QPR play at Loftus Road for the final time this season on Saturday as our old friends from Plymouth Argyle journey to London with their future at this level still not yet secure.

Queens Park Rangers 11th v Plymouth Argyle 19th
Coca Cola Championship
Saturday April 25, Kick Off 3pm
Loftus Road, London

And so, what feels like about 25 minutes since the big kick off against Barnsley, we come to the end of another campaign at Loftus Road. It’s worth, just to prove that we don’t always talk nonsense on LFW, looking back to August and what our pre-season preview felt lay in store for Rangers this season.

Up front QPR look very short of goals with Di Carmine failing to impress in pre-season and neither Blackstock nor Agyemang showing any kind of form or confidence in front of goal. A goal scorer must be a priority before the deadline.

In my heart of hearts I don’t think we have the goals in the team as it stands now to support the bookies odds, but I think there’s enough quality in our side to give us a really good shot at the top six.

…doubts over who is picking the signings and the team at QPR will no doubt persist through the season and the natives will be restless if QPR don’t start well and maintain that.

Like I say, this website isn’t completely full of rubbish. At the moment, as we approach the 12 month mark of me writing that article, I would say that those three points are still valid for next season. This year has gone much as I expected it to. We have progressed from the last campaign in terms of league position and further consolidated our position in a league we were struggling to stay in at the time of the takeover.

Next year is year three of the plan Flavio Briatore laid down when he arrived and really, if he is to maintain it is still on track, we need to be pushing for the top six next season. Whether QPR are set up to do that is highly doubtful. Just like last summer we are still woefully short on attacking threat and there are still doubts over who is making signings and whether the manager is 100 per cent free to pick the team as he wishes. Of course we don’t currently have a manager and the names being linked with the job are as wide and varied as Luigi De Canio and Neil Warnock. We also don’t have a scouting network to speak of.

As things stand my season preview for the next campaign will read very much the same as it did last summer – if we stay injury free and get a bit of luck we have talent capable of pushing towards the top six but with goals set to be a problem, whoever the new manager is will probably be the bookies favourite to win the sack race next season and the deficiencies in our team are only likely to be addressed if the people we like to deal with have a suitable name on their books.

Despite the circus at Loftus Road this season Briatore can certainly point to the league positions as evidence that the plan is on track. Failure to make the play offs next season would blow tat argument out of the water and there is much work to be done before we can achieve that.

Two minutes on Plymouth Argyle
In the interests of continuing to make me look like I know what I am talking about let’s have a look at the write up Plymouth got in that same pre-season preview.

Prediction: Bottom half certainly, and a relegation struggle is likely, but I always fancy their home form to serve them well such is the unique experience of traveling that far for an away game - nine wins and nine draw at Home Park last season suggests teams once again struggled to come to terms with the long trek south west.
Verdict: Fourth bottom, surviving by the skin of their teeth.

That looks to be pretty much spot on, although it’s Argyle’s away form more than their results at Home Park that have just about kept them here. Barnsley, Nottingham Forest and Norwich all have better home records despite being lower in the table and, in Norwich’s case, seemingly about to become the third side relegated. Plymouth could still be that third team, 50 points is two points short of what is traditionally seen as the safety point for a 24 team league and Norwich are only four points behind with six left to play for but with the Canaries in poor form with tough fixtures and two other teams in the firing line before Argyle it seems likely that we will be making the long trek to the south west again on Boxing Day.

One of the big reasons for their potential survival has been their away form – six wins and six draws – which is bettered only by Doncaster (who won 3-0 at Plymouth last week) and Blackpool in the bottom half of the table. It is certainly a whole lot better than our record on the road this season although as we are all too well aware that is not difficult.

In fairness Plymouth were always likely to struggle this season and Paul Sturrock deserves credit for keeping them in the division, if indeed he manages it. Look at their starting eleven on their last visit to Loftus Road - McCormick, Connolly, Seip, Timar, Sawyer, Norris, Buzsaky, Nalis, Halmosi, Hayles and Sylvain Ebanks-Blake. Apart from that impressive central defender partnership everybody else has gone. That was a talented team, capable of making the play offs had Ian Holloway stuck around last season instead of disgracefully debunking for his comeuppance at Leicester. His departure was quickly followed by a fire sale of players. The entire midfield four and front two from that match have gone, the goalkeeper is banged up, Paul Connolly is now with Derby.

