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AVB vs Harry Houdini

I suppose the facts speak for themselves: Played 21 - Won 2 - Drawn 7 and lost 12 ( -19 Goal Difference ) and just 13 points. Things look pretty done and dusted for QPR and no matter how hard Harry Houdini tries to go into the market this January to find suitable replacements you got to think they are not in the best place to even get so much as a decent loan signing let alone buy the likes of Loic Remy from Marseilles. So Saturday's game at Loftus Road should be a stroll in the park, (the Queens Park) for Spurs. Shouldn't it?

Last Saturday's Cup Tie with WBA will not provide many clues to AVB or Harry. Harry will have been concerned at how few chances his side created against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, and how his defence were often stretched by the powerful Romelu Lukaku and his artful co-striker Shane Long. Add to that their Goal Scorer last Saturday, Kieran Dyer, has been released and Ryan Nelson is the New Toronto Manager (though is likely to play) and you have to think that the Loftus Road Club is starting to unravel. But football is a funny old game and the 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago was QPR's first away win of the season but also the team's first on the road since November 2011 - when Neil Warnock was in charge, two managerial appointments ago.

Throughout the first half, Chelski struggled to break down its resilient visitors although Chelski came at the hoops big style at the start of the second half and, it has to be said, that Rangers were lucky to come off the pitch with a draw let alone a win. So what will HR have in store for us? Will Ade's absence force AVB's hand? Will AVB let QPR come on to Spurs and try and get QPR on the counter or maybe force an attacking formation giving Bale license to roam and then, if we are winning, bring on Parker and park the bus! Either way we have a double incentive to get a good result at Loftus Road on Saturday as our biggest rivals all meet each other in one of those 6 pointer weekends.

It will be an intriguing contest and whilst I have every respect for 'H', and I hope he does manage to keep QPR up, I hope he doesn't mind when I say I hope Spurs can fill their boots with goals on Saturday and win convincingly. I don't even want to think about a QPR win but then neither did Rafa Benitez which is probably why he dropped Ramires, Juan Mata and Eden Hazard to the bench at the Bridge because he felt he had enough on the pitch to do the job. I hope AVB has made a note of that result.

I am expecting AVB to go for the win early on and then close the game out. With almost a full squad now fit AVB has options, except up front. So how do you think AVB will set the side up? And, more importantly, how do you think 'H' will want to approach the game against his former players and club?

Written by OyVeh Maria

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Writer: OyVeh Maria

Date:Wednesday January 9 2013

Time: 9:13AM

Your Comments

AVB seems cautious in that he tries to win a game first before trying to rest his key players...

sa-spur

This won't be easy, but then is there such a thing as an easy game in professional football? Loving this site and always on here (even if I don't comment often), makes living in NZ easier with the banter from everyone. Hopefully back for a Christmas this year, if I can get my head down and stay off the steinlager (:

nzyido

oops

nzyido

Harry will have them playing flowing beautiful football and all the Spurs fans will be chanting AVB OUT!!!!

yiddyboy

AVB will certainly not be resting anyone, I'm pretty sure of that! I can't help but feel this is a game that has a QPR win all over it. Just so the like of the media and especially that ginger tw*t on the radio can have their 5 minutes of fame! I hope not and like you mention, I'd like to see us improve our goal difference, although 3 points and a 1-0 will also do!

yiddyboy

Im not to worried about the game ,think we will cruise it and im not always that optimistic but they have been leaking alot of goals and although Chelsea didnt play great they missed a hatful of chances ,cant wait ,is it live on Sky??.

Edinburgh Spur

I didn't think AVB would start Bale and Ade against coventry but he did, i think we'll do what you said, go at them early then hold on for a win, wont be easy but i reckon spurs to win 3-2

KingofN17

So how do you think AVB will set the side up? And, more importantly, how do you think 'H' will want to approach the game against his former players and club? No idea on both of these. AVB is his own man so there is no way I can second guess him. BUT, I would have thought he'd have been making notes on how QPR beat chelski and will set up accordingly. I have faith that he will come out as the top manager and that we will win a pretty hard fought game by one goal, maybe two but I doubt it. I give it 1- 2 to us. with about 70% possession for the game, most of which will be in the centre and in their half.

chrishove123

I think qpr will sit deep to counter the pace of bale, Lennon and Defoe knowing that we don't have much of an aerial threat...without Ade we lack a plan B....let's hope Dempsey can step up. If we score early and they come onto us it should be a comfortable win...

shedboy2

Sorry for double posting dunno how that happened.

chrishove123

Also, I'm calling '2 points from 8 games when I took over, now look at 'em' appearing in the post match interview bahahaha! Wouldn't bet against him keeping them up, he's a good manager who did good things for us but took us to the limit. That run we went on (only losing to Stoke after the two Manc clubs) was unfknbelievable for a fan who grew up watching stars like Dean Austin, Colin Calderwood, Ian Walker, Jose Dominguez, Steffen Iversen and Ruel Fox!

nzyido

my team for QPR...

