Mbia ‘100%’ committed to QPR’s promotion push in the Championship

QPR midfielder Stephane Mbia insists he is ’100% committed’ to helping the club bounce back from relegation and gain promotion to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Mbia, who made 32 appearances for the R’s, last season, was expected to move on this summer as boss Harry Redknapp looks to trim the club’s wage bill in order to build a promotion-winning side.

But with less than a week to go until the season opener, Mbia remains a QPR player and the 27-year-old says he is ready to put the past behind him and help the team push for promotion this season.

“I’m 100% happy to stay here,” he said.

“I am happy to work hard under a great manager. Harry is a very, very good man with a good heart.

“I want to make everything OK. I want the team to start quickly for next season. I am happy because the manager understands me and so does everybody here.

“I try to give my best for the team. Last season was really difficult for me and my family to go down to the Championship, but I’m willing to work hard.

“I was disappointed for the fans last season. They suffered. I hope the manager gets the chance to keep all the good players and we can win games.

“I’m happy in England and I want to get the team up quickly for the next season.”

Mbia scored his first goal for QPR in their 3-1 pre-season win at Southend United on Friday and revealed his reasons for running over to the bench and celebrating with the Rangers staff.

He added: “I was celebrating with the medical team, because I didn’t score last year and I was so happy to score. Everyone was laughing about it, that’s why I ran over.”

This can also be found on: http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/mbia-insists-he-is-100-committed-to-qpr

Fernandes gives group of R’s fans trip to remember

Tuesday’s Capital One Cup clash at Exeter means QPR will visit St James Park for the second time in the space of a few weeks.

 

The last visit was for a unmemorable pre-season friendly last month, which ended in a goalless draw.

 

But for a group of Rangers fans, it was definitely an occasion to remember.

 

They travelled to the match with Tony Fernandes after the R’s chairman tweeted that he had space on his jet, inviting fans to tell him why he should take them along.

 

Lorna Graham was one of the fans chosen by Fernandes.

 

“I was an extremely lucky girl to be chosen – it’s something I know I’ll never experience again unless I win the lottery,” she said.

 

“I’ll always be eternally grateful for what he did for me and the others that day.”

 

The group set off from Luton on the morning of the match, with Fernandes and QPR chief executive Philip Beard in attendance.

 

 

Lorna, who is in remission from breast cancer, explained: “Tony came and chatted to us all on the plane and was really open and honest about what has gone wrong at the club, saying how much he has learnt from the last two seasons.

 

“He talked about why Adel Taarabt was sent home from pre-season and the fines system that he will be operating this season for players who do overstep the mark.

 

“He insisted things would be different this time around and that the club would bounce back from relegation.”

 

Lorna and co also met manager Harry Redknapp and spoke to the players.

 

“I asked Tony why he had arranged it and his reply was that he had the room on the plane and why not let someone else enjoy it too,” she said.

 

“For someone like me, who is lucky still to be here, to be spoilt rotten that day is something I’ll never forget.”

 

Another fan, who attended his first QPR match, was invited to join Fernandes after the chairman became aware of the Twitter hashtag #HelpMikeyWatchQPR.

 

Michael Keeling, 18, suffers from Marfans Syndrome, a debilitating condition which has a severe impact on his day-to-day routine.

He was hospitalised ahead of the match and at one stage seemed likely to miss out.

“Tony was very welcoming and ever so ecstatic that I could make it to the game – it felt like he was more excited to meet the fan than the fan was to meet him,” he said.

 

“Tony said to me that I should ‘dare to dream’ and not let anything get in my way.

 

“He then went off to greet all travelling fans at the gate for photos and autographs, which was a breath of fresh air for any travelling R’s fan. He welcomed them all individually.

 

“He’s inviting me up for my first game at Loftus Road soon and said he’s going to look after me whenever I need help.

 

“You can’t knock the guy for what he does for our football club and the fans.”

 

This can also be found on: http://www.westlondonsport.com/features-comment/fernandes-gives-group-of-qpr-fans-an-away-trip-to-savour

Simpson: QPR squad is united

Summer signing Danny Simpson insists QPR’s players are united ahead of the new season.

