A lot has changed in the two years since Queens Park Rangers last visited Broadhall Way. On that occasion it was Mark Stimson beginning his 16-month stint at the Borough helm, while in the opposite dug out was Gary Waddock, who last year guided Aldershot Town to the Blue Square Premier title. This time around Graham Westley is looking forward to his first game back in charge at Broadhall way, while Ian Dowie is settling in at his new job at Loftus Road.
On that July afternoon two years ago the visitors ran out comfortable winners, 4-1. The season’s crop of stars at QPR include Argentinean midfield player Emmanuel Jorge Ledesma, Italian midfield star Matteo Alberti and Italian Striker Sameul Di Carmine. The only injury worry that Ranger’s boss Ian Dowie has is goalkeeper Radek Cerny, who is unlikely to make the trip.
"Ledesma and Di Carmine have done really well and I'm really excited about seeing them in action,” Dowie told QPR’s official site. “Alberti missed a few days training at Bath with a slight knock, but again, he's settled in fantastically well.
“We're really looking forward to getting our pre-season campaign underway. It's a good first test for us and it's come at the right time. The players are in a good physical condition and although we'll mix it about a bit in terms of rotating the players, it's a game we want to win. We'll look to be attractive going forward and resolute at the back and I'm relishing leading QPR for the first time."
Borough boss Graham Westley is also looking forward to the visit of the Championship side, after starting the pre-season campaign with two midweek victories.
“It’s my first home game since coming back and I’m looking forward to that,” he said. “It’s been fantastic to be back in the Stevenage camp and the fans have been great at supporting us both here and at Gillingham a couple of days ago, but there is nothing like being in your home ground.
“Hopefully the lads can build on what they did on Thursday night, certainly in the second half, build at what they did at Gillingham the other night and put in a decent performance in what I am sure will be an exciting game.
“It’s a challenge for the players isn’t it? There are a lot of them in there who will believe their futures lie at a higher level and it’s a great opportunity for them to put down the marker and show they belong against Championship players. QPR will be up for it, they have a new manager in the camp and he is going to want to pass himself into the Premiership and there should be two good passing sides on the field and a lot of exciting football.”
|
1 of 1
