Filed under: QPR, Derby, Championship, Football, Match Previews
CHAMPIONSHIP, LOFTUS ROAD, APRIL 18 2011. KICK-OFF 1945 BSTQueens Park Rangers and manager Neil Warnock will move within a point of promotion to the Premier League if they defeat Derby County on home soil.
Maximum points at Loftus Road would take them 11 points ahead of third-placed Norwich City with just four games - and 12 points - left this season.
Finishing in the top two of the Championship has appeared a formality for Warnock's team for quite a while now and it seems a matter of when, rather than if, they can pop open the champagne and think about rubbing shoulders with the elite.
Warnock was there in 2007 when he was relegated with Sheffield United amid the saga over Carlos Tevez' eligibility while saving West Ham United from the drop.
The Blades are looking set for the drop to League One, while QPR are going in the opposite direction, and they have deserved promotion after a season of consistency.
There is a Football Association investigation into the ownership of Alejandro Faurlin, but QPR are so far ahead that even a points deduction may not harm their position.
Form Guide: QPR suffered a shock result against Scunthorpe, losing 4-1, but bounced back with a victory against Barnsley in their last match. Derby are still at the wrong end of the table but will be encouraged by their win against Leeds United last time out.
Key Match-up: Adel Taarabt v Robbie Savage: Taarabt has been the player of the season in the Championship with his inspiration performances in his attacking-midfield position. Savage will be trying to control the central areas and keep Taarabt quiet.
Odds: QPR 8/15, Derby 11/2, Draw 14/5
QPR:
Thoughts are inevitably turning towards next season, with QPR manager Warnock telling his squad no player is assured of their place in the team when the new campaign starts.
"Pre-season it starts again," Warnock told the Fulham Chronicle. "Whoever's training, they have to get in the team. It starts all over again basically."
Warnock is also looking for new players to freshen up his squad during the close-season, and he has told the club's owners whom he wants.
"I told them about the type of player I'm looking for, but I don't want to start talking about the number of players we should bring in until we know where we are," Warnock added.
"We need quite a number of players for the squad though. We need to fill the 25 places.
"Obviously players will be leaving as well, but let's get there first before we have a fuller discussion."
Strategy: Warnock plays two defensive midfielders, providing the anchor while his attacking players can express themselves. A lone striker, usually Heidar Helguson, leads the attack with others supporting.
Injury Update: Taarabt has been suffering from stomach cramps but should be fit. Fitz Hall is struggling with a groin problem and Jamie Mackie and Peter Ramage are out.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/04/17/qpr-v-derby-preview-neil-warnock-urges-caution-but-promotion-a/
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