Barnsley travel to Loftus Road on Saturday to face a Queens Park Rangers side that rarely concede goals.
Guided by former Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp, QPR sit second in the Championship – the only unbeaten side in the division – and have conceded just twice so far.
Guided by former Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp, QPR sit second in the Championship – the only unbeaten side in the division – and have conceded just twice so far.
The Reds’ last victory over QPR on their own turf was back in January 1950. Gavin Smith and Jimmy Baxter bagged a brace each with Alex Wright notching the other but Danny Blanchflower received the most praise for his artistry on the pitch.
Jimmy Baxter - scored twice in Barnsley's last win over QPR at Loftus Road
Jimmy Baxter - scored twice in Barnsley's last win over QPR at Loftus Road
In fact, Barnsley last came away from Loftus Road with a point in November 1999 as goals from Geoff Thomas and Nicky Eaden earned a point in a two-all draw.
Our last visit to Loftus Road saw the R’s run to a 4-0 victory in August 2010 with Barnsley lining up as follows: Steele, Hassell, McEveley, Shackell, Foster, Doyle, Lovre, Devaney, Hammill, Colace, Gray.
Team News
Injuries are starting to ease off for the Reds but Luke Steele is still a doubt to feature in the squad as due to a back injury and his return is still unclear. Marcus Pedersen is hoping for a start having returned from a gashed foot to come on against Reading on Tuesday night, but it could be an unchanged eleven for Flitcroft’s men. Jean-Yves M’voto is out with an ankle injury picked up at Leicester City last Saturday and Luke Steele’s back injury has ruled him out for at least one week.
The hosts, meanwhile, are without goalkeeper Julio Cesar, defender Nedum Onuoha, strikers Bobby Zamora and Andrew Johnson, whilst Matty Phillips is still recovering from an arm injury.
Man in the Middle
Police Officer David Phillips takes charge of Saturday’s match at Loftus Road. The 45-year-old has taken charge of five league matches so far this season – all in Leagues One and Two – and has dished out 22 yellow cards and three red cards. Incidentally, Phillips officiated for Queens Park Rangers’ Capital One Cup defeat at home to Swindon Town back in August.
Phillips was the referee for Barnsley twice in the 2011/12 season in our 1-1 draw at Birmingham City (three yellow cards) in September 2011 and the 2-0 defeat at Southampton in March 2012 (One yellow card).
Their star man…
Charlie Austin scoring against the Reds at Turf Moor last season
Charlie Austin scoring against the Reds at Turf Moor last season
With a squad littered with Premier League and international experience, it’s still difficult to look beyond Charlie Austin as QPR’s dangerman. After hitting 28 goals for Burnley last season (two of which came against the Reds), Harry Redknapp paid an undisclosed fee to take the striker to Loftus Road. So far this season, the 24-year-old has struck four goals in all competitions and is closing in on 90 career goals.
Mutual Man...
Mike Sheron
Striker Mike Sheron joined Barnsley from QPR for £1.5million in January 1999 and went on to net 40 goals in 172 appearances for the Reds. Born in St Helens, he started out with Manchester City where he made 100 appearances and bagged 24 goals - as well as winning 16 England U21s caps. After a short loan spell at Bury, he joined Norwich City in a £1million deal in August 1994 but he was on the move again, this time to Stoke City, in November 1995 as he struck 34 goals in 69 appearances. Loftus Road was his next destination when QPR paid £2.75 million for his services in July 1997. In total for QPR he netted 19 goals in 63 games before signing for the Reds. Sheron boasted an incredible footballing brain and would occasionally bag spectacular strikes for the Reds. After departing Oakwell he joined Blackpool before short stints with Macclesfield and Shrewsbury. Mike is now Head of Academy Coaching at Rotherham United.
Other players to have played for both clubs:
Kevin Gallen
Striker Mike Sheron joined Barnsley from QPR for £1.5million in January 1999 and went on to net 40 goals in 172 appearances for the Reds. Born in St Helens, he started out with Manchester City where he made 100 appearances and bagged 24 goals - as well as winning 16 England U21s caps. After a short loan spell at Bury, he joined Norwich City in a £1million deal in August 1994 but he was on the move again, this time to Stoke City, in November 1995 as he struck 34 goals in 69 appearances. Loftus Road was his next destination when QPR paid £2.75 million for his services in July 1997. In total for QPR he netted 19 goals in 63 games before signing for the Reds. Sheron boasted an incredible footballing brain and would occasionally bag spectacular strikes for the Reds. After departing Oakwell he joined Blackpool before short stints with Macclesfield and Shrewsbury. Mike is now Head of Academy Coaching at Rotherham United.
Other players to have played for both clubs:
Kevin Gallen
Chris Barker
Daniel Nardiello
Akos Buzsaky
Akos Buzsaky
Martin Cranie
Peter Ramage
Going to the match?
Reds supporters will be able to pay cash on the turnstiles tomorrow at Loftus Road, with prices as follows: Adults: £30 Over 60s: £20 Under 22: £20 Under 16: £15
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