QPR Sporting Director Gianni Paladini has moved quickly to quash speculation linking the R's with a move for former Blackburn manager Paul Ince.
Pressure has been growing on present manager Paulo Sousa as Rangers have gone on a seven match run without a win. The R’s brought a run of consecutive defeats to an end with a goalless draw against Sheffield United on Saturday but were profligate in front of goal and now face two awkward away games as Sousa attempts to secure his employment for next season.
The Daily Mail (collective groan) and Mirror have both reported over the weekend that Rangers have lined up Paladini’s “good friend” Paul Ince to replace Sousa before the end of the season.
Gianni Paladini told the BBC: “There is absolutely, categorically not a shred of truth in it. I have not spoken to Paul Ince and neither have Flavio or Bernie. There is absolutely no way he will take over at QPR and no way it was even discussed. When I heard what was printed in a newspaper I couldn't believe it. I have no idea where it came from because there is 100% no truth in it whatsoever.
"It was said that I am a friend of Paul Ince. I am not a friend of his. I admired him greatly as a player and, for what it's worth, I think he's a very good young manager. But we're not friends and we haven't spoken. Even if the thought had occurred to me that he should be QPR's manager - which it didn't - I don't have the power to make that decision. That decision lies with the owners and I know for a fact that they want to keep Paulo Sousa, so nonsense about him having two games left is completely wrong as well.”
Defender Matt Connolly offered few excuses for the poor recent performances that have called Sousa’s position into question. The defender told the Ealing Gazette: “As a team in the last few games we've been very under-par, although I think we did okay against Cardiff. We feel like we've let everybody down I think. We've been trying our best but haven't really created anything.
“There are plenty of things that you can put it down to. Our opponents have played well, but we're not making excuses for it. On a personal and team point of view we have got to play a lot better. We've played really well at times under Paulo and we did under Iain Dowie at times as well so we can't hide behind that either. We are definitely capable of playing better and we've shown that in the past.”
Elsewhere Gary Borrowdale, a man of mystery to fans at QPR, has been speaking about his loan move to League One strugglers Brighton at the end of last week.
Borrowdale said: “It's nice to know a few of the lads, but everyone else has been great this morning. Everyone introduced themselves and everyone seems to be getting on well with each other. It's a good atmosphere. It was a good first training session. We had some light games. It's a hard league. I played in it for Colchester earlier in the season, and we just have to grind results out from now until the end of the season. Even if you don't play well, the main thing is the three points.”
Borrowdale, along with former R Kevin McLeod, was part of the Brighton team beaten 2-1 at Leyton Orient on Saturday – a result that lifted the O’s one place out of the relegation zone and four points ahead of Brighton in the battle to stay up. Albion do have two games in hand on the O’s and at least one on all the other teams immediately above them. They appointed former Grimsby and Yeovil boss Russell Slade to replace Mickey Adams last week.
Another QPR man heading out of Loftus Road on a temporary basis is goalkeeper Jake Cole who has joined Barnet. The Bees recently lost keeper Rob Beckwith to premature retirement after he claimed to have “fallen out of love with the game” and have moved quickly to bring QPR’s third choice stopper in as a replacement.
Cole said: “I'm really happy to be here and looking forward to playing games. I only found out yesterday about the possibility of a move to Barnet and I jumped at the chance because I want to be playing league football.”
Cole made his debut at the weekend as Barnet eased their relegation worries with a 3-1 victory against Chester City at Underhill. Paul Furlong scored the decisive third goal.
The rumour mill has creaked back into life this week with QPR linked to two Spurs players in the loan market. Former Cardiff full back Chris Gunter, an outstanding young prospect, has been mentioned as has former QPR youth team starlet Dean Parrett who recently made his first team bow in the UEFA Cup. QPR have a gentleman’s agreement with Spurs from the time of the original transfer that they would have the first shout if Spurs were ever planning to loan the England youth international midfielder out. It would be wonderful to see either of those two players turning out in Hoops although I would question the logic of making temporary signings at this stage of the season with QPR having very little to play for – it would make more sense surely to look at players we have definitely have signed up for next season like Angelo Balanta.
In former QPR news Nick Ward has signed a new two year contract with Melbourne Victory in the Australian A-League. Ward said: “I’m really happy to be part of this team, playing alongside such good players. Hopefully we can repeat our efforts next season and also do well in the AFC Champions League. I didn’t want to go anywhere else in Australia; Melbourne Victory is the club I want to be at.”
Former boss Luigi De Canio has been linked with the soon to be vacant manager post at Serie A strugglers Lecce.
Finally Rufus Brevett has been talking about QPR ahead of the meeting between the R’s and another of his former clubs Doncaster on Tuesday night. Brevett told the Doncaster Free Press: “Although I've only seen QPR a few times this season the impression I get is that there is too much expectation among the fans. With the owners and the new manager now in charge there is a lot of pressure because the fans expect them to steamroller teams but when a new manager comes in they want to get their new ideas across - and that takes time.
“When he arrived everyone was saying that they would get into the play-offs but I don't think it will happen this season. The summer is when we will see him make his mark. Like Manchester City in the Premier League, everyone who plays QPR wants to beat them because of their owners. It was a similar situation when I was at Fulham and Mohamed Al Fayed took over. We were known as the League One millionaires and everyone would raise their game against us so it's going to take time for QPR and they need players that can handle the expectation.”