Roker Report - Queens Park Rangers Vs Sunderland: As It HappenedSunderland AFC's foremost blog and Podcast!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51357/rr-fav.png2013-03-11T10:00:04+00:00http://rokerreport.sbnation.com/rss/stream/38462212013-03-11T10:00:04+00:002013-03-11T10:00:04+00:00Quick Kicks: Thoughts From QPR 3-1 Sunderland
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<figcaption>Charlie Crowhurst</figcaption>
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<p>Some thoughts from the latest Sunderland surrender for those who can stomach it. Warning: probably not for you if you are looking for positives. </p> <h4><b>What The Gaffer Said</b></h4>
<p>Following the game, Martin O'Neill gave the now standard retort to a defeat to safc.com.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>It was always going to be a difficult game for us.</p>
<p>QPR were buoyed by their win over Southampton last week and we had to counteract that and deal with the swell of euphoria from the crowd, which I thought we did well.</p>
<p>We put ourselves in front and it's a wonder-goal from them to take the game to 2-1.</p>
<p>Sunderland looked the better of the two teams following the break, however, they were unable to carve out ant clear-cut chances to get back into the game.</p>
<p>We have to give QPR credit, but having said that it's extremely disappointing to lose the game.</p>
<p>From the second half onwards we looked as though we were in control of the game and that's the frustrating aspect of it.</p>
<p>When times are tough you're never in control until you see it on the scoreboard.</p>
<p>I thought QPR caused us problems and it was difficult for us. Craig Gardner stuck to the task admirably, as a midfielder playing at full-back - and the same at the other side of the field.</p>
<p>It's a tough old set of fixtures for us between now and the end of the season.</p>
<p>We need to get some points on the board.</p>
<p>The players in the dressing room are disappointed, but we're looking to respond as we have done before.</p>
<p>It's a big game next week.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>So... ‘looked decent for a while but couldn't create anything' blah blah blah. ‘Unlucky to concede when and how we did' yadda yadda yadda. ‘Midfielders playing at full back' etc. etc. etc.</p>
<p>I can't help but feel I have heard this all before. What more can we actually say about it?</p>
<h4><b>Don't Worry - David Vaughan Is On The Bench!</b></h4>
<p>I can kind of understand what O'Neill is doing with the squad in terms of numbers. It seems like he is clearing the decks for a major summer overhaul, and I can certainly see the temptation when you have the opportunity to move players on.</p>
<p>However, when just a single injury (James McClean) renders David Vaughan your most attacking option from the bench, then it really is time to accept that you have gone much too far with the gamble.</p>
<p>The squad is seriously hamstrung right now and it didn't need to be. Elmohamady, Wickham, Campbell, and even the likes of Ji and Meyler may not have been especially inspiring but they at least provided something from the bench.</p>
<p>As it is, we just have to pray O'Neill's gamble pays off, because there is literally nothing we can do about it if he has judged it badly.</p>
<h4><b>The Untouchable Under-performing Defence</b></h4>
<p>If there is one area of the team which can be changed around a little, then it is at the back. I would be loath to tinker with a well-drilled and performing back four but that is by no means what we have here.</p>
<p>Kadar Mangane is one name to be frequently called for, and it is difficult to see the harm in trying him. What do we actually have to lose? Being as bad as Titus Bramble is right now is the absolute worse-case scenario.</p>
<p>I am far from a Phil Bardsley fan but he is an option to the manager if he truly is sick of seeing a midfielder at full back. John O'Shea or Carlos Cuellar - again neither an ideal solution - are also options.</p>
<p>The point is, for all we all have our opinions about the options and would all agree none represent a lasting solution, they are at least available to freshen things up and try to tighten up a creaking defence.</p>
<h4><b>Unlucky? Yes And No</b></h4>
<p>In one sense, I guess you could say there was an element of bad fortune about this result. After all, the goals conceded came from one cruel deflection and two superb long distance hits.</p>
<p>Surely, though, if the side were capable of controlling a game or even strangling it these things would not happen with such depressing regularity.</p>
<p>In the last six games the team have been unable to defend well at the back, unable to dictate and stifle from the middle, and unable to carve out many chances in attack. Worried? You bet your life I am. You'd be crazy not to be.</p>
<h4></h4>
<p></p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2013/3/11/4088086/quick-kicks-thoughts-and-reaction-from-qpr-3-1-sunderlandmichaelgraham2013-03-09T17:42:07+00:002013-03-09T17:42:07+00:00Queens Park Rangers Vs Sunderland: Player Ratings
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<figcaption>Steve Bardens</figcaption>
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<p>After every game we recap and review the individual performances of those in read and white, so here's some further thoughts on how we got on today against Queens Park Rangers...</p> <h4>
<span>Simon Mignolet</span> - 6</h4>
