please log in to view this image QUEENS PARK RANGERS final home fixture of 2017 will be against the leagues’ in form side Bristol City. Heading into this game much of the limelight has rightly been on the visitors following their dramatic victory over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-final. City thoroughly deserved their win on the night and come into this game with real momentum after also coming out victorious in their last four league matches. The Robins are third in the table, just four points behind Cardiff in second but perhaps more importantly seven points ahead of Leeds in seventh. At this stage of the season you’d imagine Lee Johnson’s aim is to secure a top six finish although they will be looking in front of them rather than behind such is the run they are currently on. Bristol City actually also started last season very well and were in the top six up until the end of October, before a poor run of form saw them win just one game in 16, which meant they briefly flirted with relegation. But they are now reaping the rewards of sticking with their manager during that difficult period. Nine of the eleven players that started the game against Manchester United were at the club last season with much of City’s improvements coming from the training ground. Johnson’s gamble of moving Bobby Reid further up the field has paid off with the 24-year-old netting ten goals this season, whilst Marlon Pack and Wednesday’s goal-scoring hero Korey Smith have developed a good understanding in central midfield. Defensively Nathan Baker and Aden Flint have been excellent at centre-back for the Robins – providing the side with great stability. As well as good performances they have also shown a lot of character this season, with eleven of their 36 goals coming in the final 15 minutes of matches. Rangers will also be aware of how well they have performed on the road with only Championship leaders Wolves picking up more points away from home. City’s only away defeat came back in August to Birmingham City. QPR’s home form has dropped in recent weeks’. The R’s aren’t quite hitting the heights of the early season at Loftus Road although Ollie’s team have already defeated Wolves and Sheffield United in W12 – they are two teams who are currently in the top six so certainly won’t fear the prospect of facing Bristol City. The Hoops first away win of the season at Birmingham last Saturday seems to have brought a fresh optimism around Harlington this week and hopefully that can be translated onto the pitch at Loftus Road. The R’s came out 1-0 winners in our last meeting in west London thanks to Idrissa Sylla’s controlled low volley. please log in to view this image Stats Bristol City are undefeated in their last ten away games QPR have conceded two goals or more in each of their last three home matches Bristol City have not won at Loftus Road since 1977 Ian Holloway: “They will be full of confidence after their incredible mid-week win against United so it’s important that we get about them and we take this game to them. We’ve done well against the higher-placed teams this season and I believe that, with the defence back on track and players returning to full fitness, we’ll continue to improve as a group. We’ve got rid of the away-day hoodoo – now I want to take on a Bristol City side who have enjoyed a great season so far.” please log in to view this image Team News QPR: Holloway’s defensive crisis is easing with the recent returns of Nedum Onuoha and Grant Hall but James Perch and Joel Lynch are likely to miss out this weekend. please log in to view this image Bristol City: Bristol City are unlikely to make too many changes following their mid-week victory over Manchester United. Goalkeeper Frankie Fielding may come back into the side as he is the usual first choice goalkeeper in the league. Referee Andrew Madley: Yet to hand out a red card in 23 appearances this season please log in to view this image Lizzie Must Be A QPR Fan please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
Thanks 9’s. Looking forward to this one. Even my fifa obsessed 10 year old was impressed by Bristol’s Goals against United so is also up for it. Nothing about Freeman upsetting them?!
Nines, a great write up as always. I even like your team and think it will be close, but I expect to see Washington or hopefully Wheeler start up front with Sylla. I hope that you enjoy the Christmas atmosphere and wish that Santa will come early with three points for the R's! p.s. Please tell that lady R to get dressed more warmly or she may catch a chill.
Good write up on Bristol City from Clive Whittingham ... https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/queensparkrangers/news/47142 Here's an excerpt ... ''This is a club with no parachute payments, which has never received a single season of Premier League television money, which has used just 24 players in the league this season, sweeping all before it. It is also a team that, miraculously, is managing to maintain a promotion push in the league while also playing its strongest team in the cup competitions. What sort of sorcery is this? I mean, who ever would have thought that taking a cup competition seriously, giving it a good go, knocking out four Premier League sides, advancing to the semi-finals in front of full houses at the expense of Man Utd, would actually help the players and the team with confidence and momentum rather than hinder them?''
A very good write up. Bristol City seem to be close to graduating from the same school that we are now joining. Let’s hope that we can emulate their progress.
Author of complete drivel about a specky twat who thinks he's a wizard, squillionaire, can't seem to find a way to stop milking the daft buggers who lap up her **** like its ambrosia, JK Rowling is a Bristolian. please log in to view this image And you all thought that I was just going to paste a picture of a pair of tits!! OK then. And especially for Christmas a nice pair of Bristols The devil made me do it! please log in to view this image
It sounds so simple, difference is they have a manager who improves players and plays proper footbal, haven't seen that for a long time at Loftus Road. That said, it would be so QPR if we go and beat them today...
Normally we're the team that just keeps on giving, but I fancy us to get something from this today, don't know why just a feeling......... I'm out for the afternoon so will be keeping tabs on things as best possible...... Up The R's
That's my team for today Nines too. Let's hope Ollie plays it and we have 3 more points in a few hours.
Was 1977 the year Bristol City were given free travel and ''kicked off'' on the green by Batman Close?
When we beat Ipswich away 3-1 in September, that was our first win their in 39 years, so today hopefully we break other record and win today, but don't know how we'll do after beating Man U on Wednesday.