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Saturday 22nd August 2009
The Coca-Cola Championship
Loftus Road Stadium
Referee: J Linington
Kick-off: 15:00
Queens Park Rangers (17th) V Nottingham Forest (22nd)
By The Godfather

After a very disappointing start to the campaign, Queens Park Rangers will be hoping to pick up their first win of the season when they come up against Nottingham Forest at Loftus Road. Both managers will be viewing this as a very important fixture.

Nottingham Forest

Last season, after gaining promotion to the Championship, Forest narrowly avoided relegation in the 2008/09 campaign. In 2009/010, however, Reds supporters will be targeting a play-off finish at least!

Nottingham Forest’s summer spending spree has earned them the nickname, “the Real Madrid of the Championship”. Judging by the Reds’ start to the season, I don’t think the likes of Ronaldo and Kaka will be shaking in their boots. In fact, after poor results against West Brom and Watford, pressure is already mounting on manager, Billy Davies. He will be viewing Saturday’s fixture as a must-win game.

Davies, of course, could select former QPR players, Dexter Blackstock and Lee Camp in his starting line-up. It will be interesting to observe the reception they get when they return to Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon.

Men to watch

It only seems fitting to start the “men to watch” section with striker, Dexter Blackstock. His goals in the 2006/07 campaign played an important part in QPR’s survival, but he struggled to regain his top form in the years following Ray Jones’ tragic death. He did, however, finish as the Rs’ top scorer last season despite spending time out on loan at the City Ground. Blackstock signed for Forest during the summer and scored against Watford. Let’s hope he doesn’t gain revenge on his former club on Saturday.

David McGoldrick could partner Blackstock in attack. The 21 year-old joined the Reds from Southampton during the summer for a fee of Ł1 million. McGoldrick scored 12 goals for the Saints last season and is clearly a young player with a lot of potential. He could cause problems for the Rs on Saturday.

Among Nottingham Forest’s other strikers are Robert Earnshaw, Nathan Tyson and Dele Adebola. Earnshaw and Tyson bring pace and skill to the Forest frontline whilst Adebola adds physical strength and aerial ability.

In the heart of midfield, Billy Davies will probably select Chris Cohen in his starting line-up. Since joining the club from Yeovil in 2007, the 22 year-old has impressed the fans with his performances. As winner of the 2008-09 Player of the Year title, expect to see the hard-working central midfielder give the likes of Buzsaky, Mahon and Leigertwood a stern test on Saturday afternoon.

Paul McKenna could play alongside Cohen in midfield. This summer, after a successful twelve-year spell with Preston North End, the 31 year-old finally made the difficult decision to leave Deepdale and join Nottingham Forest. McKenna brings experience and leadership qualities to the team.

On the wing, Paul Anderson will probably start for Forest. The 21 year-old joined from Liverpool after a successful loan period at the City Ground last season. Anderson’s pace and skill will pose a real threat to the Queens Park Rangers defence. I hope Magilton has recognised this.

At the back, the experienced central defender, Wes Morgan, could play. A product of the youth academy at the City Ground, the 25 year-old has made almost 250 appearances for Nottingham Forest.

In goal, Lee Camp will return to Loftus Road after signing for Nottingham Forest during the summer. The 24 year-old became a favourite with the QPR fans through two loan periods in 2004 and 2007. John Gregory signed him before the start of the 2007/08 campaign and he went on to make 49 appearances in a two-year spell. However, last season, he struggled to fight his way into the first team after the signing of Radek Cerny and spent a few months with Forest. He moved to Nottingham on a permanent basis during the summer.

Previous Matches

October 2008 – Queens Park Rangers kept Nottingham Forest bottom of the Championship with a 2-1 victory at Loftus Road. Balanta smashed the Rs into the lead when Damien Delaney flicked on Fitz Hall’s long throw. Buzsaky doubled the advantage in the 60th minute, volleying home from outside the penalty area. Lewis McGugan pulled one back late on with a fine free-kick but the Super Hoops held on for three points.

QPR Assistant Manager, Tim Flowers: “It was important after the run of games we've had that we got our noses in front, which we did. Their goal rocked us back a bit but it was a good result and a good three points. The first goal was vital and, fortunately, we got it today. We then hunted the ball better in the second half and we've got pace at the back, so there was no need to worry and sit deep. It was about being brave.”

Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Nottingham Forest

February 2009 – Despite dominating large parts of the match, Queens Park Rangers had to settle for a point at the City Ground. Forest went in front through Lewis McGugan’s penalty. Alberti equalised just before half-time, smashing home from inside the area. The Italian grabbed his second goal of the game after the break, before Cohen gained his side a point with a powerful header late on.

QPR first-team coach, Paulo Sousa: “The most difficult thing is to close out the games. When you get opportunities you need to close the game out and we need this a little bit more, but it's coming. The second half was a big performance, with a lot of personality and playing some good football. We created, but we need to learn to score and close the game.”

Nottingham Forest 2-2 Queens Park Rangers

Form

Both sides have failed to pick up a victory so far this season.

Queens Park Rangers drew their games with Blackpool and Plymouth before losing to Bristol City on Tuesday night.

Nottingham Forest drew their first fixture away at Reading but have lost their last two matches against West Brom and Watford.

Team News

Alejandro Faurlin made his debut on Tuesday evening against Bristol City and will be available for Saturday’s fixture. Angelo Balanta and Kaspars Gorkss could also be involved against Forest. It is unclear as to whether Martin Rowlands will be fit in time (he’s still suffering from the injury he sustained against Blackpool). Lee Cook is definitely out with knee problems.

Prediction

It will be interesting to see whether Pellicori is given an opportunity to impress by Jim Magilton given the recent performances from the QPR strikers. Clearly the manager needs to do something because Rangers simply cannot afford to keep wasting chances like they have done over the last few weeks.

I always worry when former Rangers players return to Loftus Road. I expect that Lee Camp and Dexter Blackstock will be really “up” for Saturday’s match. Several posters on the message board have said that “Blackstock’s bound to score”. Let’s hope they’re wrong!

As already mentioned, this is a big match for both sides and unfortunately, given the Rs’ goalscoring form, I can see it finishing in a goalless draw.

Queens Park Rangers 0-0 Nottingham Forest