Queens Park Rangers travel to Doncaster Rovers after the international break. The table might lead you to believe that this will be a one sided fixture but we should not underestimate our opposition.
Under Sean O’Driscoll Rovers have fashioned a creative side, built on the bedrock of attractive passing football.
Having dealt in the bargain basement in the summer to bring in the likes of Quinton Fortune and John Oster you could be forgiven for thinking that Doncaster are relegation fodder.
Indeed the table dictates that they are in hot water in a positional sense, however they currently have the most draws in the league to their name and are by all accounts unlucky not to transfer some of those to three points.
Rangers had a tough time at the Keepmoat Stadium last time out under Paulo Sousa, and even the rejuvenated QPR can expect a tough test as Rovers look to fend off second-season syndrome.
Vital Quotes:
Richard O’Kelly (Doncaster Assistant Manager): ‘They’ve got four outstanding ball carriers in Taarabt, Routledge, Simpson and Buzsaky, and they have also got strength down the spine of the side with Watson in midfield and Gorkss at the back.’
Steven Reid: ‘I am looking forward to the challenge. I know what the Championship is about from my time at Millwall.
‘It’s a great league to be involved in and hopefully I can bring some experience to the camp.’
Doncaster Rovers Team News:
Rovers have doubts over Dean Shiels (ankle) and Jason Shackell (groin) who face late fitness tests tomorrow.
Bryon Webster has just returned to full training following an elbow injury and remains doubtful, as do Adam Lockwood (foot) and Gareth Roberts (ankle).
Last Time Out: Neil Sullivan, James Chambers, James O’Connor, Gareth Roberts (John Spicer 77), Sam Hird, Simon Gillett (Paul Heffernan 77), Dean Shiels (Lewis Guy 83), Martin Woods (Sent Off 50), John Oster, Billy Sharp, James Coppinger.
Player to watch: Billy Sharp
The striker scored a hat-trick last time he play against the Super hoops and will be full of confidence after scoring a brace Doncaster’s last home game.
To read LCF’s review of the former Sheffield United and Scunthorpe front-man Click Here >>>
QPR Team News:
Fitz Hall injured his back against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend and joins Gavin Mahon (knee), Martin Rowlands (knee), Angelo Balanta (hernia) and Lee Cook (knee) on the injury list.
Damion Stewart and Gary Borrowdale and fit again and likely to take part tomorrow. New loan signings Steven Reid and Tom Williams are expected to feature at some point tomorrow whether this is in the first 11 or off the bench is still unknown.
Alessandro Pellicori and Rowan Vine rejoin the squad following a knee and hernia injury respetively, with the latter recovering from surgery to take his place.
The full squad can be found here >>>
Possible line up:
Leigertwood – Connolly – Gork?s – Williams
Watson – Reid
Buzsáky – Routledge – Taarabt
Simpson
Player to watch: Wayne Routledge
Routledge is in top form this season and should be able to do well in a game where neither team will have a defensive mentality.
In a ground with a multitude of space at his disposal Routledge could prove to be the difference for QPR.
Last season at the Keepmoat, Wayne was less than impressive against James O’Connor but a rejuvanted flanker will look to put Rovers to the sword tomorrow.
Match Facts & Stats
LAST FIVE
Doncaster Rovers: L W L D L
Barnsley (h) 0-1
Peterborough (h) 3-1
Newcastle United (a) 1-2
Blackpool (h) 3-3
Plymouth (a) 1-2
Queens Park Rangers: W W L D W
Reading (h) 4-1
Derby County(a) 4-2
Leicester (h) 1-2
Crystal Palace (h) 1-1
Sheffield Wednesday (a) 2-1
HEAD 2 HEAD
Doncaster Rovers: 6
Queens Park Rangers: 4
Draw: 1
LAST TIME OUT
Coca Cola Championship – 10-03-2009
Keepmoat Stadium
Doncaster Rovers: 2 (Stewart 23og, Heffernan 30)
Queens Park Rangers: 0
Team: Radek Černý, Peter Ramage, Kaspars Gork?s (Jordi López 52 ), Damion Stewart,Matthew Connolly,Wayne Routledge, Gavin Mahon, Mikele Leigertwood (Liam Miller 79), Matteo Alberti (Romone Rose 52 ), Dexter Blackstock, Samuel Di Carmine
SEE ALSO:
Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Queens Park Rangers – 21-01-1967
Ref Watch:
Referee: Mr Anthony Bates (Staffordshire)
Assistants: Mr Mark Astley (Greater Manchester) & Alf Greenwood (Yorkshire)
Fourth Official: Mr Paul Curry (Northumberland)
To read our report on the official Click Here >>>
Match Prediction:
Prediction: 3-1 QPR.
Doncaster manager Sean O’ Driscoll much like Jim Magilton is a fan of watching free flowing attacking football. Although this mean Doncaster are very likely to score tomorrow they have bean known to let a lead slip this season. Doncaster have had 42 goals (for and against) in their 16 games while QPR fans have been treated to 48 goals in the 16 league games this season. No matter the outcome of the game, we can expect 90 minutes of entertaining football.
Predictions
southernhoop: 2-0 QPR
Superhoop50: 1-0 Rovers
QPR4me: 2-1 QPR
Clonmany_Hoop: 3-1 QPR
Ace: 3-1 QPR
beforerodney: 3-0 QPR
nomar: 2-0 QPR
cartouche: 3-1 QPR
Lenny367: 1-1 Draw
jezza99: 1-1 Draw
Boxer: 2-1 QPR
danielqpr: 1-0 QPR
LCF’S CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION LEAGUE
Next Fixtures:
Teams: Queens Park Rangers v Coventry City
Date: Saturday November 28, 2009 – 3.00pm
Ground: Loftus Road, London