Swindon versus "The Chelsea of the Championship" - QPR's First Cup Win Under Dowie?

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It's QPR at Swindon tonight where, hopefully, QPR will win. I think tonight will be the night, but this being QPR, who really can be confident?! The concept of QPR as "Moneybags" or "the richest team in the world" or "The Chelsea of the Championship" (as Swindon's Billy Paynter called QPR)is not something QPR can want; and it's not really fair or accurate; but unfortunately it's inevitably going to be a common refrain as long as QPR have Briatore and Ecclestone and Mittal and are not in the Premiership.
The two teams share in common among other things: The two teams both were Third Division winners of the League Cup against First Division opponents (Swindon's victory against Arsenal in 1969). The two teams both won the Ibiza Tournament! Ex-QPR Chairman Bill Power and ex-CEO, Mark Devlin spent some time at Swindon. Les Allen managed both clubs. The two clubs shared the great Don Rogers, Peter Eastoe, Alan McDonald, Alan Spratley and Mick McGovern (who made his Swindon debut against QPR and lost 0-5) among others. (Ex-QPRs Ossie Ardilles and Andy King also managed Swindon - Swindon Managers
Not available for tonight is Swindon's most recent ex-QPR player, Pat Kanyuka. Swindon have a pretty good record against QPR - including a double against QPR when the two teams were both in the first Division.
As noted previously, teams in the cup will be eligible to have seven players on the bench (and still play three of them.) Should Swindon score tonight, which is not exactly out of the question, can expect to see this . --- ( Fuller explanation of Swindon's goalscoring celebration
Note: A year ago, QPR's "progress" in the Carling Cup was halted by Orient. QPR's team that night: Camp, Bignot (Curtis 81), Cullip, Mancienne, Bolder, Rowlands, Moore (St Aimie 64), Bailey, Rehman (Stewart 81), Ward, Nygaard. Non-playing Subs: Cole, Timoska. - QPR-Orient Match Report


UPDATED; 10:30 GMT

QPR Official Site MATCHDAY PREVIEW: ROBINS

Rangers travel to The County Ground - home of Swindon Town - in the first round of the Carling Cup tonight (Tuesday).

Maurice Malpas' side - who finished 13th in the third tier last season with 61 points from their 46 League One fixtures - will provide stiff opposition for Iain Dowie's men, as the R's aim to go one better than their first round exit at the hands of Leyton Orient last season.

It certainly won't be easy for Rangers though, against a Robins outfit who have high ambitions to achieve in League One this season.

Saturday's 3-1 victory against Tranmere Rovers certainly bodes well for the rest of the campaign.

Striker Billy Paynter got the Robins off to the perfect start when he rose above his marker and headed home Jon-Paul McGovern's cross.

Simon Cox doubled the lead when he latched on to Paynter's flick-on and finished past John Achterberg, before McGovern slammed in Cox's cross after the break to wrap it up for the hosts.

Bas Savage tapped in Edrissa Sonko's centre for a Tranmere consolation late on, but Swindon were good value for the victory.

"I am delighted - I thought it was an excellent performance," said Malpas.

"We have set our standards and the question now is can we maintain it?

"It was great to get a goal early on and that settled us but I am just delighted with how we played in general.

"I thought the fans got behind the team and it was an enjoyable afternoon. Three goals, a good display and let's look to the next one.

"We have proved we can play but now we have to do it every week. It is how we handle it."

Buoyed by his sides display, Malpas is relishing the opportunity to lock horns with Rangers tonight, adding: "I think players have got to learn from games like Tuesday night. It is important they go out and enjoy and express themselves.

"I am looking forward to a Championship side coming here. The bottom line is it is 11 versus 11.

"Can we produce the type of performance we did on Saturday, can we take our chances? I don't think we have anything to fear.

"I watched QPR last week and they are a good side, of course they are, but it is a case of what we do in the game. If we can play with the same commitment and keep the same possession then we have got a good chance. If not the bigger and better teams, like QPR, will punish us."

The last time the two Clubs met was in May 2004, when Martin Rowlands bagged the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory for the R's.
Team News
Former Rangers defender Patrick Kanyuka will miss out for the Robins owing to a hamstring injury, while fellow centre-back Jerel Ifil is out with a groin injury.
Seventeen year-old Sean Morrison is likely to deputise, while full-back Kevin Amankwaah is also added to the squad following injury.
QPR


QPR Official Site DOWIE: WE'LL BE READY
Iain Dowie is demanding a vast improvement from his side when the R's lock horns with Swindon Town in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.
Dowie admits Rangers were 'below-par' in beating Barnsley on the opening day of the Coca Cola Championship campaign - and he certainly won't allow his players to rest on their laurels against the League One outfit.
"A Cup run is vitally important for this Football Club," Dowie told www.qpr.co.uk.
"I've had fairly decent success in this competition over the last few years and I want to continue that with QPR.
"We weren't at our best on Saturday and there is a lot of room for improvement.
"Defensively we weren't as good as I know we can be and I'll be looking for an improvement on Tuesday."
Rangers bowed out to Leyton Orient at the first hurdle last season, but Dowie is keen to avoid a similar embarrassment this season.
"A good Cup run is very important to me, and we'll be heading to Swindon with a very strong squad, make no mistake.
"They've brought a couple of new faces in, and it certainly won't be easy for us at their place.
"It's important that we really impose ourselves on the match from the opening whistle. I want to see us get the ball down and pass it, and be creative like we were against Barnsley at the weekend.
"The County Ground isn't an easy place to go, but we head there in good spirits after our win on Saturday."
Dowie will no doubt take inspiration from his memorable run in the Carling Cup last season with Coventry City.
Michael Mifsud's brace at Old Trafford helped knock Manchester United out at the third round stage, before the Sky Blues eventually came unstuck against West Ham United in round four.
"Anything is possible in football," he said.
"The early rounds come quite thick and fast in this competition and if things go your way, before you know it you come up against one of the big boys.
"We'll take each game as it comes though and that starts with Swindon Town at The County Ground."
Team News
Hogan Ephraim could return to the squad after missing out on Saturday due to shin splints, while Samuel Di Carmine and Damion Stewart are free to return following the completion of their respective bans.
Long-term injury victims Rowan Vine and Akos Buzsaky remain sidelined, while Martin Rowlands is suspended.
QPR