<p>A typical performance from the Belgian. Made a few good stops in the first half and plucked a few balls out of the air from set pieces. Had no chance of stopping any of QPR's three goals and will be desperately disappointed to have picked the ball out of the net following the two screamers.</p>
<h4>
<span>Craig Gardner</span> - 4</h4>
<p>Endured a torrid afternoon as David Hoilett turned the <a href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sunderland</a> man inside out on a number of occasions. Will have breathed a sigh of relief when he was moved into midfield following Phil Bardsley's inspired introduction to the game.</p>
<h4>
<span>John O'Shea</span> - 5</h4>
<p>Was desperately unlucky to have deflected a long range shot from Townsend into the path of Remy via his heel for the QPR equaliser. Apart from that it was a performance we have come to expect from O'Shea, he won a couple, postured a little, pointed here and there and punted a few balls to no-one in particular.</p>
<h4>
<span>Titus Bramble</span> - 5</h4>
<p>Won an entertaining tussle with <span>Bobby Zamora</span> on points with a series of clearances and blocks.</p>
<h4>
<span>Jack Colback</span> - 5</h4>
<p>A quiet first half for Colback, did nothing wrong and wasn't really involved much going forward. Made a couple of overlapping runs but wasn't picked out. Moved into the centre of the park in the second half following the introduction of Rose but was unable to have any influence at that point.</p>
<h4>
<span>Alfred N'Diaye</span> - 5</h4>
<p>Settled into the game nicely and kept things ticking over. However following a bang to the head from a flailing arm he was never really the same. Picked up a booking and was subsequently subbed.</p>
<h4>Sebastian Larsson - 5</h4>
<p>Standard showing from the Swede in that he did nothing of note. Oh, hang on, he did swing one ball from deep in to Graham in the first half but apart from that I can't remember any real telling influence on the game from Seb.</p>
<h4>
<span>Adam Johnson</span> - 6</h4>
<p>Earned himself an assist having driven the ball back across the area from Sessegnon's deep cross however I'm still unsure if it was a cross or a shot. Fired a cross just wide in the opening moments of the second half having bundled his way into the middle of the park from wide. Despite some decent touches I can't help but feel we need to see more from Johnson if we are to address this worrying run.</p>
<h4>
<span>Stephane Sessegnon</span> - 6</h4>
<p>Yet again seemed to be the only player in a red and white shirt that looked likely to make an impact. Showed a lovely touch and move in the buildup to the goal. However it looked as if he picked up an injury late in the game which would be deeply worrying.</p>
<h4>
<span>Danny Graham</span> - 4</h4>
<p>Huffed, puffed and was subbed.</p>
<h4>
<span>Steven Fletcher</span> - 5</h4>
<p>Felt for Fletcher today. Played a nice backheel to Sessegnon in the buildup to the opening goal before getting in the right place at the right time to slot the ball home. For the rest of the game however he was starved of service and will no doubt be pretty hacked off with his team mates.</p>
<h4>
<span>Danny Rose</span> - 5</h4>
<p>The loanee nearly bagged himself an assist as his cross following a clever run was cleared from the laces of Fletcher's boot by Clint Hill. It was fantastic to see Danny back and he may well be key to any chance Sunderland have of putting right this poor run.</p>
<h4>
<span>David Vaughan</span> - 5</h4>
<p>Came on for N'Diaye in the 77th minute...</p>
<h4>
<span>Phil Bardsley</span> - 5</h4>
<p>Came on for Colback in the 81st minute...</p>
<h4>Man Of The Match - <span>Connor Wickham</span>
</h4>
<p>The young Sunderland forward made a telling impact following his introduction to the game with a 70th minute goal which earned his side all three points...</p>
<p><i>We'll have more match reaction on Monday right <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rokerreport.com/2013/3/9/4082180/queens-park-rangers-vs-sunderland-live-coverage-match-report-final-score">HERE</a> in our Match Stream.</i></p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2013/3/9/4082196/queens-park-rangers-vs-sunderland-player-ratingsDavid Boyle2013-03-09T17:40:15+00:002013-03-09T17:40:15+00:00Match Report: Queens Park Rangers 3-1 Sunderland
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<figcaption>Charlie Crowhurst</figcaption>
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<p>Sunderland's winless run stretched to four games as two stunning second half goals gave Queens Park Rangers a crucial win.</p> <p><span>Andros Townsend</span> and <span>Jermaine Jenas</span> both punished Sunderland for failing to clear their lines as Harry Redknapp's men won at home for just the second time this season.</p>
<p>The hosts started the brighter of the two sides, with <span>Junior Hoilett</span> in particular a threat down the left-hand side, yet it was <span>Steven Fletcher</span> who gave the visitors the lead on 20 minutes before Loic Remy levelled.</p>
<p>Hoilett dragged a shot wide after three minutes and then skipped away from <span>Craig Gardner</span>, but was unable to hit the target again.</p>
<p>In between chances, <span>Bobby Zamora</span> had a timid penalty claim turned away. The striker anticipated John O'Shea's arrival in closing him down, but referee <span>Mike Jones</span> was wise to Zamora's actions, although unwilling to sanction him.</p>
