Saturday 25th April 2009
Loftus Road Stadium
Kick-off: 15:00
Referee: N S Miller
Queens Park Rangers (11th) V Plymouth Argyle (19th)
By thegodfather

Queens Park Rangers face relegation-threatened Plymouth Argyle on Saturday in the Rs’ last home game of the 2008/09 campaign. After a turbulent season at Loftus Road, Gareth Ainsworth’s men will be hoping to finish on a high by winning their two remaining fixtures.

Plymouth Argyle

Last season, Paul Sturrock guided Plymouth Argyle to a respectable 10th place finish. With an experienced and talented manager, many supporters of the Pilgrims hoped that the 2008/09 campaign would see their side challenge for a play-off spot. However, it has turned out to be a huge disappointment.

Argyle find themselves in 19th place in the league table, only four points off the relegation zone with two matches to play. A victory over QPR would secure the club’s Championship status, but it is difficult to see the Pilgrims taking anything from this fixture. They come into this game on the back of an abysmal 0-3 defeat to Doncaster Rovers. Team morale will be low. I hope that Rangers will be able to capitalise upon this.

Men to watch

Plymouth Argyle’s top scorer is Paul Gallagher, who has netted 13 goals this season. Sturrock signed the 24 year-old on a season-long loan deal from Blackburn Rovers during August 2008. Despite being with Rovers since 2002, Gallagher has never been able to establish himself as a first-team regular at Ewood Park. He has also spent time out on loan with Stoke City and Preston North End.

Rory Fallon could partner Gallagher in attack. The 27 year-old, who was linked with a move to Queens Park Rangers earlier this season, started his career with Barnsley, where he scored 11 goals in 52 appearances. Successful spells at Swindon Town and Swansea City followed, before Plymouth signed him in 2007. He has notched 5 goals this campaign.

Sturrock could also select forward, Jamie Mackie. The 23 year-old joined Argyle from local rivals, Exeter City, in 2008 for a reported fee of £125000. He has scored 5 goals this season, including a wonder-strike against Reading in March.

Carl Fletcher joined the Pilgrims in March 2009 on a one-month loan deal from Crystal Palace. The Welsh international midfielder lists Bournemouth, West Ham and Watford among his former clubs. The 29 year-old can play as a central defender if required.

Captain, Karl Duguid, will probably start alongside Fletcher in the middle of the park. The 31 year-old joined the Pilgrims from Colchester United in June 2008. Duguid made over 450 appearances for United in a 14-year spell, becoming a favourite with the supporters. He is naturally a right-back but has played a key role for Argyle in central midfield this season.

In the heart of defence, Krisztian Timar will probably start. Since joining the Pilgrims in 2007, the Hungarian international has made 58 appearances for the club. The 29 year-old was voted as Argyle’s Player of the Season 2007/08.

Paul Sturrock also has former Queens Park Rangers left-back, Chris Barker. The 29 year-old made 25 appearances for the Rs last season. I hope that the likes of Taraabt, Vine and Cook will be able to expose Barker’s lack of pace on Saturday.

In goal, Romain Larrieu is likely to start. The 32 year-old has made 230 appearances for Argyle since joining them in 2000 from ASOA Valence. Larrieu has also played for Yeovil Town and Gillingham.

Previous Matches

September 2007 – Plymouth beat John Gregory’s struggling QPR side 2-0 at Loftus Road. Stefan Moore tested Luke McCormick early on, before Danny Nardiello hit the bar. However, Ian Holloway’s Argyle team responded and dominated the second-half. Peter Halmosi put the Pilgrims into the lead just after the break, slotting home from the edge of the box. David Norris sealed the victory with a diving header in the 62nd minute.

QPR Manager, John Gregory: “I've been through everything in football - I'm very philosophical about life. We must carry on working as hard as we can. We just need to get a win. Plymouth took the lead and you could see the confidence drain out of a few of our boys, who are finding things a little bit difficult at the moment."

Queens Park Rangers 0-2 Plymouth Argyle

December 2007 – Plymouth Argyle came from behind to beat Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Home Park. Rowan Vine put the Rs into the lead in the 19th minute, smashing home Akos Buzsaky’s cross. Sylvain Ebanks-Blake equalised from the spot just after the break when Simon Walton was adjudged to have handled inside the area. Sylvain Ebanks-Blake netted a 94th minute winner from Peter Halmosi’s corner.

QPR Manager, Luigi De Canio (on referee’s performance): “His performance offended me and every sportsman. He was bad throughout the whole match. When we lost at Stoke it was because of our own mistakes, but here the referee was mainly responsible for our defeat."

Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Queens Park Rangers

December 2008 – A late equaliser from Steve Maclean ensured that Plymouth Argyle took a point from QPR at Home Park. Heidar Helguson put the Rs into the lead in the 16th minute, smashing home Martin Rowlands’ cross. Argyle dominated much of the play and deservedly equalised in the 83rd minute, when Maclean volleyed home Fallon’s header.

QPR Manager, Paulo Sousa: “Helguson took his goal well and he will grow in confidence with that goal. That is the main thing for me - the players and the team grow in confidence and show consistency because in this league you have to be consistent. With consistency comes confidence and I thought we looked more confident today."

Plymouth Argyle 1-1 Queens Park Rangers

League Form

Queens Park Rangers form: WDLWL (Last match – Wolves 1-0 QPR).

Plymouth Argyle form: LWWDL (Last match – Plymouth 0-3 Doncaster).

QPR Team News

Patrick Agyemang could make his return to first-team action after recovering from injury. He is likely to be named on the substitutes’ bench. Akos Buzsaky and Martin Rowlands remain long-term absentees.

Prediction

I think that Queens Park Rangers will win this one. Plymouth could be vulnerable defensively after conceding three goals last Saturday at Home Park against Doncaster Rovers. Let’s hope that QPR produce a good performance in their final home match of the season.

Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Plymouth Argyle