 Sunday, 10th Jul 2011 21:46 by Clive Whittingham QPR owner Bernie Ecclestone has finally spoken about the current situation at Loftus Road, in an interview with BBC Five Live’s Sportsweek programme prior to today’s F1 British Grand Prix. NewsEcclestone was asked about the criticism of the club’s ticket price rises, and the future of manager Neil Warnock with the relationship between him and the board said to be strained. Ecclestone said: “When we took over the club the idea was to get it out of the Championship and into the Premier League, and that’s what’s happened. We don’t need to panic and start running around doing silly things. All the season tickets have sold so they can’t be that upset. I haven’t even talked to Neil about anything, it’s what newspapers want to print.” And the newspapers do continue to want to print things it seems. Today’s People reports that Warnock is currently locked in a battle with the board, using the final say veto written into his contract to call a halt to a succession of moves made by the board for players over his head. And Mirror journalist Paul Smith, who has an excellent track record on QPR stories, says Ecclestone has charged football fixer Keith Harris and London investment bank Seymour Pierce with the task of finding a buyer for the club. Smith says Harris has convinced the board they will be able to get £100m for the club. Our old mate Charles Sale at the Daily Mail reports the complete opposite, that Ecclestone has no plans to sell whatsoever. Elsewhere the plot thickens on QPR’s failed move for Peterborough striker Craig Mackail-Smith. Last week Posh director of football Barry Fry said he agreed a deal for the player with Neil Warnock only for it to be scuppered by the QPR owners, who he branded a disgrace. But speaking to Talksport today Mackail-Smith, who went on to sign for Championship newcomers Brighton for £2.5m, said he never received an offer from any Premiership clubs. Mackail-Smith said: “I didn’t really have any offers from the Premier League. I spoke to a few but nothing came from it. I want to play in the Premier League and when the opportunity comes and it’s the right opportunity then I’ll definitely take it. I feel like I’m going to a club where I can improve, it’s got a great team, an ambitious team and I feel like I can get better there and take this club to the Premier League.” Definitely wearing the Rangers shirt next season though is Danny Shittu, who followed Radek Cerny and Heidar Helguson in agreeing a new one year contract at Loftus Road last week. Shittu had initially been told to report back to Harlington for pre-season training to try and earn a stay – he either really tore up the first two days of pre-season training or Neil Warnock has been forced to adjust his sights somewhat because he penned a 12 month deal on Friday. Shittu told the club’s official website: “I am pleased to have my future sorted out and am delighted that I will be spending the next year with QPR in the Premier League. I had other options available but I love this club and to have been involved in our promotion from the Championship last season is something I will never forget. Everyone is now working hard in pre-season to try and get their place in the manager's starting line-up. It has been tough - pre-season always is - but I have enjoyed the first couple of days back. Now I want to play my part in helping QPR stay in the Premier League." Speaking of Helguson, he has been extolling the virtues of QPR’s pre-season training and looking forward to the first match of the season against his former club Bolton. He told the club’s official website: "I think that the tours to Cornwall and Italy will stand us in good stead. We had a fantastic time on both tours last year and I can't see why we won't again. It's important that we're in tip-top condition for the first game of the season, because we have to hit the ground running. We cannot afford to not be ready for any of the games - every point counts. We're going to have to be in the best form that we can ready for the first game. "I've got fond memories of my time at Bolton. I spent 18 months there and had a really good time, but was unlucky with injuries. I never got started, really. I didn't play a lot, but the people I met up there and the Club as a whole was fantastic - it's just that I was injured for a lot of the time. It's always better if you start at home, but only better if you win. It's going to be tough, but you'd pick a home game to start. We'll go into next season with no fear. If you have fear, you have no chance. We're going to go out there as we did last season and see where that that takes us." That pre-season campaign now includes a match against Portuguese outfit Braga, who lost in the final of the Europa League last season to Porto. Having initially announced a friendly against Italian Serie A side Atalanta on on July 30 on the official website the club has changed the arrangements somewhat – the R’s will play 45 minutes against Atalanta, and 45 minutes against Braga, as part of a mini-tournament that night. Finally Rowan Vine is said to have impressed on his first appearance for Doncaster Rovers. He played the second half of their 1-1 draw with Armthorpe Welfare at the weekend but was denied a first goal for the club by some fine goalkeeping. Vine is on a huge contract at Loftus Road but failed to make a single appearance for Rangers last season and spent time on loan at Hull, Brentford and MK Dons. He is currently on trial with Rovers hoping to earn a move, although his wages are well out of their league so what sort of a deal could be done remains to be seen. RumoursThe Hull Daily Mail reports that QPR have made an offer to take Hull City midfielder Jimmy Bullard