After the high of wiping the dirty off Pride Park, the Rams head to Loftus Road ready to spoil a televised party. Will Derby will give fans all around the world something to cheer about at least once more this season?
Loftus Road - LondonQPR v Rams - Historical
P 22 W 6 D 11 L 5 F 21 A 25
Last game at Loftus Rd.
Tue 23 Mar 10 QPR 1 - 1 Derby; Barker
Recent Form
QPR: 1/24 P 41 W 23 D 13 L 5 F 65 A 27
Leading scorers: Taarabt (16)
Derby: 19/24 P 41 W 13 D 9 L 19 F 53 A 60
Leading scorers: Bueno, Cywka, Moore, Savage (4)
The Rams
Derby travels to Loftus Road coming off arguably one of their best all round performances of the season against Leeds, which went a long way to securing Championship safety.
It will be a different kettle of hoops when they find themselves in enemy territory, in front of an expectant home crowd and TV cameras beaming the Rams' efforts around the world.
These factors may be to their advantage, as the home team will know how much is expected of them for the clash. If Derby can put them on the back foot early perhaps they can produce an upset akin to Scunthorpe’s effort over QPR a couple of weeks back.
The main concern is the ex-Ram curse as they are likely to confront Tommy Smith and in particular Rob Hulse, who will be desperate to show Clough and co. what they decided they could do without.
With a bit of breathing space between his team and the bottom three, Nigel Clough certainly hopes his players will play a more relaxed style of football:
"The result against Leeds on Tuesday should allow us to relax and play with a little bit more freedom at QPR, we can go there and try to be as positive as we can be and see how we measure up against them.”
"For us, it's now all about sending out the right message in the final games as we look ahead to next season. We would like to bring in five or six players and show that we intend to give it a go next season.”
"QPR should give us hope for next season. Last year they finished just above us and now they are top, and deservedly so. They brought in a lot of players last summer and they have shown what can be achieved.”
“But, hopefully, we can delay their party on Monday night."
Possible team
Jones
Brayford Barker Ayala Roberts
B. Davies Savage Bailey Pearson
S.Davies Ward
SUBS: Severn Cywka Porter Addison Anderson Pringle Doyle
Rams Current Squad
No. Position Player
2 Defender John Brayford
3 Defender Gareth Roberts
4 Midfield Paul Green
5 Defender Shaun Barker (vice-captain)
6 Defender Dean Leacock
7 Striker Steve Davies
8 Midfield Robbie Savage (club captain)
10 Striker Jamie Ward (on loan from Sheffield United)
11 Midfield Stephen Pearson
12 Striker Chris Porter
13 Keeper Saul Deeney
14 Defender Russell Anderson
16 Midfield James Bailey
17 Defender Jake Buxton
18 Midfield Ben Pringle
19 Striker Tomasz Cywka
20 Defender Miles Addison
21 Defender Daniel Ayala (on loan from Liverpool)
23 Striker Conor Doyle
24 Midfield Arnaud Mendy
25 Defender Mark O'Brien
26 Striker Callum Ball
27 Striker Alberto Bueno (on loan from Real Valladolid)
28 Midfield Ben Davies
29 Midfield Jeff Hendrick
34 Keeper Brad Jones
QPR
Mathematically, if Rangers defeat the Rams they will still not have secured automatic promotion but it would take a brave mathematician to bet against them if they do.
The pressure to put in a performance in front of a massive home crowd who are ready to party for the world on live television will either lift the team, or maybe rattle them.
Not much else has rattled them this season so I would expect the first of the two.
Neil Warnock is wary of the visitors who had his team on the ropes for ninety minutes in their last meeting:
"I think Derby were the best side we played this season, I think that shows what the league is all about."
“Five games to go, we've had ups and downs the last couple of games.”
"They're long journeys. It would be nice to be at home but as the results have shown, there's no such thing as a banker or anything."
Current QPR Squad
No. Position Player
1 Keeper Paddy Kenny
2 Defender Bradley Orr
3 Defender Clint Hill
4 Midfield Shaun Derry
5 Defender Fitz Hall
7 Midfield Adel Taarabt (captain)
9 Striker Heiðar Helguson
10 Midfield Ákos Buzsáky
11 Midfield Alejandro Faurlín
12 Striker Jamie Mackie
13 Defender Kaspars Gorkšs
14 Midfield Martin Rowlands
15 Midfield Wayne Routledge (on loan from Newcastle United)
16 Defender Matthew Connolly
17 Midfield Lee Cook
19 Striker Patrick Agyemang
20 Striker Rob Hulse
21 Midfield Tommy Smith
22 Defender Peter Ramage
23 Midfield Petter Vaagan Moen
24 Keeper Radek Cerný
25 Midfield Hogan Ephraim
26 Defender Gary Borrowdale
29 Striker Ishmael Miller (on loan from West Bromwich Albion)
30 Midfield Romone Rose
32 Keeper Elvijs Putninš
33 Striker Antonio German
36 Midfield Bruno Andrade
37 Midfield Georgios Tofas
39 Defender Pascal Chimbonda
40 Defender Michael Harriman
41 Defender Danny Shittu
42 Striker Troy Hewitt
— Striker Rowan Vine
What the bookies think
QPR are clear favourites as 1/2 on. The Rams are at 11/2 while the draw is at 16/5.
Patrick Agyemang and Rob Hulse are both at 9/2 while Tommy Smith is at 5/1. Alberto Bueno and Steve Davies are both at 8/1.
Information for travelling fans
Driving
Given the problems with the M1, you should probably head across to the M40 south and then take the A40 towards Central London. When the A40 becomes the A40 (M), turn off onto the A40 towards White City/Shepherds Bush and turn right into Wood Lane, turn right into South Africa Road for the ground.
Parking
It's a bugger to park near the ground. If you head over into Shepherds Bush it's not to Difficult to find street parking but there are lots of residents only parking and charge zones. If you aren't London based, it's probably easier to take the train.
Drinking
The Springbok Pub is now home fans only though apparently some away fans get in depending on the bouncer. Around Shepherds Bush Green is O’Neill’s and Walkabout which are both okay for away fans.
Mick's prediction
We seem to have done well here over the years. They are flying high and could even be promoted after this game.
We conceded 2 late goals after outplaying them earlier in the season.
We beat Leeds and there's no reason not to be confident in this game.
I can't see us winning - however though anything is possible.
QPR 2-2 Rams