MX23RW : Friday, December 20 17:53:46| >> :60:3166:3166:

Live Coverage: Chris Ramsey's weekly Queens Park Rangers press conference

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of Queens Park Rangers head coach Chris Ramsey's press conference ahead of his side's match against Newcastle United.
2

Chris Ramsey has insisted that he will not be fielding a weakened team for the final two matches of the season despite his Queens Park Rangers side already being relegation.

The team face Newcastle United and Leicester City in their final two fixtures.

The head coach also spoke about his future at the club and the upcoming transfer window.

Read what else Ramsey discussed below.


Sort:
Newest
Oldest
Good morning! Chris Ramsey will be speaking to the media shortly as he prepares his side for a match against Newcastle United knowing that even a win won't keep the club in the top flight next season.

QPR could still have a big part to play in the relegation battle though as their final two fixtures of the campaign are against sides fighting to avoid joining Burnley and the Hoops int the bottom three. This week they host Newcastle before traveling to Leicester next time out.

QPR have won just once in their last 11 outings, beating West Brom 4-1 last time out. They've drawn two of their last five though, with their most recent three losses coming against last season's top three, so Ramsey will surely be hoping that his side can finish on a high.

The head coach is likely to be asked about his future at Loftus Road. The club's chairman has previously indicated that Ramsey's position would be safe if he kept QPR in the Premier League, but it has been reported this week that Ramsey is expected to remain in charge regardless.

A number of the club's players have been linked with moves away from Loftus Road this summer, and that's something which isn't likely to change following the club's relegation. Charlie Austin is being linked with a number of Premier League clubs, while Chelsea are rumoured to be keen on goalkeeper Rob Green. It will be interesting to hear what Ramsey thinks about the transfer window.

Don't forget, we'll have live coverage from every Premier League match this weekend, including this clash. We'll also bring you all the team news, post-match reaction and player ratings, plus loads more, so make sure you're with us on Saturday to see if QPR can end their winless run against another of the top flight's strugglers.

Ramsey may also be asked about Joey Barton's comments this morning. The midfielder was quoted as saying that there were some "bad eggs" at the club, but has since denied having a pop at his teammates.

Right then, the manager is ready to speak, so let's see what's on his mind this week...

Starting with the team news, Ramsey says: "We do have a few people with some knocks and some bumps and bruises. We're hoping we can brings Nedum [Onouha]back from suspension. Some players like Bobby [Zamora] are still nursing a few bumps and bruises."

Ramsey insists that he won't be playing the club's youngsters for the rest of the season: "We have to try to redress the performance of last week, the home fans have to see that that was a blip. We have to ensure that the integrity of the Premier League is taken into consideration. We have to make sure that we do our bit to go all the way with the competition."

Ramsey is asked about his future at the club, and he says: "We're still in negotiations, we're still talking. Nothing has been put down 100% yet but I'm hoping that I'm going to be in charge next season. I haven't spoke to them regarding myself for a good week or two, but as far as the situation is they've told me that they will make an announcement in the next week."

Sticking with his future, he adds: "I would imagine the way that football managers are appointed that the same way of conducting interviews is being done all round the country. As far as I know there hasn't been an interview process, but managers tend to pop up when there's no obvious interview process. I think the players have showed a great response to me being here. The fact that we've competed quite admirably has shown that I can take the club forward."

On relegation, Ramsey tells reporters: "The manner of relegation isn't down to one game. We've shot ourselves in the foot by losing three or four games in the last minutes. The players have put their best foot forward but it just hasn't been good enough at this stage."

Ramsey is asked about players leaving the club, and he replies: "We haven't got a definitive figure on who will be staying. I can't discuss that at the moment because there are nine players out of contract and it would be naive of me to think they will all be staying. The club are forward planning and if it is me it's better to start the negotiations earlier. Les [Ferdinand] still has a job to do with building the club up for the future."

Ramsey is asked about some discipline issues at the club following their relegation, but he insists that he won't be punishing any players by leaving them out: "I expect them to be here because they have a contract. I want them to be here if they're fit to play."

Ramsey is asked about Mauro Zarate, who has been on loan from West Ham, but he admits that he hasn't opened talks about a new deal for the Chilean.

Asked about the relegation battle, Ramsey admits: "They're all pulling off surprise results here and there. It's going to be another tight one. The fact that we play two teams that are struggling, we'll have a lot to say in that. Everybody knows that we'll be doing our best to keep everything fair and giving everyone the best possible chance. The Premier League is a fantastic league and it does bring a fantastic end to the season at both ends."

Ramsey reiterates that he won't be playing a weakened side: "We're not just going to throw the youth team in because we have some pride ourselves and we have an obligation to play our strongest team. I'm sure the players will want to address that performance against Manchester City last week."

On Austin's future, Ramsey admits: "Obviously goalscorers are at a premium and we understand that people are going to be trying their best to get him. The remaining couple of weeks will tell what he's worth and whether the club wants to keep him or let him go."

Ramsey doesn't think Joey Barton's "bad egg" comments affected the team against Man City: "I was confident that the players that were brought on the field would have adapted to the news and performed in a better light than they did. I don't think the Joey interview had any bearing. I don't think Joey did anything wrong at all. He gave an interview that he thought was the correct thing at the time. You have to realise that Man City have done that to quite a few teams. On their day they can do that to most teams in the league."

The head coach is asked about speculation that Chelsea are after Rob Green, but he says: "There's been rumours but there's been rumours about quite a few clubs wanting Rob. He's been in world class form this season."

That's all from Chris Ramsey for now, so join us again on Sunday to see if QPR can give themselves a chance to finish to season on a high note. Until then, thanks for joining me this morning. Goodbye.

ID:222739: cacheID:222739:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:11280:
Written by
Sian Cowper
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chris Ramsey manager of QPR looks on prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur at Loftus Road on March 7, 2015
Read Next:
Report: QPR to keep Ramsey
>
Read more about Chris Ramsey Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Broncos
27-34
Chargers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd21145230111945
2Leeds UnitedLeeds21126337152242
3Burnley2111822681841
4Sunderland21117332171540
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2011452517837
6Middlesbrough21104735251034
7Watford2010462926334
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2171132416832
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds218582630-429
10Swansea CitySwansea217682322127
11Bristol City216962626027
12Norwich CityNorwich216873632426
13Millwall206772018225
14Derby CountyDerby216692626024
15Coventry CityCoventry216692730-324
16Preston North EndPreston2141162127-623
17Stoke CityStoke215792328-522
18Queens Park RangersQPR2141072127-622
19Luton TownLuton2164112337-1422
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2046102133-1218
21Cardiff CityCardiff2046101932-1318
22Portsmouth193882134-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2045111942-2317
24Hull City2137111930-1116


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!