Southampton vs QPR Preview

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Southampton currently without a permanent manager are currently 14th in the table with a home record of 6 wins, 6 losses and 3 draws. Scored 17; Conceded 18 - TableSouthampton's Results this season....Southampton's Playing Squad...Southampton Injury News
At the beginning of September, QPR, then managed by John Gregory, played Southampton at Loftus Road, in the immediate aftermath of the death of Ray Jones and lost 0-3. QPR's team that day: Camp, Curtis, Stewart, Mancienne (Cullip 84), Barker, Rowlands, Leigertwood, Bolder, Ephraim, Blackstock (Nygaard 69), Sahar (Nardiello 69). Subs Not Used: Cole, Bignot.
See Reports and earlier reports -- Reports

UPDATE: QPR OFFICIAL SITE - THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: SAINTS
Over 3,200 QPR fans will make the journey to the South Coast on Saturday afternoon, as Rangers lock horns with managerless Southampton at St Mary's.
At the time of writing, the Saints are looking for a new occupant to fill the vacant managerial hot-seat, following George Burley's decision to up sticks in favour of a shot at international management with Scotland.
Burley was interviewed for the post last month after Southampton reluctantly agreed to the SFA's request to speak to their Manager - and the deal became official soon after.
Chief Scout John Gorman and Saints' veteran Jason Dodd have been in temporary charge since and the pair have overseen a win, a draw and a defeat in their short spell.
Stability appears to be the number one requirement at St Mary's now though and Southampton's acting Chief Executive Lee Hoos says the Club will not be rushed into appointing a new Manager.
Hoos said: "What we don't want to do is be rushed into making the wrong decision.
"It has to fit into everything in our circumstances and be someone who takes the Club forward because we've got a lot of quality in the squad."
He added: "In the meantime the Club is in very capable hands with John Gorman and Jason Dodd."
That point was reiterated on Thursday afternoon by Saints director Lawrie McMenemy, who added: "The ship is nice and steady, management is about doing the best with what's available and that's what these two lads are doing."
Rangers' fans will head to St Mary's no doubt hoping for a repeat of last season's success story.
Jermaine Wright gave Saints an early lead in late September, only for Rangers to hit back courtesy of goals from Dexter Blackstock and the late Ray Jones.
Rangers are again likely to be without key defender Fitz Hall (groin) for the trip to the South Coast, while Saints are monitoring the fitness of front-man Stern John, who is due back today (Friday) from international duty with Trinidad. QPR


Southampton Official Site
QPR have sold their full allocation of tickets for Saturday's game which is now on sale only to Saints fans already on the database.
Seats remain on general sale but only to home supporters who already have a purchase history.
The West London team will be bringing 3,200 fans to St Mary's for what looks likely to be an exciting game with a cracking atmosphere.
Dexter Blackstock will be hoping to figure against his old club but faces tough competition for a place up front from Rowan Vine and Patrick Agyemang who has scored five goals in four games.
Since their mega-millions take-over, Rangers have splashed the cash and are now a very different side from the one beaten easily by Saints who won 3-0 at Loftus Road in September.
Saints fans look set to turn out in force too with a new buzz about the place in recent weeks helping to drive ticket sales. Book online. Southampton


DAILY ECHO - Injuries healing at right time for Saints
Jason Dodd and John Gorman have already managed something in their short time in charge that George Burley could barely boast - an almost fully fit squad to pick from.
Dodd and Gorman will have plenty of selection dilemmas for tomorrow's St Mary's clash with QPR after all their niggling injury doubts such as Alexander Ostlund and Darren Powell reported in fit for the game.
Only long term absentees Claus Lundekvam, Chris Makin and Nathan Dyer continue to be sidelined.
Dodd said: "The injuries are great which is nice to say.
"We had a few knocks on Saturday who were struggling earlier in the week but the likes of Darren Powell and Alex Ostlund trained yesterday.
"Apart from the long term injuries everybody's buzzing and desperate to play."
Dodd believes that though Saints face a tough test tomorrow against QPR, boasting new players after splashing some money in the January transfer window, the club can use it as a springboard to the top six.
"There's only six or seven points in it," he said.
"It's proven that teams that put decent runs together like Sunderland last year can do it.
"You only need to get the lads flying and scoring goals and it breeds confidence and you can start catching people up.
"Everyone knows in this division anyone can beat anyone so if we can get a little run together and keep a fit side then we've got a great opportunity to get in.
"It's going to be very difficult against QPR.
"They're a completely different outfit to when we went there earlier in the season which was probably one of our better performances and we could have won by a lot more.
"They've had a change of manager and bought in a lot more players and spent a lot more money which they're able to do now, we've had them watched three or four times and we know they're a different side and what their strengths and weaknesses are."
Dodd is delighted to be given the chance to take charge of Saints for a longer period of time and is looking forward to he and Gorman putting their own stamp on things.
"It's a great opportunity for us," said Dodd.
"We were just brought in to tide things over but I think we've done a reasonable job, got the lads playing very well.
"Results wise has been disappointing because we felt we should have won that game.
"John and myself have worked very hard.
"We focussed on the football and left everything else to everyone else and it seems to have worked for us.
"We're very passionate and want to go out there and win football matches and it gives us the chance to do that.
"We can't ask anymore.
"We've been working very hard and they've done exactly what we've asked.
"We're trying to put a style of football out there that both me and John feel these players can play and get results.
"We want to get the ball down and play and we feel we've got the players to do that so we just need to be a wee bit more ruthless in front of goals and we'll win more games than we have." Daily Echo


SOUTHAMPTON MANAGERIAL UPDATE
Saints have asked John Gorman and Jason Dodd to remain in charge of the team for the foreseeable future.
Contrary to media speculation, the Club will not be naming a successor to George Burley in the next week.
Saints have stressed all along that they will not rush the appointment and the pair have earned the right to continue in their caretaker roles by making a huge impact during their three-game tenure.
It is clear the players have visibly stepped up a gear under the duo with many openly championing their cause.
There has been a marked change in determination which is now the best it has been since the surge to the play-offs at the end of last season while performances have been far more positive.
Saints have stressed that the duo have won the role on merit and that it is a sound decision which works on many levels.
It allows the club to take their time over the hunt for a replacement for George Burley. In the mean time this arrangement provides continuity for the team who respect the pair and have already shown they will battle for them.
And it also makes the picture clearer for any potential investors who may want a different approach or who may be able to provide money to strengthen the side..."
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