QPR's best chance of breaking a shocking away record is to go for the throat and play an attacking 4-4-2 system at Burnley, reckons Richard Dunne.
Rangers visit Turf Moor knowing trips over the next three months look easier on paper while home games get harder.
No side in Premier League history has survived without at least one away win - and the stalwart defender reckons Burnley is as good as place as any to get a first three points on the road.
Rs should revert to something closer to the side that drew 1-1 with Swansea on New Year’s Day following the abject surrender to Sheffield United in the FA Cup on Sunday, an exit that was minus Dunne and four others from the starting side against Swans.
The first nine away games have produced a blank as Rs often shored up defence with Charlie Austin left to forage on his own up front, but the Irish defender believes that can change against the second-bottom side.
"The away games are now more realistic in getting points insofar as they’re against the teams we’re going to be battling against (to avoid the drop),” Dunne said.
“Previously, we just played teams in the top half of the table and we knew they would be tough trips.
“Now we’re going into a set of games where we can pick up points. But we need to work as we have at home and take the risk of going 4-4-2 away.
“The game against Burnley is massive, and we need to try and open a gap and get to 40 points as soon as possible.”
GetWestLondon asked Dunne whether in his wildest dreams the 35-year-old thought he would eclipse Rio Ferdinand, brought in with much fanfare during the summer, as the genial Irishman was scheduled for a bits-and-pieces role in the shadow of the former Manchester United legend.
“The manager has signed players, but everyone is having their chance,” Dunne offered. “It’s great to be given the chance to repay the manager's faith in me even though he has options, and to be kept in the team is really good."
Another who thought he might warm the bench - but has become an unsung hero, is also looking to battle Burnley.
Karl Henry said: “I see Burnley, with no disrespect to them, as being a good place to go.
“They have a tight pitch as well, and we need to be direct and press them.
“We’ve played teams in the top half of the table, but we’ve a much better chance of beating them at home than away.
"Now it’s a different kettle of fish. You can’t compare going to Burnley to Chelsea, Southampton or Arsenal, and I’d like to think we can approach this game with confidence.”
Keep in touch with all the build-up and post-match reaction to Burnley v QPR right here on GetWestLondon.
