Hoop Dreams - QPR FC

Not my words, but those of Neil Warnock, though it would be hard to disagree with his assessment of Mikele Leigertwood's bullet drive which earned QPR a 1-0 win over Barnsley on Saturday in a fairly tedious, end of season encounter.

"Mikele's quite capable of that and he produces a strike like that every now and then," said the manager.

That is certainly true. Leigertwood's goals come at fairly intermittent intervals but when they do, they tend to be in a similar vein, at least this season in which he has found the net on five occasions. Cutting in from the wing and steadying himself before shooting, the midfielder has produced more than one rocket into the opposition's net and when few of QPR's strikers can provide healthy goal returns, it can be an important weapon when games are tight.

"We were right behind it in the technical area and it was always going in from the moment he took aim," said Warnock.

I questioned to what extent Warnock would juggle his team around in these final games, especially as QPR only have respectability to now play for, but he is sticking to his word of ending the season in a professional manner and his starting line-up was as strong as it possibly could be, with the exception of Antonio German starting ahead of Jay Simpson and Josh Parker being handed his full debut at right-back. Adel Taarabt wasn't in the match-day squad due to an ankle injury and it could be that the Moroccan loanee has played his final game for the Hoops.

Peter Ramage also retained his place at centre-back and Radek Cerny continued his run in goal following Carl Ikeme's return to Wolves and though it could be simplistic reasoning, QPR have now managed three clean sheets in their last four games and were ten minutes away from achieving the same against Cardiff. Cerny in particular was instrumental in maintaining that record against Barnsley, expertly tipping a low drive from Iain Hume onto the post when the game was in its infancy.

Unfortunately for Antonio German, he was unable to make as big an impact in a rare start, failing to make a telling connection on a well-worked cross by left-back Dusko Tosic in the first half. As German has himself acknowledged though, there is plenty more work to go into his game and he deserves many more opportunities to add to his goal tally in the near future.

"It was a typical end of season affair," said the manager.

"It was very scrappy at times, but we stuck at it and the attitude of the players was very good. The goal came at a time when we were dominating, so it was perfect for us.

"I thought we were a bit sloppy in the first half defensively, but we tightened up and got the clean sheet we were craving."

Beyond the three points, that is undoubtedly the most pleasing aspect of this victory for the R's and Cerny, Ramage and even Gorkss are making a late bid to be regularly selected next season and Tosic is putting in the type of appearances to earn a permanent move to Loftus Road.

A final chance to cement their case comes next Sunday with the home game against champions Newcastle, a match with no significance for the league but an occasion supporters will enjoy all the same. After that, theories on how much QPR are going to spend this summer can take flight. The tabloids must be getting excited already.

Barnsley - Steele, Hassell, Moore, Colace, Foster, Hume, Butterfield, Macken, Potter (Dickinson 69), Hammill (Devaney 40), Doyle (Taylor 81)

Subs not used - Kozluk, Preece, Adam, Shotton

Bookings - Potter, Doyle

QPR - Cerny, Ramage, Leigertwood, Buzsaky, Gorkss, Faurlin, Ephraim (Cook 81), Tosic, German (Simpson 56), Parker, Priskin (Brown 90)

Subs not used - Vine, Balanta, Oastler, Putnins

Goals - Leigertwood (27)

Bookings - Buzsaky

Referee - Mr R Booth

Attendance - 11,944

This fixture is unlikely to feature highly on tomorrow night's The Football League Show, even if both sides can serve up a goal-scoring thriller - not when there remain unfinished stories at both the top and bottom of the table.

Firstly, the final make-up of the play-offs is still to be decided; Nottingham Forest and Cardiff are already in the hat for a Wembley visit, but two of Leicester, Swansea and Blackpool will make up the final foursome with an eye on the Premiership. That is a race QPR will be disappointed to have played no part in and all their preparations this summer will be geared towards being in contention this time next year.

A battle they are more than pleased to be free of though is that at the bottom of the table; Watford, Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday could all still succumb to the drop and join Peterborough United and Plymouth Argyle in League One next season.

All of which means few eyes will be focussed on Oakwell tomorrow afternoon for this game. Many players in the QPR squad won't be, or shouldn't be, viewing it as a meaningless fixture though. Just as the World Cup acts as a shop window during the close season, so QPR's remaining fixtures give some of the playing staff what could be a final chance to get in Neil Warnock's good books. On top of that, with just a point separating these two sides and with a troublesome final game against Newcastle, this could be the last chance to add a hint of respectability to the club's league finish.

Barnsley Team News

For their final home game, Barnsley could be without on-loan defender Carl Dickinson, who was signed on a three month emergency loan deal from Stoke City and who has made 26 league appearances so far for Mark Robins' side.

The R's chances also receive a boost due to the likely absence of striker Daniel Bogdanovic, who has a hamstring injury, and midfielder Anderson Da Silva, who has a thigh complaint. The latter player stood out from his team-mates for me when these two sides clashed at Loftus Road earlier in the season, despite the 5-2 score line in QPR's favour.


QPR Team News

It's a safe bet that Warnock will use this game to get a look at some of his younger players, most likely Antonio German and Joe Oastler, but also possibly Angelo Balanta. Those changes could be borne of necessity as well; three key players for QPR, at least over the last month, could all be unavailable.

Adel Taarabt jarred his ankle in the 1-0 defeat against Cardiff last weekend and as a result, left the pitch early on against Watford so we may have seen his last game for the Hoops, a fact likely to provoke a mixed reaction from supporters.

Akos Buzsaky took a whack to the ribs in the Watford fixture and having already broken a rib during the 3-1 home victory over West Brom, may also also be in too much pain to play against Barnsley.

Finally, Alejandro Faurlin, reportedly on the verge of signing a new deal with QPR to fend off interest from Celtic, suffered a dead leg during Tuesday night's game and will receive a late fitness check ahead of the game.

Form

Barnsley can count themselves lucky not to be more closely involved in the relegation scrap. They're only one point behind QPR, but whereas Rangers have pulled off a number of vital wins over the last two months, Barnsley haven't won in their last eight.

The identity of their most recent scalp shows how tricky an opponent they can be though. Midway through March they beat Nottingham Forest 2-1, thereby putting a serious dent in that team's hopes of automatic promotion. Over the course of the season, they've also beaten Cardiff, Blackpool twice, Middlesbrough, Leicester City and they twice came from behind to earn a memorable 2-2 home draw with Newcastle. Though they haven't pulled as far away from the bottom of the table as they once promised, under Robins they are a tough proposition to beat.

For QPR, the home defeat to Cardiff just a week ago was a knock to their confidence and was the first loss at Loftus Road under Warnock. I still believe home form will be key in potentially underscoring a successful season next time around; I'm yet to see a side play better than QPR at their home ground under the new manager and if he can iron out the complacency and immaturity which sometimes means they get less at home than they deserve, Loftus Road will be a happier place from now on.

They at least followed that up with a win over Watford which adds up to a record of four wins, five draws and two defeats since Warnock stepped into the dug-out. Those two losses were by a solitary goal as well and in a season in which they've shedded goals, the Hoops can at least point to two clean sheets in their last three.

Prediction

The degree of tinkering in the QPR line-up could be crucial because if the starting eleven is too unrecognisable, the home side's greater experience may prove decisive. However, the motivation to play for a place next season is, I believe, real with QPR and that edge should fire them to an away win.

AWAY WIN

I wrote earlier in the week about Peter Ramage's reaction to the Cardiff defeat and his motivation for the rest of the season. As a player who was established in the QPR side but has recently had to battle to retain a starting place, Ramage was clearly aware of the need to win over manager Neil Warnock between now and the end of the season, with the summer likely to bring a flurry of activity in and possibly out of the QPR squad.

