Ash is back to take a look at the key runners and riders in this weekend's encounter between Neil Warnock's QPR and Paulo Sousa's Swansea at Loftus Road.
Defence:
The relief all round after the Plymouth game as Rangers finally secured their first clean sheet in 25 games and five manages was palpable. And it’s a sign of one the things Warnock has already improved on, that we are now looking more organised at the back – although to be fair we couldn’t get much worse. However with Damion Stewart’s sending off at Reading on Tuesday and Gary Borrowdale now on loan at my local club Charlton, we are looking a bit thin on the ground defensively. The obvious change one would assume for Saturday’s visit of Swansea would be to move Matt Connelly to the centre with Gorkss and recall Peter Ramage at right-back. But past that our options are limited, especially if we are forced into a change during Saturday’s game. With Ramage and Leigertwood’s ‘versatility’ they could both be used to plug certain gaps, but it’s a worrying scenario should it present itself against a team who are looking good for a play-off place. It could mean a place on the bench for young Joe Oastler, who has been impressing for the reserves but with our Championship safety not yet secured, it would be a big game for the lad to come into the side. Here’s hoping the starting back-four put in an effort and performance that means we won’t have to think about the what if’s and instead are celebrating another clean sheet come Saturday tea-time.
QPR to win 1-0 7/1 with Victor Chandler and Stan James
Paulo Sousa:
When Paulo Sousa was appointed Swansea manager last year, we were presented with an opportunity to see what sort of manager the Portuguese would be without the unfortunate restraints of the QPR board and the circus that revolves around it. So here sit with two thirds of the season gone and how do the two British teams of Sousa’s managerial career compare? Well one is sitting pretty in the top six of the Championship and although not exactly playing the most exhilarating football, they have been there all season. While the other is in sixteenth place, having gone through five managers in one season and stared relegation in the face. Ok, so I have no evidence to suggest that if we still had Sousa in charge that we’d be in either position but had he not been sacked and left to get on with his job, we might have avoided some of the events that have transpired and added the stability it’s taken another year to achieve. I know Sousa had his detractors, certainly from a certain message board, and has shown by his Swans team his style is terribly defensive but it does and has brought results which means we will have our work cut-out on Saturday against his new team. Oh how the two-time European Cup winner would love to get one over on the team he felt hard done by on their own patch. Fingers crossed he won’t.
Swansea best priced 2/1 to win with Coral and Ladbrokes
Neil Warnock:
You couldn’t get a bigger contrast to Sousa than Neil Warnock. While Paulo is laid back, smooth and comes complete with Armani suits and flowing locks, Warnock is loud brash and typifies the Sheffield area from which he comes from. So much so that words have already been exchanged between the two this season and should add even more spice to the occasion at Loftus Road on Saturday. So far Warnock hasn’t done much wrong, wins against two very teams, a point at Bramall Lane and an unlucky defeat to in-form Reading. Six more points and we can at least kiss relegation worries goodbye for this season and old Colin would have done the first-part of his job here. Getting those points as soon as possible and then building for next season would seem to be the immediate target and a win on Saturday would continue he’s already impressive start as QPR manager.
QPR are best priced 6/4 to win with Bet365, although the bet of the day would seem to be 0-0 at 8/1 with BoyleSports
Adel Taarabt:
He may not be able to say his name but somehow Warnock is getting the best out of the enigma that has become Adel Taarabt. Too often this season we’ve been frustrated with the Moroccan and it has seen him slip further and further out of managers starting line-ups. Not Warnock, not only has he got him back doing to what his does best, scoring goals and bamboozling defenders but somehow he’s getting Taarabt working his socks off too. Which can only mean good things for QPR. I don’t think for one minute anyone at the club thinks that the playmaker will be here beyond this season, unless it’s for another loan deal but having him enjoy his football under a manager he seems to get on with should bring it’s on field rewards for the majority of this campaign. Swansea watch out!
Taarabt 9/1 with Ladbrokes to score first