Ash returns with a look ahead to this weekend's game at Doncaster Rovers and where the match can be won and lost.
Central Midfield:
Playing in the middle of the park for Rangers seems to be a poisoned chalice once again this season. After putting up with most of last season without the injured Akos Buzsaky, Martin Rowlands and Rowan Vine, the curse has struck again this time taking down the central area of our midfield. First the unlucky Rowlands suffered the same injury he had previously whilst playing for the Republic of Ireland that has ruled him out for the rest of the campaign. And since then his replacement Gavin Mahon, who had been playing excellently, picked up a knee injury and will be out of action until March at the earliest. This is an awful shame for two players who have both played key roles in getting the R’s to where the currently are in the league and has now left us woefully short in that position. With Mikele Leigertwood being preferred as a right-back, it leaves just Ben Watson, Alejandro Faurlin and new loan signing Steven Reid as options for the centre of midfield berths. Which if all three stay fit and clear of red cards, is still a very strong trio at this level. However having seen just how well Rowly and Mahon have done this season, whichever two become first choice over the next month will have some talented shoes to fill.
Steven Reid is 14/1 to score first on his debut with BetFred, Ben Watson is best priced 16/1 for the first goal with Ladbrokes who are also offering 25/1 on Faurlin.
Tommy Williams:
In a recent interview with QPR Magazine, ex-Rangers striker Kevin Gallen describes being so angry with team-mate Tommy Williams for not squaring the ball in the 2003 play off final that he wanted to ‘kill him’. Reading at that time, it did make me smile as I along with the rest of the thousands of R’s probably wanted to do the same to Mr Williams at that moment in time. Little did I know a few weeks later he’d back at Loftus Road, on loan from Peterborough. A lot of time has passed since that fateful day in Cardiff, and Williams has proved himself to be a decent left-back in his time at London Road – he was the stand-out player during Rangers’ draw with Posh earlier in the season. His loan makes sense, with Gary Borrowdale the only recognised left-back in the squad, his injury last week led to Peter Ramage having to awkwardly play out of position against Sheff Wed. Now we have competition for that place, and decent competition at that - as Magilton explained the loan was a ‘no brainier’. Those fans, who thankfully don’t seem to post on the LFW message board, who have expressed their displeasure at Tommy’s return because of that final, need to move on. We all know what he should have done, hell Williams knows himself, but it’s done and dusted and this is a chance for Tommy to play a part in a new QPR era, possibly starting on Saturday at Doncaster.
Williams is best priced 13/1 with Paddy Power to get it right this time and score at any point during the match
Keeping it going:
The win last time out at Hillsborough was massive. Not only did we show that we do have an elusive ‘plan b’ and can win ugly, but it gave us three points heading into the two-week break. That three points has meant we’ve been sitting in fourth place in the Championship for a fortnight now and should only have bred more confidence into Jim Magilton’s squad. Next up is a trip to Belle View to take on Doncaster Rovers in what looks like a winnable match for the team. Looking at the teams around us, we are all on the same points so keeping the momentum going and up with pack leading into the bust festive period will be vital. You have to look at Middlesbrough, who were looking like top two contenders a few weeks back, (ironically before they sacked their manager) but a few bad results and they are staring up at the top six from tenth place. The league is that congested that a few bad results can see you back in mid-table. So a win over a team who occupy the bottom six in the league should be impetrative if we want to stay in the play-off picture. Of course in this league you can take nothing for granted, but with our away record making a mockery of our performances on the road last season, three points are well within our reach.
QPR have taken 13 points from the last 18 available on the road and are best priced 7/5 to win here with Bet Fred and others. Frankly if you can find us odds against for this one you should lump on.
Jim Magilton
Not only is Jim proving a lot of fans wrong with how he’s got the team performing this season, he’s also proving to be very astute in the transfer market too. Ok the loans of Tommy Williams and Steven Reid are not earth shattering moves that are going to lead the Super Hoops to title glory. But what they do give is perfect cover for areas that have been weakened one way or another. And credit must go to the manager and Gianni Paladini who I’m sure played some part in getting these players to W12. In Williams we now have adequate cover at left-back from someone experienced in both this club and the division. Then, to make up for the loss of two key midfielders we’ve drafted in a player who not some untried youngster from a Premier League reserve squad, but an established top flight campaigner who’s just through an unlucky spell with injury, and an full international to boot. So well done Madge, hopefully one of them will come up trumps to help Rangers to another three points on Saturday.
Rangers are 6/1 with William Hill to be winning at half time and full time.