QPR are back in action at Loftus Road on Saturday with Ipswich Town the visitors. Pesky transfer window remains open in the meantime…

Queens Park Rangers v Ipswich Town

Championship >>> Saturday August 17, 2013 >>> Kick Off 3pm >>> Loftus Road, London, W12

It is, in case you've been hiding in a cave somewhere, and frankly nobody would blame you if you had, the start of the Premier League this weekend. Thanks to BT - Indian call centres and horrific attitude to customer service and all - muscling in on the live rights the hyperbole has gone into overdrive this summer like never before. You thought the self-professed 'best league in the world' was over-hyped before, you've seen nothing yet.

We've now been plunged into a world where Michael Owen agreeing to be a co-commentator or Jamie Carragher getting a regular spot in the studio for Monday Night Football is a news story, to be mercilessly hawked around by vast teams of faceless PRs. We've been introduced to the concept of a "first pick" and told that BT Sport have 18 of them which apparently is very important and impressive indeed — they don't, however, have anybody in their call centre with sufficient grasp of English to understand "you've sent me a YouView box without a remote control, can you send me a remote control so I can tune it in please?"

Sky meanwhile have Gary Neville who is now seemingly some all-knowing demi-God, and they're teaming him with Carragher who, last time I checked, spoke even less English than the drones on the other end of the phone at BT. With Ed Chamberlain's sizzling personality between the two what else would you do with your Monday night apart from, perhaps, tune in a minute before kick off as you always did before? Or watch something on the other side. Other things do still exist apparently, things other than the Premier League, but Richard "I dwell in the future" Scudamore is working hard to eradicate them.

It's been a summer of dick swinging like never before, conducted ferociously and ceaselessly seemingly totally oblivious to the exceptionally well hung German Bundesliga standing in the foreground stroking its member. What do you mean all the best teams and best players are going to Spain and Germany? Never mind that, have you seen our shiny new studio? It's got a real football pitch in it. Who needs atmosphere, cheap tickets, safe terracing, an open armed welcome to visiting football supporters and Robert Lewandowski when you've got David James as the guest in a studio with a real football pitch? Kneel before Liverpool v Stoke as long as you have a cable long enough to plug your home hub into your television, or £130 on top of your initial activation charge and sign up fee to pay for an engineer to come out if you don’t.

Migraine inducing.

Of course for the majority of football fans in this country, football actually started a fortnight ago. Sadly the Football League is Kif to the Premier League's Zapp Brannigan, quietly ignored amid a torrent of bluster and bullshit. "Kiff, I have made it with a woman, inform the men…" "After the break, exclusive news on the latest big money arrival at Manchester City…"

QPR and Ipswich were founder members of the Premier League back in 1992, before it became a detestable behemoth. Those were the days when Sky were trying things like sending cheerleaders to a Monday night match at Oldham, but clubs like QPR were still able to discover one of the greatest striking talents in a generation down at Hayes, buy him for the cost of a new club house, and then sign an electrician from Nottingham to cover for him when he was injured. I always thought having Devon White in reserve to Les Ferdinand was a beautiful, typically QPR thing to do. It was one of the early reasons I followed my dad and granddad in falling in love with the club. These days bargains are found in bits of Europe that used to be Russia.

One of White’s finest moments in QPR colours came in this fixture back in 1993 when he scored two thumping headers at the Loft End in a 3-0 win. One in particular was an absolute pearler, screaming into the top corner of the net from 15 yards harder than most people can kick a ball after David Bardsley had picked out his cumbersome team mate with an inch perfect 50 yard cross. The papers a day later reported that Ipswich were so poor they made Devon White look good — slightly harsh on a player who possessed almost zero natural ability for the game but nevertheless boasted a goals per game record up with some of Rangers’ best.

If it was typically QPR to cover somebody as good as Les Ferdinand with somebody as uniquely skilled as Devon White back then — and it certainly was given that Karl Ready deputised for Alan McDonald, Tony Roberts for Jan Stejskal, Michael Meaker for Andy Sinton and so on — it’s hard to pinpoint anything creditable or loveable that you would say is typical of the modern day QPR.

Paying big money and handing out a lucrative contract to an ageing player long past his best who has zero sell on value? Loaning said player out 12 months later because nobody else is stupid enough to make the same mistake and, even if they were, the multimillionaire sees no reason why he should go from earning £45,000 a week to a measly £30,000 just to play regular first team football at the highest possible level? One does wonder what 11 year old Julio Cesar, who presumably lived for football and thought £10 was a hell of a lot of money, would make of the decisions he’s now making. Always buying another player rather than working on one you already have? Sacking managers? Yes, all typical of the modern day QPR sadly.

The recent trait has been to talk about transfers before they’re actually concluded. Rangers have always been fastidious about this sort of thing in the past but the arrival of first Tony Fernandes and his Twitter account and then Harry Redknapp and his car window has made rather a mockery of the club’s media team and their persistent attempts to remain silent on rumour and speculation. Redknapp spoke openly about Yann M’Vila, Joe Cole and Gary Hooper before they’d signed and none of them ended up at Loftus Road, and earlier this week he was at it again with Scott ‘Scotty’ Parker, head boy in Redknapp’s School for Triffic Lads but surely keen to exhaust all Premier League options before electing to drop down a division at a time when he may still harbour lingering hopes of going to the 2014 World Cup.

