QPR Savaged By Wolves

Oops, that didn't go according to the script did it? At half time on Wednesday, the Rs were reckoning on having 26 points tonight, with Premiership survival looking like a probability. Instead, the Hoops are languishing on 21 points, having thrown away a two goal lead against Villa and a goal advantage against Wolves. The next two games are now huge: Blackburn away and Fulham at home simply must yield a minimum of four points. Lose at Blackburn and draw against Fulham, and the Hughes bubble will be well and truly burst.

Warnock must be sniggering. His QPR beat Wolves 3-0 and defeated Chelsea at home 1-0. Hughes comes in and both results are reversed despite investment in new players. Not what Doctor Fernandes ordered!

And, of course, Cisse is now banned. All that money for him to collect a stupid red card after his traditional debut goal. The trouble is, Cisse has regularly started with a bang but ended with a whimper.

I did warn that Wolves did a number on West Ham a couple of seasons back, and Jarvis and Doyle were stars on that night too. This will be a massive boost for Wolves and will provoke anxiety in the ranks of the Hoops. Just as I warned, it is all very well having a good forward line, but you need a strong defence in the Prem too - and Ferdinand and Nedum leave a lot to be desired as a centre back pairing: both need a leader alongside them. There's a certain irony in rumoured QPR target Bassong being in gold today, but he is in the same category as the QPR boys, ordinary at best.

So, QPR's Premiership survival could hinge on the next couple of games. It is frightening that only 2 of 11 home games have been won - and they were against a team reduced to 9 men (who dominated the second half) and bottom placed Wigan. Both Blackburn and Fulham will be keen (excuse the pun) to make a point against their former manager and big questions will be asked of Sparky if the Hoops blow their lines in the next two contests.