The mighty Lilywhites take on their West London rivals, QPR, at the Lane on Sunday a day before Halloween, hoping to continue to give Spurs fans a treat rather than trick. It will be the first time the teams have met in the league since December 1995 when a certain Teddy Sheringham secured a 1-0 victory. QPR were formed in the same year as Spurs and both clubs celebrated their centenary year with an appearance at Wembley for the 1982 FA Cup Final. Which Spurs of course won.
Queens Park Rangers fans have had to put up with a lot of bad times during their exile from the Premier League and have gone through a lot of disruption and change from the boardroom all the way through to the players. During this time they have played in both the Championship and spent two years in League 2 as well. They also went in administration in 2001 and were embroiled in various allegations and scandal in 2005. They of course got taken over by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore in 2007 and the recovery started under the greater financial stability. This resulted in them winning the Championship last year and getting their place back amongst the elite. Tony Fernandes has since taken over in August this year and has started to make the club a happier place to be and is more in touch with the fans.
On the pitch so far this season they have been very inconsistent with their performances but still find themselves sitting in 10th place in the league after only being defeated three times. The inconsistency is probably due to the fact they are still to gel as a team since the close of the summer transfer window where they brought in quite a few new faces at the last minute. Experienced and quality players such as Joey Barton and Shaun Wright-Phillips were added to the squad as well as others who have played in the Premier League and know what the league is about, as Neil Warnock looks to build a squad capable of staying in the division.
They are also coming off their best result yet after the win against Chelsea last weekend. Not that anyone has mentioned the result this week as the John Terry/Anton Ferdinand racism row has overshadowed the match. It has not only brought a very valid subject to the fore once again but it must have taken its toll on the player involved and the club, which could influence the performance on Sunday. The aforementioned players Barton and Wright-Phillips will be the ones to watch for Spurs on Sunday. Barton can deliver quality crosses and is dangerous from set pieces and Wright-Phillips seems to be enjoying his football again after escaping the Manchester City bench. Alejandro Faulin has also caught the eye so far, the holding midfielder passes the ball neatly, links up play well and isn’t afraid to get forward and shoot either.
Of course we also have a player returning to Spurs this weekend in the form of Adel Tarabat. Whilst he never truly got a chance to show anything for us, it is quite obvious from his performances so far this season that we were correct in assuming he would never be a quality Premier League player for Spurs. Good luck getting a transfer to PSG or Napoli Adel! Even the outspoken Mr Barton has expressed the same view. This will be the curse of death on Sunday with him doing something against us! The rest of the team will be similar to the one that started against Chelsea last week as long as Anton Ferdinand is in the right frame of mind to play. Helder Helguson is expected to lead the line once again after scoring twice in two games.
It has been a quiet week for Spurs with no Carling Cup game and no one really talking to the media. Come on own up who has locked Harry away? The boys should be refreshed and raring to go so they can extend their 6 game unbeaten league run and last 10 outings altogether. In fact the good news continues as Harry has announced that King Ledley, Gallas and Sandro could all well be fit for the match, oh Pienaar as well!
The normal big decision between Van der Vaart and JD got blown out the water last week for me and the only change I can see in the line-up from the Blackburn game is having Ledley back to marshal the troops instead of Bassong. It’s a shame for Bassong as he has shown his 2010 form whilst being in the team but the defence is always stronger with King in it and if he is fit, he plays. Although the rest of the defence is quality now too. Walker is getting better and better and in my eyes is first choice now, even when Corluka is fit. Kaboul has been immense this year and has proved me wrong and Assou-Ekotto is Mr Cool and Consistent.
My Prediction
QPR have only been beaten once in their last six games but that was a 6-0 hammering away to Fulham. Spurs are the better team, full of confidence and have the capability to deliver the same kind of result as that. Some supporters have been saying that even though we have been getting victories against the bottom half teams the performances has got to be more consistent and of a higher quality to make us into true contenders. Whilst I agree that we certainly aren’t the finished article and we fade in matches, winning these matches is showing progression and that is all we can ask for at the present time. Spurs to be back to their free flowing best on Sunday and I see pain for QPR with them going down to a 4-1 defeat. Let the fireworks begin!
COYS
