After two near misses against Cardiff and Hull the QPR players say they are hoping to finish the promotion job at Watford on Saturday.

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Fitz Hall told the club’s official website: “We've got to remember we're in a great position. Every single one of us would have taken this at the start of the season so we have got to be happy with where we are. There's been a bit of disappointment in the dressing room in the last couple of days, but we have got to concentrate on our own game. If we do our jobs on the pitch, everything else will take care of itself. That's what we've been focusing on this week. We want to win the title. We have spoken about it and now that we are this close, it is definitely what we're aiming for."

Rangers only need a point from their final two games to make absolutely sure, but Watford and Leeds are two of the five teams who have beaten QPR this season. Neil Warnock says he is looking for revenge, as well as the Championship trophy. He told the Fulham Chronicle: “"It wouldn't feel a let down if we didn't go up as champions but there's nothing like winning something. The only ever time I've won a league was with Scarborough in 87 when we went up from the Conference - so finishing top would feel extra special. It would be fantastic to win it and to have a trophy, even if it's still only a bonus, because even finishing second is better than getting up through the play-offs. I've been up twice through the play-offs and it just kills your summer. You need a holiday but you've got every agent, every Tom, Dick and Harry wanting to ring you about players and you've got to sign players and you start training three weeks later. It was a nightmare. You get so tired, it's unbelievable, so the ideal thing is always to try and get straight up.

“I’m glad we’ve got Watford and Leeds for our last two games. Not that my lot need it, especially now, but we got badly beat by them earlier on – and there’s not many can say that this season. This is extra motivation to put that right, as well as get over the line.”

Patrick Agyemang scored at Vicarage Road for Rangers last season, but refused to celebrate his goal and the R’s went on to lose 3-1. After the match a fight in the dressing room between Akos Buzsaky and Jim Magilton saw the manager dismissed. Agyemang told the Fulham Chronicle: “As a club we’ve been through it a bit since I joined – and this was one of those nights. These things happen in football. Since then, we’ve moved on; Magilton’s moved on – and I would like to have a chance of finally getting games in the Premiership. I was only on the bench at the old Wimbledon, so it would be great to get another opportunity.”

Following his two goal salvo at Cardiff and then an assist for Wayne Routledge’s goal against Hull Adel Taarabt has deservedly been named in the division’s Team of the Week.

Team: Loach (Watford), Rangel (Swansea), Purse (Millwall), Bruma (Leicester), Samuel (Cardiff), Williamson (Sheff Utd), Danns (Palace), Taarabt (QPR), Eagles (Burnley), McDonald (Boro), Jackson (Norwich).

Former R’s

Friend of the site Paul Hart has been sacked by Swindon Town after managing just one win from his 11 games in charge. Hart, who endured a torrid five game spell in charge at Loftus Road last season, had been brought in to replace Danny Wilson at the beginning of March billed as some sort of trouble-shooter for the troubled Robins but his negative tactics yielded just a single victory and they have been relegated just a year after making the play off final. Yesterday Swindon chairman Andrew Fitton resigned after branding the club’s season “a spectacular failure.”

Plymouth could well be joining them in League Two next season but gave themselves half a chance of surviving with two 1-0 wins over the Easter period. The second came at Home Park against MK Dons with the winning goal coming from Simon Walton whose crossed free kick drifted all the way in without a touch. Walton started the season on loan at Sheff Utd but ruptured his cruciate knee ligaments in a pre-season game at Mansfield – QPR fans may recall his Loftus Road career was stunted by a broken leg picked up in a pre-season friendly against Fulham. After the match on Monday Walton was adamant the goal was his saying: “I'm claiming it. It was a direct free-kick, given for a foul and I'm told there was no touch, so that will do for me. Whenever there's a striker anywhere near it, they normally try and claim the goal, but Rory told me there was no touch. It's my goal."

Elsewhere in League One Dean Parrett scored his first goal for Charlton on Monday as they ended Rochdale’s play off hopes. The Addicks, fifth at the turn of the year, have long since played themselves out of the promotion picture with a run of one win from 15 matches but they got back to winning ways against Dale at the Valley on Monday with Parrett scoring the second in a 3-1 win from the edge of the area. This is the third such loan deal of Parrett’s fledgling career so far having previously spent time with Aldershot and Plymouth and the goal came in his eighth appearance.

Championship Shorts

- Coventry have named caretaker manager Andy Thorn as their new permanent boss to replace Aidy Boothroyd. Thorn, who has won three and drawn two of his last six matches in charge, made a point of promising the Sky Blues fans attractive football after a year suffering Boothroyd’s much maligned long ball game. Thorn, a former Wimbledon and Newcastle defender, said: “I have really enjoyed the spell in temporary charge and I am relishing the opportunity to shape the team over the longer term. I have often said that I think we have a very good squad of players here who are capable of producing good, attractive football on a consistent basis.”

- Derby say signing striker Alberto Bueno up for next season is not a priority despite his goal at Norwich on Monday. The Spaniard has been on loan at Pride Park from Vallodolid this season but has only scored five times. Manager Nigel Clough said: “We'll assess and see who we get on a permanent. It depends on his club's plans.” Clough has also rejected suggestions that Robbie Savage may get another year in the game after recently saying he would reconsider his retirement plans if Derby offered him a deal. Clough said: “I hope he's remembered more for his dedication as a professional over 20 years than for some of the pantomime stuff."

- Scunthorpe goalkeeper Joe Murphy looks set to leave Glanford Park this summer when his contract expires. Murphy said: “The club are going to put a package together. Everyone wants to play at the highest level they can. I've got a baby on the way now so I've got other things to think about. I know you're not guaranteed football anywhere but I've enjoyed it immensely here and we'll see what happens over the next week or two."

- Ipswich academy prospects Luke Hyam and Ronan Murray have both signed one year contracts. Hyam, 19, has made 13 starts this season but has not played since picking up a hamstring injury in November. Striker Murray, also 19, made 12 substitute appearances for the Tractor Boys before leaving for Torquay on loan in March where he has made seven appearances.

Parish Noticeboard

Weekend train and tube closures ahead of the Watford game:

- No Metropolitan line trains between Northwood and Watford, or between Baker Street and Aldgate.

- No Overground service from Shepherd’s Bush to Watford Junction, trains terminate at Queen’s Park. Southern will run one train an hour to Watford from Shepherds Bush leaving at 53 minutes past the hour.

- No Hammersmith and City line trains between Moorgate and Barking, Farringdon station is closed, Latimer Road is closed eastbound.

- Bakerloo Line suspended between Queen’s Park and Harrow and Wealdstone.

- Circle Line completely closed all day.

- No District Line between Embankment and West Ham, Canon Street station is closed.

- Tottenham Court Road station closed to Northern Line trains.

You could of course always walk to Watford, as a gang of about 25 QPR fans including several of our LFW message board regulars are doing to raise money for the QPR Tiger Cubs Down’s Syndrome team. Details of how to pledge your much welcomed and needed support to the cause are available on the message board.

Photo: Action Images

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