Intro:

QPR manager Harry Redknapp spoke on Thursday (30 October) ahead of the west London derby with Chelsea in the English Premier League on Saturday (1 November).

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Harry Redknapp, Queens Park Rangers manager: (Q: What have you made of Rio Ferdinand's punishment?)

"We've not seen the report yet so we really can't comment on it. We've not had the report from the FA so we're not sure exactly what he's done and what the charge is and what the reasons are behind their decision so until we see that, I've not seen it and I'm not in a position to comment."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Harry Redknapp, Queens Park Rangers manager: (Q: Last time you played at Stamford Bridge you managed to pull off a shock?)

"Let's hope that we can pull off another shock. We'll certainly try. We played very well the other night, well against Liverpool so two good positive performances from the lads and we need another, we're going to need a top performance on Saturday because they're the best team in the country without a doubt, in my opinion, and for me they're the team that I can't really see not winning the Premier League this year. I think they look like a team that are destined to win it. They've got a fantastic squad of players, a top manager, I think they're going to be the team to beat."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Harry Redknapp, Queens Park Rangers manager: (Q: What is the situation with Adel Taarabt?)

"No he came to see me on Monday morning, he came in and wanted to see me for a chat and I had a great chat with him. He came in and admitted that he needed to get fitter. Wants to get fit, wants to play, wants to get back in the team. That's all I need to hear from him."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Harry Redknapp, Queens Park Rangers manager: (On Taarabt)

"No one doubts his ability. He's got fantastic ability and it would be one of the great crimes, I think, in football and there's one or two other lads around who I've met over the years. There are one or two still playing who have been the same. It would be such a waste if they don't produce what they're capable of doing because he has got such talent. So he'll come out and train with us again this morning and I've got a feeling that he'll work just as hard as he did, as he has worked all week with us, and if he does that I can't ask any more. He'll get himself fitter and fitter and ready to play and when he does that he's going to be a real asset to the club."