QPR Fans Forum | Ian Holloway & Lee Hoos - 16/03/17

[Stanley]

QPR manager Ian Holloway and Chief Executive Lee Hoos met R's fans at a live Fans Forum on Thursday, 16th March 2017 to answer supporters questions.

An absolute must see. Ollie on top form here and so funny too. The man is a diamond and so 'gets' what the club is about. Honestly believe he could achieve great things for our club, if he's given the time and the backing:

[qprjeff1882]

Ollie is a certified nutter, hahhaha. By the way it is 1 hour 57 minutes long so be prepared for a whole afternoon/ evenings watch lol.
Ollie don't half go off on every question onto other topics but his enthusiasm is there loud and proud for all to see. And there are a lot of times if you look at Lee Hoos face it looks like he's thinking "come on Ollie just get on with it" hahhha. But a great watch nevertheless. One question i wish someone would have asked is when do we get to see next seasons kit as i know that is a big issue with a lot of fans.

[jmelanie]

Not sure if anybody saw Les Ferdinand on Football Focus, but when asked about Olly he said that he knew he had arrived because he found him dancing around the room singing.

[Hove Ranger]

The stuff about Gary Penrice and the scouting network is exciting. Olly says it was Penrice who recommended Freeman and apparently he was involved in the Kante and Mahrez deals

[Stanley]

Ollie is a certified nutter, hahhaha. By the way it is 1 hour 57 minutes long so be prepared for a whole afternoon/ evenings watch lol.
Ollie don't half go off on every question onto other topics but his enthusiasm is there loud and proud for all to see. And there are a lot of times if you look at Lee Hoos face it looks like he's thinking "come on Ollie just get on with it" hahhha. But a great watch nevertheless. One question i wish someone would have asked is when do we get to see next seasons kit as i know that is a big issue with a lot of fans.

Yeah, these things usually only last an hour, but they just knew that was never going to happen with Ollie on the panel

[Shania]

Wow. Just wow. This was a good watch.. Ollie would have suceeded in selling sand in Zahara..Hehe.

[Glevum_Hoop]

Had one of my questions read out - as usual Hoos didn't answer it in any way, shape or form

[Rangers77]

The stuff about Gary Penrice and the scouting network is exciting. Olly says it was Penrice who recommended Freeman and apparently he was involved in the Kante and Mahrez deals

Very encouraging.

[Rangers77]

Loving Hoos laughing at Ollie.......

[nasser95]

Had one of my questions read out - as usual Hoos didn't answer it in any way, shape or form

Which question did you ask mate, if you don't mind me asking?

[oldskoolturk]

Hi All

I was asked to go for this board as Stanley couldn't make it. Apologies my notes are a bit late, as you can imagine Ollie had a lot to say so was difficult to keep up at times! What I will say is that the atmosphere at this one was completely different to the Ines I've been too when JFH was here!!

Notes below:
1) Training ground update

Is that the end of legal challenges? No, but we have won every battle so far. Save Warren Farm Can still win the review but it needs to be on a point of law. Public inquiry on the planning application for the public footpath is due in September. Still confident of getting it through. Can't put time frame yet, as it depends on the results of the inquiry. License for levelling nearly agreed

2) stadium

Cannot redevelop LR. Sites being considered would be double the size. 10 acres vs 5. LR Too small and too difficult with No solid business case. Old oak common looking increasingly difficult but need to stay in the borough. Looking at feasibility studies elsewhere in the borough. Doing consultation before getting the architects in on the various sites. No athletics tracks around the pitch. Local stakeholders and non match day usage essential.

3) areas to strengthen

Togetherness of the group as there has been lots of change. Some players not given opportunity that they maybe should have had. People have been transferred out if they didn't want to be here, although Ollie would not necessarily get rid of them if they wanted to be here. Need them to understand the club and what the club means. Excited at what is coming through. All teams at the club are now starting to play the same way, train in the same way. Get the right characters in. All about team players and manners and respect. Characters have to be right. Need to balance flair with heart. Wage bill still a bit above where it needs to be.

E.g. Connor Washington needs to play in a 2. Brought big man in to get the best out of him.

Feeling of anticipation of good things rather than bad things. Increasing the European scouting network to find the hidden gems.

3) club finances

Hard work to get losses down from £44m to £11m but parachute payments will reduce. Still need to reduce cost base to be able to be sustainable. Jan window was good for players brought in. No need to go out and buy lots of players again. Summer should be about tweaking. Confident wth people doing the deals

FFP - expect to Be resolved end of this season or beginning of next season. Moving at pace

Ruben putting interest on loans into shares. Instead of getting money back, the interest is paid back in shares.

4) family stand

Same question as usual. Move to paddocks. Hoos clear it's not going to be moved. Atmosphere improving with the performance on pitch. Nets to go up during warm up for next season.

