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- [Offer your prediction on how the Reading game will go at QPR Report Messageboard.
Reminder: QPR fans in a least three American cities (Washington DC area, Chicago and Saint Louis) will be watching Reading's slaughter of QPR/QPR's brave victory tommorrow.
- Washington DC area: Kitty O'Shea's in Arlington, Virginia
(2403 Wilson Boulevard - Court House Metro)
- Chicago: (11:15 cdt) Grafton Pub - Lincoln Square 4700 N. Lincoln, Chicago.
- Saint Louis, Missouri - Amsterdam Tavern, 3157 Morganford Rd St Louis. Meeting 11:0 Central Time.
If there are any other locations around the world - either in the United States or elsewhere - where QPR fans will be watching just post here or contact at QPRReport@hotmail.com and it will be added to the list. (Also: Watching Reading-QPR on Italian TV details.
QPR Fans in the USA: [Note: Based on visitors to this site, there would appear to be many hundreds - if not thousands - of QPR fans sprinkled around the United States]
- See also Reading Preview and Past Encounters
Reading Chronicle/Anthony Smith - Royals face crucial week
STEVE Coppell believes Reading are preparing to enter a `determining’ week in the club’s season which begins with Saturday’s hooped derby against Queens Park Rangers (live on Sky, 5.20pm ko).
The West London billionaires will attempt to succeed where six other teams have already failed and take points off Royals at fortress Madejski Stadium this season.
But Coppell knows that perhaps the biggest test lies ahead next week with back-to-back away games at Burnley and Bristol City, two clubs currently in the top six.
Royals, who lost at Preston last Saturday, have won just once on their travels this season, albeit at the then leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.
They must quickly improve on that record to maintain their promotion challenge but that looks far from certain given the obstacles standing in their way.
Coppell explained: “The next seven days is a determining week for us. We have a had home game with QPR then go to Burnley, who are showing how strong they are, and then Bristol City. “When you think Bristol could easily be playing Premier League football right now it gives you an idea of the size of the week ahead.
“But after Bristol City we will have played 15 games which is a third of the way through the season. At that stage will know a bit more about where we are.
“But so many teams are beating each other than every game is a big game. We were disappointed to lose at Preston but the performance was okay. I’m positive that if we play to that level over the season we will get results.”
Goals from Andre Bikey and Kevin Doyle saw Reading secure a nervy 2-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night to preserve their 100% home record.
They remain the leading goalscorers in England but their home form has created its own problems. “Because we have this great home record people wants to do something about it,” suggested Coppell. “Nobody is going to come here and lie down and die for us.
“They are going to make it as difficult as possible and try to stop us playing. That will be the first tactical plan all teams will have when they come.
“We’ve got to have the answers. It’s down to us. Yes, we’ve done well so far and scored quite a lot of goals. But we can’t be complacent and `expect’ to do well in any game or we will be punished.”
QPR’s results away from home suggest Royals may have to be at their most patient. They have scored just twice on their travels all season and, with boss Iain Dowie under pressure, they are unlikely to go all-out attack.
“Forgetting the fact we’re neighbours and it’s a derby, the most important thing is we know three points will make a big difference to both teams,” stated Coppell.
“We are eager to maintain our good home form but I know Iain Dowie will have them pumped up, they’ll be ready for us.
“I think most people expected more of a cash input at QPR but the owners want to do it the right way, if there is such a thing. It’s not been spend, spend, spend and in many ways I admire that.”
Meanwhile, Coppell hinted he could change his personnel this weekend, with the possibility of James Harper returning to add fresh legs in midfield.
Coppell has picked an unchanged side for the last five games and Harper, who was the captain earlier in the season, has been kept on the bench.
“The squad was important to us on Tuesday when Harps and Kalifa (Cisse) came on,” said Coppell. “They gave us the extra energy we needed.
“Brynjar Gunnarsson has had a heavy work load with internationals and Jem Karacan is still young. We just have to be wary about the situation.
“We will achieve nothing with 11 players and I know that by the end of the season we will have used at least 20.” Reading Chronicle
Reading Official Site - Coppell Preview Coppell: We have to play well
Royals boss Steve Coppell is ready for Saturday's battle with QPR, kick off 5:20pm, and says his team must play well to get anything from the game.
We have a 100% home record this season, and Iain Dowie's Rangers are the latest Championship team to try and take points at Madejski Stadium.
Coppell is buoyed by our home form, but is adamant that it counts for nothing when the two tribes go to war.
He said, "Results don't just happen, a lot of work has to go in. We will have to play well, and nobody at our club expects anything other than a very difficult game on Saturday.
"When people say 'just keep it going at home' they make it all sound so easy. That's not the case, there has to be fresh desire every single game, and just because we're in a good spell doesn't help us one bit.
Our run of results might only make us feel good if we manage to get ourselves in front - but we've got to put the work in to do that first and foremost.
"Tuesday's game is a case in point. Before that match there were big expectations of a comfortable win but it never works like that. QPR will be wonderfully prepared and it's an opportunity for a big scalp."
Marek Matejovsky will still not be considered for this game, despite playing 75 minutes for the reserves in midweek. Michael Duberry played an hour but it still not fully fit, while Graeme Murty is continuing his rehab.
There are no other fresh injury concerns, so Coppell is more than likely to stick with the same XI that beat Doncaster on Tuesday.
Close to 20,000 tickets have already been sold, and the remainder are on general sale. Telephone 0844 249 1871, visit in person or use the online ticketing service - please note the ticket office opens at midday Saturday. Reading
Reading Official Site - Almost 20,000 sold for QPR
The Royals take on QPR this coming Saturday, and the game kicks off at 5:20pm. As of Thursday morning, we had already sold more than 19,550 tickets for the game.
Tickets for the game remain on general sale to all Member Card holders now. Telephone 0844 249 1871, visit in person or use the online ticketing service.
The ticket office will be open from midday until 6pm, and phone lines are open from midday until 3pm.
All bus services will be put back two hours and twenty minutes. Gates open at Madejski Stadium at 3:50pm.
Saturday's game is the last time that the Greyhound Stadium is available for matchday parking.
Lower west, east, north and south stands
Adult £23
65 and over £17
17-21 £17
16 and under £12
Upper west stand
Adult £26
65 and over £18
17-21 £18
16 and under £13
On a matchday, prices are £4 more each.
Tickets for the Derby County home game on Saturday 8th November are also on sale now. We also have a superb offer of a free child's ticket when you book a place on one of our soccer schools - more details in the Ticket News section. Reading