QPR boss on team news for Sunderland – and the need to create ‘front-foot’ culture

By Yann Tear

Mick Beale wants QPR to play with greater daring as they seek to pick up their first away points of the season at Sunderland on Saturday. 

The Hoops were beaten on their first away game up at Blackburn and the Rangers boss thinks that was partly down to timidity – while a big of anxiety against Middlesbrough last Saturday saw the team drop deep as the visitors threatened to mount a recovery from 3-0 down. 

“At Blackburn, we did a good job in terms of getting control of the game but we were a bit safe in possession. We didn’t commit enough people to go and win it. 

“Against Middlesbrough we were a lot more aggressive in terms of our forward momentum and running and willingness to take on players in one v ones and in shots and crosses. 

“I want us to go and play on the front foot both home and away. I want this to be a can-do club. At times I want them to play with the seat-belt off, put the foot on the accelerator and really go for it. Fortune favours the brave.” 

Rangers will have the same squad that was involved at Charlton in midweek, meaning the hamstring strain picked up by Jake Clarke-Salter before last week’s visit of Middlesbrough will again sideline him. He is likely to be out for the rest of the month.

Dutch signing Kenneth Paal is also likely to play on Tuesday rather than at the weekend. 

Lyndon Dykes will return after sitting out the Carabao cup tie at Charlton, but there is doubt over Chris Willock and Luke Amos, who both reported muscle strains after the 3-2 win over Boro. 

Willock has more chance of playing but may be kept back for next week’s home matches against Blackpool and Rotherham, to make sure he suffers no lasting effects of the twinge. 

The R’s will also be without George Thomas, who took a bad tackle in the first minute at Charlton and had to have a scan. No broken bones were diagnosed but he will be absent for a while. 

Beale is hoping for a couple of new arrivals before the transfer window closes, with at least one loan deal expected to be concluded ‘within 48 hours’. 

Among those in the frame is 20-year-old Manchester United youth player Ethan Laird. 

He said of Sunderland: “It’s a fantastic football club and I’m delighted they are back in the Championship on a steady footing with their ownership. I think they’ve got a very good manager at this level in Alex Neil.  

“They’ve brought in some exciting players and the atmosphere’s going to be very, very good. I’m jealous of the players being able to play in that atmosphere. 

“I’m confident. I’m sure there will be goals. We’re going there to win it.”

Pictured top: Beale in the QPR dugout (Picture: Rhianna Chadwick/PA Wire/PA Images)