QPR 'eye' ex-Liverpool man as managerial candidate as Leeds United transfer backed

The Championship season is now on pause for a couple of weeks as the international break takes hold. Millwall head into the break positioned nicely on the edge of the playoff spots, currently in eighth and just two points off sixth spot.

But things are not going so well for QPR, who prop up the Championship table, currently five points from safety and having one just once all season. Here we round up all the latest news surrounding the London Championship clubs and their rivals.

Harris praises attackers

Millwall boss Neil Harris has been praising the impact of Romain Esse, Femi Azeez and Duncan Watmore. He told Millwall TV: “We’ve seen tired bodies, especially down that right side [of Millwall’s defence]. Credit to the players, they just keep going to do the best they can. 

“And they got into some good areas, without always creating clear-cut chances. Whereas at the other end of the pitch I thought we had some absolute sitters that I think we can do better with. But again, I’m not going to bemoan the players because [they had] the attitude to get into positions, the quality showed at times. I thought Romain Esse was brilliant between the lines with the ball and around the box. Femi just gets better every time he plays for the football club and he’s absolutely gutted he’s not scored at least one. 

“I thought both wide players were excellent and Femi’s had to be patient because of how good Dunc [Duncan Watmore] has been, how good Romain has been. Now Femi’s in the mix as well, isn’t he. We’ve got three wide players at the moment playing really well.” 

Cifuentes replacement candidate

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes still believes he has the support of the board amid a disastrous start, but it’s no secret he is walking a tightrope given where the Hoops currently find themselves. According to L’Equipe, QPR already have a replacement in mind should they move on from Cifuentes.

It’s reported that Gregory Vignal, a former Liverpool and Portsmouth player, is of interest. Vignal has limited first team management experience, spending a short time at Versailles and a slightly longer stint with Rangers’ women’s side.

Leeds transfer claim

Leeds United are being backed to pursue an attacking midfielder in the January transfer window. “I’ve always thought that in January they’ll try and do a signing that helps in attacking midfield, like a 10 to put them over the top,” Graham Smyth told the YEP’s The Square Ball podcast.

“If they have a flair player to bring in on loan from a Premier League club, maybe he’s not getting many minutes, maybe he can come in and add six or seven assists and a few goals, Leeds will be absolutely fine. That’s what they were missing at Millwall. A bit of unpredictability. Someone like Georginio Rutter, something Millwall weren’t expecting. Because what else is this team lacking?”