QPR suffered yet another defeat away from home after a 1-0 score against Newcastle United during the weekend.
This was the eighth league defeat of the season for Harry Redknapp’s team. They have only managed two wins this season. As a result, they find themselves once again after 12 matches. Those two victories have come at Loftus Road, which midfielder Joey Barton sees as a vital ingredient towards the club’s survival in the league this season. QPR’s performances have vastly improved after switching to a back four formation in the last few weeks, but it has not exactly translated into points.
The intimidating atmosphere at Loftus Road has helped them get narrow victories over Aston Villa and Sunderland. Barton says that the club should make use of the home matches in order to take points.
QPR could have had more wins at home had it not been for the unlucky defeat against Liverpool and draw against Manchester City despite dominating for much of the match. QPR are up against Leicester City, who were also promoted this season, this weekend at Loftus Road. Leicester are going through a poor patch and Barton sees this match as the ideal encounter to kickstart the campaign.
Three points against Leicester could see them leapfrog Nigel Pearson’s team.”You’ve got to pick yourself up in this league very quickly. We’ve been very good at home recently. That’s got to be the priority for us – turning Loftus Road into a fortress and making it a difficult place for teams to come to.Credit to the lads, we’ve done that all season. Anything away from home in the Premier League is a bonus. It was an understrength Newcastle side – one that has been in great form – but one we felt we could do a number on,” said Barton.
