By Chris Wright

First things first: Sincere apologies for that god-awful pun. I tried to rise above it, and failed. Miserably.

Anyway, Newcastle inflicted defeat upon Mark Hughes in his first game in charge of QPR, with a neat solo effort from Demba Ba's deputy Leon Best proving to be the difference between the two sides at the Sports Direct 80% Off Insane Spring Sale Arena.

Mirror: Draws! Santa Cruz! Shouts of Leslie! Top 10 things QPR fans can expect under Mark Hughes

Mark Hughes was at Loftus Road on Monday to discuss becoming QPR's new boss, apparently beating off a bid for the job from my word! Ray Wilkins. Hughes arrives for QPR talks Wilkins wants QPR job But what should fans expect if and Sparky is named Hoops gaffer?

By Alan Duffy

After blaming everyone and everything but himself, king of the passive-aggressive faux-down-to-earth shtick, Neil Warnock, was given the boot at Loftus Road on the back of an appalling run of form which saw QPR take just two points out of a possible 24.

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- (Photos - of course - from the Bushman Archives)
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Are there any other contenders for this accolade besides the amazing Gareth Bale? After the Welshman's two goals inspired Tottenham's win, manager Harry Redknapp was typically effusive in his praise.
"I played him in a free role," Harry said. Him and Rafa, rather than on the left. He pops up in positions in-between the midfield and defence, it's difficult to pick him up and once he turns and runs, like he did for the second goal, he's unstoppable.

From The Archives: Jon Horner's "A Chelsea Christmas Carol"

Click images to make them larger. Yes, this was done by our brilliant Jon Horner last year. Yes, it's still relevant (minus Carlo). Sometimes it's nice to reflect on the past year and see what has changed and what hasn't (even if you're not a Chelsea fan).

Daft quotes of the Week starring Merse, Wilkins, Dwight Yorke and more

Daft quotes of the Week "Everton are literally a bag of Revels" – PAUL MERSON "What do I like about Spurs? The flairness" – DWIGHT YORKE "Every ball that is kicked, Martin O'Neill will be literally kicking it" – DWIGHT YORKE "This young man has legs to die for" – RAY WILKINS ON RAMIRES "Marlon King is as predatory as ever" – BOB HALL "United won't be talking visibly about it" – GARY NEVILLE "Jay Bothroyd absolutely lambasts the ball" – SAM MATTERFACE "2-0 up with three minutes to go and you c.

1. OTP is absolutely delighted with the result. After 90 minutes held captive by Ray Wilkins, we developed Stockholm syndrome and are now fully behind the Chelsea cause. 2. A Chelsea win can rarely have been celebrated so much by Manchester United fans. It was a good result for neutrals too, including the aforementioned Wilkins.

By Alan Duffy

Chelsea Manchester City Premier League 12th December 2011

Billed by a number of footballing 'wits' as El Cashico and the Oil Firm Derby, this clash of the billionaires' playthings was always going to be a dramatic affair.

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Just a few hours left to bid for QPR Poppy Shirt
- Four Years Ago: QPR Bottom of "Division II" QPR Bottom
- Five Year Flashback: QPR Players arrested Over Tube Death Five Years Ago.
- Twenty-Two Years Ago, Don Howe appointed QPR Manager...Ray Wilkins Debuts and QPR crush Crystal Palace Don Howe Appointed/Wilkins Debut
- Birthdays for Nigel Spackman
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1. You can buy and rotate an array of the world's most expensive attackers, but it's more effective to have three who link-up as well as Cavani, Hamsik and Lavezzi do. 2. Sky Sports might have stumbled upon a great late night football format during the match in which Ray Wilkins translates Mario Balotelli's Italian [.

1. You can buy and rotate an array of the world's most expensive attackers, but it's more effective to have three who link-up as well as Cavani, Hamsik and Lavezzi do. 2. Sky Sports might have stumbled upon a great late night football format during the match in which Ray Wilkins translates Mario Balotelli's Italian [.

