QPR are getting ready to welcome Championship high-fliers Newcastle United as they look to get into the Top 6 in the League table. The Championship is beginning to heat up with the fixtures coming thick and fast now. With two matches within a span of 4 days, the winning momentum will come in handy for Newcastle United. The fixture itself has a Premier League game ring to it but unfortunately for the clubs and the fans it is not happening anytime soon. Both the teams have big ambitions and getting a promotion back to the Top flight is a primary one.
But though Newcastle United are moving determinedly towards their aim and are currently on a hot 5-match winning streak, QPR are not having such luck as they currently lie in the 7th place. They started off very well with two successive victories in their opening matches but have floundered since having won only once in the next 4. In their last match, they were expected to bag the 3 points but managed to draw against Blackburn Rovers who themselves picked up only their 2nd point of the season. With the draw, the Rovers find themselves at the bottom of the heap and are the only team left without a win in the Championship.
Tjaronn Chery’s sublime 25-yard free-kick had given the hosts the lead just past the hour mark at Loftus Road. But Cory Evans put in a cross and Gallagher met the ball as he rose highest amongst the players and sent the ball over the goalkeeper Alex Smithies to bring Blackburn Rovers level. Idrissa Sylla of QPR was denied late on by Jason Steele as the visitors held on for their 2nd point of the season. Charlie Mulgrew, who is their new signing endured a difficult start as he was forced off injured in the 34th minute which was the only noteworthy incident in the first half. The match sparked into life when Ben Marshall’s foul allowed Chery the opportunity to curl the ball into the top right-hand corner. Despite their hard-earned draw, Rovers remain bottom of the Championship and are the only club yet to win a league match.
QPR manager was happy with his team’s performance but stressed on the need to put finishing touches to the good build up play orchestrated by his team. The manager said,
“I thought the performance was really good. We deserved more, but you have got to put the ball in the net.
“We created chances with good play, had three one-on-ones and their keeper made some good saves.
“Did we deserve more from this game? Yes, big time. But you have to go and earn it. If you think you can stroll through this division, you are wrong.
“But we knocked on the door and on a better day would have won 2-1 or 3-1. That is why I am happy with the performance and happy with the players.
But they will be up against a tougher team in Newcastle United and while the match is expected to be a close one, QPR will have to play out of their skins to pick up the 3 points.
