Wednesday 28 December 2011

A great point for QPR or a poor return compared to rivals?

No away point in the Prem is to be sniffed at, and every point is a stepping stone to safety. But have the results over the last two days seen QPR edge towards security or slide further into trouble?

Bolton's defeat at home to Newcastle was huge for all the clubs down at the bottom. Had Bolton won, you would have fancied them to make a charge for safety with a home game against Wolves upcoming. But there is clearly something very wrong at the Reebok. Coyle is the new Avram it seems. If you can't win at home, you won't survive in the Prem. Which is a worry for QPR too, of course, with just one win in 9 home games. But at least the Hoops have picked up 7 home points in total; Bolton have only managed three! That is almost unbelievable given the stadium used to be a fortress; now that it is an open house, it is very, very unlikely that they will save themselves with games running out and just 12 points on the board. There were, in effect, two clubs at the bottom of the table at Christmas, and we all know what happens to the bottom club at Christmas don't we? But should they beat Wolves on Saturday, it may yet be game on.

Blackburn's point at Liverpool probably said more about Dalglish and the doldrums at Anfield than it did about a Blackburn recovery. God knows what the owners think they are doing, but with Kean in charge they are going down. The club is tearing itself apart and the players stand no chance with the fans willing them to lose as the Hate Kean Campaign becomes more important than supporting the club. There were some who wanted Avram to fail with the same level of intensity last season, forgetting that West Ham's survival was more important than personal antipathy towards the Israeli.

Wigan's hammering at Man Utd was fantastic news for Rangers. Their goal difference was seriously dented and their confidence shattered as they were taken apart by United's second string. In truth we let Wigan off the hook last season, when we surrendered a two goal lead on their dung heap and handed them the points that kept them up. Maybe their day of reckoning has arrived but of the bottom three, they look the best equipped to survive because the fans, manager, players and Board remain united, recognising that to survive, Wigan have to punch above their weight anyway. Rangers' point at Swansea was great news because it widened the gap over the Latics to three precious, precious, precious points.

Meanwhile, Swansea will see the draw with Rangers at two points lost. They know that winning their winnable home games is the key to safety. 16 home points so far is a fantastic return but they needed it to be 18 really. The draw at home to Villa and the lost points against QPR could yet relegate the Swans.

And Norwich hit the buffers against Spurs. There's no shame in that single result, of course, but any home defeat will ring alarm bells in Norfolk. Norwich have been playing above themselves and securing results based on spirit and adrenaline. Now the doubts will start to nag. The game against Fulham may be a shit or bust affair, along with the match at Loftus Road on January 2nd. If Norwich pick up 4 points or more from those two games, they will survive. Two points or less and they could yet settle into the bottom three.

Meanwhile, Wolves' result at Arsenal was a real shocker. The game at Bolton on Saturday is a huge six pointer. QPR fans may see a draw as the perfect result, but a Wolves win would surely bury Bolton once and for all.

And, of course, QPR's destiny is in their own hands. A hammering is on the cards at the Emirates, but victory over Norwich would be a giant stride towards safety. If Warnock is sensible, key players will be rested on Saturday and everything will be gambled on the Norwich game. Win that and survival beckons. Lose it and QPR may be in big, big, trouble.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are a very sad person. I don't know what QPR did to you in the past to cause such a deep wound but for your own sanity - give it a break.

quinn park rangers said...

For once I agree with you hammersfan the game against norwich is a must win now because as you say I can't see us getting anything in north london. Having said that I thought tarrabt was outstanding yesterday and starting to show the sort of form that won us the championship last season and if he's in the mood on new years eve who knows what might happen.

Anonymous said...

Do you actually know much about Football?

Anonymous said...

QPR bla bla bla....boring mug..has tony slept with your wife or something.

Anonymous said...

West ham news please nobody gives a f**k about a team that isn't in the same league as us, you are obviously a QPR fan!

dentheranger said...

i don't know why people are moaning - this is a reasonable article covering different teams and aspects of premier league survival ,not at all offensive .

Hammersfan said...

Cheers Den. Happy New Year to you!