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The 3-0 victory for Queens Park Rangers over Sheffield United on Monday night increased their lead at the top of the Championship to 9 points over 2nd placed Norwich City and 13 points from the play-off positions. With only seven games left to go, the team from West London are extremely close to ending their 15 years spent outside of the top flight since relegation from the Premier League in 1995/1996.

Whilst Rangers fans have suffered a further relegation since then and the joy of promotion back to the 2nd tier of English football, we have also had to deal with the “you’re not famous anymore” chants from opposing fans. Although Rangers can’t boast about a full trophy cabinet, we did enjoy some great spells in the top flight of English football over the years, from the first few seasons when the Premier League was formed in 1992, back to when it was simply known as English Football Division One previously.

For fellow R’s supporters reading this, it’s our moment in the spotlight following what has been a tremendous season under Neil Warnock and his team in the Championship so far and there’s nothing more suitable than enjoying a Top Ten moments in the top flight for Queens Park Rangers.

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Non-Rangers fans may still want to check this out for some football history, before the likes of Chelsea and Fulham got rich, we could boast being the best team in West London and for a few seasons, the best team in the Capital.

So, let us enjoy the top ten moments because being a Rangers fan for the last 15 years has not been easy but promotion this season will be some justice to what our loyal fan base has had to endure with the faint hope of the following glory returning to Loftus Road. C’mon You R’s!

10) – Best team in London 1987/1988 – One of three occasions where Rangers finished 5th in the top division under the management of Jim Smith. In this season the R’s finished on 67 points, behind the likes of the 1980’s most dominant teams, Everton, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Liverpool and a point above Arsenal in 6th and Chelsea were relegated out of the top flight.

9) – 5-5 Draw with Newcastle United – In the 1984/1985 season the top flight saw one of its highest scoring score draws of all times. Played on Rangers’ infamous plastic pitch at Loftus Road in the middle of the 1980’s, Newcastle took a 4-0 lead at Half-time. In the 2nd half the R’s started to make a comeback before Newcastle added a 5th, but it didn’t stop QPR getting an equaliser to cap off a great come back.

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8 – David Seaman & Les Ferdinand – Two of Rangers’ most successful players in the last few decades. Goalkeeper, David Seaman signed for Rangers in the 1980’s and earned his England call-up under Bobby Robson playing for the R’s before eventually moving onto Arsenal for a record transfer fee for a goalkeeper in 1990. Striker Les Ferdinand went to school only 100 yards away from Loftus Road and grew up to play for the club where he was eventually known as ‘Sir Les’. Like Seaman, he also earned an England call-up whilst at Rangers, scoring 60 goals in the first three Premier League seasons for the Super Hoops, before moving to Newcastle United for £6 million in 1995.

Continue to the NEXT PAGE for the rest of the Top TEN…

7) – Roy Wegerle’s goal of the season – In 1990/1991 season, Rangers fans enjoyed watching the skilful American striker Roy Wegerle up front for the R’s. In a 3-2 victory away to Leeds United, Wegerle scored the goal of the season in the top flight for that year.

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6) – 5th in the Premier League – For the Premier League’s second season since it’s formation, Rangers enjoyed another season in the top flight finishing 5th and again the best placed team in London for that season. Under the guidance of former player Gerry Francis as manager, the R’s finished one place above the likes of Liverpool and included a 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at home. The team included players like Les Ferdinand, Ian Holloway, Alan McDonald, Andy Impey and Ray Wilkins. Unfortunately there was no European qualification for finishing 5th during this season.

5) – QPR 6-0 Chelsea 1985/1986 – Whilst Chelsea have gone onto pastures new since Rangers’ top flight appearances, there was once (and still is, for R’s fans) a fierce rivalry between the two clubs from West London. In the Eighties, it was more of an even playing field and this 6-0 result is often remembered. The game on Easter Bank Holiday Monday, saw Chelsea 4th in the league and needing to win if they were to stay in the title race but a hat-trick from Rangers striker Gary Bannister plus two from John Byrne and one from Leroy Rosenior sealed off an impressive victory over the London neighbours.

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4) – Three Hat-tricks by three different players against Everton – A rather remarkable record but certainly a highlight, especially as it came under the glamour of the Premier League. In the 1992/1993 season, QPR defeated Everton 4-2 at home in December with Andy Sinton scoring a hat-trick. The return fixture, in April saw Rangers win 5-3 at Goodison Park where Les Ferdinand scored a hat-trick. The following season, Rangers travelled to Goodison Park where Bradley Allen scored a hat-trick for a 3-0 victory.