If it's true of Ramage, it is equally true of younger players starting out in their careers and waiting for their big break to cement a first-team place. 18-year old striker, Antonio German, has already travelled some way down that road this season by making 12 appearances for QPR and scoring twice. He and fellow forward Rowan Vine, who is also desperate to make an impression on Warnock due to a lack of playing time this season, were both preferred to Jay Simpson and Tamas Priskin in Tuesday night's 1-0 win over Watford and the manager may choose to give both players a further chance to stake their claim for tomorrow's visit to Barnsley.

Speaking to QPR Player, German said: "We have to pick up three points and the gaffer really wants to win that."

After the trip to Barnsley, there is just one fixture left for the R's when they get the chance to welcome champions Newcastle on the final day of the season. It was a game with the aura of a promotion six-pointer when the fixture list was drawn up but unfortunately for the R's, they've spent most of this season at the wrong end of the table. They won't be joining in the Geordies' celebrations then, but the draw of clashing with Newcastle should at least ensure a decent crowd and atmosphere as the curtain closes on a frustrating campaign.

Again, the young striker was looking at the game from a positive angle.

"Newcastle is the biggest game of the season, for me anyway, because actually I've got a chance of playing in that game which I didn't think I would have this time last season."

A desire to make a mark on these games is heightened by some of the manager's public comments, particularly on the need for new blood, most of all in the forward line.

"I can understand that though", said German.

"Next season we need, I'm not going to say get promoted, but we need to finish in a reasonable position. And the manager's obviously seen that we need strikers and I can understand that. Even though I am a striker myself, I still need to improve and work hard and see where that takes me."

One key requirement for Warnock when it comes to attackers seems to be physical strength and build and just as Ramage could be offering a late answer to his defensive headaches, German certainly ticks the box when it comes to the battling, hustle and bustle style of Championship football. Rarely knocked off the ball or cowed by more experienced players, his natural confidence and tireless work rate have won him a lot of fans this season.

"I can say that's one of my strengths - the physical side of the game. He (Warnock) likes that so I'm really happy that I've got that," he said.

Despite that, he remains fairly modest and realistic in his aims for next season.

"To stay in the first team," he said.

"In and around the first team. Even if I don't start the games, I'd rather be on the bench. It's better than nothing."

QPR quickly made up for the disappointment of their 1-0 home defeat against Cardiff City on Saturday by inflicting the same score line on relegation-threatened Watford last night.

It was a game with the potential to end as many home games have for QPR this season i.e after taking a one-goal lead, somehow contriving to let in an equaliser and lose two points. But though Watford applied the pressure in the second half, with Radek Cerny called on to clear the ball off the line, a strong rear-guard action from the Hoops was enough to earn them their second clean-sheet in three games; something they have rarely been able to point towards this season.

"We couldn't hold it up front for 20 minutes and that gave them momentum," said manager Neil Warnock in his post-match press conference.

"But I can't remember them having a shot on target to be honest. I thought we defended quite well and Peter Ramage was absolutely outstanding again. Gorkssy had a good second half, heading everything clear too.

"The centre-halves were vital and I thought we coped with what they threw at us very well."

After relying on another result (strugglers Sheffield Wednesday's 1-1 draw with city neighbours United) to assure their own place in the Championship, QPR did at least return the favour last night by beating the only other side, except for Crystal Palace, which could now go down.

Akos Buzsaky's first-half penalty, after Adrian Mariappa felled full-back Dusko Tosic in the box, left Watford just two points above the drop zone and needing some return from their remaining two games at home to Reading and at Coventry.

"I thought we were quite professional," said Warnock.

"It's tough when you're safe and you play against a team fighting for their lives. We didn't create too much, but I thought we deserved the win. We owed it to our supporters first and foremost and of course the other teams in the relegation fight.

"No-one can point any fingers at us tonight."
 
It also marked a real turnaround in fortunes for the Hungarian himself; when QPR made the return journey to Watford earlier in the season, Buzsaky was locked out of his team's dressing room and allegedly involved in a physical altercation with then manager Jim Magilton following a disappointing defeat.

Though it is unlikely to lead him to banish any players from his own dressing-room, Warnock may have some niggling concerns about the lack of goals in his QPR side at the moment. Nine goals in the last ten games isn't disastrous, but it has meant QPR are often in the position they were last night, holding on for a win rather than having the relative security of a two-goal lead or more.

Following the Cardiff defeat, Warnock spoke of the need to bring in more/new strikers to the club, especially if Jay Simpson leaves the club when his loan deal expires. That is a distinct possibility because the manager also made it clear he wants to have just one loanee at the club next season and will have failed in his job (or been undone by injuries) if he needs to call on more.

For now, the R's can still look forward to their final two games safe in the knowledge they don't have the same immediate concerns as last night's visitors. It will also give Warnock a further opportunity to test out players who have had less playing-time since he arrived, such as Rowan Vine and Antonio German, both of whom started last night.

"Every game I'm learning," said Warnock.

"We tried a few permutations and I gave a young lad his debut.

"That's what I've got to do now, but I still want to finish undefeated and if we could get another four points I'd be very pleased."

QPR - Cerny, Ramage, Leigertwood, Vine, Buzsaky (Oastler 71), Gorkss, Faurlin, Ephraim, Tosic, German (Simpson 73), Taarabt (Cook 41)

Subs not used - Putnins, Brown, Parker, Priskin

Goals - Buzsaky (pen 38)

Bookings - Buzsaky, Cook, Ephraim

Watford - Loach, Mariappa, Lansbury, McGinn (Sordell 46), Graham, Jenkins (Bryan 82), Harley, Bennett (Doyley 46), Taylor, Eustace, Hodson.

Subs not used - Lee, Hoskins, Henderson, Oshodi

Bookings - Mariappa, Eustace

Referee - Mr P Miller

Attendance - 13,171

It took someone else to book QPR's place in next season's Championship. Unable to gain even a point on Saturday themselves, it took an equaliser from Sheffield United's Lee Williamson against close city rivals Wednesday to ensure that only one out of the latter team and Crystal Palace would now be able to catch the R's.

It was always looking unlikely, but not impossible, that Rangers could be drawn into the bottom three as they were already on 51 points, but it left them in clear need of at least one more win in their remaining three games; at home to Watford tomorrow, at Barnsley this weekend and then welcoming the promoted Toon Army on the final day.

That necessity is now removed and Neil Warnock already hinted on Saturday that should QPR be safe, he would take the opportunity to have a look at some of the youngsters in his squad, with Antonio German and Josh Parker (both late substitutes against Cardiff) now more than likely to figure. Another player hoping to be playing in all three games and one with a good chance of doing so, is defender Peter Ramage. He is keen to make as big an impression on Warnock as possible before the summer following his comments about the need for extra recruitment.

"The motivation for us is to be here next season," he said following the Cardiff game.

"He's (Warnock) come in and he's not had the chance to bring the players he wants to bring in so obviously he's going to do that over the summer and assess what he's already got.

"For the current squad we've got to try and perform to show him he doesn't need to strengthen in that particular person's area. That's my motivation, that's what I'm looking forward to towards now and the end of the season."

Surprisingly, Ramage is staking his claim at centre-back right now. In a stop-start season, which he went into as the club's first-choice right-back, he has seen himself nudged down the pecking order with players including midfielder Mikele Leigertwood often preferred on the right side of defence.

"That's down to me," he said.

"I haven't at times performed to the best of my ability. Or maybe the manager's gone in a different direction because of a certain game.

"I had the shirt at the start of the season and it was down to me to keep it and it has been frustrating being in and out. You have to make the best of the opportunities you get and give the manager a harder decision to drop you."

Following Damion Stewart's horrible injury at Crystal Palace just two games ago, Ramage was instantly switched to centre-back and his composed, assured display was a major factor in the R's priceless victory and also a rare clean sheet. He retained his place on Saturday against Cardiff and again, rarely put a foot wrong in a game which should at least have brought a point's return. He pointed out that he is naturally a centre-back over a full-back.
 
"It's my position if you want to say. I've come in, I've been playing right-back but I'll play anywhere and I'll give one hundred percent anywhere I'm asked to play.

