Match Day Thread Burton v QPR ( Friendly )

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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink looks ahead to this evening’s friendly against Burton Albion ...

• QPR play Burton Albion this evening (Tuesday)
• Match being played at Pirelli Stadium (Kick-off 7:45pm), Burton
• LIVE four-camera stream available for QPR PlayerHD subscribers

JIMMY Floyd Hasselbaink will take his side to familiar surroundings this evening as the Hoops head up to Burton Albion to play a pre-season friendly against his old club.

The Brewers were the big surprise package of League One last season when they remarkably secured back-to-back promotions following a second place finish behind champions Wigan Athletic.

The side from East Staffordshire were in the Unibond League just 14 years ago, which highlights just how far they’ve come in such a short space of time.

Undoubtedly Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink played a major part in Burton’s success, securing promotion to League One and leaving the yellows top of the league before becoming manager of the R's in December 2015. Nigel Clough has since continued the fine work after he was appointed as JFH's successor.

Built on a fantastic team ethic and strong defence, Burton conceded the fewest goals in League One last season and are certainly a difficult side to break down.

They lost one of their best attacking players earlier this summer as Mark Duffy moved to Sheffield United on a free transfer but have strengthened with the addition of forward Chris O’Grady on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion and Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine, who was bought from Ross County for a club record fee. They’ve also added to their defensive ranks bringing in Kyle McFadzean from MK Dons and Ben Turner from Cardiff City.

Clough’s men have been in good form this pre-season, securing victories over Leek Town, Stoke City, Kidderminster and Matlock Town. Their only hiccup was a 1-0 loss away to Exeter City.

Speaking to www.qpr.co.uk, Hasselbaink has stated that he is expecting his players to be 100 per-cent concentrated for this evening’s game.

He said: It’s a strange feeling to be going back but it’s one of those things that you deal with in football. They’ve done extremely well to get promotion and for me to go back and see some friendly faces is going to be nice, but most important for me and the players is that we are fully concentrated on going there to play a game.”

And the Rangers boss is adamant that despite only being friendlies, the next couple of games are vital in terms of preparation for the new season, which is now just 12 days away: “For me it’s very important," he said.

"You want to improve and work on certain things and you want to see how we develop and see if the team is getting it. It is also very important for players to get their fitness up.

“We want to improve, it will be tough I know that. I know them and they are hardworking honest bunch of players who are going to give us a good test."

But the R’s chief was not giving too much away in terms of team selection. Asked whether we will be able to read much into the players that start at the Pirelli Stadium, the manager’s response was short and sharp: “No, I don’t.”

Tonight’s fixture also has something riding on it as the two clubs are competing for the local Bass Charity Vase Trophy.

The Bass Charity Vase was founded in Burton in 1889 and is a football competition where the proceeds from the game go towards medical related and hospital charities.

Tickets will be available to purchase cash only from the main ticket office at Burton Albion. The prices are as follows: £15 all adults and £10 under-17s. Please note, supporters purchasing under-17 tickets will be required to show proof of ID at the turnstiles on match day.

Read more at http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/2...ndly-preview-3206013.aspx#8OtgwytRJD7ByrXk.99

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Hunger Games actress Willow Shields spotted in her QPR suit in Burton Town centre.​

 

Burton had the meanest defence in League One last season. Coupled with our lack of goals this could well be another 0-0.

 

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