on loan for the whole of next season, but the two clubs are someway away from an agreement. City loaned Bullard to Ipswich last season but paid the majority of his £45k a week wages while he was there. They are unwilling to do so again this year and want Rangers to foot the whole bill. QPR are said to have offered to pay £30k a week for the veteran midfielder who was named Ipswich’s Player of the Year last season despite only playing for half the campaign. Another former Ipswich man, goalkeeper Brian Murphy, is also said to be on the cusp of a move to Loftus Road by our sister site TWTD. The Express and The Sun report that West Brom are eyeing up Paddy Kenny as a possible replacement for Scott Carson who moved to Turkey last week. The rumoured pursuit of Italian World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro is over though, after the 37 year old called time on his career due to a knee injury. He said: "I am very sad, football means everything to me. Unfortunately, my knee can no longer hold up.” And another player strongly linked, Carlton Cole, appears set to join Stoke in a £6m deal. Former R'sGavin Mahon is training with his old club Watford in an attempt to earn a deal. Mahon was released by QPR last summer, but ended up spending most of the season with Rangers on a series of month to month contracts without ever actually making an appearance. He spent the final six weeks of the season at Crystal Palace, again without playing. New Watford boss Sean Dyche told the Watford Observer: “It depends on the situation. I know Gavin Mahon personally from our playing days together; he is an excellent pro and a good friend. I said to him it would be no problem him coming in to train but there is no guarantee regarding his future. He will also no doubt have other offers. The main thing is getting Gavin fit and having him around the place can only be beneficial.”Gary Waddock has signed a new three year contract as manager of Wycombe after guiding the Chairboys to promotion into League One in his first full season in charge. Waddock said: “"The future looks extremely bright and encouraging and I'm delighted to commit my future to the club. It's been a home to me since day one - a lot of hard work has been done and all we want to do is build on those foundations to take the club forward.” Ian Holloway has finally signed Matt Hill, six years after he tried to bring the full back to Loftus Road from Bristol City. Hill has since played, very badly, for QPR but has more recently been plying his trade at Barnsley. Hill has moved to Blackpool on a free transfer and said: “These are exciting times and it's great to be back up here. It's also good family-wise as well because it's not far from where I live. I'm happy to be here and I hope to do well. The manager tried to get me a long time ago when he was at QPR, but for reasons it didn't happen. I'm grateful now to work with him because he's got plenty of enthusiasm. He wants to play football and I feel that he can help my game. I'm looking forward to playing here and hopefully I can do well for Blackpool." Jim Magilton has been named as the temporary assistant manger at Irish side Shamrock Rovers while they interview people for the permanent post. Premiership Shorts- As if the Carlos Tevez and Cesc Fabregas transfer sagas weren’t mundane enough, it seems the Luka Modric sale is going to run and run as well. Spurs rejected a £22m offer from Chelsea last week, but this has upset the player who says chairman Daniel Levy promised a deal would be reached with the West London club a year ago. Modric said: "Last summer [Levy] said we would find a satisfactory agreement if a club like Chelsea came in. I hope eventually we go our separate ways in an appropriate manner." - Liverpool have finally signed Charlie Adam from Blackpool for £6.5m after a protracted chase, taking the number of midfielders they currently have signed up for the new season to nearly a thousand. Adam said: “I am absolutely delighted to be here. It has been a long process but now I can't wait to get started and hopefully this will be a successful period in my career and in the club's history." - The Arsenal exodus looks set to continue, after the club accepted offers from unnamed club for veteran goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner. The pair will not travel to Asia for the club’s pre-season tour, and nor will Cesc Fabregas as his on off move to Barcelona enters week 397. Samir Nasri, a target for Man Utd and Chelsea will travel however, as will Jack Wilshere who was withdrawn from last month’s England Under 21 tournament through fear of him burning out. - Martin Jol is close to completing his first signing as Fulham manger with former Liverpool man John Arne Riise undergoing a medical this week. The 30 year old will join his younger brother Bjorn Helge at Craven Cottage. Former Fulham Player of the Year Zoltan Gera is in talks with his former club West Brom as he prepares to bring an end to his four years in West London. - Sunderland’s summer rebuilding continues apace, with Blackpool midfielder David Vaughan the latest arrival on a free transfer. Last week Man Utd duo Wes Brown and John O’Shea arrived on Wearside and they have already picked up Seb Larsson from relegated Birmingham, Keiren Westwood from Coventry and Ipswich youngster Connor Wickham in a deal that could eventually rise to £12m. @loftforwords Tweeted live from Mabel’s Tavern for most of the day on Saturday, you missed a real treat if you don’t already follow us. Correct that immediately. Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
You need to login in order to post your comments |
   Blogs 31 bloggersNorwich City Polls |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
