10-08-2025, 10:48
Well that's the first 455 miles ticked off, just about another 7500 to go, the M6/M40 combo always a sexy duo, Norton Canes, with a mixtures of Rochdale, Carlisle and Wigan fans on the way down and that peculiar bunch of MK Dons support on the way back.
Prematch walk down past Gary Lineker towers, down Uxbridge Road, and back up Bloemfontain Road.
![[Image: Screenshot-2025-08-10-092830.png]](https://i.ibb.co/Z60wmbbZ/Screenshot-2025-08-10-092830.png)
No Jebbison now injured month out, looked a side picked to get a point, although you would never have guessed that from our first half performance which was less than impressive although in saying that probably should have scored when I think it was Gibson who headed wide from close range.
The two diminutive wingers Dembele and Poku caused us lots of problems and we had our usual difficulties with Chair although if his team mates had difficulty locating his excellent runs into space
When their goal came, probably deserved the lead, Dembele easily out foxed two defenders, his cross was cleared by Hughes well it would have been if it hadn't hit Whiteman and gone in.
Level virtually straight after the break, Iverson clears ball down field, Rangers defenders watch transfixed as this white thing falls from the sky, Osmajic reacts first and lobs ball over walsh in the Rangers goal, dreadful defending. Looked the side more likely, but Iverson made a great save from Dembele to keep parity. From that moment we probably looked the side more likely to win, didn't take advantage when Walsh spilled the ball.
Some good and bad bits but that's a point more than we got from Rangers last season.
In the shade of the away end hadn't realisd how hot it was out there, we look a fitter outfit than last season.
![[Image: Screenshot-2025-08-10-093911.png]](https://i.ibb.co/bwQSwcn/Screenshot-2025-08-10-093911.png)
Queens Park Rangers 1 Preston North End 1
Referee: Oliver Langford.
Attendance: 16,804 (1,322 PNE fans).
HECKY
Paul Heckingbottom felt his side were “much better” in the second half of the opening match of the season against Queens Park Rangers.
North End had gone into the break one down after an unfortunate own goal gave the hosts the lead, but a superb lobbed finish from Milutin Osmajić drew his side level.
The Montenegrin also had PNE’s best chance to win the game, while at the other end Daniel Iversen produced a big stop to deny Kader Dembele.
Hecky said: “If you go behind in the Championship and come back to get a point, we're pleased with that.
“There’s not much in the first half, but we were just passive. Just how we don't want to play. I felt we were comfortable in lots of moments in the first half, but just not aggressive enough against the ball and then not enough quality in the final third.
“We just didn't make the game difficult enough for QPR so it was a bit of a non-entity the first half, if you like. While ever you're performing like that, you give them chances or opportunities to get in your box. They didn't get in much and then the goal was because we weren't aggressive enough on the front foot.
“Second half we were much better. We passed the ball better, we made them defend a lot more so we can't be greedy. I accept the point, take the point, but I would have liked three. I would have liked to have got off to a really good start.”
It was a fantastic goal which saw PNE draw level, as Iversen came out to claim a corner before sending a superb ball into the path of Osmajić, who ran through on goal.
The striker still had plenty to do and he did it in style, sending a first-time lob over goalkeeper Joe Walsh with the outside of his boot.
Hecky said: “Dan's pass is great. Milly’s finish is great and I'm delighted with it because I've not worked with Dan before but he strikes me as someone who wants to get involved in a lot more than just between the goalposts and the tactical element of things, whether it's setting up set plays, his role when we play out, keeping the ball, who he likes to target from goal kicks. He's been very engaged with it.
“We know how high QPR like to be on their set plays, with all ten bodies 30 yards from our goal, so we wanted two players with pace on the edge, so if he did claim it or have a good clearance, we can put them in all sorts of trouble. Dan does come, he claims it, but then it’s one thing to come and claim it, but then he sees Milly’s run. Milly’s run's fantastic and then he executes a great pass, Dan. We’ve exploited the situation really, really well there and it's two players who have switched on.”
French Bloke
QPR head coach Julien Stéphan said he was particularly impressed with his team's first-half performance following Saturday's opening-day draw with Preston.
Following Ben Whiteman's first-half own goal, Rangers were pegged back shortly after half-time in W12 and were subsequently forced to accept a share of the points.
"I think we did a very good first half, collectively," Julien told www.qpr.co.uk after his competitive debut in the R's dugout.
"Honestly, we created good movement with the ball. We had some good movement also with the wingers to take speed and create one-v-ones.
"Sometimes we need to have more players in the box to finish the situation, but we did well also without the ball. Overall, I think we managed the situation well, defensively.
"But for the first one, it was a very good performance in the first half. We conceded the goal very quickly at the beginning of the second half, after a corner kick for us.
"I think it (conceding) was difficult, mentally, for the players. Just after that, they tried to do their best.
"In the second half, we had more difficulty in creating danger, even if we had the best opportunity with Kaddie (Dembele) and a fantastic save from the goalkeeper.
"I want the players to continue to play like this, especially in the first half, because it was very good and it was the way that we wanted to play."
shutterstock_editorial_15433735v.jpg
Julien added: "We just have to be clever in the analysis and say that it was very, very good in the first half.
"Of course, we also have a very young team, so we need to learn. We started with Kieran Morgan who is 19 years old, Esquerdinha who is 19, Liam Morrison 22 and Joe Walsh who is 23.
