Hope, damn hope, and statistics Posted by Sean Smith Recommend1 Tweet1 Email Victory at Southampton has opened a window of hope, and through it have poured the mathematicians and soothsayers. My own two-penneth worth is that the next two games are, to enter into the spirit of it all, "massive". If QPR beat Sunderland at the weekend, which is eminently doable, then we face an Aston Villa side sans Fabian Delph that look young, naive and very much struggling to keep their heads above water. Like QPR (without the naive part). In the meantime, Wigan -- who currently hold the golden ticket in 17th place -- do not play in the Premier League thanks to a prior engagement with Everton in the FA Cup. On top of that the other two sides in the mire with QPR -- Reading and Aston Villa -- play each other while the Rs line up alongside Sunderland, which is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it means one or both is a loser, a curse because someone has to pick up points. The following week, Reading -- one would assume without cursing these things - will be getting a hiding at Old Trafford. Which means that for the first time this season, QPR find themselves in a position where they can pretty much get out of the sticky stuff -- or at least precariously close to getting out -- without praying for a miracle elsewhere. Assuming (and I concur it is a big assumption considering past form) QPR win at home to Sunderland and beat Aston Villa at Villa Park, then here are the permutations. Villa-Reading draw: QPR 26pts ------------ Villa 25 Reading 24 Wigan 24 Villa beat Reading: Villa 27 ------------ QPR 26 Wigan 24 Reading 23 Reading beat Villa: QPR 26 ------------ Reading 26 Villa 24 Wigan 24 All make very pleasant reading, and would dramatically alter the course of our season, particular as I believe QPR have the "easier" run-in. As an addendum, Southampton -- on 27 points and with one win in six -- face a tricky trip to Norwich away and then Liverpool and Chelsea at home. Things may (or may not) be looking up. Follow Sean Smith on Twitter @seanshorn
About the Author Sean Smith Sean Smith Sean Smith is a reporter for the Financial Times and has been a football reporter at a number of prestigious establishments, including ESPN towers. He first caught the bug watching a Stan Bowles-inspired QPR overrun a star-studded Man City side in 1978, just two years after almost winning the title. It should be no surprise to anyone that QPR were relegated that year. you can follow him on twitter at @seanshorn
By the sounds of it, he seems quite a decent and educated gentleman. Not unlike the rest of us RRRRRr'sss supporters.
By the sounds of it, he seems quite a decent and educated gentleman. Not unlike the rest of us RRRRRr'sss supporters.
Quite right unless we beat Sunderland in which case cries of, "The Rss are staying up", will inevitably echo around Loftus Road!
Correct I hope you stick with this if we don't get a result Saturday I pointed out the maths months ago and sorry but I have to again state in order for this to come true we need 6 points and I am sure Harold and now the penny has dropped with everyone it's crystal clear You can only play one game at a time but both the cats and the villa MUST be overcome IMO I still have us escaping before the last game v Liverpool
We definitely have the run of the next four games. Historically, the only nagging concern is that we beat 'better' teams and lose to those in the same mire as us. It is by no means impossible for us to beat Arsenal (again) at home. I really hope we are safe by the time the Toon Army come to LR - that will be an ugly and bloodily contested battle! Tall order, I know.
