Exactly, and they're away to Villa and Reading, both of whom will also be fighting for their lives and knowing they must win those games. The outcome of those games will decide a lot, and if QPR don't win them both, I can't see any way back for them.
For me, I've been waiting for two things to happen (because, imo, on paper they easily have the players to survive). One, Harry to actually put some attacking players on the field. Spending December, January and February with two or three holding midfielders, trying to keep the goals against column was never going to keep them up. Now, finally, they are starting to do that. Dropping Tarraabt, whilst a big call, is a correct one. Much better shape about them now. Two, a 'spark'. They always needed to go on a great run to survive. The odd win or draw here and there would not have been enough (unlike us, Sunderland, Villa and Wigan, where it may well be enough). And you always need that 'spark' to kick off a run like that - whatever that 'spark' may be (usually three points). Those three points at our place could well be their 'spark'. I agree that those last three are difficult. But if they're right in the mix come then (I've actually got them sitting outside the bottom three come May), then you never know. And besides, other teams have a tough game or two in May. We go to Spurs, Villa host Chelsea, Wigan go to Arsenal, Reading host Man City, Sunderland go to Spurs. And then there's us and Sunderland playing each other that month, and Villa playing Wigan. Most, if not all, of us will be dropping points in May, not just QPR. They may only need to win one of those three, and Newcastle for example might be 100% focused on the Europa League come then. Yes, 'if' they don't them both. But they might, they might. I can easily see them pick up four points, if not the full six. And for Reading, it might already be over for them by then. Realistically, they'd have to pick up at least four points from us at home and Norwich away prior to that game, to still be in with a shout, because I can see them losing to Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool.
At least 4 of Saints remaining games look very winnable - on paper. The key to our survival for me is not so much 'will we win them' as 'can we score goals'! I believe Saints are close to being a very good team, but currently are struggling to finish off the many chances being created. Most of the recent goals scored have been handed on a plate to us by the opposition. Without thinking too hard I reckon 1 at Old Trafford, 3 against City and the goal against QPR were down to defensive howlers. Unless we up the conversion rate considerably, four more wins looks unlikely.
I'm feeling confident against the harder teams e.g our next two Liverpool and Chelsea who wont play as direct as the other teams around us. I truly believe we are better suited to beat these teams like we did against man city!
Well, I'm afraid that QPR are going to surprise alot of pundits in the next few weeks. I can see them fininishing on 39 points quite easily. I think they will beat Villa, Fulham, Wigan,Stoke and Reading. Newcastle will be a tense match and think it will end in a draw. They will lose at Eveton and Liverpool. The team and manager that they current'y have would be expected to finish mid-table at the start of the season. Granted, it will be tough, but in some ways I would rather be in Harry's shoes that Poch's. Harry has a record of over-coming the odds and I think he has been given far more licence than any Southampton chairman would dare give a manager. It is a high risk but, in my opinion, a gamble that will be pulled off.
I can see QPR staying up, albeit they have three tricky fixtures at the end. If I were to bet then I'd bet on them staying up, because if they did then I'd get quite a lot of money!
For those saying we have only won once in the games since Poch took over... Look at the teams we have played. I would have bee happy to come out of that run of games in touch with 17th place, as we have a favourable run in. The next two are tough but from then on in I think we will probably win half of what is remaining. I am usually pessimistic too.
I agree about our remaining matches but we will go into the next two games with nothing to lose. I think we'll get something from at least one of them.
Okay, it breaks down like this; Lose to Liverpool 0 pts Draw with Chelsea 1 Pt Beat Reading 3 pts Beat West Ham 3 pts Draw with Swansea 1 pt Beat West Brom 3 pts, sigh of relief Lose to Spurs 0 pts Draw at Sunderland 1 pt Last game of the season, lose to Stoke, not bothered, we're staying up on 40 pts.
Going to be very harsh. Liverpool/Chelsea 1 point, Reading 3, WHU 1, Swansea 0, WBrom 3, Spurs 0, Sunderland 1, means we go into Stoke game on 37points. By then I reckon that two will be down with only 1 place to play for. Our GD will still be good as I only have us down for 3 losses until Stoke. Been harsh so as to indicate how we could easily be a few points better than that.
Seems most people think we will get 3 points at Reading, getting 3 points away to any team in the Premier League isn't easy, let alone that is fighting for survival, I'd be surprised to see us get a win there.
Cannot guarantee a win anywhere, but if we are to stay up we have to win games like Reading, so I can see why we are all putting that one down. The chances are that we will probably win one game that we are not expecting...after all we got points against Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and Man City.
Why on earth do people suddenly perceive QPR as Barcelona who will come striding through the melee with their quality shining through. Last time I checked, they were still crap. They had one decent game on the weekend, but they were terrible against us, but got lucky in their chances and the appalling way in which we played. They've not suddenly got good...... This Harry Houdini nonsense still has an awfully long way to go by my reckoning.