"They did so well in the first half. Sometimes we will make some mistakes, but I hope we will learn very quickly from them. With the performance today, especially in the first half, perhaps we deserve a better result. But it is what it is.
"Honestly, the guys gave 100% today. We have to continue. It's just the first game. It's a long journey.
"Now let's go focus on the next game."
Rangers head to Plymouth Argyle in round one of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening.
Prematch walk down past Gary Lineker towers, down Uxbridge Road, and back up Bloemfontain Road.
No Jebbison now injured month out, looked a side picked to get a point, although you would never have guessed that from our first half performance which was less than impressive although in saying that probably should have scored when I think it was Gibson who headed wide from close range.
The two diminutive wingers Dembele and Poku caused us lots of problems and we had our usual difficulties with Chair although if his team mates had difficulty locating his excellent runs into space
When their goal came, probably deserved the lead, Dembele easily out foxed two defenders, his cross was cleared by Hughes well it would have been if it hadn't hit Whiteman and gone in.
Level virtually straight after the break, Iverson clears ball down field, Rangers defenders watch transfixed as this white thing falls from the sky, Osmajic reacts first and lobs ball over walsh in the Rangers goal, dreadful defending. Looked the side more likely, but Iverson made a great save from Dembele to keep parity. From that moment we probably looked the side more likely to win, didn't take advantage when Walsh spilled the ball.
Some good and bad bits but that's a point more than we got from Rangers last season.
In the shade of the away end hadn't realisd how hot it was out there, we look a fitter outfit than last season.
Queens Park Rangers 1 Preston North End 1
Referee: Oliver Langford.
Attendance: 16,804 (1,322 PNE fans).
HECKY
Paul Heckingbottom felt his side were “much better” in the second half of the opening match of the season against Queens Park Rangers.
North End had gone into the break one down after an unfortunate own goal gave the hosts the lead, but a superb lobbed finish from Milutin Osmajić drew his side level.
The Montenegrin also had PNE’s best chance to win the game, while at the other end Daniel Iversen produced a big stop to deny Kader Dembele.
Hecky said: “If you go behind in the Championship and come back to get a point, we're pleased with that.
“There’s not much in the first half, but we were just passive. Just how we don't want to play. I felt we were comfortable in lots of moments in the first half, but just not aggressive enough against the ball and then not enough quality in the final third.
“We just didn't make the game difficult enough for QPR so it was a bit of a non-entity the first half, if you like. While ever you're performing like that, you give them chances or opportunities to get in your box. They didn't get in much and then the goal was because we weren't aggressive enough on the front foot.
“Second half we were much better. We passed the ball better, we made them defend a lot more so we can't be greedy. I accept the point, take the point, but I would have liked three. I would have liked to have got off to a really good start.”
It was a fantastic goal which saw PNE draw level, as Iversen came out to claim a corner before sending a superb ball into the path of Osmajić, who ran through on goal.
The striker still had plenty to do and he did it in style, sending a first-time lob over goalkeeper Joe Walsh with the outside of his boot.
Hecky said: “Dan's pass is great. Milly’s finish is great and I'm delighted with it because I've not worked with Dan before but he strikes me as someone who wants to get involved in a lot more than just between the goalposts and the tactical element of things, whether it's setting up set plays, his role when we play out, keeping the ball, who he likes to target from goal kicks. He's been very engaged with it.
“We know how high QPR like to be on their set plays, with all ten bodies 30 yards from our goal, so we wanted two players with pace on the edge, so if he did claim it or have a good clearance, we can put them in all sorts of trouble. Dan does come, he claims it, but then it’s one thing to come and claim it, but then he sees Milly’s run. Milly’s run's fantastic and then he executes a great pass, Dan. We’ve exploited the situation really, really well there and it's two players who have switched on.”
French Bloke
QPR head coach Julien Stéphan said he was particularly impressed with his team's first-half performance following Saturday's opening-day draw with Preston.
Following Ben Whiteman's first-half own goal, Rangers were pegged back shortly after half-time in W12 and were subsequently forced to accept a share of the points.
"I think we did a very good first half, collectively," Julien told www.qpr.co.uk after his competitive debut in the R's dugout.
"Honestly, we created good movement with the ball. We had some good movement also with the wingers to take speed and create one-v-ones.
"Sometimes we need to have more players in the box to finish the situation, but we did well also without the ball. Overall, I think we managed the situation well, defensively.
"But for the first one, it was a very good performance in the first half. We conceded the goal very quickly at the beginning of the second half, after a corner kick for us.
"I think it (conceding) was difficult, mentally, for the players. Just after that, they tried to do their best.
"In the second half, we had more difficulty in creating danger, even if we had the best opportunity with Kaddie (Dembele) and a fantastic save from the goalkeeper.
"I want the players to continue to play like this, especially in the first half, because it was very good and it was the way that we wanted to play."
shutterstock_editorial_15433735v.jpg
Julien added: "We just have to be clever in the analysis and say that it was very, very good in the first half.
"Of course, we also have a very young team, so we need to learn. We started with Kieran Morgan who is 19 years old, Esquerdinha who is 19, Liam Morrison 22 and Joe Walsh who is 23.
"They did so well in the first half. Sometimes we will make some mistakes, but I hope we will learn very quickly from them. With the performance today, especially in the first half, perhaps we deserve a better result. But it is what it is.
"Honestly, the guys gave 100% today. We have to continue. It's just the first game. It's a long journey.
"Now let's go focus on the next game."
Rangers head to Plymouth Argyle in round one of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening.
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?