ANOTHER season and with it fresh hope that QPR can finally enjoy a cup run to remember – something not achieved since Rangers reached the FA Cup quarter-finals back in 1995.
The intent to do so will certainly be there. Indeed, R’s boss Mark Hughes - speaking in tonight’s ‘Hoops’, our official matchday programme – has labelled the Capital One Cup as a ‘competition we will take seriously this term.’
The Welshman has always been a firm believer that a healthy cup run can supplement a side’s league form, so expect Rangers to go at full throttle in their second round tie with Walsall this evening.
Jose Bosingwa is expected to make his home debut for the R’s after featuring in our 1-1 draw at Norwich City on Saturday, while Shaun Wright-Phillips – who impressed in pre-season – is also likely to start.
Bobby Zamora is definitely out, however, after receiving stitches for a head wound picked up at
Carrow Road.
Walsall collected their first league win of the campaign against Notts County at the weekend and are likely to be high on confidence ahead of tonight’s fixture at Loftus Road.
Speaking ahead of this evening’s clash, Saddlers boss Dean Smith said: “This is a game that we are all looking forward to.
“We go there with no pressure, determined to play with a smile on our faces. If you play in this way, you tend to get better performances, so hopefully that will be the case this evening.
“We’re not going there just to make up the numbers, though. We’ll look to play the kind of football that I know we are capable of and see where it takes us.”
Did You Know? Walsall
THE GAFFER – After a spell as caretaker manager, the Saddlers appointed Dean Smith as manager on January 21st 2011. The 41 year-old, who possesses his UEFA Pro License, was the club's Head of Youth before taking temporary charge at the Banks's Stadium. Smith's playing career began with the Saddlers and he also became one of the youngest-ever players to captain the club.
THE SADDLERS – Walsall has been famous for leather goods for hundreds of years, particularly for Saddlery. Walsall’s nickname is the ‘Saddlers’, there is a club in Walsall called ‘The Saddler's Club’, and Walsall’s new shopping centre is called ‘The Saddler's Centre’.
VILLA HIGH – Walsall’s highest ‘home’ attendance was set in 1930, when they played in of front of 74,600 fans against Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round. Although a home match for Walsall, the tie was played at their opponents’ Villa Park ground.
Match Odds with Bet Victor
QPR win: 1/3
Draw: 4/1
Walsall win: 9/1
Last Meeting
Football League Division One: Walsall 2, QPR 3 – Saturday 18th March 2000
Scorers: Walsall – Barras, Hall; QPR – Larusson (OG), Wardley, Kiwomya
Match Officials
Referee – M Naylor
Assistants – C Brook & M Bull
4th Official – W Linden
Capital One Cup – Second Round Fixtures (kick-off 7.45pm unless stated)
Tuesday 28th August
Aston Villa v Tranmere
Burnley v Plymouth
Carlisle v Ipswich
Coventry v Birmingham
Crawley v Bolton
Doncaster v Hull
Gillingham v Middlesbrough
Leeds United v Oxford Utd
Leicester v Burton Albion
MK Dons v Blackburn
Norwich v Scunthorpe
Nottm Forest v Wigan
Preston v Crystal Palace
QPR v Walsall
Sheff Wed v Fulham
Stevenage v Southampton
Stoke v Swindon
Sunderland v Morecambe
Swansea v Barnsley
Watford v Bradford
West Ham v Crewe
Yeovil v West Brom
Reading v Peterborough (8pm)
Wednesday 29th August
Everton v Leyton Orient
Thursday 30th August
Northampton v Wolves
Next QPR fixture
Saturday 1st September 2012 – Manchester City v QPR (5.30pm)
Ticket News
Tickets for this evening’s tie will be on available on the night.
Supporters will be able to purchase tickets, which are on general sale, with cash from the matchday kiosks and credit/debit card from the QPR Box Office.
South Africa Road, the East and West Paddocks and Loftus Road Lower will be open.
Prices: £15 Adults; £10 Juniors Under 16 / Seniors Over 60 / Young Adults 16-21; £10 Disabled / Ambulant (carer free of charge).
Season Ticket Holders who requested the Automatic Cup Tie Scheme have had their tickets processed and uploaded on to their season cards automatically.
Season Ticket Holders with the Automatic Cup Tie Scheme in Ellerslie Road and Loftus Road Upper have been re-allocated into South Africa Road and should have received a paper ticket in the post.
Season Ticket Holders not on this scheme are NOT guaranteed their seat and must purchase a ticket.
To book, call 08444 777 007,
click here or visit the QPR Box Office in person.