‘Bad eggs dragged us under’
QPR head coach Chris Ramsey admitted there were ‘bad eggs’ in his squad who could have done more to help in the battle against relegation, but insisted that he is the man to guide the club back into the Premier League. Captain Joey Barton (below) made the accusation towards some of his team-mates before yesterday’s crushing defeat at Manchester City, saying: ‘There’s a few people who need to have a good look at themselves. If it had been done my way, they would have been out.’ Ramsey did not disagree with the comments but was reluctant to go into detail about the problems that have dragged QPR down this season. He said: ‘If you go to any club there will be bad eggs. ‘What Joey probably alluded to were people who could have probably helped us who haven’t helped us. I don’t want to expand on that. ‘There are a lot of things I could say but I wouldn’t want to put any bombs in place at this stage. Most of the stuff has been well documented. ‘It’s for us to show a bit of dignity and class and take our medicine.’ Former City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, accused by ex-QPR boss Harry Redknapp in January of sitting on his £65,000-a-week contract, got a hero’s reception from the home supporters when he came on as a late substitute but was barracked by his own fans. Asked if Wright-Phillips is one of the players in question, Ramsey replied: ‘I wouldn’t say Shaun particularly because he has been on the bench most of the time. There are others who could have helped us.’ Ramsey, who only took over from Redknapp in February, insists that owner Tony Fernandes will not allow QPR to go the same way as clubs such as Portsmouth and face financial ruin despite the threat of a massive Financial Fair Play punishment hanging over Loftus Road. The 53-year-old wants to be handed the task of taking Rangers back into the top flight when the club make an announcement over the manager’s position at the end of the season. ‘I think the owners will save us from going over the edge,’ added Ramsey. ‘We have very good owners and board members who will try to make sure QPR don’t end up like some of the other clubs we’ve seen that have slid all the way down the divisions and ended up in the financial mire. ‘The club will be in a position to re-adjust finances and have a more realistic wage bill for the Championship. ‘It (relegation) doesn’t scare me off because it’s a fantastic job. It’s a club I’ve taken to my heart and I really want to be here. I hope they make a positive decision and I’m at the helm to help them in their long-term plans.’ QPR’s problems were summed up by the fact Brazilian midfielder Sandro was unable to play at the Etihad due to a problem over his UK residency visa. ‘I found out on Friday,’ said Ramsey. ‘From my point of view it is very disappointing. It was a massive blow to us today but there’s not much you can do about it.’ gratitude to Ashley Young for getting them over the l i ne at Palace, the winger creating both his side’s goals. The arrival of Van Gaal has seen Young turn around his United career, which looked to be dying a slow death.
‘That was one of the best I’ve played this season,’ said Young. ‘We came determined we had to get three points after recent setbacks. It brought out the best in us.’
And his team-mate Smalling is backing him for an England recall. He added: ‘With his performances people will always be looking. Every time he got it he looked like he was going to beat his man.
‘He’s been a real threat. It could be a confidence thing and the manager showing faith in him. I think England could always do with a player like that.’ SUPER STAT: Ashley Young has provided as many Premier League assists in 2014-15 (four) as he did in his previous two seasons. CRYSTAL PALACE (4-3-2-1): Speroni 4; Ward 5, Dann 5.5, Delaney 5.5, Souare 6; Jedinak 6 (Lee Chung-yong 84min), Ledley 6 (Puncheon 45, 7.5), McArthur 6.5; Zaha 6 (Chamakh 85), Bolasie 6; Murray 6. Subs not used: Hennessey, Kelly, Mutch, Campbell. Scorer: Puncheon 57. MANCHESTER UNITED (4-5-1): De Gea 8; Valencia 6.5, Jones 6.5, Smalling 6 (McNair 84), Shaw 5.5 (Evans 40, 6.5); Mata 7, Blind 6.5, Herrera 6, Fellaini 7, Young 8.5; Rooney 5.5 (Falcao 45, 5.5). Subs not used: Valdes, Pereira, Januzaj, Wilson. Booked: Herrera. Scorers: Mata 19 pen, Fellaini 78. Man of the match: Ashley Young. Referee: Michael Oliver 6.