please log in to view this image QPR look to end losing run against Bees QPR host Brentford live on Sky Sports on Monday evening in the Sky Bet Championship. Boss Ian Holloway will be looking to end a run of three straight defeats for QPR as local rivals Brentford arrive in W12. The R’s will also want to end a run of three straight defeats against their opponents in all competitions with Dean Smith’s side aiming for their first back-to-back League wins at Loftus Road since October 1959. After a slow start to the campaign, Brentford have found a good run of form since the end of September, losing just one of 10 matches. That has seen the Griffin Park outfit move out of the relegation zone and leapfrog Holloway’s side. Just two points separate the two sides in the table. Rangers will have injury problems to deal with ahead of Brentford’s visit - especially in defence - with no fewer than five options currently sidelined. please log in to view this image Last Time Out QPR 1-4 Brentford - Tuesday, 22nd August 2017 It was a night to forget for QPR as they exited the Carabao Cup at the second hurdle courtesy of a comprehensive defeat against Brentford. An own goal from Ariel Borysiuk set the Bees on their way before John Egan and Neal Maupay saw Brentford go 3-0 up. Darnell Furlong pulled a goal back just before half-time before Josh Clarke rounded off victory seven minutes from time. Stats QPR have lost their last three matches against the Bees in all competitions, losing both Championship matches last season and a League Cup tie earlier this campaign. Brentford have not won back-to-back away league matches at QPR since October 1959. Only Brentford (16) have lost more points from winning positions in the Championship this season than QPR (13). Manager Viewpoints Ian Holloway: “We lost to them in the Cup with a lot of changes. I learnt a lot from that game. We need a win and what an opportunity this is for us against one of our neighbours. Brentford have been patient building their identity. They’ve got good footballers who move the ball well. We’re creating our identity still. But I’m still encouraged by what I’ve seen from us for long spells this season.” Dean Smith: “I expect that QPR will come and press us – I certainly don’t expect them to sit back and allow us to have the possession that we did on Tuesday night. The aim is to go there and get three points. Our players are certainly aware of what this game means to the supporters. I watched QPR’s game against Aston Villa the other week; they’re very good from set-pieces and they’ve got a lot of physical players. They can hit teams hard and they’ve shown that already with positive results against Sheffield United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. They’ve shown that they can beat the best so we’ll have to be at our best.” please log in to view this image Team News QPR: Centre-back Joel Lynch (foot) and right-back Darnell Furlong (sore knee) sidelined. Nedum Onuoha (hamstring), Grant Hall and James Perch (knee) are all out. please log in to view this image Brentford: Defender Henrik Dalsgaard (heel) is a doubt, while midfielder Josh McEachran, winger Sergi Canos and forward Lasse Vibe could be recalled. please log in to view this image QPR take on Brentford on Monday night live in front of the Sky Sports cameras. They say form goes out of the window in derbies so with that in mind we look at the key individual battles that could decide where the bragging rights go. Romaine Sawyers v Josh Scowen It will more than likely be the job of Josh Scowen to stop Brentford’s elegant midfielder Romaine Sawyers at Loftus Road on Monday. After a difficult first season with the club following his move from Walsall, Sawyers has shown his undoubted quality this campaign with some fine displays in the centre of the park. The 26-year-old has great vision and rarely loses the ball in crucial areas making him a difficult opponent for anyone in this division. But if there’s one player that won’t be fazed by a player with that kind of reputation then its Josh Scowen. His pressing and winning of the ball make him an important player in any derby as he helps set the tone of the match. If Scowen can keep Sawyers quiet and get the ball to some of Rangers’ more creative players then that could be pivotal in terms of who comes out on top. Nico Yennaris v Massimo Luongo Another crucial midfield battle is likely to come in the form of Nico Yennaris and Massimo Luongo – two players who have hardly missed a minute for their teams this season. Yennaris is an extremely busy player who is capable of making a difference in both boxes of the pitch. Someone who can drive the team forward with strong runs from midfield as well as crisp passing and enough defensive nous to read game situations. Luongo, arguably Rangers outstanding player in 2017, is fully recovered from illness and will undoubtedly regain his place in midfield such is his influence on Holloway’s side. Many