CL Highlights: Napoli/Man City Commentators Martin Tyler and Ray Wilkins summed it up perfectly before the game kicked off. The atmosphere at Napoli's decrepit stadium in Italy was absolutely spectacular. This was a game that the fans and players...
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This Sunday sees Tottenham coach Clive Allen join the England Legends taking part in Nivea for Men's Great Football Experiment this weekend. Clive and a team of fellow ex pros take on the might of Ivory FC, from the Brentwood Sunday Football League. I'll be interviewing Clive and you can submit your questions for the Spurs legend by replying to this post.

So far, any stories about a possible departure for Gareth Bale seem to have been little more than rumour, but if you believe the latest reports, Spurs' resolve is about to be tested by an official bid from Barcelona.

The claim has come out of Spain where reports suggest that Barcelona's technical advisor Albert Valenti was at the Fulham game to run the rule over Bale, who could be seen as a long term replacement for Barca left back Eric Abidal.

By David Chalmers, writing from Scotland

Being based in the UK, it takes minimal effort to know what most media outlets focus on. The onus of every newspaper, magazine, website and television production is to devote most of their time to the Barclays Premier League.

Racial abuse on the pitch should carry a life ban

I don't know what happened between John Terry and Anton Ferdinand on Sunday. I believe that someone is innocent until proved guilty. But I do think that anyone who uses a racial slur on a football field shouldn't receive a three- or five-game ban.

1. Ryan Giggs' testicles are once again having a negative impactive on Manchester United. This time he let Steven Gerrard score the opening goal for Liverpool by breaking away from the ball to protect his Ballons D'Or. 2. Stevie G won the man of the match award from Ray Wilkins as a "welcome back". Just [.

Butch fancies linking up with his old boss Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Karren Brady and Paul Peschisolido – they all pale in comparison to the loving double-act of Ray Wilkins and Carlo Ancelotti who were unceremoniously ripped apart last season. But like any good chick-flick, it's the fleeting chance of a happy [.

For Fernando Torres, it will be a long way back to media approval. His move to Chelsea, for a record £50m, will lead to him always being highly scrutinised and criticised for each game where he doesn't score.

His performance against Manchester United, which included a fine goal, a number of feats of fleeting footwork and concluded a great week for him, which included two assists against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, will be remembered for one other incident.

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- Spot The Ball
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QPR Photo from QPR-Newcastle
- Throughout the day, the QPR Report Messageboard has news updates, comments and perspectives - even links to other board comments of interest re QPR matters (on and off the field) along with football (and ONLY football) topics in general.

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- QPR Southern League and other Medals won by QPR in 1911-1912s: Courtesy of Bushman... Grandson of QPR's Arthur "Nipper" Smith
- Throughout the day, the QPR Report Messageboard has news updates, comments and perspectives - even links to other board comments of interest re QPR matters (on and off the field) along with football (and ONLY football) topics in general.

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- - QPR's Les Allen Turns Seventy-Four Today!
- Throughout the day, the QPR Report Messageboard has news updates, comments and perspectives - even links to other board comments of interest re QPR matters (on and off the field) along with football (and ONLY football) topics in general.

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: Thirty Years Ago Today: The First Game played on Plastic in the English Footall League
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- Throughout the day, the QPR Report Messageboard has news updates, comments and perspectives - even links to other board comments of interest re QPR matters (on and off the field) along with football (and ONLY football) topics in general.

Roberto Di Matteo poised to become assistant to Andre Villas-Boas? This does not make me unhappy, not one bit.

Hell, just bring them both on

Several outlets are reporting that the Chelsea legend and former West Bromwich Albion manager will be installed today when Villas-Boas, as well as his backroom staff, is officially unveiled by the club.

Former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins says Andre Villas-Boas' biggest challenge as Chelsea manager will be to win over some of the high-profile names in the Stamford Bridge dressing room.

Wilkins told BBC Five Live:

"He is a young man who has done exceptionally well but it is a massive test coming in at Chelsea as they have big players and big personalities in there as well.

The Chelsea coaching turnstiles have churned once more.
The Blues have become somewhat notorious in recent years due to the high turnover rate at the managerial position. Since Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003, there have been seven different Chelsea managers. That's seven managers in eight years, or a new manager every 1.

