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THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: WOLVESPosted on: Fri 03 Feb 2012
Rangers tackle their second 'six-pointer' of 2012, when Mick McCarthy's Wolverhampton Wanderers travel to Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon.
After a hectic January transfer window was brought to a close on Tuesday night, Premier League Clubs now know what they have to work with for the remainder of the season as they look to achieve their own, individual targets.
And for Wolves that target matches our own - top-flight survival.
Mick McCarthy brings his troops to Loftus Road lying in 19th place, following a midweek mauling at the hands of Liverpool.
Goals from Andy Carroll, Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt put Wolves to the sword, on a night to forget to McCarthy's charges.
However, their away for of late has been quite impressive, with three consecutive draws in the Premier League, coming at Arsenal, Bolton Wanderers and, more recently, Tottenham Hotspur.
Hard-fought points at three difficult stadiums highlight the tough task ahead of the R's this afternoon. And after their narrow-escape from relegation last term, McCarthy and his men will be doing all they can to avoid such a starring role in "Survival Sunday" on May 13th.
QPR boss Mark Hughes could hand Bobby Zamora a debut following his late move from Fulham on deadline day, whilst Taye Taiwo, Nedum Onuoha and Djibril Cisse are all expected to start at Loftus Road for the first time.
Heidar Helguson and DJ Campbell are out, but Jay Bothroyd could return.
Wolves Team News:
Likely Starting XI (4-3-3) ...
Hennessey
Foley - Johnson - Berra - Elokobi
Jarvis - Edwards - Kightly - Ward
Fletcher - Doyle
Player to Watch ... Steven FLETCHER (Striker)
Last term's leading scorer Steven Fletcher joined Wolves in the summer of 2010 - he has since become the first striker since John Richards to score ten goals in a top-flight season.
Fletcher's growing reputation as a prolific goal scorer in the Premier League continues to mount, with the 24 year-old netting 30% of his shots last term.
Despite being born in Shrewsbury, Fletcher moved north of the border as a schoolboy and eventually came through the ranks at SPL side Hibernian - scoring 52 goals in 190 appearances.
His remarkable consistency in front of goal earned the forward a move to the Premier League with Burnley in 2009.
Despite an unsuccessful relegation battle with the Clarets, Fletcher still managed to score 12 goals, finishing the season with the honourable Players' Player of the Year crown.
Fletcher has represented his native Scotland at Under-19, Under-20, Under-21 and senior level.
The Numbers Game:
*900 - Wolves attempted more crosses than any other side in the Premier League last term.
*1999 - Robbie Keane became the most expensive teenager in Britain in 1999, when he joined Coventry City from Wolves for a record fee of £6million.
*14 - Wolves have secured 14 victories over the R's in past league encounters.
*2006 - The West Midlands outfit last beat Rangers at Loftus Road in December 2006.
*1877 - The Club was formed in 1877, under the name 'St. Lukes FC,' before later merging with a local Cricket Club forming the now titled Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Match Odds with Coral:
QPR win: 11/10
Draw: 11/5
Wolves win: 2/1
Pre-Match Talk:
QPR gaffer, Mark Hughes: "I watched Wolves against Liverpool earlier this week, so we know what to expect from Mick's side.
"It's a great first home fixture for the new lads, because they know they need to come in and perform straightaway, in what is a hugely important match for both Clubs."
Wolves skipper, Roger Johnson: "For some reason, we're decent away from home - we'll all be pushing in the right direction.
"We've all got to be together at this stage of the season - the fans and the Board, everybody, but it's the staff and the players who are going to get us results.
"Of course, no-one's given up - there are 15 games to go.
"There's a lot of points to be played for, and we'll be there until the death."
Last Home Meeting:
Championship: QPR 1, Wolves 0 - December 6th 2008
Scorers: QPR - Rowlands.
Match Coverage:
The Club's interactive service, QPR Player, will be providing live match commentary of tomorrow's fixture at Loftus Road, as well as offering extended highlights and the gaffer's post-match reaction. Click here to sign up to QPR Player today.
In addition to that, we'll be also providing minute-by-minute updates from every First Team fixture involving the R's - from simple action updates to what's happening in and around the ground - as well as an in-depth match report at full-time.
The Club's official minute-by-minute reporting will be the fans' first point of call, as other media outlets have a three-minute embargo on live reporting, allowing the R's media team to bring exclusive coverage.
Barclays Premier League Fixtures:
Saturday 4th February 2012 (3pm unless stated)
Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers (1pm)
Norwich City v Bolton Wanderers
QPR v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stoke City v Sunderland
West Brom v Swansea City
Wigan Athletic v Everton
Manchester City v Fulham (5:30pm)
Sunday 5th February 2012
Newcastle United v Aston Villa (1.30pm)
Chelsea v Manchester United (4pm)
Monday 6th February 2012
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur (8.00pm)
Next QPR Fixture:
Saturday 11th February 2012 - Blackburn Rovers v QPR - Barclays Premier League (3pm)
www.qpr.co.uk/page/Preview/0,,10373~2594028,00.html