The Rangers Week In Words

A look back at another busy week at Loftus Road as Vital QPR gathers the quotes from W12.

A new signing at Loftus Road created quite a buzz around the club while many players` were growing confident of attaining a playoff place. A confidence quickly quashed at the hands of Ipswich Town.

Monday February 16

Queens Park Rangers defender Kaspars Gorkss spoke to the Metro about life at the club and how the January deals have helped.

He said: ‘There’s always pressure at a club whose ambitions are to go up, there’s a fair deal of pressure,

‘That’s normal these days in football but the owners of the club come to see us, to give us their support.

‘The signings have added so much.

‘With three up front we have the perfect players to play that way. Lee’s a great player and I just hope we can avoid injuries now.

‘I think we are concentrating on the play-offs but if it goes really well we’ll see [about automatic promotion].’

Tuesday Feburary 17

Rangers boss Paulo Sousa hailed the arrival of Jordi López on a free transfer.

He said: ‘Jordi is a very, very capable player and will give us great options in the middle of the park.

‘He can play central or wide and is technically a very good player. He is a very creative midfielder, and we are looking forward to welcoming him into our family.’

While Jordi López himself was happy about joining QPR – and relished the physical side of the Championship.

He said: ‘I have always liked English football and wanted to play in this country for a long time.

‘QPR have now given me the opportunity to do this, and it is my aim to show the club that they have made the right decision by granting me this chance.

‘Being a creative player doesn’t mean I can’t handle the fight and the more physical side of the English game,

‘I am ready for that and just want to get on with doing my best for QPR, because I know there is not much time for me to adapt, as there’s only three months left of the season.’

Midfielder Hogan Ephraim spoke to QPR.co.uk about the impact of Wayne Routledge and Paulo Sousa as Rangers prepare for their playoff push.

He said: ‘The manager`s come in he gave me a new lease of life. He`s played me in a slightly different position but I feel I`ve adapted to it quite well and it`s going well so touch wood it stays like that.

‘When I`m infront of goal I always believe I can score if I get a chance so it`s definitely something I want to add to my game. In the last four to five games I`ve had a few chances, since Derby I`d say, I`ve had a few chances.

‘If I can chip in with my fair share of goals and keep making goals then I`ll be very happy.’

Wednesday February 18

QPR stopper Radek Cerny spoke to the Kilburn Times about his side`s possible points target and his ambitions for a playoff place.

He said: ‘Our aim is to finish in the top six and we still have the chance to do it,’

‘But there are still 15 games until the finish, lots of points and anything could happen.

‘Before the season began we were talking about the aim to take 10 points from every six games. The manager hasn’t said anything about how many points we need, but the chairman mentioned 77.

‘There are so many who could get into the play-offs and it’s difficult – the league is very close. But if we win four games in a row, for example, I think we will get through and to go to Wembley would be very nice.’

Fans favourite Lee Cook told the Kilburn Times how the defence have helped set Rangers up to their current position in the Championship.

He said: ‘I think one of the old boys has really been the most outstanding player this year, and that is Damion Stewart,’

‘This is his third year [at QPR] and this is the best he has played by far – Damion is in great form. He’s solid at the back for us and I think you can tell that by the amount of clean sheets that we are keeping.

‘At the back we’ve got Stewart, Kaspars Gorkss – who has come in and done well – and obviously you’ve got Fitz Hall,

‘The defence are playing really well, but I would say that it is Damion who has been outstanding so far.’

Thursday February 19

Combative midfielder Mikele Leigertwood spoke to QPR.co.uk believing that the R`s could emulate his former side Crystal Palace

He said: ‘I can definitely see similarities between the way we’re going and how we fared at Palace a few years ago,

‘Consistency and confidence are hugely important in football and whilst we’ve always had the latter, we’ve shown in recent weeks that we’re capable of stringing together a long unbeaten run too.

‘Every one of us is focused on the task in hand and the challenge that lies ahead – we’re all in it together and the belief within the squad is massive.’

QPR Holdings Vice Chairman Amit Bhatia relished his role as chair of the QPR in the Community Trust.

He said: ‘A lot of clubs have ties to their communities and we’re doing a lot already, but the idea is to be the best we can be and give the most back.

‘This is the smart way to do it because if you’re a registered charity it’s easier for people to make donations and to apply for grants.

‘There’s a lot of scope to improve as the Trust grows its own legs and generates a life of its own. It’s a community service and we’d like to make a real difference.’

Physio Paul Hunter told QPR.co.uk that Patrick Agyemang was healing well following a thigh injury.

Hunter said: ‘The thigh muscle tear has healed very well,

‘It’s still work in progress, but this is a very positive step up the ladder for Pat and we’ll give him all the support he needs over the next couple of months in a bid to return to full fitness as soon as possible.’

In a busy day of quotes in W12 QPR player-coach Gareth Ainsworth issued a rallying cry ahead of the Ipswich fixture.

He said: ‘Get shouting, get cheering, lets get this place rocking as I know we can and sometimes we need you.

‘The boys sometimes when things aren`t going the best you make the difference so no matter if you think your shout doesn`t count it does. Everyone shout together, we`ll get the result we desire and like I say sometimes you lot can make the difference.

‘We aim to win every game. Whenever we have a defeat it doesn`t devastate us we pick up and we go again but we always aim to win and winning is what football is all about.

‘We want results we want to get as high as we can in the table. And the only cliché I do believe in is that at the end of the season 46 games you`ll be in the rightful place and hopefully that`s going to be very high for QPR.’

Friday February 20

Mikele Leigertwood spoke for the second time in the week to hail the arrival of Jordi López and the arrival of Lee Cook.

He said: ‘He’s come in and shown good potential in training,

‘He’s comfortable on the ball and will fit in to the system well because he can play anywhere in midfield.

‘Cooky is a key player for us, because he gives us great balance down the left hand side with Damien (Delaney).

‘He was getting back to his best before the ban, so it’ll be great to have him back in the fray.’

Saturday February 21

Following a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Ipswich Town, Paulo Sousa praised the supporters and refused to blame individuals.

Sousa said: ‘I’ve always said that we win together and lose together and each and every player takes responsibility when we win and when we lose. Today is no different to that.

‘I understand the fans’ frustrations, but as a Manager, when you lose, you all lose. Some players didn’t play to their best ability tonight, but the way to help is to support.

‘It’s a normal reaction, because they (the fans) want to see us win every match. Their frustration is our frustration.

‘Of course I am disappointed. We created the first goal, but then we allowed them opportunities to score and we conceded a lot of possession.

‘We made a lot of mistakes in the first and second moments and they took advantage.’

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