<p>Hoilett's bright opening continued as he made half a yard from the pressing Gardner and clipped the ball in behind <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland's</a> defence - but the ball evaded Zamora and bounced into the arms of <span>Simon Mignolet</span>.</p>
<p>The home side's pressure was soon to be their downfall, however. After Alfred N'Diaye had dragged Sunderland's first shot at goal wide, Mignolet punched a QPR free kick toward the Frenchman. He found Fletcher, who effortlessly back-heeled the ball into the path of Stephane Sessegnon. Advancing toward the penalty area, Sessegnon patiently waited for the right time to deliver a cross, stood the ball up to the far post, where <span>Adam Johnson</span> was waiting and drove the ball back across goal for Fletcher to turn home.</p>
<p>The goal proved to be a caveat, as Rangers used the remainder of the first half to address the deficit. Stephane M'Bia fired over after Zamora had cushioned the ball down for a shot. Sunderland jabbed back as Sebastian Larsson whipped in a cross behind Chris Samba, but it bounced quickly in front of <span>Danny Graham</span>, who was unable to adjust and direct the ball goalwards.</p>
<p>QPR's next chance proved to be the leveller, as Townsend's tame-looking shot deflected wickedly off O'Shea and fell perfectly for Remy to dispatch. The in-form Frenchman flicked on Townsend's cross minutes later, but it was comfortable for Mignolet to collect.</p>
<p>The lively Remy then fired over after another Zamora knock-down, and M'Bia again tested the Sunderland goal from range but was dealt with at the second attempt and the half drifted towards its conclusion.</p>
<p>A tentative restart to the game saw Sunderland change shape - the ineffective Danny Graham was replaced by <span>Danny Rose</span>, with Sessegnon playing closer to Fletcher in attack.</p>
<p>Gardner, who again was direct with his passing from right-back, found O'Shea with a cross but the latter's flick couldn't quite release Fletcher. At the other end, Townsend again struck but was blocked, but 10 minutes later Sunderland could do nothing about his effort from outside the area which dipped away from Mignolet into the far corner.</p>
<p>Both sides exchanged substitutions and Adam Johnson curled an out-swinging corner out of play as the hosts' raised spirit swung the initiative in their favour. Both Remy and Hoilett - who had faded in the second half - were replaced before Jose Bosingwa's free-kick flew wide.</p>
<p>But there was still time for a replica of Townsend's goal, as a QPR corner was half-cleared to the feet of Jenas - who replaced Remy. The on-loan midfielder collected the ball, and himself, before firing low and beyond Mignolet to secure a vital three points.</p>
<p>Even then, another substitute - Jamie Mackie - was allowed to surge beyond the Sunderland back line but Mignolet did well to deny him in added time.</p>
<p><i>We'll have more match reaction coming up over the weekend and early next week in this Match Stream, so read all about it <a href="http://www.rokerreport.com/2013/3/9/4082180/queens-park-rangers-vs-sunderland-live-coverage-match-report-final-score" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</i></p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2013/3/9/4082192/match-report-queens-park-rangers-sunderland-final-score-epl-2013KarlJones2013-03-09T14:09:01+00:002013-03-09T14:09:01+00:00QPR Vs Sunderland: Confirmed Lineups
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<figcaption>Ian MacNicol</figcaption>
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<p>It looks to be a tricky tie between Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road today, and with both teams needing a win here's how they lineup as they go in search of one...</p> <p>Martin O'Neill has named a unchanged first XI from last week's draw against Fulham, choosing to stick with the 4-4-2 formation.</p>
<p>Danny Rose is only fit enough to start from the bench, while Kader Mangane is still only one of the substitutes and has to await his debut for a few more minutes at least. James McClean misses out through illness.</p>
<p>O'Neill has named seven subs though, which sounds promising until you actually see who they are...</p>
<p><b>Sunderland (4-4-2):</b> Simon Mignolet; Craig Gardner, John O'Shea (C), Titus Bramble, Jack Colback; Stephane Sessegnon, Alfred N'Diaye, Seb Larsson, Adam Johnson; Steven Fletcher, Danny Graham</p>
<p><b>Substitutes:</b> Keiren Westwood, Kader Mangane, David Vaughan, Carlos Cuellar, Phil Bardsley, Matt Kilgallon, Danny Rose</p>
<p>Meanwhile Harry Redknapp has made four changes from the side that beat Southampton last time out. Julio Cesar hasn't recovered from his injury, so Rob Green comes in. Bobby Zamora returns from injury to come in for Bothroyd, while Townsend and Fabio replace Granero and Traore.</p>
<p>No Adel Taarabt, even on the bench, for the Hoops this afternoon.</p>
<p><b>Queens Park Rangers (4-3-3):</b> Robert Green; Fabio, Christopher Samba, Clint Hill (C), Jose Bosingwa; Park Ji-Sung, Stephane M'Bia, Andros Townsend; Loic Remy, Junior Hoilett, Bobby Zamora</p>
<p><b>Substitutes:</b> Brian Murphy, Nedum Onouha Jamie Mackie, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jermaine Jenas, Esteban Granero, Jay Bothroyd</p>
