QPR fan Oliver assesses our upcoming opponents as the Championship season gets back underway on Saturday…
Football is back and the Rs get their season back underway on Saturday at the earlier time of 2pm as they take on Barnsley at the KPF stadium.
But after our last performance against Barnsley, a shocking 5-3 loss away from home, some Rs fans are wondering what we will do differently this time. After speaking to several fans it seems to most this game is deemed a ‘must win’ on our late charge for the play offs.
John, an Rs fan of 40 years had this to say- ‘Barnsley is a must win, after our last performance against them we have to bounce back. Despite the poor results in our recent friendlies against West ham and Chelsea I have no doubt in my mind that rangers can regain momentum this weekend as after all, we play better under pressure and after months off, this could be a great opportunity for the lads to bounce back and regain the momentum that previously left us 2nd in the form table’
Barnsley sit bottom of the table 7 points off safety while the Rs sit firmly in 13th just 6 points off the play offs, so for both sides 3 points would be a much needed boost.
Who to look out for?
There’s no denying Barnsley’s main man is attacking midfielder Cauley Woodrow, who boasts 14 league goals this season from midfield and is certainly someone the Rs defence will have to look out for.
But let’s not forget their 23 year old forward Conor Chaplin who has 10 goals this season, 3 of those coming against QPR in the reverse fixture, a player likely to be filled with confidence after his first half brace and the 3rd goal that bagged him the hat-rick early into the 2nd half, definitely a player the Rs need to keep their eyes on this weekend.
The key to 3 points
There is no denying the Rs have out done expectations this year, being tipped for relegation by alot of pundits and other fans led QPR fans concerned as to whether it will be a disastrous year for the Rs, but it has been the complete opposite, and a huge part of that is down to several players who are clearly the key to our success. Ebere Eze, the fan favourite that has lit up the KPF stadium this season scoring a superb 12 goals and an equally brilliant 8 assists which brings his tally to 20 g/a this season, a player that when he’s given the freedom and the space, can create something out of nothing for the Rs, and if we focus our game around him this weekend I am sure he is the key to scoring goals.
Another mention is to Rs winger Bright Osayi-Samuel who has been equally exceptional this season, despite getting off to a slow start, Bright has excelled himself and created a great partnership with the likes of Ebere Eze and Ilias Chair. Bright has an equally impressive 5 goals and 8 assists this season and is certainly not to be overlooked as another key to the Rs getting 3 points this weekend.
My prediction
I never like to jinx it but I have a very good feeling about this game, despite the reverse fixture ending 5-3 the Rs are a different squad now, and I fail to see Barnsley giving us any trouble this weekend if we go into the game and perform the way we were before the season stopped.
For that reason I’m going to predict a sold 3-1 win for the Rs with an Ebere Eze brace and a Jordan Hugill header to seal the deal.
Come on you Rs!
Written by Oliver Clayton