West Ham United v. QPR (6 Nov: Championship - Match 18) [R]

[Atouk]

West Ham United -- 6th, 8-4-5, +2 GD, 28 points
v.
QPR -- 5th, 17 GP, 9-3-5, +6 GD, 30 points
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6 November, 15:00
Upton Park
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Rangers News:

Rowlands is out. Just watched QPR World and Olly said that Ainsworth and Cureton should be available for use, but maybe not to start. About Shittu and Gnohere, he said they're running now and might be available next week against Wigan and, maybe, if things go well, this week. I'm guessing Thorpe, after coming on as a sub on Tuesday, could be available to start.

The R's dropped to 5th in the table, and West Ham 6th, when Sunderland got a Friday win over Millwall.

The Opponent:

West Ham will be itching to hurt someone after a 4-1 loss in midweek. Their last six (most recent first):

A Cardiff L, 1-4
A Plymouth D, 1-1
A Chelsea L, 0-1 (Carling Cup)
H Gillingham W, 3-1
H Stoke W, 2-0
A QPR L, 0-1

The Series:

The series is dead even, 19-18-19. West Ham has a one-game edge in league play, while QPR has a one-game edge in the FA Cup, and it's 1-1 in the League Cup. Their first meetings were in the 1908/09 FA Cup. Their first season in the same division was 48/49. Before this season's matchup, their last meetings came in the Premiership in 95/96, with the home team winning each match (QPR 3-0, West Ham 1-0).

The First Meeting:

Although we've not fully gone through the league the first time, we meet West Ham for the second and final time this weekend. On October 16th, the R's defeated West Ham, 1-0, at Loftus Road behind Matthew Rose's 22nd minute strike.

Our thread on that match can be found here (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144198).

The Referee:

Martin Atkinson gets the assignment. In 14 games this year (2 Premier League, 4 Championship, 6 League One, 2 League Cup), he's issued 40 yellows and 3 reds. Last season, he worked our 2-2 away game at Wycombe -- his only career QPR match.

[Atouk]

I just watched the Millwall post-match interview with Holloway. He mentioned that Richard Edghill injured his hamstring and will likely be out for six weeks. He didn't sound overly worried in that he mentioned that Bignot can play left back and he thought Simek was more comfortable on the right.

So, while we may see Gino again tomorrow, if Holloway isn't happy with him still, we could see Bignot-Rose-Santos-Simek next week against Wigan, with the possibility of a return of Shittu, also.

[SamWAFC]

A nice healthy draw would be nice for us (wigan) :D

[art]

Rowlands is out.

...for the season, along with Richard Edgehill, according to the rivals site. If true, it's a HUGE blow.

http://queensparkrangers.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=925&p=2&stid=8364590

edit: oh wait, rest of the YEAR. Not season.

Whew. :D Sorry.

[Atouk]

Man, you scared me there! I'd been hearing six weeks/Christmas/end of the year said... end of the season would have been crushing!

According to the match console on QPR World, the lineup:
Day; Simek, Shittu, Santos, Rose; Cureton, Bircham, Gallen, Cook; Thorpe, Furlong.

Bench:
McLeod, Branco, Padula, Bean, Ainsworth.

Wow! Shittu, Cureton, Thorpe all added back to the lineup. Nice! Simek gets another start at right back. Gallen drops back to the midfield. Sounds good to me.

[Atouk]

We're underway.

The R's have sold out their allocation -- approx. 2,800 SuperHoops fans at Upton Park.

[Atouk]

The R's started well and the first five minutes or so were mostly our way. Since then, West Ham has had a few dangerous chances -- good work from Shittu and Simek in defense. Two or three shots from West Ham in the last five minutes. Day has had to do some good work, knocking away two shots on goal.

[Atouk]

Tomas Repka was booked for a tackle from behind on Tony Thorpe. Thorpe taken off for treatment, but he's okay and returns.

[Atouk]

Unfortunately, Thorpe is injured and is coming off. Gareth Ainsworth comes in, so with more than 60 minutes still to go, it'll be quite a test for Ainsworth's fitness. I assume Cureton is moving up top and Ainsworth will play on the right.

[Atouk]

Another couple of shots for West Ham. They're in control at the moment.

[Atouk]

Chadwick dives after Shittu "leaves his leg hanging." Even these pro-West Ham commentators are saying "well, I've seen that called." Ref awards a penalty. Harewood to take. Goal. Just past Day's left hand -- he went the right way and, according to the commentator, his fingertips must have touched the ball.

West Ham 1-0 QPR

[Atouk]

West Ham begs for another penalty when Rose wins a shoulder to shoulder challenge in the box. The color commentator, who clearly favors West Ham (calls them "we" sometimes), said it wasn't a penalty.

West Ham's Hutchison got a card in the 38th, Simek got one in the 39th.

[Atouk]

West Ham 1-0 QPR
HALF TIME

(I guess the reason the commentators have a somewhat pro-West Ham take on things is that QPR World is giving us the BBC Radio Essex feed.)

[Atouk]

We're underway. No changes. West Ham got a shot off and earned a corner here in the first minute or so of the second half. Come on, Rangers!

[Atouk]

Furs with a shot. First challenge from the R's in quite some time.

[Atouk]

Gallen put a shot on goal from just outside the box. Bywater had to tip it around the goal, giving the R's a corner. Foul called on the R's in the box, so no threat from us there.

Kevin McLeod is getting ready to come on.

[Atouk]

McLeod comes on for Cook.

[Atouk]

Some disturbance in the QPR area of the stands -- police are there. Not sure what's up. That's all the commentator said.

R's are looking better the last few minutes -- more possession, a few chances. West Ham is still dangerous at times, but are no longer dominant. We're in this.

[Atouk]

Goal QPR!!!

Bircham in to Santos, who flicks on to McLeod who scores on an easy tap in.

West Ham 1-1 QPR

Come on, you R's!

[Atouk]

Bobby Zamora on for Luke Chadwick for West Ham.