Richard Dunne hails team spirit at Queens Park Rangers

Queens Park Rangers defender Richard Dunne has claimed the attitude of the squad was the key factor behind their successful promotion bid last season.

Ahead of their return to the Premier League after a one-year absence, Dunne has praised the team spirit created by the players at Loftus Road since his arrival a year ago.

"You probably heard so many bad stories from a couple of years ago about how bad the dressing room was, but from the first day I came in it has been great and enjoyable," the Irish defender told reporters.

"Everyone was positive about where we were going and what the aim was, because of that people more or less looked after themselves.

"There was no need really to pull people in to tell them 'you need to be more like this'. Everyone was a good lad, they toed the line and the dressing room then looked after itself."

QPR begin their season against Hull City on August 16.

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/qpr/news/dunne-happy-with-team-spirit-at-qpr_168479.html

Ajax striker set for QPR switch

QPR are believed to be close to agreeing a fee with Ajax for striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson. The 24-year old has previously been linked with a host of clubs including Leicester City, Swansea City, Sunderland, West Ham United and Newcastle United as well as Scottish Champions Celtic.

Ajax have placed a valuation believed to be around £10 million on Sigthorsson and according to Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars they are close to agreeing a fee with Queens Park Rangers. Despite the interest from Leicester City, Swansea City, Sunderland, West Ham United, Newcastle United and Celtic it is understood that QPR are the only side holding advanced talks with the Dutch outfit.

“I have had some good talks with QPR over Kolbeinn,” Overmars told Voetbal International.

“We are pretty close to each other regarding the transfer fee. But the player’s demands are obviously important as well. 
“I think QPR is a good opportunity for Kolbeinn. Just look at how Wilfried Bony fares in the Premier League. He has already caught the attention of some major clubs after just one year in England.”

http://www.first4lcfc.co.uk/blog/ajax-striker-set-for-premier-league-switch/?

Leyton Orient 2 - 2 QPR

Harry Redknapp's men conceded early on at Brisbane Road but got back into the game through the two midfielders, with goalkeeper Rob Green making a fine double save

Joey Barton and Junior Hoilett were on target as QPR played out an entertaining 2-2 friendly draw at Leyton Orient.

The Premier League new-boys were without new signing Rio Ferdinand at Brisbane Road and they fell behind after just 10 minutes.

Romain Vincelot glanced a superb header from Dean Cox's cross past QPR goalkeeper Rob Green to put the League One club ahead.

That goal was just reward for a strong start from the hosts but a moment of top-flight quality from Hoilett - making his first appearance of pre-season - brought Harry Redknapp's side level after 19 minutes. The former Blackburn Rovers man found some space around 25 yards from goal and gave Gary Woods no chance with a shot that arrowed into the bottom corner.

QPR began to control proceedings thereafter but Green was forced into a fine double save to keep them level at half-time.

And Orient were undone shortly after the restart, as Barton fired home a free kick to put the visitors into the lead.

However, Cox snatched a draw for Orient late on as he wriggled free in the box before slotting home.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3349/pre-season/2014/07/29/4991955/-?

Former QPR star set to make Loftus Road return?

Queens Park Rangers could be reunited with Niko Kranjcar next month – if the price is right.

The Croatia midfielder was on loan at the club last season from Dinamo Kiev and started their successful play-off final win before coming off injured just after the half-hour mark.

Now Rangers are back in the Premier League and Redknapp thinks the 29-year-old could add quality to his thin-looking squad.

“I like Niko. If he’s free,” Redknapp said.

“There’s a deal to be done with his club on his wages. He wants to come back here. He can play Premier League football, there’s no doubt about it. They’re the type of players we need – players with a bit of quality.

“They are still talking to his club. I think his agent is looking at it and can do a deal that suits the club. He would like to come and will take a massive drop in wages to come back here. He enjoys it and is a good lad."

