Hull Versus QPR - Previews

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Hull vs QPR: Hull have 27 points. QPR are one place above with 30 points. QPR have a 4 goal better goal difference (so a 3-0 win by Hull would put them above QPR)
Hull's Home record: 3 Wins...2 Draws...7 Defeats...Scored 17...Let in 18
QPR's Away Record 3 Wins...3 Draws...7 Defeats...Scored 15. Let in 22
Hull Results
Hull's Squad

Teams from our last visit to Hull: (Opening Day last season:)
Hull City
Boaz Myhill, Danny Coles, Leon Cort, Andy Dawson, Mark Lynch (Damien Delaney), Ian Ashbee, Nicky Barmby (Craig Fagan), Stuart Elliott, Ryan France (Jason Price), Stuart Green, Stephen McPhee
QPR
Simon Royce, Marcus Bignot, Matthew Rose, Danny Shittu, Marc Bircham, Tommy Doherty (Gareth Ainsworth), Martin Rowlands (Dean Sturridge (Stefan Moore)), Georges Santos, Lee Cook, Paul Furlong, Kevin Gallen
Report & Recollections from Last Season's Trip to Hull - Report

Hull Rivals Preview of QPR Game - Preview

Ron Norris/Simon Skinner - QPRNet Pre-match Assessment

QPR Rivals - Hull Preview Rivals

Hull Official Site - Selection Headache For Brown
City boss Phil Brown admits he has plenty of selection headaches ahead of this weekend's huge game against Queens Park Rangers.
With Damien Delaney and Dean Marney returning from suspensions and Nick Barmby expected to be fit again, Brown must decide whether to stick with the same players who earned a draw against Premiership side Middlesbrough in the cup last Saturday.
"The players have made things very difficult for me," Brown told www.hullcityafc.net
"Danny Coles and Sam Ricketts came in last week and did well. You're not just talking about those two either.
"Stephen McPhee came in, Nicky Forster came off the bench and made it even more difficult for me by scoring.
"That all bodes well for the squad as it stands. I've emphasised in the press this week that the only players who will come to this football club during the transfer window will have to be able to improve the squad.
"We've lost Craig Fagan and that will give opportunities to other people. Stuart Elliott started the game last Saturday and did very well for 60 minutes.
"We've also got Darryl Duffy and he realises that he now has a chance at this football club whereas a few weeks ago he thought the door had closed on him."
Brown found the FA Cup as an enjoyable distraction but he says the players are now once again focussed on the most important thing of all - league football.
"It's back to the important stuff now. Although the cup was a slight distraction, it has probably done us a favour because the players who were due to serve a suspension are now back for the QPR game.
"That was a blessing in disguise, but we've put an emphasis on focusing on the league now and putting on a performance to cause QPR sufficient problems.
"QPR have an opportunity to come to the KC Stadium and maybe shut up shop. But it's up to us to get the ball down and play the way we have been playing in recent weeks.
"I would like to think that the KC Stadium can become a bit of a fortress and that was emphasised by our performance against Middlesbrough last week."
A win by three goals tomorrow would see the Tigers move above QPR in the table, but for now Brown is just concentrating on picking up maximum points.
"My emphasis is that this is just another three points. A win would bring a fifth horse into the relegation fight and hopefully by the end of January we will have brought six or seven teams to the party.
"That would mean that we were starting to climb away from that end. The only way we can do that is by beating QPR, Crystal Palace and then Leeds.
"But we're focusing on one game at a time. We have to go into the game confident, which I think we are. We have to go into it with belief, which I think we've got and we have to go into the game thinking we can win it, which I think we are."
City have looked good going forward in recent weeks but the defence will have to be on their toes tomorrow to deal with the likes of Dexter Blackstock and Ray Jones.
The pair have netted 13 goals between them so far this season, but Brown is confident his centre backs can handle their style of play.
"We have centre halves who are in form and the only way to remain in form is to make sure you stamp your authority on the game.
"The only way to do that is to stop the opposition from playing. We have the added bonus of a sitting midfield player and over the last few weeks, Ian Ashbee has grown with that role.
"We'll be tested, but it's always nice to know you have a 6'2" midfield player sitting in front of your centre halves.
"It's up to QPR to break that down. If we do things right and get enough possession, it's about us hurting the opposition in the final third. We have the players to do that." Hull

