please log in to view this image ............................................... please log in to view this image Swansea City................................... vs ...................... Queens Park Rangers Liberty Stadium Swansea Referee Anthony Bates Tues 27-12-11 17:00 PM KO For links to watch the game online, click HERE Welcome one and all to the match thread for the game between Swansea City and Queens Park Rangers. Last season in the corresponding fixture Dave Cotterill's missed penalty helped extend QPR's unbeaten start to the season, and we all know how that unfolded. That penalty miss did, however, mean Scott Sinclair assumed penalty duties thereafter, which worked out alright for the Swans, too! Both sides ultimately gained promotion, and after their early season exploits come into this game in need of three points, with both surely having one eye on the transfer window which is now looming large (although you'd have to expect the signing policies of the respective clubs to differ slightly!). The Match; Swansea, despite what some may say, need a win. 18 points by this stage of the season isn't to be sniffed at, but 21 would be a lot better and the Swans will be looking to get back to winning ways against last seasons Championship winners. Last time they met (at Loftus Road) Adel Taarabt single-handedly destroyed a solid defensive unit, so it'll be interesting to see whether he gets the nod. QPR are looking for the first win since mid-November, when they beat Stoke 3-2 at the Brittania Stadium. Looking over the R's results, their 3 most impressive performances have undoubtedly come away at Everton, Wolves and Stoke, triumphing on each occasion when a normally solid home record would've been backed to come good. Warnock will no doubt be pointing out their strength on the road pre-match and will be fully expecting his team to have a crack at getting the three points in a stadium which has been famously stingy over the last 2 or 3 seasons. Prior Form; (most recent at top) Everton 1 - 0 Swansea City Premier League Newcastle Utd 0 - 0 Swansea City Premier League Swansea City 2 -0 Fulham Premier League Blackburn Rovers 4 - 2 Swansea City Premier League Swansea City 0 -0 Aston Villa Premier League QPR 2 - 3 Sunderland Premier League QPR 0 - 2 Man Utd Premier League Liverpool 1 - 0 QPR Premier League QPR 1 - 1 West Brom Premier League Norwich 2 - 1 QPR Premier League Team News Swansea are giving Neil Taylor every chance of recovering from an ankle injury sustained against Everton, but he's unlikely to figure. Nathan Dyer, however, could well feature. Tate & Bodde remain long term absentees, although the latter is rumoured to be targeting the Barnsley game (FA Cup 3rd Round) as his comeback fixture. QPR will be without Anton Ferdinand, Keiron Dyer, Brian Murphy, Rob Hulse, and, most likely, Shaun Wright-Philips too as he is unlikely to overcome a knee injury in time for the game. Trivia; - "Courtesy" of Opta Completely guessed lineups; Swansea Vorm Rangel Richards Williams Caulker Britton Augustien Allen Sinclair Routledge Graham Queens Park Rangers Cerny Traore Young Gabbidon Hill Taarabt Mackie Barton Faurlin Bothroyd Helguson Key Battles; Joey Barton vs Leon Britton While Barton's game is slightly more expansive, they play similar roles within the team. Both go about their business tidily, and whoever has looked the more accomplished player over 90 minutes is very likely to be on the winning side. Joe Allen on settling old scores; Neil Warnock ahead of the game; Analysis; This game is one hung on the balance of one player, for me. Adel Taarabt. Last season at Loftus Road he got 2 assists and scored twice in a 4-0 R's victory, and that type of player is Kryptonite to the Swans' Superman. The Swansea system works brilliantly if you are up against teams also trying to play a system, unless the opposition has world class players in their ranks. Thankfully, up until now we've found that, on the whole, world class players are limited to the teams chasing European football, but QPR have a wildcard, in the truest sense of the word. If Warnock doesn't start Taarabt, I'll be stunned. The unpredictable nature of his game is perfect if you are looking to disrupt the Swans zonal marking/pressing game and a player such as him is a nightmare for the Swansea 3 man midfield to mark. I can't see Faurlin or Barton being dropped, so I see QPR lining up with 1 up front, and Taarabt with space to roam around the midfield. If he does this, it will be a very impressive result should the Swans manage to get anything. You can question