Oppo Angle

Last updated : 30 December 2005 By Will Holyoak

Holloway















What was your first game?
It was against Coventry in the 19945 season, the year we came 8th in the Premiership and Les Ferdinand scored 24 league goals. The score was 1-1.


What is the worst game you've been to?
I’ve enjoyed plenty of useless performances by the R’s throughout the years, something I’m sure Crewe fans can sympathise with. We lost in the playoff final the year Crewe were last promoted and we sunk as low as losing to Vauxhall Motors in the FA Cup a few years back. Although my worst is probably the time we lost to Stockport 3-0 on the last game of the 2000/01 season that we were relegated. Justin Cochrane made his debut as a sub that game...only to be sent off 5 minutes later; he never played for us again.


Which current crewe player impresses you most?
There’s been plenty of speculation about David Vaughan recently and it seems he’ll be the next Crewe player to make a move to a bigger club. I know though that Billy Jones is well thought of at Crewe as well as in the young international scene.


Which former crewe player impresses you most?
Dean Ashton is of course the obvious favourite but I’ve always been impressed by Rob Hulse. He hasn’t been given much of a chance at clubs since Crewe yet he always seems to play well when he gets a game for Leeds.


Ian Holloway has come under some pressure of late at QPR, what are your thoughts regarding his position?
Since he joined QPR we’ve had a lot of good times: in the playoffs, gaining automatic promotion on a memorable day at Hillsborough and an impressive finish in the first season back in the Championship but maybe he’s gone as far as he can. His tactics are often baffling, particularly with substitutions. If he leaves soon he’ll remain to be seen in a good light.


Where do you think QPR will finish this season?

The Championship is a strange league. We’re 13th in the league but only 6 points of the playoffs and 10 points from Crewe and the relegation zone. I’m hoping for around the same as last year but we need to start playing much better otherwise we could end up nearer relegation.


What are QPR's strengths?

We have a relatively tall side fit at the moment with Dan Shittu and Georges Santos playing as centre-backs and Marc Nygaard upfront. He should be a threat to your defence with four goals from only six starts. I imagine that Lee Cook will start on the left wing and may trouble your defence at times.


What are QPR's weaknesses?

We are one of the worst teams for fair play in the league this season with four red cards and countless yellows already - this could be a problem. Our right back Marcus Bignot copes consistently well with most players however his height can be an issue. Holloway, if you can take anything he says seriously, mentioned at the start of the season he would not be playing Bignot because of his height. He has fortunately failed to keep this promise.


Which team do you want to beat the most?

Cardiff, for the sole reason of their behaviour before and during the Division Two Playoff Final. Fortunately we achieved this last Wednesday.


What do you think of Loftus Road?
It's certainly a little bit different to most of the modern grounds in the division. We've got a fairly good atmosphere and I like the sense of tradition it has to it, even if the stands are a horrible washed out blue colour.

Are you missing any key players?

Only Steve Lomas is missing from the game on Saturday and I believe we have better central midfielders available anyway.


What is your predicted score?

I’m afraid I’m going for a QPR victory. Crewe haven’t been themselves for a time, or maybe they have and that’s the problem!


Who’s going up?

The top three at the moment; Reading, Sheffield Utd and Leeds through the playoffs.


Who’s going down?

I’m afraid it’s Sheffield Wednesday, Brighton and Crewe.


Team to watch?

I’m not sure about that but I’m surprised to see Burnley as high in the league as they are. Norwich are also moving upwards after a pleasingly miserable start.


QPR player to watch?
Marc Nygaard – His height and aerial prowess could cause your defence problems