I think it's fair to say that we did not expect Tom Cleverley to be the manager to equal our club record run of 12 consecutive home games unbeaten and being the only team in the top four divisions yet to be defeated at home so far this season. We're by no means indomitable (Especially away from home) but we are seeing a proper team spirit we have sorely lacked in years and a clear style of play that works with our squad and makes you look forward to attending games than enduring them. The Opposition: QPR will be very relieved to have beaten fellow strugglers Cardiff with a big 2-0. Paul Nardi was in fine form with an excellent showing of close and long range saves to keep the large spell of Cardiff pressure at bay while Zan Celar scoring a swivelling top corner finish for their first early on and a cool headed chip over the keeper for the second when Cardiff didn't deal with a long ball over the top. A hard fought win from QPR's perspective. QPR have also been the team on the receiving end of some unlikely goal scorers. Last year we had everyone's expected goal machine Jake Livermore curl a peach of a goal into the top corner before following up with another bullet into the bottom corner minutes later. Ben Hamer also produced some heroics near the end with a terrific reaction save. And of course, we cannot forget our youth coach and one of our own's Lloyd Doyley scoring a flying header in a dominant 3-1 win as well, with our current head coach Tom Cleverley having to point him where to celebrate with the fans. Small world, eh? The Orns: It's fair to say that we go into this game as favourites. Watford being 5th in the table against QPR who are 23rd and with our clear home advantage will have our tails up and thinking this could well be a good game for us. I'm cautiously optimistic because despite our own faults we do seem to have a proper team ethic and aren't as easily bullied than in previous years. That said, we are slow starters usually and rarely score in the first half which should logically be QPR's best time to get at us and there's no reason to think they won't try to put us under pressure early on despite what the table says, if they've done their homework. The last home game was a one sided 4-0 win against dead man walking Ainsworth who could thank Begovic keeping it down to just 4 that game who made some strong saves in the 2nd half. Dele-Bashiru, Louza, Martins and Bayo all got a goal that game. For the Reids among us, the BBC has an interesting smattering of season stats so far: As for the squad, I don't think we'll see many changes. Hot off the press Dele-Bashiru had their traditional injury setback this time with their nebulous knee injury. Ogbonna and Keben remain unavailable as expected whilst Vata and Jebbison will be available this time following personal circumstances and fitness issues respectively. Ngakia is available for this game as well. (But for how long?) Louza has been exceptional since he's come back into the squad after a lot of us lost faith in him to look like he was invested in us after his more recent years of disinterested performances and loan spell away but he's looked a man determined to win games and long may it continue because the quality has always been there and the only player in our squad who can control a game's tempo with the ability to take a ball and pass under pressure. Baah could be a bench option given he's being carefully managed with his fitness. Sissoko I'm sure will start as he's one of Cleverley's favourites even though think Dwomoh will be better suited in that pairing. Chakvetadze has looked leggy so far this round of games which isn't but don't see Vata starting in his place to give him some rest. Final Thoughts: Think we could be in for a good game this weekend. I'm going to wager we'll have a stodgy first half against a stubborn QPR side but we'll see us take control in the second half as we have normally done this season and that's when we'll see us get ours goals, hopefully in the last 20 minutes. QPR shouldn't be underestimated given we lost to them twice the season before last and do have some quality in the ranks. 'Orns
Anything other than an absolute hammering will be a complete and utter embarrassment, these lot have been stinking up the league for years now and we should really be doing our bit to send those lot back to where they once came from. Watford 6-0 QPR Tough afternoon for the shoutbox/mattress soakers.
I'm glad they won as we are normally the team that gives the likes of QPR a "kick-start" Keep their crab-like midfield pressed and we should get a result. An early flying handball from Steve Cook would be most welcome.
Wikipedia says that QPR fans once voted Mattie Pollock's dad, Jamie, the most influential man in the last 2000 years. Jesus was second in the poll.
