Tottenham v QPR preview Watch all the action from White Hart Lane live on Sky Sports HD1/1 & 3D Last Updated: October 28, 2011 11:37am The defender is set to be interviewed by the Football Association after he was allegedly the subject of a racist slur from Chelsea and England captain John Terry, while other QPR players could also be asked to give evidence. Ferdinand has said he remains focused on his job amid the furore, but it will be difficult to escape the attention if he plays against Spurs at White Hart Lane. For QPR, the racism row has overshadowed what was a memorable, if foul-tempered, West London derby win over Premier League heavyweights Chelsea. It was an important success at the beginning of a tricky set of fixtures for Neil Warnock's 2010/11 Championship winners and Manchester City await after Spurs. Another win over one of their capital rivals would therefore be an excellent return for QPR, but Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 16 Premier League London derbies at White Hart Lane. Excellent form After an out-of-sorts start to the season, Harry Redknapp's team are also in excellent form in their quest to return to the top flight's top four and they have taken 16 points from the last 18 available, their best run of form since January 2005. Spurs could be boosted by the return of Vedran Corluka, but William Gallas is a doubt and Ledley King and Michael Dawson are not expected to be involved. Tom Huddlestone's second ankle operation means he is still not available, however, Niko Kranjcar and Steven Pienaar could potentially return. QPR striker Heidar Helguson is likely to keep his starting place after winning and scoring the penalty to defeat Chelsea, with summer signing Jay Bothroyd confined to the bench. Injury-plagued Kieron Dyer is unavailable, while defenders Danny Gabbidon and Matthew Connolly are unlikely to feature. Striker Rob Hulse is getting close to fitness following his knee injury, but DJ Campbell is out until the New Year with a foot problem. Possible starting XIs Tottenham: Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Parker, Modric, Bale, Van der Vaart, Adebayor. QPR: Kenny, Young, Ferdinand, Hall, Hill, Derry, Faurlin, Wright-Phillips, Barton, Taarabt, Helguson. iReader http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11711/7270841/
@QPRTimes George Ian Cooper #QPR Also had it confirmed that Armand Traore may miss Sunday's clash with #spurs through injury - Clint Hill may keep his spot at left-back
I don't want to oversimplify but I think a lot will depend on how well we handle Bale. We proved in the first half against the Scum that we are capable of closing down a passing midfield but the pace of Bale is a completely different challenge. Any thoughts about how Warnock will approach that?
New-look Spurs face a familiar problem against QPR at the Lane - QPR - London 24 Rafael Van der Vaart celebrates New-look Spurs face a familiar problem against QPR at the Lane By Ben Pearce, Tottenham correspondent Friday, October 28, 2011 11:15 AM London24’s Tottenham correspondent gives QPR fans the lowdown on Harry Redknapp’s Spurs ahead of Sunday’s London derby. QPR may be riding on the crest of a wave this week after their derby triumph over Chelsea, but their next top-flight fixture is arguably their toughest assignment since their return to the Premier League. While Sundays derbies at Old Trafford and Loftus Road stole all the headlines, Spurs were quietly winning 2-1 away at Blackburn to record their fifth win in six games, taking their points tally to 16 from a possible 18. That left the Lilywhites just three points behind Chelsea and four behind Manchester United with a game in hand on everyone around them. The hosts recent form at White Hart Lane is just as ominous, and their last two home games in the league were a 4-0 win over Liverpool and a 2-1 victory over Arsenal. The good news is that last season Tottenham had a tendency to raise their games against the big teams at home, but take their foot off the gas against the rest. That complacency arguably cost them a top-four finish, as they were held to home draws by Everton, Sunderland, West Brom, West Ham and Blackpool. Indeed, the only Premier League side to beat the Lilywhites at the Lane last season was Wigan. Having hosted Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal so far this campaign, the visit of QPR presents a different kind of test one that Spurs struggled with in 2010/11. Unfortunately, Tottenham spent the summer addressing the weaknesses in their side, and now look much stronger. Brad Friedel made a free transfer from Aston Villa and is set for his 275th consecutive Premier League appearance this weekend, having last missed a top-flight game in May 2004. Kyle Walker, who spent the first half of last season on loan at Loftus Road and the second half at Aston Villa, is now Redknapps first-choice right-back. The Football Writers Footballer of the Year Scott Parker has also arrived from West Ham, joining the PFA Player of the Year Gareth Bale, while Emmanuel Adebayor is on a season-long loan from Man City. Adebayor hit three goals in his first two games, but Tottenhams man of the moment is Rafael van der Vaart, who has struck five goals in his last four games for Spurs. His form is keeping Jermain Defoe out of the side, despite the England striker scoring five times in all competitions this campaign. That presents a tactical dilemma for Redknapp, who has struggled to find a way of getting both Van der Vaart and Defoe into his line-up. The manager also has concerns in defence. With Ledley King, Michael Dawson and Vedran Corluka all out of action, Younes Kaboul and QPR target Sebastien Bassong are his only options at centre-back, although William Gallas may be fit enough for a place on the bench. The verdict: QPR correspondent Ian Cooper says: This is another difficult test for QPR, who look set for a narrow 2-1 defeat. You can follow our Spurs correspondent Ben Pearce on Twitter @BenPearceSpurs You can follow our QPR correspondent Ian Cooper @QPRTimes iReader http://www.london24.com/sport/champ...iar_problem_against_qpr_at_the_lane_1_1109601
