QUEENS Park Rangers host Accrington for the first time in nearly 40 years as Stanley travel to Loftus Road in the Carling Cup Second Road.
The words ‘Accrington Stanley’ are forever immortalised in television history with two rosy faced Liverpudlian children drinking milk to avoid playing for them – the whereabouts of those two children is now unknown but Stanley’s recent history has been far more positive.
The club hit rock-bottom when it was forced to resign from the Lancashire Combination Division in January 1966 due to financial problems, and one of the founder members of the Football League were no more.
The revival of Stanley in 1968 saw them back to competitive action before finally rejoining the Football League in 2006, replacing the side that were elected to the league in their stead in 1962 – Oxford United.
John Coleman, the man to inspire Accrington to league football, has to deal with major financial constraint at the Fraser Eagle stadium. So much so that experienced campaigner John Mullin could be forced to retire through injury to free up funds to sign two players.
Playing infront of average crowds of 1,414 last season, Stanley are finding it tough to sustain themselves in league football and it remains to be seen how long Coleman can continue to work his magic with the Lancashire outfit.
Last Fixture
QPR 1 (Leigertwood 25)
Nottingham Forest 1 (McGoldrick 57)
Team: Radek Cerny, Peter Ramage, Fitz Hall (Kaspars Gorkss 46), Damion Stewart, Gary Borrowdale, Wayne Routledge, Alejandro Damián Faurlín, Mikele Leigertwood, Adel Taarabt (Akos Buzsaky 66), Heidar Helguson, Alessandro Pellicori (Rowan Vine 61).
Aldershot Town 3 (Donnelly 8, 89, Morgan 22)
Accrington Stanley (Edwards 48)
Team: Alan Martin, Darren Kempson, Dean Winnard (Peter Murphy 70), Phil Edwards, Andrew Proctor, Sean McConville (Billy Kee 79), Luke Joyce, Jimmy Ryan, Robert Grant, Paul Mullin (Michael Symes 82), John Miles.
QPR Team News:
Jim Magilton could be set to ring the changes for this evening`s clash with Stanley in a bid to give some of the fringe players some valuable game time. Manchester United loanee Tom Heaton should get his debut replacing Radek Cerny between the sticks.
Fitz Hall is unavailable in defence after he aggravated a stomach injury at the weekend. He is likely to be replaced by Kaspars Gorkss with Matthew Connolly coming in at full back for Peter Ramage. With no other viable options, ever-present Gary Borrowdale should continue at left-back.
Hogan Ephraim is also eyeing a return to the side along with Angelo Balanta with the latter recovering from an ankle complaint. They will do well to displace the in-form winger Wayne Routledge who continues to impress down the right flank.
There are many potential options for Magilton in the middle of the park with Gavin Mahon champing at the bit to return to the line-up – he along with Akos Buzsaky had to make do with a place on the bench on Saturday. Alejandro Faurlín may well be rested after nearly two full games following his return from a thigh complaint.
The front-line could be anyone`s guess with Alessandro Pellicori giving a decent account of himself at the weekend and Heidar Helguson, Rowan Vine and Patrick Agyemang also in contention for a starting place at Loftus Road.
Player to watch: Wayne Routledge
Ever-present winger Wayne Routledge has impressed in the early stages of the season under Jim Magilton and appears to be one of the few players to flourish under the guidance of the Northern Irishman.
His hatrick against Exeter City in the last round of the cup set him on his way to some excellent performances in the league and he will be looking to continue this goalscoring record against Accrington tonight.
He was one of three players to achieve this feat in the First Round with Neil Harris of Millwall and Grant Holt of Norwich also netting three times for their clubs.
Accrington Stanley Team News:
Who R Ya? >>>
Stanley will look to keep the nucleus of the same side despite the defeat away Aldershot at the weekend. Alan Martin will once again continue between the sticks with experienced campaigner Ian Dunbavin only at the Fraser Eagle stadium as back-up.
Peter Murphy could return to start following a recent knee injury but fellow defenders Leam Richardson (pelvis) and Chris King (thigh) are both out. Goal scoring defender Phil Edwards will continue in the back-line along with former Blackburn man Dean Winnard.
Into midfield and with John Mullin still missing with an ankle complaint and summer signing Sean McConville will deputise once again. The signing from Skelmersdale Town is the nephew of Stanley`s assistant manager Jimmy Bell.
Former Everton striker Michael Symes could be set for a recall to the starting line-up as Stanley continue to misfire with Paul Mullin and John Miles. Leicester loanee Billy Kee will also be in contention after recovering knee injury
Player to watch: Michael Symes
Everton youth product Michael Symes looks set to start at Loftus Road tonight in a bid to rejuvenate his career with Accrington Stanley.
He has had several clubs notably on loan including Bradford City and Shrewsbury Town, but he has failed to hit the back of the net on a consistent basis for either.
A confidence player, Symes has proven his capabilites in isolation but craves the consistency in the starting line-up to make a telling impact on Accrington`s fortunes this season.
To read our profile of the striker Click Here >>>
The Stat Attack
HEAD 2 HEAD
Queens Park Rangers: 4
Accrington Stanley: 0
Draw: 0
LAST TIME OUT
Football League Division Three – 23-01-1960
Loftus Road
Queens Park Rangers: 5 (Andrews (2), Kerrins, Locke, Bedford)
Accrington Stanley: 1 (Anders, H)
Team: Drinkwater, Woods, Ingham, Keen, Rutter, Petchey, Kerrins, Longbottom, Bedford, Andrews, Locke.
SEE ALSO:
History Special – Accrington Stanley
Ref Watch:
Referee: Mr C L Pawson
Assistants: Mr A Davies & Mr M S Yerby
Fourth Official: Mr M McLaughlin
Mr Pawson from South Yorkshire will referee the Carling Cup clash between QPR and Accrington Stanley at Loftus Road.
To read our report on the official Click Here >>>
Match Prediction:
3-1 QPR
I think Rangers will have enough in the tank to dispose of a below-par Stanley tonight, but I fully expect the visitors to put up more of a fight than some are anticipating.
They put in a heroic performance to dispose of Walsall in the previous round and despite their dismal league form this season, they can look to take the win over the Saddlers into tonight`s game
The Rangers fire-power has much to prove this evening, and I can`t see Magilton being content with a victory by the odd goal. The game may well hinge on whether the hosts can snatch an early goal and get at their lower league opposition.
Predictions:
Boxer: 2-1 QPR
LeeCookFan: 3-0 QPR
KiwiParkRanger: 4-0 QPR
Nomar: 2-0 QPR
Cartouche: 3-0 QPR
Lenny367: 4-0 QPR
Guttermouth: 2-1 QPR
CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION LEAGUE >>>
Next Up
Teams: Scunthorpe United v Queens Park Rangers
Date: Saturday August 29, 2009 – 3:00pm
Ground: Glanford Park, Scunthorpe