<p><i>Follow all the action from Loftus Road today with us on Twitter as we provide live updates on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/RokerReport/">@RokerReport</a> and check back <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rokerreport.com/2013/3/9/4082180/queens-park-rangers-vs-sunderland-live-coverage-match-report-final-score">HERE</a> in our match stream for more reports and reaction.</i></p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2013/3/9/4082184/queens-park-rangers-vs-sunderland-confirmed-lineupsLuke Bowley2013-03-08T13:03:14+00:002013-03-08T13:03:14+00:00Preview: A Big Game In The Big Smoke
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<figcaption>Clive Brunskill</figcaption>
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<p>Sunderland travel down to Queens Park Rangers this weekend with both teams in desperate need of all three points. The hosts are struggling of late, but unfortunately so are we and this could be a huge game for both of us. Get all the buildup you need right here in our preview.</p> <h4>Sunderland Team News</h4>
<p>Sunderland came through the draw with Fulham without picking up any injuries or suspensions, unless you count that of Matt Kilgallon who was set to be a substitute until he took ill before kick-off.</p>
<p>With this in mind it's highly unlikely that Martin O'Neill is going to shake things up too much. Danny Rose is reportedly back in contention and given the manager's swiftness to plug-in key players regardless of fitness we could see him return as the only change to the back line.</p>
<p>Kader Mangane will likely have to continue to wait for his debut with Titus Bramble sticking in the middle of the defence alongside John O'Shea.</p>
<p>If there is to be a change, we could see Danny Graham taken out the starting lineup with James McClean coming back into midfield, and Stephane Sessegnon pushed into attack with Steven Fletcher. It's probably what I'd do, but it seems O'Neill and the players want to continue with this 4-4-2 system and we'll lineup as we did for the last two weeks.</p>
<h4>Queens Park Rangers Team News</h4>
<p>Harry Redknapp has been somewhat of a tinkerman of late in trying to find an eleven capable of the mammoth task of keeping the Hoops in the Premier League, but following last week's 2-1 win away at Southampton it's likely he could stick largely to the same side.</p>
<p>The one and only change could be a good one for us though as goalkeeper Julio Cesar has picked up a hamstring injury and was replaced in that game by Robert Green.</p>
<p>The rest of the side should lineup the same though with a hybrid 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation with Jay Bothroyd and the returning Loic Remy providing the main dangers.</p>
<p>Non-factor players such as Andy Johnson, Tal Ben Haim and Bobby Zamora will all likely miss out with long-term injuries.</p>
<h4>Predicted Lineups</h4>
<p><b>Sunderland:</b> Mignolet; Gardner, Bramble, O'Shea, Rose; Sessegnon, N'Diaye, Larsson, Johnson; Graham, Fletcher</p>
<p><b>Queens Park Rangers:</b> Green; Bosingwa, Samba, Hill, Traore; Park, Mbia, Granero; Remy, Bothroyd, Hoilett</p>
<h4>Key Matchup: Titus Bramble Vs Loic Remy</h4>
<p>This prospect scares me somewhat, even if Remy is out wide and Craig Gardner is helping out in covering the man who could have signed for them up the road before they stepped aside.</p>
<p>Remy's pace and power will be handful for Gardner, but even more so for Bramble if the Frenchman is deployed centrally with Redknapp eyeing up the potential matchup problem.</p>
<p>Remy has been in good goalscoring form when he's actually been on the pitch and will prove to be a tricky customer for our defence made of slow players and converted midfielders. I don't fancy the right-hand side of our defence up against him at all. Even the left-hand side still doesn't make me comfortable.</p>
<h4>Recent Form: DDLLW</h4>
<p>Draw: Queens Park Rangers 0-0 Manchester City</p>
<p>Draw: Queens Park Rangers 0-0 Norwich City</p>
<p>Loss: Swansea City 4-1 Queens Park Rangers (Michu 8 & 67, Rangel 18, Hernandez 50; Zamora 48)</p>
<p>Loss Queens Park Rangers 0-2 Manchester United (Rafael 23, Giggs 80)</p>
<p>Win: Southampton 1-2 Queens Park Rangers (Ramirez 45; Remy 14, Bothroyd 77)</p>
<h4>Last Time Around: Queens Park Rangers 2-3 Sunderland, 21/12/11</h4>
<p>Despite the fact we were bemoaning a midweek trip to London right before Christmas, this game was a great one. The result wasn't too bad either.</p>
<p>Nicklas Bendtner nodded Sunderland ahead in the opening twenty minutes and that's how things stayed right up until the second half when with the home side pushing for an equaliser, Stephane Sessegnon produced a magical solo run and effort to double the lead and send us home happy.</p>
<p>Or so it seemed was going to be the case anyway before two goals in five minutes from Queens Park Rangers' Jamie Mackie and Heidur Helguson restored parity and had travelling fans distraught.</p>
<p>In the final minute however Wes Brown (remember him?) looped a header in from a corner to turn frowns upside down and make the long trip back to the North East a happy one.</p>
<h4>The Ref: Mike Jones<br>
</h4>
<p>This will be Mike Jones' third time officiating Sunderland this season, and we haven't been on the winning side in either of those two games. In fact both games were among our worst of the season in the 2-2 draw away at Bolton Wanderers and the 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Aston Villa.</p>
<p>Overall Jones has officiated 15 Premier League games this season and hasn't been shy in making decisions with 56 yellow cards dished out, 2 red cards and four penalties. Among those though he's yet to send anyone off for two yellows, which makes it look as though his decision making process is quite cut and dry.</p>
