Hoop Dreams - QPR FC

After a glorious day in London, cold but bright, QPR know they will have to play their game against Doncaster tomorrow, in sharp contrast to the wash-out on Tuesday night when their game against Watford was called off. They can't rely on the rain to save them this weekend.

That was the third game called off at Loftus Road this season and whether it's purely bad luck or there are deeper reasons, such as the relaying of the pitch as has been suggested on some message boards, Rangers were awarded a longer break than any other Championship side this week (except Watford of course).

Will they have wanted a longer rest though or will they have been itching to play and try and get some points on the board? The midweek results now leave them in a precarious position, just one point off the drop zone.

A week is a long time at QPR as well. We've had hints from the manager himself that he could be leaving, a supposed vote of confidence from senior players which saved his job and continuous rumours about sporting director Gianni Paladini's future at the club and a potential takeover from Lakshmi Mittal and son-in-law Amit Bhatia against Flavio Briatore. At this club, the players can't just kick back and not think about football when the long-term future of their manager and even club is under constant scrutiny.

A valid argument could be made for Watford as an easier game over Doncaster as well. Though there is little to separate those two sides in terms of league positions, Doncaster have impressed me on the few occasions when I've watched them as one of the more organised and attractive teams in this league. After a bad end to January (a heavy home defeat to Middlesbrough at home and a loss at Cardiff included), they've also turned their form around off the back of two excellent victories over Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday. The extent of their ambition tomorrow in going for three points will largely dictate how easy an afternoon QPR can expect.

QPR Team News

Mikele Leigertwood finally serves the third game of his three match ban following his red card against Peterborough whilst striker Marcus Bent is still far from certain to play following his injury against Ipswich. Hogan Ephraim has also now emerged as doubtful with a potential ankle injury.

Doncaster Team News

Rovers have few, if any concerns in the injury department which may explain their recent upturn in form. They could make a late call on defender Gareth Roberts who is back in training following a knee injury.

Form

I don't know what to write here anymore. See my Watford preview. Does having a game postponed count as improving your form?

As mentioned above, Donny's form, on the other hand, has improved over the last month. Prior to those wins over Forest and Wednesday, they earned a commendable 0-0 draw at Leicester City and when they are successful, it's often built off the back of a clean-sheet. They let in just one goal in the whole of December and had four wins on the trot, including victories over Palace and Derby.

Prediction

Before the Watford game, I turned to my flaky understanding of the laws of chance to predict that QPR would have to go unbeaten against Watford, that they couldn't possibly go another game without getting at least a point. I can't evoke such dubious reasoning for this game though and faced with hard facts, I again think they could genuinely struggle.

The lack of bite up front is the main source of my reasoning, plus new doubts over whether Adel Taarabt will even play and what type of mindset he will be in if he does. It's no revelation to say that QPR need players like Taarabt and Akos Buzsaky to pull their weight in terms of creating chances and goal attempts if tomorrow's likely front-line, the inexperienced pairing of Jay Simpson and Tamas Priskin, is going to benefit. Lee Cook's work rate has kept Rangers just in contention in the last few games but he cannot be relied on alone.

If the defence can settle their nerves and keep Rovers out early on, a point at least should be possible. The attitude and ambition that the away side bring to the game will be crucial as well, because Donny may well be happy with a draw. But if Rovers repeat the performances of the last month, this is another defeat for me.

AWAY WIN