At times during the demanding Championship season questions were asked about the playmaker's conditioning but Redknapp is confident he will be in good enough nick to help keep his side in the top flight.

When asked if Kranjcar would have to prove his fitness, Redknapp said: “No, not really. He needs to get him up and running but certainly his ability is not in question.

“If he comes back and gets in good shape he will be a big asset to us again.”

http://talksport.com/football/former-qpr-star-set-make-loftus-road-return-140728104182?

Is QPR heartthrob Mathieu Valbuena Europe’s most criminally underrated footballer?

When, last week, it was reported that Mathieu Valbuena’s excellent World Cup had earned him a move to Dinamo Moscow eyebrows were raised at bwinbetting.com HQ.

The Muscovites, 112 places below his long-term bankrollers Marseille on the UEFA club coefficient, seemed to have pulled off what amounted to an outrageous coup.

Only three players at Brazil 2014 averaged more key passes (goalscoring opportunities created) an outing than the Frenchman over as many or more games at the tournament.

Ultimately it appears that some news organs had jumped the gun in confirming the deal, with the L’OM lifer spurning their advances.

However, his farcically low-standing in the eyes of elite clubs around Europe shows little sign of improving, with QPR now seemingly heading the queue for his services.

The fee remains a snip of a £7m and the presence of 2012/13-season Stade Velodrome holidaymaker Joey Barton is thought to be a big plus point for the Loftus Road club’s chances of landing his signature.

No offence is meant to Super Hoops by such a statement, but surely Valbuena should be seeking Champions League football at this stage of his career?

Last term he outshone even £60-plus Real Madrid acquisition James Rodriguez in Ligue 1’s goalscoring chances-created stakes, topping those particular standings, just as he had done the year before.

Rangers meanwhile had only Barton creating anywhere near Valbuena’s average of 2.6 key passes per 90 minutes in the Championship last term.

As such the acquisition of the Frenchman would make the 17/50 about QPR to avoid the bony fingers of the reaper in their first campaign back at the top level of English football next term infinitely more palatable.

http://bwinbetting.com/leagues/premier-league/mathieu-valbuena-underrated-footballer,58902.html?

Leipzig 2-0 QPR: Rio Ferdinand debut ends in defeat

Rio Ferdinand's QPR debut ended in disappointment as Harry Redknapp's side were beaten 2-0 by RB Leipzig on Saturday.

The former England international made his first appearance since arriving as a free agent following his departure from Manchester United in the close-season, playing 45 minutes for his new side in Gera.

Ferdinand started in the centre of defence alongside Richard Dunne but was replaced as one of several half-time changes with the score at 0-0.

In the second half, Yussuf Poulsen's brace condemned QPR to defeat in the last game of their German tour against a side preparing for life in the Bundesliga's second tier following promotion in 2013-14.

After a tight opening, QPR threatened an early goal in the eighth minute, Charlie Austin close to getting on the end of Danny Simpson's cross only for a defender to touch the ball away at the last moment.

Rani Khedira blasted an effort way off target on the half-hour mark, shortly before the heavens opened to send fans in the open stands running for cover.

Four minutes before the break, Leipzig went close to scoring as Khedira crashed a 25-yard free kick off the crossbar before, in the second period, John-Patrick Strauss shot into the side netting with just Robert Green to beat.

Leipzig continued to press, Denis Thomalla firing narrowly over the crossbar from the edge of the box on the hour and, two minutes later, the German team were ahead, Poulsen running away from Dunne and slotting beyond Green with a cool finish.

That lead was doubled 17 minutes from time, Poulsen lashing the ball into the top corner from just inside the area after receiving a pass from Strauss.

QPR failed to create any chances of note to force their way back into the game in the closing stages and Redknapp will be hoping for an improved display in their next friendly against Leyton Orient on Tuesday.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3349/pre-season/2014/07/26/4985415/-?

