QPR face Barnsley at Loftus Road on Saturday as the curtin comes up on the 2008/09 Championship season. Rangers have a tremendous recent record against the Tykes in W12 and will hope to overcome a number of injuries and suspensions to key players and continue that good run.

Queens Park Rangers v Barnsley
Coca Cola Championship
Saturday August 9, Kick Off 3pm
Loftus Road, London, W12

Book in advance they said. Pay less for travelling at the weekend they said. Then they took £38 from my bank account and promptly dropped the price of a return train ticket to London to £16. So book in advance, but not too far in advance it seems. And Ticketmaster, don’t get me started on them again. I’ve had my fill of booking tickets and speaking to call centres and grappling with websites. My God it’s good to be back.

I’ve never been a fan of pre-season friendlies really and as a spectacle last weekend’s game with Chievo was pretty poor but being back at Loftus Road again really gave me a buzz and I’ve been wishing the time away ever since. Get me back in London, get me back in Scott’s for breakfast, get me back on the tube, get me back in the pub and the ground and my seat. I just can’t wait, I’m like a kid before Christmas. I’m having trouble sleeping for heaven’s sake, what a bloody tart I am.

Of course everybody seems to think that QPR fans have more to look forward to than most this season, despite our poor pre-season performances and form. I was just as excited about it all this time last season when we were preparing to travel to Bristol City with a starting eleven that included Zesh Rehman, Damion Stewart, John Curtis, Stefan Bailey, Stefan Moore and Daniel Nardiello. Surely we’re better than that lot now aren’t we? Surely we won’t be battling relegation this year will we?

We’re currently second or third favourites to win the division this season depending on who you bet with and although most of the signings we’ve made are loans we seem to have strengthened well. I didn’t think much to Di Carmine last week, or see enough of Alberti to form a real opinion, but Ledesma looked tidy, Gorkss was very composed and we all know about Lee Cook. Daniel Parejo seemed right at home for Real Madrid last weekend so he should be a super addition. We’re a little short up front, but we look to have a pretty dangerous side on paper to me although I’d have liked us to push the boat out for an Earnshaw or a Nugent or a Phillips this summer. We’re missing a genuine goal threat in attack and it may be the difference between the two and the six, the play offs and mid table, the Championship and the Premiership.

In fairness though we can definitely go either way. Di Carmine, Alberti, Ledesma and Parejo are all unproven at this level and are young lads moving to a foreign country with all the problems that can bring. While you’d hope to Christ they’re better than Oliseh, Czerkas, Armel and Ward the same principle applies now as it did then – we simply have no idea how those boys will settle and play at this level.

Our first clue comes this Saturday against Barnsley – a side we usually beat at Loftus Road regardless of circumstances. The Iain Dowie stories from earlier in the week were not what we needed, and the injuries and suspensions are really mounting up already, but we should still have enough about us to win this against a Barnsley side that has managed to have a worse pre-season results wise than even we have.

Five minutes on Barnsley
What a stroke of luck for the television executives Barnsley’s FA Cup run was last season. Just as they were really starting to panic that the British public wouldn’t watch an FA Cup match at 5pm on a Saturday night that didn’t finish with Christiano Ronaldo whipping his top off along came the Tykes. Cue clips from Kes and interviews with old blokes in flat caps set to the music from the Hovis advert. It was stereotype central.

One thing the coverage never quite addressed for me was what this all meant for the genuine Barnsley fans. The Barnsley equivalent of people like you and me – Barnsley and Cardiff lived the dream last season and they don’t all wear flat caps and bother the sheep in their spare time. With our cup record in recent years I’d count one win as a ‘run’ and yet three Championship teams made it all the way to the semi final – I’m not sure how I’d cope if QPR were to do the same.

The challenge now is to build on that. Barnsley have kept the likes of Brian Howard and Jamal Campbell Ryce who starred in that cup run but the additions they’ve made don’t strike me as being particularly great or impressive. They’ve spent a seven figure sum on Iain Hume and he’s a good signing but has never been a prolific goal scorer and they don’t seem to have many goals in them to me.