"I've enjoyed the last two games and hopefully I'll get a chance towards now and the end of the season to show the manager what I can do in that position."

In a game in which QPR had the better of the goal-scoring chances and Adel Taarabt looked to be on a solo mission to find a winner, one of Cardiff's few ventures at goals was enough to separate the sides, Joe Ledley stealing in with a far-post header ten minutes from time.

"It was bitterly disappointing but then again we've paid the penalty for not taking our chances and conceding another sloppy goal at our end.

"It seems to be the story of our season to be honest and its one we can't wait to get over and done with. We've got to try and put right what we didn't do here on Tuesday night."

"The free-kick and the goal were the best chances they had to test Rad (Radek Cerny). And that is frustrating. Defensively I thought we played really well, obviously bar the goal, it was a shocking goal to concede."

Once Rangers have navigated the challenge of Watford and then Barnsley, they can look ahead to hosting likely champions Newcastle on the final day. Many will have imagined an all-out, hard-fought promotion decider on seeing the fixture list at the start of the season, but only the Geordie team could live up to the whirlwind of expectation around their club. Rangers' own promotion challenge evaporated a long time ago, but as a former Newcastle player himself, Ramage was insistent they will still give it their all on that final Sunday.

"We've got to turn up and perform. We're still going to go out and give one hundred percent for the shirt and hopefully give the fans the send-off they deserve because its been a tough season for them. Testing at times to say the least."

Complacency can be a killer for a football team and has often infected QPR this season. Against decent, functional yet largely uninspired opponents, they once again threw away frequent opportunities to gain a desired win and instead fell to a rare Cardiff attack with just ten minutes remaining, thereby ending a short unbeaten run for Neil Warnock at Loftus Road. 

QPR's starting line-up had a slightly makeshift look to it come kick-off, with numerous players now out for the rest of the season. Damion Stewart's horror injury last Saturday and Matt Connolly's ankle injury, which could also keep him out for the rest of the campaign, meant Peter Ramage deputised at centre-back, Mikele Leigertwood took his place at right-back and Dusko Tosic made his home debut on the left-side.

The defensive changes considered, Rangers were as to be expected in their attacking positions, with Jay Simpson, Adel Taarabt and Tamas Priskin all offering a goal threat. Cardiff could call on the returning Joe Ledley in midfield with Jay Bothroyd and Ross McCormack forming a two-man frontline with Michael Chopra available to come off the bench.

The game had a slight summer holiday feel to it in the opening exchanges, with both teams playing within themselves for the first fifteen minutes, which was forgivable from QPR but surprising of Cardiff who needed the three points to secure their play-off spot. In the glorious sunshine, it was asking a lot of the crowd not to take forty winks with both sets of players playing as if they had one mind on their holiday destinations.

Adel Taarabt is often called on to fire up the excitement of both the team and the crowd and it proved the case again today. Just after the quarter-of-an-hour mark, he picked the ball up in the centre of the field and afforded a ridiculous amount of space, he was able to continue his run towards goal before unleashing a stinging shot from roughly 30 yards. It pinged back off the post and across goal and awoke the dozing crowd.

It wasn't quite the catalyst it should have been though and Rangers all too often wasted possession in the final third, with both Alejandro Faurlin and Leigertwood guilty of failing to deliver passes into the area when given time and space. A brief moment of excitement was the Cardiff supporters having to take down a large Wales flag, which they did so begrudgingly to say the least. It said everything about the football on show that the rival taunting in the corner of the pitch was more diverting.

Taarabt worked a cross into the area as half-time approached, but Jay Simpson swung wildly and missed the ball, which summed up a toothless first half from both sides.

Taarabt remained the main provider after the break, clipping the ball across the area to Hogan Ephraim, but as a player not noted for his heading ability, he gently butted the ball into David Marshall's hands. Apart from that, the quality of final ball from Rangers was woeful.

McCormack and Bothroyd were also finding it hard to link up when Cardiff were able to string a pass together. On a rare occasion, McCormick whipped the ball into the area but Bothroyd, under pressure and with the ball behind him, could only deflect a shot over. The Scot soon made way for Michael Chopra.

Ephraim's headed opportunity was less than easy but he wasted a much more presentable chance just after the hour, after Simpson laid it off to him in the area and he side-footed a shot acres over the goal. It was far from the 22-year-old's best game in a QPR shirt and I was surprised to not see him replaced at an earlier stage in the second half.

The chances of a goal were diminishing by the minute and it looked like a moment of magic or an intervention from the referee would be necessary to break the deadlock. Referee Michael Oliver had his chance with quarter of an hour to go when Taarabt broke into the area but then fell under the challenge of Mark Kennedy. It looked like there was potential contact, a small flick from Kennedy and the referee took an age to make his mind up before awarding Cardiff a free-kick and booking the Moroccan for diving. Taarabt definitely has form when it comes to the darker arts so I'll gladly be corrected based on replays, but it looked like he had some grounds to appeal.

Kennedy soon had a truly game-changing involvement though. His curled cross to the far post found the returning Ledley unmarked and he needed the merest of touches to head over the line. Cue delirium from the Cardiff fans who could start dreaming about Wembley.

Warnock has a tendency to make reactive rather than preemptive substitutions and he quickly brought Simpson off for Lee Cook (which seemed to upset Taarabt who waved his arm angrily at the bench) and also, Ephraim for Josh Parker. Taarabt clearly had no problems with Cook himself though; within minutes he worked the ball to him just yards from goal and his turn forced a smart save out of Marshall.

The manager made a final gamble, replacing the largely ineffectual Priskin with Antonio German but it was all for nothing and far too late, with Rangers unable to work another goal-scoring chance in injury time. The Bluebirds fans said they were going to Wembley; all the QPR crowd can now look forward to is a chance to truly confirm their place in this league when they play Watford on Tuesday.

With the pressure now off in terms of looking over their shoulder to the bottom three, it could be an all-new, relaxed QPR who take to the field today against play-off chasers Cardiff. The R's already had renewed vigour in their steps against Crystal Palace, though it was a game which hardly required extra motivational coaching from manager Neil Warnock. That was a must-win game against close rivals, both in terms of geographical position and league places, but the incentive for today's game isn't quite as obvious, apart from adding some extra respectability to the team's league finish.

The lack of a pressing need to win could work in Rangers favour though, especially as their opponents have more reason to be nervous. Cardiff appear to be in a fairly insurmountable position to reach the play-offs but they've thrown away the opportunity in the past and will be desperate to get the three points they need to secure their play-off berth. If Rangers can play on their tension, they could nudge themselves up the table.

QPR Team News

QPR will of course be without Damion Stewart following the horrible injury he sustained in the vital Palace victory. In the first minute of the game, the defender collided with Calvin Andrew which required his immediate withdrawal from the field.  It later transpired that he'd suffered a fractured skull and bleeding into the brain, but he left hospital yesterday with MRI scans revealing that the bleeding has now settled. He won't play again this season though and will have weekly scans for the next few months.

With Matt Connolly still recovering from an ankle injury, Peter Ramage is a good bet to fill in at centre-back and though he is likely to be busier today than against Palace, he could make a decent pitch to be considered in that position on a regular basis. Mikele Leigertwood will drop to right-back to cover Ramage's switch, with Dusko Tosic also hoping to build on his impressive debut against Palace at left-back.

Cardiff Team News

Midfielder Joe Ledley is likely to return for Cardiff after a quicker than anticipated recovery following operations on both hips. Manager Dave Jones has been paying tribute to the player, who is out of contract at the end of the season, this week.

"Joe gives everything he's got. That's been proved by him trying to get back as quickly as possible," said Jones.

The Bluebirds should also be able to call on captain Mark Hudson, Michael Chopra and Kelvin Etuhu who have all recovered from minor injuries.