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Continue to the NEXT PAGE for the rest of the Top TEN…

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3) – Terry Venables, finish 5th and European football – Former Rangers player, Terry Venables took over the club as manager in 1980 where QPR were in the 2nd tier of English football. He took the Rangers side to Wembley for the 1981/1982 FA Cup Final which they drew against Tottenham Hotspur and lost in the replay. The season later, Rangers won the Second Division and promotion to the top flight where they finished 5th in their first season back in 1983/1984 season, again finishing the best London club that season. Unlike the two other 5th finishes, it was more impressive as Rangers were 10 points clear of 6th place Arsenal and only a point behind Manchester United in 4th and 7 points adrift of Champions Liverpool. Venables left at the end of the season to take over at Spanish giants, Barcelona despite the 5th finish qualifying Rangers for the UEFA Cup.

2) – Manchester United 1-4 Queens Park Rangers 1991/1992 – The first live football game to be shown on television on New Year’s Day saw Rangers record an impressive victory at Old Trafford. In a game where United hadn’t lost at home all season and were chasing Leeds United for the title, the R’s turned up to ruin Alex Ferguson’s 50th birthday celebrations from the day before. The QPR side, under Gerry Francis attacked from the start and went two up with goals from Andy Sinton and Dennis Bailey. The latter, scored a second to make it 3-0 before Brian McClair pulled one back but Bailey netted his hat-trick to be have the record of the only English man to score a hat-trick at Old Trafford against United. Dennis Bailey was never a first choice striker and didn’t do much of note since this game, but will always be seen as a Rangers legend for this result.

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1) – Division One Runners-Up 1975/1976 – The 1970’s saw one of the best QPR sides in history which boasted players like the charismatic and skills of Stan Bowles and the battling midfielder Gerry Francis who went onto captain England. A season where Rangers finished only 1 point behind champions Liverpool, many fans feel that history could’ve been changed had the R’s won the league in a season where they played entertaining attacking football. Liverpool’s league victory meant qualification for the European Cup, which they won the following season and their league victory occurred after an end of season win at Wolves which was played at a later date than the rest of the final league games, due to the Reds’ UEFA Cup commitments. Rangers however, suffered a 3-2 defeat at Norwich in the third last game of the season which cost them winning a major trophy. The R’s however, were undefeated at home all season with a team that also included the likes Frank McLintock, Don Givens and Dave Thomas, it was a chance that got away but also one of Rangers best ever seasons in the top flight. The following season saw Rangers play in the UEFA Cup for the first time in their history but were knocked out on penalties in the Quarter-Finals against AEK Athens.

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Marauding wing-back Dani Alves said he wants Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola to extend his contract, which expires at the end of next season.The Brazilian Alves, whose attacking forays from the back have been a trademark of the hugely successful Barcelona side, said he could not envisage the 40-year-old Guardiola managing anywhere but at Camp Nou in the future.

“Everyone has their cycle and one day his will come to an end. We hope his cycle will last for a very long time because we can’t imagine Barca without Guardiola,” the Brazilian told El Mundo.

The former Sevilla star said Guardiola, who enjoyed a successful playing career with the Blaugrana in addition to stints with Brescia and AS Roma in Italy’s Serie A, garnered ominous respect from within the playing group.

“We follow him with our eyes shut. He is very intelligent, he always knows what he is doing,” Alves said.

“To not follow Guardiola would be foolish. Since we are not foolish we will follow him until he gets tired of us.”

Vegalta Sendai climbed to the top of the J-League with a 1-0 win at home to Avispa Fukuoka on Tuesday, with Kashiwa Reysol losing the lead.Japan international Shingo Akamine struck the winning goal for hosts Vegalta in the 78th minute at Sendai Stadium.

The win lifts them into first place on the table at the expense of Kashiwa, who went down 2-1 away to Montedio Yamagata.

Hideaki Kitajima had levelled for Kashiwa after defender Hidenori Ishii put the hosts ahead, but striker Yu Hasegawa’s effort seven minutes from time secured all three points for Yamagata.

Defeat leaves Kashiwa second, one point behind Sendai.

Yokohama F. Marinos are two points off the pace in third following a 2-0 win away to Urawa Reds, with forward Kazuma Watanabe and defensive midfielder Shohei Ogura on target for the visitors.

