A WELCOME break from Premier League proceedings once more as Mark Hughes has a chance to dispel Queens Park Rangers’ stunning FA Cup hoodoo.
16 games without a win now in a run stretching over 11 years, the cup competition has not been the kindest to Rangers with opposition of varying standard dispatching the hapless hosts.
While unfortunate to have been on the losing side against Newcastle United, lady luck shone on Rangers when they faced tomorrow’s opposition last time out.
On the kinder side of a refereeing decision with regards to a spot-kick not granted, then a ponderous linesman allowed an offside Heidar Helguson to dazzle David Martin and net a late equaliser.
There will be a point to prove on either side of the FA Cup divide tomorrow evening with Mark Hughes looking for a win by any means, and the MK Dons out to make Rangers record breakers.
Last Fixture
Newcastle United 1 (Best 37)
Queens Park Rangers 0
Team: Paddy Kenny, Luke Young, Danny Gabbidon, Anton Ferdinand, Clint Hill, Jamie Mackie, Shaun Derry, Akos Buzsaky (Federico Macheda 76), Shaun Wright-Phillips, Heidar Helguson (Tommy Smith 65), Jay Bothroyd.
Milton Keynes Dons 1 (Bowditch 65)
Queens Park Rangers 1 (Helguson 89)
Team: David Martin, Adam Smith, Dean Lewington, Gary MacKenzie (Matthias Doumbe 46), Stephen Gleeson, Darren Potter, Dean Bowditch, Shaun Williams, Daniel Powell, Luke Chadwick, Jabo Ibhere.
QPR Team News:
This fixture could see Mark Hughes mix it up in a more stern examination of the squad’s peripheries. It could even see a few unlikely starters against Milton Keynes.
Between the sticks will be interesting as any one of three could feasibly be selected – Brian Murphy, Paddy Kenny or Radek Cerny could line up behind the back four.
Bradley Orr could return to the line-up along with Fitz Hall and Matt Connolly with Anton Ferdinand and Danny Gabbidon still carrying knocks from fixtures gone by.
Hogan Ephraim seems likely to start, as is Saturday substitute Tommy Smith – with Shaun Wright-Phillips poised to be rested – while Ákos Buzsáky and Shaun Derry should continue as the only recognised central midfielders.
Two from three seems the mantra up front with DJ Campbell, Federico Macheda and Jay Bothroyd set to fight it out with Heidar Helguson destined to be rested – Angelo Balanta could also be in the frame to face his former club.
Possible line up:
Orr – Hall – Connolly – Hill
Ephraim – Buzsáky – Derry – Smith
Campbell – Bothroyd
Player to watch: Hogan Ephraim
Hogan Ephraim will be looking to impress Mark Hughes following his return from a loan spell at Charlton Athletic – where he scored a solitary goal for the League One high-flyers.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but Ephraim will consider himself very unfortunate not have received a squad place ahead of Kieron Dyer or Jason Puncheon both of whom have had very limited game time.
As mentioned impressing Mark Hughes sufficiently to break into the squad set-up will be his ultimate goal as he seems set to start against Milton Keynes.
MK Dons Team News:
Milton Keynes Dons have no fresh injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s cup clash, with their weekend fixture against Carlisle United postponed due to a frozen pitch.
That means that Gary MacKenzie remains a doubt with a hip complaint after coming off at half time in the original fixture between the pair, while Charlie MacDonald carries a knee complaint.
Possible line-up:
Smith – Doumbe – Williams – Lewington
Powell – Gleeson – Potter – Chadwick
Ibhere – Bowditch
Player to watch: Adam Smith
Vital QPR singled out full-back Adam Smith as the danger man last time out when the R’s travelled to stadium:mk.
To read our profile of the player Click Here >>>
The Stat Attack
LAST FIVE
Queens Park Rangers: D L L D L
Milton Keynes Dons: L W D W D
HEAD 2 HEAD
Queens Park Rangers: 0
Milton Keynes Dons: 0
Draw: 1
LAST TIME OUT
FA CUP – 07/01/2012
stadium:MK
Milton Keynes Dons 1 (Bowditch 65)
Queens Park Rangers 1 (Helguson 89)
Team: Radek Cerny, Luke Young, Fitz Hall, Danny Gabbidon, Clint Hill, Tommy Smith, Alejandro Faurlín, Shaun Derry (Ákos Buzsáky 77), Jamie Mackie, DJ Campbell (Heidar Helguson 61), Federico Macheda (Jay Bothroyd 71)
Ref Watch:
Referee: Mr Phil Dowd (Merseyside)
Assistants: Mr Simon Long (Suffolk) & Mr Adam Watts (Worcestershire)
Fourth Official:Mr Anthony Taylor (Manchester)
Select List official Phil Dowd will take charge of tomorrow’s FA Cup clash, and has taken charge of Queens Park Rangers nine times previously.
To read our report on the official Click Here >>>
Match Prediction:
3-1 QPR
The time has come – a win from somewhere has to come not only to dispel this dismal FA Cup run, but also to kick-start the current campaign and Hughes’ start as boss.
Goals have been hard to come by, but when one comes for the likes of Jay Bothroyd and DJ Campbell others I hope will be sure to follow – this is a hopeful prediction with a hint of reality.
Next Up in W12
Who: WIGAN ATHLETIC
Where: LOFTUS ROAD
When: 21/01/2012 – 15.00