Bale hasn't been our most effective player this season, for me it's VDV, though not all Spurs fans will agree. We have four top creative/dangerous players you'll have to look out for, Luka and Ade being the other two. While if Defoe features, you can add him to that list. Our team news sees some possible returnees, but I expect the same team that started at Ewood, maybe Sandro/Defoe for Lennon. http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/team-news-281011.html? Should be a cracking game and atmosphere, unsurprisingly I go for a Spurs win, but best wishes to Rangers for the season
Hands up who's gona have no vocal chords left after going to White Hart Lane on Sunday? COME ON U RRRR'SSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tottenham v QPR By Steve Bower BBC Match of the Day commentator Barclays Premier League Venue: White Hart Lane Date: Sunday, 30 October Kick-off: 1600 GMT Coverage: Watch live on Sky Sports 1 and highlights on Match of the Day 2; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles TEAM NEWS Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is likely to pick the same starting XI that beat Blackburn last week. Vedran Corluka, Niko Kranjcar and Steven Pienaar have a chance of returning, but Tom Huddlestone, Michael Dawson and Ledley King are still out. Queens Park Rangers remain without long-term injury victims DJ Campbell and Danny Gabbidon. But striker Rob Hulse may be available for selection after recovering from a knee injury. MATCH PREVIEW The fourth of the 20 London Premier League derbies to be played this season once again has all the ingredients for drama. QPR make the journey of less than 13 miles to White Hart Lane on the back of their first win over Chelsea for 16 years, but they have also experienced the opposite emotion when they were thrashed 6-0 by neighbours Fulham. Spurs go into this match bang in-form and looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches. The way they have responded to the two opening defeats to the Manchester clubs has been very impressive and it's no coincidence that since Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor arrived they have remained unbeaten and dropped only two points. I was at Wolves to see them both make their debuts and you could see a difference straight away. Adebayor scored that day and has brought them another option in attack, but it's Parker's influence that can't be underestimated and has been exactly what was required. He seems to have thrived on the responsibility and will be an important figure in the pace and atmosphere of this match, allowing the likes of Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and the freescoring Rafael van der Vaart the freedom to attack. I watched QPR win their first game back in the top flight at Everton in August, and strangely half of the side that day won't play at White Hart Lane. In fact, they've used 27 players already this season and most of their new faces have settled in quickly, clearly improving a team that like so many in the Premier League are now searching for consistency. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head Spurs did the double over QPR in the last season that Rangers were in the Premier League, winning 1-0 at home and 3-2 at Loftus Road in the 1995-96 campaign. Their most famous meeting came in the 1982 FA Cup final when Tottenham triumphed 1-0 in a replay after the first match had ended 1-1. Tottenham and Rangers have met eight times in the Premier League, with both sides winning three matches each. This is the 48th meeting between the sides. Tottenham have won 18 matches, QPR 13 and there have been 16 draws. Tottenham Spurs have lost just one of their last 20 Premier League games at White Hart Lane (1-5 v Man City). They have scored at least twice in each of their last six league matches. Rafael van der Vaart is now one shy of equalling the club record for scoring in most successive Premier League games - five - achieved twice by Robbie Keane and once by Teddy Sheringham. Spurs' total of 16 points from eight games is their joint-best start to a Premier League season. Sixteen points from the last 18 is Tottenham's best run of form since January 2005. Emmanuel Adebayor has played against six London clubs in the Premier League and netted at least once against all of them. Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 16 league London derbies at home. (W10, D6). QPR Half of the goals QPR have conceded this season have been from set pieces, which is the most in the top flight. QPR are one of two Premier League teams yet to score a headed goal this season. Heidar Helguson became the first player to score for QPR in successive top-flight matches since Kevin Gallen in March 1996. Neil Warnock's side have yet to win a league game after conceding the opening goal this season, losing three of four matches when their opponents scored first. Adel Taarabt has failed to score in his last 11 league and cup games for Rangers. His last goal came in a 2-0 win at Watford on 30 April, a result which confirmed QPR as Championship winners. Taarabt has failed to score in 18 previous Premier League appearances (including nine for Tottenham). iReader http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15419853.stm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
What is the BBC talking about "But striker Rob Hulse may be available for selection after recovering from a knee injury"! Hulse isn't in the 25 as I recall and can not be selected regardless?
