Akos Buzsaky out in cold after Jim Magilton bust-up

Tom Collomosse
8 Dec 2009

Jim Magilton is facing another test of his management at mega-rich Queens Park Rangers after his team lost at Watford last night and he became embroiled in a bizarre row with Akos Buzsaky.

The Hungarian was locked out of his own dressing room and stood by the side of the pitch while being consoled by assistant boss John Gorman for half an hour after the final whistle before seeking refuge in a public toilet.

Boss Magilton later described the incident after his team's 3-1 defeat as a "difference of opinion".

He added: "Anything that was said will be kept in-house."

The problem for Magilton is that his team have now fallen four places and two points off the Championship play-off places after a run of only one win in their last seven games.

Rangers have now conceded eight goals in the last two matches and some visiting fans were angry enough to chant "you don't know what you're doing" when Magilton took off winger Wayne Routledge and introduced forward Jay Simpson midway through the second half.

Magilton now faces some serious questions from co-owners Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal.

Buzsaky's strop followed his introduction from the bench for the last 14 minutes but there was also a protest from Patrick Agyemang, who refused to celebrate after giving Rangers the lead in the 33rd minute.

The striker was unhappy that he was making only his second league start of the campaign but Magilton remains adamant that the squad are still united.

He said: "I think that it was trying conditions. When we went a goal up, we showed a little bit of quality - it was a great finish from Patrick.

"We then needed a collective desire to get a result but in the last two games we haven't shown that - one or two harsh questions have to be asked. A week ago when we played Coventry we played very well and we had people talking about the way we played.

"I just didn't think at 1-0 that we had the real desire to go on and capitalise - and that's upsetting.

"We then conceded three goals - it's a worrying trend and something that we have to work very hard on to stop.

"Only as a group can we address this. As a group of players you've got to go out and take responsibility for your actions. You want these players to stand up and really be counted.

"We just need to restore confidence. It does come and go but you must retain self-belief.

"At the minute we've just got one or two who are shying away - you need characters and you need leaders."

While the west Londoners are still within striking distance of the play-offs, the contrast with Watford could not be greater. Heavily in debt, they are now in a play-off position after goals from Lloyd Doyley, Don Cowie and Tom Cleverley.

England Under-21 keeper Scott Loach revealed he would jump at the chance to join Tottenham after the game but he remains desperate to help the Herts side reach the play-offs.

Spurs assistant manager Kevin Bond, first-team coach Joe Jordan and chief scout Ian Broomfield were at Vicarage Road last night to cast their eyes over Loach.

Loach said: "If Tottenham were to knock on the door and I were to go there, brilliant.

"At the moment, though, I'm concentrating on trying to help Watford get to the Premier League."