QPR hope to continue their fine start to 2013, when they travel across London to face Sam Allardyce’s West Ham. Since the Liverpool game, QPR have become solid at the back and have managed to keep an impressive three clean sheets in four games. Their attacking threat has suffered due to the change in style but with the signing of Loic Remy, the R’s could become a very dangerous counter attacking side with his pace and finishing ability. Tomorrow, Harry Redknapp probably will look to continue the defensive tactic to frustrate his former club. I think QPR could have some joy against West Ham on the counter attack.
Sam Allardyce appears to have finally won over the majority of Hammers fans, after a fantastic start to this year’s Premier League campaign. However, injuries have hindered their progress of late and they are on a poor run, winning just once in their last eight games. Gradually, key players like Diame are coming back into the side, which will provide a huge boost to their chances of improving their form. They are a physical side and rely on powerful players like Mohamed Diame, Carlton Cole and Winston Reid to provide a robust spine. Although, they have a lot of nous in important areas, for example, Kevin Nolan’s predatory instinct in front of goal and Mark Noble’s resilience and composure in the middle of the park, both provide the Hammers with quality in important and decisive areas.
Last Fixture
West Brom 0
QPR 1 (Bothroyd)
Team: Green, Ferdinand, Hill, Ben Haim, Onuoha, Derry, Park, Faurlin, Cisse (Wright-Phillips), Mackie (Taarabt), Bothroyd (Mbia).
Man Utd 1 (Rooney)
West Ham 0
Team: Jaaskelainen, Reid, Tomkins, Spence, Potts, Taylor, Diamie (Collison), Diarra, O’Neill, Cole (Nolan), Vaz Te (Lee).
West Ham Team News:
Joey O’Brien is available but James Collins is a doubt. Mark Noble is fit. Andy Carroll remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Possible line up:
O’Brien – Reid – Tomkins – Potts
J. Cole – Diame – Diarra – Jarvis
C. Cole – Nolan
Player to watch: Joe Cole
Joe Cole has been identified as the player to watch ahead of the match against the Hammers.
For Vital QPR’s comprehensive review of the midfielderClick Here >>>
QPR Team News:
Loic Remy is expected to make his debut for the R’s. Junior Hoilett could return after being out with hamstring injury.
Possible line up:
Onuoha – Hill – Nelsen – Fabio
Derry – Mbia – Granero
Taarabt – Remy – Mackie
Player to watch: Loic Remy
Much has been made of Remy’s motivation behind his transfer to QPR, after turning down Newcastle. If you were to listen to the Geordie fans and pundits, you would’ve thought he had turned down a massive club like Manchester United. Newcastle are on the slide and will be in the relegation dog fight with ‘lowly’ QPR.
Remy is a player that will excite fans. He’s a good age at 26 and hungry to prove himself in the Premier League. I believe he will have a huge impact for Redknapp’s side. The way QPR are set up now, pace and precision will be key for their counter attacking style and Remy possesses both in abundance. He’s a top quality player and I hope he settles quickly in order to have an instant impact. Having a friend in Stephane Mbia at the club will help that process.
The Stat Attack
LAST FIVE
Queens Park Rangers: LWDDW
West Ham: LWDLL
HEAD 2 HEAD
Queens Park Rangers: 19
West Ham: 21
Draw: 18
LAST TIME OUT
Premier League – 01/10/12
Loftus Road
QPR 1 (Taarabt)
West Ham 2 (Jarvis, Vaz Te)
Team: Mbia, Hill, Nelsen, Onuoha, Park (Taarabt), Wright-Phillips (Diakite, sent off), Granero, Faurlin, Cisse, Zamora.
Attendance: 17,363
Ref Watch:
Referee: Howard Webb
Assistants: Peter Kirkup & Richard West
Fourth Official: Kevin Friend
Howard Webb is the match official for Saturday’s game against West Ham. This season Webb has issued 86 yellow cards and 3 red cards in 24 games.
Match Prediction:
I think it will be a very tight game, much like Spurs and Chelsea. However, West Ham have less quality in attacking areas than the previous opponents but will be a threat nonetheless. Set pieces will be a problem as many of their players are over 6ft and have a history of scoring in the air.
However, such has been QPR’s improvement in defence, I’m more worried about our threat going forward. We haven’t looked like scoring too many but with Remy up top, the R’s might look a different prospect all together. Finally, I believe we have a striker with the movement and intelligence to link up properly with the mercurial Adel Taarabt.
1-1Score Draw
Next Up
Who: MK Dons
Where: Loftus Road
When: 26/01/13