Trick or Treat?

The Halloween Massacre that was predicted down at the Hawthorns did not happen the way the original script was drafted, as Rangers twice came from behind to rescue a well earned point in a dramatic 3-3 draw against promotion favourites WBA last night.


In recent weeks we have seen a number of players being given a chance to impress new boss John Gregory and with the January sales only 8 weeks away, it is time to look at the possible boys for the exit or a place in the team?


Starting at the back we have 4 keepers at the club but in my mind i think Jake Cole is one player who seems destined to follow down the road of a handful of ex-QPR nearly players who are now carving out a career in the Conference League. Sean Thomas has been mentioned as a possible future star but my concern is that he is not tall for a keeper which might hinder his chances. Paul Jones will soon be drawing his pension and i doubt Gregory sees the Welshman as part of the future but will probably be used to see his contract out until the summer. In reality that leaves Simon Royce who can be a bit suspect at times but generally he is reliable and worth a place currently.


Trick: Cole, Jones and Thomas(maybe)?
Treat: Royce


Where do you start with the defence?? If it was not for our strikers then our aggregate would resemble a cold night in Moscow. Marcus Bignot works his socks off every match is worth keeping. Mauro Milanese it seems is surplus as he is approaching his mid 30’s and has hardly featured lately. Ian Evatt will leave as he wants to and no doubt Blackpool will make an offer of some sort or he will leave for the seasiders officially in the summer. Zesh Rehman cannot get it together and it is yet to be decided whether it is possible to get more out of this player. Matthew Rose has incredibly been at the club for 10yrs and i wonder how to be honest. This season looks to be his last. Dominic Shimmin is another youngster highly regarded and is yet to feature mainly because of injury, the jury is out on him. Pat Kanyuka seems likely to stay if only he could stay fit and Damion Stewart i think has more to offer if we can find a decent partner to bring the best out in him. Andrew Howell could be lucky and be given a chance eventually but i think Matthew Hislop is not fancied as a prospect. Lastly, Jonathan Munday will probably follow the likes of Jake Cole into the lower leagues. I wonder if Gregory will be able to get Chelsea to part company with Mancienne??


Trick: Milanese, Evatt, Rehman, Rose, Hislop, Munday
Treat: Bignot, Stewart, Kanyuka, Howell, Shimmin, Mancienne???


Our midfield is quite healthy at the moment and options have never been so good for a little while with a number of goals already coming from the middle of the park this season. Lee Cook without doubt is worth every penny of his contract as is Martin Rowlands. Steve Lomas will be used for as long a neccessary until we find a replacement. Marc Bircham could swing either way for me but i think he will do enough for a new deal. Gareth Ainsworth can extend his stay if he can get back his early season form and avoid another lengthy stay on the sidelines. Tommy Doherty is a total liability. Need i say more about Tchakounte. Scott Donnelly i am afraid to say might just not make the grade and also i think Egutu Oliseh is another who will be shown the door. Stefan Bailey may just be spared but only just. Nick Ward could end up being the big white dope and be one of those players like Ned Zelic who was built up to be a huge hit only to find out that English footie is not his bag. Lastly, i wonder what the future holds for Jimmy Smith??


Trick: Donnelly, Oliseh, Tchakounte, Lomas, Ward, Doherty
Treat: Cook, Rowlands, Bircham, Ainsworth, Bailey, Smith??


Lastly our attackers. Dexter Blackstock has the makings of a good player and over time will develop well at QPR. Ray Jones it seems may be forced to leave as he won’t sign a new deal. You would have thought he would be grateful for Rangers giving him the chance. Stefan Moore needs a miracle to stay. Kevin Gallen could save his bacon with a handful of goals between now and May. Shabazz Baidoo i think will be like Scott Donnelly, just not quite good enough. Adam Czerkas seemed destined for a short stay the moment he signed. Paul Furlong sadly will be no more but has deserved his time here. Lastly, Marc Nygaard. Words cannot describe what to make of this player. He has all the ammo to be a hit but everyone wonders about his willingness to play. I’m going to stick my neck out and say that his time will be up soon.


Trick: Jones(if he does not sign soon), Baidoo, Furlong, Czerkas, Nygaard, Moore
Treat: Blackstock, Jones(if he signs), Gallen


Total Tricks: 19
Total Treats: 14 and a few maybe’s??


Mr Gregory….you have one hell of a hard job. Enjoy!!!