Burnley v QPR Match Preview

[outwoodclaret]

Venue: Turf Moor, Harry Potts Way, Burnley BB10 4BX.
Kick-off – 15.00 – Saturday 22 April 2023.

Cast your mind back to 2nd May 2016. On that day Burnley clinched promotion to the Premier League with a 1-0 victory at Turf Moor over QPR courtesy of a superb headed goal from Sam Vokes. Can Burnley now claim the Championship crown for the 2022/23 season against the same opponents at Turf Moor?

Cast your mind back to 22nd October last year and QPR were top of the table with 30 points from 16 games (W9 D3 L4) level on points with Blackburn Rovers and one point ahead of Burnley. However manager Michael Beale would leave Loftus Road at the end of November to take charge of SPL side Rangers. Former Blackpool boss Neil Critchley took over and won his opening game in charge against Preston 1-0 but that was his only win and he was sacked in February after just 12 games in charge. Former QPR player Gareth Ainsworth was quickly appointed to replace the departed Critchley but has been unable to halt Rangers slump. A home draw against Norwich on Wednesday evening leaves them just one point and one place above the relegation zone with 44 points from 43 games (W11 D11 L21).

Cast your mind back to Sunday 11 December. After a month long World Cup break Burnley travelled to Loftus Road and took Rangers apart with first half goals from Gudmundsson and Maatsen before Tella added a poacher’s goal in the second half to seal a 3-0 win. The return game at Turf Moor should be a formality but Burnley have put in two somewhat below par performances at relegation threatened Reading and Rotherham. Could a shock be on the cards? I think Vincent Kompany will want to get the job done so that the Clarets can travel to Ewood Park as the newly crowned champions. With that in mind Brownhill if fit and Harwood-Bellis could return to the starting line up along with Muric and Benson. Nathan Tella is unlikely to be available for this game so Barnes, Foster and Obafemi will challenge for a place up front.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

I don’t think VK will jeopardise our unbeaten home record by starting with Foster and just what is going on with Jay Rod? Funny how QPR have lost their rhythm Sir Outwood, be nice to get the job done on Saturday and thanks for the preview.

[outwoodclaret]

I don’t think VK will jeopardise our unbeaten home record by starting with Foster and just what is going on with Jay Rod? Funny how QPR have lost their rhythm Sir Outwood, be nice to get the job done on Saturday and thanks for the preview.

Win or draw we go 23 unbeaten BT. Haven’t we heard that somewhere before?

[kritichris]

Win or draw we go 23 unbeaten BT. Haven’t we heard that somewhere before?

It would be good to take Sean's record to Ewood and break it there. It's a pity we didn't break the 30 game run.

[sinkov]

and just what is going on with Jay Rod ?

My guess would be that as Jay apparently has no desire to play for the club next season, Vinni has no desire to play him for the rest of this season. Possibly Jay is also showing less than maximum effort in training, Vinni is of the same school as Pep and Arteta, they are both utterly ruthless, I have no doubt Vinni is as well.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

My guess would be that as Jay apparently has no desire to play for the club next season, Vinni has no desire to play him for the rest of this season. Possibly Jay is also showing less than maximum effort in training, Vinni is of the same school as Pep and Arteta, they are both utterly ruthless, I have no doubt Vinni is as well.

I think that just about sums it up mon ami. Bad way for Rodriguez to end his career at Turf Moor though if true.

[sinkov]

I think that just about sums it up mon ami. Bad way for Rodriguez to end his career at Turf Moor though if true.

I don't think Vinni is completely heartless, even if it turns out he won't play Jay, I'm sure he'll get a cameo appearance against Cardiff, just to wave bye-bye. But I'm only guessing, maybe he will start Jay again, what do I know ?

[kritichris]

Could it be that Jay has been told by VK he wont be featuring in his plans so Jay Has been looking elsewhere for this reason. I think if he'd been offered another (reasonable) contract he would have stayed at Burnley.

[Swissclaret]

I think that behind the smiles of both VK and Pace there are two driven individuals who are both pragmatic and realistic. JayR is past his best. Whilst his experience could be useful, I don’t see him as a PL striker. If the club has told Bashley that he has no future, I am sure the same will have been said to JayR. The money could be spent on the wages of one or two quality strikers that we will need.

I would not be surprised if Cork is on his way too.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

I think that behind the smiles of both VK and Pace there are two driven individuals who are both pragmatic and realistic. JayR is past his best. Whilst his experience could be useful, I don’t see him as a PL striker. If the club has told Bashley that he has no future, I am sure the same will have been said to JayR. The money could be spent on the wages of one or two quality strikers that we will need.

I would not be surprised if Cork is on his way too.

A fair appraisal I think S-c.