Sheffield United, 2nd Place in Division 1, 5-2-1 QPR, 3rd Place in Division 2, 4-4-1 ------ 23 September Bramall Lane ------ In the Carling Cup First Round: QPR defeated Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road, 2-1 Sheffield United defeated Macclesfield Town at Moss Rose, 2-1 ----- This is an incredibly tough draw for QPR. Sheffield United, in addition to nearly returning to the Premiership before losing in the Division 1 Play-Off Final, advanced to the Semi Final of both the FA Cup and League Cup last season, winning TEN home games in cup play (defeating Liverpool, Sunderland, and Leeds twice). Arthur Gnohere has played for Burnley in the Carling Cup, so is ineligible to play for Rangers on Tuesday. Holloway says Ty Forbes will get a chance in central defense, his primary position before coming to QPR and being moved to right back. Holloway said, "I want to have a look at him in the role. He came to us as a central defender, ended up at right-back for various reasons and has done a job there for me for two years. Now it's time to move him across and let him play in the middle." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/3127006.stm Of course, without Carlisle, Gnohere, or Rose, he doesn't really have much choice, does he? The only other option would be to start Palmer there and a Bircham/Bean central midfield pairing. Come on, you R's!
This one makes me a little nervious, not really because I'm afraid of losing, but because the R's are so thin squad-wise that I just pray no one else gets hurt.
I agree. With so many two-game weeks during this part of the schedule, we've got to stay healthy. The official site notes that Thorpe is cup-tied, having appeared for Luton in the first round. They mistakenly say that Burnley has not permitted Gnohere to play -- according to Soccerbase, he started and went the full 120 (Burnley beat Chesterfield on penalties) for Burnley in the first round, so he's cup-tied too. http://www.soccerbase.com/footballlive/?MIval=results3&gameid=396877 (SoccerBase report on Chesterfield v. Burnley) The official site is reporting the opposite of what the BBC surmised (based on Holloway's quotes about playing Forbes at center back). Instead, the official site says it's "more likely" that we'll see Palmer dropping to center back and Bircham/Bean starting in central midfield. http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~428219,00.html
Sheffield United's site says that they were refused permission to play loan players Jon Harley and Paul Gerrard. Of course, they've had success without them as Harley has played just 2 and Gerrard 4 of their 8 league matches. The report also says that their backup keeper, former Wrexham starter, Kristian Rogers could get the start. It also says that their manager Warnock has "hinted that a number of his fringe players and youngesters" could be given an opportunity. The report indicates that Chris Armstrong (1 start, 3 subs) and Andy Parkinson (1 sub) may start. Michael Brown returns from suspension for them, giving them a boost. So, although QPR will have to do without Thorpe and Gnohere, it seems Warnock may not be doing everything he can to put out his best XI. Whoever starts for the Blades, this is a very tough one for Rangers. http://www.sufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PreMatchAnalysis/0,,10418~428542,00.html
I can do updates. Holloway has decided to sit Palmer, starting Forbes in central defense and the Bircham/Bean duo in the center of midfield. The commentator said that Palmer has started 102 consecutive games. Can that be true? I thought he was an ever-present last year, but I didn't realize it had been that many. Here's the lineup for Rangers: Day, Edghill, Shittu, Forbes, Padula, Rowlands, Bircham, Bean, McLeod, Gallen, Furlong The QPR bench: Ainsworth, Palmer, Pacquette, Sabin, and Culkin Rogers starts in goal for the Blades, so we face a sub there. Also as listed my earlier, Parkinson and Armstrong start and Brown is in the lineup. Come on, you R's!
According to the official site, Palmer was an ever-present both in 01/02 and 02/03. Wow. http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Profiles/0,,10373~8134,00.html Still, Sheffield United has scored 10 goals in their last two home games, so Palmer's lack of pace may have been a decisive factor in that decision (not to mention he could likely use some rest due to our fixture congestion).
Roughly equal possession here in the early going (11th minute). One shot by Furlong over the top of the bar. Nothing too dangerous either way. Sounds like a good start for Rangers. We just earned the first corner of the evening, but it came to nothing (QPR foul). Of note, since Palmer is on the bench, Gallen is wearing the captain's armband tonight. In other games: Notts County scored in the first minute at home against Ipswich and then Ipswich equalized through a penalty in the 5th minute! Wild start there.
We've got about a 60/40 edge in possession at the moment according to the Match Live console. Sheffield United just earned their first corner. It ended up in a shot, but Day saved easily. We're about 19 minutes in. Sheffield United is getting more possession now, forcing Day to punch away on another Blades attack. In other games: Wow, now Notts County has scored a penalty (9th minute) and now leads Ipswich 2-1.
QPR has now forced a couple of saves and earned a corner. McLeod and Bircham doing the damage. Sheffield United clears McLeod's corner easily.
A Sheffield United defender, Whitlow, went down, but after treatment appears to be ok. According to the commentator, they don't have a true central defensive replacement if he's hurt, but he's back on. QPR's corner was cleared, but the Blades were unable to counter-attack. Rangers continue to pressure until we're called for offside. Match Live now has us with a 54/46 possession lead. Sounds about right. Nearing the half hour mark. In other games: Cardiff 2-0 West Ham
GGGOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL!! Martin Rowlands scores for Rangers! Gallen set it up. Sheffield United 0-1 Queens Park Rangers 30th minute
So if this game is in the 30th minute...it will be over by the time I have to leave for my 4pm central time appointment...perfect!!!
Yellow card to Kevin McLeod. Commentators said it was't bad, but he did go in studs up. Edghill did something similar a minute later, but wasn't booked.
Gallen just missed what the commentators said was a fairly easy chance. Over the bar from a short distance -- he got under it. (yeah, it should be over around 4:45 eastern, 3:45 central). Come on, you R's!
The Blades' Jack Lester was given a yellow for a hard foul on Dan Shittu. Commentators said it was pretty bad. Now 6 minutes to go until the half.
Sheffield United attacking in the final moments of the half. Just earned a corner. Cleared by Rangers who counter-attack.... Rangers move into Blades territory and... GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL! Martin Rowlands scores again! Sheffield United 0-2 Queens Park Rangers It was a "textbook counter-attack" according to the commentator. Gallen fed Rowlands again!
Match Live console reports these stats at the half: ------------SU-QPR Goal Attempts 2-8 On Target 1-4 Offside 4-2 Corners 2-3 Free kicks 11-10 Yellow cards 1-1 Red cards 0-0 Possession 36-64 Selected other scores: Wigan 0-0 Fulham Charlton 1-2 Luton Blackpool 1-0 Birmingham Cardiff 2-1 West Ham (Hammers score controversial penalty right before the half) Hartlepool 1-0 West Brom Notts County 2-1 Ipswich
Sheffield United's Whitlow must still be feeling his earlier injury. He is substituted at the half, with Colin Cryan coming on. We're underway in the second half.
A McLeod shot forced a Blades save. Rangers holding possession early. Edghill then takes a shot, forcing a save. A QPR turnover led to a quick counter where Sheffield United had the numbers, but they fail to take advantage. The teams are trading possession, with Sheffield United improving over the last five minutes, beginning to look more dangerous.
Rangers are beginning to hold some possession again after a few minutes where it was mostly Sheffield United. 64th minute.
Scary stuff in front of the QPR goal but Day gets it out of there (Day is fouled on the play). He picked up a slight knock, but is ok. Canadian international Paul Peschisolido replaces Jack Lester for Sheffield United.
Rowlands is injured and needs to come off. No idea how serious it is, but he hobbled off on his own power. Ainsworth comes on for Rowlands. Sheffield United 0-2 QPR 75th minute