Previewing QPR vs Doncaster

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Doncaster Official Site - PREVIEW: QPR (A)

Doncaster Rovers continue their assault on the Coca-Cola Championship this weekend, with the relatively long trip to the Big Smoke to take on newly invigorated Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Saturday.

The side who play in the blue and white hoops have gone in early as the bookies favourites for promotion this season, following the investment made in the club by Italian Formula One supremo Flavio Briatore. Rangers had a superb end to their previous campaign, with striker Patrick Agyemang showing prolific form in the back end of the season.

This summer has seen a renovation at Queens Park Rangers' Loftus Road stadium, with manager Iain Dowie also making some renovations to his squad. Winger Lee Cook, defender Peter Ramage and goalkeeper Radek Cerny all joined Dowie's side from Premier League teams, whilst the signing of Real Madrid starlet Daniel Parejo also gripped the headlines as Dowie brought some Spanish flair to West London.

The visit of Doncaster Rovers this weekend marks the first anniversary of the tragic death of 18 year-old QPR striker Ray Jones, who died following a car crash in East Ham on the 25th August 2007. A special A4 match day programme has been produced to mark the occasion, titled 'Remembering Ray'. 50p from all programme sales at Loftus Road this weekend will go to a charity called 'Eastside Young Leaders Academy', picked by Jones' mother Larraine. Remaining money from the programme will go to QPR's Football in the Community scheme.

The Rovers go into the game off of the back of a superb performance against last season's FA Cup finalists Cardiff City. The Rovers finished with a point following a late goal by Cardiff's former Rover Ross McCormack, which leveled the scored following Lewis Guy's opener. Prior to that, the Rovers sealed an impressive 1-0 win against last season's Premier League side Derby County - thanks again to a well-taken Lewis Guy strike in the second half of the encounter.

QPR have had a slightly different start to their Championship campaign. A perfect start on the opening day saw a Fitz Hall double sink Barnsley at Loftus Road, however last weekend saw the R's crushed 3-0 in their first visit to South Yorkshire this season - a Billy Sharp hat-trick giving home side Sheffield United a comprehensive win at Bramall Lane.

Doncaster Rovers will be QPR's third South Yorkshire opposition in a row in Championship competition, with Iain Dowie undoubtedly looking for a reaction from his team following their defeat last weekend.

Team News: Doncaster Rovers

Doncaster Rovers are without Sean McDaid and Gordon Greer, who are still on the road to recovery from injury. Darren Byfield and Jason Price returned to training this week, however the game comes too soon for the strikers - who could feature in the home clash against Coventry City.

Jos Van Nieuwstadt, who was suffering from a slight knock, played in the Rovers' 1-0 behind-closed-doors friendly win against Chesterfield and is available for selection.

Team News: Queens Park Rangers

Patrick Agyemang could return following a groin injury, while Hogan Ephraim made his comeback from shin splints in a behind closed doors friendly against West Ham on Tuesday and is pushing for a recall.

R's skipper Martin Rowlands is likely to make his first start of the season following the completion of his three match suspension.

...One to Watch - Akos Buzsacky

Hungarian midfield maestro Akos Buzsacky joined QPR, initially on loan, from fellow Championship side Plymouth Argyle. That loan move became permanent in January 2008, where Buzsacky has since established himself as one of the division's classiest midfielders.

The 27 year-old has incredible individual skill, as well as an eye for the spectacular when it comes to goal scoring goals. The midfielder scored six goals in his first thirteen appearances for the Loftus Road side - thereafter netting another ten before the end of the season.

His sensational strike against Blackpool last March earned Buzsacky Rangers' Kiyan Prince Goal of the Season award.

Previous Encounters

In previous meetings between the two sides, Rovers have amassed the most wins. Nine games have been played out between the two teams, with Doncaster Rovers emerging the winners on five occasions.

The Londoners have emerged victors on three separate occasions, whilst the remaining game has ended in a draw.

At Loftus Road, Saturday's venue, the number of wins is level. Both Doncaster Rovers and Queens Park Rangers have won two games each. Never before has a game ended as a draw on Rangers' soil.