There were some half decent transfer fees brought in for those departures – although the money received for Buzsaky and Ebanks-Blake looks like relative peanuts now – and that was reinvested in the team but to rebuild an entire Championship team on a relative shoestring budget and keep them up has taken some doing. Especially when you consider that a large chunk of that money, potentially a record amount for Argyle, was given to us for Simon Walton who has had a disastrous time on the south coast and is now out on loan at Blackpool.

Sturrock seems to fit well at Plymouth. He dragged them up from the bottom division to this one by their boot laces before a brief spell at Southampton that set that club on the road to a disaster that has deepened still further this week. He promoted Sheffield Wednesday at the first attempt but was sacked just over a year later after a poor start to the season and wound up back at Home Park after a brief spell with cash strapped Swindon. He’s a strange fella really, retreating to the tunnel for the tale end of matches because he cannot bring himself to watch and commenting after matches in a way few other managers would think appropriate. He’s not afraid to point the finger at his own players or put the pressure on them rather than attempt to take it on his own shoulders and has had several high profile, public rows with our former midfielder Simon Walton this season culminating in somebody who could turn out to be the club’s record signing going out on loan to a rival at the bottom of the Championship.

Sturrock said in the build up to this match: “"I'm settled in my mind on who's going to play, and it's up to them now. I'm going to take the pressure totally off my shoulders and lump it straight onto the players. I have told them how bitterly disappointed I am about their mental approach to the game. It has cost us dear.”

An interesting man management technique to say the very least.

Sturrock has been under pressure from fans at various points this season and at times has appeared to only be one poor result away from the sack but I don’t believe anybody could have done much else at Home Park this season. It must be terribly frustrating for the manager and fans to see the team beat Coventry 4-0 and then seven days later lose 3-0 at home to Doncaster. Plymouth have won at Wolves this season as well just to further highlight their inconsistencies.

With rumours of a takeover by Japanese businessman Yasuaki Kagami circulating it is possible that the extensive investment this Argyle side desperately needs to continue competing in this league could be just around the corner. For now though staying in the league must be seen as an achievement with all the players that have departed and for that Sturrock deserves credit.

Men to watch
Many QPR eyes will be on lanky striker Rory Fallon if Sturrock decides to recall him to his side this weekend. Fallon, who scored twice for the reserves in a 6-2 win against Swansea during the week, was linked with a move to Rangers in January and according to that message board post Paulo Sousa was very keen to see it happen. Fallon played reasonably well in the first half of the season, including a good performance in the corresponding fixture between these two, but having scored five goals up to Boxing Day he hasn’t registered at all since and was only a substitute last week against Doncaster. Most QPR fans turned their noses up at the idea of signing the New Zealand target man when it was suggested so it will be interesting to see how he plays against us if given the chance on Saturday.

Fallon has risked the wrath of his manager by suggesting that Sturrock would be better served giving a chance to his reserve players than sticking with the team that flopped against Doncaster. Fallon told the Plymouth Herald: “Personally, I would like to change things up a bit, but that's his (Sturrock's) decision. We have a good reserve team. He shouldn't be afraid of putting us in – we wouldn't let anyone down. I think we need to use the squad a bit more, personally.”

Argyle also have Blackburn striker Paul Gallagher to call on, he has 13 goals to his name this season including one in an impressive draw at Birmingham in their last away game. He is looking for a new club for next season with his future at Blackburn apparently limited under Sam Allardyce – although the Premiership club has not ruled out the possibility of the Scot playing a part in the tale end of their season in May as they battle for top flight survival.

