QPR v Blackpool Preview

This fixture really does involve two sides with completely contrasting budgets. QPR are the moneymen in the division, owned by one of the world’s richest men and splashing the cash like its no tomorrow. Blackpool on the other hand are more stringent although saying that, they have smashed their transfer record this summer so perhaps the purse strings are being loosened.

Some managers wouldn’t touch the QPR position with a bargepole, so new boss Jim Magilton must be very brave. Under the control of Flavio Briatore, Rangers have gone through a ridiculous amount of managers and the last man to be in the hot seat only lasted a few months. Still, Magilton has been backed significantly this summer and while he hasn’t brought in a vast amount of players, he has obviously invested in quality. The club spent a whopping £3.5m on Alejandro Faurlin while fellow signing Alessandro Pellicori will presumably be on high wages as well. The club finished in 11th position last season and that wasn’t enough to save Paulo Souza’s job. With that, Magilton will have to really get the best out of his squad if he isn’t to meet the same fate.

Blackpool have also installed a new manager through the summer with Ian Holloway winging in to Bloomfield Road. The former Plymouth boss has a decent record of managing clubs with small budgets and the Tangerine faithful will be hoping he can build on Simon Grayson’s success through the last few years. In the last few days the Seasiders have broken their transfer record by bringing in Charlie Adam in a £500k deal and following his successful loan spell last season, that is a great piece of business for them. Holloway has also opted to bring in experience with Jason Euell arriving on a free transfer, while Billy Clarke has the chance to resurrect his career having signed from Ipswich. However, a lot of Blackpool’s players were on loan deals last season and with Shaun Barker leaving the club, it means their squad is significantly smaller and it remains to be seen how they’ll cope if injuries hit them.

As for team news, Jim Magilton has been handed a few pieces of good news with Matt Connolly, Akoz Buzsaky and Mikele Leigertwood all being passed fit to start. Blackpool don’t have many concerns either although Ian Holloway will be without Danny Coid and Stephen McPhee who are both injured. However, all of the summer signings are fit and expected to feature in some capacity.

QPR may have the superior budget but Ian Holloway has always been a manager who has developed fighting teams who never give up. Blackpool certainly don’t have a bad squad and as they’re at full strength this weekend, we can see them netting a 1-1 draw here.