Fils d'info RSS::
Contrary to a popular misconception, the former QPR, Arsenal and Orient .. Fabio Cannavaro is a doubt for Real Madrid CF's Matchday 5 trip to FC BATE
http://www.footissimo.fr/toutrss.phpHOME |
2. QPR -- 45 GP, 21-17-7, +33, 80 points
16. Sheffield Wednesday -- 45 GP, 13-14-18, -14, 53 points
------
8 May 2004
Hillsborough
------
Rangers News:
This is it. The final match on the fixture list, and hopefully Rangers' final match in Division Two. R's fans have sold out our 7,300-ticket allocation (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~518531,00.html) and a live "beamback" to Loftus Road (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~520753,00.html), with the game shown on a big screen on the pitch a la last season's play-off away match against Oldham, has been arranged. Tickets for the beamback are £10.
Marcus Bignot returns from suspension for the Super Hoops. No players left last Saturday's game through injury and I've seen no reports of any new knocks. Holloway should have the full squad to select from, minus long-term injured Shittu and Culkin.
A Rangers win sees QPR back in Division One next season. Anything less and the R's will avoid the play-offs only if Blackpool can keep homestanding Bristol City from getting all three points from their matchup.
The Opponent:
Wednesday comes off a 2-3 loss away to Luton Town in which they held a two-goal lead. Wednesday manager Chris Turner said (http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ManagersView/0,,10304,00.html), "They're a nice bunch of lads but that doesn't win you anything. We're not strong enough and we can't handle the battle in the Second Division - I've said it many a time. The players can play good football at times but to get out of this division you've got to have the strength, power and character to win games when you're leading like we were today."
They have two draws and four losses in their last six. Overall, they have a 7-9-6 record at home.
This Season:
Rangers defeated Wednesday 3-0 back on 29 November (a game I was fortunate to attend). Palmer, Thorpe, and McLeod scored for QPR.
Match reports available from the Official Site (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~22799,00.html), Dave's Unofficial QPR Site (http://www.queensparkrangersfc.com/reports/0304/swedh.htm), and QPRnet (http://queensparkrangers.rivals.net//default.asp?sid=925&p=2&stid=8330932). Plus, see Our Thread (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83632) on the match.
The Series:
Rangers trail the overall series, 16-9-24. Rangers won earlier this year; Wednesday won both matches in Division One in 00/01; before that, the clubs last met in the Premiership in 95/96 with each team winning at the other's home ground.
The Referee:
Mark Clattenburg has been handed the assignment. In 31 matches this season, he's handed out 95 yellow cards and 2 reds. He's worked 8 Division Two matches, but none with either of these two clubs. He's also worked 12 Division One matches, 6 in Division Three, and 5 in the various Cup competitions.
TITLE: Strachan, Vennegoor Press Conference AUTHOR: Paul67 DATE: 2 ::
Paul67 COMMENT-DATE:08/02/08 22:46 COMMENT-BODY:Terrymac, enough already. Queens Park Rangers have signed Sheffield United midfielder Mikele
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/labels/Press conference.shtmlHOME |
In what I hope is a good omen for Rangers, his last QPR match was the 1-0 home win over Oldham in the play-offs last season. He also worked a QPR 3-0 away win at Huddersfield last year. His last Wednesday match was their 7-2 (!) away win at Burnley late last season in Division One.
The Promotion Chase:
Bristol City (3rd place, 79 points) plays at home against Blackpool (14th place, 59 points), winner of the LDV Vans Trophy this season. Bristol City won last weekend away at Barnsley. The Tangerines are coming off a 1-4 home loss to Peterborough. In their previous meeting this year, on 29 November, Blackpool won at home, 1-0. At the time, Blackpool was in the middle of a streak, including cup games, of winning 8 of 9.
Bristol City's manager, Danny Wilson, says on the BBC site (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/3679975.stm), "The pressure is back on QPR now. It has been back and forth like that all season. I would like to think Sheffield Wednesday would want to finish their season on a good note."
If Rangers win, this game is academic. If Bristol City draws or loses, our game is academic.
I'm going! Getting off work has been approved and flight is confirmed -- arrive 8:30 a.m. on Friday, depart 12:30 p.m. on Sunday!
Below quotes moved from the QPR v. Swindon Town thread:
Absolute worst - you buy a seat in the home area of the ground.I read someone on the QPRnet message board saying that Wednesday is now only selling to people on their datebase, so I don't know if sitting in their area is an option.I guess my American accent and US mailing address came in handy ("I'm going to be in Sheffield next weekend, are there any tickets left?"). After being quizzed as to my allegiance a couple of times, then educated that the reason they were asking is because Rangers had sold out their allocation, and given a final warning about who I'm not to be cheering for ("I understand"), I have a ticket. So, officially, I am a neutral.
That being said, I'm very interested in getting in with the R's fans to be able to cheer on the Super Hoops rather than having to go to the match incognito and sit on my hands. Thanks to you and Lloydy for checking around. Please let me know if you find something.