Fixed that for you ;-) Unfortunately, I can't go as I'm going to Bournemouth for the weekend, I'm not even sure if I'll be able to sneak off and watch it in a pub
I think the BBC preview is wrong, Corluka and Niko are out, but King may play, according to this. http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/team-news-281011.html?
Last time I went to Spurs, Mark Dennis tried to decapitate Ossie Ardiles ( he missed and Ossie made a meal of it) and he was genuinely stunned to be sent off. Think we lost, but Mr Dennis at least provided a lasting memory.
Scott Parker ready for the heat of battle Whatever encouragement Queens Park Rangers drew from strangling Chelsea into submission to secure their first Premier League London derby victory for 15 years, Scott Parker is determined to ensure they are unable to repeat the trick against Tottenham. Despite the criticism Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas aimed at referee Chris Foy, it was clear Rangers got under their illustrious opponents' skin with a robust and combative approach that prompted an alarming loss of discipline among a group of players who should know better. However, the rarefied atmosphere of a capital clash can do that to teams. QPR's ascension to the top flight has changed the composition of London's derby calendar, reigniting old passions and rivalries to enthralling effect. At White Hart Lane on Sunday, Rangers will attempt to revel in their role as underdogs once more by upsetting the established order. Parker is a veteran of 71 London matches courtesy of spells at West Ham, Chelsea and Charlton and now Spurs after arriving for £5million on deadline day this summer. Rangers are backed by the third richest man in British football, Lakshmi Mittal, who according to a rich list published earlier this month is now worth £11.8billion but has not sanctioned the staggering spending of one of those above him, Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour. "A lot has happened there in a very short space of time and they are coming off the back of a very good result against Chelsea, so it is going to be a difficult game for us," Parker tells Standard Sport. "Their win over Chelsea was a London derby and that carries extra hype and has a massive effect on players and the way you approach the game. "Every game is different - there are games that are physical and those that aren't but when you go out as a player you have to adapt to whatever way the game is. You can't get involved in ill-discipline. You just have to find a way to win the game." Each London side will face at least eight derby matches this season - more than a fifth of the League campaign - and the outcomes will considerably influence their wider fate. "Since I have been at Tottenham, I played in the Arsenal derby and that was quite fierce. "I played in the West Ham-versus-Millwall one which was a very, very intense match. But they are brilliant games to play in as hostile as they are," adds Parker. "They get you up for it and you know what it means to the fans and as players, you have to enjoy those kind of games. We haven't seen Tottenham against QPR for a few years but it'll be intense nevertheless." Parker turned 31 this month and defied the discomfort of a last-minute move to settle well into Tottenham's midfield. With the prospect of a scrap at the top end of the Premier League table and Euro 2012 on the horizon, Parker is understandably reserved when asked to consider his long-term future with so much more immediate things to look forward to. However, given his form from the outset at White Hart Lane, Spurs and Parker align so naturally that the four-year contract he agreed in August could well be his last. "In an ideal world, I would have been here for a full pre-season and got to know the lads properly," he says. "With the transfer window and everything that goes with it, it seems in the last two days now everyone goes mad. "I don't know if it is because of the price with people thinking the longer they leave it, the better the price will be. It probably was that way with me but it was a combination of things - West Ham had a valuation of me at an early stage that was clearly far too high. Clubs weren't going to pay that. Then there was all the stuff that comes with - the negotiations with someone saying one thing and another saying something else. "In the end, it was getting near the deadline and West Ham, myself and Tottenham all wanted to do a deal so we all got our heads around the table and worked out the best deal. "Ultimately, I think it suited everyone so it was pleasing in the end. "I