 Monday, 14th Mar 2011 23:08 by Clive Whittingham Everybody at QPR seems remarkably calm in the wake of last week’s FA charges, and the R’s were comfortable in victory against Crystal Palace at the weekend.
NewsAfter the match manager Neil Warnock refused to be drawn on the Faurlin affair too much, and reserved special praise for Shaun Derry as he reflected on his third victory in as many games against his former club since switching south London for west. The gaffer was also keen to make light of the bottle throwing incident that followed QPR’s second goal – Palace fans sent missiles flying onto the pitch in the direction of Paddy Kenny who had celebrated in front of them as Heidar Helguson scored. Warnock said: “Palace showed they're going to fight for their lives. We played some good stuff today. The scoreline doesn't flatter anybody - we thoroughly deserved it. I would imagine that Taarabt’s tested me more than any other player in my career, but I've enjoyed every moment. It's like a merry-go-round, up and down and we have our days. But when you see him in full flight it's a wonderful sight. I wanted us to enjoy it. I thought in the second half we did. That's what we've got to do for the last nine games. We've just got to carry on playing as well as we can home and away and to get as many points. “Dezza is a tremendous asset. Him and people like Clint Hill are like Rolls Royce's. They just keep going from strength to strength. They're not players who get carried away. They're bread-and-butter players - it's a great recipe when you throw in the like of Tarbs in to the mix. “As long as they hit him [Kenny] on the head, I think he’ll be fine. There are always a few mindless thugs who accompany certain clubs but the vast majority of Palace fans are great and show terrific passion. It’s difficult for me against Palace. I really don’t enjoy games against them, but I wanted my players to enjoy it. We’ve won five out of six matches and that takes some doing given the teams we’ve played against, so I’m happy.” Winger Tommy Smith told the Fulham Chronicle: “'I’m very confident the boys won't blow it. We're trying not to look too far in front, and we've been like that all season. If we win our home games and pick up a couple of points away from home that should be enough." Palace manager, and former QPR player, Dougie Freedman told the Telegraph afterwards: “I would like to see QPR go up for the club’s sake. They were in the Premiership then and the fans have always stuck by them. I hope they do it for that reason. They have really good, top quality players — that is why they are top of the league. They know when to put pressure on, when to take slow free kicks, when to take quick corners, that is the difference. They have got too many players in every position with that experience that you can’t quite buy. And if you do have to buy them, you have got to have QPR’s money to buy it. That is the difference.” The performances earned QPR two representatives in the division’s team of the week – Heidar Helguson and, wouldn’t you just know it, Alejandro Faurlin. Team of the Week: Guzan (Hull), Naughton (Leicester), Robinson (Millwall), Vitor (Leicester), Konchesky (Forest), Whittingham (Cardiff), Leadbitter (Ipswich), Faurlin (QPR), Townsend (Ipswich), Helguson (QPR), Gray (Barnsley). Elsewhere Rangers have today confirmed the long anticipated signing of striker Troy Hewitt on a two and a half year deal from our non-league neighbours Harrow Borough. The 21-year-old striker scored against Rangers for Harrow in a pre-season friendly and has bagged 20 goals in the Ryman League this season. Manager Neil Warnock told the club’s official website: “Troy is definitely worth a shout. He's got a great eye for goal and a really good attitude. David Howell (Harrow Manager) deserves a lot of credit for the way he's developed." Whilst the focus is very much on the here and now at the moment, it's important we look towards the future too. Troy's got a bright future ahead of him." Hewitt said: “It's a dream come true to sign for a professional club, especially one like QPR. It's a huge challenge for me personally, but one I'm going to relish. I'm very lucky to be in this position, but nothing fazes me and I am very positive about the situation. I've got a lot of confidence in my own ability and I am ready to grasp the opportunity with both hands." Obviously much of the focus at the moment is on events off the field with seven FA charges hanging over us relating to the Alejandro Faurlin transfer. The news seems to have sparked a bit of a free for all against Rangers in the press this weekend with former director Dunga now apparently threatening us with legal action in an attempt to recoup a £750k loan according to the Telegraph and The Daily Mail reporting another investigation has been launched into the incident on Saturday when Crystal Palace fans bombarded Paddy Kenny with bottles after Rangers’ second goal. For what it’s worth (not much one would suggest) Gianni Paladini is also quoted at the weekend on the Faulin charges saying: “Why should I be concerned about anything? Of course I'm not concerned.” Ignoring the spectre of a points deduction , and his apparent imminent share sale, altogether Bernie Ecclestone was already turning his attentions to life as a Premiership chairman when he spoke to the Daily Star at the weekend. Ecclestone said: “I wouldn’t have spent ¬anywhere near the money my good friend Roman ¬Abramovich