With the best will in the world Barnsley aren’t going to get to the FA Cup semi final again this season. They have to transfer their cup form from last season into a more consistent league campaign this time around. Looking at the bookies’ predictions there isn’t a lot of faith in them around despite the heroics of last term and the pre-season results have been pretty dire. Wigan won 6-0 at Oakwell and by all accounts it could have been double that – York, Glossop, Yeovil and Rotherham have all picked up positive results against the Tykes this summer and while there’s been the usual talk of pre-season just being a fitness exercise and day one is all that matters these results are still a cause for concern, as are ours this summer.

The man charged with pushing Barnsley on in the league rather than the cup this season is Simon Davey. He enjoyed a steady career as a professional, mostly with Preston North End where he played alongside our own Gareth Ainsworth and they will be in opposite dug outs in coaching roles come Saturday. Davey was coaching the Barnsley academy when the chance to become caretaker manager at Oakwell arose following the removal of Andy Ritchie. That sacking seemed harsh at the time, coming just a few short months after Ritchie had led them to promotion, but Davey kept Barnsley in the league as caretaker manager and then outwitted the Premiership’s finest last season after getting the job permanently.

He talks a good game as they say, always very well spoken and worth listening to, and he’s scowered the globe for talent since taking over at Oakwell. Hungarians, Germans, Peruvians, Portuguese and more have all been part of Davey’s Barnsley revolution. Last summer we said in our season preview that this strategy made them one of the favourites for the drop but until their FA Cup run started they were actually nearer the play offs than that and although they dropped through the league while their minds were on other things they finished the season with three eye catching wins in six games after the Cardiff defeat.

I’ve got to admit I fear for them a bit this season though. The team looks weak at the back and lacking a cutting edge in attack. They have few players of genuine quality and don’t look to have added too cleverly over the summer. The pre-season results are a worry whatever anybody says and Davey’s pre-match interview on the Barnsley site where he talks about his frustration at not getting international clearance for some of his players, and his exasperation at losing Campbell Ryce failed to convince me he really believed himself when he said they’re ready for what lies ahead. Alarm bells should always be ringing when a manager is talking about trying to tie up an eleventh hour loan deal before the season has even started.

I think they may just about survive, but it’s going to be a real season of struggle for them.

Men to watch
The most impressive Barnsley player against QPR last season was probably Jamal Campbell Ryce whose pace and tricks make him a handful for any full back. Although he’s prone to running down plenty of blind alleys and his final ball isn’t always the best he’s good value in this league and dangerous to play against. Thankfully then we don’t have to on Saturday – he left training on Thursday in an ambulance with a dislocated elbow. That will be a painful one and we wish him all the best of course but I’m not going to pretend I’m not sorry he won’t be playing against us on Saturday because he’s a threat.

The man picking up all the headlines at Oakwell last season though was Ryce’s fellow midfielder Brian Howard and it’s something of a surprise to see him still in the Barnsley ranks after five weeks of open transfer window. Howard started his career with Swindon Town after being released by Chelsea as a school boy and in fairness while always looking a steady player he never really stood out at the County Ground, or initially at Oakwell following his move there in 2005. However last season he was the name on the lips of the footballing general public after his all action, hard working, goal scoring performances in Barnsley’s run to the FA Cup semi final. Howard was a key figure in their victories against Premiership opposition – scoring a last minute winner at Anfield against Liverpool and then pulling all the strings as they beat his boyhood club Chelsea in the next round at Oakwell. Sadly Barnsley lost the semi final at Wembley against Cardiff but Howard’s stock had risen beyond anything he could ever have hoped for and like I say I’m quite surprised he hasn’t been picked up this summer. Barnsley won’t be asking any questions, he’ll be the go to man at Loftus Road on Saturday.

