Crystal Palace -- 23rd, 15 GP, -4 GD, 13 points v. QPR -- 21st, 14 GP, -10 GD, 14 points ------ 10 November 2007 15:00 Selhurst Park ------ Rangers News: It's a big match for both relegation-threatened teams as the R's travel to South London for their first away match under Luigi DeCanio. There will be a change in defense as Martin Cranie suffered a broken leg on Tuesday and has returned to Portsmouth. Based on an interview with Sampsa Timoska on QPR World today, it seems likely that he'll be starting at outside back, meaning that Michael Mancienne will likely move inside to partner Damion Stewart at center back. Chris Barker will likely continue at left back. Mikele Leigertwood broke his nose on Tuesday, but is fit to play and has been training with the team, making a repeat of Tuesday's starting midfield of Rowlands, Leigertwood, Buzsaky, and Sinclair likely. Marc Nygaard left Tuesday's game with a hamstring problem, but has not been ruled out of taking some part on Saturday. Dexter Blackstock has returned to training after recovery from his knee operation. Danny Nardiello got some action last week as a sub for Nygaard and is working his way back to full fitness. Last week, the R's started the maximum five loan players (Buzsaky, Sinclair, Vine, Cranie, and Mancienne), but with Cranie out of action, Ben Sahar might work his way into the picture as a fifth loan player on the team sheet. Thus, it's unclear who will partner Rowan Vine up top. Two players that have not figured under DeCanio have left the club -- Marcus Bignot went to Millwall on loan to help former QPR #2 Kenny Jackett through a defensive injury crisis whle Jason Jarrett has returned to Preston, ending his loan spell with the R's. The Opponent: Palace has 2 losses and 3 draws since being taken over by Neil Warnock. They fought back for a 1-1 draw at Cardiff on Tuesday. They played to a scoreless draw at Scunthorpe last weekend. The two games before that were losses at home to Watford (0-2) and Stoke (1-3). Warnock's period in charge began with a 1-1 draw at Blackpool. According to the BBC, "Crystal Palace's injury problems are easing, with Besian Idrizaj back after suffering concussion and David Martin fit to return following a bout of flu. Lee Hills (back) and Tony Craig (shoulder) are both still sidelined." The Series: QPR leads 35-25-28. The home team won both meetings last year, with QPR winning 4-2 at HQ but dropping an 0-3 decision at Selhurst Park. Palace won both meetings in 05/06. Before that, the clubs last met in 2000/01 in a pair of 1-1 draws. Palace also won both meetings in 99/00. In 98/99, the clubs drew the first game at Selhurst Park before the R's closed out the season with the famous 6-0 win that saved the Super Hoops from the drop. The clubs first met in the 1920/21 season.
[R] in this thread for all of today's English games. Sampsa Timoska takes Martin Cranie's place while Adam Bolder takes the spot of Marc Nygaard. Sahar and Rehman make the bench. Good start for the R's, but Palace has picked it up in the last 2-3 minutes. Camp; Timoska, Mancienne, Stewart, Barker; Rowlands, Leigertwood, Bolder, Buzsaky, Sinclair; Vine. Bench: Cole, Nardiello, Sahar, Ainsworth, Rehman. Hull is up 1-0 against Preston, Ipswich is 2-0 up on Bristol City.
I think the midfield is shaped with Rowlands and Sinclair out wide, Bolder and Leigertwood in the center, with Buzsaky further up, just behind Vine.
You RRR's Sun is shining, my glass of orange juice is...wait for it...half full!!! Let's get 3 points today!!!
We hadn't yet played 25 minutes by 10:18! Stewart just saved Mancienne who cleared poorly. Stewart stuck a leg out to force a corner. Bolder cleared the corner, but Palace maintained possession for a minute, before the R's broke on a counter. Buzsaky just couldn't get to a ball sent into the box to end the QPR threat.
I'll be happy with a point (as Sinclair creates a chance for Buzsaky!). That'll get us above Preston, who are down 2-nil v Hull.
Sounds like it, or possibly Sinclair creeping into the attack. Pretty rare for us to play with a lone striker...
Plymouth is up 1-0 at home against Norwich. Not looking good for the Canaries at the moment. Stuck on 9 points and down to a Plymouth team that hasn't played well of late (and just had to sell Buzsaky to us).
Morrison "slipped" with Mancienne nearby. No call. Hard to believe there are just two 3 p.m. games in the Premier League today -- Derby 0:0 West Ham and Sunderland 1:1 Newcastle at the moment. Is the Prem avoiding the FA Cup first round day?
Sheffield Wednesday went up against Southampton, 1-0. The commentator says it was "controversial" but didn't say why. West Ham have now scored against Derby.
The R's fans are in great voice at the moment (with good reason, of course). First, the "Rangers Boys" chant, then the "Finest Football Team" one. Crystal Palace 0-1 QPR HALF TIME
Wow... another injury-time goal for Charlton. From 0-0 going into injury time to 2-0 going into the half.
My mistake... Sunderland/Newcastle was earlier and is final. Derby/West Ham is the only 3 p.m. Premier League game -- West Ham's up 1-0 at the half.
Pretty amazing that there's only one 3pm kickoff. But, it allows for more coverage of the 1st round of the FA Cup, so that's good.
FYI, Jim Smith stepped down as Oxford manager this week, but remains as Director of Football or some such post. Oxford is up 2-1 against Northwich in the FA Cup at the half with QPR loanees Stefan Bailey and Kieron St. Aimie both in the starting lineup. Altrincham (!) scored a first-half injury-time goal to lead Millwall 1-0 at the half. Marcus Bignot is in the lineup for Millwall, so we have allowed him to be cup-tied for the FA Cup.
FA Cup scores of note... Altrincham 1 - Millwall nil (Marcus Bognot playing) Luton nil - Brentford 1 (Furs subbed off in the 5th with an injury) Oxford 2 - Northwich 1 (St. Aimee and Bailey playing) Ha! Thinking the same thing again!