The last encounter between the two sides was at Belle Vue in the third round of the FA Cup. The Rovers sealed a 1-0 win on the day, thanks to a single goal from David Harle.
Match Officials
Referee: Mr. Mike Thorpe
Assistant Referees: Mr. David Margetts
Mr. Michael Rowley
Fourth Official: Mr. Keith Yeo
Doncaster


Doncaster Official Site - BLACK IS BACK
Doncaster Rovers will take to the pitch on Saturday afternoon against Queens Park Rangers, wearing the brand new black away kit for the very first time.
The strip, modelled by the Vikettes and designed by new kit supplier Vandanel, has been a massive hit with Rovers supporters - however the team has yet to have a chance to wear it.
With QPR wearing blue and white hoops with blue shorts, Rovers choice of red and white hoops and black shorts would have resulted in a clash - as would the blue and white third choice shirt; so black is back for the Rovers clash at Loftus Road on Saturday..." Doncaster


DONCASTER TEAM NEWS - STOCK COULD FEATURE IN QPR CLASH
Doncaster Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll has no new injury worries ahead of the Rovers trip to the capital to take on Iain Dowie's Queens Park Rangers.
Sean McDaid continues his recovery from a dislocated knee, whilst Gordon Greer remains sidelined with a hip injury.
The Rovers strike force of Jason Price and summer signing Darren Byfield both returned to full training this week, however the test against the Loftus Road side may come too soon for the pair, who have been sidelined with a foot and hernia injury respectively.
Defender Jos Van Nieuwstadt suffered a knock in training, however the Dutch centre-half came through a behind-closed-doors friendly game with Chesterfield unscathed and could feature against QPR.
"Everybody's fit apart from Jason Price and Darren Byfield, who are perhaps a game away from being in contention," revealed the Rovers manager at his pre-match press conference at Cantley Park.
"Jason Price came back into training and as luck would have it has tweaked his medial ligament, so he couldn't play on Tuesday (against Chesterfield). Darren is only three weeks post surgery and we didn't want to push him. He's looking sharp in training."
Meanwhile midfielder Brian Stock could feature for the Rovers, after recovering from the back injury that forced him to withdraw from the Wales international set-up midweek.
"He's got a problem with his back, which is an ongoing problem. It flares up every now and again. It flared up just before the Play-Off Final and against Derby and it did again after he linked up with the Welsh team. Full credit to them, they said that it was only a friendly and that although they could push him through, but they said that at this stage in the season it would be silly. So, they released him and he's been under the care of John Dickens since." Doncaster


QPR Official Site - THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: DONCASTER ROVERS

Doncaster Rovers bucked the trend last season when, despite finishing in the supposedly 'cursed' third spot, James Hayter scored the winner against Leeds United at Wembley to send Donny into the Championship for the first time in 50 years.

And it was no more than they deserved after a fine season with away wins over Swansea City and Leeds United, with similar home successes against more fancied sides like Southend United and Nottingham Forest. In fact, the only thing stopping them from automatic promotion was defeat to Cheltenham Town on the final day of the season.

This season however, it's a case of 'so far so good' with Donny racking up four points from their opening two games, including a fine win over Derby County on opening day courtesy of a Lewis Guy goal. A further strike from the big man earned a point at the Keepmoat Stadium against Cardiff last weekend.

In Manager Sean O'Driscoll, they have a competent yet quiet man who enjoyed great success at the helm of Bournemouth. Despite the fans expecting a bigger name, O'Driscoll was unveiled in September 2006 after 22 years at Dean Court.

He inherited a solid squad and has added well in the two years since his arrival. Striker Hayter followed him from the Cherries; Matthew Mills, who enjoyed a productive loan spell in 2007/08, had no hesitation in turning his move permanent from Manchester City; and experienced faces have arrived in the shape of James Chambers, John Spicer and journeyman striker Darren Byfield, who top scored for Bristol City last term.

The main man, however, is midfielder Richie Wellens who was vital in the promotion winning season.

With a solid start to the season under their belts, Doncaster will be hoping to keep their good form going for as long as possible.

