Tuesday 27th November 2007
Stoke City v QPR
Coca-Cola Championship
Britannia Stadium
Kick Off 7:45pm
INTRODUCINGQPR
It's been eleven years since QPR last graced the Premier League, but the feeling amongst the Rangers faithful is that a return is edging ever closer.
While the South London side may still be languishing towards the wrong end of the table, faith has been restored following the arrival of new owners Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone.
The Formula 1 magnates were confirmed as the Clubs new owners in September after weeks of speculation linking the pair with a multi million pound takeover, and they immediately signalled their ambition to see the Club restored back in to English footballs top flight.
A dismal and distressing start to the season saw John Gregory's side rooted to the bottom of the Championship, and following a 5-1 drubbing against West Brom, the former Aston Villa boss was dismissed.
His departure paved the way for experienced Italian coach Luigi De Canio to takeover the reigns at Loftus Road, and it was his job to help rebuild the Football Club clearly suffering following the sad death of teenage protégé Ray Jones.
The former Udinese, Reggina, Napoli and Siena manager proved to be a breath of fresh air and he wasted no time in bringing in reinforcements to aid his sides push up the league table.
The arrivals of Birmingham striker Rowan Vine, Plymouth midfielder Akos Buzsaky and Portsmouth defender Martin Crainie have helped turn the tide, as Rangers aim to protect a much improved record of just one defeat in their last eight outtings.
But while it's a case of so far so good for the new Italian Revolution, much still needs to be done if the Club are to jump that massive hurdle and elevate themselves back in to the big time.
PREMATCHQUOTES
Tony Pulis: "I spoke to Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws and he was very impressed with them on Saturday.
"They played a very open game and it could be the same against us.
"We've lost three games at home, but no-one can say we deserved to get beat in those three games."
Danny Pugh: "They've not got off to the best of starts but when a new manager comes in they change things around.
"They'll be looking to improve and I think that they have been doing that as of late.
"It's upto us to go out and get the three points. If we do string a couple of good results together we can soon shoot back up the table."
QPRTRANSFERSIN
Chris Barker, Cardiff City (Free)
Daniel Nardiello, Barnsley (Undisclosed)
John Curtis, Nottingham Forest (Free)
Lee Camp, Derby County (£300k)
Simon Walton, Charlton (£200k)
Mikele Leigertwood, Sheffield United (£900k)
Michael Mancienne, Chelsea, (Loan)
Ben Sahar, Chelsea (Loan)
Hogan Ephraim, West Ham (Loan)
Rowan Vine, Birmingham (Loan)
Jason Jarrett, Preston North End (Loan)
Martin Crainie, Portsmouth (Loan)
Akos Buzsaky, Plymouth Argyle (Loan)
Scott Sinclair, Chelsea (Loan)
Bob Malcolm, Derby County (Loan)
QPRTRANSFERSOUT
Ian Evatt, Blackpool (Free)
Kevin Gallen, MK Dons (Free)
Marc Bircham, Yeovil (Free)
Lee Cook, Fulham (£2.5m)
John Munday, Kidderminster Harriers (Free)
Paul Furlong, Luton Town (Free)
Simon Royce, Gillingham (Free)
Steve Lomas, Gillingham (Free)
MATCHOFFICIALS
Referee - Uriah Rennie
Assistants - M Tingey & N Bannister
Fourth Official - A Hall
TEAMNEWSSTOKE
Should Play - Simonsen, Wright, Cort, Shawcross, Eustace, Delap, Pugh, Cresswell, Fuller
Could Play - Zakuani, Wilkinson, Dickinson, Broomes, Buxton, De Laet, Wedderburn, D. Phillips, Pericard, Sidibe
Suspensions - none
Doubts - Matteo, Lawrence
Definitely Outs - Pulis
TEAMNEWSQPR
Should Play - Camp, Stewart, Mancienne, Barker, Rowlands, Leigertwood, Buzsaky, Sinclair, Vine
Could Play - Malcolm, Timoska, Bolder, Ainsworth, Blackstock, Nygaard
Suspensions - none
Doubts - none
Definitely Outs - Walton, Kanyuka
LASTTIMEOUT
QPR 0 Sheffield Wednesday 0
An exciting encounter couldn't produce a goal in a game with over 20 corners.
Derby loanne Bob Malcolm made his home debut as Dextor Blackstock returned from injury to partner Rowan Vine up front.
Both Scott Sinclair and Mikele Leigertwood were denied by the woodwork in the first half but so were the visitors as Akpo Sodje and Burton O'Brien were both void of a much-needed ounce of luck.
FORMGUIDE (Last eight league games)
Stoke City - WLWLLWLD
QPR - WDDWWLDD
HEAD2HEAD
League - Played 26 Won 7 Drawn 6 Lost 13
FA Cup - Played 1 Lost 1
BETTINGNEWS
Ricardo Fuller is favourite to open the day's scoring for the Potters, he's priced at 5/1, while Leon Cort is a good outside bet to bag his first goal for the Potters at 22/1.
Full Time Result - Stoke City Win - Evens , Draw - 23/10, QPR Win - 11/4
Go to bet365 for more betting options!
TICKETNEWS
Seats for the game are on general sale and are available from the Britannia Stadium Ticket Office.
The Ticket Office will be open right up until kick off, giving you the chance to purchase tickets for the clash until 7:45pm.
For more information, please call 0871 663 2007
STOKECITYWORLD
If you can't get to the game then the official Stoke City website is the next best place to be.
We'll have the full line-ups as soon as they are handed over by Assistant Manager Dave Kemp, live text commentary from kick-off on the Match Live console, a full and in-depth match report right on the full-time whistle, along with plenty of post-match reaction.
With Stoke City World you'll also be able to listen to live full-match commentary with Nigel Johnson and the boys - the only site that allows you to do so while helping the club financially at the same time.
Stoke City World will also have highlights of the game on Sunday along with video reaction from the men that matter.
