After what, to us after spending an eternity in the lower leagues, was a strange break for international football we`re back up and running this Saturday with a fixture against cash-laden Queens Park Rangers. Now we say cash-laden because they were once touted as the richest club in England but apparently have a real reluctance to spend big! However, with our poor return from our opening stint to the season I guess we`re not really in a good position to offer the odd jibe, perhaps our time would be more prudently spent knuckling down and sorting out our own problems. Come on Posh, let`s stop this malaise and get our first Championship win of the season!
Vital Quotes:
Ahead of the clash at Loftus Road, Darren Ferguson has tried to play down the fact that we`re seen as an inferior club to QPR and has spoken about the player`s being ready for action, remarking to the local media,
‘QPR are a club who will expect to beat us just like most Championship sides will expect to beat us when we go away from home.”
‘They have big financial backers and they have used the loan market very well in bringing in three Premier League players to the club.”
‘They also had a good win last time out so they will be confident. We know it is going to be tough again, but we have to use all that to our advantage.”
‘We will surprise anyone who takes us lightly and I know we are going to give QPR a really hard game. The international break came at a really good time for us as the players have looked fresh and eager for action this week.”
QPR Team News:
Queens Park Rangers will be looking to give a debut to their most recent signing, albeit on loan, Ben Watson. However the will be without the services of the injured duo of Fitz Hall and Angelo Balanta.
Player to watch: Jay Simpson
A promising youngster signed, on loan for the season, from Arsenal. He played against us for West Bromwich last season and impressed.
Peterborough Team News:
Darren Ferguson, after obtaining only three points from a possible twelve, may be contemplating shuffling the pack. Chris Whelpdale, out all season, appeared in a reserve fixture against Northampton in midweek and may return to the fold. The back-four, after amore resolute display against Crystal Palace, should stay largely intact and we have no doubts that providing they are both fit, Mackail-Smith and Mclean will start up front, which just leaves us with the midfield places, an area where Darren has made several changes so far this season. Here at Vital Posh we feel that he`ll stick with Frecklington and Diagouraga and that Boyd and Coutts may well get the nod as well.
Our starting eleven – Lewis, Martin, Zakuani, Morgan, Williams, Coutts, Frecklington, Diagouraga, Boyd, Mackail-Smith and Mclean
Player to watch: George Boyd
His silky skills could be the way for us to open Queens Park Rangers up, especially if we can soak up the pressure and launch a few quick counter-attacks. Here`s hoping that George has a tantalizing game rather than a teasing one!
Match Facts & Stats
Posh fans looking towards the history books will be disappointed to learn that Loftus Road is not a happy hunting ground for us with Posh never having won there. Although Tom Williams has a few memories having been on loan twice at Queens Park Rangers and even played for them in a play-off final at the Millennium Stadium in 2003.
The last meeting between the two sides saw the spoils shared with a 1-1 draw, Posh took the lead in the last minute of the first half with QPR equalizing in the last minute of the second half.
Posh need a win to bring to a halt the longest run of games, seven, under Darren Ferguson, without a victory!
Match Prediction:
Going to Loftus Road s always a hard task! On their home patch Queens Park Rangers are quite formidable and their noisy support drives them on. Like ourselves, Queens Park Rangers are an ambitious club and are rumoured to be backed by big-bucks. But, like we`ve said previously, if we are to march up this damned Championship table and satisfy our eventual quest to reach the promised land of the Premier League then we should not be in awe of going to such places. Whilst I`d normally tip a Posh win (well I`ll surely be right one day this season), I must admit that I`d settle for a draw this Saturday!
Next Fixtures:
Next up for Peterborough is another tricky away match this time to visit high-flying Leicester City. In our time of need the fixture list hasn`t really been that kind has it?
