QPR boss says FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest is unwelcome - and plans to give fringe players a run-out. please log in to view this image Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will use QPR's FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest next week as a try-out for his second string. The gaffer said after the disappointing 2-1 defeat to Hull it was about getting right blend rather than highfalutin ideas about honours. The Capital Cup has been downgraded by plenty of mix-and-match in past seasons, and the world’s most famous domestic trophy is set to suffer the same fate as Hasselbaink goes in search of a more important first league win since he took over. The likes of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Massimo Luongo, Alex Smithies and Michael Petrasso have been starved of recent chances. They look certain to play some part in the away day at the City Ground. “At the moment, it's (the cup tie) not welcome,” Hasselbaink said. “It's just another game, but it gives me a chance to look at others and give a few others to get a game. “It also gives me a chance to look at a few other formations and take it from there.” QPR’s abject cup record over the last 12 campaigns has seen them only twice make the fourth round to get no further. Last season, a 3-0 home defeat to League One Sheffield United set the seal on a season's second half that saw them relegated at the end of it. http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/qpr-boss-says-fa-cup-10677245?
Depends how interested Forest are, hopefully the 2nd string will play their socks off. Really a bit of a lottery trying to predict these results, only our abject record in past years suggests another early exit...
let's hope the second string prove to JFH that they are good enough, and play well enough to keep the shirt
Indeed but hypothetically I imagine the team will look like this: Smithies Furlong Angella Hill Kpekawa Doughty Luongo Petrasso Chery Yun JET Which you'd think would at least have a bit of energy and drive.
Agree. Surely this season is the first in a many when we are neither actively in a relegation or promotion battle. Time for Sir Les to do a bit of direction. A Cup run would give everyone including the team a much needed lift.
yeah its January and we're "looking at a few other formations" - should have our best team out by the time we're relegated then
I really dislike that type of attitude - a cup run would boost morale for both players & supporters. We're a club currently mired to lower mid table mediocrity, so not as if we're concentrating on promotion, or (hopefully) relegation for that matter. He can rotate the squad somewhat, starting with Smithies in goal and still field (on paper) a fairly strong squad.
Was talking abut this with my sister and she said what the hell does he do if they go out there and put in a great winning performance. If they win 3-0 at a ground we've never won at in the cup, could make for even more selection headaches.
In Henry and Green I'd agree. Then there are the player that are ok but not putting a shift in. God (and I don't mean a certain poster on here) we are in a right mess at the moment.