If you believe that Harry winds that window down and talks openly about his transfer targets because he’s a lovely fella who won’t say no to any person or journalist then move along there’s nothing to see here. It’s not like West Ham, Norwich, now potentially Fulham, and wherever the hell M’Vila ended up were suddenly alerted to the player’s availability because they heard Harry Redknapp talking about him on Sky Sports News is it? Only in the case of Hooper, where Norwich were probably keen to wait late into August and pick up an unsettled player at a lower price only to be sparked into action by QPR suddenly making a break for it, could Rangers’ slack tongued policy have been seen to have done any damage.

But if you’re of the mind that Redknapp is a damn site more canny, experienced, intelligent and wily than he lets on then you’re probably wondering why he’s choosing to shoot his mouth off about players he hasn’t yet signed, and then when they go elsewhere shove all the blame onto this mysterious “they” at QPR who he says should get the transfer deals done quicker to stop other clubs nipping in and stealing the player. Particularly as none of the four transfers he’s done this with, particularly the Hooper deal, were ever really that likely to go QPR’s way as all four players were always likely to wait for better offers before picking a move to Loftus Road as a last resort. Who, specifically, is Redknapp hanging out to dry here and why? An intriguing subplot.

Links >>> Opposition Focus >>> History >>> Betting >>> Referee

QPR’s Chris Plummer tracks David Johnson’s run during QPR’s 3-1 win against the Premier League-bound Tractor Boys at Loftus Road in 2000.

Saturday

Team News: QPR are without three key first team players for this fixture. Andy Johnson lasted three games into the season before he picked up his first knock and his absence leaves Harry Redknapp with an attack of Charlie Austin and Bobby Zamora that pretty much picks itself. Ale Faurlin is also still out with a groin complaint and with Esteban Granero leaving this week Redknapp must decide whether to bring in Gary O’Neil for a debut, or move Joey Barton inside as he did late on at Huddersfield last week and select Shaun Wright-Phillips wide on the right. Armand Traore remains in a permanent state of almost leaving s Yun Suk-Young is likely to continue at left back.

Ipswich have no fresh injury concerns and are likely to pick the same side that beat Millwall 3-0 at Portman Road last weekend.

Elsewhere: Blackburn Rovers show no sign of any recovery from their ongoing nightmare — they lost 2-0 tonight at newly promoted Doncaster Rovers to leave them with one point from their first three matches played.

The Saturday action begins at Elland Road at 12.15 where another of the early strugglers Sheffield Wednesday — three defeats from three games player — travel to Leeds who already have four points on the board and must be confident of victory this weekend.

Everybody else starts at 3pm, the pick of which is Bolton’s trip to Nottingham Forest and Reading hosting early pace setters Watford. Derby v Leicester also stands out and it will be interesting to see how Wigan, who won 4-0 on day one but were out of league action at the Community Shield last weekend, get on at newly promoted Bournemouth who were beaten 6-1 at Watford a week ago.

Barnsley and Charlton have both started with two defeats from two league games and they meet at Oakwell. The other side not to register a point, along with Sheff Wed, are Millwall and they host Huddersfield this weekend. David Flitcroft at Barnsley and Wall’s Steve Lomas look like good bets to win the sack race in this division.

Referee: South Yorkshire official Michael Naylor is the man in the middle at Loftus Road this Saturday for the visit of Ipswich. This is only his second visit to W12 having previously refereed a 3-0 League Cup win against Walsall this time last season. He refereed Ipswich’s 2-1 home defeat by Northampton in the League Cup in 2011, and their 2-1 league win at Bolton in December last season. Please click here for his full case file.

Form

QPR: It’s two wins and a draw to start the season for QPR and if they’re victorious here they will already have equalled the number of home wins they managed in the whole of last season — and it’s only August 17. The R’s did the double over Ipswich during the promotion season of 2010/11, winning 3-0 at Portman Road and 2-0 in W12, but they hadn’t won any of seven meetings between the two sides prior to that — losing five, drawing two, and scoring just three goals.

Ipswich: Ipswich have started with a win and a loss in the league and a poor defeat at Stevenage in the League Cup. That loss at Reading and cup upset extends their bad run of results away from home which is now just one win from 13 road trips dating back to the turn of the year. They’ve lost seven of those including defeats at two of last season’s strugglers Blackburn and Bristol City. Their only away win this year was a 1-0 success at Derby on April 6. Striker David McGoldrick scored four in 14 on loan last season, and got another four during Town’s pre-season campaign, but is yet to score in a competitive game since making the move permanent during the summer.

