Football League preview – QPR welcome Boro, Saints still searching for new boss
QPR’s best start to a season since 1947 continues to gather momentum as both manager Neil Warnock and playmaker Adel Taarabt (pictured right) picked up the monthly awards from the league.
Warnock has led his side to the top of the league in his first full season in charge, while the flamboyant Moroccan has been a shining light in Rangers' attractive forward play, bagging two goals in the process.
The R’s host Middlesbrough this weekend, who have failed to live up to their pre-season hype and have started the season in disappointing fashion, but still have the ability within their squad to give the in-form west-Londoners’ a stern test.
QPR were one of the busiest teams in the transfer window, bringing in both Rob Hulse and Tommy Smith for a combined total of £2million. Hulse however is injured and will miss the visit of Boro, while Smith, after problems with his registration had been resolved, is available for selection. Fitz Hall is still nursing a troublesome hamstring problem, so player of the month Taarabt will once again skipper the side in his absence. For Middlesbrough, Gary O’Neill is hoping to return from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but Barry Robson and Kris Boyd could miss the game owing to knocks picked up in Scotland’s late victory over Liechtenstein in midweek.
The only televised offering from the Championship this weekend is a Saturday-night clash on BBC2 between Lancashire rivals Burnley and Preston at Turf Moor. The two rivals have had contrasting seasons so far; Burnley starting well under Brian Laws, winning two and drawing one, as Preston have struggled to find their rhythm, winning one and losing three.
Cardiff will look to put the pressure on Rangers at the top by gaining a positive result at home to Hull, whose manager Nigel Pearson is already under pressure following a poor start to the season. Bristol City’s new signing Danny Rose will make his debut away at Scunthorpe, whilst Ipswich travel to Portsmouth, who once again will only be able to name a 14-man squad for the fifth game running.
In League One the spotlight will be on Southampton, who travel west to face Swindon still without a permanent manager in place. Scunthorpe’s Nigel Adkins had held initial discussions with the Saints about taking over at St Mary's, but the Irons said Southampton asked Adkins to quit so they could avoid compensation and withdrew the bid when he did not, a claim the Saints deny.
Could the Saints really be such sinners?
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