Due to his own goal (up and under) in the game when QPR escaped relegation from the premier league in 2011, however they still lost the game but were saved due to other results going their way
Wasn't it under Ivic we lead early through Deeney then they scored a very late winner? I remember that game because of the amount of anger online after the match. I think we should have enough to beat them but I do worry about our slow starts (which is still something we haven't addressed). First half will be dire, second half we'll wake up a bit and bother to attack once or twice. Another scrappy 1-0 home win to break a club record in a good way for once. I would seriously consider giving Chak a rest for this one, bring Vata in.
What is all this talk about the current unbeaten home run being a club record? Does it just refer to the Championship or what? I know Watford went unbeaten at home for well over a year in the 70s (pre-GT), albeit in the 4th division. (The run ended 0-1 v Brentford in a game where we missed two penalties if anyone remembers that.)
0-0 all day long. They have the same striker issues we do. Any goal for either side will be an own goal, a deflection or a penalty.
I believe only myself and @AndrewH63 (?) have an utter loathing for these London-based 'travellers'? Get into 'em and fcuk 'em up!!!
Who cares about being unbeaten at home. This is the only home match we must win to make the season a success. Lose this and we might as well cancel Christmas.
Because I've been off the beer for a while I hadn't ventured to the Tring Brewery concession this season - and when I looked on Tuesday night it wasn't there. Is this just evening games or has it packed up completely?
Hmm, I am not sure about this whilst we may have a poor centre forward we are the 4th highest scorers in the league and have scored in every home match this season. QPR are the lowest scorers in the league. To put it in perspective Ryan Andrews our right back who doesn't always play has the same amount of goals this season as the Rangers top goalscorer. Rangers have also conceded more goals than anyone else away from home this season. Additionally, I was astonished to see that only Burnley and Sheffield United are the only clubs to have conceded less than us at home this season.
I see from the fishal site this is the programme cover tomorrow. Very flattering picture of Ryan Andrews they've chosen there... (Stand down, @Keighley, I'm sure it's just a pun)
Probably gone bust as the estimated income from yourself was a critical element in this year’s business plan.
One of the worst puns I've ever seen – and I used to work on the sports subs desk at national newspapers where it seemed to be a nightly contest to engineer the weakest possible pun. I always used to rewrite anything along the lines of 'WAT A WIN' or 'WAT A STRIKE'.
I wonder whether or not it has been addressed: I suspect the 'slow' start is at least partially deliberate. I can't believe Cleverley has to read them them a half-time riot act every single game (er...surely?). They tend to play two different games in the 2 different halves. The flat-out first half recently at Plymouth failed as they ran out of legs and lost two points (although I thought Cleverley should have brought subs on earlier when it was clearly needed). Otherwise Watford generally finish the game very strongly.
Some help needed. Is the Bunker worth visiting? I have heard about it, but never been. It’s underneath the Rookery, I understand.
I've never been there but what I can tell you is a lot of the "podders" go there pre-match and post-match. It's gotten a bit of reputation as a staple drinking hole at the Vic. Don't know about drinks or prices, but I'd say it's worth checking out. If it's not for you then there's plenty of other places around the town.
Interesting. Perhaps it's a way to conserve energy? I know we have a small squad and injuries are starting to mount a little (with some back soon) but that could be a tactical choice? If we go hammer and tongs from minute one we'll be knackered by minute 75 but that also might be a reason why Clevs is bringing late subs into games. Cannot say for certain, but when we start flat and slow out of the blocks, teams can and will hurt us.
I think I'd like us to try and win again. I'm staying away again so it's quite possible. Onwards and upwards, COYH.
Yes I remember, I was at the Brentford game you make reference to, with the missed penalties, I think the reference to the unbeaten home run must refer to the Championship, as I have found the following record from the period you refer to: 4th Division under the leadership of Mike Keen we went unbeaten at home from 3rd April 1976 until 9th April 1977 (the Brentford defeat mentioned above) that equates to 22 matches (21 in the league & 1 League cup)
