Clarets Play Game in Hand

Well let's hope we dont make an Rs of this one! This is our game in hand, after the match was posponed back in August due to the tragic news that QPR player,Ray Jones had been killed in a car accident.

Our thoughts will still be with the player's family and the London club but lets hope its a good match no matter what the score.

The Clarets are in thunderous form, at least away from home. We now find ourselves in 7th place after amazing victories on the road against Leicester, Watford, Charlton and Wolves in our last four away matches.

We could be 4th tonight if we get the three points, pushing for automatic promotion let alone the play-offs.

QPR of course are not having a good time and currently prop up the table, by rights we should be tonking clubs like this and a 3-0 or better scoreline would do the Clarets a world of good considering our recent home form. Lost two and drawn two in the last four matches!

Do you sense a banana skin waiting to happen? It would be typical Clarets to throw this one in, when we have the best chance in ages in stamping our authority in this League. Our next match, this Saturday also sees us face local rivals, Preston North End at home. Another struggling club and what a time to get six points in the next few days from these two matches.

Why am I nervy though? Owen Coyle has been a miracle worker and after five games in charge, his record reads won 3,drawn 2,lost 0. I think we will win, but something tells me its going to be a struggle with a 1-0 or 2-1 scoreline a likely outcome but we shall see.

The sixteen for the last five matches has also been exactly the same and we hear its likely to be the same again tonight. Caldwell, Jordan and Spicer are understood to be close to full fitness but not quite ready. Even if they were, would it be right to bring them into a winning team?

Amazing that our captain may even struggle to regain his place if we keep this up. The back four have been awesome with the experience of Alexander and Unsworth supporting Carlisle and Harley, hardly spring chickens themselves. So here we go again:

Kiraly, Alexander, Harley, Carlisle, Unsworth; Elliott, Mahon, McCann, Lafferty; Blake, Gray.

Subs: Jensen, O'Connor, Gudjonsson, Akinbiyi, Jones.

Come on lads crucify them in style and lets be in 4th spot by the end of the match!

'I would agree that Queens Park Rangers are in a false position, but we will give them the respect they are due because they have some very good players.

'But we will look to concentrate on what we can bring to the game, get our creative players on the ball and try to create opportunities and defend together.

'But let's be positive and try and go and win the game.

'I think the supporters have seen we're trying to do the right things.

'Mistakes will be made, and I've said to the players that if they make mistakes, to try to be positive and not have negative thoughts because you were trying to do something positive to help the team.

'We'll continue to be positive, and the supporters have been behind the team since I've been here, and long may that continue.'

Caldwell, Jordan and Spicer are close to fitness but still sidelined along with Duff and Berisha suffering from long-term cruciate ligament damage

Seems to be on fire with his mazzy runs and beating defenders

QPR will be without suspended midfielder Martin Rowlands although Dexter Blackstock returns from his ban.

On-loan Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne faces a late fitness test having missed the last three games with a hamstring injury.

Rated by many and could be a threat

We convincingly beat QPR in the opening match at Turf Moor last season. 2-0 the score with a brace of goals from Steve Jones. Sadly the Rs got their revenge at Loftus Road with a 3-1 drubbing back in February as the rot set in for a 19 winless run

3-0 Clarets at least surely?

The big one, the local derby against Preston NE at Turf Moor on Saturday 15th December 3pm KO

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