SWINDON ADVERTISER/Anthony Marshall - Paynter: Let us at 'em
BILLY Paynter is pleading with Maurice Malpas to keep faith with Saturday's heroes as Town get set to take on the Chelsea of the Championship.' The big frontman opened Swindon's account for the new League One season with the headed opener in their 3-1 win over Tranmere at the County Ground.
And following the impressive performance which easily saw off the Wirral outfit, Paynter is hoping that the same players get the chance to do some giant killing as they take on QPR tonight in the first round of the Carling Cup.
The competition is often used by managers as a chance to have a look at some of those on the fringes.
But Paynter is desperate to be given the nod again as he bids to find the back of the net in successive games.
He said: "There are places that have got numbers of players competing for.
"You have to be on song because if you don't play another player might come in and take your place. I guess it is the same on Tuesday.
"If someone was rested because it was the cup and his rival hit a hat-trick then you would lose your spot. You want to be playing every game at the moment.
"Getting off the mark on the opening day was brilliant. I always want to score goals myself but the most important thing is getting three points for the team.
"I am out there now and it is all down to one person, myself. If I don't perform and lose my place then I will be angry with myself. As long as I keep performing it will be hard to drop me."
While QPR's side is expected to be full of Premier League experience and Championship stalwarts, Paynter insists Town have nothing to fear and believes the County Ground could become a fortress for visitors to fear.
"We want teams to come here and not to like it at all," he said.
"Bring on Tuesday and hopefully the lads can put on the same performance or better than against Tranmere.
"I think QPR are the Chelsea of the Championship aren't they? They have got money to spend but it is a normal football match.
"There are two teams out there and we don't care what players they have got. The players that we have got, if on song, can trouble anyone out there." Swindon Advertiser


QPR Official Site (Monday)- SWINDON v QPR LOYALTY POINTS
R's supporters are reminded that tickets for Tuesday's Carling Cup first round tie against Swindon Town are on sale until midday today (Monday), before being returned to The County Ground for sale on the day.
Loyalty points for this game are only available prior to matchday, so supporters only have until 12 noon today to claim these.
Swindon v QPR - Tuesday 12th August 2008 - Kick Off 7:45pm
100 covered seats remaining. Tickets available on the night will be uncovered.
Adult £10.00
Juniors U'16 £1.00
Seniors Over 60 £5.00
Students with Valid NUS cards £5.00
Disabled Wheelchair tickets priced £5.00 per pair and are available direct from Swindon town on 0871 223 2300
Coach departs 4pm priced Adult £26.00, Junior £14.00 and Seniors/Young Adults £16.00
Tickets on Sale until 12 noon on Monday 11th August. Tickets will then be returned to Swindon for sale on the night. Five Loyalty points awarded for this game, tickets MUST be purchased in advance to gain Loyalty points. QPR


See also:

- QPRNet/Ron Norris and Simon Skinner: Swindon-QPR Preview
- LoftforWords/Ashleigh Rose - Swindon Preview-QPR Preview


Posted on QPR Report, Yesterday:

Swindon Advertiser/Andrew Marshall - Ifil out of cup tie
JEREL Ifil is out of tomorrow night's Carling Cup first-round tie with QPR.
The defender has picked up a groin problem and will sit out the County Ground clash.
With Pat Kanyuka also sidelined, youngster Sean Morrison is in line to start against the Championship side.
Elsewhere, Kevin Amankwaah and Chris Allen return to the matchday squad.
Meanwhile, boss Maurice Malpas is waiting to hear whether his move for Eastleigh winger Mark Marshall has been a success, with progress expected later today or tomorrow. Swindon Advertiser


SWINDON OFFICIAL SITE - WE WILL GIVE IT EVERYTHING - MM
Swindon Town boss Maurice Malpas has assured Town fans that his side will be going all out for success in cup competitions this term.
The manager also revealed that defender Jerel Ifil will miss Tuesday's game after picking up an injury during Saturday's win over Tranmere Rovers.
Tuesday's visit of the Coca-Cola Championship side has generated a lot of interest with another bumper crowd expected for the game.
"We will play the best team we can," Malpas said. "That will always be my outlook going into any cup competitions.
"If you look at the big picture then it is a fantastic opportunity to generate revenue and that is a part of my job. The easiest way to do that is to have a good run. Although it's a long shot, we will give the Carling Cup everything we can.
The Robins are boosted by the return of summer signing Kevin Amankwaah, although two defenders will miss out on the game.
"Jerel Ifil won't play tomorrow night. He picked up a knock on Saturday and will miss out. Chris Allen and Kevin Amankwaah have been added to the squad as we can name seven substitutes for the game, so that will give us a few more options.
"Sean Morrison will play tomorrow night. Patrick Kanyuka hasn't trained enough to be involved. It would be wrong to throw him in." With Kanyuka set to miss out on a game against his former employers... Swindon


- Ticket Details: Swindon-QPR Ticket Details