There’s nothing better than not getting what you thought was a certain win, for denting the confidence, is there?
It’s not so much the fact that we drew at Preston that bothers me, but more the fact that we’ve failed to catch up on the clubs above us.
We have to start winning games consistently, it’s as simple as that.
Which means we could have done without today’s fixture against a Qpr side that McClaren has got going very nicely thank you, after a really poor start, where they were regularly getting tonked.
Squad news and the big one is that Nyland looks to be out for the rest of the season after doing his Achilles. This wouldn’t have bothered me in the slightest, to be honest, but for reasons I still don’t understand, Kalinic isn’t available to replace him for today’s game.
Which means Jed Steer, who’s been recalled from Charlton, will take his place, only to be sat on the bench for at least the short term future. I wonder how he feels about that after featuring regularly this season while on loan? Still, his duty is in serving us, I suppose.
The other big news is Elphick being recalled from Hull. He’s done very well for them and has been rated as one of the best defenders this season, which makes Bruce’s decision to let him go all the more unbelievable. You can put the house on him starting today.
That apart, it’ll probably be Smith tinkering with the same squad he used on Saturday.
There are plenty of options.
Will Bree, get moved to RB in place of Elmohamady, I wonder?
Maybe Bolasie will be rested, to give Kodjia a start?
I’d expect at least a couple to be rested, put it that way.
As for Qpr, Massimo Luongo is at the Asian cup, but Ryan Manning has been recalled from Rotherham.
Defenders Angel Rangel and Geoff Cameron and striker Tomer Hemed are all out.
I’m a bit worried about this one.
Qpr will sit back, soak it all up and hit us on the counter, which is where we’re weak, especially with that long ball over the top.
As usual I think we’ve got enough to threaten them and I see us getting at least a goal.
Home advantage should see us through, but my head can see a draw.
I’ll go for a 2-1 win, simply because we need to believe, but can see it being 1 apiece.
Don’t forget, this is available on AVTV, even for UK viewers, for a one-off tenner.