Whatever happens come the season's end, Rovers fans will enjoy the experience, and as Bristol City showed last year, anything and everything can happen.

Team News

Doncaster will be without defender Sean McDaid, with the defender still recovering from a dislocated knee suffered at the tail end of last season. He may be joined by winger Jason Price, who - despite returning to training - may find Saturday comes too soon.

New striker Darren Byfield could miss out despite stepping up his rehab from a hernia operation, while Scottish defender Gordon Greer is suffering from a hip injury and may also be missing for the visitors.

Midfielder Brian Stock also faces a race against time to be fit after a back injury that forced him to miss Wales' friendly with Georgia. If Stock recovers, O'Driscoll could stick with the same side who gained a well-earned point at the Keepmoat Stadium against Cardiff City.

Jos Van Nieuwstadt, who was suffering from a slight knock, played in the Rovers' 1-0 behind-closed-doors friendly win against Chesterfield and is available for selection. QPR


See Also:

- Next Up for QPR: Doncaster Rovers at Loftus Road - Ref Will be M. Thorpe

- Previewing Doncaster - Ex-QPR and Doncaster's Rufus Brevett Talks About His Two Clubs and Predicts...Doncaster

- Ashleigh Rose/LoftforWords - Doncaster Connections and Memories


QPR Official Site - A "GENTLE GIANT"
Tomorrow (Saturday's) home game against Doncaster Rovers takes on added importance as we remember a tragic event from a year ago.
Twelve months on from his death, striker Ray Jones is still very much alive in our hearts, especially Club Captain Martin Rowlands'. He told www.qpr.co.uk: "It will be an emotional day and his family will be there.
"Hopefully it will be a good occasion for them and hopefully we can get the right result and celebrate the life of Ray instead of mourning him.
"Ray was a good guy, a young man, a gentle giant really. Everyone knows that, as a footballer, he had amazing talent but as a man he was very quiet and kept himself to himself and conducted himself in a great way around the club."
Rowlands also revealed that mementos of Ray are on show around the training ground as permanent reminders of what an impressive young man he was.
"He's got a locker at the training ground which nobody uses and his shirt number is retired as well," he added.
"He's still in the thoughts of everyone and his pictures are around the place."
As well as the tributes for Ray on Saturday, there's the challenge of Doncaster Rovers awaiting the R's who are keen to get back to winning ways at the earliest opportunity following last weekend's 3-0 loss at Sheffield United.
Rowlands himself is more desperate than most to be involved. "I'm looking forward to the game massively," he added. "I've missed the first three through suspension which has been really hard for me to watch.
"Hopefully after last Saturday's result we get back home and get three points."
Our Captain isn't taking the recently promoted South Yorkshire side lightly however, after Donny began the season in imposing form. "They beat Derby in their opening game and as everyone can see they're a very good side," he acknowledged.
"They've got a lot of momentum from last year. It will be a tough game, they're a good footballing side but hopefully we can play well and get the right result." QPR


Doncaster Official Site - QPR CLASH - REMEMBERING RAY

The football world was saddened this time last year at the news of the tragic early death of QPR striker Ray Jones, who was killed at the age of 18 following a car accident in East London.

This weekend's game between Doncaster Rovers and QPR marks the first anniversary of the death of a young player who was expected to achieve great things as a footballer and certainly touched the lives of all who knew him both on and off the pitch.

QPR have produced a special edition A4 programme to celebrate the tragically short life of Ray Jones for this weekend's clash against Doncaster Rovers.

50p from each and every programme sold will be donated to a charity called the 'Eastside Young Leaders Academy' - a charity that has been chosen by Ray Jones' mother Larraine.

All remaining profits from programme sales on the day will go towards QPR's Football In The Community projects.

The commemorative programme will be on sale in and around the ground.

The commemorative issue also incorporates all the usual match day programme features, including an in-depth look at Doncaster Rovers.

As well as the souvenir programme, the new Giant Screen on top of Loftus Road will be running a series of tributes from 2.00pm.

You can find out more about the 'Eastside Young Leaders Academy' charity, by visiting www.eyla.org.uk - Doncaster