One for the road anyone? After yet another disappointing home performance, where after seemingly being in total control of a game at half time we once again contrived to throw away valuable points against Sheffield Wednesday (apparently we have now lost 20 points from winning positions this season), we now find ourselves back below the dreaded dotted line, so what more could we ask for than an away match against a side who, despite being 7 places above us are still only 5 points better off than we are and are seemingly in freefall (more on their form later)? Well, despite the seemingly positive information above, I don’t suppose we should get too hopeful as this team in question are QPR and our trip is to Loftus Road, a ground on which we have historically fared pretty badly (though there may also just yet be a glimmer of hope for us there too………). C’mon Omer, get the boys geed up for this one and lets get back on a run like when you first took over – we sure as heck could do with it! Who Are You? Rangers gaffer Martí Cifuentes was appointed in October 2023. The Spaniard has had brief spells in both Ajax and Millwall’s youth setups before returning to his homeland in Terrassa FC’s academy, going on to have spells in charge of Sant Andreu, CE L’Hospitalet, AIK, Sandefjord, Aalborg BK and Hammarby, before earning the move to QPR. Since taking charge at the R’s, Cifuentes has maintained QPR’s Championship status, with a win percentage of 34.21%, winning 26 games, drawing 21 and losing 29.. Top scorer for the Hoops is Swiss forward Michael Frey with 7 goals in 25 games (20 starts), thought it seems he isn’t impressing the home fans too much overall. He is followed by highly rated defender Jimmy Dunne who has 5 goals so far this term – a decent return from the Republic of Ireland international. It does appear as though the Londoners are having a bit of an injury nightmare at present and I don’t believe any of us will be sad to learn that Ilias Chair has been ruled out with a hamstring issue for a few weeks. He is joined by Zan Celar and Jake Clarke-Salter, although Steve Cook, Jon Varane and Alfie Lloyd may be available for the visit of the Bluebirds (though hopefully not). Last Time Out & Form Last time out saw QPR steal all 3 points at the CCS despite being 2nd best for the majority of the game. The Bluebirds proved far too wasteful in front of goal despite being well on top and fell behind when QPR scored against the run of play through Celar just before half time. As City then chased for an equaliser throughout the 2nd half they were caught once again on the break in the 91st minute with Celar again netting, giving QPR a 2-0 win and lifting them off the bottom of the table. Form wise QPR are well out of sorts having picked up just 1 point from their last 6 games, although that point did come at home to Leeds in their last game at Loftus Road. They have lost 8 out of 11 since late January, the worst losing record of any side in the division in that period. One glimmer of hope for the Bluebirds beyond QPR’s poor form is the fact that we managed a rare win away at the Loft last season. Should we manage the same feat again it will be the first time ever that we’ve managed consecutive wins in W12! Overall we have managed just 2 wins at Loftus Road in the last decade, although both of those have come in the last 3 years so maybe, just maybe the tide is turning? In saying that, those 2 wins are 2 of just 4 that we have managed over our last 41 games in the English capital city (always thought London was a poop hole). At home QPR have the 15th best record in the division (7 wins & 6 draws from 19 games) which is just 2 points better off than our own poor home form. Attack wise they are also just 2 goals better off than we are this year although defensively (and not surprisingly), their goals against reads 10 fewer conceded than our own record. In, Out Or No Sign Of Them About With reported injuries to both Perry Ng and Anwar El Ghazi, and the potential need for some compassionate leave for Andy Rinomhota the squad is looking a little thin once again. Better news comes in the form of returns for Callum Robinson and Chris Willock though. I think it’ll be a bit too much to expect Robbo to go straight back into the starting 11 and can only see Willock being used as a hopeful impact sub against his former team. Predicted Starting 11 Horvath Fish Goutas Bagan O’Dowda Mannsverk Chambers Turnbull Salech Ashford Alves The Odds Home 5/4 Draw 21/10 Away 9/4 Match Day Melody Given where we find ourselves and our overall record against QPR, all we can do is get out there, scrap for every ball and say… Blooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds!!! Just because I can't resist and we all need something to cheer us up, I figured lets go back down memory lane again. Sigh, good times, although, when you think about it, that game was just to get to this level and we've been here or higher ever since, so I guess it's not all bad eh?
.........I posted that form guide on the "run in" thread and Brizzo pops this on the board...... I'll post it on here............ please log in to view this image
It’s okay Clingo. We tied him down to a three year contract at the start of the season with no get out clause.
Unfortunately, a Match Day Thread against Stevenage or Northampton Town doesn't sound quite so attractive.
Yep but he’s still ours unless we get a significant buy out settlement. Anyway Brizzle could turn a match day thread between Porthcawl Pirates and Rumney Rovers under 7’s into a work of art.
I was referring to the attraction of the prospective opposition rather than the quality of the thread.
Anyone go to Loftus Rd to see us get beaten on that plastic pitch in early 80’s? Thank goodness that fad didn’t last. I’m still waiting to a reply from QPR for a refund of my money I’ve got a good feeling about tomorrow
And there was me thinking he was about to say he was talking about the attractiveness of the Author rather than the thread.... Think I'll take myself off in an artistic huff now ..
A very good morning to all bluebirds everywhere. I hope that everyone is ready for stress and strain of the first of our remaining seven games. Seven games to ensure our Championship status for another season. The time for experiments is now passed and it's about trying to win our games...pretty or ugly, it's now about results in the here and now. C'mon City Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
I'll take ugly today and preferably all 3 points rather than just the one. From what I've seen there's no way we'll out-pass QPR - they can be very slick on the ball. It's going to be perspiration rather than inspiration that'll get us something to bring back. Having said that, I wouldn't mind a bit of flair from the likes of Alves and pace from the other two youngsters out wide to get around their defence. Middle of the park once again will be critical to stop them playing through us. Mannsverk and Chambers have a big job on their hands and I'm not sure who's going to be able to pull the strings alongside them. Turnbull, Robertson, Colwill or even Robinson - just hope Riza doesn't throw Willock in there because it's his ex-club.
15 minutes until we know if common sense prevails or if there is some other madness in the formation and selection.
TEAM NEWS Cardiff City XI: Horvath; Rinomhota, Fish, Bagan, O'Dowda; Mannsverk, Colwill; Davies, Ashford, Alves; Salech. Subs: Turner, Goutas, Daland, Robertson, Tanner, Turnbull, Meite, Robinson.
