Atouk
21 Oct 2004, 05:31 PM
Wolverhampton Wanderers -- 20th, 13 GP, 3-5-5, -1 GD, 14 points
v.
QPR -- 4th, 14 GP, 8-2-4, +4 GD, 26 points
------
23 October 15:00
Molineux
------
Rangers News:
Matthew Rose has returned to full training and will be available. However, Georges Santos is still suffering with his achilles problem. So, with Dan Shittu unavailable, the back line seems likely to be either Rose-Santos-Simek-Bignot or Padula-Rose-Santos-Bignot. If Georges can't go, I guess it's Padula-Rose-Simek-Bignot.
No further word on Bircham's ankle, so I presume he's good to go. The midfield is therefore likely to be Cook-Gallen-Bircham-Rowlands.
With Jamie Cureton still out (two more weeks), thankfully Tony Thorpe has returned to full training, so is an option up top. I wouldn't be surprised to see a Furlong-Thorpe pairing, with McLeod entering for Thorpe when he gets gassed.
The Opponent:
Before the season, Wolves were tipped as likely to bounce straight back up to the Premiership, but haven't started particularly well. Their 2-0 victory over Derby County on Tuesday was their first home win of the season, having drawn 4 of their first 5 at Molineux (1-4-1).
Their last six games (most recent first):
H Derby W, 2-0
A Forest L, 0-1
A West Ham L, 0-1
H Cardiff L, 2-3
A Burnley L on penalties after 1-1 extra-time draw (Carling Cup)
A Plymouth W, 2-1
The Series:
The all-time series is exactly even, 11-11-11. In league play, Rangers trail slightly, 8-9-9. The teams last played on the same level (at this level), for a five-year stretch from 96/97 to 00/01. The 00/01 season saw the teams draw 1-1 and 2-2.
The teams first met in January 1900! Rangers hosted an FA Cup match that ended in a draw, but QPR won the replay at Wolves four days later. They didn't play again in any competition until 1968/69!
The Referee:
Lee Probert gets the call. In 9 games this year (4 in the Championship), he's issued 29 yellows and 4 reds. This appears to be his first QPR game -- in 01/02 and 02/03 he mostly worked Conference games and has moved up the levels over the last two seasons.
v.
QPR -- 4th, 14 GP, 8-2-4, +4 GD, 26 points
------
23 October 15:00
Molineux
------
Rangers News:
Matthew Rose has returned to full training and will be available. However, Georges Santos is still suffering with his achilles problem. So, with Dan Shittu unavailable, the back line seems likely to be either Rose-Santos-Simek-Bignot or Padula-Rose-Santos-Bignot. If Georges can't go, I guess it's Padula-Rose-Simek-Bignot.
No further word on Bircham's ankle, so I presume he's good to go. The midfield is therefore likely to be Cook-Gallen-Bircham-Rowlands.
With Jamie Cureton still out (two more weeks), thankfully Tony Thorpe has returned to full training, so is an option up top. I wouldn't be surprised to see a Furlong-Thorpe pairing, with McLeod entering for Thorpe when he gets gassed.
The Opponent:
Before the season, Wolves were tipped as likely to bounce straight back up to the Premiership, but haven't started particularly well. Their 2-0 victory over Derby County on Tuesday was their first home win of the season, having drawn 4 of their first 5 at Molineux (1-4-1).
Their last six games (most recent first):
H Derby W, 2-0
A Forest L, 0-1
A West Ham L, 0-1
H Cardiff L, 2-3
A Burnley L on penalties after 1-1 extra-time draw (Carling Cup)
A Plymouth W, 2-1
The Series:
The all-time series is exactly even, 11-11-11. In league play, Rangers trail slightly, 8-9-9. The teams last played on the same level (at this level), for a five-year stretch from 96/97 to 00/01. The 00/01 season saw the teams draw 1-1 and 2-2.
The teams first met in January 1900! Rangers hosted an FA Cup match that ended in a draw, but QPR won the replay at Wolves four days later. They didn't play again in any competition until 1968/69!
The Referee:
Lee Probert gets the call. In 9 games this year (4 in the Championship), he's issued 29 yellows and 4 reds. This appears to be his first QPR game -- in 01/02 and 02/03 he mostly worked Conference games and has moved up the levels over the last two seasons.