The Fishy - Grimsby Town FC

Question of the Week

Who will go down?







 

QPR Preview

By: Richard Hubbert
Date: 06/11/2003

WELL, it soon comes round, another Saturday creeps upon us as the Mariners look to pot some much needed cash through a decent FA Cup run - something they haven’t had for a few years.

Home > 2003-2004 Season > Previews > QPR (h)


Their opponents, however, come in the shape of QPR who visited Blundell Park at the start of last month in the league and they literally stole all three points in the last kick of the game. Town should have had at least a point out of that game, when they dominated much of the second half, only for Rangers to snatch a last-ditch win. Town fans and players alike were gutted after that game and will be gunning for revenge, which should make a decent ingredient for a well-contested cup tie.

The Opposition

Manager
Ian Holloway. was appointed at the end of the 2000/01 season, when QPR were struggling at the foot of division. Unable to prevent them from being relegated, Holloway has steadily built a strong squad at Loftus Road, one that looks capable of mounting an automatic promotion challenge.

The Team
The one for the Town back four (or more specifically, Mr Barnard) to keep an eye on is ex Lincoln winger Gareth Ainsworth. One of the clubs leading scorers this season, Ainsworth has the potential to provide telling crosses and can let fly from any range. Amongst their ranks is striker Tony Thorpe (left), a regular scorer in this league with Luton and Bristol City - spent most of the league game with Town whinging to the referee! Praise must surely go out to Rangers centre back, Clarke Carlisle, whom a few months ago went on leave admitting he had an alcohol addiction. Now over his problem, he is now back in the first team, and even went live on BBC Radio Five Live last week to talk about his problem. Respect! Hopefully though, he can have an off day on Saturday.

Recent Form

 

TownQPR
LRushden(a)1-3
DBarnsley(a)0-0
WNotts County(h)2-0
WColchester(h)2-0
LSheff Wed (LDV)(h)1-1 (4-5 pens)
Currently 17th in Division 2
WDagenham (LDV)(h)2-1
WStockport(a)2-1
LMan City (Cup)(h)0-3
DTranmere(h)1-1
LPort Vale(a)0-2
Currently 3rd in Division 2

Top Scorers

 

TownQPR
Boulding6
Anderson4
Ainsworth6
Furlong6
Rowlands5

Team News

 

TownQPR

  • The Mariners will welcome back defenders Tony Crane and Darren Barnard who missed last week’s encounter with Rushden and Diamonds through suspension and injury respectively. Crane will replace Greg Young at the heart of the defence, while Jason Crowe, who played so well last week, may have to settle for a place among the subs.

  • Elsewhere, we expect Grovesy to play a strong team, resisting the temptation to change things around. He could be tempted to play Crowe on the wing in place of Marcel Cas who has been showing signs of tiredness in the past few games.

  • Calls from the fans to pair Phil Jevons with Boulding are unlikely to be fulfilled, with Onoura keeping his place in attack. After his hat-trick in midweek, expect David Soames to make the bench with Jevons.
  • Rangers have horrendous injury problems going into this tie, partly caused by playing such a strong side in their midweek game in the LDV Vans. Full back Warren Barton hobbled out of their game with Dagenham after just five minutes and is definitely out. His replacement, Richard Edghill also picked up a dead leg and is 50/50.

  • Midfielder Mark Bircham, whose hairstyle was a an amusing sight for the Pontoon last month, will also miss out with a "glute injury", which is a posh word for a thigh strain!

  • More likely to play despite picking up knock are Gino Padula (hamstring), Marcus Bean (thigh) and Kevin Gallen (thigh). ‘Keeper Nick Culkin may not be able to make the journey with a bout of the flu.

  • Also missing for QPR will be striker Paul Furlong and defender Matt Rose who are both continuing with their rehabilitation. Defender Danny Shittu is nearing full fitness and will play a reserve game next week.
  • Probable Starting XI's

     

    TownQPR
    Aidan Davison
    John McDermott
    Darren Barnard
    Tony Crane
    Mike Edwards
    Marcel Cas
    Des Hamilton
    Stuart Campbell
    Iain Anderson
    Iffy Onoura
    Michael Boulding
    Chris Day
    Terrell Forbes
    Clarke Calisle
    Stuart Palmer
    Gino Padula
    Gareth Ainsworth
    Kevin McLeod
    Eric Sabin
    Martin Rowlands
    Tony Thorpe
    Richard Pacquette

    Subs

     

    TownQPR
    Phil Jevons
    David Soames
    Jason Crowe
    Greg Young
    Andy Pettinger
    Andrew Power
    Dennis Oli
    Richard Edghill
    Wes Daly
    Ben Walshe

    For Sale

    Now, on a more light hearted note, we sift and explore the world of football memorabilia. Every week we will be looking at every team Town meet and seeing what weird and wonderful things you can purchase on the web for your own pleasure...

    This week, we have a Unique Kevin Gallen Babygrow, available on Ebay at a starting price of £7.95! I mean, why should parents bother with Mothercare or BHS when they can fork out more money for a babygrow with the name of a player who failed to make the grade at Barnsley and Huddersfield on the back of it? Apparently, Town are bringing out an "Iffy Babygrow" for Xmas, and when the child puts it on, they grow into the size of Iffy Onoura. Scary!

    Gallen Babygrow.

    Last Time Out

    Well, if you can’t remember last time then you have a poor memory! Town met Rangers a month ago at Blundell Park in the league, when Town went down 1-0 to a last minute Eric Sabin goal.

    Town Team: Davison, McDermott, Crane, Edwards, Barnard, Crowe (Anderson, 74 ), Hamilton, Daws, Campbell, Onuora, Boulding

    QPR Team: : Day, Rowlands, Forbes, Palmer, Padula, Ainsworth ( Sabin, 77 ), Bean, Bircham, Gallen, Furlong, Thorpe ( Barton, 69 )

    Attendance: 5,447    Report

    QPR Head-to-Head (39th on The Opposition Ladder).

    Prediction

    Fishy prediction: Town to get revenge in a 2-0 win. Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Blundell Park (left).

    Admission Prices

    Click on the link for ticket prices to Blundell Park.




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