teams have so far struggled to restrict the authority that Luongo has on games at Loftus Road and will no doubt be viewed as someone the visitors need to keep a close eye on. Ollie Watkins v Alex Baptiste The final key battle is between two players who may not have expected to feature as much as they have this season but who have excelled when given a chance. Watkins, a signing from Exeter and former teammate of David Wheeler, has acclimatised quickly to life in the Championship with some exciting displays down the left wing. The Brentford number 11 has also supported the lone striker well in the 4-2-3-1 system that Brentford have used this season, chipping in with six goals and likes to play in the lines between midfield and defence. The positions he takes up on the pitch means he will quite often come up against Alex Baptiste. The R’s defender has been playing as a right centre back most of the season and has done extremely well even against quick opponents like Watkins due to his experience and reading of the game. This should therefore be an intriguing facet of the game as keeping Watkins quiet can mean Rangers can concentrate more on attacking down the right wing – an area of the field where many goals have been created this season. please log in to view this image Referee Steve Martin: Shown two red cards in 17 matches this season. Monday is his second QPR fixture of the season having overseen the 1-1 draw at Sunderland in October. please log in to view this image
Ruprecht! Are any of the seats at Loftus Road heated? If yes I may come down for it. Does the stadium tour include use of the showers? I’d be up for that too.
Tx Rich. Brilliant as ever. With a fully fit first team we would have had a reasonable chance. With our current injury situation, can anyone really see us pulling out a win? Sorry to be negative at start of the thread.
does the girl in red want to feature in one of your matchday threads 9s please log in to view this image
The “omens” are certainly against us with a televised match under the lights and a local derby. Add to this that we are on a run of three defeats, plus our injury list and we are really against it. But with Ollie, anything can happen. However, I would now take a draw if offered.
Nines, thanks for the write up. Great as always. As for the team, for me that is the obvious choice under the circumstances and what I would go for. However, I am sure that Ollie will have something different in mind. Not long to see what it will be. COYR’s!!!
It's actually not a bad line up at all despite the injuries. I just hope that the lads are fired up and ready to put this lot to the sword. No more unwelcome stats please.
Very true. I just hope that they will be ultra-concetrated at the end of the 1st half (no more injury time goals!!!) and the start of the second. We just seem to be very vunerable at this time.
Prediction- our 38th choice defence will concede three goals and the board will go into meltdown despite it not being the manager’s fault.
The injuries aren't his fault, although I don't know what his policy is towards recovery/fitness methods etc etc. But what is his fault is playing some of the players who are available in the wrong positions or not playing the right players for the system etc.
Ollie is in a tricky situation and I look forward to seeing both his selection as well as his tactics. I will judge (or comment) based upon the performance and the result. That is assuming that I remember how to use KODI for QPR matches and get a good stream. The QPR+ streams have generally been excellent and far superior to my previous KODI QPR experiecne. It will make an interesting benchmark for me.
Pardon the pun, but I think Ollie is on thin ice. I can't see the board putting up with 4 losses on the spin. Let's not forget also that our next game is away at Preston followed by massive at home. Another 6 game losing run is a distinct possibility.
I don’t know what people expected from Forest away/Villa home/Derby away. We got one point less than I’d honestly have expected with a full team.
Smithies Cousins Robinson Baptiste Bidwell Pawel Scowen Luongo Freeman Smith Washington Straight forward 442 . We have little choice.
A very interesting option - thanks for sharing. If we were to play 4 at the back with the same players, then I'd rather see them start in a 4-2-3-1 formation of: -----------------------Smithies--------------- --Cousins-- Robinson-- Baptiste-- Bidwell -------------Scowen---- Luongo------------- ----Pawel --------Freeman------Washington -----------------------Smith------------------ This way we should be realtively solid in defence with no holes in the channels, plus have the possibility of width upfront. Freeman should be free to roam and boss the midfield, and slot into the no.10 hole.
Personally would have Sylla in over Smith but agree with the 442. Would probably go with Pawel and Wheeler on the right rather than Cousins too personally but not much in it.
