What the Papers Say

from the Gazette Newspaper
SMITH RETURNING TO R'S
By David McIntyre

QPR want Jim Smith to return to Loftus Road as director of football.

Smith, who managed Rangers from 1985 to 1988, has been approached by Rs chairman Gianni Paladini. The two are friends and Smith has been linked with a return before, but this time an agreement is close to being reached.

Smith is expected to watch Rangers' match at Crewe tomorrow with a view to taking up his post early in the new year. It is not yet clear how his possible arrival would affect manager Ian Holloway and his coaching set-up.

Smith led Rangers to Wembley in 1986, when they were infamously humiliated by his former team Oxford in the Milk Cup final. He also guided the club to fifth place in the top division two years later and made some notable signings during his reign, bringing in Paul Parker, David Seaman, Les Ferdinand and Danny Maddix.

He has since managed Newcastle, Portsmouth and Derby and has been out of the game since leaving Southampton, where he worked as Harry Redknapp's right-hand man. Paladini is keen to make the structural change after a difficult spell of behind-the-scenes problems and some poor performances on the pitch.

Rangers were, however, lifted on Wednesday night by a victory against Cardiff secured by Marc Nygaard's winner just after half-time. Giant striker Nygaard, back in the starting line-up after a series of problems, headed home Lee Cook's cross.

Nygaard earlier hit the bar after being put through by Martin Rowlands, who missed a late chance when he blazed over after good work by teenage substitute Shabazz Baidoo.

Holloway said: "It was nice to get what we deserved because in the last few weeks that hasn't happened. I can't tell you how proud I am of my lads. "I couldn't be more chuffed if I were a badger at the start of the mating season.

"It was great to get some of my boys back. I made some changes and they showed me some character. "The reality of the situation has been that with the injuries that we've had and the new transfer window coming in it's been diabolical. "I'm hoping to add some new faces if I can when the window opens. We are not too far off the play-offs and have a chance to do even better than we did last season."

The bad news for Rangers is that Nygaard and Marc Bircham - also back following a lay-off - picked up new knocks and could miss the Crewe game.

Steve Lomas is close to fitness and Kevin Gallen is hoping to recover from a hamstring problem in time for the FA Cup clash at Blackburn a week on Saturday.

But midfielder Tom Doherty has suffered a setback in his bid to return from injury and is likely to be sidelined for at least another three weeks.