5) target for next year is to be better than this year! Improving as a club on and off the pitch.

6) with hindsight would not have moved the burton game. Holloway said his fault but what's done is done.

7) players injuries - keeping more updated. Cousins had a muscle tear off the bone after nearly getting fit. Jack Robinson on specific regime to help manage older injuries. Lua lua on his way back.

Taken a while to get confidence back into players. Squad rotation is good and squad very strong.

8) only reservation Ollie had about coming back was whether his wife would let him come back!! Baby steps to move forward for getting promotion

9) headphones before and after games. People prepare in different ways. E.g. Connor and yeni, pre match prep will not be asked to be changed.

10) coaches to and from games are expensive and club operate a loss on them.

11) won't have Dennis the menace as away kit every year but will have every now and again. Interestingly we Sold 2000 more home shirts this year vs last year despite all the noise about hoops not going all the way round.

12) what is les role? He's dof oversees technical integration in teams, first point of contact with agents, scouting and signing players. Impossible for anmanager to do it all now what with the money involved and the vast number of sums on offer. Everyone has a clear role. Ollie would have No time for coaching and training if spending all the time on players and agents etc. Good cop bad cop works well to keep squad together and not distract players and manager.trust there between les and Ollie.

13) Stan Bowles benefit

What is the aim of the benefit match. In total there is c£35k that has been raised. In November there was a new committee selected. One of the ideas is go through the community trust. Ringfence the funding, set up a sub committee, charities and other good works clause. Bonafide fund raising then you do not get VAT charged on it. Structure is now in. Hopefully getting a date in the next 10 days. Up to the committee to create the game.

14) Ollie in favour of video replays and goal line technology to help out the refs.

15) any further q and a for the forever r's/class of 67. But have too many and loses the impact.

16) scouting structure. Recruited a scout from somewhere (can't name at the moment) to expand European scouting network as well as English scouting if lower levels. This person strongly recommended Luke freeman (£500k). Family behind Watford spend £2m on scout wages alone

17) changing of pattern of play and game play does change based on the opposition. Changed formation for Leeds game to 3 at the back and 3 in midfield to combat them. Players are a lot more confident now and know they can play into different ways

18) blue and white bar. What more could be done e.g. Putting players in there for photos.

19) fan base. Trying to grow as much and possible. 800 season tickets for next season sold so far. Half of season tickets are through the direct debit scheme.

20) ravel. Training and time keeping is not what it should be. Has to work harder and catch up with how hard the others are working. He is gradually improving and trying to help him. There is a clause to take him if we want it. Up to him to prove that he will do what he says he will do. Only player Ollie couldn't help is clarke Carlisle but will always try and help anyone.

21) youth players coming through. Shodipo out on loan, Greco Cox aim is for them to go on loan and learnt the trade. Petrasso and doughty training well.

22) disciplinary process against caulker cannot be discussed

23) outstanding bank loan - august is when it should be paid up. Interest on loan why is now the right time to be doing it?

24) Cup games - can we give more free tickets to local community. Would like to give away more tickets but 45/45/10 split to be distributed out so cost is high even if people do not turn up.

Worked with yeni to lose 5kg and get his mind back in the game after losing his father. A shame not to work with caulker, his problems are always when he is not fit.

Ollie encouraging fans to get behind team, don't get complacent and expect to win and then get frustrated if we're not winning.

You rrrrrrrrs

[Stanley]

Many thanks oldskoolturk for such a comprehensive report as always!

With all that scribbling I hope you were also able to enjoy the event, at least as much as I was watching it.

[Fraggy]

Hi All

I was asked to go for this board as Stanley couldn't make it. Apologies my notes are a bit late, as you can imagine Ollie had a lot to say so was difficult to keep up at times! What I will say is that the atmosphere at this one was completely different to the Ines I've been too when JFH was here!!

Notes below:
1) Training ground update

Is that the end of legal challenges? No, but we have won every battle so far. Save Warren Farm Can still win the review but it needs to be on a point of law. Public inquiry on the planning application for the public footpath is due in September. Still confident of getting it through. Can't put time frame yet, as it depends on the results of the inquiry. License for levelling nearly agreed

2) stadium

Cannot redevelop LR. Sites being considered would be double the size. 10 acres vs 5. LR Too small and too difficult with No solid business case. Old oak common looking increasingly difficult but need to stay in the borough. Looking at feasibility studies elsewhere in the borough. Doing consultation before getting the architects in on the various sites. No athletics tracks around the pitch. Local stakeholders and non match day usage essential.