Form

There have been few wider gaps, in terms of performance, in two consecutive games than with QPR's 4-0 defeat at Leicester City and then 2-0 win at Palace. Whereas the former showed a team lacking in ideas and togetherness, the latter was a side reborn (without getting too carried away). It also surely put to bed any remaining fears about their future in this league, as with a game in hand over Palace and Sheffield Wednesday, they are highly unlikely to now get caught.

Last weekend's win then was vital and came on the back of a poor run in form, with no wins in seven games prior to that. QPR are still unbeaten at home under Neil Warnock though - two wins and three 1-1 draws from his first five at Loftus Road, which could be taken as a promising marker for next season if the improved atmosphere and attendances can be carried over.

Cardiff are taking their time in confirming a surely inevitable place in this season's play-offs. One more win will do it, with seventh-placed Blackpool seven points behind them, but following a trio of wins against Palace, Leicester and most importantly, rivals Swansea, they've endured goalless stalemates against Nottingham Forest and Reading. They're unbeaten in eight and have won nine games on their travels this season, a record only bettered by the promoted sides, Newcastle and West Brom.

Prediction

I thought QPR would be suffering with the nerves for a couple more games yet this season and was genuinely taken aback by their commitment and team-play against Palace, which I still think ranks as one of their best performances of the season. As a result, it could be Cardiff left to stew over the table following today's games should Rangers continue where they left off and pick up another win.

That said, the players returning for the away side today could be key. I don't think Cardiff can muster the win which will allow them to breathe a sigh of relief, but I'd be equally as surprised to see the Hoops take all three points. But I did say that last weekend...

SCORE DRAW

On Saturday, QPR were the side striving for the three points which could finally provide a positive slant on their season. They achieved it emphatically against Crystal Palace, with one of their best performances of the season, certainly away from Loftus Road and thereby all but guaranteeing their presence in this league next season. The result pushed them six points above the relegation area with a game in hand and Saturday's losing side alongside Sheffield Wednesday now look the much more likely candidates for the drop.

This weekend then could take on a strange tone for QPR as they face opponents in greater need of a win. Cardiff look in as good a position for the play-offs as Rangers do to stay up, but they will be aware that competitors at the top of the league are far more likely to pick up points than rivals at the bottom. It would take a monumental slip-up for them to drop out of the top six at this late stage, but they have previous in that regard, capitulating at the end of last season to allow Preston to sneak in on the final day.

Their manager, Dave Jones, has already said they need one further win to secure their play-off berth so they will be fully primed to finish the job at Loftus Road. What attitude Rangers bring to the table will be interesting to see. They seemed to have already lost their nerves and tension over facing the drop on Saturday, playing with an abandon and unity of purpose which was startling in its unexpectedness. If they can keep that positive spirit against Cardiff and play for the enjoyment of the game rather than a need to pick up points, they will cause them problems.

Talking about his side's remaining games, Jones said: "We're edging towards it. One win will probably see us there. One win should be enough. Other results don't affect us - we've just got to do our bit. It's not about teams catching us up, we've got to get away from them."

Spoiling Cardiff's procession to the play-offs won't weigh too heavily on QPR or manager Neil Warnock's minds as they are likely to still be walking on cloud nine from Saturday's result. A blistering strike from Akos Buzsaky opened the scoring for Rangers before a well-taken header from Kaspars Gorkss finished off any meager resistance that Palace could muster. Over the course of the 90 minutes, Tamas Priskin and Jay Simpson both missed opportunities to increase Rangers' lead in a surprisingly dominant performance in which Alejandro Faurlin was peerless in midfield and Peter Ramage, who had to switch to centre-back in the opening minute after a horrible head injury to Damion Stewart, was never better.

I also mentioned the battle of the keepers before this game and it was one which Radek Cerny firmly won, twice denying Palace from close range and looking though he had never been out the side, a fact acknowledged by the noisy Rangers support. Despite Cerny's assured display, rumours about Palace's keeper joining his ex-manager in defecting to QPR haven't dissipated.

Such concerns will wait until the close season though and for now, QPR can look forward to playing their remaining games in a much more relaxed frame of mind than looked likely just a couple of weeks ago.

QPR are still firmly in the driving seat when it comes to assuring Championship football next season, but their most recent results don't inspire great confidence and they could soon reach a stage where they need other teams to do them a favour.

They could help themselves immeasurably though by achieving their first win in eight games tomorrow. That would lift them onto 51 points and open up a six-point gap between themselves and their opponents Crystal Palace. Conversely, Palace will move a point ahead of Rangers should they win. When you throw in the fact that both sides have been managed by Neil Warnock this season, with Palace in a dire position following his departure and a ten-point deduction (though the blame for that cannot be placed at Warnock's door), you have the makings of an explosive Championship game. And it should be sunny. I can't wait.

Palace Team News

Former QPR manager Paul Hart could call on the services of striker Alan Lee and defender Danny Butterfield, as the pair have recovered from groin and hamstring injuries respectively and will undergo fitness tests before the game.

Lee was signed this season from Ipswich Town and with Clinton Morrison and Dougie Freedman departing the club, has made 39 appearances, scoring five league goals.

Butterfield has been the club's main right back this season, but also scored a 'perfect' hat-trick against Wolves in the Cup this season - his first goals in six years - when Palace's financial constraints meant the player was forced to play up front. It got Paul Merson very excited on Sky:



Left-back Lee Hills also returns following a suspension.

QPR Team News

As I reported earlier today, Radek Cerny will return to the QPR starting line-up for the first time since January when he played in the team's third round FA Cup defeat against Sheffield United. Considering Carl Ikeme's final game for the R's, Monday's 4-0 embarrassment at Leicester City, in which the young Birmingham-born goalie went walkabout for the Foxes' second goal, that may not be considered a hardship by QPR supporters. But Cerny was in less than commanding form before his spell on the sidelines and will want an error-free game to build up his own confidence as quickly possible.

Another new face to the team, one who has yet to play for QPR, could be left-back Dusko Tosic, a loan signing from Portsmouth. The Serbian international has turned out for the reserves but is yet to make a first-team appearance.

Matt Connolly remains doubtful as he struggles with an ankle injury.

Form

Palace resembled a team in free-fall even prior to Neil Warnock's departure. In February they suffered costly home defeats against Coventry City and Reading before a difficult March in which they went six games without a win. They've picked up the pace in the last three games though with wins over Watford and Preston and a draw at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium. Selhurst Park has been far from a fortress this season though; nine teams have visited and come away with all three points.

If Rangers fail to win tomorrow, it will be eight games without a win. They are grappling their way to Championship safety by picking up the odd point here and there, rather than making the decisive dash for safety which looked so likely after Neil Warnock won his first two games in charge. Since then, the R's have drawn five games and lost two and still only picked up one clean sheet since last October. Only Swansea, Bristol City and Ipswich Town have provided more stalemates than Rangers this season.


Prediction

First to the teams vying with QPR to stay clear of the bottom three. Plymouth (23rd - 41 points) and Watford (21st - 45 points) meet at Vicarage Road; a defeat for the away side would surely condemn them to relegation. Rangers supporters will also look towards Sheffield Wednesday's result; they're three points behind QPR but with an inferior goal difference and they have a tricky visit to Middlesbrough to contend with. That leaves Scunthorpe, just a point behind the Hoops, who travel to Preston looking to get the win which would put them on the verge of safety. Therefore, it would take a big swing in terms of goal difference for Rangers to end up in the bottom three tomorrow, not that their supporters will want to contemplate that eventuality.

Looking at their own game and despite their recent form, Rangers on paper should be favourites. They have the more experienced coach, they have a more settled side and they have a nucleus of talented players, including Adel Taarabt who on his day is one of the most talented players in this league. But I'm not sure they are as aware of the precariousness of their position as say Palace, who have been facing the possibility of dropping a division since their points deduction. I still think it's very unlikely that QPR will be in the bottom three come the final day but I can't help feeling they're going to do it the hard way and leave the issue open for a couple more weeks yet.

