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Season Review
Monday 16th May 2005
by Ron Norris
 

  

SEASON REVIEW PART ONE: AUGUST 2004

Over the next two weeks we'll be reviewing the season gone, we'll look back at the key events from each month, there will be an end of season quiz, we'll analyse the interactive match ratings results this season and we'll ask you to vote in our end of season polls. First though it's time to reflect back on the formative months of the campaign as we go back to June, July and August 2004. 

August 2004

    
     

 

 

The decision to change security companies left Rangers red faced when they were forced to suspend ticket sales before the first game of the season as a result of not having the proper health and safety clearance.  

Lewis Hamilton finally signed a contract at QPR having been on trial for the best part of six months whilst Jack Perry and Wes Daly both joined Raith Rovers on loan deals.  

Chairman Bill Power confirmed that Monte Carlo investment group Barnaby Holdings had taken a 10% stake in the club for an initial investment of £550,000. As a result former world cup winner Dunga joined the QPR board as Barnaby’s representative.

   

QPR kicked off the season in sweltering conditions at Loftus Road with a 1-1 draw against Rotherham, Gareth Ainsworth scoring the Rangers goal. However any remaining post promotion euphoria was well and truly erased when we fell to a humiliating 3-0 defeat against Watford on Sky TV.

Things looked encouraging again when two fantastic goals helped secure a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light, Paul Furlong and Martin Rowlands were the scorers but then back at Loftus Road Rangers were torn apart by Derby County. Their 2-0 victory ended our near eighteen month unbeaten home record.

 

  
   

 

 

Danny Shittu returned to first team action for the first time since rupturing his anterior cruciate back in January. He started against Swansea in the Carling Cup game but was taken off after only twenty minutes. We won the game 3-0 with goals from Jamie Cureton, Martin Rowlands and Kevin Gallen, a second round trip to Premiership Aston Villa was our reward.

The cup win may have been just the tonic the players needed because we followed that with our first league win of the season against Gillingham at Priestfield. I think there’s a small chance that there may have been an element of handball about Marcus Bean’s winner but finally we had a slice of luck and three points to enjoy.  
   

But Rangers ended the month with another poor performance, a 1-0 win for Sheffield United made it two straight defeats at home. Loftus Road so long a fortress was now being plundered with ease. Paul Furlong missed the game due to a family matter and Rangers ended the opening month of the season in 20th place. A season of struggle looked likely .....
   

< CONTINUE TO SEPTEMBER 2004 >