Saturday 28th November 2009
The Coca Cola Championship
Loftus Road Stadium
Kick-off: 15:00
Referee: M Jones
Queens Park Rangers (6th) V Coventry City (18th)
By The Godfather

Last Saturday, I travelled up to Doncaster expecting to enjoy another excellent away performance from the Super Hoops. Unfortunately, what I saw was a QPR performance devoid of creativity and skill, struggling to cope with the absence of Gavin Mahon in the heart of midfield. In the end, Rangers were deservedly beaten by a hard-working Donny side.

As I said in my match report, hopefully that display was simply a "bad day at the office". And, fortunately, Magilton's men have a superb opportunity to get back to winning ways against a struggling Coventry team on Saturday afternoon. Failure to pick up three points could see the Rs drop out of the top six. Therefore, a victory is vital.

Coventry City

Season 2008-09 finish: 17th place.

Manager: Chris Coleman.

Not so long ago, Coventry City were an established Premier League club. Now, after a dreadful start to the season, they face a battle to escape relegation to the third tier of English football. In truth, the Sky Blues have struggled after the departures of star players, Daniel Fox and Scott Dann.

Without a win in their last seven fixtures, pressure is beginning to mount on manager, Chris Coleman. At the time of writing, they sit in 18th place, only a few points off the drop-zone. Coleman will be viewing Saturday's match as a crucial one. However, after losing 5 out of their 7 away games this season, Sky Blues fans will not be feeling particularly confident.

Men to watch

Coventry City's main attacking threat is former Southampton striker and current top scorer, Leon Best, who has netted 8 goals so far this season. The 23 year-old briefly spent time on loan with the Rs during the 2004/05 campaign. I have to say, I wasn't particularly impressed by his performances in a hooped shirt, but there is no doubt that he has improved since then. Best joined the Sky Blues in 2007 and has since made 80 appearances.

Experienced centre-forward, Clinton Morrison, is likely to play alongside Best. The 30 year-old has an irritating habit of scoring against the Super Hoops - let's hope that doesn't continue on Saturday. He has enjoyed two successful spells with Crystal Palace, making over 250 appearances in total and scoring 103 goals, earning 36 international caps for Ireland in the process. He signed for Coventry in 2008 and has scored six times so far this season.

Chris Coleman also has former Southend star, Freddy Eastwood, at his disposal. Since leaving the Shrimpers, the 26 year-old has struggled to regain his goalscoring touch. After failing to break into the first team at Wolves, he moved to the Ricoh Arena in 2008, but has only scored 5 times in 58 starts.

On the left wing, Michael McIndoe is likely to keep his place in the starting line-up. After successful spells with Yeovil, Doncaster and Barnsley, the 29 year-old signed for Wolves in 2007. However, after only a few months at Molineux, he moved to Bristol City in search of first-team football. The Scot impressed during his two-year period at Ashton Gate, making 90 appearances. He joined the Sky Blues in August and is expected to play a key role in City's 2009/10 campaign. The pacey winger is an excellent crosser of the ball and could pose a threat on Saturday afternoon.

On the other flank, David Bell could be handed a place in the starting line-up. The 25 year-old made a name for himself playing for Luton Town between 2006 and 2008, making 70 appearances. His impressive performances attracted the interest of Norwich City, who purchased him for an undisclosed fee. After the Canaries' relegation, he joined the Sky Blues for £500,000. Bell could give the QPR full-backs a tough time on Saturday afternoon.

In central midfield, Aron Gunnarsson could start. The Icelandic international signed for Coventry in 2008 from Dutch side, AZ. He has since impressed at the Ricoh Arena, earning himself a regular place in the first team. The 20 year-old is renowned for his long throw, which he developed as a youth playing handball.

At the back, Leon Barnett could play in central defence. The 23 year-old started his career at Luton Town, where he impressed the supporters during a five-year spell. A move to West Brom followed in 2007 and he has since made 45 appearances. This season, however, he has struggled to break into the first team. Barnett signed for City on a two-month loan deal earlier this month.

Coventry also have defender, Martin Cranie, who spent a couple of months on loan at QPR a few years ago. Many Rs fans wanted to see the 23 year-old signed on a permanent deal - it will be interesting to see how he fares on Saturday. He signed for the Sky Blues from Portsmouth last August for an undisclosed fee and has since made 11 appearances.

In goal, Kieren Westwood should keep his place. The 25 year-old is a talented shot-stopper and has earned two call-ups to the Republic of Ireland national team.

Previous Match

January 2009 - Dexter Blackstock salvaged a point for Queens Park Rangers against ten-man Coventry City with a bizarre headed goal. After Stephen Wright had been sent off for a lunge on Heidar Helguson, City took the lead when Daniel Fox curled home a free-kick. However, in the 87th minute, a long ball caused confusion in the away defence and Blackstock managed to head past the onrushing goalkeeper into the net.

QPR Manager, Paulo Sousa: "We changed our shape and played without training very much because the weather gave us few opportunities. When this happens it is better to keep playing the way we were before, so I take responsibility for this. We looked for a winger and when Wayne Routledge came, we wanted to be more open and play with more width. When you change things it doesn't just click but the positive thing is that we are building and it's coming."

Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Coventry City

QPR Team News

Adel Taraabt could return to the starting line-up after being dropped to the bench for the Doncaster trip. Loan signing, Steven Reid, picked up a light knock in training and could miss out. Meanwhile, Hogan Ephraim will be unavailable after moving to Leeds United on loan. Gavin Mahon, Fitz Hall and Lee Cook remain long-term absentees.

Prediction

The likes of Faurlin, Watson and Reid (if fit) have got to keep the ball better than they did last Saturday. They also must prepared to track back and provide defensive cover for the centre-backs. Rangers also need to produce a far more creative performance - the team must make better use of Taraabt, Buzsaky and Routledge. With respect to Coventry City, this is a game that the Rs should win if they are to establish themselves as serious play-off contenders. I'll be optimistic and predict a narrow QPR victory.

Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Coventry City

Don't forget to read The Godfather's exclusive interview with QPR fan, Rt Hon Alan Johnson (Home Secretary). Available on the "Other articles" page.