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The R’s were thrashed 4-0 on the final day of last season in what Ollie described as ‘one of his most painful defeats’ and will be expecting a much better performance and result this time around.
Norwich are a much changed outfit from the side that took to the field just over three months ago. Since then they have appointed German Daniel Farke who was previously the Borussia Dortmund II head coach.
The 40-year-old has so far brought nine new faces to Carrow Road including four from the German League with Bosnia and Herzegovina midfielder Mario Vrančić perhaps being the most noticeable joining from relegated Bundesliga side SV Darmstadt 98.
The Canaries have also recruited the impressive Marley Watkins from Barnsley but on the flip side have lost two influential players in Jacob Murphy to Newcastle and Jonny Howson to Middlesbrough.
Last season was a real mixed campaign for Norwich. On paper 70 points and 8th place doesn’t sound too shabby but Norwich were heavily tipped to at least make the play-offs and in all honestly only got close to reaching their target due to a late run of form.
Having dismissed Alex Neil in March, Alan Irvine took over as interim manager and did a fine job until the end of the season but was overlooked for the permanent role.
With so many changes, Norwich have slightly struggled at the start of this term. Farke has his men playing an expansive brand of football that involves playing out from the back and enjoying lots of possession. However, they have so far yet to fully click during this transitional phase which has also seen them adopt a 3-5-2 formation.
On the opening day they showed a lot of promise, going to Craven Cottage and getting a 1-1 draw, which was followed by a narrow victory over League Two side Swindon in the Carabao Cup. But they went down 3-1 to Sunderland on Sunday in a game which saw them have lots of possession but create very few opportunities.
Ian Holloway will undoubtedly be encouraged by the way his side has started the campaign. After comfortably defeating the much fancied Reading on the opening day of the season, the R’s then claimed a well-earned point at Hillsborough on the weekend.
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When and Where
Wednesday 16th August, Carrow Road, 7:45pm kick-off.
Last Time Out
Norwich 4-0 QPR
The final day of the season ended in a hiding for Queens Park Rangers with the R’s well beaten by Norwich. In a game which was effectively a dead rubber due to the fact that the week before QPR secured their place in the division and Norwich were mathematically unable to reach the play-offs. The East-Anglian outfit got off to a rampant start taking the lead through Wes Hoolahan before going on to dominate the half. The second period saw QPR go through the motions but Norwich were in an unforgiving mood with Hoolahan grabbing his second before Pritchard and Murphy completed the rout.
Team News
Grant Hall remains out with tendonitis. He was training outside this week but is realistically looking at making a return after the international break. Yeni Ngbakoto (ankle) and Idrissa Sylla (head) are also ruled out for this one whilst Steven Caulker is unlikely to play again until the Brentford game next week. Jordan Cousins is a long-term absentee.
Alex Pritchard has undergone an operation and will be sidelined for at least 12 weeks. Norwich will also be without central defender Timm Klose whilst left-back Jamal Lewis is also unavailable.
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Stats
- 12 goals in the last five games between the two sides
- 13 0-0 draws between the clubs in 120 matches
- Record vs Norwich – W39, D35, L46
Ian Holloway: “I watched Norwich’s clips against Sunderland and they should have beaten them in my opinion. Sunderland scored against the run of play and well done to Sunderland for stopping them but Norwich certainly showed the threat they have. At Sheffield Wednesday we looked a good team away from home. We are going to need to be that again and more to get anything at Norwich. Do I believe we can do it? Yes I do. Do I want to do it? More than any other result than I have ever had because that defeat last season hurt me so bad.”
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Daniel Farke: “We were disappointed after Sunday. It's about results. It's football, not about looking pretty like in synchronised swimming. We know we will make some mistakes. We were disappointed they were unnecessary mistakes but we trust the guys. QPR have had a brilliant start and are flexible in their style. It will be a hard test for us. We need support and an atmosphere of togetherness, especially if there are mistakes.”
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Norwich try the Huddersfield route and appoint a German manager ( Preview ) ... https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/queensparkrangers/news/46267
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Referee
Oliver Langford: Handed out five yellow cards in the League One fixture between Wigan and Bury on the weekend as well as awarding the Latics a penalty.
Oliver Langford (West Midlands), usually a very lenient referee, Langford refereed three QPR wins from three appointments last season. ( Leeds H, Reading A & Rotherham H )
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Matchday Programme
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QPR Fan Amber Says ... ''Come On You R's!''
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It's MelburnIAN's birthday today, let's hope that the R's can gift him a 3 points birthday present.
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