In other matches, Brazilian Bruno Lopes scored the only goal as Albirex Niigata saw off the visit of Vissel Kobe 1-0, while Kawasaki Frontale beat Jubilo Iwata by the same score-line thanks to a last-minute strike from Yu Kobayashi.

Ventforet Kofu needed an equaliser from Yoshiro Abe to draw 1-1 at home to Omiya Ardija, who led early in the match through Keigo Higashi.

Finally, David Mujiri’s 70th-minute goal saw Sanfrecce Hiroshima win 1-0 away to Shimizu S-Pulse.

Manchester City have celebrated their drought-breaking FA Cup win with an open-top bus parade through the streets of Manchester on Monday.The Sky Blues defeated Stoke City 1-0 in the final at Wembley earlier this month, securing the club’s first major trophy in 35 years and sparking scenes of wild celebration in the city.

An estimated 10,000 people lined the streets in support of the players and manager Roberto Mancini, who also led the club to their maiden Champions League berth with a third-place finish in the English Premier League this term.

Mancini was taken aback by the level of support at the parade.

“I’m enjoying it for our supporters. I’m surprised because I didn’t think there would be as many people as this,” he said.

Belgian defender Vincent Kompany predicted big things to come for the club, telling fans the challenge now was to close the gap on cross-town rivals and league champions Manchester United.

“I’m really proud – it is a big achievement you know,” Kompany said.

“It is not just about winning the FA Cup and getting further, it’s especially about the fact that it hasn’t happened for 35 years at this club.”

“It’s definitely a sign of intent for what we want to achieve at this club so I’m very happy about it. I hope this is the first of many.”

Assistant manager Brian Kidd, who made more than 200 appearances for United in his days as a striker, said the club are ready to juggle the Premier League with life in Europe’s top-tier competition.

“Well it’s like everything, I think we will have to prioritise again,” Kidd said.

“For me the Premier League is our bread and butter. I always feel our aim is to do well in the Premier League.”

“With the players that we have got we will have to prioritise, the Champions League, the Premier League, the (FA) Cup and the Carling Cup.”

Temperamental striker Mario Balotelli was absent from the parade, having been given permission by Mancini to return to his native Italy for personal reasons.

Johan Elmander leads a host of names preparing to leave English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers.Sweden forward Elmander – who hit 12 goals in all competitions for Bolton – elected not to sign a new deal at Bolton and joins Jlloyd Samuel, Joey O’Brien and Tamir Cohen in leaving the club on free transfers.

Elmander arrived at the Reebok Stadium in 2008 for a club-record deal of 8.2 million pounds, but is now expected to join Turkish club Galatasaray.

Owen Coyle paid tribute to the departing quartet, who have all been at the club for multiple seasons.

“I wish all the players who are departing the club all the very best,” Coyle said.

“I want to thank them for their efforts and professionalism. Ultimately when these decisions come about they’re made for footballing reasons.”

In further changes to Coyle’s squad, loanees Daniel Sturridge and Rodrigo have both returned to parent clubs Chelsea and Benfica respectively.

Sturridge was particularly impressive in his loan stint, hitting eight goals in 12 appearances.

Forward Robbie Blake has won a one-year extension to his Bolton contract, while the club is in negotiations to prolong the stay of winger Ricardo Gardner.

Goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi also returns to the club after a season-long loan at Premier League rivals Wigan.

Tony Adams believes that George Graham was a better coach than Arsene Wenger and it is the Scot’s coaching manual that the Arsenal legend is choosing to follow in his own management career. Adams also suggested that he couldn’t foresee a return to management in England, given the trigger happy nature of chairman in this country.

In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that include Manchester United make their move for Nasri; Dave Whelan confident that Roberto Martinez will stay at Wigan, while Stuart Pearce believes Phil Jones is a future England captain.

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United fear Giggs could retire over affairs scandal – Mirror

Supporters Direct faces cuts after tweets – Guardian

Manchester United make their move for Nasri – Daily Telegraph

Tony Adams interview: Graham was better coach than Wenger – Mirror

Whelan confident Martínez will stay – Guardian

Pearce: Phil Jones a future England captain – Daily Telegraph

Toure torment! Kolo took drugs due to obsession with his ‘fat belly’ – Daily Mail

Spurs want Gyan if Bruce chases Crouch – Guardian

Pardew hails £4.3m Cab – Sun

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Liverpool turn attention to Arsenal contract rebel Clichy – Daily Mail

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stated that he is intent on keeping key players Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri at the club. Both midfielders have been linked with a summer Emirates departure, with the Spaniard being linked with a move to boyhood club Barcelona and the France international subject of a £20 million bid from Manchester United after rejecting a new contract. Despite this, the 61-year-old has stated he will do all he can to keep the duo in North London.

