Warnock expects to do transfer business in January

 

Andrew Gwilym
Wednesday 28 December 2011 18:12 GMT
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Warnock: 'I will be looking to bring in at least three or four players. We are working hard, and I am having many conference calls with the chairman (Tony Fernandes) over who we may be able to bring in'
Warnock: 'I will be looking to bring in at least three or four players. We are working hard, and I am having many conference calls with the chairman (Tony Fernandes) over who we may be able to bring in'

QPR manager Neil Warnock is excited about what the second half of the season may hold for his side as he prepares to make "three or four additions" during the January transfer window.

On the face of it there would not appear to be a great deal for Warnock to be enthused about with his side languishing just above the relegation zone having managed just one home win so far this season.

But last night's 1-1 draw with fellow promoted side Swansea saw the Rs produce a performance that arguably merited all three points, with the influential midfield triumvirate of Adel Taarabt, Alejandro Faurlin and skipper Joey Barton taking the game to a Liberty Stadium side who have become used to having things their own way on home turf.

Winger Jamie Mackie grabbed a deserved 58th-minute equaliser thanks to a poor defensive header from Leon Britton, after Danny Graham had given Swansea a disputed 14th-minute lead despite appearing to handle before dispatching his sixth goal of the season.

Warnock believes it was a performance that is sure to attract potential transfer targets.

He said: "I will be looking to bring in at least three or four players. We are working hard, and I am having many conference calls with the chairman (Tony Fernandes) over who we may be able to bring in.

"It changes day to day as players become available that you think you can buy or loan in, but there are areas we want to improve on and I think we will get the players we want.

"When you play like that on TV, it can only help. London is a good pull for foreigners as well as English players and it's an exciting time. We have a drawing power and the way we play, if I were a player I would be excited.

"If I can get some good business done then what a great end of season we can have, I'm looking forward to it."

One man linked with a move away from Loftus Road has been playmaker Taarabt, who refused to sign a new deal with the club last summer.

The 22-year-old Moroccan was a key figure in QPR's march to the Championship title last season, but has been limited to a place on the bench for the most part this time round.

However, he showed glimpses of his unquestionable talent in south Wales, and Warnock was left ruing his upcoming stint at next month's African Nations Cup.

"I thought Adel did well again, I thought he also did well against Sunderland in the second half," said Warnock.

"He is getting fitter and fitter and it is just a shame he is going to be away at the African Nations Cup, he will be heading there after the FA Cup game (at MK Dons on January 7) I think."

While QPR were disappointed to see Swansea's goal stand, the Welsh club also took umbrage with referee Lee Probert's decision to deny Graham a penalty when the former Watford man was clearly felled by Armand Traore.

Manager Brendan Rodgers described the result as "two points dropped" in the immediate aftermath, but admitted the point gained, which moves them five points clear of the relegation zone, could yet prove crucial.

He said: "Scott Sinclair hasn't missed a penalty for us this season, and I felt we deserved to get that penalty but we didn't.

"But in the end QPR have done well away from home, they have picked up three wins and some terrific points, so we are disappointed but that is a point that might end up not being so bad for us."

Rodgers refused to be drawn on whether Swansea have made an improved bid for Cliftonville striker Rory Donnelly, after being asked to up their offer for the 19-year-old, who has also attracted the interest of Everton and Liverpool.

PA

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