has done if I had taken over Chelsea – and the same goes for QPR.The idea of pouring in millions to buy success is not my way of doing things. I won’t be trying to outdo the likes of the top, well-established Premier League teams by spreading money all over the place. Sure, we will try to buy players to fit the right positions – but at the right price. And by that I don’t mean spending £100million. We will always try to do a deal. That’s my way. “I’m happy to leave the playing side to Neil Warnock, he’s doing a great job and I trust his judgment. He’s a straight guy who knows all about the football side of the business. I’d be hard-pressed to name three of our players. I am not on an ego-trip. I don’t need the fame that football offers and that some guys just want to buy into. Football will never replace Formula One in my affections – but that’s not to say I won’t be keeping a close eye on QPR and helping the club to be what the fans want it to be. I have a lot of money invested in QPR and I enjoy being a winner. I always want to be the tops. But big spending is never a guarantee of success.” Loan WatchMartin Rowlands could yet be part of two promotion winning squads in the Championship this season. Rowly came off the bench for the final ten minutes of Millwall’s 3-0 win at Burnley on Saturday, a result which moves the lions into play off contention after a 2-0 victory against QPR last week. His former midfield partner at Loftus Road Mikele Leigertwood finally lost a game in a Reading shirt at the weekend, at the eighteenth attempt – albeit in the FA Cup against big spending Premiership side Man City at Eastlands. Down at the bottom of the table Leon Clarke has been dropped from the starting 11 at Preston. Rowan Vine’s MK Dons are also in good form. They secured a fourth straight win at the weekend – 3-1 at Colchester – to cement their place in the play off positions. Vine scored in a 4-1 win at Rochdale a week ago, his only goal in eight starts since moving on loan from Loftus Road. Elsewhere in league One Max Ehmer played a full 90 minutes for Yeovil in a 1-1 draw at home to Walsall - Antonio German was an unused substitute. We await the return of Gary Borrowdale who hasn’t played for Carlisle since being sent off in defeat at Southampton at the start of February. In League Two Joe Oastler wasn’t in the Torquay squad for their 5-0 home win against Shrewsbury. Former R’sOur one time trainee Dean Parrett has been sent out to Charlton on loan for the rest of the season by Spurs, as he continues to build his first team experience. Parrett played ten games in League One for Plymouth earlier this season and spent time in the division below with Aldershot the year before. Charlton manager Chris Powell told his club’s official website: “He's a player I've been aware of for a few weeks, and I've watched him myself. He's a young player, who's been out to Plymouth Argyle already on loan this season. He's a good passer, he's a positive player in that he likes to carry the ball, and he likes to thread people in. He's adding to the squad because we're missing a number of players and we're looking thin. Dean's had the experience of going out on loan, so he'll come into the squad and I want him to stamp his mark on it and make an impact. I hope to add more soon." Lee Camp has been called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the first time after receiving international clearance. This switch in allegiance for the former England Under 21 stopper has been on the cards all season but it was only recently that he received permission from FIFA to start representing the country he qualifies for through a grandmother. Camp is in the squad for the forthcoming qualifier games against Serbia and Slovenia. Championship Shorts- Coventry have sacked manager Aidy Boothroyd after just ten months in charge. The former Watford boss arrived at the Ricoh Arena in the summer from Colchester and attracted criticism for his style of play and signing of disgraced striker Marlon King. A run of just one win from their last 16 games, including two defeats against QPR, has seen Boothroyd relieved of his duties. - Norwich staged another late show at Carrow Road on Monday night with two goals in the last two minutes from Henri Lansbury and Andrew Surman setting up a 3-1 win against Bristol City. The result moves the Canaries second, seven points behind Rangers. - Leeds have extended the loan of Aston Villa defender Eric Lichaj until May. The 22-year-old USA international joined on a one-month deal in February and has played seven games so far. - Craig Bellamy is to appeal against an improper conduct charge arising from an alleged tunnel fracas after Cardiff's 2-2 draw with Reading in February. Bellamy will appear at a Football Association of Wales hearing on Wednesday where Cardiff will also appeal against two charges of failing to control their players. Reading have already been fined £40,000 by the English FA and warned on two counts of failure to control their players. - Middlesbrough could be without Leroy Lita for the remainder of the season after he tore a hamstring in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Portsmouth. Manager Tony Mowbray said: "It's unfortunate for Leroy as he was doing well. He's been scoring goals and was being a threat, so it's disappointing, but we'll cope without him I'm sure." Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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