Queens Park Rangers v Norwich City

hoops
Remarkably,
Les Ferdinand
registered two
hat-tricks over
the Easter
weekend in
1992/93,
following his
treble against
Nottingham
Forest with
another at
Goodison Park
two days later
LES, how big a help was it for you
to have Ray Wilkins pulling all the
strings in midfield?
I always say to people that maybe once
in your career you have a telepathic
understanding with someone on the
pitch. I felt like I had that with the late,
great Ray Wilkins. As much as our
wingers created crosses for me, Ray
made as many goals by sending me
through the middle. I just had a really
good understanding with him and he
was pivotal for me in my career after he
joined QPR. I am sure every single player
you have spoken to has mentioned
Ray in terms of the influence he had
on our squad at Rangers. He showed
great professionalism in the way he
approached football in his mid-30s.
Ray’s commitment to training and
everything to do with Queens Park
Rangers was exemplary – it just rubbed
off on all the other players. He gave
us a different understanding of what
training levels were supposed to be like
and what professionalism was. We all
looked at Ray and thought: “Wow, he’s
still playing really well at his age.” He was
one of the first names on the manager’s
teamsheet week in, week out.
Was Ray Wilkins given a more advanced
role in midfield by QPR manager Gerry
Francis?
Yes, for sure. Ray was pushed a little
bit further forward and even chipped in
with a couple of goals himself. Before
Gerry came in, Ray wouldn’t have got
that close to goal. Gerry was brilliant
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