“Our position is always the same – we want to keep Cesc and I will fight as hard as I can to keep him. Samir Nasri is exactly the same. We will do everything we can to keep him,” the Frenchman told the club’s official website.

The Premier League side fly out to Asia on Sunday for games in China and Malaysia, but Fabregas will not travel with the squad, sparking speculation of an impending move. Wenger has rejected this claim and stated the World Cup winner is staying in England as he has an injury.

“We will take the strongest possible squad, but Fabregas will not travel because he still has a small muscular problem. He will stay and practice here.”

One man that will be on the plane is Ryo Miyaichi, who spent a successful 2010/11 on loan at Eredivisie side Feyenoord, and may feature in the English side’s first team squad next campaign.

“He is on the plane because he is quality. It is a good opportunity for him to show that he has the talent to play for Arsenal. Everybody will be curious to see him play in Asia,” Wenger continued.

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Lille forward Gervinho is expected to sow up a move to the Emirates in the near future after passing a medical, but the club’s coach concluded by saying that they will only sign the right players and not panic buy.

“I can understand that people say ‘you have money, just go out and buy’, but it’s not only that, we want to find the quality we need,” he commented.

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says his club are better off without Arturo Vidal, who joined Juventus from Bayer Leverkusen.After Vidal reportedly went back on a promise to join Leverkusen’s Bundesliga rivals Bayern to instead sign for Serie A club Juventus on Friday in a deal worth 10.5 million euros, Rummenigge said that the versatile Chile international does not have the required character to play at the Allianz Arena.

Rummenigge said Vidal’s snub would work out well for Jupp Heynckes’ Bayern side, as it means Austrian prospect David Alaba will stay at the club.

“I do not find it a pity that Arturo Vidal did not come,” Rummenigge told Kicker. “I would rather not have such players at Bayern Munich.”

“If the player had stuck to his word and shown the same character as (new signings Manuel) Neuer or (Jerome) Boateng, if he were a man of morals, then he would be here today with us. Alaba is staying, that puts Vidal’s snub into perspective.”

Rummenigge also weighed in on the controversy surrounding Neuer, who joined Bayern from Schalke on June 1.

Germany’s number-one goalkeeper has been the target of protests from certain sections of Bayern’s support, and Rummenigge wanted to draw a line under the issue.

“There will be no more talk from our side about this subject. Neuer has the Bayern genes, 100 percent,” he said.

Do these comments sound familiar to you? Do they perhaps sound like the frustrated sulky French manager that the media loves to hate?

“The amount of pushing and grabbing in the box is out of this world.

“We are okay to deal with Stoke’s set plays, we know the amount of goals they have scored everywhere with them, but I think there’s a limit to the pushing and grabbing, and it makes things impossible. They pushed the boundaries of pushing and grabbing, for sure.

“It’s difficult because you have to have an eye on the ball, you have to be aware of certain situations, but maybe in this case maybe the referees need some extra help. Maybe other assistants, maybe the fourth referee, maybe they need more focus on this situation.”

No, actually, not the words of Arsène ‘Whinger’, but new Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas, only 90 minutes in to his first season in English football and he’s complaining about Stoke’s tactics, and that’s without seeing one of his brightest young talents leave the pitch in an ambulance.

Does he get crucified like Wenger? Is his team branded a bunch of soft, moaning foreigners? Apparently not, as I’ve only heard about these quotes from Stoke boss Tony Pulis himself. Surely he’ll be laying into his opposite number and defending his ‘not that kind of lad’ players?

“I listened to some of the comments that he made in the press room afterwards and they have been blown out of all proportion and I mean that.

“He’s actually said I think there was pushing and shoving in both boxes, but obviously it’s only been reported there was pushing and shoving in our box and that’s the press being the press, they have to do what they have to do.

“Chelsea are as strong and physical as we are and they don’t try and hide away from that fact. We are both competitive teams. They have got where they have got because they have got great players but they have also got competitive players.”

Incredible stuff really. Readers on here will know I’m not Wenger’s biggest fan these days, but the way he is targeted and unsettled by the press is completely unfair and I feel for him on that. He might make his own mistakes, but he has to deal with more crap from the media than any other manager in this league.

