BARNSLEY FOOTBALL CLUB

The Reds will be looking to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat at Derby when they take on QPR tonight.

The 2-1 loss at Pride Park was just the Club’s third defeat in their last 11 on the road, with the Reds having gone three unbeaten away from Oakwell prior to their visit to Derbyshire.

It leaves Paul Heckingbottom’s side in 11th place and although the Reds now sit 11 points behind the play-off places, a ninth away win of the season would see them move 10 points clear of Tuesday’s hosts.

Ian Holloway’s men go into the game on the back of their third victory in four games.

Saturday’s 2-1 success against Cardiff follows further wins against Birmingham and Wigan in recent times, as the Hoops continue to improve under their charismatic manager.

Two of those victories have come on home soil and after winning just once in seven at home prior to that, they are beginning to turn Loftus Road into somewhat of a fortress. 

 

The Reds will be looking to end a horrific run of results at Loftus Road.

Since the Club’s 2-2 draw there all the way back in November 1999, all nine visits have ended in defeats including the Reds most recent trip in October 2013 when a Charlie Austin double secured yet another home victory for the Hoops against Barnsley.

Indeed, we have won only one game away in this fixture in our long and illustrious history, a 5-0 victory way back in 1950.

The Reds have actually struggled both home and away in this fixture in recent times; losing their last six going into this season.

That unwanted streak of results was ended in August however when Josh Scowen’s late winner earned Barnsley a first win over QPR since 2009 and Paul Heckingbottom’s men will be wanting more of the same this evening.

Paul Heckingbottom may be tempted to freshen up his side following Saturday’s defeat at Derby.

Alex Mowatt, George Moncur and Ryan Kent will all be pushing for recalls, while Elliott Lee will be hoping for more minutes after the 22-year-old made his first appearance for the Club in almost five months at Pride Park, replacing Josh Scowen as a late substitute. 

QPR welcome back January signing Luke Freeman to their squad after the midfielder served a one-match ban against Cardiff on Saturday.

QPR’s hero in that game, Yeni Ngbakoto, will be pushing for a start after scoring one and setting up another after being introduced off the bench.

One man who will not feature however is Jordan Cousins who has a thigh problem, while Kazenga LuaLua remains doubtful with a twisted ankle.

The Reds will be looking to make it four wins in a row in the company of referee Tony Harrington tonight.

The Cleveland-based official was in charge of the Club’s 4-1 win at Wigan on the final day of last season, while he has also overseen Barnsley victories against both Derby and Cardiff this term.

In total the Reds have won four matches in his company; also drawing once and losing once.

Tonight’s game will be the fourth time Harrington has met with hosts QPR this season, with the Hoops beating Swindon in August and Ipswich in January, while he also oversaw their 1-0 defeat at Blackburn last month.

They are three of 27 games which Harrington has taken charge of this campaign, in which he has brandished 102 yellow cards but just two reds.

Conor Washington may have made a slow start to his Queens Park Rangers career but he is now starting to show the promise which saw the Hoops part with £2.5million to secure his signature.

The forward joined Saturday’s opponents from Peterborough in January 2016 after netting 33 times in 94 appearances for the Posh including 15 in the first half of last season.

Despite that he failed to find the back of the net for the Club last season which left many questioning the Northern Ireland international’s ability to play at the top level.

On the back of four appearances at the European Championships, he began this campaign with a goal on his first outing against Swindon, but that was one of just three he would score in the opening 25 games.

That poor return was largely down to Washington being played out of position but now starting in his natural centre forward position under new boss Ian Holloway, the former Royal Mail postman has hit four goals in his last seven appearances including strikes in wins against both Birmingham and Wigan.

The ex-Newport man has always showcased his ability to link the play and retain the ball well at Loftus Road, but he is now demonstrating at Championship level, the movement, anticipation and deadly finishing which saw so many Clubs register their interest in the 24-year-old just over a year ago.

Peter Ramage may never have signed permanently for the Reds but he did make 48 starts for the Club over two seasons.

The Northumberland-born defender first joined the Club on loan from Crystal Palace in September 2013 and despite featuring 25 times he failed to help the Reds survive relegation.

Following that demotion Barnsley re-signed the versatile defender in October 2014, with Ramage stating that the Reds were the only Club he would drop down to League One level to play for.

The former Newcastle man made an instant impact on his second debut, nodding a winner against Rochdale, which was the first of three he would score in 23 games that season as Barnsley finished 11th.

 

Upon his return to Selhurst Park, Ramage was released, with the 33-year-old since enjoying spells with Indian side Kerala Blasters, Coventry City, Leyton Orient (loan) and in August he agreed a switch to join United Soccer League outfit Phoenix Rising.

The American side became the ninth Club of Ramage’s career which included a four-year spell at Saturday’s hosts Queens Park Rangers.

He joined the R’s from boyhood Club Newcastle in May 2008 and made 74 appearances which included his first senior goal in August 2009 against Blackpool.

The former Tyke became a first team regular at Loftus Road in his first two campaigns with the Club but following an injury hit 2010-11 season, he spent the following campaign on loan at both Crystal Palace and Birmingham, before joining Palace permanently in August 2012. 

Barnsley’s last five away from home: (LWDWL)

Fulham 2-0 Barnsley

Rotherham 0-1 Barnsley

Reading 0-0 Barnsley

Aston Villa 1-3 Barnsley

Derby County 2-1 Barnsley

QPR’s last five at home: (DLLWW)

QPR 1-1 Fulham

QPR 1-2 Burton Albion

QPR 1-2 Huddersfield Town 

QPR 2-1 Wigan Athletic

QPR 2-1 Cardiff City

QPR play at Loftus Road, its address is as follows:

By Car

From North, M1 onto A406 West, then A40 at Hanger Lane to Central London. Turn off to White City, right into Wood Lane, then right into South Africa Road.  

From East, A40 (M) Westway, then turn off to White City, left into Wood Lane, then right into South Africa Road.  

From South, A3 follow signs for Hammersmith, then A219 to Shepherd's Bush, then towards White City (Wood Lane) and left into South Africa Road.  

From West, M4 to Chiswick, A315 and A402 to Shepherd's Bush, then towards White City (Wood Lane) and left into South Africa Road. 

By Tube/Train

The nearest tube station is White City on the Central Line, which is about a five-minute walk away. 

Also nearby (a little further along Wood Lane opposite the BBC Television Centre) is Wood Lane Station, which is on the Hammersmith & City line. It is approximately a 

seven-minute walk to Loftus Road. 

Alternatively, there are two other tube stations close by. Shepherd's Bush Market on the Hammersmith & City line and Shepherd's Bush on the Central Line.  

The former is a ten-minute walk away from the ground, while Shepherd's Bush takes about 15 minutes to walk from. 

The nearest overground train station is Shepherd's Bush, which is adjacent to the tube station. Trains from Watford Junction and Clapham Junction both stop here.

By Bus

283 to Bloemfontein Road or the 72, 95 or 220 to White City Station.

Parking

Street parking only. Please note that it is a residential parking area and it is advisable to read the signs before parking.