Green: I’ll stay QPR’s number one

26/07/2014
By David McIntyre

Rob Green has revealed he would have quit QPR had he not been assured he would remain the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Green was ousted from the team by Julio Cesar soon after joining from West Ham two years ago and spent much of that ill-fated season on the substitutes’ bench.

Boss Harry Redknapp later restored him and Green was a key player as the side were promoted back to the Premier League last term, while the out-of-favour Cesar ended the campaign on loan at Toronto.

With Cesar still under contract at Loftus Road there has been speculation about the Brazilian’s future – but Green would not have signed for two more years when his deal expired this summer if there was any prospect of losing his place to him again.

Green explained: “I wouldn’t have re-signed. And I wouldn’t have signed two years ago if I knew I wasn’t going to play.

Cesar featured for Brazil in the recent World Cup.

“I spoke to the manager at Anfield at the end of the previous season where I had played the last eight or nine games. He asked me what I wanted and told me ‘You are going to be my keeper, I want you to play’.

“Nothing has changed since then. I’ve played football for a long time now and not playing is not something I want to do.

“Given everything stays the same – fitness and form – I want to be part of a team playing in the Premier League and striving for success.”

And after a season in which he set a new club record by keeping eight consecutive clean sheets, and was hugely impressive in the all-important run-in, including the play-off triumph against Derby at Wembley, Green believes he has earned another crack at the top flight.

He said: “I feel like I proved my worth last season. Wherever I’ve been all I’ve really asked for is a chance.

“It was a successful season, we conceded less than a goal a game and then one in three in the play-offs and broke the club record for the number of clean sheets.

“There’s enough there to go on, as a defence and me personally, to think we did our bit and deserve a chance back in the Premier League.

http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/green-ill-stay-qprs-number-one?

Frank Lampard reveals he rejected offer from uncle Harry Redknapp to sign for QPR before agreeing New York City deal

Frank Lampard has revealed that he rejected an offer from his uncle Harry Redknapp to join QPR before deciding to sign for New York City.

Lampard was unveiled in Brooklyn on Thursday after it was confirmed that the former Chelsea midfielder has agreed a two-year deal to play for the Manchester City owned club in Major League Soccer next season.

But the 36-year-old admitted that he and his father Frank Snr spoke with QPR boss Redknapp – who gave him a first-team break at West Ham in 1996 – about staying in the Premier League after he left Stamford Bridge at the end of last season.

‘We had some conversations and so did my dad,’ said Lampard. ‘I think my dad spoke to Harry quite a lot. But it wasn't really an option for me.

‘I had 13 years at Chelsea and it's something very dear to me, so it would have been difficult to play for a club so close. From that point of view coming out here to New York is a good option. It's a new start. 

‘I was aware before the World Cup that I was leaving Chelsea. I had a decision to make and I didn't want to make it during the World Cup, even though I was thinking about my future.

‘I’ve only made the decision very recently but I've been handed something which is an outstanding opportunity. 

‘There were other options, yes. Some in England, other parts of the world but this was the one that always stood out to me. The idea of coming to this city and playing for a new team with a really good vision for the future, it just made it easy for me. It wasn't a hard decision.’ 

Lampard is certain there will be an increasing trend of top players moving to MLS, and believes his old Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will approve of his decision.

‘Absolutely, the quality has grown and there are players from England and players from all around the world coming here,’ he added.

‘There are new clubs springing up like this one. Players like David Villa are coming in. You're hearing names linked with clubs here all the time and it's a very attractive option for players to come and play here.

‘I haven't spoken to Jose that much about it but he'll understand why I've done it. He loves coming out here for pre-season. Maybe he'll come out and have a game against us, he'd get that for sure. 

