please log in to view this image SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP Dean Court Saturday 5 April 15:00 BST please log in to view this image Match Preview IN-FORM Bournemouth are next up for QPR on Saturday, as Harry Redknapp returns to the Goldsands for the first time since leaving the Cherries 22 years ago. Redknapp, of course, managed the South Coast side for nine years years between 1983 and 1992, but Saturday’s visit will be his first as a returning manager in that time. Rangers go head-to-head with Eddie Howe’s side at a time when the Cherries – who clinched promotion to the second tier for only the second time in their history last summer – are enjoying their best form of the season, with six victories from their last seven in the Sky Bet Championship. That winning sequence has seen them jump into the play-off picture, with Howe’s outfit lying just five points adrift of the top-six with seven matches to play. Speaking after Saturday’s 4-2 win at struggling Birmingham City, Howe admitted the odds are stacked against his side, but encouraged them to show no fear in their pursuit of the play-offs. “It is going to be difficult. If you look at the clubs above us, their destiny is in their hands not ours,” he said. “They are the team with experience but if we carry on the way we are playing and showing a fearless attitude, then who knows what we are capable of achieving.” The R’s are in good form themselves, however, with two wins and a draw in their previous three outings. Read more at http://www.qpr.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-preview/index.aspx#RFDArWxXSURqXdrM.99 please log in to view this image Team News Bournemouth have been boosted by the return of Andrew Surman to full fitness ahead of Saturday's Sky Bet Championship clash with QPR at Dean Court. The Norwich loanee had to settle for a late cameo appearance off the bench as the Cherries won 4-2 at Birmingham last week having suffered from a glute injury, but he is pushing for a return to the starting line-up. Striker Tokelo Rantie is likely to be involved despite having flown to South Africa following the birth of his son on Tuesday while left-back Charlie Daniels is back in full training but this match comes too soon for the former Leyton Orient man. One player who definitely will not be involved is Donal McDermott who left the club on Thursday by mutual consent. Charlie Austin has been passed fit for QPR. Rangers' 15-goal top scorer returned to training this week after two months on the sidelines with a shoulder injury. Jermaine Jenas is also set to travel after recovering from a hamstring injury but fellow midfielder Joey Barton is still out with a thigh problem. Defenders Aaron Hughes (hamstring) and Nedum Onuoha (calf) picked up knocks against Blackpool last week and miss out along with Andy Johnson, Matty Phillips (both ankle) and Ale Faurlin (knee). Meet The Managers please log in to view this image - v - please log in to view this image (Carla) Howe v (Louise) Redknapp Possible Starting Xl's please log in to view this image - - - please log in to view this image Match Facts Head-to-Head • QPR won the earlier meeting 3-0 at Loftus Road in December. • Bournemouth have won only one of the last 11 meetings in all competitions, drawing two and losing eight. Their only win since 1965 was 1-0 at home in the old Division Two in January 2004 - the last meeting at the Goldsands Stadium. • QPR have won two of their last three visits to Bournemouth, losing one. Bournemouth • Bournemouth have won six of their last eight games, drawing one and losing one. • Bournemouth have kept five clean sheets in their last eight games, after keeping only one in their previous 26 games in all competitions. • Bournemouth have lost only one of their last nine home games in the Championship. Their only league defeat at home since mid-December was 1-0 against Leicester on 1 February. QPR • QPR are unbeaten in their last three games, winning two. • QPR have kept 17 clean sheets in the league so far this season - the joint-most in the Championship with Brighton. • QPR have won two of their last six away games, losing the other four. Not too sure about Hill's first name in the infographic below? please log in to view this image please log in to view this image ''C'mon you Soopa..........''
This will be my last match day thread until the last game of the season as I'm off on my hols for a few weeks. If anyone wants to have a go at one while I'm away you're most welcome.
Cheers Nines, another top job. Enjoy your holiday with the family, much deserved. Get your rest mate as you'll need it before the nervewracking play offs. Still have trouble with the images unfortunately. Had to google Carla Howe, approved I might give the Match Day Thread a go if it's alright for you and everyone else.
Thank's Norway, I'm off to Egypt. I've not been before. It would be great if you'd do the MD thread while I'm away. You were one of the people I had in mind when I thought who would do it. I'll probably still be able to look-in and post ( depending on wi-fi ) but doubt very much if I could justify the time it takes to formulate one of these. Mrs Nines is quite easy going but spending my holiday on here might be pushing it a bit. nb edit.. I've just checked the fixtures, I'll be flying back and airborne when we play Watford. I'll be back for the Millwall and Barnsley games.
I'm hoping your useless lot don't lose. We want our promotion party on Tuesday night while we're playing not tomorrow
Hope you and your family enjoy a well deserved break Nines. In December 1975 I spent a week or so in Egypt when returning to UK after working in Saudi Arabia. I had a marvellous time and recall visiting, amongst other places, the following sites:- Cairo - Pyramids of Giza + The Sphinx, Cairo Tower, Egyptian Museum Luxor - Karnak Temples (incl. excellent Son et Lumiere performance), Valley of the Kings (on other side of River Nile) - quite amazing, plus a bus tour of other local sites. The hotel there was wonderful, like something out of the British Raj, not expensive, good food, very open plan with high ceiling fans everywhere. Aswan - Aswan Dam, Gardens of the Aga Khan (on a sub tropical island). One of my best experiences was the trip out to the Cairo suburbs where the Giza Pyramids are located. Of course arriving off the bus people were all over you trying to sell you this, that and the other, but a distinguished looking guy approached me with the following offer which I accepted - for 20 Egyptian pounds he was my personal guide for the day, he had 2 horses, taught me how to ride, which we then used to visit all the sites and he would not let anyone else bother me for camel photos etc. He knew the history down pat and was an excellent guide. Afterwards he asked me if I would like to return to his village to experience a traditional Egyptian meal with his family for 10 pounds - I remember a tasty lamb dish and I'm really glad I took him up on that offer - after dinner he even went out to buy hashish to smoke in the hubbly bubbly. Seems like yesterday, now almost 40 years ago.
Spent a month traveling around there 20 years ago. Very interesting. Do not take a boat across the Red Sea. It is very choppy and very dangerous!
For those who aren't going, the match is listed on www.wiziwig.tv, which I usually find is pretty decent, so there should be a good stream to watch on. Thanks for the report 9's and enjoy the holiday.
Great! I am about to wave my dear wife off for an afternoon of shopping...€€€€...and I will enjoy Football Focus with Harry, then get ready for our game. Perfect.
If you toggle the swearing filter to allow swearing you should get the pictures. You do realise that you can't back out of the match thread now mate, don't you?
Cheers 999s, thanks for the MDThreads...brilliant..even the girlies (which I appreciate in a completely sisterhood sort of way) Enjoy Egypt.... Sensible asking Norway to do the MDT....but who is going saving London from burning!
Wigan have taken the lead against Leeds. 1 - 0 at half time. They will be 3 points behind us if (when) they win.
Afternoon all, another fun packed couple of hours coming up.......Enjoy the break 9'sey, come back totally chilled for the Play Offs, assuming that Burnley don't totally implode and by some twist we get into the Auto's......who am I kidding? Great that there is a stream, just have to convince Mrs TR that I am doing some work this afternoon whilst keeping an eye on the game..... COYR's
Cheers, found it and it's working now I know now! It's four games!! Didn't know what I entered in to. Only kidding, will be my pleasure to help Nines out. I've done a couple in the past and will try my best to keep up the standard set by Nines.
