Saturday, November 20, 2010

SATURDAY ....



CHAMPIONSHIP

QPR - PRESTON NORTH END

Going to start at Loftus Road, where highflying QPR entertain basement club Preston North End. Rangers remain unbetaen, but have been riding their luck a little recently with draws in six of their last seven starts, a couple of which they could, perhaps should have lost. The confidence level, which was through the roof 5-6 weeks ago, has dropped and boss Neil Warnock, who is never happy for too long, has been complaining about the size of his "small" squad, considering the resources at his disposal, he has little to moan about, but he will definitely be getting busy leading up to the transfer window. Hosts will be without Shaun Derry and Bradley Orr today, both of whom are suspended and I suspect that the highly aggressive Derry will be missed in midfield, especially given the business that visiting boss Darren Ferguson has done this week. He has been busy in the loan market, bringing in three players, Danny Pugh and Michael Tonge from Stoke City are two competitive midfielders, comfortable on the ball, with lots of experience at this level and above. This is what Preston, who have been very hard hit by injury all season, have been screaming out for, along with someone to shore up the left side of defence, come in Ritchie De Laet, who also joined from Manchester United, the 21yo Belgian international can play anywhere in the back four and was actively being chased by Leicester City, but Sir Alex preferred to let him join his son and stay in the North West, it is good to have contacts !

PNE have tended to perform with more freedom away from Deepdale this season, where there is less pressure from the fans, who have been quick to show their displeasure this season, they have won at Coventry and Leeds (scoring six !) and scored three and completely outplayed Burnley for 80 minutes, before somehow finding a way, against all odds, to lose a seven goal thriller. They have some talent in their ranks and can turn it on at times, the new additions will give them a greater combative edge and given Rangers inability to finish teams off at present, I like the visitors getting a full goal start.

Preston North End + 1 ball 2.19 .

Good Luck.

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