced salary and, in part, because he wants to keep his options open. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/football/articles/5397631?source=Evening Standard Further upsetting things is Ian Holloway's odd desire that Langley not play for Jamaica in the upcoming Gold Cup. More details here http://www.queensparkrangersfc.com/newsnow/news1906.htm Hmm... would it be better for Langers to play Colombia and Guatemala, with a chance to play either Brazil or Mexico in the quarterfinal if they finish top 2 in their group, or to run out for a half against Ayelsbury and Kettering?
Gareth Ainsworth signed a two-year deal with QPR today, "despite strong interest from a number of First Division clubs." "I'm really excited. There were other clubs interested but there's no doubt that QPR is the right club for me." http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/today/view/breaking_news_detail/0,,10373~394927,00.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/3036102.stm Also, check out the story at QPR.co.uk to get a look at the new away kit.
Youngsters Marcus Bean and Wes Daly have agreed to having the club take up two-year options on their deals. Both earned some first-team time last season and look to get in the mix more this year. http://www.teamtalk.com/teamtalk/News/Story_Page/0,7760,638419,00.html http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/today/view/breaking_news_detail/0,,10373~395271,00.html
I like it better than last year's halves, though it seems to have the same funky neck/non-collar thingy as the new home jersey. My favorite away kit of late is probably the black and grey hoops (although the only away match I saw in that period saw them wearing those nasty screaming yellow ones). In '00/'01: http://www.queensparkrangersfc.com/images/crouch4.jpg In '01/'02: http://www.colours-of-football.com/eng/england_n1.html
Ha - we have the opposite taste. I loved the halved shirts. And I actually bought the yellow one for some reason . The best ever away shirts were the black/red hoops with Guinness and the all black shirt in the early 90's. The black/silver hoops were pretty good too.
I thought the halves were ok, but I like this a bit better because, with the horizontal lines, it at least hints at the hoops. I like the red and black hoops best, too. I picked up one of the replicas (w/ Guinness on) when I was over last time and wore it to a DCU match not long ago.
Leroy Griffiths has been released from his contract. He definitely fell out of favor last year after seeing a good bit of action in 01/02. I saw him score for the R's against Bury that season (QPR won 3-0). http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/today/view/breaking_news_detail/0,,10373~395440,00.html
With his return to the UK, Gino Padula has finally put pen to paper on the new two-year deal that he agreed awhile back. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/3052882.stm Tom Newey, a 20-year-old defender recently released by Leeds, is reportedly at QPR on a one-week trial, having preferred that to a two-year contract offer by Orient. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leyton_orient/3049872.stm http://www.teamtalk.com/teamtalk/News/Story_Page/0,7760,640048,00.html More good news for the club... long-time fan Bill Power has invested 200,000 pounds in the club and will become a member of the Board of Directors. In addition to the links below, there's a nice little interview with him on QPR World. He grew up in the White City Estate, just across from the ground. http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/today/view/breaking_news_detail/0,,10373~396617,00.html http://www.teamtalk.com/teamtalk/News/Story_Page/0,7760,640048,00.html
This is fantastic news. I met Bill a couple months ago here in DC - terrific guy. A real fan with a great perspective on the club. The perfect guy you'd want helping run your club. Best of luck to him. Can't believe I've had pints with a QPR board member!
Forward Eric Sabin has passed a medical and has officially signed with the club. Also, Australian midfielder Michael Kathopoulis is in on trial. http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/today/view/breaking_news_detail/0,,10373~397422,00.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/3053875.stm
Any thoughts on this signing? It's so dang difficult to follow the Division over here, I really know nothing about this player, other than the blurb in the press release. Likened to Thierry Henry??? A good signing? What's the consensus?
He doesn't have much production thus far in the Football League. However, I listened to the 45-minute Holloway Q&A on QPR World the other day and, as I recall, 'Olly basically said Sabin has some tools and he thinks he can get him to turn the corner and be more productive. I believe Holloway mentioned he was good in the air. It sounds like he won't be a starter, but is thought to be an improvement on Brett Angell as a reserve. With Thomson leaving soon, we definitely needed to pick up some experienced depth. According to Soccerbase, he's scored 9 goals for Swindon Town in 60 starts & 13 substitute appearances. http://www.soccerbase.com/footballlive/?MIval=players_details&playerid=25106 Just as I say Thomson is leaving soon, I see he's now listed on Soccerbase as playing for Scottish Premier League side Partick Thistle as of today. http://www.soccerbase.com/footballlive/?MIval=players_details&playerid=7932 While the QPR site doesn't mention it, it's listed on theirs: http://www.ptfc.co.uk/v2/default.asp?page=news