Downing Manchester United's Van Gaal-acticos all the incentive QPR need I believe it was Rudyard Kipling who wrote: If I can see Clint Hill get the better of Angel Di Maria, / if I can watch Manchester United reject Rio Ferdinand win on his return, / if I can hear the travelling Rangers fans silence the Surrey-toned singing inside Old Trafford, / I'll die happy, my son. Incredible words, even more exquisite when you remember he was so busy devising great cake-baking recipes while penning all his Rangers-related sonnets. I like his cakes and I like his style. If QPR can go to Old Trafford and do the unthinkable, it will truly be exceedingly good. On the final Premier League matchday before the international break -- after Charlie Austin's goal had grabbed all three points against Sunderland, while United had gone to Burnley and escaped with a 0-0 draw -- the odds of QPR beating United, as they were then, looked fair; an interesting outside bet, perhaps the little spike of value in a weekend accumulator. The England matches came too soon; Rangers were on a roll, they wanted United there and then. Louis van Gaal's starting XI that stuttered to a draw with Sean Dyche's side included Jonny Evans, Tyler Blackett and Darren Fletcher. It was supplemented by substitute appearances from cuddly Brazilian Anderson and Danny "not good enough for United but ideal for everyone else" Welbeck. The chances of QPR going to Old Trafford and upsetting the applecart back then were tangible. Now it's a wild dream; they'll have to burrow their way into the orchard under the cloak of darkness, overpower the robust Norfolk farmer and uproot every individual tree. Since Burnley, United have signed Radamel Falcao and Daley Blind, got Marcos Rojo a work permit and made Luke Shaw fit again. They are now all in line to make their Premier League debuts for United. Timing is everything. Suddenly the comparative starting lineups look like a computer nerd has created his dream team and set them up to play against the perfect stooge opposition. Falcao, formerly of Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco, will cross swords with opposite number Austin, previously of Kintbury Rangers and Hungerford Town. Radamel Falcao's CV includes a certain level of prestige not shared with anyone at QPR. If Van Gaal has a selection headache with the likes of Falcao, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Angel Di Maria and Juan Mata, then Harry Redknapp must have a brain hemorrhage with only Austin and Bobby Zamora. It's the new, improved multimillion-pound beast versus the journeyman's journeymen. It's Mike Tyson vs. Hector Mercedes. David's little sister up against Goliath's dad and all his mates from the pub. But as Jordon Mutch said this week: "They are just normal human beings like us." But can footballers on upward of 300,000 pounds a week really be "normal like us"? Maybe it's better they're not. Maybe lifting them up on a pedestal far above the head of any Rangers player could work in favour of the QPR dressing room. Maybe bringing the Van Gaal-acticos back to earth is all the incentive QPR need to do the unthinkable, beat the unbeatable, be Buster Douglas. If only. Wally Downes Jr. Wally Downes Jr. is a multimedia reporter for Hayters sports news agency in London and a contributor to ESPN FC. He preferred it when QPR were poor and desperate -- like him. Follow him on Twitter at @WallyDownes_Jr.
The pressure is on them. The longer we can frustrate them, the more we have a chance at a point or even doing the unthinkable.
Good to hear someone else say what I was thinking. This is the perfect opportunity to not only have a win over MU but to win at Old Trafford. If we are ever going to do this, it will be this weekend ................... Come on you R'rssssssssss !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( MU 0 - QPR 2 )
I have little doubt that we will be setup to park the proverbial bus with the hope that Rob plays a blinder and we have a shot or two in the right direction.
I know it's been said before a thousand times, and I've never really had a problem with it until now, but it seems ludicrous that the transfer window doesn't close before the season starts. Our relegation rivals in Sunderland were able to get a point out of United at the end of August, before they had gone out and paid through the roof for 3 world-class players in Falcao, Di Maria and Blind. No one knows better than Rangers fans that new players need time to gel (often up to 6 months according to Hughes) but that's not to say one of them could prove to be the differen between us getting a point or not.
I think we should try and get several long range shots on target early on to try and make them feel nervous, and, like you say, frustrate them with good pressure and tight defending. Then bring on big Bobby for the winner
Everyone is expecting us to get a pasting, we are QPR and nothing goes according to plan. So we'll see!
I have a feeling about this Sunday's game with Man Utd. In fact despite not being a gambling man just I've put a couple of quid in QPR to win away @10/1. (crazy odds in a two horse race btw) So okay maybe not a win but a point earned in a draw could be quite realistic. I've supported this team since the mid sixties, so I've seen the good times as well as the many struggles. QPR will play better than they did at Spurs that is for sure. Then they included a couple of new, unfit players into a new system, result 'disaster' Harry and the team have now had a couple of weeks with these players. The system they play will be one they feel comfortable with (442 or 451 maybe) at OT. More defensive but one that could be changed as the game goes on, this squad should all be fit by now and they should understand each other more. The Man U team by contrast will include some of their new signings which is music to my ears, because history shows that no matter how much a player costs It DOES take time to settle in. Here's hopping..........
We are not expected to get anything from this so lets go up there and have a real go at them. try our new system, play our new players and get inside thier heads. If w lose 4-nil then so be it but we have to at least have a go. We need to get them before they hit form because when they do they are going to dish out some serious hammerings! I reckon could get lucky and nick a point....if only.....
I am going to be more realistic, I say we will lose 3-0.... anything better than that I will be happy If anyone is expecting a win ..... get real..... if it happens then its a big bonus. Keep expectations on an even keel..... less disappointments that way.
Listening to LVG during his press conference talking about Welbeck and it crossed my mind that he is a seriously arrogant person, it would be nice to bring him and Utd down a peg or two.....
I really do expect us to show our normal away form & receive a hammering. Worse than Tottenham. However, it is possible that United may have many players that have had almost no game time this seson & would certainly not have played together as a team. IF we have parked the bus in the right position & are still level after an hour then who knows what could happen at the end of the game!
"I've been told that between former strikers Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao, Diego Costa, and Sergio Aguero, Atletico Madrid say Falcao is the best they've had. We're not just talking in terms of ability, but in terms of attitude. He's supposed to be a great trainer, a good guy and works hard for the team. If that's the case then United might have got a real good deal and it will help soften the blow of losing Welbeck. With so many great attacking players at the club, it looks like midfielder Juan Mata might miss out - I don't think he fits the bill for manager Louis van Gaal. The problem is at the other end for United. The side is like a house built on sinking sand at the moment. It remains to be seen whether he sticks with three at back. Where will left-sided defender Marcos Rojo and utility player Danny Blind both fit? What about full-back Luke Shaw when he returns? I'll be covering this game for the BBC and as QPR were quite abysmal on the road at Tottenham, I expect them to concede at Old Trafford." This is what Lawrenson reckons on beeb website....th beebs lovein with all things United continues and we are granted half a sentance at the end.......
So Falcao is just softening the blow of losing Danny Welbeck? Is Welbeck so much better that a player like Falcoa only partially compensates for his loss? Comments like that just prove that Lawro's wonderful sense of humour is just softening the blow of his increasing detachment from reality.
Everything I've read on mainstream media is Man U this, Man U formation that. LVG blah, blah. Fair enough at one level. We really are expected to just turn up and lose tomorrow! I so hope we put on a decent display and a draw would be amazing. A win would write us into the pub quiz books for ever!
Living in a Manchester utd fans enclave, in the words of Kevin Keegan I would love it, just love it if we beat them!!
