Jim Magilton praised the performance of his players at Newcastle after the 1-1 draw on Tyneside on Wednesday night. Off the field it seems as though Flavio Briatore will wait for a league ruling before deciding on his QPR future.

QPR earned a share of the spoils at St James’ Park on Wednesday with a fine performance that could easily have yielded a third away league win of the season. Jim Magilton was rightly proud of his team after the final whistle. He told the club’s official website: “It was a test of character for us tonight, but we stood up to it from the first minute to the last and we were simply outstanding. The manner in which we went about our business tells you everything you need to know about this group of players. The belief is growing and we're moving in the right direction. The more I find out about this group of players, the more belief I gain.

“Each and every player performed to an exceptionally high level. I'd like to see us keep the ball better at times and have more belief in our ability in the final third, but I can't complain about this result can I. It's still very early days, but we were magnificent. The fans should be very proud of their football club tonight and we're proud of them. It was some journey for them today, but every time we heard them it gave us that little gee up and they - like the players - were first class.”

Newcastle’s permanent caretaker manager Chris Hughton was also fulsome of his praise of Rangers telling his own club’s site: “It was important to get something. We were up against a very good QPR side who are in good form at the moment and scoring goals, and there's no doubt in the early part of the game, they were the better side. We didn't keep the ball as well as should have done and consequently, allowed them too much possession. When you are playing against a team in the confident mood they are in, if you give them too much possession, they can hurt you. They are as good as we have played this season.”

Midfielder Ben Watson told the BBC: “They're top and there for a reason. We matched them all over the pitch. We've got to do that week-in week-out, which we've done for the last couple of weeks - we've played really well. We came out of the blocks quick, started well, got the goal and the lads are disappointed with a point. We controlled the game for long periods, not many teams are going to come to Newcastle and get a point. Winning games gives confidence to the lads and we've done that. We went to Cardiff and won, then we beat Barnsley 5-2, and then we came to Newcastle full of confidence, nothing to lose, and played our stuff and were unlucky not to get three points.”

Off the field it seems that despite rumours of an imminent share sale by QPR owner Flavio Briatore, the Italian may well wait to see whether the Football League act under the fit and proper person test before walking away from the club. Briatore technically fails the test for club owners following his life ban from F1 for his involvement in ‘crashgate’ – the saga that follows a deliberate crash from Renault driver nelson Piquet at last year’s Singapore Grand Prix that allowed Fernando Alonso to secure a surprise win.

The Telegraph reports sources close to QPR are saying Briatore will wait and see what the league have to say after the October board meeting rather than trying to pre-empt the decision with a rash move. The Ealing Gazette says Amit Bhatia would be keen to step in should Flavio decide to move away, The Times on the other hand claims the Mittal family and Bhatia are not interested. Clear as mud then.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s game with Swansea former QPR man Jordi Lopez is hoping for a recall from manager Paulo Sousa after sitting out their midweek game at Doncaster with a one match ban. Lopez was sent off for two bookings last weekend but is available on Saturday and keen to play. He said: “It was the first game I looked for when the fixtures came out. I marked it down on the calendar straight away. I'm really looking forward to it. The three or four months I spent at QPR were really positive for me. They gave me the opportunity to play in English football and I will always be grateful to them for that. I had the opportunity to stay there, but I felt it was a better opportunity for me to come to Swansea and work with Paulo again. When Paulo spoke to me about the project he had at Swansea City, I liked what he had to say. It felt like the right move for me.”

Looking further ahead still our away game at West Brom initially scheduled for Saturday December 12 has been put back to Monday December 14 at 7.45pm for live screening by Sky television. Rangers have forthcoming fixtures with Derby and Leicester on BBC and Sky respectively as well.

In former QPR news our one time caretaker manager Mick Harford has parted company with Conference side Luton this week. Harford has overseen successive relegations for the hatters however they suffered huge points deductions because of financial problems in both seasons and Harford won many plaudits for his dignity and style of play throughout the tough times. Luton are now stable in the middle of the Conference and won the Football league trophy at Wembley last season against League One promotion side Scunthorpe. However Harford has been criticised by some sections of the Luton support for poor tactics and defeats against so called lesser sides. Alan Nielson has been placed in temporary charge.

Elsewhere in the Championship Ipswich manager Roy Keane has been given the dreaded vote of confidence by his board after failing to win any of the first ten league games this season. Ipswich currently prop up the table but CEO Simon Clegg told the BBC: “It's taken time to get going and that has been disappointing. You don't need to put any pressure on Roy Keane, he puts pressure on himself. He knows what to do to turn it around.” Peterborough’s Darren Ferguson has also received the backing of his club’s owner today after a 2-1 home defeat by lowly Plymouth on Tuesday and defender Gabby Zakuani says he has not fallen out with ferguson despite being dropped from the squad completely for that game. Ian Holloway says Charlie Adam’s Scotland call up justifies his decision to join the club.

Photo: Action Images

Leeds United Polls