MATCH THREAD: ' QPR v CARDIFF CITY ' MATCH THREAD

What has happened to Ravel Morrison since his Cardiff City loan spell? How a talented Manchester United prodigy lost his way

There may be an unexpected familiar face lining up for Queens Park Rangers against Cardiff City on Saturday.

Friday 3rd March 2017

By Chris Wathan

While many will focus on the vibrancy of Neil Warnock and Ian Holloway in the two dug-outs, another explosive character might be sitting along side them on the QPR bench, ready to pounce against his former club.

Ravel Morrison's story is one of unfulfilled potential, second chances, but — above all — immense talent.

That talent saw him emerge through at Old Trafford alongside Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, with United chiefs rating Morrison higher than both.

But his ability hasn't always come to the fore; it certainly didn't during his loan spell with the Bluebirds in 2014-15 when Russell Slade cut short his stay.

Slade insisted Morrison had no future at the club, despite a Man Of The Match display on Cardiff debut against Blackpool.

But what has happened to the mercurial talent since leaving Cardiff City Stadium in December 2014?


West Ham United

Sam Allardyce was initially a great admirer of the midfielder, after being told by Sir Alex Ferguson "he's a great player, brilliant ability, top-class ability" when Morrison signed for West Ham in 2012.

Morrison's move to the Hammers had been organised to get him away from Manchester, where he'd gotten into trouble with United coaching staff and, at various points, the law.

"He (Ferguson) let Ravel go for Ravel's benefit, because he could not see it happening at Manchester United," said Allardyce.

"It was 'get him down there and see if you can get the best out of him, because you'll have a great player on your hands'."

A few eyebrows were raised when Morrison then signed on loan for QPR, after the Championship club were seeming to cut their wage bill after relegation from the Premier League.

But Morrison was a big hit at Loftus Road, helping Harry Redknapp's side secure promotion through the play-offs in 2014.

The Mancunian scored six goals in 14 league starts for the Rs, also thriving on loan at Birmingham City, before his ill-fated Cardiff City move meant he never played for parent club West Ham again.

Lazio

It was even more surprising to see Morrison sign a contract with Italian giants Lazio after his West Ham contract was cancelled early in February 2015.

Reports soon emerged that Morrison was unsettled in Rome, with Lazio manager Stefano Pioli (now at Inter Milan) critical of a perceived lack of professionalism and unwillingness to learn Italian.

But Morrison's contract runs until June this year with Lazio, despite only making fleeting appearances for the Serie A club.

Wigan Athletic looked favourites to secure his signature in January after Morrison's former Manchester United youth coach Warren Joyce invited him to train with the Latics.

"Ravel's obviously not played a lot of football recently," said Wigan boss Joyce.

"But I know how much of a talent he is from my days at Manchester United. It's a unique opportunity for us really because we have got a chance to have a look at him and assess his fitness."

Return to QPR

But it was Holloway and the Rs who took a gamble on Morrison, partly due to his successful period in west London first time around.

Upon signing on loan, Morrison said: "I'm really grateful to the manager and everyone else at the club for sorting out this loan deal.

"It's a great opportunity for me to come back and hopefully find the form I showed first time around."

But — again — it hasn't quite happened for the 24-year-old just yet.

He's only made one appearance from the bench since returning to Rangers in January. Whether he'll even be in Holloway's matchday squad is up for debate.

The world has briefly seen Morrison's enormous talent, even if Cardiff never quite saw the best of him.

But if he does get a chance to strut his stuff against the Bluebirds this weekend, expect fireworks.

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What sort of reception will Neil Warnock get on his return to QPR?


By Jamie Kemble

Friday 3rd March 2017

What sort of reception will Neil Warnock get on his return to QPR?
Neil Warnock was a hero during his time at Queens Park Rangers after masterminding a title-winning promotion.


This Saturday the veteran boss returns to his old club with Cardiff City and it’ll bring back fond memories of promotion to the Premier League.

In fact, Cardiff were one of the teams he and his QPR team topped to lift the Championship title after a classy season lead by the likes of Adel Taarabt.

Warnock was sacked when the the R’s failed to replicate the success in the Championship at the highest level, but he would later return to the club.