HOME WIN

It can always take footballers time to adjust to being back in a team after a lengthy period on the sidelines; I'd argue this is particularly true of the men between the sticks, the goalkeepers, who build their performances as much on their mental powers of concentration, communication and confidence (the three C's which I just invented - feel free to copy these) as on their physical attributes and footballing skills.

Unfortunately for QPR keeper Radek Cerny, there will be no period of adjustment after Carl Ikeme's return to Wolves as the Championship season nears its conclusion. Every point counts and any mistakes could be costly and the Czech keeper will be thrown straight into the lions' den tomorrow for Rangers' visit to Crystal Palace, with just two points separating the sides and just three safeguarding QPR from the bottom three.

Cerny hasn't donned the keeper's jersey since 12th January, when the three goals he conceded saw Rangers dumped out of the FA Cup by Sheffield United. Ikeme took his place for the next seventeen games, and though he could only point to one clean sheet in that time, Cerny was hardly unstoppable prior to that, with just three shut-outs in Rangers' first 24 league games.

That statistic is surprising because in the previous season, Cerny's first with the club in which he ousted fan favourite Lee Camp from the position, he managed 47 appearances in all competitions and the Hoops conceded just 44 league goals. By comparison, 63 goals have found their way into the Rangers net this season, with only two teams, Preston and Scunthorpe, suffering from a worse defensive record on their travels.

All of which could put Palace in buoyant mood before tomorrow's game, particularly as they've managed nine goals in their last three games. But Cerny will be playing not only for his team tomorrow, but also for his first chance to impress Neil Warnock and stake a claim to be QPR's keeper next season. The 36-year old goalie, who spent three years on loan at Tottenham before joining QPR, will be loathe to start looking for another club at this stage of his career and will want assurances before the summer that he is first in Warnock's mind. The part he plays in Rangers' final five games could be crucial in gaining that assurance, with tricky fixtures against Cardiff and Newcastle before the season is out and another relegation six-pointer against Watford in just over a week's time.

To add another layer to the pressure on the keeper tomorrow, if rumours are correct, Warnock could also have one eye on the man in the opposition's goal. He already knows a great deal about Argentinean Julian Speroni, the Palace keeper throughout Warnock's three year spell with the club. In fact, following QPR's home game against Palace last November, when Warnock was sitting in the opposition dug-out, he was glowing with praise for him after he pulled off a succession of top-drawer saves to deny Alejandro Faurlin, Akos Buzsaky and Rowan Vine during the 1-1 draw.

"He's the best keeper in this division by a mile and I don't see anyone better in the Premier League," said Warnock after the game.

"It's good that nobody rates him. But he's not leaving this club while I'm manager - unless I take him somewhere with me."

What was most likely meant as a joke at the time now takes on a stranger tone considering the events in the proceeding six months, in which time it's unlikely his opinion of the keeper has vastly changed. Rangers will just be praying they do not suffer in the face of another world-class performance from the 30-year-old tomorrow.

Cerny has been commended by Ikeme and by QPR's goalkeeping coach for his professionalism during his enforced absence though and the close working relationship between Cerny and Ikeme was one of the reasons the latter player enjoyed his stay in west London so much. Cerny also had to win over Rangers' fans already on his arrival - now he will be confident of doing so all over again, while winning over his new boss as well.

In short, though it's rare they hog the headlines, all eyes could be on the keepers at either end of the pitch tomorrow.

As far as fighting talk goes, it is unlikely to have Crystal Palace quaking in their boots. But you can't really blame Neil Warnock for trying to be diplomatic ahead of Saturday's vital game between his former club and his current one. He knows that he is going to get a difficult reception to say the least, though he still defends his choice of upping sticks to move to QPR a little over a month ago.

As reported in the Evening Standard, Warnock has said he is really not looking forward to this weekend's fixture.

"I won't take any pleasure from going back," he said.

"It's a no-win situation. I want both to stay up."

That is far from certain though. Three points currently separates five teams around the final relegation spot, with even second-from-bottom Plymouth not ready to surrender their Championship status, sitting four points from safety.

QPR do have the advantage of heading the struggling bunch who could still feasibly be drawn into the bottom three and have a game in hand over Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace, so their fate is firmly in their hands. But another defeat this weekend could severely dent the team's confidence, which has been gradually eroded since Warnock's winning start against West Brom and Plymouth.

The R's boss would desperately have wanted to return to Selhurst Park with QPR's safety already guaranteed, but now he faces either ceding further ground in the relegation battle for his new team or sticking a nail in his old team's coffin.

"I'm sure I'll get some stick. But the administrator was more than happy to get half a million quid for me, wasn't he?," he said, in reference to the deal which allowed cash-strapped Palace to receive compensation on his departure.

"The Palace fans are the best I've ever worked in front of."

One player who could be drafted in to help keep Palace at bay is Dusko Tosic, a Serbian international who is on loan from Portsmouth. The left-back is yet to make an appearance for the first team, but impressed in a reserve game yesterday, a 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. On the other flank, he was joined by Moritz Volz, still to sign a permanent deal with QPR despite reports that the club had offered him a contract. With both pushing for first-team action though, there could be a new look to the QPR defence before the end of this season, especially as the first team has kept just one clean sheet in an incredible 32 games.

I wrote recently about the regularity with which QPR managers and ex-managers can now be thrust together in the Championship. Hot on the heels of Paulo Sousa's return to Loftus Road, Neil Warnock squares up to Paul Hart (pictured above) on Saturday as QPR and Crystal Palace, both teetering on the brink of the relegation area, meet at Selhurst Park.

The pair missed each other by a month and a half through QPR's revolving door earlier this season. Hart took over the club in mid-December, but was on his way just five games later. Warnock picked up the slack after a protracted defection from Palace; after taking them to the edge of the play-offs this season he left them following a ten-point deduction (a punishment for the club going into administration) which has placed them in their current predicament.

Front of the queue at the Championship Job Office was Hart once again, joining Palace on March 2. He's already improved on his stint with Rangers, as this weekend will be his eleventh game with Palace and with seven points from their last nine, they are now within two points of QPR.

Neil Warnock was loathe to talk about this fixture last weekend, choosing to concentrate on Monday's game against Leicester City which didn't go too well for QPR, finding themselves on the end of a 4-0 thrashing. Other results, particularly Palace's 3-1 win over Preston then turned a poor day into a disastrous one for Rangers.

He certainly won't be expecting a warm atmosphere on Saturday though. He ranks as one of the league's least popular managers with supporters at the best of times, with every set of away fans singing some uncomplimentary songs about him since his arrival at Loftus Road. Where that is often in jest though, many at Selhurst Park are likely to have stronger views about his short journey to west London to take over QPR.

Rumours that he intends to raid Palace in the summer, who are still desperate to find cash to satisfy their administrators, won't do him any favours either, with keeper Julian Speroni and midfielder Darren Ambrose supposedly top of his wish-list.

Neither manager will be too keen to stoke this one up unnecessarily, with Hart simply admitting that it will be a nervous game, as reported on Eurosport. But you can be sure, that this latest instalment of Rangers' managers facing off is the most important yet. More to come on Saturday's six-pointer later this week...

When the margins between winning and losing are so tight in the Championship, luck is always a helpful friend to have. Unfortunately QPR's seems to have deserted them, along with the feel-good factor following Neil Warnock's arrival, any defensive stability he had found and much of the goal threat at the opposite end. What was looking like a poor Easter after the Sheffield Wednesday game now appears horrendous following a thrashing at Leicester and also taking into account other results yesterday. It leaves QPR in a position they must have thought was past them when they trounced West Brom in Warnock's first game. They're now three points off the relegation area following Crystal Palace's win over Preston and Watford were also a minute away from beating West Brom. The only saving grace for the Hoops was that Scunthorpe and Wednesday also lost and that they still have a game in hand.