<h4>What The Managers Said</h4>
<p><b>Martin O'Neill:</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>QPR is a difficult issue. They will be fighting for everything, having won last week.</p>
<p>Their side has been changed around somewhat since Harry Redknapp came in and it will be a monumental battle.</p>
<p>Saturday is a difficult game for us, but I believe we shouldn't have been beaten in any of our games recently, including the one against Arsenal.</p>
<p>There are more points we need to get, and it would be nice to do that this weekend.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Harry Redknapp:</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Teams that are six-seven-eight points above us will be looking, it can change so quickly, it can evaporate very quickly.</p>
<p>A couple of wins and losses and it can soon happen. We need a run of wins. We need another five wins at least.</p>
<p>We need to win half our games and get a draw or two. If we can get to 37 points, I'd take 37 points and walk away and take my chances.</p>
</blockquote>
<h4>Roker Report Predicts</h4>
<p>This one will be very tough I think. As stated earlier, both teams need the points incredibly badly and I'm not feeling overly optimistic despite our recent results against Queens Park Rangers. At the moment I'd take a draw, and I think a low-scoring one is in prospect. 1-1 wouldn't be overly terrible before we take on Norwich next week.</p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2013/3/8/4058938/qpr-sunderland-team-news-injuries-martin-o-neill-harry-redknappSimonWalsh2013-03-07T15:00:07+00:002013-03-07T15:00:07+00:00Fan Focus: Left Loft For Words
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<figcaption>Paul Gilham</figcaption>
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<p>We chatted with Clive Whittingham from QPR blog loftforwords ahead of Saturday's class at Loftus Road to get the lowdown on QPR's tumultuous season, the club's transfer policy and the weekend's game itself</p> <p><b>Well, just where do you start with QPR's season!? How has it been as a fan in the stands?</b></p>
<p><b></b><span style="line-height: 9px;"><i>Clive Whittingham: </i></span>Fairly torturous. Probably the worst thing about it is most fans, including myself, seemed to believe we'd done the hard work by staying up last season and having spent a bit of money on some big name players in the summer few expected the season of struggle we've had. A pre-season prediction thread on our message board ran to eight pages and not a single poster had QPR down as one of their bottom three - and QPR fans are a notoriously pessimistic bunch.</p>
<p>The hardest part, personally, has been seeing the contrasting effort levels between the players who aren't Premier League standard but put it all on the line for the club and the professional pride - Jamie Mackie, Shaun Derry, Clint Hill - and those who we know full well are far better than they're currently showing because we've seen it at their previous clubs - <span>Jose Bosingwa</span>, Ji Sung Park, <span>Djibril Cisse</span>, <span>Esteban Granero</span>.</p>
<p>If the majority of our players had played to their full potential and tried as hard as they possibly could in every game I don't think we'd be anywhere close to the bottom of the league, and that's pretty heartbreaking for a supporter. That said, Mark Hughes is going to go down as one of the worst managers in our club's history; he had more financial backing than anybody before him and saddled us with this lot.</p>
<p><b>Six new faces through the doors in January, what kind of an impact have the new recruits had on the side?</b></p>
<p><b></b><i>CW: </i>Minimal. Since we had our first takeover by a gang of rich owners a few years ago QPR have become obsessed with the transfer market. Every transfer window brings six new faces and the team very rarely gets any better for it. Under the ownership of Flavio Briatore, and more recently Tony Fernandes, the club has always, always, always preferred to sign a new player rather than work on one they already have. The result is a massively over-populated squad of poorly coached players that don't get on with each other because the difference in wages between them breeds contempt.</p>
<p>The squad is also very clearly layered - each layer with six or seven players brought in by a different manager in a different transfer window for different reasons. We currently have senior, high earning players like Djibril Cisse, Alejandro Faurlin and <span>Joey Barton</span> out on loan while we're bottom of the Premier League which really highlights how scattergun and haphazard the policy is. This January we brought in Loic Remy and Chris Samba who have improved the team, although in Remy's case he's rarely fit to play so whether he's actually much more use to us than Cisse would have been is up for debate. The others haven't improved us much at all - were <span>Jermaine Jenas</span>, <span>Andros Townsend</span> and Tal Ben Haim better than what we had here already? No. Signings for signings' sake. It's the QPR way.</p>
<p><b>QPR have what on paper at least looks like a more favourable run of fixtures from which to pick up some much needed points. How confident are you in QPR beating the drop?</b></p>
