The Opponent: Queens Park Rangers
I really want to go to this one, old ‘Arry could put out a team that we are capable of competing with (especially with him being an ex-Spurs manager), although he is just as likely to put out a team that may well wipe the floor with us. Either way, I want to be there, just in case it turns into one of those special nights. The only thing that is stopping me is a huge pile of garden waste in Cirencester booked in for around 4pm, but the chances of getting that shifted in time to get away and join the exodus along the M4 are somewhat slimmer than a vegetarians fart.
After passing our way passed Turkey in round 1 of The COC, we were handed an away tie with QPR, some seeing it as a dreadful draw, others as a great draw and the rest not that fussed either way. I have always enjoyed Loftus Road, my first visit was with my Manchester City supporting sister back in the 80’s and I can vaguely remember thinking at the time that it was a proper football stadium, even though it had a plastic pitch. It was claimed that then manager Terry Venables would let opposition teams train on the pitch when it was dry, and then deliberately dampen the pitch so that the ball played differently to what they expected at kick off. I never had Venables down as dodgy!
QPR hold the title of having had the most home grounds in football league history and have had a somewhat nomadic existence, having played in 16 different locations throughout northwest London since their formation. The several grounds before 1886 are unknown but were probably in the Queens Park area. QPR have a fantastic selection of famous supporters, especially in the musical world, including names such as Druggie waster Pete Doherty, Glen Matlock, Depeche Modes Alan Wilder, Easyjet boss Stellios with the long surname, and my personal favourite, Eddie Hitler, from the BBC sitcom, Bottom.
They’ve served for both of us - Paul Hart, Peter Eastoe, Giles Coke, Eric Sabin, Ossie Ardiles, David Kerslake, Leon Clarke, Fraser Digby, Don Rogers and Charlie Austin.
Where the opposition gather – http://www.wearetherangersboys.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?11-QPR-FANS&s=ea55a677aa4c1c888debbe24e5059852Last 6 – LLWDWW
The Odds – QPR 4/7 Draw 14/5 Swindon 5/1. Its been a while since we have had odds of 5/1, worth a punt? Our lowest priced first goalscorer is Nile Ranger, generally at 10/1. Ahead of him for QPR is Bobby Zamora, Andy Johnson, Shaun Wright Phillips, Mo Shariff, Junior Hoillet, and of course, Charlie Austin, as short as 11/4 in some outlets. Perhaps its worth making a few quid out of the inevitable?
The Son Says – “As they are quite a good team” he first opted for 1-1, then ended up at 2-2. Town to win on penalties though.
The Prediction – Tough one this. QPR are full of Premier League players, seasoned internationals and are managed by one of the highest rated coaches in the business. On this basis we will thrash them 1-0. Goal scored by Massimo Luongo, 7’888 in attendance with 878 making the journey to Shepherds Bush.
And Finally – In the last 5 years QPR have had no less than 10 different managers, the most successful being the longest serving manager in that time, Neil Warnock, who managed to win 33 of his 81 games in charge. Talk about consistency!
