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Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 21st July 2009
The New Lawn Stadium
Kick-off: 19:45
Forest Green Rovers V Queens Park Rangers
By thegodfather

I must confess I was more worried about one of our players getting injured on Sunday evening than the actual result. Remember Simon Walton? To my relief, nobody sustained any horrific broken legs. For me, Jim Magilton summed up Queens Park Rangers’ 3-1 defeat to NK Karlovac perfectly – “the lads have got another ninety minutes in their tanks”. As far as I am concerned, the main purpose of these friendlies is to get the squad match-fit for the start of the season. Whilst by all accounts the Rs’ play was disjointed and scrappy, fans can draw positives from the individual performances of Alejandro Faurlin and Rowan Vine, the former creating the opportunity for the latter to score.

As insignificant as the result may be, Rangers do have a chance to quickly get back to winning ways when they face Forest Green Rovers at The New Lawn Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Forest Green Rovers

The stadium - Rangers will be playing at one of the most modern Conference football grounds on Tuesday evening. The New Lawn was completed for the start of the 2006/07 season and holds a capacity of over five thousand people.

The previous campaign - Last season was a rather unusual one for the Conference National team. Despite struggling in the league, the team enjoyed success in the cup competitions under manager, Jim Harvey, reaching both the Setanta Shield final and the Third Round of the FA Cup. Unfortunately for the supporters, they were beaten on both occasions and eventually finished in 18th position in the Conference table.

Notable former players – Dennis Bailey, who famously scored a hat-trick for the Hoops in their 4-1 win over Manchester United in 1992, spent two seasons at Forest Green between 1999 and 2001. Other former players include Aston Villa legends Tony Daley and Nigel Spink.

Men to watch

Striker, Andrew Mangan, notched a very impressive total of 26 goals in 39 appearances last season, a record that earned him the title of Blue Square Premier League top scorer. The 22 year-old’s career has been surrounded by controversy after he allegedly placed high bets on Forest Green matches. It remains to be seen whether the FA chooses to take heavy action against the former Blackpool man. Mangan, if he starts, will certainly be a threat on Tuesday evening after tearing apart the Charlton Athletic defence a couple of days ago in a 3-1 victory.

Conal Platt could partner Mangan in attack. The former Liverpool, Bournemouth and Rushden and Diamonds striker joined Forest Green last summer and netted 7 goals in 36 appearances in the 2008/09 season. The 22 year-old has also represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-19 level.

On the left flank, Harvey could select Curtis McDonald. The 21 year-old, who started his career with Cardiff City, played a key role for Rovers last season. The pacey winger’s impressive performances have earned him a call-up to the Wales Under-21 squad.

Midfielder, Adriano Rigoglioso, who can also play up front if required, signed for Rovers in October 2006. Having started his career with Liverpool, playing alongside the likes of Michael Owen, the 30 year-old quickly made a good impression at the New Lawn Stadium. Unfortunately his career suffered a setback when he sustained a serious injury and he missed the majority of last season. However, he could be given a start on Tuesday evening in order to build up his fitness for the forthcoming campaign.

In central defence, Lee Ayres will probably be handed a start. The 26 year-old played a very important role in Rovers’ relegation battle last season and has recently been offered a one-year contract. He has Football League experience from his spell with Kidderminster Harriers between 2001 and 2003.

Form

Queens Park Rangers come into this match on the back of a draw (NK Celje) and a loss (NK Karlovac). Rovers, on the other hand, won their last match comfortably against Charlton, beating the Addicks 3-1.

QPR Team News

Magilton has a fully fit squad to choose from with the exception of Lee Cook. Cook, who has struggled with knee problems ever since he signed for Fulham a couple of years ago, looks likely to miss the first month of the season.

Prediction

This should be a comfortable victory for Magilton’s men. I very much doubt that Forest Green will be able to cope with Rangers’ more skilful players. However, that’s not to say that Rovers should be underestimated. As they showed with their victory over Charlton a couple of nights ago, they are more than capable of defeating higher league opposition. Despite the threat that Forest Green pose, I still fancy the Rs to get back to winning ways.

Forest Green Rovers 1-3 Queens Park Rangers