Match Preview: Cherry Chimes chats to Lofty Heights

Match Preview
AFCB v QPR
Blogger Interview - Lofty Heights

Cherry Chimes speaks to Tony Gibson of the Lofty Heights blog and gets his views on the season so far and views on QPR's owner who continues to fund the club strongly in his ambitions to get the club back into the Premiership.

CC: Harry has not been his happy, smiling, self of late but do you think he could have made better decisions to keep QPR on winning ways in 2014?

LH: To be honest, he never seems happy and it has become more and more noted by QPR fans. His body language in the dugout, well, he couldn’t look more disinterested. We see opposing managers standing constantly in their technical area where as Harry spends most of his time sat down, with Kevin Bond and Joe Jordan doing the leg work. As for decisions, I don’t think these loans have helped to cover our injuries with up and coming youngsters dotted around the Football League. He recruited 4 strikers in January on loan, one of which looks up to the job, Kevin Doyle, who incidentally is now injured and has gone back to Wolves. Will Keane from Manchester United does not look in any way a United player and has struggled at this level. Brazilian Dellatore has only featured for Elite Development Squad and as for Modibo Maiga, well, if Sam Allardyce would rather play with no strikers than Maiga, it must say something? Unfortunately, it has been proved that Big Sam was more than justified in his actions.

CC: I hate to say it but if QPR don't get promoted should Redknapp be sacked?

LH: Personally, I would say no after many years of constant upheaval, but if this is the case that we do not go up, I think he will go yes, or will walk.

CC: Are you worried that Tony Fernandes may soon decide that he has to stop throwing money at QPR?

LH: Of course it’s a big worry, but his Social Media activities suggest he is in it for the long haul and it is a long term project, so I guess we have to remain positive and put our trust in Tony. He has made mistakes yes but he is standing by them.

CC: Do you think QPR would be in serious financial trouble if they don't get promotion this time around?

LH: With the backing we have from Fernandes and the Mittal Family, I would say no, but I think next season would be very different in regards to outgoings etc

CC: Would you fancy your chances in the play-offs having just beaten Wigan?

LH: I never wanted the play offs following our defeat to Cardiff many years ago. But I have to say, if we could get Charlie Austin back and firing in time, we would have a great chance!

CC: Was QPR's spell of below par form just due to Charlie Austin being out of the team?

LH: Of course yes, but in fairness, it wasn’t just Charlie. We have lost Danny Simpson, Matty Phillips and Ale Faurlin to long term injuries. Take that sort of quality out of any team and they are going to struggle.

CC: Who do you think would be the first names out of Loftus Road in the summer if you stay in the Championship?

LH: That’s a tough one as we are still very much off loading players from last season. Overall, I think the squad is very settled now. But I do hate to say this, I think if we were to stay down, we may well and unfortunately, see Joey Barton leave. Rob Green also as I think he is out of contract, I maybe wrong on that though.

CC: QPR are still getting results at home, it looks like it's the away from that is costing your team so do you think there is a problem playing away?

LH: Not really no, just think it has been a lack of fire power and having no Plan B has cost us away from home at times. If we have gone in front, Harry often just likes to shut up shop and take what we have rather than go hell for leather for the win. Our defeat at Doncaster was a classic example.

CC: What do you most like about Ravel Morrison?

LH: His confidence, he always wants the ball and when he has it, it only leaves his feet when he says it does. A real talent and definitely a star in the making.

CC: What has the support has been like for QPR this season?

LH: It’s been a bit of a mixed bag really with many frustrations on the pitch leading to many angry frustrations in the stands between our own supporters. Despite relegation, home crowds are healthy and often sold out and the away support is generally very good. The fact the Championship is somewhat cheaper than the Premier League has been a big appeal after last season.

CC: Have you been surprised by Bournemouth's league position this season?

LH: To be honest, no. The same happened to QPR when we were promoted to the Championship in the Holloway years. Teams who play good football often fair well in the Championship which is an excellent league. What I have been impressed with by Bournemouth is that you play, good, attractive, passing football and despite being defeated at Loftus Road earlier this season, I think just good finishing on the night was the difference between the 2 sides.

CC: QPR beat Bournemouth quite easily at Loftus Road earlier in the season but do you expect a harder game this time around at the Goldsands stadium?