The creativity of Howard and Ryce from deep and wide is complemented this season by a new £1.2m signing, and he’s another that QPR don’t have many fond memories of. Iain Hume has always impressed against the Super Hoops – of his 11 goals last season for Leicester two of them came against Rangers. At the Walkers Stadium he slotted in a penalty and at Loftus Road he lashed home a free kick from long range so watch out for him with dead ball situations at the weekend. He scored against QPR at the Walkers in 2006/07 as well making it three goals in his last four appearances against us. Barnsley will be hoping he’s the man that can fire them the goals they need – although season hauls of 11, 14 and ten in his last three seasons at this level with Leicester suggests he’s better in a supporting role.

Supporting who though? Kayode Odejayi may have scored the winner against Chelsea last season but that was one of only four goals he scored in the entire season following a move from Cheltenham. A big handful no doubt but not a prolific goal scorer and Hall and Gorkss really should be able to deal with him. Jon Macken is the other option up front and let's not forget that Man City paid Preston £5m for his services in 2002 after he scored 74 goals in five years in League One and the Championship with PNE. He’s gone massively off the boil since that move, he’s managed just 25 goals in six years during spells with five different clubs and looked a shadow of his former self at Oakwell last season despite bagging five goals in 17 starts. He’ll be hoping this is the season he returns to form at last.

Further back I liked the look of Diego Leon whenever I saw him last season in the centre of midfield and he’s still around, as is keeper Luke Steele who was another FA Cup hero last season and signed permanently from West Brom in the summer. The former Man td stopper is yet to fulfil his potential so he’s another with a point to prove. If the attack looks short of goals the same cannot be said of the defence that leaked six to Wigan in pre-season and doesn’t inspire on paper. Darren Moore is at the heart of it all following a summer move from Derby and he’s become a bit of a liability in recent years. He’s likely to be partnered at the back by former Crewe and Burnley man Stephen Foster who’s another that's nothing to write home about. With Vine, Buzsaky and Rowlands out do QPR have the firepower to take advantage?

Previous Meetings
QPR 2 Barnsley 0
January 19 2008
Loftus Road
QPR turned on the style with a host of new signings and debutants to beat the Tykes at Loftus Road. There were first Loftus Road outings for six starters and two subs and the new boys wasted no time in making themselves feel at home – Patrick Agyemang scored from close range to follow up his first QPR goal at Sheff Utd the week before. He then played a big part in the second as a double one two between he and Rowan Vine resulted in the latter slamming home an eye catching goal from close range. It could have been many more in truth but QPR put the cue on the wrack in the second half.

QPR: Camp 7, Connolly 7, Hall 7 (Mancienne 7), Stewart 7 (Lee -), Delaney 8, Vine 8, Rowlands 8+, Leigertwood 8, Buzsaky 6, Blackstock 5 (Ephraim -), Agyemang 8
Subs not used: Crowther, Balanta
Goals: Agyemang (assisted Blackstock), Vine (assisted Agyemang)

Barnsley: Muller 6, Hassell 6, Van Homoet 5, Foster 6, Tininho 6, Campbell-Ryce 8, Howard 6, Coulson 5 (Odejayi 55, 5), Devaney 5 (Ricketts 70, 6), Leon 7 (Ferenczi 54, 5), Souza 5
Subs Not Used: Kozluk, Togwell

Match Report

Barnsley 0 QPR 0
February 26 2008
Oakwell
The slick passing and flowing moves of the home game were in stark contrast to the turgid affair at Oakwell where only an earthquake centred on Market Rasen later in the evening could stir those unlucky enough to be present from the comatose state brought on by this load of absolute crap. Considering how easily Rangers had brushed aside Barnsley at Loftus Road it was a shame to see us go to Oakwell with absolutely no ambition at all, although admittedly the Tykes were riding high after an FA Cup win at Liverpool three days before. Barnsley had the better of the chances with Ferenczi missing a couple of sitters but in the end the scoreline was no more than the game, played in near gale force winds, deserved.