Emile Mpenza is the other stand out name from the squad list but he has been something of an expensive flop this season – two goals from nine appearances and nothing in either column since January. It’s actually two lesser known names, Ashley Barnes and Jamie Mackie, leading the Plymouth line at the moment. Mackie was signed from Exeter last January for £145,000 but only has five goals to his name this season, Barnes is a product of the club’s youth academy and came through the ranks with Everton’s Dan Gosling. Despite an impressive total of six wins and six draws on the road this season Plymouth have only scored 13 time in 22 matches this season – the same as ourselves – and it’s easy to see that like us their weakness is up front and strength at the back.

Despite their poor league position Plymouth do have a couple of very steady defenders at this level in Krisztian Timar and Marcel Seip. The former is a real tower of strength, good in the air with a no nonsense style of play. Seip is a little bit more thoughtful on the ball and between them they are very much like our own Gorkss and Connolly partnership – although I certainly wouldn’t swap our two for theirs. Timar has been out injured since March which is a big boost to our chances tomorrow.

Argyle also have Chris Barker in their back four – bought from QPR last summer. We know only too well just how short of pace Barker is and although he’s steady enough he was abysmal whenever he was played against somebody with genuine pace while with QPR and if he does play, and at left back, we should really be looking to get Wayne Routledge running at him at every possible opportunity.

As previously stated Argyle have had to rebuild their entire midfield since they were last in Shepherds Bush – Karl Duguid is a key part of that new look four after twelve years at Colchester United. He got 42 goals from midfield while at Layer Road in more than 350 appearances but has only bagged once this season. The kick and rush holding midfield player alongside him is Carl Fletcher who has already made one debut at Loftus Road this season, for Nottingham Forest.

Overall there is nothing really to fear here.

Previous Meetings
QPR ended an alarming run of eight consecutive away games without a goal at Home Park in December. The long overdue goal, when it finally arrived, was a scrappy affair but would have been good enough for three points had Rangers not done their usual sit back and soak up routine in the second half. Heider Helguson opened the scoring in the first half although he needed three attempts to force the ball over the line from close range. Rangers were well in control at half time but sat back in the second half and ultimately succumbed to a goal from substitute Steve MacLean in the 83rd minute that had been coming for some time.

Plymouth: Larrieu 6, Clark 6, Timar 7, Seip 7, Barker 6, Mackie 6 (Marin 78, 6), Summerfield 6, Walton 6, Paterson 6 (Noone 69, 6), Gallagher 5 (MacLean 77, 7), Fallon 7
Subs Not Used: Folly, Cathcart
Booked: Walton (foul)
Goals: MacLean 83 (assisted Fallon)

QPR: Cerny 8, Ramage 6 (Hall 81, 5), Stewart 6, Gorkss 7, Delaney 6, Mahon 6, Rowlands 7, Cook 6 (Ephraim 68, 5), Leigertwood 6, Agyemang 5 (Blackstock 77, 5), Helguson 6
Subs Not Used: Cole, Tommasi
Booked: Ramage (foul), Helguson (foul)
Goals: Helguson 16 (assisted Rowlands)

Match Report

It has been the thick end of 18 months since these teams last met at Loftus Road - QPR were still under the guidance of John Gregory and the rebuilding job under the new owners had yet to begin. Plymouth won easily, and when you look at the starting elevens it’s not hard to see why. Nardiello hit the bar for QPR but Halmosi opened the scoring for the visitors after half time capitalising on a sip by Zesh Rehman and then when he was withdrawn to a hostile reception from his own supporters Marcus Bignot came on and was immediately beaten to a header at the back post by David Norris who made it 2-0. Only four of the QPR starting eleven are still with the club, only two of the Plymouth players are still at Home Park.

QPR: Camp 6, Rehman 5 (Bignot 59, 4), Cullip 6, Stewart 5, Barker 4, Rowlands 5, Nardiello 7 (Sahar 81, 6), Bolder 4, Leigertwood 4, Moore 4 (Ephraim 59, 6), Blackstock 5
Subs Not Used: Cole, Curtis

Plymouth: McCormick 7, Connolly 7, Seip 6, Timar 7, Sawyer 7, Norris 8, Buzsaky 8, Nalis 7, Halmosi 8, Hayles 8 (Hodges 90, -), Ebanks-Blake 7
Subs Not Used: Larrieu, Chadwick, Doumbe, Fallon
Booked: Seip (foul), Timar (foul)
Goals: Halmosi 50, Norris 62