‘But this was a decision for me to take, nobody else. And I know it's the right one. I'm sure Jose will respect my decision. He'll support me no matter what. Wherever I'm playing we'll always be close. Even if we're far away, I'll still admire him and support Chelsea.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2704798/Frank-Lampard-reveals-rejected-offer-uncle-Harry-Redknapp-sign-QPR-agreeing-New-York-City-deal.html#ixzz38SUF6MSa

Former West Ham man keen to secure QPR contract after trial

Wales international Jack Collison wants to prove himself during a pre-season spell at QPR - with a move to Loftus Road of interest to the former West Ham midfielder.

The 25-year-old saw his seven-year stay at West Ham come to an end when a number of knee problems led to no new contract being offered this summer.

Having spent time out on loan at Bournemouth and Wigan, Collison failed to prove his fitness to Hammers boss Sam Allardyce and is now in search of a new club.

Harry Redknapp offered Collison the chance to work with his QPR squad during their pre-season preparations to give him a better chance of securing a future in the game.

Now out with the Hoops on their pre-season tour of Germany, Collison is targeting a place in Redknapp’s side for Saturday’s friendly against Red Bull Leipzig and potentially a deal that could see him stay with newly-promoted Rangers.

“The injury has been frustrating but the manager here has been good and not pushed me too hard on the first few days,” he said.

“Hopefully I can start getting involved in some games and start showing people what I can offer them. If I come here and do well then you never know what can happen but I’m also just trying to get myself fit.

“There’s no pressure, it’s a fantastic club and at the moment I am just grateful to have the opportunity to train with some good players and a fantastic manager.

“We’ll just see how it goes, If I do well in a couple of games then you never know. But, if not, then I will have at least got some fitness and maybe some games and everyone is aware of my situation.”

Redknapp said he had been informed of Collison’s long-standing knee issue and was hoping to do his bit in keeping the Welshman involved in the game.

“I brought the boy in because I like him, he is a fantastic boy,” the 67-year-old said.

“He’s got a chronic knee problem, it must be terrible so if I can help get him fit I will. People have told me what a great lad he is and I knew he didn’t have anywhere to train so I wouldn't say no to him.

“He is going through a lot and he is a real good player but his knee is horrendous, it’s not fair.”

http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/west-ham/former_west_ham_man_keen_to_secure_qpr_contract_after_trial_1_3699257

QPR may scrap £30m training complex, says owner Tony Fernandes

Campaigners against Queens Park Rangers’ planned £30 million training centre are celebrating after the club’s chairman said the scheme could be scrapped.

The Premier League team’s owner Tony Fernandes said the scale of local opposition to the plan to build a facility at Warren Farm in Hanwell, west London, had made him rethink his plans despite defeating a legal challenge in the High Court in March.

Mr Fernandes said he was now considering upgrading the club’s existing ramshackle training ground at Harlington instead.

He said: “We are going to move on. Imperial (College) are the land owners here [at Harlington]. We are talking to Imperial about expanding and making it bigger and better here.

“We are going to have a board meeting in a few months when we are going to decide. If I was a betting man I would say it would be here.”

He added: “The judicial reviews keep coming. The local residents keep complaining – it’s only a few but it doesn’t take many to stop something.”

Mr Fernandes’s comments were greeted with enthusiasm by the Hanwell Community Forum, which has accused Ealing  council of selling off 61 acres of public space to QPR for “a  mere £1.8 million to £2.25 million”.

The council said:  “We are keen to see what will be a great facility for both QPR and our residents.”

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/qpr-may-scrap-30m-training-complex-says-owner-tony-fernandes-9626313.html

QPR after Eto'o?

Harry Redknapp is looking to add Samuel Eto’o to his list of transfer targets as he aims to keep his newly promoted side in the English Premier League, Mirror reports.

The 33-year-old is now a free agent after playing out his Chelsea contract but is keen on remaining in London as well as in the English top flight.

His agent, Claudio Vigorelli, is already on his way to negotiate a deal with QPR but is believed to be needing to take a huge pay-cut to join Rednapp’s side.

Before the potential move to the club, he was also linked with a move to Arsenal just so that he could prove Jose Mourinho wrong after their relationship broke down over a comment the manager made regarding his age.

