Warbo: We have swift chance to make amends, ‘if it doesn’t hurt to lose, you shouldn’t be in the game’
BY YANN TEAR
yann@slpmedia.co.uk
QPR go into Saturday’s clash with bogey side Blackburn Rovers hoping to end one of their most bizarre head-to-head records since the turn of the century.
Not since the days of Danny Maddix, Kevin Gallen and Chris Kiwomya have they beaten Rovers – a run stretching to 15 games, and there has only been one success in the past 22 meetings.
The last win came at Ewood Park 20 years ago this month – Stuart Wardley and Gallen scoring in a 2-0 win – and Rangers have not defeated the Lancashire outfit in west London since 1993, when Ray Wilkins, Alan McDonald, Andy Impey and Les Ferdinand were in their pomp.
A Colin Hendry own goal then gave the Hoops a 1-0 win then, in what was only the second season of the newly-rebranded Premiership, as it was originally called.
You have to go back to October 1981 to find the last home win, prior to that.
There have been five draws and six defeats in 11 meetings since then in W12. Last season, Rovers did the double, winning 2-1 at what was Loftus Road.
Rangers were due to face Cardiff City last night, the club managed by old boss Neil Warnock, and were hoping to make amends for Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by new Championship table-toppers West Brom, which ended a run of four straight league wins for the R’s.
“It isn’t a great feeling,” said boss Mark Warburton after the loss.
“It doesn’t matter if you have won the previous four, five or six in a row, you always want to make sure you win your next one.
“The fact of the matter is we have lost a game of football and it hurts. If it doesn’t hurt then you shouldn’t be in the game.
“The good thing is we have a very swift chance to make amends.”
Rangers will be able to recall Yoann Barbet, who served a one match in midweek after picking up a red card against Albion. Grant Hall is also back after injury.
Luke Amos, the 22-year-old midfielder on loan from Spurs, is in the frame after recovering from a knock picked up in last month’s win against Luton Town.