QPR V Aston Villa 18th December 12:00

So here we are with a chance to start putting right Tuesday's disappointment right and start heading back in the right direction.

Managed by a half arsed clown who was only ever briefly famous, QPR sit in 18th place and are on a run of 1 win in 8. Before anyone gets too excited Norwich were on a run of one win in seven before we pitched up at their place and gave them no contest whatsoever. The Sky TV cameras will be in attendance and we haven't won under the glare of those for two years, a run of 19 games. Suitably chastened and remodeled a game against this badly out of form team would be just what we need. Sadly, the portents are far from auspicious.

So what do we anticipate against Rangers? And it's abundantly clear we need to change things around but what changes should be made?

Steve Bruce needs to be "Stevie no mates" from now on. He cannot put an arm round the shoulder of players who have run out of excuses for pointless performances.

Ruthless Brucey this weekend please!

I'm going to say we will win, but it's not based on form, common sense or logic.

We're on a better run than QPR but agree that common sense is pointing in another direction.

In terms of changes to personnel, I would like to see Bacuna and Tshibola alongside Jedinak in midfield. I think we need a lot more energy in that area than Westwood or Grealish can offer. Front three should see Gestede and Adomah joining Kodjia. I guess it's still too early for Baker?

Sandie wrote:We're on a better run than QPR but agree that common sense is pointing in another direction.

In terms of changes to personnel, I would like to see Bacuna and Tshibola alongside Jedinak in midfield. I think we need a lot more energy in that area than Westwood or Grealish can offer. Front three should see Gestede and Adomah joining Kodjia. I guess it's still too early for Baker?

I agree with your changes and I don't think Baker's ready yet. We need him!

How times change. I've always been a big Baker fan but can recall finding myself in the minority about him. Now it's apparent that he's become a crucial part of our spine.

Sandie wrote:How times change. I've always been a big Baker fan but can recall finding myself in the minority about him. Now it's apparent that he's become a crucial part of our spine.

Every team needs a "Baker" type in the middle of defence. I've been a fan of his since I first saw him as a gangly left back for the reserves years ago. The fact that he's a Worcester lad helps to.

At least we don't have to worry about losing today!

The more I think about tomorrow the more I see it as a must win game. No excuses.

Most of the players who should have been dropped after Tuesday have been dropped. Baker is back but Tshibola still doesn't make the squad. However, Bunn worries me as does the fact Flabby still gets into the squad.

I'm going to have to watch this match and then comment on the team selection.

Bunn?

At least Baker's back.

We have assembled an expensive cadre of strikers and each of them is out of form and low on confidence. Kodjia looks a shadow of the player he was just a couple of months ago.

Amavi, Adomah, Baker, Chester and Bunn are doing okay. We still look like a bunch of individuals rather than a team. McCormack has to hold the ball up every time it comes to him because he has no one making runs for him. The referee has got most things wrong which doesn't help.

Villa clearly have better players than QPR, so nothing but three points will be acceptable.

Sandie wrote:We have assembled an expensive cadre of strikers and each of them is out of form and low on confidence. Kodjia looks a shadow of the player he was just a couple of months ago.

He's being played as a left winger which has to change his game. Play him as a target man Steve. We are allowed to play a centre forward aren't we? At the moment our play is either on the right or left touch line, with very little happening in that large space in the middle.

villabromsgrove wrote:He's being played as a left winger which has to change his game. Play him as a target man Steve. We are allowed to play a centre forward aren't we? At the moment our play is either on the right or left touch line, with very little happening in that large space in the middle.

Supposedly Kodjia plays on the left as he's told Bruce that's where he prefers to play. The lack of a centre forward in our formation is probably a big factor in our lack of goals. Why don't we do what a lot of limited teams used to do and play a targetman, namely Gestede, and go route one?

Sandie wrote:

villabromsgrove wrote:He's being played as a left winger which has to change his game. Play him as a target man Steve. We are allowed to play a centre forward aren't we? At the moment our play is either on the right or left touch line, with very little happening in that large space in the middle.

Supposedly Kodjia plays on the left as he's told Bruce that's where he prefers to play. The lack of a centre forward in our formation is probably a big factor in our lack of goals. Why don't we do what a lot of limited teams used to do and play a targetman, namely Gestede, and go route one?

With the lack of creative midfielders that's a good question.