the Morroccan's attitude, but you can't question his ability, and for the Swans hopefully it'll be the former on show rather than the latter. If Leon and Kemy can harass him early on, and let him know they won't be afraid of a bit of contact for 90 minutes, it could shake him. In the Loftus Rd defeat the Swans backed off him and gave him room to play, and we can't afford to do that this time. Obviously, Taarabt may not even start, and I may look like a fool, but surely Warnock will fancy letting him loose? Elsewhere in midfield, I expect Nathan Dyer to continue to sit out in place of Wayne Routledge, who has looked one of our more dangerous player recently. The ex-QPR player would love to open his PL account against his old club and ,while probability states he must score eventually, betting men wouldn't be wagering on it any time soon. Against Traore he will be up against a player with his own pace and trickery, and will need to track back to help out Jazz Richards/Angel Rangel (depending who Rodgers prefers at LB to deputise for Neil Taylor). In the middle, Barton and Faurlin will be matched up against Leon, Kemy and Allen (or Gower...or Moore? God I hate predicting lineups!) who will be hoping numerical advantage will count for something. The Swans need to starve QPR of the ball as the aforementioned two QPR midfielders are both slick operators who can hurt teams if given too much time on the ball. Rangers will undoubtedly look to hit Helguson and Bothroyd, and the Swans will need to watch for the "second ball" from knockdowns and the like for the full 90 minutes, as this is likely to be a repeated tactic on Tuesday. Heidar Helguson has been in fantastic form, but I fancy the Swans to take the sting out of the QPR attack. Swansea traditionally struggle against more direct teams, and while QPR have been playing more football this year than last I think that will actually work in favour of the Swans. I'd be more worried if I thought they were going to come and lump it for 90 minutes and try and get Taarabt a few half chances, but if they come to match the Swans, and to play football, I'm confident of a home win. Iechyd Da. Scott
Merry Christmas and nice job as usual ScottSwan. I think you're right in your analysis - Taarabt is going to be player most likely to cause us griefalthoughthe physicality of Barton is going to be quite a test as well and it will be interesting to see how we deal with that. I agree with your line-up. I would be surprised if Gower starts again, but you never know. With Burton in the line-up I woud exact to see Agustien, but would prefer the more offensive option in Moore
I think the thing with Augustien is we've seen he can sit deep and play the "Leon" role, but with a bit more about him? Bit more expansive passing, bit more physical... and if we had him and Leon sitting deeper it then gives Joey more freedom to play upfield. I think it's going to be a cracking game, the more I think about it, as I really can't see them coming for a draw. Warnock will fancy this as a relatively easy 3 points, given previous results between the teams and the Swans recent form/goal shyness and there are plenty who would agree with him. Having said that, I see their move away from direct football to a more passing game (R's fans, am I right in thinking this from the small amount of I've seen of you this year?) as something we could capitalise on. We're more practiced at that, and I'd back us to win a battle of the passing games. My worst case scenario is the linup I've put for QPR there. Taarabt on the left of a 4 man midfield, but cutting inside and pretty much given a free role, with Bothroyd and Helguson up front having the ball lumped up to them. It's worked against us before, and I hope the Swans can cope with that (we have looked very good defensively of late) but I'd much sooner see QPR keep the ball on the floor and try and play their way through us.
I never, ever put a scoreline against my team, but after the last few performances, it's going to be 0-0. If it was away, it would be 2-0 QPR.
Not a chance IMO , this on the pitch training in the Premier League for Jazz is going to bode well for the future , he's getting better by the minute no matter what side you put him on . Bessone's got the best seat in the house for the season unless catastrophic events unfold
this has a draw written all over it, 0-0 but for my prediction i have put 2-1 as a hope as im not confident with the team as it stands, they are doing their best but it is nowhere near good enough but unfortunatly its all we have got......
