AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth will be looking to make progress when they face Championship strugglers QPR in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
The Cherries will have fond memories of their most recent encounter with the Londoners, Dom Solanke’s goal earning them a 1-0 win in December 2021 on their way to promotion to the Premier League.
QPR appointed former Hammarby boss Martí Cifuentes as their new head coach at the end of October, the Spaniard replacing Gareth Ainsworth.
Cifuentes, who was in charge of the Swedish top-flight club for two years, made a promising start to life in the hotseat at the MATRADE Loftus Road Stadium.
The Hoops won three and drew three of his first seven games, beating Stoke, Preston and Hull and drawing with Rotherham, Bristol City and Plymouth.
A dip in results has seen them lose four of their past five games with Paul Smyth’s strike in their 2-1 defeat by Cardiff on New Year’s Day their only goal in their past four games.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash, afcb.co.uk caught up with Dan Evans who covers the fortunes of QPR for the South London Press.
QPR PROFILE
Founded: 1882
Ground: MATRADE Loftus Road Stadium
Nicknames: The Rs, the Hoops
Record appearances: Tony Ingham – 548 games (1950-63)
Record goalscorer: George Goddard – 186 goals in 260 games
Head coach: Martí Cifuentes (appointed October 2023)
Club captain: Asmir Begović
League position: 23rd (in Championship)
Leading goalscorer: Lyndon Dykes/Kenneth Paal/Chris Willock (three in Championship)
Last game: QPR 1 Cardiff City 2 (Championship)
afcb.co.uk: Summarise the season so far for QPR?
DE: It’s been a pretty miserable season for QPR.
It started with Gareth Ainsworth in charge. He is a club legend as a player but it never really worked as a manager.
They only won two of the first 15 games and found themselves in the relegation zone.
They changed to Martí Cifuentes, who was a bit of an outsider for the job because nobody in the UK had really heard of him.
He had a good instant impact and only lost one of his first seven games.
But they are now six games without a win and in the relegation zone so everything is feeling a bit bleak again.
afcb.co.uk: How have Martí Cifuentes’s (pictured above) first couple of months in charge gone?
DE: He definitely brought some hope back. The team is a lot more organised now than it was at the start of the season.
But there are still real issues with scoring goals. They are the joint lowest scorers in the Championship.
They have only scored one goal in their past four games and that’s since the change of manager.
I think the fans are still very positive about him. They see him as a guy who, even if they are relegated, could potentially lead a promotion charge.
There’s a lot of faith still in the manager, but I think there’s quite a miserable mood around the club just because of how the last year or so has gone.
afcb.co.uk: How do you think the head coach will approach the FA Cup in terms of team selection?
DE: I think he will rotate quite a lot because they need to start picking up points in the Championship and this looks like quite a tough game, given how Bournemouth have picked up form.
He’s got quite a few injury problems as well. Ilias Chair and Chris Willock, who have probably been the best two players under Cifuentes, both missed the game on New Year’s Day with hamstring injuries.
Steve Cook also missed that game so I don’t think they will be risked against Bournemouth.
It will probably be guys who have been on the bench quite a bit recently and maybe even some guys from the B team.
afcb.co.uk: Give us a word on Steve Cook (pictured above)?
DE: When he’s played, he’s been consistently quite good.
He’s just had a few fitness issues and I don’t think he’s played more than four games in a row since he signed in the summer.
He’s been really good since Cifuentes came in and his ability on the ball has really helped.
He’s been a really solid defender and is a big miss when he’s not available.
afcb.co.uk: Give us a word on Asmir Begović (pictured above)?
DE: Asmir was brought in to be the captain and the number-one goalkeeper.
I would say he’s had an up and down season. But it’s difficult as the goalkeeper when you’re in a struggling team.
He’s had some really good games since Cifuentes came in.
But in the last game, he came out for a corner, didn’t quite get to the ball and Cardiff scored their winning goal. That has maybe tainted how fans have seen him.
But Cifuentes has praised his experience and leadership so he’s been a useful signing.
afcb.co.uk: Who is their one to watch?
DE: Kenneth Paal (pictured above), the left-back.
He’s been consistently quite good, even before the change of manager.
He is probably the most consistent player and has stood out in a team which has struggled. That has made him a bit of a fans’ favourite.
He takes all the set-pieces and has a good left foot. He’s an attacking left-back rather than just a defender.
He stands out from left-back because of his ability to cross the ball, shoot from distance and take set-pieces. He’s a defender who catches the eye.
afcb.co.uk: Are any key players either injured or suspended against the Cherries?
DE: Ilias Chair, Chris Willock (pictured above) and Steve Cook could feature. But after the New Year’s Day game, Cifuentes said it’s more likely they will be back for the next Championship game.
Jack Colback hasn’t played for a month and hasn’t been in the squad since.
In terms of established first team-players, that’s it.
afcb.co.uk: How do you see the game panning out and what’s your score prediction?
DE: I know Bournemouth have a decent sized squad so they may rotate as well.
But it doesn’t really matter which team Bournemouth put out, I still think it will be a real struggle for QPR.
I’ll go with a 2-0 win to Bournemouth.
You can follow Dan on X (formerly Twitter) – @danevansftbl
Officials: Rebecca Welch (referee), Stuart Burt (assistant), Daniel Cook (assistant), Tom Reeves (fourth official).
