Sunday 23nd January 2011
Npower Football League Championship
Loftus Road Stadium
Referee: M Haywood
Kick-off: 13:15
Queens Park Rangers (1st) V Coventry City (13th)
By The Godfather

Neil Warnock has made three additions to his squad ahead of Sunday’s must-win fixture, signing Pascal Chimbonda on a free transfer and securing the services of Wayne Routledge and Ishmael Miller on loan deals. Following the departure of Kyle Walker to Aston Villa and Jamie Mackie’s horrific injury, it was crucial that the Rs utilised the transfer market. We all know about Wayne Routledge’s strengths at this level and I am confident that he will prove to be an excellent replacement for Mackie. As for Chimbonda and Miller, however, we shall have to wait and see.

After Cardiff, Norwich and Nottingham Forest won their games on Saturday, it is vital that Queens Park Rangers beat Aidy Boothroyd’s men. With a difficult trip to Hull City ahead, this fixture presents a superb opportunity for the Rs to stretch their lead at the top of the table to five points.

Coventry City

Manager: Aidy Boothroyd

Season 2009-10 finish: 19th position

The Sky Blues have spent the last few seasons struggling in lower mid-table, but supporters will be hoping for a play-off push this year. Manager, Aidy Boothroyd, seems to have made a positive impact since his appointment, with City having enjoyed a respectable start to the campaign, currently sitting in 13th position. Having achieved promotion during his spell with Watford, Boothroyd is a coach who knows the division well and often favours a direct, aggressive style of football, which usually reaps success in the Championship.

This Sunday, the Sky Blues will be hoping to put an end to a bad run of form. City have not won since early December and, if they are to establish themselves as outside play-off contenders, they need to pick up a decent result at Loftus Road.

Men to watch

1. Coventry’s main attacking threat is likely to be Marlon King, who joined the club earlier this season under controversial circumstances. King was convicted of sexual assault in 2009 and has since been placed on the sex offenders’ register. Despite this, he was allowed to return to his footballing career. The 30 year-old is a talented striker at this level, having enjoyed his most successful spell with Watford under Boothroyd, where he netted 24 times in 60 appearances. He also lists Gillingham, Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Hull among his former clubs.

2. Boothroyd could also select Gary McSheffrey, a forward who can play either up front or on the left flank. The 28 year-old was once rated as one of the best players outside the top tier, but suffered a series of injuries during his time with Birmingham City. Since signing for Coventry during the summer, he has scored 5 times in 15 appearances.

3. In goal, Coventry have the in-form Keiren Westwood. The 26 year-old’s impressive performances have earned him five international caps for the Republic of Ireland and have attracted interest from numerous Premiership clubs. He will certainly provide a stern test for the QPR forwards on Sunday afternoon.

Previous Match

December 2010 – The two teams met only a few weeks ago at the Ricoh Arena, with QPR running out comfortable 2-0 winners. Kyle Walker opened the scoring just after the break, racing past the opposing fullback and, thanks to a goalkeeping error, scoring from a tight angle. Soon after, Adel Taraabt picked out Tommy Smith in the penalty area with a sublime lob, with the former Watford winger heading into the bottom corner of the net.

Coventry City 0-2 Queens Park Rangers

QPR Team News

Ishmael Miller, Wayne Routledge and Pascal Chimbonda are available for selection. Alejandro Faurlin limped off during the Burnley match and will be assessed before Sunday’s fixture. Meanwhile, Peter Ramage, Patrick Agyemang and Jamie Mackie remain long-term absentees.

Prediction

It will be interesting to hear Neil Warnock’s team selection on Sunday afternoon. I expect that Routledge will play on the right flank, but the manager will have to choose between Chimbonda and Orr in the fullback place. After a string of poor performances, Rob Hulse may be dropped, with Ishmael Miller taking up the attacking position.

Frankly, Queens Park Rangers should beat Coventry City, but they really have to be more clinical in front of goal. I expect that the Sky Blues will line up defensively, meaning that it is vital that the Rs take their chances. I am going to predict a victory for the home team – but I doubt it will be an ‘easy’ game.

Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Coventry City