Hello children and Daily Mail readers, I'm Martin Samuel yeah? YES.

It's an anagram of 'Menstrual Aim' and "Maria Men Lust', but I'm still ALL MAN.

A couple of weeks ago my bearded gaze was drawn like a moth to the 60w bulb of the Champions League final. This got me thinking at least that is what my therapist said that grinding sound was is Lionel Messi the greatest player that ever did grace this stage, how does he match up to the superstars of the game's history?

Hello children and Daily Mail readers, I'm Martin Samuel yeah? YES.

It's an anagram of 'Menstrual Aim' and "Maria Men Lust', but I'm still ALL MAN.

A couple of weeks ago my bearded gaze was drawn like a moth to the 60w bulb of the Champions League final. This got me thinking at least that is what my therapist said that grinding sound was is Lionel Messi the greatest player that ever did grace this stage, how does he match up to the superstars of the game's history?

Ray Wilkins has once again heaped praise on the players he used to work with and once more reiterates the hunger and desire the players have at Chelsea and issued a warning to the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and the Liverpool's of this world.
He said:

"They are a wonderfully gifted bunch of guys and they will be back.

Well well well, if there is ever a stipulation to make a deal difficult for Chelsea and Roman Abramovich it's this one!. Apparently, according the Mirror, Guus Hiddink wants Ray Wilkins to become his assistant again like he was before, if he is to return to Chelsea. It was the Hiddink / Wilkins combination that led us to FA Cup glory a couple of season ago and it's believed that Hiddink feels as though these two can hit the ground running if they can start work together this pre season.

Ex-Chelsea man Ray Wilkins heaped praise on Danny Sturridge and believes he "can be anything he wants to be" as far as his football career is concerned.
Wilkins said:

"He's an enormously talented guy, he's extremely quick and I've seen him rip the Chelsea senior players to pieces in training but that has obviously got to be translated on to the Saturday afternoon.

Following on from Peter Reid and Bryan Robson can we expect the Thai FA to continue to look to England's World Cup squad for its coaches? Specifically the midfield?
In that case can we expect to hear that Steve Hodge has been announced as the new Thai coach? Or Trevor Steven? Or even Ray Wilkins?

Staying? Going?As I am sure you've heard, Harry Redknapp has emerged as the shock favourite to fill the position left vacant by Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea.
Redknapp's odds to replace the former AC Milan manager have been slashed as owner Roman Abramovich goes in search of the man who he believes can bring him success in the Champions League.

The Goodison Park stairwell where Carlo Ancelotti was reportedly sacked is a warm and friendly part of the ground, where veteran doormen in blazers exchange pleasantries with old school Evertonians and Bill Kenwright, the club's chairman, floats through dispensing bonhomie.

It is a place, in other words, of decorum and permanence and not the kind of area where a thoroughly capable manager would expect to be dispatched moments after being allowed to say, in a post-match press conference, that a meeting would be held next week to discuss his future.

Ray Wilkins is featured in The Sun this morning talking of the relationship between him and Chelsea, the club he captained as a teenager and was employed as an assistant twice and has reveal that's it as far as he is concerned with the club.
He said:

"My time is done with Chelsea.

Norwich City and Queens Park Rangers are certainly not strangers to the Premiership, but they have been an eternity in the wilderness as far as their fans will be concerned. They both have very famous top flight games which are associated with the club with QPR turning over Manchester United in a New Years Day game back in 1992, and Norwich defeating Bayern Munich in Europe in 1993.

Having parted company with Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti after a disappointing season, Chelsea are once again searching for a new coach with Dutchman Guus Hiddink the bookies favourite to take over the reigns at Stamford Bridge. Rolly Pelovangu investigates...

A poisoned chalice or a great opportunity to manage at one of world football's richest clubs?

Yesterday I was asked to appear on the number one football talk show in North America - World Football Daily. Here is the recording of the full interview where I am asked to speak about everything Chelsea from our season, Roman Abramovich, Carlo Ancelotti, Ray Wilkins, John Terry, Torres, our squad and players leaving and finally our formation.