Barnsley: Steele 7, Foster 6, Nyatanga 7, Souza 7, Van Homoet 7, Campbell-Ryce 8, Hassell, 7, Howard 7, Devaney 6 (Leon 68, 7), Macken 6, Ferenczi 4 (Odejayi 60, 6)
Subs Not Used: Togwell, Ricketts, Potter

QPR: Camp 7, Delaney 6, Hall 7, Mancienne 7, Connolly 7, Buzsaky 5 (Stewart 90, -), Rowlands 8, Leigertwood 4, Balanta 7 (Ephraim 62, 6), Blackstock 5 (Vine 78, 5), Agyemang 6
Subs Not Used: Pickens, Lee
Booked: Hall (foul), Delaney (foul)

Match Report

Head to Head:
QPR wins – 19
Draws – 10
Barnsley wins – 13

Previous QPR v Barnsley Results:
2007/08 Barnsley 0 QPR 0
2007/08 QPR 2 Barnsley 0 (Agyemang, Vine)
2006/07 Barnsley 2 QPR 0
2006/07 QPR 1 Barnsley 0 (Rowlands)
2003/04 Barnsley 3 QPR 3 (Furlong 2, Kay og)
2003/04 QPR 4 Barnsley 0 (Gallen, Rowlands, Ainsworth, Thorpe)
2002/03 QPR 1 Barnsley 0 (Pacquette)
2002/03 Barnsley 1 QPR 0
2000/01 QPR 2 Barnsley 0 (Kiwomya, Crouch)
2000/01 Barnsley 4 QPR 2 (Kiwomya 2)
1999/00 Barnsley 1 QPR 1 (Rose)
1999/00 QPR 2 Barnsley 2 (Darlington, Steiner)
1998/99 Barnsley 1 QPR 0
1998/99 QPR 2 Barnsley 1 (Langley, Gallen)
1996/97 QPR 3 Barnsley 2 (Peacock, Spencer, Sinclair)
1996/97 QPR 3 Barnsley 1 (Spencer 3)
1996/97 Barnsley 1 QPR 3 (Perry, Barker, Dichio)

The thrilling 3-2 FA Cup win by QPR against Barnsley in 1996/97 is the featured game in this week’s Memories and Connections column. Rangers conceded first and lost Andy Impey with a red card for a sweet right hook but still made it through to the 5th round by the odd goal in five. Of course the winning goal, scored by Trevor Sinclair, may just have something to do with Ash selecting this match for the feature this week. Click here for a full match report and a look at players that have played for both clubs.

Team News
QPR have some serious talent missing for this match. Reigning Player of the Year Martin Rowlands starts a three game ban for the sending off he harshly received in the final game of last season against West Brom. Akos Buzsaky had an ankle operation over the summer and Rowan Vine continues his recovery from a broken leg – neither player will feature until September at the earliest. Damion Stewart, like Rowlands, is banned for an offence committed last season while Sam Di Carmine has also picked up a ban from somewhere and misses out on a home debut. Matt Connolly injured his ankle at Falkirk in pre-season and won’t be fit until Sheffield United next week at the earliest while Hogan Ephraim is struggling with shin splints. Star attraction Daniel Parejo had not received international clearance following a move from Real Madrid when we went to press. Any team in the league would struggle to cope with that list but Dowie still has competition for places – he must pick between Radek Cerny and Lee Camp in goal, and any two from Cook, Ledesma, Alberti and Ainsworth for the wide areas. Up front Balanta may have a shout with Agyemang and Blackstock in poor pre-season form.

Barnsley have been dealt a massive blow prior to kick off by losing one of the players QPR fear the most. Jamal Campbell Ryce impressed in both games against the R’s last season but left Barnsley’s last training session this week in an ambulance after dislocating his elbow. He’ll be out for some time. Hugo Colace and Miguel Mostto are yet to receive international clearance to play. Heinz Muller and Anderson de Silva are back in training and Brian Howard, Iain Hume and Martin Devaney have recovered from their pre-season knocks. Barnsley were working hard on Friday to bring in a Premiership striker on loan.
Injury List

In this week's pole 74% of voters preferred Lee Camp to Radek Cerny when asked who should start in goal against Barnsley - results.

