R'S FANS CAN HELP PLAY-OFF BID
By David McIntyre
Ian Holloway is urging QPR fans to stay behind their team as they chase a play-off place.
Rangers face Championship leaders Sunderland this weekend with their hopes of a second successive promotion still alive.
And Holloway believes all the pressure is on the visitors and the other more fancied sides vying for a place in the Premiership.
The Rs boss said: “Just look at the position we’re in - now let’s make the most of it.
“We weren’t expected to be there and this stage of the season and what that means is we don’t carry the weight of expectation the other teams do and all the pressure that goes with it.
“Let’s make it hard for these teams. We’ve got some big games coming up and the teams we’re playing won’t fancy playing us at our place and our away support will help us too.
“What I want is for our fans to make it hard for whoever we play and get right behind our boys. The fans have never let me down when I’ve called for their help before and they won’t now.
“My players are in this position few predicted they’d be in. It’s a wonderful position to be in and I don’t want any expectation on their shoulders, just hope - the hope that we might do it. That could carry us through.
“The belief and the energy the fans can give the players is phenomenal as we saw near the end of last season and the season before that. Let’s have some more of that.
“I want the fans to cheer on our boys like never before and see how far it takes us. The chance of getting into those play-offs is there. Let’s not be anxious or expectant - let’s just go for it.”
Holloway was yesterday (Thursday) mulling over his team selection and must replace Gareth Ainsworth, who is likely to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury he suffered at Rotherham.
Martin Rowlands may go to the right flank but has impressed since moving into the middle, so recent signing Dean Sturridge could land a starting place with Kevin Gallen dropping back into midfield.
Promising defender Dominic Shimmin, 17, is set to land a place in the squad following his deadline day move from Arsenal.