please log in to view this image QPR head up north to take on the Sky Bet Championship's second place team Newcastle United in a match which will be shown live on Sky Sports this evening. The last fixture between the sides was probably Rangers most difficult of the season as the R’s were heavily beaten 6-0 on a boiling night back in September last year. Tonight gives Holloway’s side the opportunity to get revenge albeit the task facing them is difficult. Despite their undoubted individual quality, the Magpies are not quite running away from the rest of the league in the way they were tipped to both before the season began and a couple months into it. Between September to November they won eight games in a row and were on fire but things have, to an extent, tailed off since then. Surprising home defeats to Blackburn and Sheffield Wednesday means they are now trailing league leaders Brighton but are still six points in front of 3rd place Reading with a game in hand. Managed by former Real Madrid Head Coach Rafa Benitez – Newcastle have all the characteristics of a Premier League club. St James’ Park is by far the biggest stadium in the League, their loyal fan base is renowned pretty much all over the world and their playing staff is full of internationals and players who have regularly played Premier League football. Their relegation last season was a big shock but their summer recruitment and the fact they managed to keep hold of Benitez means they are in good shape to go straight back up. The Toon suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat in the FA Cup to League One side Oxford United on the weekend but it must be said they were fielding a second strength team. Last time out in the league they were comfortable 4-0 winners over bottom side Rotherham United. In contrast QPR will have to once again bounce back from a disappointing home defeat to Burton Albion. The R’s were not at the races at all on Saturday and will be know that a similar performance will likely see them leave Tyneside with nothing. However, Rangers form over since Xmas has been generally very good and the R’s have already beaten current top six sides Leeds and Reading this season. There’s also the excitement of two new signings potentially making their debuts in Sean Goss and Luke Freeman. Both will be included in the 18 man squad and will be hoping to play some part in front of the TV cameras. please log in to view this image Team News QPR: Jack Robinson has stepped up his recovery and is now in full training but Wednesday’s game against Newcastle may come too soon for him. Grant Hall is also a doubt with an Achilles injury picked up against Burton Albion but Yeni Ngbakoto is back in the squad. Matt Smith is ineligible having signed from Fulham on deadline day. please log in to view this image Newcastle: Darlow, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Ritchie, Hayden, Shelvey, Gouffran, Pérez, Murphy. please log in to view this image MATCH ODDS QPR win: 15/2 Draw: 19/5 Newcastle: 2/5 QPR first goal scorer: Aleksandar Mitrovic 7/2 Newcastle first goal scorer: Idrissa Sylla 9/1 LAST TIME OUT QPR 0 - 6 QPR - Championship, Tuesday 13th September 2016 Newcastle goal-scorers: Jonjo Shelvey x2, Ayoze Perez, Ciaran Clark, Grant Hanley, Aleksandar Mitrovic HEAD TO HEAD (In all competitions) QPR wins: 17 Draws: 8 Newcastle wins: 24 MATCH OFFICIALS Referee: Tim Robinson Assistant Referees: David Avent and Christopher Akers Fourth official: Peter Bankes please log in to view this image Mollie King From 'The Saturday's' Looks Like She's An R's Fan
I would put Goss in instead of Doughty. I would assume that Goss is planned to be a regular, so why not start now?
Thanks a lot 9's. Another great O.P. in the match day thread. Tip to anybody going particularly older fans, take the lift instead of the 7 flights of stairs to the away section. Come on You R's.
Thanks nines. Christ mate, the thought of Doughty up against Shelvey in the middle of the park is making me feel a bit queezy.
Thanks 9s. Good read. I wondered if Goss would get a start tonight. Be great to get a surprising revenge away win but seems unlikely.
Whoever is given that role of marking Shelvey needs to stick to him like glue, don't give him any time or space, hustle, hustle and then hustle some more........it's the only way to nullify him, well legal way anyway...... Keep him quite and see if they have a plan B.....
Hope we can dish out a unexpected result to kick the new year off. C'om you R'rsssssssssssssssss !!!!!!!!!
I reckon Manning will be onto Shelvey. I didn't start with Goss as I'm not sure if Ollie would put him into the starting Xl straight away. Especially against the high flying toon.
Must admit my thoughts were that Manning would get the job of marking Shelvey with Luongo taking Ritchie......
Never been to St James'. I was toying with the idea of going this season until I found out it was on the box. The atmosphere is supposed to be fantastic. Novocastrians are a good bunch too and if the girl in the photo above is anything to go by, the women are smashing!
Shelvey looked great at Loftus Road because Hasselbaink was tactically completely inept and just allowed him to sit ten yards behind the rest of the midfield in acres of space for the entire game. Fulham tried the same thing and Manning was all over Cairney so I expect we'll try and do the same thing. Hopefully the fruitcake will nut someone and get sent off.
Thanks 999's a good read. I like the 4-3-3 line up. Could scare the pants off the Toon army if we go at them. For those of the loyal supporters heading 'up North' I hope you get to see some entertainment tonight. But most importantly stay safe and do us proud & loud.