The Hoops are already building a strong squad, especially in defence after they announced the signing of former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand as well as Cardiff City centre-back Steven Caulker.

http://www.footballfancast.com/football-news/qpr-plan-shock-offer-for-former-barcelona-and-chelsea-star?

Watford striker linked with QPR

Watford’s sought-after striker Troy Deeney is attracting interest from newly-promoted Premier League club Queens Park Rangers, according to West London Sport.

They report that the 26-year-old, who began his career as a trainee at Aston Villa and played for Walsall before joining his current club, is one of several forwards on Rangers’ radar, with the Hoops struggling to complete the signing of Ajax star Kolbeinn Sigthorsson.

Watford striker Troy Deeney has been linked with a switch to QPR

But QPR are not the only top flight newcomers who are interested in securing Deeney’s services for 2014-15, with Football League World reporting this week that Watford had turned down a £7.5m bid from Leicester City for their number nine.

Deeney has enjoyed three prolific seasons with the Hornets; he finished 2011-12 as the club’s top scorer with 12 goals in all competitions, before netting 20 times in a 2012-13 campaign which nearly ended in promotion to the Premier League, and then finding the net on 25 occasions last term.

http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/watford-striker-linked-with-qpr-123/?#

QPR and Swansea target former Barcelona striker

This would be good!

According to reports, QPR and Swansea are set to battle it out for former Barcelona and Argentina striker, Javier Saviola.

The 31-year-old has recently parted company with Olympiacos after just one season with the Greek giants.

Sky Sources believe that Saviola is extremely keen on a move to the Premier League, with QPR and Swansea listed as the main contenders to secure the Argentinian's signature. 

Saviola was once a £15 million signing for Barcelona back in 2001, the journeyman centre-forward netted just short of fifty goals during his time at the Nou Camp, before going on to represent the likes of Monaco, Real Madrid, Benfica and eventually Olympiacos. 

Harry Redknapp is eager to bolster his attacking ranks at Loftus Road, with Loic Remy on the verge of becoming a Liverpool player. 

The fact that Saviola is available on a free-transfer could appeal to the 67-year-old QPR boss, who will be keen to learn from the mistakes that were made by the club two seasons ago, although it's likely that the Argentinian will require a relatively large pay packet. 

Garry Monk is also looking to strengthen his side ahead of the new season, and with Gylfi Sigurdsson seemingly close to sealing a permanent move to the Liberty Stadium, Saviola would show that the Swans really mean business

Fans of the Welsh side will hope any interest doesn't signal the club's intention to sell Wilfired Bony, but with the much-wanted Ivorian currently priced at £20M, he may well be linking up with Saviola next season.

The 31-year-old clearly still possesses a goalscoring touch, Saviola registered 14 goals in 34 appearances for Olympiacos last season, and on a free-transfer he may well turn out to be one of the bargains of the summer.   

Do you think QPR or Swansea have a chance of getting Saviola?

http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/07/22/as-qpr-and-swansea-target-former-barcelona-striker/?

Rot-Weiss Erfurt 0-1 QPR: Austin goal gives Redknapp's side narrow victory

The newly-promoted Premier League side, without their summer signings, kicked off their pre-season preparations with a win over the German minnows on Tuesday evening

Charlie Austin struck the only goal of the game as QPR began their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win over Rot-Weiss Erfurt on Tuesday.

The Premier League newcomers were without both of their close-season signings, Rio Ferdinand and Steven Caulker, for the clash in Germany but Austin's 21st-minute header secured victory.

Harry Redknapp was able to welcome back Alejandro Faurlin and Esteban Granero to the starting line-up following troublesome knee injuries last season, with both midfielders comfortably completing 45 minutes.

Austin posed the greatest threat and appeared to have given his side the lead in the opening 10 minutes as he rose to meet a right-wing cross, but the 25-year-old was flagged offside.

