What looked like it could be a humdinger of a game between two sides fighting it out at opposite ends of the table is no important for just Wolves.
QPR can relax and play their football tomorrow and maybe make Wolves sweat a bit. With the pressure of impending relegation lifted will Rangers’ game continue to go from strength to strength or will things dip a little through to the end of the season?
John Gregory and the boys have been making all the right noises about finishing on a high and keeping momentum up for next season but actions speak louder than words.
Any kind of decent result in either of the last two games would make a lot of Rangers fans very happy. They have little time for either of these clubs, Wolves because of 1976 and Stoke for far more up to date reasons.
Vital Quotes:
John Gregory: ‘This weekend we face a very, very good Wolves side which is going to be a tough game. I’m putting out my best team, it’s not a time to experiment because we owe it to everybody in the play off zone to go up there and try to win, and we want to win.
‘It’s not a time to throw in anybody at this stage – next week may be different, if Stoke aren’t going to be involved in the play offs at all we can maybe try one or two things.’
Mick McCarthy: ‘It’s a great opportunity tomorrow and not something to be feared.
‘Someone asked me during the week if the players are up for it and I nearly chewed their ear off! What a stupid question. Didn’t they appear that way last weekend against Birmingham? They want to be in the play-offs.
‘The lads are getting on with their job and I have been at pains not to get uptight over the situation because I know we have done our best all season and will continue to do so.
‘But that doesn’t mean that I’m sitting here thinking that if we don’t do it doesn’t matter, because if we don’t end up in the top six it will be hugely disappointing.’
Wolverhampton Wanderers Team News:
Mark Little is back from a one match ban but Gary Breen (dead leg) and Rob Edwards (medial knee ligaments) are both doubtful. Breen is much more likely to be fit for the game than Edwards.
Lewis Gobern and Kevin O’Connor both have hamstring injuries. Michael Oakes and Carl Ikeme are both injured which means, with jan Budtz returning to Doncaster, that McCarthy has only Wayne Hennessey to back up Matt Murray.
Player to watch: Michael Kightly
The 21 year old midfielder started his career with Southend but didn’t make a real breakthrough at Roots Hall and left for the non-league pyramid after two season and just 16 appearances.
A brief spell with farnborough was followed by a permanent transfer to Grays and it’s from there that his career has really taken off. Last season Grays were dubbed the Conference version of Chelsea and almost made it into the football league with a promotion push under manager Mark Stimson. Kightly averaged better than a goal every other start from midfield (16 in 31).
This season Grays haven’t gone quite so well and although they’re rattling round the lower end of the Conference Kightly still bagged ten goals in 18 games and in November Wolves swooped for his signature. After two goals in five games on loan, including one against QPR, Kightly was signed permanently and he’s done brilliantly in the Championship. He’s got six goals in 22 games so far and has scouts flocking to Molineux already.
Queens Park Rangers Team News:
QPR are likely to start with Jake Cole in goal with Camp back at Derby and Royce out on loan at Gillingham. neither of Gregory’s options in that position have played first team football for the last six months.
In defence Cullip and Mancienne are both unlikely to feature while futher forward Gareth Ainsworth and Marc Bircham are long term absentees.
Player to watch: Dexter Blackstock
Dexter has five goals in his last six gaes and is really playing out of his skin at the moment. His goals have fired QPR to safety and both Wolves and Stoke will be hoping he doesn’t shoot down their promotion quests.
Wolves were linked with signing Blackstock in the summer, along with Crystal Palace, but Rangers got him and how glad we all are that they did.
Blackstock will surely walk away with a trophy from the player of the year awards next week – whether it’s the main award, the runners up spot, the young player award, or the goal of the season.
His work rate has been fantastic all season but he’s now getting his rward in goals which hasn’t already been the case. One goal away from his target of 15 for the season, I wouldn’t back against him getting it here.
Match Facts & Stats
Last six matches
QPR 1 Cardiff 0
Sunderland 2 QPR 1
QPR 3 Luton 2
Coventry 0 QPR 1
QPR 1 Preston 0
QPR 1 West Brom 2
Wolves 2 Birmingham 3
Palace 2 Wolves 2
Wolves 3 Hull 1
Sunderland 2 Wolves 1
Wolves 0 Southampton 6
Sheff Wed 2 Wolves 2
Head to Head
Wolves wins – 14
Draws – 13
QPR wins – 11
Last Meeting
06/07 QPR 0 Wolves 1
Ref Watch:
Mike Pike from Cumbria is the referee for this game, he did our draw with Preston earlier this season and has a low average of just two yellow cards a match.
Match Prediction:
There’s no reason why in form QPR can’t go to out of form Wolves and get a result. No reason at all. I’m going to back us to win, they’re under pressure and cracking, and we’re not. Come on you R’s – 1-0 Blackstock.
Next Fixtures:
6/5/07 QPR v Stoke
6/5/07 Leicester v Wolves