QPR Vs Sunderland

I always enjoy the podcast and Dave summed us up when he said, "As soon as we concede, we're bang in trouble".  Luckily we didn't concede against Burnley despite it being like the Alamo  and I imagine we will need the same defensive grit on Saturday against Sunderland.

In respect of Marti I'd agree that we shouldn't be getting rid of him any time soon. However, the new manager bounce is now well and truly over and Marti has to get us organised or else the natives will get restless.

Sunderland have done some brilliant transfer business by buying Romaine Mundle (already scored 4 this season and cost just over a million) in the knowledge that they would be selling Jack Clarke (subsequently sold to Ipswich for £15m). They even managed to get a striker on loan who has also scored 4 goals in just 9 games this season (Wilson Isidor from Zenit St Petersburg). Clearly the Sunderland transfer system is hugely better than the one we use at QPR.

Trying to pick Marti's team this week is going to be even more difficult than normal because there's little information on who's fit. QPR fan, Chris Mepham will be Sunderland's centre back on Saturday and it will be pointless playing the static Celar up against him because he will just put him in his pocket and have a lazy afternoon. However, I fear that Marti will want to justify his Slovenian signing and will stick with Celar. Whoever, plays up front they will need some support from midfield and I could see Madsen returning to play a more attacking role.

Choosing between Fox and Ashby for the left back role is difficult because neither has shone in that position but after Ashby helped us keep a clean sheet last week I'll stick with him.

Nardi
Dunne, Cook, JCS, Ashby
Field, Madsen, Varane
Chair, Celar, Saito

Can’t see anything other than us getting ripped apart. Mundle against Dunne is a mis-match as is Roberts v Ashby on the other side. Bellingham’s late runs will pin Field and Varane back and leave Neil and Rigg and eternity with the ball. Isidor will cause problems if the game is open and characterised by counter-attacking phases.

Aggressive energetic midfield is essential from us. For that, I’d have Morgan in for Chair. Pace to get us up the pitch equally vital. Smyth is a must and should start every home game he’s fit for. Saito the other side. Lloyd down the middle.

Would love to see him start instead of Celar, and be angry! I reckon that edge would make him dangerous....

My connecting train to get the London train was shown as cancelled when I got to my local station. To make the train I had to run to another, arriving as the train doors were closing! Things you have to do.....

Yes almost certainly out, Browne will come in. Considering he was Preston player of the year its not much of a downgrade!!

And so it comes to pass that JCS is out - it's very hard to see us getting points now

We are playing Field at centre back, with Madsen and Morgan coming into midfield. Saito is the other change as he drops to the bench.

Pretty ominous but you never know.

Left sided centre-back a must in January, expect it’ll be a loan. Three midfielders needed too as well as another striker. May bring Larkeche back as well who’s having a good season in a poor team at Dundee. Will be a very busy month