please log in to view this image 6.3.2018 Loftus Road 7:45pm kick off please log in to view this image Previous meetings: Strangely, I could only find one previous meeting and it went a bit like this; R’s looking to bounce back against Derby QUEENS Park Rangers take on play-off hopefuls Derby County at Loftus Road under the lights tomorrow evening. The R’s will be looking to fair much better than we did last time out when we were well beaten 5-2 by Nottingham Forest. Despite being in the play-off positions Derby are going through a slightly sketchy period having won just one of their last eight matches. Before this run started they had conceded just three goals in 14 matches but have shipped ten in the last five including two on the weekend in a defeat to Fulham. The Rams still find themselves in a very healthy position but in previous years have squandered good opportunities to at least make the play-offs so they won’t want history repeating itself in terms of the way the season ends. Having spent a good number of years in the Premier League previously, Derby will feel they are a team that belongs in the top flight. The infrastructure of the club and the quality of players they have usually makes them a good candidate for promotion but they have fallen short in recent years. They have shown great consistency both home and away this season with only three teams picking up more points than them on the road. Their team is full of experienced players - Curtis Davies, Tom Huddlestone, Scott Carson and Andreas Weimann have all racked up a good number of appearances in the Premier League. However, their key man is perhaps Matej Vydra who has scored 18 goals this season and was on the score-sheet when the two sides met back in November. That game ended in a disappointing 2-0 defeat for QPR who simply did not turn up on the night. In fact, we have struggled in recent games against Derby although we did win the most important match between the two clubs when defeating them in the play-off final back in 2014 thanks to Bobby Zamora’s late winner. Before an unexpected 5-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest it’s worth remembering that QPR had won three of our last four home games - keeping two clean sheets in the process. Ollie’s side are 16th in the table but will be hoping to increase the nine points that separate us and the teams in the relegation zone.
Some of the family from up here DCFC season ticket holders are going down for game, I really need a win so I can abuse them by text as they head back as they did to me when they won earlier in season at theirs, at least a point is a must and a definite 3 on Saturday would ease the run in.
A rocking Loftus Road will hopefully help tonight, but looking at form and current league positions, I'd be happy with a draw and particularly no injuries or suspensions picked up.
I'm not quite sure where that's going to come from. Despite an OK home record there has been very little atmosphere at HQ this season and the average crowd is dwindling away game by game (despite what the official nonsense stats might say). This is all very understandable given the dire standard of football we have mostly seen but it does mean that there is little hope of a 12th man effect tonight. I'm hoping to see the youngsters given starts tonight but then I also want world peace and an end to hunger. More likely another conservative selection from IH with 0-1 to Derby the most likely score.
Ugly as sin, soppy as a sackful of monkeys, 'fashion' designer, complete lunatic who dresses like a penny stamp on acid, Vivienne Westwood is from Direby. She probably had more balls on her chin in the 60s than a trained seal. Her latest range can be viewed at the bottom of a waste tip outside Belper, probably. Anyone turning up at LR this evening wearing one of her 'creations' and presenting themselves to me in A block upper row D seat 9 wins a crisp £50 note*. please log in to view this image * No you won't.
Two wins would have us almost home and dry, two defeats would have the sphincters quivering and the abuse at full volume. I'd take your offer right now...
As always I am feeling confident (but the voice from somewhere deep within is interfering with my stupidity).
Well looks like 442 tonight Smithies Furlong ned Robinson Bidwell Smyth Luango scowen freeman Wash & Smith
Definately not a 3-5-2. Is it a 4-4-2 with Conor on a wing or 4-3-3 with three forwards. Looks quite exciting, whatever.
Ollie said he was going to change tactics tonight, you don't know whether that could be brilliant or disastrous. Expect Plan 'B' in the 2nd half...
