QPR v Swansea Competition - Sky Bet Championship Venue - Loftus Road Date - 19 September 2023 Kick off - 7:45pm Following their hugely disappointing defeat - or should I say capitulation - against Cardiff, next up for Michael Duff’s sinking Swansea squad is a trip to London to face QPR. Last Saturday evening, Cardiff halted the Swansea’ run of four successive south Wales derby wins and claimed their first victory since 2021 as Ollie Tanner came on to change the course of the match with an inspired substitute appearance. Despite a frenzied atmosphere at Cardiff City Stadium, a staid first half produced only one shot on target for the home side's Yakou Meite. Cardiff were much the better team in the second half as the game finally came to life after the break and, after Meite was twice denied by Swans’ goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, they finally got their reward when winger Tanner came on and, seconds later, cut inside on to his left foot before rifling a ferocious shot into the far corner. The player signed from non-league Lewes last year then earned a penalty as he was dragged down by new Swansea signing Kristian Pedersen, and Wales captain Aaron Ramsey applied a nonchalant finishing touch as he sent Rushworth the wrong way with his spot-kick. While the Bluebirds rejoiced in only their fourth derby victory in 12 attempts - and their first at home for a decade - a fourth defeat from six leaves the Swans in the Championship's bottom three as head coach Michael Duff still searches for his first league win. Indeed, there are claims that Duff is the first Swansea Manager to have failed to have won a League match during their first 6 matches in charge …. Earlier that afternoon, Sunderland came from a goal down to win 3-1 at 10-man Queens Park Rangers. Kenneth Paal gave the R's a fine start as he blasted in low from distance after Sunderland failed to deal with a throw from the hosts. Rangers had former Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback sent off midway through the first half and the Black Cats levelled in stoppage time as Jack Clarke's effort deflected in off Steve Cook. The extra man eventually told as Dan Ballard tapped in from close range after his initial shot had been saved before Abdoullah Ba completed the win with a fine strike. The win lifts Sunderland up to seventh in the Championship table after six matches while QPR drop to 20th, 2 places and 4pts above the Swans. The Swans have played QPR on 55 previous occasions, winning 17, losing 22 and drawing 16. In the corresponding match last season, the teams drew one all, with current Swan Jamal Lowe scoring for Rangers, with Jay Fulton netting a late equaliser for the visitors: Andrew Kitchen will be the man in charge tomorrow evening - his first Championship outing after taking charge of League One and League Two matches since his promotion to the National List of Referees in the summer of 2021. After a successful 2022-23 campaign, Kitchen was awarded one of the legs of the League One play-off semi-final clash between Bolton Wanderers and Barnsley, which ended in a draw. Last season, he took charge of 33 matches handing out 80 yellow cards and three reds. This will be the first time Kitchen has overseen a Swansea’ match and he will be assisted by James Wilson and Bhupinder Singh Gill. Keith Stroud will be the fourth official. Given the disheartening display last Saturday and the body language of the team, unless Duff really ‘ shakes up’ the team, I can see nothing other than a home win. Will Duff give Humphreys a first start? Will he recall Cabango? Will Ginelly start? Is Joe Allen fit? I’m going for a 2-0 home win, meaning that Saturday’s visit of Sheff Wednesday could well be ‘****e or bust’ for Duff. Hope I’m wrong
Michael Duff went to great lengths in his pre-season interviews to point out that modern football is a results driven game. Well, you've got 2 points out of a possible 18. If it goes to 2 out of 21 you won't be surprised to be shown the exit door. I'm going for a poor 0-0 draw. Rushworth will earn us a point.
QPR 1-0 Swansea. Not sure how we'll score other than from a penalty. A win would merely be a blip and will only delay the inevitable.
They're also bad, so there's actually a chance here.... saying that, if the team can't be arsed because of the manager then the loss is the most likely.
Have you seen our home record? We have only won once since last October, and we’re on our third manager since then. I’m an ST holder, it’s a ****ing insult. Looking at current form this could be a complete fiasco of a match. We are set up to play away to decent teams - we have the same set up home and away, whoever the opponent is, our coaching team is, let’s be diplomatic, ‘challenged’. If you lot aren’t happy in possession we could have 100 minutes of two teams booting the ball into touch. I’d be delighted with a draw, but seeing as I’m not going to this one you might gift us a win. Whatever, enjoy and good luck for the rest of the season.
Thanks Taff. This is always my go to match but as I am in Crete I will have to keep the wife up late watching it on the phone. Two poor teams so gosh kniw what the result will be so let's go for a right fiasco of a game ending in a 2-2 draw.
Bashir Humphreys makes his Swansea City debut as one of five changes made by head coach Michael Duff for tonight’s Championship clash with Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road (7.45pm). The on-loan Chelsea centre-half comes into the side, along with Ben Cabango, Josh Ginnelly, Jamie Paterson and Liam Cullen. Kristian Pedersen, Harry Darling, Josh Tymon, Jerry Yates and Charlie Patino drop to the bench after starting the south Wales derby. Carl Rushworth continues in goal, with Cabango and Humphreys lining up alongside Nathan Wood in the Swansea defence. Paterson and Ginnelly are expected to join captain Matt Grimes, Jay Fulton and Paterson in midfield, with Cullen and Jamal Lowe leading the line for the Swans. Queens Park Rangers: Asmir Begovic (captain), Osman Kakay, Steve Cook, Chris Willock, Sam Field, Ilias Chair, Paul Smyth, Morgan Fox, Andre Dozzell, Kenneth Paal, Sinclair Armstrong. Substitutes: Joe Walsh, Jake Clarke-Salter, Lyndon Dykes, Elijah Dixon-Bonner, Ziyad Larkeche, Charlie Kelman, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Albert Adomah, Rayan Kolli. Swansea City: Carl Rushworth, Josh Key, Jay Fulton, Ben Cabango, Matt Grimes (captain), Jamal Lowe, Josh Ginnelly, Jamie Paterson, Liam Cullen, Nathan Wood, Bashir Humphreys. Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Kristian Pedersen, Harry Darling, Jerry Yates, Josh Tymon, Charlie Patino, Mykola Kuharevich, Harrison Ashby, Ollie Cooper.