3) areas to strengthen

Togetherness of the group as there has been lots of change. Some players not given opportunity that they maybe should have had. People have been transferred out if they didn't want to be here, although Ollie would not necessarily get rid of them if they wanted to be here. Need them to understand the club and what the club means. Excited at what is coming through. All teams at the club are now starting to play the same way, train in the same way. Get the right characters in. All about team players and manners and respect. Characters have to be right. Need to balance flair with heart. Wage bill still a bit above where it needs to be.

E.g. Connor Washington needs to play in a 2. Brought big man in to get the best out of him.

Feeling of anticipation of good things rather than bad things. Increasing the European scouting network to find the hidden gems.

3) club finances

Hard work to get losses down from £44m to £11m but parachute payments will reduce. Still need to reduce cost base to be able to be sustainable. Jan window was good for players brought in. No need to go out and buy lots of players again. Summer should be about tweaking. Confident wth people doing the deals

FFP - expect to Be resolved end of this season or beginning of next season. Moving at pace

Ruben putting interest on loans into shares. Instead of getting money back, the interest is paid back in shares.

4) family stand

Same question as usual. Move to paddocks. Hoos clear it's not going to be moved. Atmosphere improving with the performance on pitch. Nets to go up during warm up for next season.

5) target for next year is to be better than this year! Improving as a club on and off the pitch.

6) with hindsight would not have moved the burton game. Holloway said his fault but what's done is done.

7) players injuries - keeping more updated. Cousins had a muscle tear off the bone after nearly getting fit. Jack Robinson on specific regime to help manage older injuries. Lua lua on his way back.

Taken a while to get confidence back into players. Squad rotation is good and squad very strong.

8) only reservation Ollie had about coming back was whether his wife would let him come back!! Baby steps to move forward for getting promotion

9) headphones before and after games. People prepare in different ways. E.g. Connor and yeni, pre match prep will not be asked to be changed.

10) coaches to and from games are expensive and club operate a loss on them.

11) won't have Dennis the menace as away kit every year but will have every now and again. Interestingly we Sold 2000 more home shirts this year vs last year despite all the noise about hoops not going all the way round.

12) what is les role? He's dof oversees technical integration in teams, first point of contact with agents, scouting and signing players. Impossible for anmanager to do it all now what with the money involved and the vast number of sums on offer. Everyone has a clear role. Ollie would have No time for coaching and training if spending all the time on players and agents etc. Good cop bad cop works well to keep squad together and not distract players and manager.trust there between les and Ollie.

13) Stan Bowles benefit

What is the aim of the benefit match. In total there is c£35k that has been raised. In November there was a new committee selected. One of the ideas is go through the community trust. Ringfence the funding, set up a sub committee, charities and other good works clause. Bonafide fund raising then you do not get VAT charged on it. Structure is now in. Hopefully getting a date in the next 10 days. Up to the committee to create the game.

14) Ollie in favour of video replays and goal line technology to help out the refs.

15) any further q and a for the forever r's/class of 67. But have too many and loses the impact.

16) scouting structure. Recruited a scout from somewhere (can't name at the moment) to expand European scouting network as well as English scouting if lower levels. This person strongly recommended Luke freeman (£500k). Family behind Watford spend £2m on scout wages alone

17) changing of pattern of play and game play does change based on the opposition. Changed formation for Leeds game to 3 at the back and 3 in midfield to combat them. Players are a lot more confident now and know they can play into different ways

18) blue and white bar. What more could be done e.g. Putting players in there for photos.

19) fan base. Trying to grow as much and possible. 800 season tickets for next season sold so far. Half of season tickets are through the direct debit scheme.

20) ravel. Training and time keeping is not what it should be. Has to work harder and catch up with how hard the others are working. He is gradually improving and trying to help him. There is a clause to take him if we want it. Up to him to prove that he will do what he says he will do. Only player Ollie couldn't help is clarke Carlisle but will always try and help anyone.

21) youth players coming through. Shodipo out on loan, Greco Cox aim is for them to go on loan and learnt the trade. Petrasso and doughty training well.

22) disciplinary process against caulker cannot be discussed

23) outstanding bank loan - august is when it should be paid up. Interest on loan why is now the right time to be doing it?

24) Cup games - can we give more free tickets to local community. Would like to give away more tickets but 45/45/10 split to be distributed out so cost is high even if people do not turn up.

Worked with yeni to lose 5kg and get his mind back in the game after losing his father. A shame not to work with caulker, his problems are always when he is not fit.

Ollie encouraging fans to get behind team, don't get complacent and expect to win and then get frustrated if we're not winning.

You rrrrrrrrs

Thanks Turk. Trying to find a 1+ hour time slot without distraction to watch the video is proving tricky, so your bullet points were very useful

[MYU]

Thank you very much Turk.

[oldskoolturk]

No worries! Always happy to help where I can!!