Agree with pretty much everything apart from Kenny will be in goal. We need Taarabt to start. He tore your defence to dire shreds last season and I'm confident he'll do it again. Come on Adel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, well... gotta say I'm a bit surprised at the leniency in your opinion(s) above guys. First and foremost, a really well contructed intro there Scott. Superb job - and given our rivalries for position last year (and some unnecessary wumming by both sets on here pre-season), very well balanced and a great read tbh. Not sure though at you later comment, 'Warnock will fancy this as a relatively easy 3 points, given previous results between the teams and the Swans recent form/goal shyness and there are plenty who would agree with him...'. Swans might not be scoring on a reg. but you ain't losing much either are you? Like Norwich, there's been a consistency in your game (and results) that some Rs quietly envy. I doubt Warnock would see this or many other games as an easy 3 points. What, Swansea at the Liberty? More like grit our teeth and hope! Could be a 0-0. That would do us a big favour right now (one point in five outings) but I've got a feeling that, unless a rampant Taarabt emerges from the doldrums, or Helguson gets decent service, the Jacks are most likely to nick it. As for Rangers adopting the passing game, yep, you're right. It's been pretty to watch when it clicks and effective - but that hasn't happened too often I'm afraid. Anyway, could be a Christmas cracker for one of us. Fingers crossed eh?!!
Good thread again Scott. We are pretty good at home, the "R"`s are pretty handy away from home. We score a few at home, QPR score a few away from home, certain to be a 0-0 draw then. We`ve had a few of those so far! This isn`t a must win game for either, but the loser might face an uphill struggle, a draw won`t help either team, although a draw would be better than losing. We need to start having a go for goal more often, bring on those who are prepared to have a go from distance. I would put Sinclair on the bench & have Moore or Dobbie in his place, with Lita champing at the bit to make a start instead of Danny boy.
I don't care who we beat, as long as we start to win games, and tomorrows game would be a good place to start! If we fail tomorrow, then I think Rodgers will be under pressure on his selection, and tactics from some quarters, and when are we going to let Dobbie have a game?? the guy must rightly be getting cheesed off, come on Rodgers leave out the NEGATIVE football, and let's get back to our attacking game please, and let's start tomorrow!................. please log in to view this image 2-1 to the Mighty Swans!....................... please log in to view this image
DPJ- When you say Rodgers will be under pressure on his selection and tactics do you mean there is going to be a another Leighton James master Article on him next Friday I think its going to be either 0-0 or 1-0 to the swans, this is a tough match and i wouldnt be totally suprised if QPR took 3pts, i will be there in the West stand tomorrow and am looking forward to a cracking gam/battle between 2 teams that have earned each others respect the last few seasons
Hi Swans. Some interesting comments on here. Always fascinating to hear what other fans are thinking. I got the impression from the outside that Swans were playing well and I thought you'd all be well happy. But it sounds like some of you are a little disappointed both with Rogers and the team. As for QPR, we are in the middle of a really bad run and some of the "big" signings aren't performing well at all. Barton has been a huge disappointment, playing with a lack of his usual commitment and giving the ball away at an alarming rate. We won't miss Shaun Wright Phillips either, who has been equally disappointing. You're right when you say that we've been better away from home and we may, possibly manage to get a draw! Taarabt hasn't figured much of late, for many contentious reasons, but he has started to look his old self in the last 2 games when brought on. I hope he starts this one, but I'm not confident that he will. I'd take a draw now, as I think you may well spank us!!
Intresting to hear that about Barton and Phillips, most here rate taarabat very highly and think he will be a big threat,personally i think your manager is the type that works better without money and if he blows too much of it he will be out of a job in no time. Close game and i am going for a draw/narrow win for us but would not be suprised if you turned us over !! The first goal will be crucial
You're all right about Taarabt, unfortunately our manager and the golden boy....captain Barton, don't rate him so highly!! Could well be a close game, but if we let you score early on you could well get 3 or 4!!
My team for today would be: (Considering that Ferdinand and Wright Phillips are injured and hoping that Gabbidon is fit!!) Kenny Young Hall Gabbidon Hill Barton Faurlin Mackie Taarabt Traore Helguson Won't be Warnock's though!!
I've been hearing, that the QPR dressing room is not a happy place, is Barton to big for his boots, or what?? Anyway glad the games on Sky, as I don't have to fight to get to the bar!................ please log in to view this image