see joining Tottenham as my last big move. I saw coming to Tottenham as a chance to be competing in the Champions League and in the Premier League at the right end of the table. "In the last few years I haven't been doing that. I don't really look too far ahead, especially so early on in my time here. "But I think with my age and the fact that I am from London and live around here, I'd like to think I will see my career out at Tottenham. "However, it is a little bit early for me to be looking at that." Parker's elevation to regular involvement with England at a relatively late stage of his career creates the reasonable assumption that he lacks the level of experience on the biggest stage usually associated with a player at a top club in his early thirties. Yet Parker has played in a Champions League semi-final - back in 2004 against Monaco for Chelsea - and he would relish the chance to feature again in the competition with Tottenham. "I played in both legs of the quarter-final [against Arsenal] and in the semis at Monaco - I set up the goal for Hernan Crespo and then I didn't play in the return leg," he reminds me. "I left Chelsea and went to Newcastle and at that time there were some big signings coming in and we thought we had a chance of getting into the Champions League. "Things didn't work out and I went to West Ham. It has been a long wait but hopefully, fingers crossed if we can maintain our form, the opportunity will rise for me again." If derbies are all about motivation, it seems Parker has found his. Scott Parker appears in EA SPORTS' FIFA 12, out NOW. EA SPORTS' Love Football Play Football campaign is enabling FIFA 12 fans to transfer their gaming skills from their thumbs to their feet. Watch exclusive skill tutorials starring Wayne Rooney at www.YouTube.com/ Like our Spurs page for automatic updates on your Facebook wall iReader http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/stand...-scott-parker-ready-for-the-heat-of-battle.do
'Sir' Les Ferdinand on QPR Tottenham Hotspur strikers' Coach Les Ferdinand has told Spurs TV Online of how grateful he is to Sunday's visitors to White Hart Lane, QPR, for launching his top-flight career. The 44-year-old spent eight years at Loftus Road, moving to the Club from Hayes for a fee of £30,000 in 1987. He went on to make 163 league appearances - and scored 80 goals in the process - before being sold to Newcastle for £6,000,000 in 1995. "It's a difficult one for me. When I went to Newcastle two weeks ago, everyone said to me 'this must be a difficult game for you'. I had a fantastic time in Newcastle, but I'm a Tottenham supporter. This one's a little bit different. I am a Tottenham supporter but I really want to see QPR stay in the Premier League as it's where I started. "I owe a huge debt to QPR for giving me my opportunity. I know they need the points but we need to finish in the top four, so it's a real dilemma for me!" Sunday will mark the first time that QPR has come to White Hart Lane since December of the 1995/1996 Premier League season, when an early Teddy Sheringham goal handed us a 1-0 victory. Neil Warnock's side has made a solid start to the campaign and beat Chelsea 1-0 at Loftus Road last weekend, moving them up to tenth place in the league table. Les believes that simply staying in the division would represent a fantastic season for the Club. "It's about consolidation. We've seen teams get off to a flyer in recent years - for example, Blackpool last year - but I think the Club is going in the right direction. The acquisitions Warnock made to the side have been very good and I think if they get the money to invest in January, they'll have a real chance of staying in this league. "They've got great individuals who have done well this season, and they have individuals who at any given time can produce a bit of magic. I think the one department where they've struggled is scoring goals and that's been their Achilles heel, particularly at home." The Hoops can expect a tough game at White Hart Lane - we haven't lost since the Manchester City fixture in August - and Les thinks our home form will be key if the team is to clinch a Champions League berth at the end of the season. "I think the one thing you do need as a team that's going to try and finish in the top four is great home form and that's what we've got at the moment." iReader
Yep, and I bet the Spurs lot would say the same........................................................................................................................... if they weren't on their own match thread of course! please log in to view this image