In more Arsenal-related news, Robin van Persie has, unsurprisingly, been made the new Arsenal captain. While a striker, never mind an incredibly injury-prone striker, is hardly the ideal position from which to lead a side, I think he is a good option for now as our longest-serving player, and one of the oldest players in the squad. He might not be a shouter, but he’ll lead by example, and for now that’s fine.

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Vermaelen will make a good vice-captain for the inevitable six-month absence RvP will face at some point this season, and Jack Wilshere will be in a better position to take the armband in three or four years time when the Dutchman is perhaps past his best.

Article courtesy of Mark Brus at the excellent Arsenal Mania

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It has already begun. Of course, it was always going to be this way. The first so called ‘slip-up’ of the new season saw Liverpool FC and their players come under immediate scrutiny by the press pack and sections of the media. How original.

As stated, it was always going to be this way. Especially after spending close to £60 million this summer, combined with the £57 million spent in January. Especially after Manchester United last season tore from their grasp, their title as most successful domestic side in England. Especially as the club are finally in the hands of seemingly steady ownership and the ‘King’ Kenny Dalglish is starting the season as manager for the first time since Liverpool won their last league title back in 1990.

Regardless of the immense overhaul and restructuring the club has just been through – and is still going through, the transitional period the club finds itself in buys no extra time from the relentless pressure the media will exert every time a result doesn’t go the Red’s way. If the grand name of Liverpool FC didn’t already dictate this, then the money spent by the club over the last six months certainly will.

Anything but a victory (and probably a comprehensive one at that) against Sunderland on the opening day of the season at Anfield would have brought negative press instantly to the red half of Merseyside, and the subsequent 1-1 draw didn’t disappoint those eager to quell any rising optimism. This is despite the call for calm and patience for the new season ahead by Kenny Dalglish, and echoed on various occasions by voices like Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and most recently, Chairman Tom Werner. This is despite a vast restructuring going on at the playing level, where no fewer than four new signings made their debuts against Sundeland – three of the four in a four-man midfield. And this is also despite the fact that yet again, an incompetent referee made an incompetent decision against Liverpool at Anfield, during the ground’s first match of a new season (anyone for Rob Styles penalty blunder v Chelsea in 2007, or Joe Cole’s harsh redcard last season?)

Surprisingly, the press chose to focus less on the inept Phil Dowd and his ridiculous decision to let Kieran Richardson stay on the pitch after bringing down Luis Suarez when clean through on goal with only four minutes gone, and focused more on Liverpool’s failure to break down a team, who were fortunate to still be playing with 11-men. Mostly coming under ‘surprising’ attack was striker Andy Carroll. I use the word ‘surprising’ in a sarcastic manner – the £35 million price tag will ensure certain members of the press will focus on his every touch, unfairly or not – that’s what a massive price tag brings. I was, however, surprised that the attack on Carroll was as instant as it was, whilst being totally unwarranted – Carroll was far from the worst player on the pitch. I was genuinely more surprised at the seeming knee-jerk reaction from the ‘Chief Sports Writer’ for the Observer, who based an entire article in The Guardian on the fact that Carroll has not lived up to his £35 million price tag – from his performance against Sunderland. In the first game of the season. I wonder what his article would have been based on if the referee had failed to correctly disallow Carrol’s goal for a slight push? You got that one right didn’t you Mr. Dowd.

The reactive article on Carroll is something Liverpool fans better get more accustomed to this season, if results are not positive. And by this I mean press-positive i.e 3-points. The unfair criticism Carroll received comes from him not yet being given a chance to gel with his new side, and especially new strike partner Luis Suarez, thanks to an injury-plagued start to his Liverpool career at the end of last season. A fact conveniently forgotten by those keen to write a negative reaction piece.

In total opposite to the media’s obsessive negative pressure mounting at Anfield, the vast majority club’s supporters are remaining calm and sensible – for now. Most have realised that this is a rebuilding season and whilst it seems there are exciting times ahead and the future looks bright and optimistic, that time may not yet be right now. New signing and youth need to gel into a team that can push for honours but for now patience is the key. Maybe owner John Henry’s comments of a need to finish at least fourth this season didn’t help, and allowed the press to frenzy again – but those demands are the level every Liverpool fan is already hoping for – anymore this season, will be seen as a welcome bonus.

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 If you want to read more from myself including news, thoughts and views you can follow me on Twitter @fantasista1077 thanks!

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