Also, I took a gamble and called QPR before calling Wednesday (I knew the answer would be "no" but had to try, just in case there were some unclaimed ones or something) and I went ahead and bought a ticket for the beamback. I understand they expect that to sell out too, so I guess I'll put a message on some other boards that a beamback ticket is on offer for face value and can be picked up at the White Horse on Friday night.
Some of the guys on the LSA board were ticked that people were scalping tickets, so they said they might sign up fake screennames to outbid everyone then not follow through with the sale. The single ticket going for 77 pounds over there right now and the pairs being won for 310 pounds and 1000 pounds (!!!) are being won by "qpr vigilante" with a "0" feedback rating, so I'm guessing they've put that plan into action.When I looked this morning, the only pair online was going for £9,999,999.99, bid by someone with a name that I believe included the words scum, tout, and b**tard. There are no listings on ebay now.
I went the "legal tout" route for the QPR v. Arsenal FA Cup match a few years back and paid a pretty penny but got seats in the middle of some loud R's supporters in R Block. I don't know if I'll pay through the nose to sit with R's fans this time, since I've got a ticket, but I really hope to be able to get one with y'all.
I don't know how to put it any other way:
PLEASE GOD !!!
I think that McLeod should get a chance. I don't know what the status is with his attitude towards Olly, etc after the Stockport disaster... Still, I think pace on a large pitch will be important. We can't strand Gallen out there - and Cureton has just not been effective on the wing.Olly did leave him out of the squad last weekend, which isn't a good sign, but then mentioned how it's great to have such depth that players the quality of McLeod are left off of the bench. My initial inclination would be to go with McLeod (I say that having never seen Cureton in person, only in the highlights).
Aki Riihilahti - The Official Homepage::
aki u r a legend! and r wicked on championship manager but what i really want to wedding in the matchday programme for Liverpool v Birmingham City.
http://www.akiriihilahti.com/en/questions.shtmlHOME |
I don't really want Gallen in the midfield, but I wouldn't mind seeing Thorpe on the field at some point on Saturday, either, if we're looking for a goal. The guy has scored 14 goals this season (11 for us), including one against Wednesday, and he hasn't played at all in the last two matches.
Does Edghill keep his place ahead of Bignot? Likewise with Rose ahead of Gnohere? It'd be hard to make any change from last week's squad that aren't forced by injury. Plus, Rose and Edghill got very good reviews in the match reports from last weekend. If Bignot sits, does he at least bump Palmer from the substitute's bench (both can play either in defense or in a defensive central midfield role)?
Possible XI and bench, if Rowlands is not fit (any suggested changes?):
-------Gallen----Furlong---------
-----------Bircham--------------
McLeod---------------Ainsworth
-----------Johnson--------------
Padula--Carlisle--Rose--Edghill
------------Camp---------------
Bench: Day, Gnohere, Bignot, Cureton, Thorpe
Not on bench: Palmer, Bean, Forbes, Pacquette, etc.
I don't know how to put it any other way:
PLEASE GOD !!! What he said!
but my mind ll be there.
I'm sure that'll be a big help to the kids on the field :)
Wednesday's player-of-the-year Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu (10 goals after not scoring his first until December) returns to action this weekend after a three-match suspension (http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NextMatchPreview/0,,10304~448898,00.html).
gdmit i have to coach saturday morning so wont even be able to listen on qpr world. but my mind ll be there.
Just when we thought the team was fit for Saturday...
Crap, crap, crap.
Ah, what the heck, he's only our best player. Would you go with Cureton or McLeod right now (or move Gallen to the midfield and start Thorpe up top)?
Also, the Stat Pack (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PreMatchAnalysisDetail/0,,10373~519557,00.html) is up on the official site, too.
The Owls stand between Rangers and automatic promotion on Saturday afternoon and every Superhoops fan will be praying that a side with little to play for will not have enough to deny opponents determined to succeed.
Last weekend, Wednesday threw away a two-goal lead at Luton before going down 3-2 to the Hatters and it is exactly this kind of 'end of term' display that Rangers will be banking on.
Excellent news. Send me an email and I'll give you my mobile number - if you don't have it. kevin@qblock.com And let me know if you need any help with plans for the weekend.
Ananova repeats the news, Rowlands struggling for Owls test (http://www.ananova.com/sport/story/sm_944769.html?menu=), and puts forth the same McLeod/Cureton/Gallen options if Martin can't go.
Unfortunately, I think that Bignot will play and not Edghill. Some people like that, but I don't think that Bignot is the player we need in the team when we have to be able to play good football from back to front on Saturday. Edghill has the passing skills and experience we need.Interesting. So, would you go with Bignot if we needed a draw, but Edghill if we needed a win? Or is that oversimplifying?
If Holloway goes with Bignot, then does Palmer stay on the bench and Edghill get left out altogether?
Sheffield weather for Saturday - low 46, high 53, light rain, 70% chance of precip. Hourly forecast to come later today.
And let me know if you need any help with plans for the weekend.Any luck with a QPR-section ticket? (too much to hope for, I know).
