http://sabotagetimes.com/reportage/the-5-game-plan-how-qpr-can-pull-off-the-great-escape/ Without dwelling too much on Saturdayâs result, itâs safe to say that Queenâs Park Rangersâ Premier League adventure all but ended thanks to the defeat at Goodison Park â and then subsequent Sunderland victory on Sunday. Ten points adrift of safety, five games to go and even my D in Maths can work out that Rangers need a miracle to save the top flight skins. Especially when you consider the level of performance from Harry Redknappâs team at the weekend, when, after some flashes of bright spots in the first half, looked as though they all but gave in once Daron Gibson fired the Toffees in front. It meant the second half was more like a training game for the home side, and they never needed to venture out of second gear once Anichebe had settled the game before the hour mark. Not exactly the fight youâd expect from a team scrapping for their lives, in this golden goose of a Premier League season. Yet they say itâs the hope that kills you, and despite not feeling like I had an ounce of hope left in me after the Râs trip to Merseyside I decided to take to BBCâs predictor app and see how far off Rangers would be come the final day. However to my surprise, after second-guessing every result for the remainder of the campaign, I looked at the final table to see QPR pull off modern-day miracle and avoid inevitable relegation. How in Wegerleâs name had that happened? Well, without aiming to do so, I had gone and predicted five wins out of five for Harryâs men that would leave them on 39 points and see Reading, Wigan and Stoke fall through the Premier League trap door. Could this be? After another Saturday night ruined by a QPR result, how have I managed to predict such a ridiculous outcome to such a horrendous season? So I went back and did it again, and really thought about the games Rangers had left, along with the teams around them and their fixtures. And yet again I came up with the same conclusion, and that five wins could well mean thereâs still some small light at the end of this Mark Hughes laden tunnel. So I went one step further, just to make sure Iâm not going mad and wrote down the reasons why I think QPR can win their last five remaining games and pull of what Sky would no doubt call âThe Greatest Escape of Allâ! Forget the lethargic performance on Saturday, ignore the âdedicationâ shown by Granero and Park, and focus what could yet save Rangers top-flight status. Standings before Saturday, and assuming Manchester City beat Wigan on Wednesday. 16 Stoke 33 34 17 Aston Villa 33 34 18 Wigan 32 31 19 QPR 33 24 20 Reading 33 24 Stoke (H) This whole last thread of optimism hinges on this Saturdayâs game with a Stoke side, who are frankly in free-fall right now. Only one win in 2013, and on a run of six defeats that was only separated by a goalless draw with West Brom â no wonder Michael Owen is quitting. The fans are turning on Tony Pulis and they look like team whoâve forgotten how to win football games. Loftus Road will be nervy, much like the Wigan game but you feel an early goal would see the Potters heads drop and give Rangers win one on this unlikely last chance. On the same weekend; Reading lose at Norwich, Wigan draw at West Ham, Manchester United batter Villa. 16 Stoke 34 34 17 Aston Villa 34 34 18 Wigan 33 32 19 QPR 34 27 20 Reading 34 24 Reading (A) A six pointer like no other before it and win or bust for Reading. I think it will be the home side who will come out all guns blazing, and Rangers will have to withstand some heavy pressure. However, the key is the long game here, and if QPR can keep it goalless and then nick a goal on the break â it could be the end of the Royals and the continuation of a run for Harryâs side. On the same weekend; Stoke draw with Norwich, Spurs beat Wigan in their fight for fourth. Villa pull clear with a win over Sunderland. 16 Sunderland 35 35 17 Stoke 35 35 18 Wigan 34 32 19 QPR 35 30 20 Reading 35 24 Arsenal (H) The biggest question mark for me. This could be the day QPR fans believe in the dream ending or it all comes crashing down with a bang. Last season Rangers recorded a memorable win at Loftus Road over the Gunners, with Adel Taarabt the key. I think he could have a big say here too, the kind of game Adelâs relishes with a team fresh off the back of back-to-back wins. Weâve seen that Arsenal are vulnerable this season and with new momentum and a noisy Loftus Road QPR pull off the victory. On the same weekend; Wigan only draw at West Brom, Sunderland beat Stoke at the Stadium of Light. 