LH: Most definitely yes. Your home form has been exceptional since the turn of the year. Including a draw with Burnley and only a narrow defeat against Leicester shows you can be a match for anyone and it will certainly be a very tough game. The 4-1 defeat of Leeds last week was certainly the eye catching result in the Division. There can often be a case where a team sneaks into the Play Offs following a good, late run and having looked at the table and see just a 7 point gap between you and 6th place, who says it can’t be Bournemouth?

CC: After the Birmingham game the gap has closed to five points for AFCB on the top six and indeed the Cherries are having a great season. Any ambitions of a high finish will be tested on Saturday by a QPR team that is very experienced and full of quality players. I think many of our supporters will hope for great things but if it doesn't happen for the Cherries there should not be any disappointment, because the team has performed fantastically even to get into the position it is now in. It should be a cracking game. Please have a read of  Lofty Heights' blog to see more on the form of QPR and their latest news, where Tony talks about the Hoops recent draw with Blackpool and much more.

Cherry Chimes talks to QPR blog Lofty Heights

QPR v AFCB

Match Preview

Blogger Interview

I have decided to feature Rival Line entries on the main page - Looking on from the Family Stands - as well as on to the Rival Lines section so that they are picked up by the news search engines. You'll still see them on the Rival Lines tab as well.

Today, Cherry Chimes talks to Lofty Heights blogger Tony Gibson, ahead of the QPR v AFCB clash on Tuesday night. Tony is loving life as a QPR fan in the Championship, but what if they win promotion back to the Premier League? QPR could well be caught as a yo-yo club in future years.

CC: It looks like you started Lofty Heights in 2006, but what made you start writing it and what do you make of other QPR blogs?

LH: It actually started in 2004 on the live journal format as a friend was writing an entertaining online diary and from there I got my inspiration. It was tried out as a little experiment from myself, as I enjoyed writing and wanted to try something a bit different, to try and give readers the whole match day experience and what fellow fans can relate too, rather than just the report which you can read anywhere. In 2006, it had an overhaul and tried to make it look more professional as the audience was beginning to grow massively. There are some great QPR sites out there, but I do feel other blogs have tried to emulate what we do somewhat I am sad to say, but we remain individual and regular as myself and co-editor, Lee Brown, along with our merry band of friends, attend games every week home and away. Other blogs often suffer as they do not update as regular.

CC: Have you enjoyed watching QPR more this season than last season?

LH: I feel born again!! The last 2 seasons have been dreadful and definitely tried my patience as a loyal supporter. In truth, it nearly broke me completely. It wasn't until the mercenaries at the Club were moved on in the summer, Harry started building his own team and the Corporate Brand, turned back into the Club I love, that I decided to keep the faith. I am loving this season!! It was an eye opener and I really am not sure how I would feel to go back to the Premier League at the moment.

CC: How happy are you with Harry Redknapp and the way he is making the team play after a year in charge?

LH: Over the moon with Harry!! He has turned a team of overpaid mercenaries who cared little for QPR, and built a great group who would die for each other. The spirit amongst the team is there for all to see and it is such a welcome and refreshing change to what we all saw last season.

CC:  You are still not scoring as many goals as the other top teams but is Charlie Austin doing extremely well, so have QPR fans taken to him?

LH: I would say, 95 per cent of R's fans have taken to Charlie. He is a quality player and we are very lucky to have him. He has been frustrated with being the 'lone' striker and sometimes the lack of service, but his work rate and all round team play is superb. Most R's fans will agree that we look a better attacking threat with 2 up front and Austin and Andy Johnson look telepathic when playing together. With Johnson and Zamora being injured, at times he has had little choice, but Harry is certainly appearing to be sticking with the current system and with our League position, why not indeed?

CC: Are there other players that Harry has signed that you think have made QPR such a good team this season?

LH: Oh yes, where do I start here? The back four is 75 per cent different on last year - Danny Simpson has been a great addition at right back and Assou-Ekotto at left back is a joy to behold, even if it's just for the hair!! A gamble from Harry that has certainly paid off at centre back is Richard Dunne who has been immense for us alongside Clint Hill and Nedum Onouha, who has sadly picked up a hamstring injury. The same can be said of the midfield with Tom Carroll in on loan from Spurs and who should be back for the Bournemouth game. Another one of Harry's favourites, is Niko Kranjcar and you can see why he has continued to sign him over the years. Cool and calm on the ball, a fantastic passing range and a superb eye for goal. Reminds me somewhat of Glenn Hoddle at his best. Karl Henry was also brought in and has weighed in with some solid displays.