There was nothing wrong with his effort midway through the first half, though, as he met Joey Barton's pinpoint free-kick to head into the top corner.

The goal only served to spark Rot-Weiss into life as Christian Falk was denied on three occasions by the impressive Rob Green.

With 11 changes at half-time it took QPR time to settle back into the match and their hosts applied more pressure after the hour.

Substitute goalkeeper Joe Lumley carried on Green's good work with two goal-saving blocks in the latter stages of the second period, while Clint Hill was on hand to deny the hosts with a well-executed challenge in the 69th minute as QPR held out to record a narrow victory

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3349/pre-season/2014/07/22/4977187/-?

.

Caulker set for QPR - Caulker latest on medical

According to Sky Sources, Cardiff defender Steven Caulker is today having his medical at Premiership new boys QPR.

There has been significant competition for the England centre back, with Crystal Palace having an offer accepted for the 22 year old as well, however it looks like Caulker has decided to choose the play-off winners over a Palace side that became hard to beat after the appointment of Tony Pulis as manager.

Cardiff only signed Caulker last season for £8 million, which is the buy-out clause that Caulker had in his Cardiff contract, from Tottenham after having an impressive loan spell at rivals Swansea. He played all 38 Premier League games for Cardiff scoring 5 times, and was one of the few players whose reputation remained intact following the club’s relegation.

After securing the signature of Rio Ferdinand from Manchester United a few days ago, signing Caulker would be a huge plus for QPR manager Harry Redknapp, who did manager the Cardiff captain whilst at Tottenham, however he did not make a Premier League appearance when Redknapp was manager at Spurs.

http://the72.co.uk/10958/caulker-set-for-qpr/?

Redknapp targets five or six QPR signings - possible candidates

According to reports, QPR manager Harry Redknapp is keen on adding as many as six new signings to his squad ahead of the new season.

The 67-year-old manager has told reporters that he is determined to recruit at least 'five or six' new players in order to bolster his QPR squad ahead of a their return to the Premier League. 

Here are six players who could arrive at Loftus Road over the coming weeks; 

Steven Caulker 

The R's have reportedly agreed a fee with Cardiff City for the 22-year-old, and are already in talks to bring the youngster to West London. 

Caulker has been a long-term target for a host of Premier League sides and whilst Redknapp concedes the defender still has offers to consider from elsewhere, he expects QPR to be in pole position to capture the centre-back's signature. 

According to Redknapp Caulker believes playing alongside Rio Ferdinand will heighten his chances of a return to the national team, and for that reason alone he will opt to join QPR. 

Peter Crouch 

Following the departure of Loic Remy, it's vital that Redknapp spends the recouped transfer money wisely and brings a goalscorer to Loftus Road. 

Crouch is a player which the QPR manager is extremely familiar with having already managed the 6"7 striker at Southampton, Portsmouth and Tottenham, and another reunion may well be on the cards. 

Stoke have been active in the transfer market so far this summer already recruiting Mame Biram Diouf, and should The Potters succeed in their pursuit of Bojan then Crouch could find himself surplus to requirements at The Britannia and heading for the exit.  

Rafael van der Vaart

Another Redknapp favourite from his managerial tenure at White Hart Lane, the 67-year-old is reportedlyinterested in brining the former Tottenham man to Loftus Road. 

The Dutchman made his move to Hamburg two seasons ago, and doesn't seem to have lost his goalscoring touch netting 12 goals in 55 appearances for the German side. 

The 31-year-old would definitely add some much needed quality to Redknapp's midfield, and could be available at a reasonable price. 

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson

Reports earlier this week indicated that a deal had been reached between QPR and Ajax for the Icelandic striker, but completion of the transfer is yet to be made official. 

The 24-year-old has scored 24 goals in 59 games during his time at Ajax, and could prove to be a success in the Premier League given the chance. 