Rangers were plagued by dressing-room divisions last term but Simpson, signed from Newcastle on a Bosman free transfer, says he has not encountered any problems.

“I read a lot of stuff last season about it, but I haven’t seen any of this from the players and the staff during my time here so far,” he said.

“Everyone has been working hard in training and getting themselves fit.

“We’re all focused on getting ready for what will be a tough season.”

The 26-year-old will bring much-needed Championship experience and believes the key to being successful in the second tier is having a good team bond.

“I’ve been in this position before with Sunderland and Newcastle. You need to have a good team spirit – it’s a tough schedule in the Championship,” he explained.

“A big part of doing well in this league is getting off to a flying start and carrying that momentum forward.”

This can also be found on: http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/simpson-qpr-do-not-lack-team-spirit

Moore stays grounded after being tipped to play for England

Brentford goalkeeper Simon Moore has insisted he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite being tipped to play for England by David James.

 

The 22-year-old has impressed former England keeper James, who believes Moore could emulate the success of Joe Hart.

 

Manchester City’s Hart started his career at Shrewsbury before going on to establish himself in the Premier League and for his country – and James feels Moore could also play at the top level.

 

“It’s fantastic to hear that from someone who has played at the highest level and played so many games for England – it’s a real compliment,” Moore told West London Sport.

 

But he added: “Of course I want to play at the highest level, but my focus at the moment is solely on Brentford and helping them get promoted.

 

“Being a goalkeeper, one minute you can be a hero and the next zero, so you can’t get too high or too low. It can turn on its head just like that because that’s the nature of football.

 

“This season has been a personal highlight for me because I’ve played so many games.

 

“It’s so important when you’re a young goalkeeper to play as much as possible in order to learn.

 

“That’s what I’ve got the opportunity to do at Brentford and I’m thoroughly enjoying every moment of it.

 

“I’m at a club which is going places and has every chance of getting promoted into the Championship.”

 

Moore also credits Richard Lee and goalkeeping coach Simon Royce with playing an integral part in his development.

 

He has been keeping Lee out of the side but the former Watford keeper has acted as his mentor and the pair are close friends.

 

“Roycey has been fantastic ever since he has come in. I love working with him on a day-to-day basis,” said Moore.

 

“He has played at the highest level so it’s great to have someone with such a wealth of experience to learn off.

 

“And Richard Lee I can’t speak highly enough of. He’s had a huge influence on the development of my career and continues to do so.

 

“I’m sure in the future he will help even more – there’s no one better to learn off.”

 

This can also be found on: http://www.westlondonsport.com/brentford/bees-keeper-stays-grounded-after-being-tipped-to-play-for-england

Donaldson has no sympathy for Torres

 

Brentford striker Clayton Donaldson – a man who plied his trade at the likes of Halifax and Harrogate Town – has no sympathy for Fernando Torres.

Donaldson’s side face Chelsea in the FA Cup fourth-round replay on Sunday, having gone close to knocking them out at Griffin Park.

Torres’ late goal rescued a 2-2 draw for the European champions in that game, yet the Spaniard continues to struggle in front of goal.

But Donaldson, who has scored 19 times this season, told West London Sport: “He’s a £50m player I’m sure he’s happy – he’s on about £250k a week so I’ve got no sympathy for him.

“At one stage of his career he was one of the best strikers in the world, so there’s no doubting his ability as a player.

“He came here [to Griffin Park] and did nothing the entire game and then suddenly came up with that moment of brilliance. It goes to show you don’t really lose it.

“He’s a good player so we’ll have to be wary of him because he has real quality.”

The Bees’ top scorer remains confident his team can pull off a cup shock at Stamford Bridge, after being just seven minutes away from glory against Rafael Benitez’s men.

Donaldson said: “We were so close to beating Chelsea in the first game so that gives us that extra belief that we can go there and win the game.

“I think they’ll be a bit more wary of us this time around, but we can still do it – it would be just fantastic for everyone connected with the club if we could.

“A victory against the champions of Europe at Stamford Bridge – you can’t dream of anything better than that really.”

This can also be found on: http://www.westlondonsport.com/features-comment/why-grafter-donaldson-has-no-sympathy-for-misfiring-torres