Derby County v. QPR (16 Mar: Championship - Match 37) [R]

[Atouk]

Derby County - 5th, 37 GP, +9 GD, 60 Points
v.
QPR - 12th, 36 GP, 0 GD, 52 Points

16 March 2005 19:45
Pride Park
------

Rangers News:

Andrew Davies has rejoined the squad on loan. No fresh injuries were reported after the win against Watford on Saturday. If Davies enters, either Rowlands, Ainsworth, or Santos sits.

The Opponent:

Derby hasn't lost in the league since 16 January at Sunderland -- eight straight without a loss.

Last six (most recent first):
H Plymouth W, 1-0
H Wolves D, 3-3
A Forest D, 2-2
H Burnley D, 1-1
A Rotherham W, 3-1
A Fulham L, 2-4 (FA Cup replay)

The First Meeting:

Derby beat the R's 2-0 at Loftus Road in August. An early Gallen goal was controversally ruled out then the Rams scored in the 8th & 17th minutes for the win.

Our thread on the match. (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131831)

The Series:

Derby leads 14-12-9.

The Referee:

Kevin Friend has been assigned. He's issued 81 yellows and 6 reds in 28 matches this season. He's only worked four games in the Championship this season -- most of his games have been in Leagues One and Two. Last season he worked our 1-1 home game with Stockport.

[Atouk]

Championship results last night (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~640405,00.html) included a Reading loss and draws by West Ham, Sheffield United, and Millwall. If the R's could win today, we'd move from 12th to 8th, even with West Ham and Sheffield United on points (behind West Ham, but ahead of Sheffield United on goal difference), and just two points behind 6th place Reading with a game in hand over the Royals.

[Atouk]

A report on the official site (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~640768,00.html) says that Davies enters for Ainsworth and will partner Shittu in central diffence, Santos moves to central midfield to partner Bircham, Rowlands moves out right in place of Ainsworth.

[Atouk]

Match has started; still 0-0.

QPR bench: Rossi, Ainsworth, Edghill, Cureton, Thorpe

[Atouk]

Still 0-0 at around 35 minutes in. Match tracker had possession 55/45 for Derby about 10 minutes ago. Some good R's possession now has it 52/48 the other way. Derby has had 5 shots on target to just 1 for the R's. Overall shots are 9-5. I've had some work to do, so have only heard a few minutes here and there. Should be able to listen to most of the second half.

[Atouk]

"Unlucky" yellow card for Lee Cook. Commentator thought he got the ball first, but did go in a bit hard. Free kick went over the wall and bounced off the top of the crossbar. Whew.

[Thomas Flannigan]

Good work. I am a Derby County Supporter as well.

[Atouk]

Good defending by Shittu; headed a dangerous challenge over the bar. We're in injury time. 0-0.

[Atouk]

Derby 0-0 QPR
HALF TIME

Derby with more chances overall, but Gallen had a good chance and the R's got into it as the half went along. Not a bad 45 from the R's.

Good work. I am a Derby County Supporter as well.Derby lineup: former QPR loan player Lee Camp, Kenna, Konjic, Huddlestone, Makin, Tudgay, Bisgaard, Idiakez, Bolder, Smith, Rasiak

Bench: Peschisolido, Mills, Grant, Reich, Taylor

[Captain Splarg]

Forest 0-0 Leeds at halftime.

[Captain Splarg]

I hope your game isn't as boring as ours.

[Atouk]

Still 0-0.I hope your game isn't as boring as ours.22 shots, 9 on target thus far. Unfortunately, most of both have been by Derby.

Gallen just shot wide for the R's a few minutes ago.

Even though shots favor Derby, MatchLive lists possession at 50/50.

[Captain Splarg]

I cant wait until this game has a shot on target....

[Atouk]

I cant wait until this game has a shot on target....Furlong just had one for the R's -- forced Camp to knock it away. R's putting a bit of pressure on Derby at the moment.

[Atouk]

1,376 R's fans made the trip tonight. Good show for a weeknight game.

Still 0-0.

[Atouk]

Marco Reich on for Derby in place of Tudgay in the 67th.

Thorpe, Cureton, Ainsworth all warming up for the R's.

[Captain Splarg]

and the first shot on target on my match is Sullivan saving a penalty.

[Bison1997]

Glad to see Ainsworth might be getting in - he was helping out the team big on Saturday.


-- Paul Peschisolido is still in the league? He's what, a hundred now?

[Atouk]

-- Paul Peschisolido is still in the league?...and now is in the game. Came on for Tommy Smith in the 82nd.

Now, in the 84th, Ainsworth has just come on for Bircham (Ainsworth on the right, Rowlands moves to the center).

[Atouk]

and the first shot on target on my match is Sullivan saving a penalty.11 on target here thus far -- 8 for Derby, 3 for QPR.