16 Aston Villa 36 38 17 Stoke 36 35 18 QPR 36 33 19 Wigan 35 33 20 Reading 36 25 Newcastle (H) After Wigan gain a much needed win over Swansea in the midweek, Rangers play their final home game, as a packed out Loftus Road welcomes Newcastle. The Magpies will still have their own slight relegation concerns, but having beaten Liverpool the week before would only need a point to be sure. Rangers, however, could move out the bottom three with a win, and buoyed by the last home crowd of the season Remy nets the winner against his former suitors. On the same weekend; Stoke lose to Spurs 16 Newcastle 37 38 17 QPR 37 36 18 Wigan 36 36 19 Stoke 37 35 20 Reading 25 Liverpool (A) We all know how the last day often throws up random results, and with Liverpool ready for their summer holidays QPR have the chance to pull off the great escape at Anfield. Of course The Reds will want to sign off in style, and will remain favourites for the game, but I can see this being the Râs âDavid Weatherallâ moment as they finally get that slice of luck theyâve been deprived off this season and nick the game 1-0. On the same day; With Wigan having lost to Arsenal in midweek, they slip up at Villa Park by only gaining a draw, Stoke fail to beat Southampton. Final standings 16 Sunderland 38 39 17 QPR 38 39 18 Wigan 38 37 19 Stoke 28 36 20 Reading 38 25 Itâs blind hope yes, and those arenât tactical analysis of the games or even valid reasons for QPR to pull it off. While I seem to have forgotten some of players âfightâ from Saturday amongst those games. But what it does show that it can still be done, and there is one final roll of the dice if these Rangers players are up for it. Unlikely? Yes. Impossible? Probably. Hopeful? Unfortunately so.
You've put so much effort in to that, that I can't disagree with you on it! (lucky wigan didn't get the first spanner in last night! )
A for effort, C- for not knowing that we're at home to Villa on the last day of the season. Have to say though we'd be very happy for you to do Stoke at the weekend.
Wow - I think this is what the term 'Mathematically possible' was created to cover... Still relies on us winning 5 games and beating the Arse and Liverpool, not to mention all the other results - great escape wouldn't come to close to covering it, if the above happened I'd be straight down the bookies to claim my winning bet on the arrival of the second coming - Sir Harry Redknapp King of Dorset.
The OP is in cloud cuckoo land. There is no way on earth we will win our last five games in a row to survive. Get real!
Sorry but well said Finglas. However, still do wonder about a cheeky tenner on doing things the QPR way and surviving! Pretty unlikely but were it to happen, W12 would come to a standstill for the whole weekend and most of the following week too.
They do indeed say Its The Hope That Kills - whoever 'they' are! Good read, and this is what being a football fan is all about - grasping at every straw and hoping against hope for miracles. As a Newcastle fan I'd be quite happy to see your predictions come true, as I am still very nervous about our tough end to the season. In my opinion, yourselves and Reading have too much to do - but what do I know? I have the 3rd spot being decided by the Wigan/Villa game on the last day and I can't call which way that will go - mainly down to how inconsistent Villa are. Keep up the hope and good luck (apart from in your penultimate game)
Well put. What's the point in this if we don't, somewhere deep down, believe that we can beat anyone on the day, and that each game is a new start. Suspension of logic is essential to be a supporter.
I'm sold. Why the **** should we give up when it's still possible. You don't make those long shots work by giving up. Hope Harry just fires them up against Stoke by any means possible and then who knows...
The way I see it is if we win every game remaining, two of the teams on or below 34 points are likely to not get 5 points in their remaining 5 (or 6) fixtures. It does all hinge on ourselves winning which is the unfortunate factor.
The fat lady ain't singing yet! For any teams down there. Where's there's a chance there is hope. IF any of us stop believing we're shafted before our respective teams kick a ball. Coming from a Stoke fan that is all I personally have left now. HOPE! NEVRER give in while it's still possible.
That's certainly a well written piece Jon434. I did the predictor yesterday and put us down as winning every remaining game just for a laugh. Didn't think there would be anyone else out there as foolish as me to do it as well though, and take it seriously.
I've accepted that we're down............but wouldn't it be unbelievable if we somehow managed to stay up? I think we'd celebrate for a week!
I hope Harry and the players haven't thrown in the towel yet. I saw someone tweet this earlier today ... Watching QPR train. Feel like giving them grief the bastards. Remy looking sharp, Adel looking like he is going on holiday to Siberia. I shall be pretty pee'd off if I turn up on Saturday and they don't put a shift in.
