please log in to view this image QPR seeks first Deepdale win in 37 years BUOYED by Monday’s dramatic comeback against Brentford, QPR head to Preston North End’s Deepdale stadium on Saturday. Two stoppage time goes from Matt Smith and Luke Freeman earned the R’s a point against their local rivals earlier this week. Whilst home form has been solid for the majority of the campaign, on the road it has been a pretty miserable existence as a QPR fan in 2017. Rangers are yet to win an away fixture this season, whilst their last win away from W12 came in February thanks t a 4-1 win at Birmingham City. Boss Ian Holloway will be desperate to end that run this weekend at a ground QPR last won at in 1980. Following a good start to the season under former Norwich boss Alex Neil, Preston’s season has stalled somewhat in recent weeks with them securing just one win in their last nine matches. However, if QPR are to return to west London with three points they will have to do it without their talisman Luke Freeman who sits out the match with a one game suspension. please log in to view this image Last Time Out Preston 2 QPR 1 - Saturday, 25th February 2017 QPR made the best possible start at Deepdale on their last trip but the worst possible finish as the R’s went down 2-1 in Lancashire. Kazenga LuaLua put Ian Holloway’s side 1-0 up in spectacular fashion with a back heeled goal on 36 minutes before Preston equalised on the stroke of half-time courtesy of Aiden McGeady’s long range finish. Jordan Hugill scored the winner midway through the second half before Luke Freeman was sent off with just over ten minutes remaining. please log in to view this image Stats Preston are unbeaten in their last 11 home league games against QPR (W5 D6). Since scoring in 18 consecutive Championship matches at Deepdale, Preston have failed to score in three of their last five, including each of their last two. Tom Barkhuizen has had a hand in more Championship goals than any other Preston player this season (9, four goals and five assists). Manager Viewpoints Ian Holloway: "Preston are a high energy team, they move the ball really quickly. I know a few of their players, I had Tom Barkhuizen at Blackpool and he would rival anyone on my runs here. I know that they will counter attack, try to break and keep the ball. I’m really looking forward to it though and if we can get three points out of this one then we can start this month in a positive way." Alex Neil: "I think with the squad that they've got they are very versatile in the way that they play, I think their last four games that I've seen they've changed formation within the game, they've started with different ones as well, they've started with different personnel. So they are really unpredictable in terms of how they are going to set up, which means that we will focus more on ourselves and how we set out to perform.” Team News QPR: Midfielder Luke Freeman is unavailable after collecting his fifth caution of the season against Brentford. He serves a one match ban. Joel Lynch (ankle) is unavailable whilst Nedum Onuoha (hamstring) and James Perch (knee) continue to work towards full fitness. Darnell Furlong (knee) is also a doubt. please log in to view this image ( I've no idea on the team. No Freeman, no right back, no left winger. I think avoiding defeat will be the objective. ) Preston: Tom Clarke and Declan Rudd are both back in contention after making a return from injury midweek. However, defender Josh Earl (knee) is unavailable after undergoing surgery. Greg Cunningham (hamstring) and Tommy Spurr (knee) both remain sidelined. Ben Pearson is available again following a one match suspension however Daniel Johnson serves a one match ban. Referee Jeremy Simpson - Set for his first QPR match of the season, Simpson has issued 78 yellow cards in 19 appointments this season, including seven on three occasions. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
Love the Preston manager’s comments, which can be summarised as - QPR have no consistent line up or way of playing, so we aren’t bothering to set up for what they will do.
Yes indeed, I thought the same. I don't think there's much appetite for this one from our perspective.
He could've said "Ollies got a tombola, and nobody knows whats coming - including himself" and we'd all have known he was correct! Maybe we'll be surprised today?
Great job Rich as usual 3-0 to us The man from Poland finds his form again Shame he has not in form and his passes have been recently no good At his best then he is without doubt one the top players in this league
Thanks for the write up Nines. Great as always. I also have no idea on the team or the formation. For the strikers, I would not be surprised if we initially press and play Washington and Mackie up front, and bring on the big guys later as subs. But for the rest of the team I think you are spot on with the players. Please note that they could easily play in a wingback formation as well as your 4:4:2 formation by only switching Cousins to midfield and Paweł to wingback. Let’s see what will develop. COYR’s!!!
We don't have one single wing-back at the club mate. I'd like to see us play 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 and play Smith up top with wide players to feed him. We aren't good enough to play expansive football so we should play to our strengths imo. We have plenty of wide players and a big centre forward. Use them Ollie!
Inclined to agree. If we can get crosses in from out wide rather than going back to front, Smith is our most dangerous option up front. Who are our best 2 crossers of a ball?
No idea, but we should at least pick players who can try to get into a position to cross the thing. Agreed that we should use Smith from wide and not just pump the ball up to him from the back as this just doesn't work, unless it's the last few minutes etc.
If I was picking the side I'd think I'd go with this and start the game like we usually finish them in order to get the first goal. I would go 4-4-2 but we don't have enough defenders. So it's 3-5-2 with Manning and Wszolek providing the ammo from the flanks to our biggest strikers. Chair also in the starting eleven to add a little flair in the Freeman role. please log in to view this image
I reckon it's going to go something like this ... After an uneventful 45 mins, QPR concede an unfortunate goal just before/after half time. On 65 minutes Ollie throws on Smith and Sylla to chase the game and resorts to high balls launched into the box. He'll end the game playing how he should've started it. Without the hoofball bit obviously.
Mackie has obviously got somethinng on Ollie I read over the week Oliie calls him Mackkeedog.....as he is so obedient and runs all over the place fetching and carrying like an excited terrier....I cannot remember if it was a real report or a spoof
