Holloway bullish ahead of derby encounter

Ian Holloway has again talked up his side’s chances ahead of a derby against Brentford, declaring that QPR will “chase them until they make mistakes” and “force them to do all sorts of stuff” in the game at Griffin Park. 

Holloway left out midfielders Josh Scowen and Luke Freeman for Saturday’s home defeat against Preston partly because he wanted them to be fresh for this weekend’s match.

Brentford are just four points outside the play-off zone and Holloway is determined to secure a first win against them since his return for a second spell as Rangers manager.

He said: “I rested one or two to play in that game – and we’ve got to get about them like our life depends on it.

“We’ve got a local derby coming up. I can’t wait to get over there and absolutely chase them until they make mistakes.

“We’re going to try and beat them. It’s about time we did. I haven’t done it since I’ve been back so it’s about time we did that.

“I made a load of changes in the cup game and we got stuffed. I didn’t like the feel of that.

“Well done to them for the style that they play, but we’re going to try and stop them playing and force them to do all sorts of stuff. 

“If they (Brentford) are good enough to do it then well done to them, but let’s try and make it a local derby that we can remember for a long time.”

Holloway’s fighting talk: round three

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Saturday’s match will be the third clash between Rangers and Brentford this season.

Holloway was similarly bullish earlier in the campaign. 

Round one: ‘Gloating’ Bees win easily

The first meeting was a one-sided Carabao Cup game at Loftus Road in August, when both sides fielded fringe players and Brentford strolled to a 4-1 win.

Bees fans enjoyed that victory, prompting Holloway to declare after the game: “They were gloating. I don’t care, they can do what they like.

“I don’t really give a monkey’s who we’ve just played and who we’ve just lost to in the cup. Let’s take them on in the league and we’ll see how we get on.

“I don’t want to lose to them, but I’d love to play them every week with my proper team and we’ll see.

“I can’t wait. It’s just spiced up the away game and the home game for me – just spiced it right up.”

Round two: Rangers rally

November’s league meeting at QPR, who were struggling at the time, was almost as one-sided until Holloway’s team scored two injury-time goals to draw 2-2 and snatch an unlikely point.

He said in the build up to that encounter: “This is a great opportunity to take on Brentford. We can win that, beat them and everything will feel a bit better.”