Marcus has kindly handed over the reins for the cup game to myself & this is the first one I’ve done so be kind!! Queens Park Rangers Vs. Sunderland AFC – Match Day Thread Background Sunderland travel to Loftus road to Face QPR in the English Football League Cup. Both teams have not got off to the best of starts in their respective leagues with QPR having picked up 4 points out of their last 5 games, including a 6-0 drubbing at home to Newcastle sitting a disappointing 16th in the Championship and Sunderland picking up a solitary point from the first 5 league games sitting 19th in the table. Both teams will be looking to get a win under their belts in order to gain some momentum and confidence to take into the upcoming League games at the weekend where they face Birmingham (h) and Crystal Palace (h) respectively. Match Details Competition: EFL Cup Kick Off Time: Wednesday 21st September 19:45 Venue: Loftus Road Match appointmentsReferee: Peter Bankes Assistants: Darren Blunden and Matt Foley Fourth Official : Oliver Langford Sunderland Team News Sunderland will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance away to Spurs at the weekend. David Moyes may well look to include some of the younger members of the squad including Lyden Gooch & Duncan Watmore, both of which were dropped for the Spurs game. Jordan Pickford is expected to continue in goal after an impressive performance at the weekend and Moyes may well look to rest midfield pairing Lee Cattermole and Jan Kirchhoff after their successful come backs from injury. Moyes will be without Adnan Januzaj after his sending off for two bookings against Spurs meaning Whabi Khazri may get a chance in the starting XI as he looks to rediscover the form from the run in of last season. Sunderland will be without the injures Mannone, Borini & Larsson long term absentees with the mystery around Patrick van Aanholt withdrawal still fresh and whether he will start may give us an indication of his physical condition. The likes of Donald Love and Paddy McNair will be in contention for starts. QPR Team News Idrissa Sylla will be looking to start the game for QPR after scoring within 3 minutes of coming on a substitute having changing the game on Saturday in the defeat against table toppers Huddersfield. After poor performances at the weekend by Karl Henry and Conor Washington, Hasselbaink may well look to shuffle the pack and freshen up the starting XI. Last 5 Meetings QPR lead the way 3-1 in the past 5 meeting of the teams, with Sunderland not faring too well having won none of the away ties at Loftus Road. Manager David Moyes will be keen to change that in this tie. 24 Mar 2012 Sunderland 3 v Queens Park Rangers 1 Premier League 27 Nov 2012 Sunderland 0 v Queens Park Rangers 0 Premier League 09 Mar 2013 Queens Park Rangers 3 v Sunderland 1 Premier League 30 Aug 2014 Queens Park Rangers 1 v Sunderland 0 Premier League 10 Feb 2015 Sunderland 0 v Queens Park Rangers 2 Betting Odds with Sky Bet: QPR 7/4 Draw 12/5 Sunderland 6/4
-------------------- Mika ---------------------- Love -- Denayer -- McNair -- Robson ---------- Rodwell --- Pienaar ------------ Watmore ---- Gooch ---- Greenwood -------------------- Maja ---------------------- I really wouldn't play Pickford, he's in great form and I don't want him making another mistake in a game that isn't really prioritised, because that could bring his confidence down, when we have an important game against Palace, coming up. We need to see what this Mika can do, anyway. We need to go all out on the league and I wouldn't risk any injuries or suspensions from this game.
I wouldn't okay Pickford either tbh. Although not fir the same reasons.mjust give the new lad a go to get him used to playing. I'd pick a stronger back 4 too. Include Denayer but not sure about McNair.
Good job on the thread Giacc and thanks fella. Not sure exactly what to expect from the game - anyone reckon it'll be streamed?
Defoe not travelling as he's ' nursing a knock' from Sunday, Moyes saying the youngsters will be involved but he will be putting out a team capable of winning, and will only make a couple of changes.
I agree we should give Mika his debut, better now then in some pressure situation. On a side note does anyone give a **** about the cups this year? I always want to see us win but the squad is so threadbare that I'll be fine with it if we're out in the first round.
Agree about lack of depth to squad plus forthcoming abscences due to suspensions, injuries and "medical" reasons and cup but not to lose to a lower league team. Cup runs often accompany a winning mentality - KTF
Logistically I prefer this cup to the FA Cup because it is played earlier in the season. The FA cup starts in Jan: miserable weather, Xmas credit card bill, heavy pitches, critical end of season run-ins Just personal preference
For those of you who can't watch this game, the goals are usually shown as they go in on Sky Sports News
Well it was a great chance, is Asoro available or are we sticking O'Shea up front? Defoe better not be anything serious. I'd give the kids a runout, as in the entire under 23s but we'll probably play our strongest team and cross everything that nobody gets crocked.
I hope we play Papy. Chance to get his head right before Palace. If anything it will give Moyes a clear picture of where his head is at before the next league game.