The absence of luck showed up in Leicester's shots on goal to goals scored ratio, though the away side did a lot to help in that respect. The Foxes were one-nil up with their first shot registered in anger through Andy King, but it became much worse when Carl Ikeme, desperate to leave QPR on a high-note, went walkabout just before half-time and gifted Martyn Waghorn a goal. It was at least the equal of Radek Cerny's clanger against the same team at Loftus Road earlier in the season.

Five minutes into the second half, another shot on target, another goal, Waghorn again taking advantage of space on the break to drill the ball past Ikeme. I can only go by the QPR Player commentary here, but Leicester were apparently playing very poorly. Playing poorly and 3-0 up; what will happen if QPR come up against a team high on confidence and in-form before the end of the season?

Steve Howard capped the misery with twelve minutes to go, by which time Rangers were playing Damion Stewart as a centre-forward. His comments after Saturday's game made me question what Warnock looks for in a striker. It would now seem that it is to have spent their career as a centre-back. It is of course important to have a physical presence up front but this smacked of desperation.

Rangers had a few moments of respite - Adel Taarabt struck the post with a typically solo effort and Jay Simpson came close to forcing them back into the game when he beat two players in the second half but could only strike the ball directly at Chris Weale's feet.

Amazingly, things were worse at other grounds where Palace had gone into a 3-1 lead over Preston and Watford were beating second-placed West Brom. Chris Brunt saved their blushes, but at the end of the day, Rangers' five-point cushion had been cut to three.

As messages to the rest of the league go, losing 4-0 to a team which hadn't won in five won't strike fear into the heart of any of the other teams embroiled in the relegation battle. Palace on the other hand defiantly showed that they are unwilling to allow their ten-point deduction to force them down a league. Both teams meet on Saturday in an atmosphere which was already guaranteed to be charged thanks to Warnock's defection from one to the other just over a month ago. Now every stereotype about six-pointers can be thrown at the game, with the winner placed in the driving seat towards safety and the loser perched on the precipice. The commentator for QPR Player said they could now be sucked 'into the relegation vortex' - that is a scary place to be.

The additional consequence of this dismal defeat is that the buzz around Warnock's appointment is now well and truly extinguished. It didn't help that he spoke about wanting to bring in his own players almost from day one. Few will argue that numerous changes aren't needed, but these are still the players he needs to keep QPR up, loan players included and it may not have done wonders for their confidence to have the added pressure of worrying about playing for their shirt next season. It could be easily argued that this should be an added motivation and a reality of football life, but it doesn't seem to be working right now.

Leicester - Weale, Morrison, Brown, Berner, Hobbs, King, Wellens (Adams 80), Spearing, Howard, Waghorn (Vaughan 80), Gallagher

Subs not used - Logan, Neilson, Oakley, N'Guessan, Kermorgant

Goals - King (5), Waghorn (45,50), Howard (78)


QPR - Ikeme, Ramage, Stewart, Gorkss, Hill, Leigertwood, Cook (Buzsaky 55), Faurlin, Ephraim, Taarabt, Simpson (Balanta 77)

Subs not used - Cerny, Tosic, Oastler, Vine, German

Bookings - Ephraim


Referee - T Kettle


Attendance - 22,079

QPR look like they intend to secure their Championship status the hard way with a number of unappealing fixtures on the horizon. Considering their away form this season - just four wins and none in the last 12 - any game not at Loftus Road instantly becomes more demanding, but today's will be a test for its own reasons.

Leicester are smarting from a run of four defeats, their worst run for more than three years, which puts their play-off potential in severe jeopardy, with Blackpool just a point behind them. Their local paper, the Leicester Mercury, is worried enough to have started a vague Dare to Dream campaign to get people behind the promotion push - though it doesn't seem to have much point beyond telling supporters to go to games.

The Hoops, of course, need the points for their own reasons, with games against relegation candidates Crystal Palace and Watford to come and the visits of Cardiff and Newcastle to still contend with. A fifth away win today would ease a few worried minds as the season nears its conclusion.

Leicester City Team News

The biggest bit of team news for Leicester City is one they have been dealing with for some time. Top scorer Matty Fryatt's broken jaw against Doncaster Rovers at the end of February was less than welcome; the player has been out ever since, recently returning to light training but needing to make up about 9lbs in weight which he lost due to inactivity after this jaw was wired and plated.

No other Leicester player has yet hit double figures and though they adjusted gamely af first, including a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in their next game, a lack of inspiration up front hasn't helped over those last five games in which they've failed to win, including four defeats.

Midfielder Lloyd Dyer could also miss out after picking up a knock during Friday's 3-0 defeat against West Brom but defender Wayne Brown and importantly in the context of Fryatt's absence, strikers Paul Gallagher and Yann Kermorgant, should all be available.

QPR Team News

Rangers continue to assess Jay Simpson on a match-by-match basis as he struggles with a hamstring injury. Starting the game against Sheffield Wednesday, he wasn't quite up to full speed and came off on 73 minutes to be replaced by youngster Antonio German. Neil Warnock may chose to rest Simpson with an eye to the crucial game against Crystal Palace.

It is also likely to be Carl Ikeme's last game for the Hoops as he is contracted to return to his parent club Wolves tomorrow. Unless Warnock chooses to gel Radek Cerny back into the side straight away, Ikeme will turn out for the Hoops one last time. Defender Dusko Tosic could also get his first start for the Hoops, although one of the loanees would have to make way with Matt Hill surely the most likely candidate.

Form

As mentioned already, Leicester's form is escaping them at just the wrong time. Four consecutive defeats have left them clinging onto the play-offs, though they will point to next weekend's game against Peterborough as a saving grace, with rivals Blackpool instead travelling to St James' Park. Following that game Leicester could do QPR a favour as they face Watford at home, followed by fixtures against Preston and Middlesbrough. In short, they need to start winning and quickly and will look to their three remaining home games as the best opportunities to book their place in the play-offs.

They've had the beating of QPR once already this season; another game in which the Hoops took the lead only to throw away through a combination of calamitous keeping and poor defending. Rangers' record at the Walkers Stadium will improve their pre-match confidence though; they've picked up seven points from their last three visits there and have only lost once, in January 2005.

Prediction

In front of a home crowd desperate to revive their side's season, QPR will probably look to today's game as a bonus fixture from their remaining matches; one that they will not automatically expect to get anything from, but will be mightily pleased if they do. The big winner today could be Ian Holloway, former manager of both clubs. Anything less than a win for Leicester and his Blackpool side could place themselves in the driving seat for the play-offs by beating Doncaster at home, thereby ending that team's hopes of sneaking into the top six as well.

Fear could largely dictate the opening to this game with so much at stake for both teams and with Leicester guaranteed to not have their top scorer and QPR's uncertain to start, goals will be at a premium. Rangers are trying to ensure their safety in incremental steps with four draws in a row. It's not the most thrilling way to stay up but I think it could become five draws today, which would set a Championship record this season.

SCORE DRAW

It is increasingly difficult to keep a track on the number of loan players at QPR these days. Neil Warnock admitted to having to drop Marcus Bent at the last minute prior to his first game against West Brom because, unbeknownst to him, he had exceeded the permissible number of loan players in his match-day squad. Bent now seems to have gone walkabout; Dusko Tosic, a left-back from Portsmouth, was brought in by Warnock but is still to play and a significant proportion of QPR goals this season have come from loan players, particularly Adel Taarabt and Jay Simpson.

Warnock's selection headaches will be eased slightly following today's game which will be keeper Carl Ikeme's last for the club, freeing up a loanee spot in the squad, as the player has to return to Wolves. But judging by the high regard for Ikeme around QPR, particularly from goalkeeping coach David Rouse and from Ikeme's own comments, it will not be a completely welcome return.

After Saturday's game, he said: "I've loved it here and I'm disappointed to be going back.

"I wish I could stay."

It's rare you see such honesty from a player returning to his own club, but it's a reflection of Ikeme's place in the pecking order at Wolves. As their third-choice keeper he faces time spent in the stands instead of on the pitch, a prospect which is far from appealing to the Birmingham-born player, who admitted he isn't a good watcher of games. He also confessed that one of the most enjoyable aspects of his time at QPR was the sheer number of games he got to play, with virtually an uninterrupted spell between the posts since his arrival.

