Atouk
29 Oct 2004, 10:01 AM
QPR -- 5th, 15 GP, 8-2-5, +3 GD, 26 Points
v.
Burnley -- 16th, 15 GP, 3-9-3, +1 GD, 18 Points
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30 October 15:00
Loftus Road
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Rangers News:
Dan Shittu is not ready to return, so a pairing of Georges Santos and Frankie Simek in central defense seems likely. Likely starters Matthew Rose and Marcus Bignot are healthy out wide, as are reserves Gino Padula and Richard Edghill. Arthur Gnohere remains out.
With the exception of Gareth Ainsworth, we're mostly healthy in midfield as well, with Kevin Gallen, Marc Bircham, Lee Cook, and Martin Rowlands the likely starting four. Marcus Bean, Serge Branco, Kevin McLeod, and young Scott Donnelly are available for the bench. McLeod and Donnelly, who at 16 made his R's debut last week with sub appearances in both away games, both scored in the reserve match this week.
Up front, we're still not fit. Jamie Cureton will not be available, as previously hoped. Tony Thorpe saw his first action in nine weeks in a reserve match against Woking, notching a goal and going 90 minutes. Olly said "Tony did very well in the reserves, but this was his first game in nine weeks and it would be a bit much to expect him to start." Paul Furlong is available to return after missing the Wolves match with a groin strain but is ready to go. If Thorpe doesn't start, the lineup is unclear, with Furlong possibly paired with McLeod, Gallen, or starting alone up front in a 4-5-1.
The Opponent:
While Burnley only has 3 wins, they also only have 3 losses, notching 9 (!) draws in their first 15 games. As Olly says, "They're difficult to break down and we'll have to be on our game to unlock that door."
Burnely will come in with some confidence, having seen off Aston Villa in the Carling Cup during the week -- the same Villa side that put Rangers out of the competition in the previous round.
Prior to that defeat, Burley lost 0-2 to Derby, but that game come after a nine-game unbeaten string (3 wins, 6 draws) that stretched back to a loss on 30 August.
Their last six (most recent first):
H Aston Villa W, 3-1 (Carling Cup)
H Derby County L, 0-2
H Coventry City D, 2-2
A Ipswich Town D, 1-1
A Reading D, 0-0
H Cardiff City W, 1-0
The Series:
Rangers trail the all-time series 7-2-12, 7-2-9 in league play. Burnely swept both games at this level in 00/01. Before that, the clubs hadn't met since 82/83. Burnley has won all three cup ties in this series, 1920/21 FA Cup, 61/62 FA Cup, 67/68 League Cup. The teams didn't play in the same division until 1968/69.
The Referee:
Nigel Miller will work our game. In 11 assignments this year, he's issued 31 yellows and 1 red. He's worked one Championship match (Wigan 4-0 Sheffield United) and 5 in League One, 3 in League Two, and one LDV Trophy.
v.
Burnley -- 16th, 15 GP, 3-9-3, +1 GD, 18 Points
------
30 October 15:00
Loftus Road
------
Rangers News:
Dan Shittu is not ready to return, so a pairing of Georges Santos and Frankie Simek in central defense seems likely. Likely starters Matthew Rose and Marcus Bignot are healthy out wide, as are reserves Gino Padula and Richard Edghill. Arthur Gnohere remains out.
With the exception of Gareth Ainsworth, we're mostly healthy in midfield as well, with Kevin Gallen, Marc Bircham, Lee Cook, and Martin Rowlands the likely starting four. Marcus Bean, Serge Branco, Kevin McLeod, and young Scott Donnelly are available for the bench. McLeod and Donnelly, who at 16 made his R's debut last week with sub appearances in both away games, both scored in the reserve match this week.
Up front, we're still not fit. Jamie Cureton will not be available, as previously hoped. Tony Thorpe saw his first action in nine weeks in a reserve match against Woking, notching a goal and going 90 minutes. Olly said "Tony did very well in the reserves, but this was his first game in nine weeks and it would be a bit much to expect him to start." Paul Furlong is available to return after missing the Wolves match with a groin strain but is ready to go. If Thorpe doesn't start, the lineup is unclear, with Furlong possibly paired with McLeod, Gallen, or starting alone up front in a 4-5-1.
The Opponent:
While Burnley only has 3 wins, they also only have 3 losses, notching 9 (!) draws in their first 15 games. As Olly says, "They're difficult to break down and we'll have to be on our game to unlock that door."
Burnely will come in with some confidence, having seen off Aston Villa in the Carling Cup during the week -- the same Villa side that put Rangers out of the competition in the previous round.
Prior to that defeat, Burley lost 0-2 to Derby, but that game come after a nine-game unbeaten string (3 wins, 6 draws) that stretched back to a loss on 30 August.
Their last six (most recent first):
H Aston Villa W, 3-1 (Carling Cup)
H Derby County L, 0-2
H Coventry City D, 2-2
A Ipswich Town D, 1-1
A Reading D, 0-0
H Cardiff City W, 1-0
The Series:
Rangers trail the all-time series 7-2-12, 7-2-9 in league play. Burnely swept both games at this level in 00/01. Before that, the clubs hadn't met since 82/83. Burnley has won all three cup ties in this series, 1920/21 FA Cup, 61/62 FA Cup, 67/68 League Cup. The teams didn't play in the same division until 1968/69.
The Referee:
Nigel Miller will work our game. In 11 assignments this year, he's issued 31 yellows and 1 red. He's worked one Championship match (Wigan 4-0 Sheffield United) and 5 in League One, 3 in League Two, and one LDV Trophy.