Referee
Neil Swarbrick is in charge of QPR for the fourth time in his fledgling career this Saturday. QPR have a win, a draw and a loss with the Lancashire official in charge and he sent Hogan Ephraim off in his last Rangers match at Sheff Wed although it’s hard to argue that Ephraim didn’t deserve to go for that one and overall Swarbrick’s stats and ratings with us don’t look too bad. Famous last words.
Details

Elsewhere
As usual the Championship steals a march on the Premiership by starting a week early. And as usual Sky Sports have done their best to appease those that think Richard Keys speaks a lot of sense by picking the former Premiership teams for their live games – Birmingham City v Sheff Utd is the stand out game of the weekend and live on Saturday lunch time, Reading’s trip to newly promoted Forest is your Sunday fair. Derby also face a newly promoted side first up – Doncaster Rovers.
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Form
QPR lost their last two matches of last season without scoring a goal – picking up a red card in both games that rule out Rowlands and Stewart for this match. Form hasn’t improved much during the pre-season with a workmanlike 3-1 win at Stevenage, a 1-0 win at Northampton and then three straight defeats at Falkirk (2-0), Kilmarnock (1-0) and Chievo (2-1). It’s the lack of goals that will be of most concern to QPR fans on Saturday – only one goal in three and a half matches against mediocre opposition in pre-season, and even that goal was a twice taken penalty that should never have been given in the first place. Still if history is anything to go by we couldn’t be playing anybody better than Barnsley – we’ve won the last five games at Loftus Road without conceding a goal and haven’t lost in West London to the Tykes in 19 matches stretching back to 1950 – although the last time it happened it really happened, Barnsley won 5-0.

Barnsley’s season was all about the FA Cup in 2007/08 of course and with that all over midway through April they rather cruised and stumbled their way through to the end of the season with three defeats in their final four games but impressive wins at Watford, Preston and against Charlton at Oakwell to keep the fans going through the summer months. Like QPR their pre-season form has been a cause for concern with a 6-0 defeat at home to Wigan well documented and supplemented by further defeats to League One Yeovil, League Two Rotherham and a 2-2 draw at non-league sides York City and Glossop. Their 2-0 victory at home to Chengdu Blades last weekend was a much needed boost – Souza and Macken got the goals, the tourists finished with nine men.

Prediction
Looking at the list of potential absentees in the QPR squad it’s hard to understand the optimism really but as I put this preview to bed the prediction league currently shows 69 tipping a home win and five a draw with not one person backing Barnsley. I hold my hands up, I’ve gone for a 2-0 win and backed us to make the play offs this season but I think we could be in for a slow start because of the injuries and suspensions we’ve got to work through initially. Hopefully the Dowie stories during the week haven’t unsettled anybody and we can continue our fantastic recent record against Barnsley at Loftus Road – some truly terrible QPR sides have beaten Barnsley in W12 over the past decade, our new look side should still have enough quality about it to follow suit despite the injuries and bans. If it does all go to cock remember West Brom and Hull City both lost their opening matches last season and it's been five years since the team that went on to win this league won on the first day.
QPR 2 Barnsley 0

Today represents the last chance to get involved in either LoftforWords fantasy league or prediction league if you want to be picking up point from the first week. Use your existing message board ID or register a new account to take part in the prediction league. The fantasy league is run by the Daily Telegraph - sign up, pick your team, and register for the LoftforWords Super League with the username LoftforWords and password loftforwords.

See what David Price and myself think about the forthcoming season in the Championship in our bumper pre-season preview by clicking here.

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Yes i would write home about Stephen Foster. Not a bad write - good coverage. But Foster was player of the Season last year. The most consistent player in the squad. Scoring against Liverpool as well don't forget. - Matt

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