That was in January and before he had even played his first game, QPR had confirmed the worst of their stereotypes by parting company with manager Paul Hart. So Ikeme's first game in the Rangers gloves was under Mick Harford, a 2-2 draw with Blackpool which in the context of this season looks like a decent result.

"Three managers in the space of a few months is a bit crazy," he said.

"It wasn't what I was expecting but I had heard a few stories. I think now the new board is in charge though, it's a more stable club."

You could have forgiven the player for doing a runner after only his second game. That was a 5-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest and though few would have attributed blame at Ikeme's door, it can't have done wonders for his confidence. He stuck to his guns though, even when the club went on to further defeats against Scunthorpe and Peterborough and he formed an important part of a more solid defence under Neil Warnock, earning the club their first clean sheet since October when they beat Plymouth on March 9.

He really couldn't have joined at a worse time and it was clear that he had quickly picked up on the negativity which was surrounding the club. Importantly though, and well-placed as an outsider to judge, he felt the atmosphere had greatly improved and that the supporters were now wholly behind the team.

"I think the fans have seen that the club has started to move forward," he said.

"They're getting behind the team even though we're in a sticky patch which is important."

Not to forget that he was keeping Radek Cerny out of the side for the duration of his stay in west London. Cerny had some blips this season, most notably in the home game against today's opponents, Leicester, when he gifted the away side a goal, but he was also the custodian when QPR finished last season as the safest defence in the league. That Ikeme was able to supplant him without any friction between the two says a lot about the character of both men.

Unfortunately, league rules state that he has to return to Wolves after today's game despite almost no chance of playing in their first team before the end of this season. He said his one regret was leaving whilst Rangers are still unsure of their Championship status, although a clean sheet and even a win against the Foxes today would go a long way towards settling that.

The door isn't closed on a possible return even though Warnock may prefer his own candidate, such as former colleague Julian Speroni at Crystal Palace. But regardless of his future involvement with the club, it was clear that he is leaving with a high regard for QPR.

The disappointment around Loftus Road was clear on Saturday as another game the home side was in complete control of slipped from their grasp. This was as one-sided as most of their recent performances with Sheffield Wednesday posing very little goal threat apart from the occasion when found the net with twelve minutes to go. That was a sucker-punch to the home team and their supporters and there wasn't enough left in the tank to make a late rally for the three points. Alejandro Faurlin (pictured above) finally claimed his first QPR goal with his well-taken strike after 23 minutes, but a failure to capitalise led to the almost inevitable equaliser, Tom Soares in the right place to head home Tommy Spurr's deadly cross.

It seems ridiculous that for all the initial promise of the Warnock era, the club still haven't rid themselves of any lasting relegation fears. It would still take an epic collapse for QPR to make up the final drop spot, but should they lose this evening, Saturday's game against Crystal Palace and Warnock's return to Selhurst Park will be absolutely crucial. 

1 - What type of team is Warnock aiming for? The manager has made it pretty clear that he is looking forward to creating his own QPR XI, despite also claiming this was the most talented set of players he has ever worked with. The number of loans at the club is clearly frustrating him, although he has already played to type as a QPR boss by bringing in a loan player himself, Dusko Tosic, with few apparent plans on when to actually play him. If Matt Hill is set to return to Wolves, then it would surely make sense to have a look at Tosic in a competitive game as soon as possible, because considering Portsmouth's nightmarish financial situation, if he turns out to fit the bill, he could arrive permanently on the cheap. I know that QPR view every game as a must-win at the moment and perhaps the manager doesn't want to tinker too greatly, but an international footballer should be able to handle the pressure of a home game against Sheffield Wednesday.

Warnock was also bemoaning the lack of a physical presence up front for QPR. Jay Simpson and Tamas Priskin are about as slight a front two as you can get, though to be fair to the former he is unafraid to track back and win the ball himself. My one fear is that Warnock will aim to get a 6ft-plus hard man into the ranks this summer, a target man for the high balls which dominate much of Championship football.

In conjunction with a player like Simpson that could work. On its own it could mean QPR become quite a dull team to watch. He is right in stressing the need for changes and too much of a value can be placed on playing attractive football over winning matches. But there is already enough talent in the squad to suggest that Rangers could become a winning team whilst entertaining the crowd as well. I'm sure that is what he is aiming for. 

2 - How worried should QPR be about the bottom three? This is a season in which no-one wants to submit to the drop. A number of teams are hanging onto life in the Championship by a thin thread and compared to Plymouth, Crystal Palace or Watford, Rangers are surely in an insurmountable position. The unwillingness of those sides to lie down though must raise a few concerns and Neil Warnock admitted that all the clubs near the bottom are getting nervous. Palace earned a draw at Middlesbrough as did Watford at Preston whereas the most surprising result must have been Plymouth's win at Doncaster, which keeps them within three points of safety and puts a big dent in Donny's hopes of creeping into the play-offs.

Looking at the last ten seasons, the final relegation perch has been occupied by a team gaining on average 44.2 points, which makes you wonder where the talk of a 50 or 52 point safety marker comes from. Well, just two seasons ago, Leicester City were relegated on 52 points on the final day, a total QPR are still four points off. Gillingham were relegated on 50 in 2004/5; Walsall on 51 the season before. Rangers have to play two of the more likely relegation candidates as well; Crystal Palace in less than a week's time (as if that game needed any extra spice) and Watford at home on April 20. Those games should ultimately decide how nerve-wracking the final weeks are going to be. 

3 -The supporters should be in full voice though. Relations between the team and the fans were far from peachy during Mick Harford's tenure, with the Ipswich game in particular standing in my memory as a match in which the supporters seemed to have lost all hope in their players. What has been notable is that despite the frustrations of the last three home games - all 1-1 draws - the crowd have largely been appreciative of the players' efforts.

There have been the odd moments of discontent; a few howls at misplaced passes and a degree of criticism for Tamas Priskin which seemed unwarranted. But hearing a whole corner of the crowd sing 'there's only one Peter Ramage' on Saturday showed how far the supporters are behind the latest incarnation of the QPR "project". Without patronising the player too much, he would surely admit himself that he has had a mixed relationship with the Loftus Road crowd but there was nothing ironic about their cheers. For work-rate alone, few can outrank Ramage and his well-taken goal against Preston showed there is something to his game going forward now as well. The supporters still need to play their part in ensuring that QPR don't quickly return to the negativity on and off the pitch which ruined much of this season. 

4 - Will Adel Taarabt be around to share in that optimism? The Moroccan seems to have stepped up a gear in the last few games, with a remarkable performance against Preston. Though quieter yesterday and still prone to trying to win games alone, he really can strike fear into most back lines as he strides forward from midfield.

Cynical observers might suggest the upturn in his contribution is directly related to the impending opening of the transfer window and it is certainly true that QPR might flinch at paying close to £5 million for the player, a sum of money rarely spent in the Championship. Warnock admitted the club weren't front of the queue to sign him despite reiterating that Taarabt is fond of QPR. There are rumours that he is keen on forging a career in Spain. If he does leave, it is unlikely that a like-for-like replacement can be found but someone to match that creative spark will have to be found. 

QPR - Ikeme, Ramage, Stewart, Gorkss, Hill, Leigertwood, Faurlin, Ephraim (Cook 81), Taarabt,.Simpson (German 73), Priskin (Vine 89) 

Subs not used - Cerny, Oastler, Buzsaky, Balanta  

Goal - Faurlin (23) 

Bookings - Taarabt 

Sheffield Wednesday - Grant, Spurr, Buxton, Purse, Beevers, Potter (Clarke 72), O'Connor, Varney 

(Johnson 69), Soares, Nolan, Tudgay 

Subs not used - O'Donnell, Hinds, Simek, Gray, Jeffers 

Goal - Soares (77) 

Attendance - 13,405

Another failed opportunity for QPR and one which makes Monday's game against Leicester look more unpleasant that it should be.

