please log in to view this image RANGERS face another tough away trip tonight, with a clash against Sky Bet Championship promotion-hopefuls Brighton & Hove Albion at the AMEX Stadium. The Hoops head into the fixture buoyed by a creditable point – and performance – at Cardiff City on Saturday, but R’s boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will be fully aware of the need for another strong display against the high-flying Seagulls. Chris Hughton’s side beat Fulham 5-0 at home on Friday night to continue their quest for automatic promotion, before watching on as both Middlesbrough and Burnley maintained their tilt for the title with victories on Saturday. Those results ensured Hughton’s charges ended the weekend where they started it, in third place – two points adrift of second placed Burnley and a further two points behind leaders Middlesbrough. However, with their two rivals going head-to-head at Turf Moor this evening, Brighton know victory against the R’s could take them one giant leap closer to promotion with just a few weeks of the season remaining. Hasselbaink confirmed post-match on Saturday that he is again likely to shuffle his pack for the trip to East Sussex, as he continues to experiment ahead of next season. Goalkeeper Alex Smithies is likely to be back in between the sticks despite Matt Ingram’s positive debut on Saturday, whilst Junior Hoilett is primed to return to the starting XI. Brighton are still minus the services of former R’s striker Bobby Zamora who is currently sidelined with an ongoing hip problem. Uwe Huenemeier (groin) and Solly March (knee) remain the two long-term absentees for the Seagulls. please log in to view this image Possible Starting Xl's please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink looks ahead to tonight's game at Brighton ... QPR take on Brighton at the Amex Stadium tonight Hasselbaink is looking forward to the test the promotion-chasers will provide Alex Smithies to return for Seagulls clash JIMMY Floyd Hasselbaink takes his QPR side to Brighton this evening knowing any sort of result for the R’s could have a huge impact on the hosts’ automatic promotion hopes. The Seagulls are in a three-way tussle with Middlesbrough and Burnley for a top-two finish. With only four games remaining, any slip-up now could be crucial. Despite the ramifications of QPR taking any points off Chris Hughton’s side, the Rangers chief says he is not motivated by a desire to affect another team’s hopes. After Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Cardiff dealt a blow to the Bluebirds’ play-off push, Hasselbaink told www.qpr.co.uk: “I am not trying to dent anyone’s prospects. I just want to improve us. “That’s what it is all about. If we are taking some casualties along the way, then that is what we have to do. That has to be our mentality. “We want to become a strong force, keep on getting better and become a stronger unit. That is what we are concentrating on.” Hughton has done an incredible job on the south-coast, and Hasselbaink knows his team face a very difficult challenge against a side who haven’t lost at their impressive Amex Stadium since New Year’s Day (a 1-0 defeat to Wolves). “It is a test for us, it is a test for our mental state,” Hasselbaink acknowledged. “Can we do it? In that way, you use their position. But we have to have our way. please log in to view this image GIVING HIS MESSAGE: Hasselbaink is working on QPR's identity “I want us to become something that people recognise – something positive, something forceful. I want people to be able to look at us and even if we weren’t wearing QPR shirts, they would know it was us. We are working at that, that identity. “Identity is very important. We have to have a way. I want everyone to think that when they come to Loftus Road they know they will be in for a very, very hard game. “And when we go to their grounds, it will be a hard day for the home team. We are going to give them a game and always look to win. That is the identity we want because that is the DNA of a successful club.” Unbeaten in ten, including seven wins, Brighton appear to be hitting top form at just the right time, and Hasselbaink said: “We need to work to our strengths tonight and look to their weaknesses, can we capitalise on them? “We played a good game against Cardiff but we didn’t penetrate enough so we are going to try to do that more. We want to put them under pressure. “They are a very good side and I am sure at times we will be under pressure but this is something we will have to cope with, we will have to deal with those things and make sure we are at our best.” Hasselbaink likes to keep his cards close to his chest when it comes to team news but he has confirmed Jamie Mackie is out for the season with a torn hamstring, while Jack Robinson won’t be involved tonight but is likely to be in the plans for this weekend’s home game against Reading. As for who will be between the sticks? “OK, I’ll tell you that one,” said Hasselbaink. “Alex (Smithies) is back.” MATCH ODDS Brighton & Hove Albion win: 1/2 Draw: 14/5 QPR win: 5/1 LAST TIME OUT QPR 2, Brighton & Hove Albion 2 – Championship – Tuesday 15th December 2015 Scorers: QPR – Austin (2); Brighton – Stephens, van La Parra HEAD TO HEAD Brighton & Hove Albion wins: 29 Draws: 17 QPR wins: 30 MATCH OFFICIALS Referee: K Hill Assistant Referees: N Lugg & R Smith Fourth Official: L Swabey please log in to view this image please log in to view this image FAMILY WELCOME MINUTE'S APPLAUSE Albion will pay tribute to Dennis Caesar on Tuesday night. The family of Brighton & Hove Albion fan Dennis Caesar, who sadly died after Friday night's match against Fulham at the Amex, has asked the club to pass on their thanks to Albion fans, players and supporters across the country, for their messages of condolences. They have also thanked the medical staff, emergency services and club staff who assisted at the scene on Friday evening at Falmer Station. please log in to view this image Dennis, 92, an Albion season-ticket holder, was at the match with his family, and fell ill after the game. The thoughts of all at the club are with his family at this time. The family made contact with the club earlier today, to say they have been touched by the many, many tributes which have poured in via social media and on the internet - from Albion fans and those of other clubs. They also thanked Albion fans for the suggestion of a minute's applause during the fifth minute of tomorrow night's match against QPR at the Amex, and feel it would be a fitting tribute to Dennis.
Yes indeed I do RTID. I would have been on duty today but instead of that I'm attemting puppy training in the garden. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
What a nice pooch Nines. On the subject of dogs, hopefully none of this in our changing room this evening and that we perform better than Fulham's recent visit here. please log in to view this image
I've just seen that Robinson won't be involved tonight. So I think the defence will look like this and you can have a guess at any combination of what the six in front of them will be. please log in to view this image
news the train drivers are playing up on the Brighton line. Anyone going should allow an extra hour to reach their destination
What a great QPR team that played in the 2 -1 win over Arsenal 40 years ago, brings back some good memory's.
So does the penalty. Stan was tripped, but an Arsenal player wasn't involved! Still, none of us gave a 4x about that! Easter Monday morning game & I was back in Ipswich to join my wife at Portman Road around the 3.00 kick off time! I was a little bit happier than I had been on my return from Norfolk on the Saturday!
Nice one Nines! Thanks. Arsenal at home 40 years ago. Wasn't that when McClintock scored with a long looping header over a crowded box into the corner at the Loft end, I was right behind the goal, and Parkes suddenly played like a nervous wreck down at the School end?
Good looking team. I always like it when Clint and Ale are in the team. Think I would prefer Polter to Washington but it is important to try and get the lad off the mark.
