Jim Magilton says his QPR side must beware a strong reaction from Crystal Palace on Tuesday night following the Eagles’ humiliation against Scunthorpe at the weekend.
While QPR were drawing 1-1 for a fourth time already this season, across the capital at Selhurst Park Crystal Palace were on the end of the shock result of the day as Scunthorpe United won 4-0. Scunthorpe had previously only won once this season but absolutely destroyed Palace who also missed a late penalty through Freddy Sears.
Afterwards manager Neil Warnock told the Palace official website: “It is probably the most embarrassed I have ever felt in my career in that second half. I can’t really think of any more bigger embarrassments than that second half. That is why I stood on the touchline for the rest of the game after the second goal to have a look at certain characters and my team when things were not going well. I don’t think Scunthorpe scored a good goal. I am not knocking Scunthorpe, I just thought we put it on a plate for them. They must have thought they had won the pools. All you can do with a result like that is apologise to the fans.
“The challenge is now QPR and Derby County. I have got to do things with the players that I have got at my disposal and try and get results, nothing changes.”
Ideal opponents for QPR at Loftus Road on Tuesday then? Not so according to Jim Magilton who said: “"We`ve got the chance on Tuesday to take the game to Palace. But they are a side who will scrap and fight, especially after their result on Saturday. They will come here and give us our most difficult game of the season without a shadow of a doubt. Neil Warnock will want a performance.”
Palace midfielder Shaun Derry agrees, telling the Croydon Advertiser: “As players we can only apologise to the fans for the performance, it simply isn't good enough. I was very surprised by it. Although the results might not have come so far, I thought we had been playing some good stuff this season. I certainly didn't see it coming and nor did any of the lads. As captain I said my bit in the changing room as did some of the other senior players, as well as the gaffer. It's important to try and put that behind us now and not dwell on the result. Luckily we've got games coming thick and fast starting with the trip to QPR. All the lads will want to put things right and we hope to do that at Loftus Road. It's all about finding some consistency and we hope we can do that and repay the fans for their support."
After Saturday’s draw Magilton told the club’s official website: “Any successful campaign at this level is more or less built on your home form. I just felt that there was a nervousness about us at times. The opposition, to their credit, all came here and enjoyed it - probably too much. We started brightly but didn't sustain it, and allowed the opposition to come into the game with an excellent goal. We then got back into the match with the goal, and you're expecting a real onslaught then in the second half. But that didn't happen. But, after a two week break, it's nice to get that one out of the way.
“The quality of our play in training has been outstanding, but what really matters is at three o'clock when you cross that white line. At times we were hesitant, sloppy and our decision making was poor. But it's a work-in-progress. I thought Ben passed the ball well, and I think that he will be better with games - he's probably a bit ring-rusty. He certainly adds quality to our team. Jay worked tirelessly up front, and probably had a real good chance to win it for us. But he's coming out of reserve team football, and I like what I've seen from him. He gives us that little bit of difference with regards to playing on people's shoulders, and running in behind.”
Magilton meanwhile has hinted that there may be yet more loan signing to come. He told BBC LDN: “If a good player comes along we're going to pitch for him and if we get him them great but if it falls short I've got enough cover at this club and enough quality. We managed to secure Jay and Ben. That came out of the blue for a lot of people, but certainly not for us because we'd been trailing both players all through pre-season.”
QPR’s squad is already well stocked for numbers, particularly in midfield, but the R’s are having trouble shifting players through the exit door. Veteran midfielder Gavin Mahon is the latest to state his intention to stay in W12 telling the London Informer: “I spoke to the manager here and said I still feel I am fit and ready to feature and could do a job in the Championship if called on. No disrespect to Millwall or any team in League One but I am hoping I can still do something here. I heard from my agent that Millwall had been in touch. I know a lot of people hold Kenny Jackett in high regard so it was nice to hear he was interested."
In former QPR news Danny Shittu, currently out of favour with Premiership strugglers Bolton, has been linked with a loan move to Ipswich Town who are in a spot of bother down at the bottom of the table themselves in their first full season under the guidance of Roy Keane. As reported on LFW last week Liam Miller has completed his move to SPL outfit Hibs on a two year contract.
Elsewhere in the Championship Reading chairman John Madejski has denied reports he is close to selling the club – their poor start to the season after a summer clearout continued at the weekend with a goalless draw at home to Doncaster. West Brom boss has vowed to be patient with striker Simon Cox who arrived from Swindon in the blaze of publicity during the summer but only made his first start for the club at the weekend as they beat Plymouth 3-1.
Finally LFW has W12 t-shirts to giveaway tomorrow night thanks to Ilovemypostcode.com. Simply guess the score, first scorer and attendance against Crystal Palace on Tuesday and you can get your hands on the goods. You can post your guess on the message board thread, e-mail loftforwords@yahoo.co.uk or send me a message on Facebook.