Betting: Professional odds compiler Owen Goulding says…
“QPR host Ipswich in a game that may tell a lot about the alleged new found team spirit amongst the hoops players. I've been taking a back seat and watching as the season starts to get going - I generally don't get too involved from a betting point of view early on as its more sensible to take a watching brief instead as teams settle into the season. I've seen enough in the first few games to believe that slowly Harry is turning the debacle from last season around. QPR do look menacing going forward with Hoilett and Johnson especially impressing in these early days.

“It’s still hard to get too excited until the September transfer deadline has passed as there is still lots to be decided with regards to the team that will be representing the R's through the winter months and as such I'm keeping stakes down till then as much can change in the blink of an eye, but regarding Saturday, I know it will be a hard working Ipswich side that come to Loftus Road and the Superhoops will have to match this work ethic to earn the three points. On paper, Ipswich's team looks very ordinary but they are a typical Mick McCarthy side: nothing flash, hard working with a definite danger from set-pieces. Luke Chambers and Tommy Smith provide the main threat from set-pieces and with it being an area QPR are yet to look comfortable at, Onuaha/Hill/Dunne will need to be on their game. McGoldrick provides the obligatory 'Mick McCarthy journeyman' role up front and will work his socks off but in truth, the QPR side should have a bit much for the Tractor Boys. I do see goals in this game, with both teams scoring in each of the league games they have played this season and as such my recommended bet for the game is both teams to score at 10/11 (Coral). For those wanting a bigger price bet, I recommend a small bet on over 3.5 goals at 11/4 (Coral)

“Elsewhere, the Premier League starts up again this weekend and we have the fun of looking forward to commentators and pundits alike salivating over the 'best league in the world' and all the ridiculous razzmatazz that goes with it right up until kick off, when Liverpool and Stoke, right on cue, will precede to bore the pants off all who tune in to watch. My bet of the day comes from the Premier League however as Aston Villa travel to Arsenal. Christian Benteke looks the real deal and having seen him in pre-season I have no doubt he is a star in the making. With Arsenal's defence looking anything but solid, the 9/1 on offer on Betfair for an Aston Villa win looks big but my bet of the day is Benteke to score at anytime at 11/4 (Coral/Skybet). Fill your boots.”

Prediction: Last season’s Prediction League winner Mase tells us…

“Ever since I began to contribute my thoughts to the match previews, the quality of my predictions have suffered and I am yet to score a single point in this season’s contest. Still, it’s a marathon not a sprint, and I am determined to get myself on the board this week. If Rickie Lambert can play up front for England then anything’s possible.

“Ipswich arrive in W12 having beaten Millwall comfortably last time out, but they have lost to Reading. It’s still too early to be looking at the form book though. Ipswich were, and are, what I consider a mid-table team for this league and one we should be looking to beat. Our defence has looked less than resolute on occasion this season, but I think that is a factor of unfamiliarity which should become less of an issue in time. I am tipping us to keep our first league clean sheet and am relatively confident about our potency at the other end. By all accounts we could and should have scored a few at Huddersfield so hopefully we can address this, nor come up against a keeper inspired.

“I think we could go on a good run and we need something here with a few trickier fixtures on the horizon. It’s my first live game this season and I’m looking forward to it.”

Mase’s Prediction: QPR 2-0 Ipswich First Scorer: Austin

LFW Predition: QPR 1 Ipswich 1, QPR scorer: Hoilett

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Pictures — Action Images

Photo: Action Images

Tomo_5 added 10:10 - Aug 17 Clive, another great post, you seem a bit more critical than normal, I guess BT have unwittingly added some spice to this weeks post. My Father-in-law is a Pompey supporter and he dislikes Arry and his antics. He seems like a secondhand car salesman and a bit naive when it comes to transfer tactics. However he seems to get most of the signings he wants which is bewildering. I remember him sayinga few seasons ago Crouch was past his best and wasn't worth the money and low and behold he was signed the following week so god only knows what goes on in his head. Personally I want to see an average age of 25/26 on pitch with players that will still have a few years in them in the Premiership if we make it back to the promised land. I'm not confident that our new guys have much time left at the highest level so I would like to see our scouts go out and cherry-pick all the up and coming guys from around the world and build a team based on keenness to get to the premier league by pace and hunger in front of goal. I see less and less talent coming through and when they do the big clubs buy them and let them play reserve football for a few seasons, most never making the first team......What is the point? Anyway, i would like to see every team in the first three divisions fielding at least 3 english chaps on the pitch throughout the duration of the game. I don't mind that we got relegated, i was glad when we did. Hughes was and still is a joke. His transfer policy was absolute nonsense and if he was a true pro would have surrendered every single penny of his wage for the single handed demise of a championship winning team in favour of what we detail "past it retirement planning" players. And am I missing something when players are asking to be paid out to leave? If I was Tony I would pay them to rot in the youth team and watch the earlier demise of their career. Football is broken, too much money and not enough true grit.......bring back Vinnie and Gazza, where have the characters gone?

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TacticalR added 13:09 - Aug 17 Ipswich are an established Championship side (despite some hiccups in the last couple of years) with an experienced manager, so this will be a good test to assess our level.
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