QUOTE Close contest sees Derby edge QPR in play-off final Mix n Match Derby players make up three of the back four which helps them take it 6-5 Close contest sees Derby edge QPR in play-off final Mix n Match Itâs the most financially rewarding game in club football and the latest edition of the Championship play-off final pits Derby against QPR as they prepare to do battle for the right to ply their trade in the Premier League next season. In similar fashion to the way Ladbrokes have priced up the chances of these two top-flight wannabeâs, the scales of our combined XI are tipped ever so slightly in the favour of the Rams. The bookies quote Steve McClarenâs side as the slender 7/5 favourites to prevent Harry Redknappâs Râs from making an immediate return to the big time with a 90-minute win, with the Londoners at odds of 19/10. Below weâve seen fit to pick six of Derbyâs number over five from QPRâs star-studded ranks. Derby-QPR-XI Between the sticks former England stopper Rob Green is preferred to Lee Grant having racked up 18 clean sheets as opposed to the Derby manâs 13, while his saves-per-goal ratio is higher than that of his opposite number too. However, across the back four itâs virtually a Derby clean sweep. Andre Wisdom, Richard Keogh and Jake Buxton all have the stats and the performances behind them to merit their places, though there is room for veteran Rangers man Clint Hill on the left. Meanwhile, the centre of the park is a straight split between QPRâs social media supremo Joey Barton, who is still a classy passer, if not tweeter, and Derbyâs much-vaunted teenage talent Will Hughes â destined for big things no doubt. Out wide on the left West Ham import Ravel Morrison earns a spot for having such a positive impact during his three-month, six-goal cameo since arriving at Loftus Road in late February. A hat-trick versus Millwall promised much from Craig Bryson back in September and alongside Hughes the Scot made the Championship team of the season, so heâs a shoo-in for ours as well. With 37 league goals between them, Chris Martin (20) and Charlie Austin (17), who may well have eclipsed his opposite number had he stayed fit, round off our XI in style. UNQUOTE Personally, I'm content we're the underdogs...
Never been all too interested in the bookies when it comes to QPR. Over my 20 odd years of following the team, it seems the times we should easily win we don't...(Vauxhall motors plus a long list of others)...and times we don't stand a chance we pull it out the bag...(Chelsea, Liverpool...etc)
I remember going to the Milk Cup final full of confidence - won't be doing that again! I am far happier with us being underdogs. Derby going in as favourites will put a little more pressure on their players.
We finally put up decent team performance against wigan. Derby probably didnt noticed that and if could put up little better team performance agaist them we are really close to promotion.....
I think the bookies have it right. I would make them slight favourites, but its all on the day. I thought Watford would beat Palarse last year.
I am confident. We have nothing to fear. We are every bit as good as them. It just depends on which team plays well on the day. Nobody can tell in advance which team that will be.
Curious isn't it, the only QPR defender to make this composite team is the one many of our own supporters have trouble finding a place for in the team. For me, Clint Hill should be the first name on the team sheet.
Can't argue with that Roller. He's been solid all season. He'll have to at his best on Saturday if picked, to deal the young Derby forwards' pace.
Derby are favourites and rightly so. They finished above us and had a very good season and play good football. However, this Rangers side seems to have a real togetherness now and a real camaraderie. They look up for this and whatever the result, I hope they do us proud. Come on you R'sssss!
Every media article that I look at seems to place us as underdogs. I think I like this. Derby are speaking big about the confidence and I see the bookies place them as favourite. Personally I am happy with this. Hoping this pressure adds just a bit to Derby. Hoping Harry can keep our team calm. After the Wigan game at home, I have full confidence that we will fight to the finish - even if we go 1 nil down etc.
One thing that is true is that a club who arrives at the play off semi with momentum gains a boost. Derby have been consistently good since MacLaren took over with no huge push at the end and I fully expected them to beat Brighton. Over the past few weeks, especially with Austin's return, there is a momentum at QPR yet I did not fully expect us to beat Wigan. That win contributed significantly to that momentum. For what it's worth, and I do realise that is probably not very much, there is a gain in momentum with consequent rise in confidence at QPR. It is just one match and actually either side can win.