<p><b></b><i>CW: </i>Not very, simply because the team has yet to give any indication throughout the entire season that it has the ability, togetherness, spirit or work ethic to get itself out of this mess. We've already played <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland</a>, Villa, Wigan etc once and didn't beat any of them. That said, we left our run to safety very late last season and ended up winning all of our last five home games to survive including wins against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a>, Spurs and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>. Wigan also went on an incredible run from this point last year and survived from a similar position we're in now. It's not impossible but I don't think it's likely. A hard fought win at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://stmarysmusings.sbnation.com/">Southampton</a> at the weekend just gives that flicker of hope and we haven't given up yet, but it would be pretty miraculous if we escaped now.</p>
<p><b>Just how dangerous could relegation be to QPR, this must be a frightening scenario for a fan?</b></p>
<p><b></b><i>CW: </i>It's difficult to tell. From the outside people look at Loftus Road with its 18,000 capacity and then they see people like Chris Samba and Ji-Sung Park rolling up and they immediately think 'new Portsmouth'. I'll say a few things in defence of the club... Southampton got promoted last summer and immediately spent £12m on <span>Gaston Ramirez</span> and £7m on Jay Rodriguez. Both of those players were massively over valued - probably worth about half their respective fees in my opinion - and neither of them has been a great success this season, in fact Rodriguez can't even get in the starting 11.</p>
<p>Southampton were in League One a season and a half ago and they don't have anywhere near the financial backing in the boardroom that QPR have - and yet while nobody says a thing about Southampton, who could also easily be relegated, there's a bloody outcry when QPR spend exactly the same amount on Chris Samba and Loic Remy who are both far better players. Presumably that's because Southampton have a big shiny new stadium but, apart from St Mary's, there is little difference in the size and recent history of the two clubs. Loftus Road is small and hamstrings our club, but it's only 2,000 seats smaller than Swansea's Liberty Stadium and our average attendance is similar to Wigan who haven't been shy of spending a bit of money in the Premier League. People seem to forget that apart from the clubs with mega stadiums like Arsenal and Man Utd, and the regular Champions League qualifiers, the majority of the money for clubs comes from the television revenue of which we get as much as anybody else.</p>
<p>Plus we have the added security of not only Tony Fernandes, but also the richest man in the country Lakshmi Mittal on our board of directors. There also seems to be free reign on QPR where you can report any figure you like - Chris Samba on £100,000 a week for example - and it immediately becomes fact. The club assures us the reality of what they're paying the players is very different from what's reported.</p>
<p>However, yes, undoubtedly, QPR is clearly spending far more than it's bringing in and is wholly reliant on its board members to underwrite that. The day they decide to stop doing this - and they've assured us they're here for the long haul - we're screwed. But we're not the only club in that position and what can you do as a supporter other than hope for the best and be ready to pick up the pieces when it all goes wrong? We've been through this boom and bust at Rangers before so we know the drill. The supporters collectively ask tough questions of the board and support the team, which really is all we can do. Football in this country is built on debt and wholly reliant on sugar daddy owners so we're by no means unique - we just stand out because we're bottom of the league, making a lot of signings, and playing in a small shed.</p>
<p><b>Tony Fernandes is rather unique in his approach to interacting with the QPR fans, especially via twitter, what do you make of the entrepreneur's management style?</b></p>
<p><b></b><i>CW: </i>The communication and openness via Twitter, Facebook and his trips to the local pubs is great and welcome in as far as it goes. They're not the ideal vehicles for serious debates about important issues. The club recently held its first fans' forum for six years and I think the senior management were very, very surprised by the sheer volume of off the field issues and complaints that were raised at that event - Harry Redknapp, Clint Hill and Jamie Mackie all sat on the panel twiddling their thumbs because none of the questions were directed at them which tells you that the communication from board to supporters has not been good enough.</p>
<p>Following that shock to the system, the club are working very hard to rectify the situation - belatedly recognising that if we're playing Tranmere Rovers at home on a Tuesday night next year there will be no Sky Sports cameras, no football tourists, no Koreans in Park t-shirts and it needs to start looking after and talking to the 13,000 idiots who will still be there spending money. Fernandes' big mistake at QPR has been approaching a difficult task - keeping a club the size of ours in the Premier League - without anybody at board level with any football experience whatsoever. He, and the club, have been naïve and far too trusting of the likes of Mark Hughes and Kia Joorabchian.</p>
