Barnsley v QPR – Preview

Vital Barnsley caught up with the Vital QPR editor prior to this weekend’s Championship clash at Oakwell.


Here is the Q&A with Boxer.


The last time the two sides met at Oakwell it was a drab 0-0 stalemate, – do you anticipate a better game this time round?

I certainly hope it would be an improvement on the display I witnessed first hand last season, being one of the happy few in the away end at Oakwell on the evening an earthquake hit the UK. It was an entirely forgettable game but nevertheless a decent point.

I have visions of Istvan Ferenczi missing an open goal right infront of us, which was welcome relief as we were under a bit of pressure at the time, not to mention the fact you were in the middle of your giant-killing exploits – I was happy with a point.

This time round I think the game will be a lot less tense and a little more open, it will have to be because I feel we will dictate it that way. The pace and guile of Cook and Routledge will force the opening and not be as restricted as Balanta and Buzsaky were last year.

Who is the man Barnsley fans should watch out for this weekend?

QPR now have several different points of attack at their disposal in stark contrast to recent years where we have been restricted to either Cook or Buzsaky. With Wayne Routledge firing on all cylinders he is a man that should be ignored at your peril with his pace and flair enough to open even the most tightest of rearguards.

Other than that Lee Cook has began to fire crosses in with renewed vigour with Liam Miller and Mikele Leigertwood always likely to threaten from midfield. Our strike-force is our weakest threat at the moment with Helguson, Di Carmine and Blackstock unable to find the back of the net regularly as Sousa often leaves Dexter on the bench and rotates between the latter two in the lone striker`s role.

Conversely, are there any players in the Rangers side you would love to have in your line-up?

I have always been an admirer of the abilities of Michael Mifsud and his abilities to create things from nothing for his side. His main problem however has been consistency, but in a one off game can be a real threat that has to be nullified.

Other than that he is unavailable, but Jamal Campbell-Ryce is another player that can unlock defences with a moment of genius and a couple of goals in his career has shown that he is more than capable of hitting the right areas as well.

Every team needs a worker and Bobby Hassell is the epitome of Barnsley`s graft and work-rate to stay in this league year upon year. He is an extremely adaptable player that would fit in with many squads at Championship level.

Finally what are your predictions for the game?

I think we can take the bull by the horns and win well at Oakwell this weekend. I understand we haven`t picked up a win on Barnsley territory for 12 years since Frank Sibley`s men broke your 100% record near the start of the campaign but nevertheless the players at our disposal should be able to do enough.

The sheer amount of creative outlets as mentioned above is cause to celebrate for many Rangers supporters, with no one specific playmaker being marked out the came and ultimately stifling our creativity.

I expect us to win and keep a clean sheet, maybe 2-0 is the best I can hope for in this situation and I would certainly be delighted to leave a tough ground with such a result.

Thanks to Boxer over at Vital QPR