There was nothing too radical about the QPR line-up apart from the pleasing news that Jay Simpson was back in the starting eleven. Simpson had only started two of QPR's last four games because of a niggling hamstring problem, though Neil Warnock has probably been more sensibly cautious with the player than he would have been had QPR been pushing for promotion for example.

Very little of note happened in the first ten minutes, apart from Kaspars Gorkss managing to skew at least two clearances completely unchallenged by an opponent. He almost seems to perform better under pressure, going neck a neck with a striker. If left with time and space to think about what he is going to do next, the result will often be a wild clearance into the stands.

Simpson showed his value to the team early on though, nipping onto a half ball in the area and laying it back to Alejandro Faurlin who placed his shot directly at the keeper. You had to wonder what it would take for Faurlin to get his first goal in QPR colours? 

The star man of the moment for QPR, Adel Taarabt, started quietly but grew into the half and came close to creating the opener, his fiercely accurate corner finding Tamas Priskin who could only head wide.

Faurlin soon answered the question over his lack of goals though and it all started from another wild Gorkss clearance. He punted the ball forward with seemingly little concern about its direction but it found Priskin in acres of space on the right wing. Unfortunately, the forward didn't control the ball quickly enough, allowing Wednesday to get men back but he still carried his run into the area and forced Lee Grant to tip the ball wide.

From the resulting corner, Faurlin showed his coolness above all others to flick the ball back into the area. Centre-back Damion Stewart similarly headed it up into the air and when the ball fell down, it found the grateful Faurlin to slam it into the net from point-blank range. A very deserving scorer which was acknowledged by the QPR crowd.

Marcus Tudgay was looking very isolated in attack for Wednesday and barring a mid-game nap which often afflicts QPR, it was hard to see how they could not turn their lead into the three points which would all but guarantee Championship football next season.

Priskin continued to benefit from some wayward balls from the back which said a lot about Wednesday's commitment to marking the player. Within minutes of the second-half kicking off, left-back Matt Hill ballooned the ball into the area where it dropped to Priskin. He let the ball bounce before hitting it high on the turn and it clipped off the bar, possibly with a touch from the keeper on the way. Priskin was certainly getting in the right positions if still too tentative to take advantage of them.

Taarabt's best moment of the game could have doubled the advantage on 58 minutes. With a trademark cut-back, he worked himself some space and then drove his shot from fully 25 yards just above the top corner. "Sign him up, sign him up," echoed down from the stands, in reference to Taarabt's loan status and the need to break upon the piggy bank should the manager desire to make his move permanent.

Somehow the Rs weren't able to put the game out of reach though, despite a complete lack of attacking intent at the other end from Wednesday and as it dragged on, nerves crept into their play and onto the stands.

It's been a tell-tale problem for at least the last six games and again, the away team were allowed the luxury of getting back into the game. Tommy Spurr curled a deadly cross to the far post and Tom Soares was in the perfect position to plant his header into the net.

As usual, it woke QPR up. Mikele Leigertwood went close, a trademark long-range shot just avoiding the goal. Lee Cook was soon on for Hogan Ephraim as well, to join Antonio German who came on for Simpson before the Wednesday goal but neither substitute nor Rowan Vine who came on with minutes remaining could alter the outcome of the game. If anything Leon Clarke should have won it for the Owls though, a curled free-kick catching the Hoops out and just evading the final touch which would have taken it into the net.

Another incredibly frustrating game for the home supporters then and though its still unlikely that QPR will be drawn into the bottom three, the abundant nerves around Loftus Road won't be disappearing anytime soon if the team continue to throw away leading positions.

Well-known football supporter Billy Shakespeare would have had a field day with QPR. The calamities on the pitch, the intrigue behind the scenes, the sense of impending tragedy; he could have wrote six or seven decent plays based on the last two seasons alone. But the man who penned 'Am I so round with you as you with me, that like a football you do spurn me thus?' (that one is real), would have struggled for decent storylines from the last few QPR matches.

Five games without a win sounds miserable but QPR have been far from poor ever since Neil Warnock took over as manager. In fact, for large spells of their last three games, they've been the better team. But for a good story, sooner or later you need a win and QPR desperately need to take something from their next two games on the bounce, against Sheffield Wednesday today and then Leicester on Monday.

I wasn't able to write anything on the Preston game and it would seem a bit redundant to go into it now. Suffice to say, Adel Taarabt had a commanding performance for the R's and showed why patience is needed when what he is trying to achieve doesn't always pay off. Rumours have started up about a potential £4.5 million price tag on his head should QPR want to make his loan move permanent. If he is happy to be at the club, committed to the cause and employed in the right way on the pitch, he could be well worth that fee.

The club will look to him again today for inspiration in a game which would appear to be the easier of the two Easter fixtures. Were it not for Crystal Palace's ten-point deduction, the Owls would be prime relegation candidates and could still find themselves in the bottom three before the season's end.

But only three points separate them from QPR. Should Wednesday get the result today, the R's would be nervously contemplating a late season survival act from Palace. Warnock's blistering start seemed to have dispelled any fears about going down but five games without a win, despite the battling performances, is enough to awaken a few jitters again.

QPR Team News

Jay Simpson is still far from certain to be in QPR's starting line-up and though Tamas Priskin admirably stuck to his guns and got his first Rs goal against Preston, it's hard to not see some correlation between Simpson's absence from the side and the inability to find a win. He missed the Swansea game, came off earlier then expected against Derby and sat it out against Preston as well as he struggles with a hamstring injury. The manager may be looking to field him in at least one game over Easter though and could well rest him today and hope he can make a big impact for Monday's trip to Leicester.

Matt Connolly is the other likely absentee, potentially for both games. The back four against Preston was Ramage, Gorkss, Stewart and Hill and I'd be surprised to see any change from that this afternoon. Dusko Tosic could be denied another opportunity to make his debut for the club since his loan move from Portsmouth.

Sheff Wed Team News

Wednesday should be able to call on winger Jermaine Johnson and defender Lewis Buxton as they attempt to lift themselves away from the bottom three. Johnson has been out for the last three games whereas Buxton has been missing since January.

Form

As mentioned above, in terms of performances and sheer 'hardness-to-beat' (I think that's a word but to return to Shakespeare he was always making them up so this is my gift to the English language), QPR have been greatly improved for some time but there is still the nagging doubt over the lack of wins. It's only three so far this year, though all have been at home which must give the side some confidence going into this encounter.

The recent Derby game can be taken as a good marker for this clash - the R's were rightly judged the favourites going into that game and on the evidence of their blistering start, they were more than capable of beating the Rams. But as the season nears crunch time, even supposed formalities become far more prickly as the collective efforts of sides at both ends of the table kick up a gear. Could the same be true of Wednesday?

Their recent record suggests so and another draw could be on the cards. They're unbeaten in five (though with just one win) and have drawn their last three away games. That run has come against testing opposition as well. After kicking off March with an important home win over Leicester City, they went on to draw at Swansea City and Preston, before a scoreless home match against Derby and a home win over Watford. After shipping five goals at Reading, they also seem to have corrected some of their defensive frailties with the same amount conceded over the last seven games.

Prediction

Taking the Easter fixtures as a whole, QPR would surely be happy with a return of four points from both games, especially as the the team has so little recovery time following today. That would put them on 51 points, with another five games in which to get a further win (or even draw) to secure their Championship future (if that points total is even necessary).

Perhaps that is to consider their ambitions in too negative a light though. Perhaps their sights are firmly set on maximum points from both games and a respectable mid-table finish after that.

It's hard to predict what they'll get from both games, especially as this clutch of fixtures is bound to throw up some surprising results but to take today's game in isolation, I believe they'll rid themselves of the laziness which turned three points against Derby into one and finally give their manager the next win he has been craving.

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