CC: QPR have a great defensive record in the Championship but who is that down to in the main - one player in particular?

LH: Cannot separate the two, Richard Dunne and Nedum Onuoha.

CC: Many pundits are predicting a straight return for QPR to the Premiership but do you and other QPR fans see it like that?

The early signs are very good and personally, I think we have the best squad amongst the early pace setters and indeed, the division. But if we are to go up, I would like to think that we have learnt from our mistakes and that we would be ready for the Premier League! But in the mean time, I would guess that most QPR fans are more than happy being in the Championship as we now have our Rangers back!!

CC: QPR have been described as a Premiership team in the Championship but have you some young players that have been doing well?

LH: There are a few coming through and some out on loan namely Frankie Sutherland, midfield on loan to Orient, Michael Doughty, a left sided midfielder on loan to Stevenage, a very promising right back in Michael Harriman who is at Gillingham on loan, Bruno Andrade, an attacking midfielder on loan at Stevenage, Mike Petrasso, an exciting winger on loan to Oldham, who scored on his debut last weekend.

Kevin Hitchcock is a striker who is absolutely on fire for the EDS team and with our striker shortage earlier in the season, it was a bit of a surprise why he never got a run in the side, especially after coming off the bench and scoring the winner against Ipswich on his debut. It is rumoured now that Harry is looking to loan him out.

CC: Do you think Joey Barton is a better or different player having had a year at Marseilles in the French league?

LH: Well, what can I say about our Joey? Following his behaviour in the Man City game 2 seasons ago and his many twitter outbursts last season, me along with many other R's fans had no desire whatsoever to see him in the Hoops again. But I am very happy to fully accept that he has made me eat humble pie in massive quantities!! He has been simply outstanding!! I feel he does owe us somewhat and what better way to do so than put in committed performances on the pitch! His reputation however still proceeds him and referees have been very quick to show him yellow cards - and at least 4 times out of his 6 bookings, for simply being 'Joey Barton'. Whatever peoples opinions are of Joey Barton, he is a very good footballer without a doubt!!

CC: Which team have you been impressed with when they came to Loftus Road this season?

LH: A lot of teams are coming and packing the midfield, but I have to say have been most impressed by Derby and we were lucky to beat them. Play football how it should be played and have some very hungry and talented youngsters.

CC: Are there still plans for the club to eventually leave Loftus Road or have finances ruled that out for a few years yet?

LH: As far as I know, it is still ongoing. The new training ground at Warren Farm will be ready for next season and I think land has been purchased nearby to Loftus Road for the new stadium. Not sure if it’s the BBC site or the old Linford Christie Stadium, details have been vague.

CC: There are some restricted view tickets for the QPR v AFCB game, but is it pretty good viewing no matter where you are seated in the away seats?

LH: I would say so yes, as it is almost identical to where I sit at the other end. The Club are honest enough with the really bad seats to mark them with ‘diabolical view’, but I have yet to see one of those. Although I do think the price is reflective in that case.

CC: AFCB is one team that Harry Redknapp really will not want to lose to above many of the other clubs, because of the stick he would get but, be honest, it would be a shock if you suffered your second home defeat to the Cherries, wouldn't it?

LH: If I am honest and with our home form, I would say yes it would be a shock. But we all know how competitive the Championship is and on their day, anybody can beat anybody. But with 2 teams who like to play their football the right way, I am looking forward to a great game..

Come on you R’s!!!

CC: Well thanks Tony for some great views about QPR that should have us AFCB fans wanting to jump on the coach, trains or cars and make our way up to Loftus Road on Tuesday night. I was really hoping that you might say you are due a defeat at home, but it looks like Rangers are going  to be looking to bounce back after the defeat at Doncaster. I think it is a great opportunity for AFCB fans to see Loftus Road perhaps for the last time if the club does move to another stadium, so I hope we pack out the away end. Make sure you have a read of the Lofty Heights Blog before you leave.