Queens Park Rangers certainly hit form at the right time to make sure they didn’t get sucked into a relegation fight.
One defeat in the last six – four of them wins – and this weekend they host bottom side Rotherham United at Loftus Road.
It will be win number of five out of seven, come 5pm on Saturday. And that means they will definitely be in the Championship next season and allow them to see the season out without a worry.
On paper, look at the Hoops' next three games. Derby County, away – and they’ll have the new manager effect, then it’s Aston Villa and Brighton. Tough, tough encounters.
If they can get at least three points then they should be happy with that return. Of course, all nine would be superb.
The only other games I would say they will win are against Bristol City and Nottingham Forest. The others will probably be draws and defeats, against the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Brentford and Norwich City.
But, back to this Saturday and it’s a big chance to boost the confidence further against strugglers Rotherham. They are there for the taking, in my opinion. Without being disrespectful, why can’t Rangers go and score four or five without reply?
Alex Smithies picked up a deserved clean sheet at a tough place in Leeds last weekend, a side in form and looking for promotion, and he has a great chance for a second one, back-to-back.
Massimo Luongo and Luke Freeman were in fine, fine form at Elland Road and they’ll no doubt start, while it could be a chance for Idrissa Sylla to pick up another goal as he gets used to English football.
Matt Smith could be a good strike partner for Sylla to work off against Rotherham, but would mean Conor Washington would have to drop to the bench. What an option though to come on, depending on the scoreline.
We all remember the outcome in December against the Yorkshire outfit, so some payback is in order at Loftus Road, and I think it will be dished out accordingly.
If Rangers can get two goals early on in the opening 20 minutes, I think we could see a hammering of the league’s bottom side.
But just don’t go into it complacent thinking it will be a stroll. Make it happen and whatever after that is a bonus to move up on to 50 points.
