Previewing Coventry vs QPR

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Coventry with 39 points from 34 games are at home to QPR with 44 points from 35 games. Coventry's home record is 6 wins, 6 defeats, 5 draws vs QPR's away record is 4 wins, 7 defeats and 6 draws. Table-- Coventry's results -- Coventry's Playing Squad

Coventry Telegraph - The Hoops: The lowdown
FOR THOSE who thought Coventry City's Operation Premiership was a joke, that's nothing compared to the ambitions of QPR's new owners who have set their sights on Champions League football in four years!
And after splashing out somewhere in the region of £6 million in the January transfer window, Renault boss Flavio Briatore and his backers, who include Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, have put their money where their mouth is to lay the foundations for such dizzy heights.
Although they brushed aside automatic promotion chasing Stoke City 3-0 on Sunday, Rangers remain frustratingly inconsistent, seemingly able to beat the big boys - as they have done against Bristol City and Watford as well - but stumble against the strugglers, which may be good news for the Sky Blues.
Given the weekend victory at Loftus Road, Italian manager Luigi De Canio is expected to field an unchanged side at the Ricoh Arena tonight including seven players that were bought in January, some of whom were paid for after joining the club earlier on loan with a view to permanent deals.
They include midfield maestro Akos Buzsaky whose 56th minute strike against the Potters was his eighth of the season for the Hoops.
Currently deployed wide right, the £500,000 signing from Plymouth is always a threat in and around the box, while £800,000 capture from Sheffield United, Mikele Leigertwood, waded in with an early brace to set Rangers on their way against Stoke.
Not known for his goal scoring exploits, Leigertwood is more of a grafter alongside all rounder Martin Rowlands in the heart of the midfield, while Hogan Ephraim likes to get forward and take on his full-back from the left.
Up front Rowan Vine is not exactly prolific but works incredibly hard and creates plenty of opportunities for his strike partner Patrick Agyemang.
De Canio likes to play tidy passing football and doesn't usually subscribe to the sit tight and hit them on the break tactics that a lot of teams favour away from home, and meddling owner Briatore recently had a say in that when he instructed his manager to play 4-4-2 away from home rather than go with a lone front man. Coventry Telegraph


Coventry Telegraph - Andy Turner's big match prediction: Coventry City v QPR Mar 5 2008
THE BIG question tonight is can the Sky Blues dust themselves down after back to back away defeats and produce a performance worthy of a result?
With Michael Doyle back from suspension, the skipper should provide a bit more bite in the midfield, while Chris Coleman has to weigh up whether to go for the experienced head of Stephen Hughes at such a testing time of the season, or keep faith with the youthful exuberance of Kevin Thornton who is capable of conjuring up a bit of magic to unlock the tightest of defences.
The most worrying aspect, however, is wondering where the next goal is going to come from.
City are looking decidedly light up front right now and are desperate for leading scorer Michael Mifsud to find his shooting boots again.

QPR like to pass the ball about so it should be an open and entertaining game, and if Coventry get over their nerves and rediscover a bit of confidence, they might just get something out of what is expected to be a difficult game.
AN instant hit at Loftus Road, Agyemang chalked up eight goals in his first six games after signing for £350,000 from Preston North End in January, making his fee look extremely good value.
While Preston fans were amazed - the striker never proving prolific in their colours - Agyemang was re-writing the history books with the best scoring run at QPR for 41 years.
He has since gone three games without a goal.
Andy Turner's big match prediction: Coventry City 1 QPR 1. Coventry Telegraph

QPR OFFICIAL SITE PREVIEW - MATCHDAY PREVIEW: SKY BLUES
Another week, another midweek trip for the R's loyal army of supporters. Next stop - The Ricoh Arena tonight.
It's all change at Coventry City once again, following Ray Ranson's high-profile take-over of the Midlands Club.
Iain Dowie's brisk departure resulted in the arrival of former Real Sociedad boss Chris Coleman a fortnight ago and the former Fulham gaffer, 37, has been joined at the Ricoh by Steve Keane, his assistant at Craven Cottage.
On his arrival, Coleman was keen to set out his stall, commenting: "This is a big Club, all geared up to be in the Premier League. It will not be easy but we want to build a team in order to do that."
And Ranson clearly echoes the new Manager's sentiments.
"There are no quick fixes in football - we have got a five-year plan," he said.
"Chris buys into that and I buy into what he hopes to achieve. We have discussed how much money he will get to strengthen the Club in the summer. We will work together and build a club and team that Coventry will be proud of."

The Welshman enjoyed a winning start to his reign with the Sky Blues, inspiring them to a comfortable 2-0 victory in the M69 derby against Leicester City.

Elliott Ward's first league goal in almost a year set Coleman on the way to a winning start, before Leon Best wrapped up the victory with a neat finish into the far corner after being set free by Kevin Thornton.

But two defeats on the spin since then has seen them slip down to 21st position - and more worringly perhaps, just three points clear of the relegation zone.

Rangers ground out a priceless victory in their last visit to the Ricoh Arena in April.

Chelsea loanee Jimmy Smith bagged the only goal of the game for John Gregory's men, on a day when the R's gained crucial ground on their fellow strugglers at the foot of the Championship table.

R's midfielder Gavin Mahon is again likely to miss out owing to a medial injury, while Coleman could recall midfield duo Michael Doyle and Stephen Hughes.

Doyle is available after completing a three-match ban and Hughes has recovered from concussion. QPR