<p><b>Looking ahead to Saturday's clash, are there any areas of the Sunderland side that give you reason for concern?</b></p>
<p><b></b><i>CW: </i>When your team has played as poorly as QPR have this season every area of every opponent is a reason for concern - Rangers lost 4-2 at home to MK Dons recently remember. Clearly Fletcher scores the goals and Mignolet is playing well in goal. The arrival of Samba seems to have corrected our long standing problem of conceding from set pieces so hopefully, touch wood, there will be no repeat of your pea shelling exercise from corners that we saw in this fixture last season.</p>
<p>To be honest I'm worried about <span>Danny Graham</span> - he has scored three goals against us in our last five games against him and Rangers have a long history of helping players on bad runs break their ducks. John Jensen scored his one and only Arsenal goal against us, Lloyd Doyley has scored once in 550 appearances for Watford and that was against us and there are lots of other smaller examples besides so I wouldn't be surprised to see Graham suddenly looking like a bloody super star this weekend.</p>
<p><b>Conversely who should Sunderland be most wary of?</b></p>
<p><b></b><i>CW: </i>Well Adel Taarabt was our entire attack by himself for most of the season but he's looked added recently and was left out at Southampton. Loic Remy and <span>Junior Hoilett</span> played either side of Jay Bothroyd last week and we actually looked threatening for the first time in a long time - we haven't actually scored at home in five league games now and have only managed eight all season. Samba from set pieces of course. That's about it though - we're really not very good.</p>
<p><b>Any particular weak areas of the QPR setup where Sunderland could possibly take advantage?</b></p>
<p><b></b><i>CW: </i>Yes, hundreds. Our defence has actually tightened considerably since Redknapp arrived and we have the best record of any of the teams down there for goals conceded now but the midfield remains far too easy to dominate. Every time a team has played the fashionable 4-2-3-1 formation against us this season we've really struggled because we're incredibly vulnerable in the space between our midfield and defence. Michu has had fun in there this season - our aggregate score against Swansea this season is 9-1.</p>
<p><b>Prediction?</b></p>
<p><b></b><i>CW: </i>We desperately need to win and I actually think we might manage it, but judging by other similar games to this one since Redknapp arrived - Villa home, Norwich home - we'll huff and puff a bit before ending up with a low scoring draw.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p><i>Many thanks to Clive for joining us this week and be sure to call by </i><a href="http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/queensparkrangers/" target="_blank"><i>loftforwords</i></a><i> following the game for the QPR perspective</i></p>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2013/3/7/4072432/fan-focus-left-loft-for-wordsDavid Boyle2013-03-07T12:00:03+00:002013-03-07T12:00:03+00:00Roker Riches: Our Rangers Wagers
<figure>
<img alt="Steven Fletcher to be among the goals is a popular punt among our tipsters this week" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Odz7fluGpN1zgUH_8q1CQeUMuvw=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9214937/162960373.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steven Fletcher to be among the goals is a popular punt among our tipsters this week | Ian MacNicol</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Following a poor showing from the tipping team last time around the lads are desperate to set the record straight and add some cash to their totals, starting with QPR vs Sunderland and the rest of the weekend's football action</p> <h4>Week Twenty-Eight Recap</h4>
<table border="1" align="center"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>Pundit</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>Last Week's Profit/Loss</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>Current Balance</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Craig Clark</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">-£8.00</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">£51.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Karl Jones</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">-£10.00</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">£17.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Luke Bowley</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">-£8.00</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">£2.91</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Simon Walsh</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">-£5.00</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">-£5.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">David Boyle</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">-£7.00</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">-£7.33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Chris Weatherspoon</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">N/A</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">-£19.50</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p><br>Well, not a single winning bet to report from last weekend's selections, with Watford being the main culprits having let the side down with a sub-par draw against an out-of-form Wolves. Sunderland did us no favours either with a four goal game shared evenly between the two sides helping nobody's selections.</p>
