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Premier League
Jan 10, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
QPR logo

2-1

Arfield (12'), Ings (37')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Austin (33' pen.)

Live Coverage: Harry Redknapp's weekly Queens Park Rangers press conference

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp's pre-match press conference.
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Harry Redknapp has insisted that Queens Park Rangers must turn around their away form in the Premier League.

The team are still without a win away from Loftus Road this season, but face Burnley, who have just one home win, this weekend.

The manager also revealed that it will be difficult for him to make permanent signings during the current transfer window, but that there could be a couple of loan additions.

Read what else the manager discussed below:


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Good morning! After a break for the third round of the FA Cup, the Premier League is back this weekend, with Queens Park Rangers still looking for their first points away from Loftus Road this season. Manager Harry Redknapp will speak to the media ahead of this weekend's trip to Turf Moor is around 15 minutes.

The Hoops' home form is keeping them out of the bottom three as things stand. They've lost just twice at home so far this season, and have the seventh best record on home soil in the Premier League, but they are the only side to have lost every away match since the start of the season. Redknapp will be hoping that his side can end that run this weekend though, as Burnley have just a single home win since winning promotion back to the top flight.

One player who will be key for QPR this weekend is Charlie Austin. The striker is the club's top goalscorer this season, netting 12 times in the league so far, including a hat-trick against West Brom. The 25-year-old joined QPR from Burnley in 2013, so will be returning to his former home ground on Saturday.

As well as speaking about this weekend's fixture, Redknapp is likely to be asked about the transfer window. The manager is well-known for being active in the transfer market, and has already revealed that he intends to add to his squad in January. They've already brought in West Ham striker Mauro Zarate on loan, while Jermain Defoe, Efe Ambrose and Atletico Madrid forward Cristian Rodriguez have all been linked with the club, so it looks like it could be another busy few weeks for Redknapp.

The manager should provide a fitness update as well this morning. Midfielder Sandro has been on the sidelines for almost two months with a knee ligament injury, but is thought to be close to a return, but Yun Suk-young is likely to remain sidelined with an ankle injury that he sustained over the festive period.

QPR have been in mixed form in the league recently, with two draws, two wins and two defeats from their last six outings. There's a tricky run of fixtures coming up too, with Manchester United and Southampton visiting Loftus Road in the next month, either side of a visit to the Britannia Stadium to force former QPR manager Mark Hughes and his Stoke City side.

Don't forget, you can follow live coverage of this match, and every other Premier League fixture, from an hour before kickoff with Sports Mole this weekend. We'll also bring you team news before the game gets underway, as well as half-time and full-time reports, manager reaction, player ratings and much more.

While we wait for the manager to take his seat for this morning's press conference, here's a look at Mauro Zarate in his new QPR kit:


Another issue that has affected QPR this week is the managerial vacancy at Newcastle United. QPR coach Glenn Hoddle has been linked with the role, for the former England boss has insisted that he will not be leaving the London side.

If you want to keep track of all the latest transfer news, why not check out our daily Transfer Talk blog. It's been a quiet morning for QPR so far, but that will surely change once Redknapp talks to reporters.

There's still no sign of Redknapp at the minute, could this mean he's got some big transfer or injury news? Or he is just spending a bit of extra time with his squad following their lacklustre display against Sheffield United on Sunday.

As well as potential new arrivals at Loftus Road this January, there could be a few players departing. Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has been linked with a move to Everton, while the manager has been forced to warn others that Charlie Austin will not be leaving the club this month.

Redknapp finally arrives, armed with a cup of tea and ready to face the media, so let's see what he has to say....

Redknapp starts by talking about his squad. He reveals that he has a couple of injury concerns, but that the players will be assessed later this morning.

Another problem for the club is their training ground, which may explain the manager's lateness. He reveals: "The pitches are under water here this morning, so it's not easy. It's not ideal."

Attention quickly turns to the transfer window. Redknapp tells reporters: "We've taken Zarate on loan. He's a player with bags of ability so hopefully he can come in and do well for us. We've now got Zarate to come in and complement Charlie and Bobby [Zamora]. We're not close to going anything else really in terms of transfers."

Sticking with the transfer window, he adds: "Signings in January on loan are always gambles. If you sign [Manchester City target] Wilfried Bony permanently, you are not taking a gamble, he is a top striker, but he will cost you. When you take on a loan there are always question marks."

Focusing on this weekend's match, Redknapp says: "It's a big game this weekend. It's a tough game, the came up with ourselves and have done well, they're a good team. Turf Moor is a tough place to go, but we need to get up and running away from home. Sean Dyche has done a top job, Ings and Vokes are both good players. I've seen them both develop and now they're playing in the Premier League."

When asked about the relegation battle, Redknapp admits: "Obviously it's a big game this weekend, we're all down there scrapping to stay in the Premier League. We've had a big run of these games at home, including when we beat Burnley at Loftus Road. Now we're away, we need to improve our away form, that goes without saying. There are no hidden secrets with us and Burnley."

Redknapp is asked about Ajax striker Kolbeinn Sigborsson, who was linked with a move to Loftus Road last year, but he insists a deal is not on the horizon: "It was a while ago we made an approach for him. There is nothing at the moment."

With Sandro revealing that he is close to a return earlier this week, Redkapp tells the media: "Sandro will hopefully be back for the Stoke City game after the short break [for the fourth round of the FA Cup] at the end of the month."

Redknapp is asked how the players responded to the Cup defeat. He replies: "I wouldn't blame the lads that came in for the Cup game. We tried something different, we've moved on now, the focus is on Burnley. We will go outside and slosh through the puddles today, we will train as always despite the conditions."

And on that note, Redknapp makes his exit to continue his preparations with the squad for this weekend's match. So that's all from us for now, but make sure you join us again on Saturday to see whether QPR can get their first away points of the season, or if they make it 10 defeats in a row away from home. Until then, thanks for joining me this morning, goodbye.

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Mauro Zarate in action for West Ham on October 5, 2014
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1594225111431
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1510321971231
3Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
4Burnley157621861227
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom15672169725
6Watford158162322125
7Middlesbrough157352317624
8Millwall156541813523
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City155732019122
11Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
12Derby CountyDerby155461919019
13Stoke CityStoke155461819-119
14Norwich CityNorwich154652322118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds155371725-818
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd154561718-117
17Coventry CityCoventry154472021-116
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth154471526-1116
19Hull City153661620-415
20Preston North EndPreston153661523-815
21Luton TownLuton154381726-915
22Cardiff CityCardiff154381423-915
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR151771225-1310


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