Tim Cahill 

According to reports, New York Red Bulls have offered the 34-year- to QPR on a season long loan. 

The former Everton midfielder enjoyed eight successful seasons in the Premier League following a move from Millwall, and is thought to be keen on a return to England's top flight following some positive performances in the World Cup. 

The Australian would add a great deal of experience to Redknapp's side, and the prospect of having to pay no money up front could make Cahil a very realistic option. 

Kyle Naughton 

Yet another of Redknapp's former players, Naughton worked under the QPR manager at Tottenham before moving to Norwich where the full-back was relegated from the Premier League last season. 

There's no doubt that the 25-year-old will be keen on a return to the top flight as soon as possible, and Norwich could be convinced to sell at a cut price in order to balance their books. 

Naughton has been mentioned as a possible target for Redknapp in this morning's press, and would add some much needed depth to the back line at Loftus Road. 

Who would you like to see move to QPR?

http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/07/20/as-redknapp-has-five-or-six-more-qpr-targets-possible-candidates/?

Leroy Fer to QPR?

After the play-off win back in May, QPR fans will have been hoping their transfer strategy wouldn't have reassembled a poor man’s version of Real Madrid’s ‘Galacticos’. Rio Ferdinand signing began to see those fears – of ageing players on large wages – return, but the reported interest in the recently relegated Norwich City player Leroy Fer could see a remedy to those fears.

Despite playing for a relegated side last season, Leroy Fer still saw his name announced in the Dutch World Cup squad – a sign of the potential the midfielder possesses. His impact on the tournament was short yet sweet, with a goal against Chile with his first touch, before a hamstring injury prevented him from playing any further part. It is very important not to judge players on their international form though, and while Fer has only had a handful of caps the words ‘Netherlands international’ can add extra millions to a transfer fee.

Based on his performances for Norwich it is a surprise there isn’t a longer queue for Fer. The former FC Twente midfielder had his struggles with the physicality of the Premier League, most young players do, and this saw his form drop by February, but the dominant performances he managed beforehand were a testament to his ability.

Fer is a classic box to box midfielder and has drawn similarities with Yaya Toure by some fans as he managed to gallop up the pitch and beat opposition players, despite his tall frame – and this resulted in winning goals against West Ham and West Brom – whilst also being able to produce some inch-perfect passes into either the channel or the striker playing on the last defender’s shoulder. His defensive attributes were also on show, with Fer making the most tackles for Norwich throughout the whole season (60) and winning a ground duel every 16.88 minutes, as well as winning the ball in the middle third of the pitch on 88 occasions.

The young Dutch player does come with his faults though. Last season, Fer struggled with the pace of the Premier League and was regularly caught on the ball resulting in the loss of possession, alongside giving away the most fouls for his current team (51). These are things that Fer will need to improve on however, and with the right coaching as well as further experience in the English top flight he should eradicate these weaknesses from his game.

If QPR manage to sign Leroy Fer – Norwich are expected to play hardball with incoming bids for their players this summer – the London club will gain a valuable asset, especially for the reported £5 million, and signals a brighter term in the Premier League compared to their stint a couple of seasons ago.

http://eplindex.com/56215/leroy-fer-qpr.html

QPR remain confident of signing Cardiff’s Caulker

Sky Sport News reports that QPR remain confident in the pursuit of Cardiff City’s Steven Caulker despite late interest from Southampton.

QPR and Southampton still keen on Cardiff’s Caulker

With QPR already boosting their defending options by the purchase of Rio Ferdinand on a one-year deal, QPR yet to add yet more options with the Cardiff captain.

QPR will be off on their pre-season tour to Germany this week, but remain keen to enter negotiations for the 22-year-old in time for him to join them on the tour.

The defenders contract has a reported relegation release clause, which means he is free to leave the club for a fee thought to be in the region of £8m.

http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/qpr-remain-confident-of-signing-cardiffs-caulker-101/?#