<p>Back to the drawing-board:</p>
<h4>Karl Jones</h4>
<p>Same reasoning as the last time - Fletcher has accounted for 7/15 away goals this season - and his current barren spell, along with Sunderland's winless run, has to end at some point. Saturday would be nice.</p>
<p>Elsewhere, two of the bottom three in the Premier League meet and I'll sit on the fence with that one. Monaco's quest to be promoted has seen them become a trusty side to back of late, and we'll go with them to become the first team to win at Stade Gaston this season. Osasuna have won just twice all year away from home and whilst Betis have won just once in eight games, that result was in the form of a 3-0 win over fellow top four hunters Malaga.</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Steven Fletcher to score at any time - 9/4 - £10 Stake</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Reading to draw with Aston Villa, Monaco to beat Chateauroux, Real Betis to beat Osasuna - 13.61 - £5 Stake</span></span></li>
</ul>
<h4>Craig Clark</h4>
<p>QPR will have been boosted by their win at Southampton last weekend but by all accounts the Saints could and probably should have taken something from the game. Despite falling 2-0 behind to Rangers' West London neighbours Fulham last week, Sunderland were perhaps unlucky not to claim all 3 points in the end, with two decent penalty claims turned down. I fancy us to go one step further this weekend and end our winless run.</p>
<p>I think just about everything I backed last weekend failed to come off. Even Catania, who I was confident would beat Inter managed to throw a 2 goal lead away. This week I'm going for goals in the Premier League with a number of vital games at the bottom being played as well as the meeting of two progressive passing sides at the Hawthorns. Hopefully we'll end the day with a win, plenty of goals on Match of the Day and a few quid in my pocket</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Sunderland to win - 21/10 - £5 Stake</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Over 2.5 goals in all 4 Premier League games on Saturday - 4.9/1 - £2 Stake</span></span></li>
</ul>
<h4>David Boyle</h4>
<p>Thinking along similar lines to Karl, I believe this weekend will see Steven Fletcher return to the scoresheet and to go one further I reckon the Scot will open the scoring, which is available at some decent odds</p>
<p>Away from the Premier League I'm simply going to go with a single this weekend as there wasn't really much that caught my eye at the time of writing. However I do like the look of Nottingham Forest to see off the challenge of Wolves on Saturday. Wolves may have picked up a crucial win last time out but Forest should have more than enough in the locker to win this one.</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Steven Fletcher to score first - 13/2 - £2.50 Stake</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Nottingham Forest to win - 9/10 - £2.50 Stake</span></li>
</ul>
<h4>Luke Bowley</h4>
<p>Sunderland travel to Loftus Road this Saturday with both sides really in need of a win. Typically these games are tight, and given the utter dross on show in the reverse fixture you'd think you'd be in for a low-scoring tie. However, I think there could be quite a few goals in this game. Loic Remy looks a real threat for the Hoops and go behind Southampton's defence time and time against last weekend. For Sunderland, Stephane Sessegnon has been recapturing his best form of late, and he should help the Black Cats create chances against a fragile QPR backline.</p>
<p>Elsewhere, I'm going for perhaps the two most unpopular teams on Wearside to get victories. Newcastle are at home to a Stoke side who have been dismal of late and, even though the Tynesiders need to travel back from Moscow, I'd still expect them to win this. I also fancy Aston Villa to get a win at the Madjeski on Saturday. While nothing would please Sunderland fans more than seeing Darren Bent watch helplessly from his seat on the bench as his team plummets into the Championship, I just have a sneaky feeling Villa will nick something from this one.</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">QPR Vs Sunderland: Over 2.5 goals- 23/20- £5 stake</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Newcastle and Aston Villa to win - 6/1- £5 stake</span></li>
</ul>
<h4>Simon Walsh</h4>
<p>Looking at this weekend's game with QPR I have to admit I'm not entirely confident that this would be the walkover that the league table should suggest. I've absolutely no confidence in our defence to keep a clean sheet or handle both Hoilett and Remy for an entire afternoon. So on the flipside do I see us outscoring them? It looks the only thing which might get us any points. I'm not willing to put money on a score, so I'll go with Sess to score last, hopefully a winner rather than clawing one back in vain.</p>
<p>Elsewhere in FootballLand I'm looking at a little treble on 'Boro winning at Bristol City, Watford overcoming Blackpool and Fleetwood battering Exeter. The return is quite handsome.</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Stephane Sessegnon to score last - 10/1 - £1 Stake</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Middlesbrough, Watford & Fleetwood all to win - £10/1 - £3 Stake</span></li>
</ul>
<h4></h4>
<h4></h4>
https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2013/3/7/4072474/roker-riches-our-rangers-wagersDavid Boyle