............................Defoe.............................
..................................................................
...Bale.................Dempsey..............Lennon..
..................................................................
...........Dembele.................Sandro...............
..................................................................
...BAE..........VERTS..........DAWSON.....Walker
..................................................................
............................Lloris...............................

i would play Dembele in Dempsey's place and have a holding midfield of Parker and Sandro tho...

Yidmarks

Adebayor can watch from the bench... or even better give him a packet of peanuts and a hot chocolate and let him watch from the stands...

Yidmarks

To win this game we simply have to keep working hard. We have better players than them. Last season we lost this game due to a mistake from Brad, he let the sun get in his eyes and a wet fart of a free kick floated past him when it should have been an easy save. Keep a clean sheet and we will win this game, had Chelsea not given that goal away last week they probably would have found a goal in the last 10 mins and QPR would have lost.

StripiestPilot

I think they will be a little stretched. They have lost a main CD who arguably has been their most consistent player, and have a FA cup game 3 days later. We have pretty much a full squad to pick from and a week’s rest after. QPR will take confidence from the win over Chelsea and of course, they fought back to get a draw in the last minutes of their cup game against West Brom. This game is far from a walk in the park, it’s a local derby! We all know how they can go. Looking at our last 3 away PL games, we have won 2 of them (Sunderland, Villa) and only lost to Everton in a freaky last few minutes of the game. Heading into a big game the following week against United, these points are vital imo. I’m going to predict a Defoe brace, and a win by 2 clear goals. I guarantee Harry will get a big cheer before the game, probably not on here though. Game on. COYS.

SpursOne2

Yidmarks, you suggest a starting line-up then contradict it with a comment. When does Ade actually depart to ACON?

yiddyboy

I think a 2-0 win. Lloris, Naughton, Dawson, Vertonghen, BAE, Sandro, Dembele, Lennon, Dempsey, Bale, Defoe. Bench of Friedel, Walker, Caulker, Parker, Townsend, Sigurdsson, and a youngtser for attack. Hopefully we are able to trash out a deal that sees Huddlestone and/or Livermore go to Loftus Road.

Sebthespur

not a contradiction,,, just an additional suggestion...

i would like to see Parker and Sandro playing together with Dembele pushed forward... dont think it will happen tho.. thats why i added it after...

Yidmarks

From one tactical genius to another !? How's about a deal !?........spurs to win and we'll do a deal ...LoL. Team..hmmm..think i'd go with: Lloris,naughton,dawson,caulker,vertonghen, Lennon,sandro,dembele,bale, dempsey,siggurdsen. Subs: friedel,walker,livermore,parker,townsend,defoe,Obika or addy. Expecting another rollercoaster.

82spursdebut

Harry is going to want this, i was getting the impression he could have his pick of whatever job came up after his time with us. Hit them hard and fast this could be a game for the Sandro and Parker in the middle. If we take an early lead it should be 3 points, the longer the game goes on as a stalemate the more likely QPR will believe they can win it.

coys1717

i think an upset may be on the cards.... small loud ground, derby game, extra spice with Arry, few Spurs old boys ready to prove themselves.... its gonna be tough.

Viyyash-Ramosh

Alvero Negredo... is this man an option for us...

http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,12602_8386556,00.html

Yidmarks

Oh' yes.....he'll do nicely !..lol

82spursdebut

My team would be Lloris - Walker, Caulker, Vertonghen, Ekotto - Sandro, Dembele - Lennon, Dempsey, Bale - Defoe. There is no way Dawson should keep a talent like Caulker out of the team.

muttley

As Viyyash-Ramosh says, i also think an upset is on the cards, Lofty Road home fans in a small ground, QPR small team, Arry small time charlie, yeah i can all three being upset after we do them on saturday.

spu 4 life

Difficult game just because they will be up for it as HR will be and often these games cause trouble. I hope AVB and the players are astute enough and respect they will give 110% and so we give more and win the game we don't want a slip up at the beginning of the second half of the campaign as we have done the last two seasons.

I think HR will keep QPR up just and I hope he does but I hope the run of results will start against us but sometime after. He will bring in a couple of players that will help but has he got enough to beat us Saturday I don't think so but as I said these revenge games are not easy and our lads and manager need to be aware and ready to go at all costs.

If we do that and play our game we ought to win at least two nil but beware as much as HR annoyed me towards the end of his time at the lane he is still a manager that is capable of making an upset.

We need early goals so I hope Dempsey continues his improved run and Defoe is hungry.

thfan

QPR have tucked Tarrabt in behind Cisse but then dropped Cisse played Tarrabt by himself up top on the next game? Pretty sure anyway… They are at home, maybe the old 4-4-1-1 from Harry then? I wouldn't play Parker and Sandro together until later in the game, massive plus to have Scotty as an option though.

SpursOne2

Early goal will kill off their plucky spirits. Also, they don't actually have anyone to put the ball in the back of the net.

