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Nottingham Forest v QPR – Preview

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The R’s travel to the midlands this Saturday for their second away game of the week. Rangers have an awful away record against Nottingham Forest so it’s safe to say The City Ground is not a happy hunting ground for the Super Hoops. Nonetheless this is a different QPR now and it’s time the new and improved Rangers ended their Forest hoodoo.

After picking up a hard-earned point against Portsmouth, Rangers will be looking to grab all three on Saturday against a Forest side enjoying some fine recent form. The Reds were one of the pre-season favourites to gain promotion but after a very disappointing start to the campaign it seems as if last year’s play-off heartache has been somewhat difficult to shake off.

Going into the game QPR will have to undergo a defensive reshuffle as Matt Connolly and Bradley Orr are both suspended along with Fitz Hall believed to be injured. Clint Hill could therefore play at centre back alongside Kaspars Gorkss, freeing up either Gary Borrowdale or Kyle Walker taking up the left back spot.

Forest are unbeaten at home this season so a draw wouldn’t be a disaster for The R’s. That being said Neil Warnock will not have his side set up hoping for a point, expect him to name an adventurous line-up with Adel Taarabt, Tommy Smith and Jamie Mackie all to start in a bid to end their 28 match winless run at The City Ground.

Last Fixture

Portsmouth 1
QPR 1 (Smith 90pen)

Team: Paddy Kenny, Clint Hill, Matt Connolly (Sent Off 68), Kaspars Gorkss, Kyle Walker, Shaun Derry (Leon Clarke 80), Adel Taarabt (Gary Borrowdale 72) , Alejandro Faurlín, Jamie Mackie, Tommy Smith, Rob Hulse (Patrick Agyemang 72)

Nottingham Forest 2 (Majewski 41, Cohen 62)
Coventry 1

Team: Lee Camp, Wes Morgan, Luke Chambers, Chris Gunter, Ryan Bertrand, Chris Cohen, Lewis McGugan (Paul Anderson 82), Guy Moussi, Radolsaw Majewski (Adebola 87), Nathan Tyson, Rob Earnshaw (Dexter Blackstock 69)

Nottingham Forest Team News:

Kelvin Wilson is Forest’s only injury concern and he is out with a back injury. Paul McKenna will be hoping for a start after being reduced to the bench for the Coventry game.

Former R’s striker Dexter Blackstock will be vying for a place in the starting XI in a bid to score against his former employers.

Possible line-up:

Camp

Gunter – Morgan – Chambers – Bertrand

Majewski – McKenna – McGugan – Cohen

Blackstock – Earnshaw

Player to watch: Lewis McGugan

Lewis McGugan has been identified by DanielQPR as the player to watch ahead of this weekend’s match against Nottingham Forest.

For Daniel’s comprehensive review of the midfielder Click Here >>>

QPR Team News:

Fitz Hall and Gavin Mahon, Giorgos Tofas and Heider Helguson are all out injured. Jamie Mackie and Shaun Derry will have to be careful as they are both one booking away from a suspension.

As previously mentioned Rangers are without defender Matt Connolly following his red card against Portsmouth. Bradley Orr is also suspended serving his second of a three match ban.

Possible line up:

Kenny

Walker – Hill – Gorkss – Borrowdale

Faurlín – Derry

Mackie – Taarabt (c) – Smith

Hulse

Player to watch: Shaun Derry

The 32-year-old midfielder has been arguably Rangers most consistent performer. His superb reading of the game assisted by his excellent tackling ability has complimented the so-called ‘flair’ players giving them an added sense of freedom to take risks going forward. Without Derry’s leadership and guile on the pitch the R’s would’ve already suffered defeat.

Derry is hugely experienced having played for Notts County, Sheffield United, Portsmouth, Crystal Palace, Nottm Forest (loan), and Leeds. Derry has notched up 129 appearances during his second spell at Palace and helped guide the Eagles away from relegation following their well-documented ten-point deduction.

The Stat Attack

LAST FIVE

Queens Park Rangers: DDDWD
Nottingham Forest: WWLDW

HEAD 2 HEAD

Queens Park Rangers: 14
Nottingham Forest: 25
Draw: 17

LAST TIME OUT

Coca Cola Championship – 26/01/10
The City Ground

Nottingham Forest 5 (Earnshaw 2, Blackstock pen, Cohen, Perch)
QPR 0

Team: Carl Ikeme, Damion Stewart (Peter Ramage 46), Matt Connolly, Clint Hill, Kaspars Gorkss, Mikele Leigertwood, Nigel Quashie, Ákos Buzsáky, Adel Taarabt, Adel Faurlín (Hogan Ephraim 46) , Jay Simpson (Rowan Vine 69)

Attendance: 23,293

Ref Watch:

Referee: Mr Andy D’Urso

Assistants: Mr Chris Akers & Mr D Benton

Fourth Official: Mrs A Fearn

Andy D’Urso is the match official for Saturday’s game and has officiated 13 games this season. His most recent game was the 1-1 draw between Reading and Cardiff City.

Last season D’Urso issued 104 yellow cards and three red cards in 36 games.

To read more see: Ref Watch >>>

Match Prediction:

I think last year I would’ve accepted a defeat away to Forest, pessimistic I know but this season I feel that we can go into every game and pick up a result. The fact of the matter is that QPR are no longer the type of team to just lie down and admit defeat, as shown against Derby County, Bristol City and Portsmouth.

I’m desperately hoping Jamie Mackie will rediscover his early season goal-scoring exploits, as his continued work rate and endeavour deserves a goal. Speaking of rediscovery Adel Taarabt’s recent form has been a joy to behold, ever since the Bristol City game Adel has flourished in the free role producing immense moments of trickery and skill. A continuation of his current form is needed if QPR are to stand a chance of coming away with a result.

I think the game will be edgy to begin with but once we get a foothold in the game I think we can hit Forest on the counter and get a quick goal. Saying that I feel that the defensive reshuffle will affect the stability of the back-line and I think considering Forest’s wealth of attacking talent they have the ability to grab a goal or to punish a defensive error.

1-1 Draw

Next Up

Who: Preston North End

Where: Loftus Road

When: 20/11/10 – 15.00

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Rangers Till I Die!