The experienced Paul Furlong is at the centre of newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers' attempts to consolidate in the Coca Cola Championship after winning promotion last season. The former Chelsea striker spoke to Brian Beard about the start to the Championship campaign made by the Loftus Road outfit.
Q:HOW HAVE THINGS BEEN FOR RANGERS SO FAR?
A:It's been a bit mixed really. We started with a draw against Rotherham and, looking back, it was perhaps a game we should have won. Then we came up against Watford and that was a complete disaster. Our preparation probably wasn't the best for that one and we kind of got caught with our pants down. Then we went to the Stadium of Light and I thought we played fairly well against Sunderland and were 2-1 ahead with a minute to go but conceded a late equaliser.
Q:SO THE GAMES HAVE BEEN PRETTY CLOSE IN THE MAIN?
A:Yes, looking back it has been a very fine line. Obviously the game is about results and it has been a fine line for us in terms of getting results.
Q:IT'S FELT THAT WHEN A TEAM GOES UP A DIVISION MISTAKES ARE PUNISHED MORE SEVERELY. HAVE YOU FOUND THAT TO BE THE CASE?
A:Most definitely, you'll find that in each team you play against they will have a player who is pretty special, a player who can play that killer pass or deliver that great ball. No disrespect to the division we came out of, but you can get away with a lot more there. But we've got a few lads in our squad who will become great players but are not really experienced in the First Division ey. They are working hard enough on the training round at the moment to put things right.
Q:ON A PERSONAL LEVEL YOU SEEM TO BE GOING STRONG. WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF IN THE VETERAN STAGE YET?
A:Well, everyone else is saying it so I must be. I am 35 years of age and still enjoying my football, still enjoying playing games and until that changes I will carry on enjoying what I am doing.
Q:ARE YOU NATURALLY FIT?
A:I wouldn't say I am naturally fit, it's more a case of working at my fitness, in terms of looking after myself, having the right diet, and doing the right things because obviously I am getting older and have to look after myself a bit more.
Q:YOU HAVE KEVIN GALLEN ALONGSIDE YOU AND HE REALLY IS ONE OF THAT RARE BREED OF 'NATURAL' STRIKERS ISN'T HE?
A:Yes, a very good player and before I came to QPR I knew of Kevin, having played against him a few times, and always rated him very highly. I understand that prior to my arrival he had a serious knee injury, yet before that blow people were talking about him in terms of England. He is a very good player to play alongside and he scores goals as well.
Q:IS THE EXPERIENCE RANGERS HAVE A CRUCIAL FACTOR FOLLOWING PROMOTION?
A:It's important to have that experience because it helps the younger players along. You have players in the division who haven't quite made it in the Premiership or players nearing the end of their careers after playing in the top flight. I feel that there are teams in this league who could do quite well in the Premiership so experience is vital in helping the younger players play in the Coca Cola Championship.
Q:WILL THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS THIS SEASON BE SURVIVAL?
A:Most definitely, that's what we will be concentrating on. We aren't getting carried away with ourselves. We did tremendous last season in getting promotion and we knew stepping up wouldn't be easy but we are working hard and, hopefully, come the end of the season we will still be in the Championship.