HULL OFFICIAL SITE
Delaney Prepared For Battle
Damien DelaneyDamien Delaney knows he faces a battle to win his place back in the City side for the home game against Queens Park Rangers this weekend.
Delaney missed last weekend's FA Cup draw with Middlesbrough through suspension and the Irish defender isn't expecting to walk straight back into the team.
"I am expecting a tough battle and I don't expect to just walk back into the team," said Delaney.
"That is the way it should be. It should teach people not to get suspended because you know that if you're out of the team, there are plenty of good and hungry players waiting to take your place.
"But I've got no problem with that and I'm glad it's that way. Hopefully I will get back in, but we'll just have to wait and see."
With QPR just three points ahead of the Tigers in the Championship table, Delaney agrees that a win would be massive for his side.
"It is a big game, although it is still only early January. We don't want to be playing massive games in January because there is still a long way to go in the season.
"QPR is an important game, but whoever we were playing tomorrow, it would be just as important to me. We need to win every game and take three points."
City have shown much improvement over the last few weeks and Delaney says playing in the team has been very enjoyable.
"It's always enjoyable to play in the side. The lads up front are playing well at the moment and scoring goals.
"The football we're playing is a lot better, we're passing the ball around and retaining possession well now.
"Trust me, as a defender, that is a relief."
Since Phil Brown took charge of the Tigers, Delaney has enjoyed an extended run at centre back and with the exception of last Saturday, he is delighted to have settled back into his favoured position.
"It's enjoyable to be playing in a team that is doing well. If you look at our form over the last six games, it's probably something like promotion form.
"We've got 19 games left this season, so hopefully we can maintain that kind of form."
If selected, Delaney is expecting a tough test against the likely QPR front pairing of Dexter Blackstock and Ray Jones.
"They are two difficult players to play against. I think I've played against Blackstock before, but I'm not too sure about Jones.
"I've spoken to the rest of the lads and apparently they were a big handful down at their place earlier this season.
"It's not going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination."
Delaney will also be looking to break a trend between now and the end of the season as he goes in search of his second goal of the season.
He notched his first in the 4-1 demolition of Cardiff last month and he is determined to make sure that isn't the last time he celebrates a goal this campaign.
"I'm looking to break my trend of one goal a season. I know I say that all of the time, although at this stage it's just important that somebody gets on the scoresheet." Hull

QPR OFFICIAL SITE TIGERS
It's a six-pointer in every sense, as the R's begin a run of four crucial away games with a trip to the KC Stadium - home of fellow strugglers Hull City - on Saturday.
In their first year in the Championship, Hull just managed to achieve their target of survival - but this year is shaping up to be just as tough.
Peter Taylor's summer departure, coupled with the failed Phil Parkinson era left the Tigers with a mountain to climb.
Undeterred, Phil Brown - Sam Allardyce's former assistant at Bolton Wanderers - has wasted no time whatsoever in stamping his authority on proceedings.
Having been publicly backed by his players and having picked up some decent results in his role as Caretaker Manager, it came as no surprise that he was given the job on a full-time basis.
His record speaks volumes: a shock 4-1 win over Cardiff was followed with a hard-fought 0-0 draw with fellow strugglers Leeds, before a slender 2-1 loss to Leicester.

But back-to-back wins over Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday and creditable 1-1 draw with Premiership outfit Middlesbrough in Saturday's FA Cup third round tie has left the Tigers dreaming of another season in the second tier of English football.
Top scorer (league goals only): Jon PARKIN 6
Tigers top-scorer Jon Parkin
Last league game:
Hull City 1, Middlesbrough 1.
FA Cup, third round.
January 6th 2007.
Hull City: Myhill, Ricketts, Coles, Turner, Dawson, France (Featherstone 90), Ashbee, Livermore, McPhee (Forster 76), Parkin, Elliott (Duffy 60).
Subs Not Used: Duke, Plummer.

ull manager Phil Brown: "There was a hell of a lot to be pleased with. The lads are disappointed after the game, which is a good sign.
"I said we wanted to be in the hat for the fourth-round draw and we have managed to achieve that, albeit with a replay.
"I was mindful of the run we were on and wanted to go into the QPR game undefeated, and that is what we have done."

Superhoopsbet.co.uk match odds:
Hull City 11/10
QPR 11/5
Draw 11/5

Key player: Boaz MYHILL
Born in the United States, Boaz - full name Glyn Oliver Myhill - joined the Tigers in a £50,000 deal in December 2003 (with a contract up to June 2006).
It proved to be a master stroke of a move for both parties, with the Tigers sealing back-to-back promotions in his first two seasons at the Club.
Bo continued to be a near ever-present in 2005/06 and went on to collect the Tigers Player of the Year award.

Head to head:
Hull City wins: 12
QPR wins: 9
Draws: 12

Michael Bridges and Damion Stewart
in action earlier this season

Last meeting:
Queens Park Rangers 2 (Jones, Blackstock), Hull City 0.
Football League Championship.
September 23rd 2006.

Craig Fagan

Latest News: Derby complete signing of Fagan
Derby have completed the signing of 25-year-old Hull striker Craig Fagan on a three-and-a-half year contract.
Fagan, who joined the Tigers from Colchester two years ago, has scored six goals this season and sealed his £750,000 move on Monday evening.
He began as an apprentice at Birmingham before joining Colchester, where he scored 14 goals in the 2004-05 season. (source: www.bbc.co.uk/sport QPR