Tactically Challenge

Refs for the weekend; Sat 12 Jan 2013 15:00 Aston Villa v Southampton Villa Park Chris Foy Sat 12 Jan 2013 15:00 Everton v Swansea Goodison Park Phil Dowd Sat 12 Jan 2013 15:00 Fulham v Wigan Craven Cottage Mark Clattenburg Sat 12 Jan 2013 15:00 Norwich v Newcastle Carrow Road Anthony Taylor Sat 12 Jan 2013 12:45 QPR v Tottenham Loftus Road Stadium Lee Probert Sat 12 Jan 2013 15:00 Reading v West Brom Madejski Stadium Kevin Friend Sat 12 Jan 2013 15:00 Stoke v Chelsea Britannia Stadium Andre Marriner Sat 12 Jan 2013 15:00 Sunderland v West Ham Stadium of Light Neil Swarbrick Sun 13 Jan 2013 16:00 Arsenal v Man City Emirates Stadium Mike Dean Sun 13 Jan 2013 13:30 Man Utd v Liverpool Old Trafford Howard Webb Wed 16 Jan 2013 19:45 Chelsea v Southampton Stamford Bridge Michael Oliver

spu 4 life

SO2 Nelsen IS available for Saturday, he's under contract at QPR until June I think. Although I heard there's negotiation going on about that.

That's my fear, there will be QPR players on that field with a point to prove since their time at Spurs & they'd love nothing better than to turn us over.

Spuds-U-Like

so manure will be playing with 12 players on sunday...and livrpool will be geting one or two players sent off...courtesy alex web

shlok27

Spuds - U - Like - Currently he is not available mate, which is why he is talking to Harry about playing and contract details etc. And also, all players should have a point to prove....including ours. Its a London Derby. Hopefully a good game win or loose.

SpursOne2

If the two current QPR and Spurs teams play 10 times, Spurs would win 8, draw 1, and might lose 1. But in this one match, the outcome isn't certain. Harry could pip one, but the odds are for AVB's lads to win. But shouldn't both managers (head coach?) but up for this one? And shouldn't the players, given the pride at stake for the managers? Let's hope Harry is given a warm but not overly enthusiastic welcome to N17. Let's show the world that we've a polite and appropriate crowd at our home pitch. (And never minding that it's Harry coming with QPR, we wan the three points in the standings, no?) COYS.

Total knobhead

Total good post but its at loftus road mate

tottingham10

After the loss Harry will say ' its good to see them in 3rd place and winning points and im glad we could help them out today'

Mix26

All I can say SO2 is that it was reported when the move to Toronto FC was announced, that he would be available for our visit. He's still has contractual obligations at QPR that need sorting out in relation to when he can properly take charge at Toronto. The only thing that won't make him available, is if he doesn't fly back from Canada in time or Quincey or Nelsen himself, decides his mind won't be right. Sorry mate.

Spuds-U-Like

PS, we'll find out when the teams are announced on Saturday! ;-)

Spuds-U-Like

Nelsen has been 'playing on glass ankles and glass knees' according to the Herald here and he hasn't been in touch with the NZF to say his playing days are over. Sounds like if he hasn't hung his boots up he's picked the peg they are going on... How can he play til June if the MLS starts in March? He's their head coach FFS, pre season will be under way there in early Feb at the latest!

nzyido

I said that the contract nzyido, is being negotiated, to presumably confirm the time when he CAN leave. It's also been said that Quincey doesn't want to let him go until he's got a replacement. Gallas being the latest to be linked.

Spuds-U-Like

Must win game. 3 points nothing less and I fully expect AVB to field his best XI for this game. QPR will be pumped for Nelsen and for Harry so there will be a fair amount of adenaline flowing. QPR need to win. Their situation is dire. They need 27-30 more points from their remaining 17 games to stay up (in all likelihood). Their next four home games are Us, Norwich, City and United. Their last three games are at home to Arsenal and Newcastle and away to liverpool. Dire perhaps does not capture the difficulty they are in. COYS

peterballb

If only we knew which side you're actually on Oyveh. It'll be tearsies if we win, but maybe a consolation in the fact that IF QPR happen to go down it'll be administration for them, not the beloveds fault mind, but never the less a great thing to have on the CV that yet another club goes bankrupt, gotta be a record for ol' big-house. Maybe the rosie-fund will pay a few bills.

Crissybwoy

An upset is likely i must admit, like it was last season. We missed a hell of a lot of chances & they took their (half) chance. But as we all know football is a funny old game - Look at the Chelsea game tonight how the hell did Swansea win 0-2??? If we take our chances we will win comfortably but if Ade & Defoe stink the place out who knows?? Here's to them turning up! COYS

HuddersfieldYiddo

Bale could be the most important player for you in this game. His powerful rubs will cause problems and we will see Gareth drawing more fouls from a side that has had quite a few bookings handed out to their players. QPR1 3 Spurs.

SFC Forever

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