I'm thinking I'll wear a QPR jersey under a "neutral" sweatshirt. I have a Washington Wizards one whose neck is high enough to completely hide my QPR jersey. That way, if I get a ticket with fellow R's (might someone have an extra on the train? in the pub?), I can reverse the order of the jersey/sweatshirt and be good to go.
More from Bristol City Manager Danny Wilson (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~521525,00.html)
Excellent news. Send me an email and I'll give you my mobile number - if you don't have it. kevin@qblock.com And let me know if you need any help with plans for the weekend.Will do. Please send a PM if you hear of an available seat in the R's section.
Would you go with Cureton or McLeod right now (or move Gallen to the midfield and start Thorpe up top)?
I think that McLeod should get a chance. I don't know what the status is with his attitude towards Olly, etc after the Stockport disaster... Still, I think pace on a large pitch will be important. We can't strand Gallen out there - and Cureton has just not been effective on the wing.
By Palmer do you mean Rose?No, I was originally thinking that if Edghill starts, Bignot would take Palmer's place on the bench and Palmer would be left out and not available as a sub. I meant that if Bignot starts, does Palmer gets to keep a place on the bench, with Edghill being left out, since he can only play the outside back positions, while Palmer (and Bignot) can play in defense or midfield.
Too much analysis of who will make the bench and who won't, but it's that kind of game. :)
In other news, QPR has sold over half the tickets for the beamback (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~520753,00.html), with over 2,500 of an available 5K sold.
Wednesday fans are planning for Saturday a third protest (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=299533&cc=5901) against their current Board after a year that has brought relegation, a poor season in Division Two, news that the directors are earning interest on loans to the club, and a recent announcement of season ticket and matchday ticket increases for next season.
Interesting. So, would you go with Bignot if we needed a draw, but Edghill if we needed a win? Or is that oversimplifying?
If Holloway goes with Bignot, then does Palmer stay on the bench and Edghill get left out altogether?
By Palmer do you mean Rose? Carlisle and Rose will definitely be the centre backs on Saturday. Gino will definitely be on the left (CB). Birch and Johnson will definitely be in the middle. Ainsworth will be on the wing. Only question spots are left wing, right back and who's up front. But, I'd bet on...
------------Camp---------------
Bignot--Carlisle--Rose--Padula
Ains--Birch--Johnson--McLeod
-------Gallen----Furlong-------
Just when we thought the team was fit for Saturday...
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~521355,00.html
ROWLANDS DOUBT
A pulled calf muscle has left Player of the Year Martin Rowlands doubtful for Rangers' promotion decider at Sheffield Wednesday.
The 25-year old defender pulled up in training on Monday and has not returned to the field since.
The Loftus Road medical team do not expect Rowlands to train on Thursday and will wait before conducting a fitness test on Friday.
Although it is too early to be sure, physio Prav Mathema has admitted that there is every chance he will miss the game at Hillsborough.
The news will come as a blow to Ian Holloway as he prepares for the Club's biggest game since the Play-Off final last season.
The Manager has plenty of alternatives with Jamie Cureton, Kevin McLeod and Kevin Gallen all contenders for a wide midfield role.
But the player who scored in each of Rangers' last two home games would be greatly missed and Ollie will be keeping his fingers crossed for a swift Rowlands' recovery during the next 48 hours.
Elsewhere, Marcus Bignot is available again after completing a two-match suspension and will compete with Richard Edghill for the right back berth at Hillsborough
Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Alan Quinn, who has scored four goals this year for Wednesday and spent three months on loan in Division One to Sunderland in the middle of the season, will this Saturday against Rangers serve the second match of a two-match ban for a red card (http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/InjuryUpdate/0,,10304,00.html). He has made 26 starts and one sub appearance in all competitions for Wednesday and made five starts and one sub appearance for Sunderland this season.
Owls Warning For Rangers Fans (http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10304~521868,00.html) says:
Sheffield Wednesday officials have warned that any Queens Park Rangers fans found in home areas of Hillsborough, this Saturday, will be ejected from the stadium.
Rangers have sold out of their 8,000 allocation for the game in which they could seal their promotion to Division One, and agreed to beam back the action live to up to 5,000 fans at Loftus Road.
It has been rumoured that some R’s supporters may make the journey to Sheffield without a ticket, but SWFC commercial director Kaven Walker said: “Unfortunately we are not able to make any further tickets for the game available to QPR fans. In the interests of public safety, any away supporters found in home areas will be ejected.”
On Thursday, Rangers still had over 2,000 tickets available for the Loftus Road beamback, and the Owls have urged R’s supporters without a ticket to make use of the live coverage at Loftus Road.
Unfortunately, I think that Bignot will play and not Edghill. Some people like that, but I don't think that Bignot is the player we need in the team when we have to be able to play good football from back to front on Saturday. Edghill has the passing skills and experience we need.
 Red Hat's Rough Recovery From CFO Exit
 Windows Live Finds a New, Pre-installed Home
|
Sheffield Wednesday v. QPR (D2 -- Matchday 46) [R] 
PRINT
Add to favorites