QPR brought Warnock back to Loftus Road in 2015 in an advisory role, but within months he found himself taking over as caretaker manager, before Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink eventually took the full-time role.

Warnock returns to Loftus Road for the first time since he left his caretaker role this weekend and according to Clive Whittingham from fan website Loft for Words, he’ll receive a hero’s welcome.






Here’s what Clive had to say;

“He’ll get a standing ovation I’m sure – QPR have only ever won eight promotions in their history and he masterminded one of those,”

“He’s certainly one of, if not the, best managers in our recent history and very fondly remembered at QPR across the board.

“His sacking is a source of great regret for the club, and the chairman that did it, and was the first act in a disastrous 18 month period that should have seen us cement out place as a Premier league club but instead ruined us for years to come.

“He came back in an advisory capacity for a bit last year, and ended up as caretaker manager for four games, but I think this is the first time he’s been back with a different team unless my memory is failing me. He’ll get a great reception.”

(Featured image: Leigh Quinnell)

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Another tough game tomorrow. Holloway has got some decent results for them recently.

2-1 Cardiff City

Gutted not to be going tomorrow - have to work instead so all you that are going sing your hearts out like you always do - make some noise! Have a fab time and hope we win!

Qpr 1,810 tickets sold and pay on the day could top 2,000 by kick off. good support I thought we'd take 1,200 let's hope Tuesday picks up we done around 150 incl comps for Blackburn that game could make us safe for another season

Another game, another former club for Neil Warnock to face as Cardiff City manager.

The Bluebirds take on Queens Park Rangers as they look to close the 12-point gap between themselves and the top six in the Championship.

Warnock should get an excellent reception from the Rs fans, after his achievements winning promotion with the west London club.

Kenneth Zohore is expected to lead the line, after scoring six goals in his last six games.

Cardiff City team today: McGregor, Connolly, Bamba, Morrison, Richards, Ralls, Gunnarsson, Hoilett, Harris, Noone, Zohore.

Cardiff City subs

Murphy, Bennett, Whittingham, John, Halford, Pilkington, M. Harris.

2-1 City

Approx 1,890 Cardiff Fans at QPR today

They go long...

The first thing QPR do is the lump it straight out of play down the right flank. Good start...

Noone is taken out late by Bidwell on the right. City free-kick. (0-0)

@CardiffCityFC with an early spell of pressure but Smithies claims a lofted cross to relieve it (0-0)

Positive start from the Bluebirds

'Oh Kenneth Zohore!'

The bluebirds fans chant the names of Kenneth Zohroe and Neil Warnock as Cardiff begin on the front foot.

Those travelling fans are making a big din as the visitors launch in a long throw through Gunnarsson. Smithies catches well.

Smith heads against the bar from a QPR corner. The referee had blown for a foul though. (0-0)

mattjpsmith again wins a header in the box but this one drifts wide from Bidwell's free-kick (0-0)

Morrison rises high in the QPR box, but Smithies gathers his downwards header. (0-0)

Danger. Harris clips in a cross which Onuoha glances behind for a corner

QPR deal with the corner but @CardiffCityFC are still on the attack here (0-0)

Mae hen wlad fy nhadau rings around Loftus Road

Bidwell sets up a quick #QPR break but @CWashington1992's effort is blocked 18 yards out (0-0)

Noone's low drive from Ralls' cross is blocked into Smithies' hands. (0-0)

"There's only one @andycampbell32!" chant the #CardiffCity fans at Loftus Road.

Ralls everywhere

Energy and industry must be Joe Ralls’ middle names. He’s pestering this QPR side, winning the ball back high up the pitch to set up an attack.

Jazz Richards has a strike from distance, blocked.

A few boos for Hoilett as he joins Harris on the left wing for a moment.

Strong chorus of the Welsh anthem from the Cardiff fans.

@MassLuongo's ball forward is glanced behind by Connolly. #QPR corner to come ... (0-0)

Wing play

Brilliant from Harris to skip away from challenges.

Noone can’t get his feet right to latch onto the through ball from Hoilett.

Woodwork!

Out of nothing, Washington strikes a post, he drifted into space and shot with his left low to the far corner.

McGregor very relieved as it bounces back to him off the upright.

Cardiff chance

Cardiff nearly have a goal of their own when Hoilett bursts forward, but good defending snuffs him out.