Saturday 6th November 2010
Npower Football League Championship
Loftus Road Stadium
Referee: S J Tanner
Kick-off: 15:00
Queens Park Rangers (2nd) V Reading (6th)
By The Godfather

Saturday’s “hooped derby” against Reading presents Queens Park Rangers with an excellent opportunity to reclaim the top position, with league leaders, Cardiff, facing a difficult match against local rivals, Swansea, in Sunday afternoon’s televised encounter. After drawing five of their last six matches, the Rs must get back to winning ways against the Royals, who could be without their star midfielder, Jimmy Kebe. Rangers will no doubt have to be more clinical in front of goal than they have been in recent weeks.

Reading

Manager: Brian McDermott

Season 2009-10 finish: 9th position.

A rivalry has developed between Queens Park Rangers and Reading in recent years and these matches are always ones that I look forward to. For much of last season, it looked like the Royals would be relegated, but the arrival of Brian McDermott as manager drastically improved the team’s league position. In fact, by the end of the campaign, the club was pushing for the play-offs, a remarkable achievement given the state of affairs under previous boss, Brendan Rodgers. McDermott eventually guided his team to a very respectable 9th placed finish.

This season, McDermott is looking to build upon that success, with fans hoping for a play-off push. So far, the team has not disappointed. They come into Saturday’s match on the back of two impressive victories against Burnley and Doncaster, scoring four goals in each. However, Reading are currently conceding an average of a goal per game and therefore Neil Warnock will be feeling confident that his team can expose this defensive weakness.

Men to watch

Reading’s main threat on Saturday afternoon is likely to be Jobi McAnuff, a man who was repeatedly linked with a move to Loftus Road during the summer. The pacey winger is proven in the Championship, having previously enjoyed successful spells with Cardiff City, Crystal Palace and Watford. Having produced some impressive performances so far this season, he will need to be marked closely by the QPR defenders.

Up front, Shane Long is likely to start. He will be feeling confident having just signed a contract extension at the club. The 23 year-old, who joined Reading from Cork City in 2005, has scored 25 goals in a total of 141 appearances. Although his record isn’t exactly prolific, he usually proves to be a thorn in opponents’ sides. He has also been capped 15 times by the Irish national team.

Simon Church could partner Long in attack. A product of Reading’s youth academy, the 21 year-old signed his first professional contract in 2007 with the Royals and has since made 49 appearances, netting thirteen goals. The Welsh international scored the winner in the 4-3 victory over Doncaster last Saturday, slotting home from close-range.

McDermott also has the versatile Jay Tabb at his disposal. The 26 year-old joined the club in 2009 following a successful three-year spell with Coventry City. Tabb can play in any midfield position and can play as a centre forward if required, as he did for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 team.

In the left-back position, Reading have the talented Ian Harte, who has both Premiership and Football League experience. The former Ireland international, who was capped 64 times by his country, started his career with Leeds United and soon earned himself a reputation as a free-kick specialist. Following United’s relegation, the 32 year-old signed for Levante, subsequently moving to Sunderland and then Blackpool. In 2009, he joined Carlisle United and, incredibly, notched 19 goals in the 2009/10 campaign. This scoring record attracted the interest of Reading, who purchased him in August for £100,000. He has already scored 3 goals in a hooped shirt, including a stunning free-kick against Barnsley.

In goal, Adam Federici is likely to retain the goalkeeping position. He is not a keeper I rate particularly highly: perhaps the QPR forwards can exploit this vulnerability on Saturday afternoon.

Previous Match

March 2010 – Neil Warnock suffered his first defeat as Queens Park Rangers manager, with his team being beaten 1-0 by Reading at the Madejski Stadium. The Rs enjoyed the better chances in the first half, with Adel Taraabt and Tamas Priskin both squandering golden opportunities. After the break, Damion Stewart was sent off for a second bookable offence, which meant that the Rs had to sit back and hope to take a point from the encounter. However, Sigurdsson’s late penalty meant that McDermott’s side took all three points.

QPR Manager, Neil Warnock: “You don't often come to Reading and out-play them but we did and I have learned a lot about the players tonight. You can say that the red card cost us. We defended really well. Damion's first booking is never a booking in a million years. He never took his eye off the ball. But the second one was his own fault. What was the goalkeeper going to do other than kick the ball? He must have launched 100 kicks tonight so it was silly and he let his mates down."

Reading 1-0 Queens Park Rangers

QPR Team News

Akos Buzsaky has been ruled out for several weeks with a knee problem. Therefore, Faurlin and Derry are likely to continue in the middle of the park. Heidar Helguson is doubtful following the shoulder injury he sustained at Bristol City, whilst Tommy Smith will be hoping for a place in the starting line-up after playing so well against Burnley. Lee Cook and Peter Ramage remain long-term absentees.

Prediction

This will probably be a rather even affair between two of the stronger teams in the Championship. It is imperative that Queens Park Rangers return to winning ways, whilst Reading would probably settle for a point. I really would like to see Tommy Smith be given an opportunity in the first team, possibly ahead of Hogan Ephraim, who has not contributed much over the last few weeks. I am going to predict a Rangers win, but only by a single goal.

Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Reading