Matches are Won on the Pitch, not on Paper

Queens Park Rangers will host their sixth home league match of the season as they welcome the defending league champions Manchester City F.C. to Loftus Road for a Saturday evening affair.
Rangers have met The Citizens on 44 previous occasions with the R’s winning 12 and drawing 15 of these games. Recent history suggests we may see another close encounter as City have won two of the last four encounters by one goal while the last encounter ended in a scoreless draw during January of 2013. While the odds may rest squarely against a win for Rangers, City comes into the match with an unimpressive overall record of 4 wins 9 losses and 9 draws all-time at Loftus Road. With 2 league wins at Loftus Road in the last 20+ years for Manchester City, QPR will be hoping the ground continues to be a fortress of solitude against the visitors.
Some would be mental to think that Rangers could come away with a point or more against the league champions; especially when looking at recent results and form on paper. 4 points out of 18 within the last six league matches indicate that QPR are struggling to say the least. Critics who have simply focused on the results column and not the play on the pitch will be quick to point how the ship is sinking within a club with a grossly inflated wage bill on over-the-hill or overhyped players…blah, blah, blah. The fact is those critics couldn’t be more wrong heading into this match. Since the lacklustre display at West Ham at the beginning of October, the Superhoops have been injected with rejuvenation, passion, desire, and commitment.
The international break that proceeded after the West Ham match produced an overwhelming amount of criticism, remarks, and questions to be asked about the state of affairs in the dressing room, within the boardroom, and the scrutiny surrounding Harry Redknapp’s job as manager. Culmination came in the form of another public bust-up between Redknapp and the enigma otherwise known as Adel Taraabt; one which had placed yet another dark cloud over the club and the faithful supporters. But out of all that negativity came the response in the form of play those same supporters have desperately craved for. The match against Liverpool was a very tough loss to take; especially in the manner of the way we lost with two own goals. Yet the fight and sense of urgency was clearly evident on the day as many – to include many of the Liverpool supporters and club members – thought the better side had lost. In response to that defeat Rangers came out with more passion and desire against a struggling Aston Villa club who are in the midst of their own tailspin. A 2-0 home victory showed that indeed the squad was making the attempt to press on and kick-start the season. But the sternest of tests would come against the current league leaders at Stamford Bridge. In a match many had QPR slated to loss by a landslide, The R’s showed immense resolve and resiliency against a side who have been the clear runaway leaders for the season thus far. It took a worldly strike from Oscar and a dubious penalty by Eden Hazard to see off Rangers that day; punctuated by The Chosen One Mourinho stating his disgust at the Chelsea home support in light of the fantastic and audacious support that can be heard all around The Bridge from QPR supporters. That 2-1 defeat may have been our fourth in five matches, but it was clearly evident to see that QPR has turned a corner and look to be a club on the rise from the depths of the table and not one in chaos and turmoil just a month or so ago.
In comes a Manchester City side who are in the midst of an identity crisis as a club. Coming off the heels of a 2-1 defeat at the hands of CSKA Moscow this past Wednesday in UEFA Champions League Group Play, The Sky Blues sit in last place of Group E. In addition, City also find themselves still playing catch-up to Chelsea after 10 rounds of Premier League play as they are six points in back of the leaders at 3rd place overall on the table. Manchester City comes into the match against QPR in poor form by City standards, as they have one win in five matches in all competitions; to include defeat at home against Newcastle United which saw them exit out of the fourth round of the English League Cup. The Citizens do come into QPR with a very strong league records while playing away from the Etihad Stadium. City’s has the 2nd best away record at 3-1-1, with a tally of 11 goals scored and a +5 goal differential. City also boasts the 2nd best league attack record on the road scoring an average of 2.20 goals while conceding a 4th best average of 1.20 goals to the home opposition within league play.
Indeed much can be said about this match. But what cannot be taken for granted is an overwhelming victory for City. While they come in as a superior team on the road, they will also be much maligned of the backheel of their failing UEFA Champions League campaign. Meanwhile Queens Park Rangers are coming home with a massive amount of confidence in their play as they are doing it with very unlikely heroes. Karl Henry has stepped up immensely in the absence of the skipper Joey Barton with some superb displays and shifts in midfield. Sandro is beginning to get his feet under him and his fitness to form as he is showing durability in lasting deep into the matches. Yun Suk-Young has been a diamond in the rough as a fullback and restoring order in a position that Rangers essentially thinned themselves on early in the season with the sale of Danny Simpson. The Chileans Mauricio Isla and Eduardo Vargas have begun to acclimate themselves quite nicely in the lineup and are producing fantastic results of play. Vargas in particular has shown his worth upfront and in the wings with his speed, pace, and fluidity within his game. He has been causing havoc to opposing defenses the last three matches. Bobby Zamora has again proven his worth beyond a reasonable doubt as a target man next to Charlie Austin by relieving pressure upfront and freeing Austin to go about his poaching ways around the box. And as for that man Austin…he has been on fire! Charlie is starting to settle in and receive quality service into the box as he is now climbing up within the Premier League scoring charts.
While Manchester City does boast a very in-form Sergio Aguero and a host of international starters and superstars within their entire 25-man roster, this match cannot be seen as an afterthought for a City win. Judging by the looks of this match, on paper it is a landslide for City to win. But the great thing about sports is that matches are never played on paper. Results are on the pitch, in the form, forged through confidence, desire, unity, and the will to fight for 90 minutes in front of your most loyal supporters. I see this as either a 1-1 or 2-2 draw.

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