Mick Harford brings his QPR side to Nottingham this week in full knowledge that failure to win in his second successive game in charge will probably see him removed from his position and the prospect couldn’t be tougher in facing a Forest team that are now unbeaten in the league for the last FOUR months & haven’t conceded more than one goal in any game since way back in August.
Vital Quotes:
It’s going to get tough now, we’re not just unbeaten in ages, we’re now a major scalp for the 1st team to beat us.
Nottingham Forest Team News:
Nicky Shorey is suspended in what would have been his last game on loan at Forest which will see either Chris Cohen move to left back, or more likely James Perch come in at right back with Gunter swapping to the left. Julian Bennett is still a long way off returning but otherwise, Forest are at full strength.
Player to watch: Dexter Blackstock
The striker who arrived from QPR in the summer after his loan spell will be wanting to make a point to his previous employers & with his 7 goals and 4 assists in his 21 games so far has proved more that capable of doing so.
Queens Park Rangers Team News:
Nigel Quashie has signed on at QPR after begin released by West Ham, 10 years after leaving Forest for Portsmouth and he will be sure of a hostile reception after his appearance here for Portsmouth a few seasons ago in the cup. Wayne Routledge should start despite being strongly linked with a move away from Loftus Road. Rowan Vine is unavailable following a stomach operation, Lee Cook is back in full training following a long term knee injury & may make the bench, Gareth Ainsworth is out with a calf problem, while Gavin Mahon and Martin Rowlands remain sidelined with knee injuries.
Player to watch: Adel Taarabt
He may be trouble for the managers at QPR, but he’s taken more shots at goal than any other Championship player with 71 attempts, over 40 of these were off target though
Match Facts & Stats
This will be the 48th league fixture between the two teams, of the previous 47, Forest have registered 19 wins, QPR 13 & the other 15 games were drawn. The 119 goals this fixture has produced have seen Forest grab 67 of them & The R’s 52
Ref Watch:
Eddie Ilderton of Tyne & Wear will take charge of this fixture
His assistants will be Mark Brown and Andy Madley both of Yorkshire
Fourth Official Ian Smedley of Derbyshire
Match Prediction:
Forest have been in fine form at home while QPR have struggled against teams in the top half of the Championship table & haven’t kept a clean sheet in any competition since October. It will be a tough fixture as The R’s wont simply roll over, but i see this going down as a 2 – 0 home win.
Next Fixtures:
Saturday, 30 January 13:00
The Football League Championship
Derby v Nottm Forest
(just in case you forgot)