Head to Head
QPR wins – 17
Draws – 5
Plymouth wins – 24

Previous QPR v Plymouth scores and scorers:
2008/09 Plymouth 1 QPR 1 (Helguson)
2007/08 Plymouth 2 QPR 1 (Vine)
2007/08 QPR 0 Plymouth 2
2006/07 QPR 1 Plymouth 1 (Cook)
2006/07 Plymouth 1 QPR 1 (Blackstock)
2005/06 Plymouth 3 QPR 1 (Baidoo)
2005/06 QPR 1 Plymouth 1 (Gallen)
2004/05 Plymouth 2 QPR 1 (Furlong)
2004/05 QPR 3 Plymouth 2 (Furlong 2, Gallen)
2003/04 Plymouth 2 QPR 0
2003/04 QPR 3 Plymouth 0 (Gallen 2, Thorpe)
2002/03 Plymouth 0 QPR 1 (Pacquette)
2002/03 QPR 2 Plymouth 2 (Pacquette, Thomas)
1973/74 QPR 0 Plymouth 3 (League Cup)

Team News
QPR may welcome back one of their long term absentees this Saturday. Patrick Agyemang has been back in training for several weeks and could make his first appearance since rupturing a thigh muscle in January this weekend. Physio Paul Hunter told the club’s official website: “Pat has been back in training now for around three weeks and we've had the necessary scans and tests which have shown us that the injury has healed very well. He is now at the stage where he's available for First Team selection and it would be great to see him feature this weekend in our final home match of the campaign."

If he is back, along with Rowan Vine, that would leave only Martin Rowlands and Akos Buzsaky as long term absentees from the squad. Fitz Hall is likely to miss out with his hamstring/groin/back problems again.

Despite their tonking against Doncaster last week and a return to form for Rory Fallon in the reserves midweek Plymouth are likely to keep faith with much the same team for this match. Loaned Man Utd defender Craig Cathcart is out with a medial ligament injury. Cameroon player Rudy Douala is back after missing the Doncaster game with a knee injury and Krisztian Timar is in contention if he can shake off an illness.
Injury List

Referee
County Durham official Nigel Miller is the man in the middle for this match. He last refereed QPR in December when we lost 1-0 at Sheffield Wednesday despite being awarded a first half penalty. His previous Plymouth appointment was a 1-0 win for the Pilgrims at Coventry City.
Details

Elsewhere
The day of reckoning has arrived for Birmingham City – they will be promoted if they beat Preston at St Andrews in the Sky Saturday evening match. Sheffield United will be hoping for a slip up. At the other end Norwich must wait until Monday night for their crack at the great escape by which time Barnsley, Nottingham Forest and Plymouth could have pulled five, six and seven points clear respectively. It’s starting to look very grim at Carrow Road.
Tony’s Weekend Preview

Form
The thrilling comeback against Sheffield Wednesday made it five home games without defeat for QPR, three of them victories. Those three wins form part of just five maximum point hauls for Rangers since Christmas. Rangers are actually eighth in the overall form table for the Championship over the last six matches. With 12 wins and six draws at home this season Rangers are more formidable opponents on their own patch than Reading, Sheff Utd and Swansea.

Plymouth are in reasonable touch away from home too with six wins and six draws better than all but two sides in the bottom half of the league. They drew at Birmingham last time out and have also won at Wolves this season. Watford, Palace, Coventry, Sheff Wed and Blackpool are the other five teams to be vanquished on their own patch. Despite this their goal scoring away from Home Park is abysmal – 13 in all, an identical record to our shambolic one, they have made better use of those goals though with six wins to our three.
Form Guide

Prediction
Despite Plymouth’s reasonable away record and greater need in this match I just don’t see much to fear in their squad list and with the likes of Routledge, Taarabt and Vine available to Gareth Ainsworth I would back QPR to end the season on a relative high with a win here. Certainly a performance on the level of the one we produced against Sheff Wed would be sufficient to win this.
QPR 2 Plymouth 0

Photo: Action Images

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