QPR have a chance to put some space between themselves and the bottom three on Tuesday night as Preston visit Loftus Road for the R’s game in hand.
Apart from Burnley, who also play this Tuesday, everybody around Rangers has played more games so this is an ideal chance against an out of form Preston side for Rangers to get a firm grasp on survival.
Both teams lost 2-1 at the weekend, but the two performances couldn’t have been more different. Rangers were full of effort and endeavour but just came up short against West Brom. Preston were terrible at Leeds and only the poor quality of Dennis Wise’ team kept the scores level for as long as they did. Former Preston striker David Healy scored in injury time, gutting Preston and QPR.
Vital Quotes:
John Gregory ‘We have played very well in the last few weeks but, in a way, I wish we had been awful and got nine points!
‘We won at home against Barnsley and at home against Colchester, and didn’t play nearly as well in either match as we did against West Brom.
‘Every QPR player gave absolutely everything on Saturday, and that’s all you can ask for. If we get that sort of effort and commitment for our remaining matches, we will get the points that will keep us up. We are all very positive.’
Chris Sedgwick – We’re disappointed, but it just means we have to win probably six out of seven if we want to go up automatically; the margin of error we had has gone now and we need to make sure there are no more slip ups.
‘It’s a big game on Tuesday night. We’ll have to sit and watch the results come in over the weekend a bit more warily, not having got the result behind us, but we have to learn the lessons from tonight and go on Tuesday to win.’
Queens Park Rangers Team News:
Inigo Idiakez limped off early on Saturday and is unlikely to make it back in time for this one. Steve Lomas will replace him. Lee Cook got a late knock against West Brom, Rohan Ricketts stands by to replace him. Dexter Blackstock is like to start after his goal as a sub at the weekend.
Player to watch: Dexter Blackstock
Rangers need a regular source of goals to get themselves out of this mess and Blackstock looked refreshed and well in the mood as a sub on Saturday. If he can come on from the start and take his chances with greater frequency than he was doing before his recent injury then Rangers have a real chance of avoiding the drop.
Preston North End Team News:
Preston are sweating on Brett Ormerod who injured his leg at Leeds after opening the scoring. Callum Davidson limped off in that one and is 50/50 to make it back in time for this match. Matt Hill and Graham Alexander should return to the full back positions.
Player to watch: David Nugent
While QPR search for a regular scorer of goals, Preston continue to benefit from a fantastic piece of business by Billy Davies. He plucked Nugent from League Two outfit Bury and Preston have been fighting off Premiership interest in the young forward ever since. Missed a great chance at Leeds on Friday and will be keen to make amends on Tuesday.
Match Facts & Stats
Last six matches
QPR 1 West Brom 2
Leicester 1 QPR 3
Derby 1 QPR 1
Sheff Wed 1 QPR 1
Ipswich 2 QPR 1
QPR 1 Plymouth 1
Leeds 2 Preston 1
Preston 2 Burnley 0
Preston 1 Ipswich 0
Hull 2 Preston 0
Preston 3 Southampton 1
Cardiff 4 Preston 1
Head to Head
QPR wins 6
Draws 10
Preston wins 10
Last Meeting
Preston 1 QPR 1
(Ainsworth)
Ref Watch:
Keith Stroud from Hampshire referees this one, he gave QPR a penalty at Loftus Road against Leicester earlier in the season and has booked 81 and sent three off in 31 matches.
Match Prediction:
It’s getting to be do or die time for Rangers now – I’m confident we’ll come through in this one. 1-0 Rangers.
Next Fixtures:
07/04/07 Coventry v QPR
07/04/07 Palace v Preston