QPR’s ‘big-game players’ can make the difference, says Gallen
Kevin Gallen believes dealing with Derby’s pace and counter-attacking ability will be crucial to QPR’s chances of winning Saturday’s play-off showdown at Wembley.
The Rams have been touted as slight favourites for the big game, having finished a place higher in the table.
But Gallen says Rangers are blessed with “big-game players” who are capable of making the difference if they impose themselves.
The former R’s striker said: “It’ll be a tough game between two evenly matched sides.
“Derby cruised through their play-off semi-final – they were much better than Brighton – and finished above QPR in the table, so they’re a good team.
“I think QPR will look to dominate possession, while Derby are a very good counter-attacking team and that could cause a problem because they have pace and running ability all over the pitch.”
Gallen added: “There’s no doubt that Derby are in good form and have good players that Rangers will have to look out for.
“Chris Martin isn’t one of those who has pace but I played with him at Luton when he was on loan there and he always had ability. He’s as good a finisher as I’ve seen and can strike the ball with his left and right foot.
“[Craig] Bryson is a very good player, as is [Jamie] Ward, and [Johnny] Russell has a lot of pace.
“But QPR have come into form as well and also have good players, with a goalscorer in Charlie Austin and I think more options in midfield.
“Joey Barton was outstanding in the semi-final against Wigan and so was Niko Kranjcar. They ran the midfield and showed what they’re capable of.
“QPR have got big-game players who will want to perform in a game like this. I think it’ll appeal to them.”
Gallen was a key member of the last Rangers team that appeared in a play-off final, in 2003.
They were beaten in extra time by Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium despite a gallant effort – a far cry from the abysmal showing when QPR last played at Wembley, in the 1986 Milk Cup final.
And Gallen, a lifelong R’s fan who made more than 400 appearances for the club, is confident there will be no repeat of the infamous debacle against Oxford 28 years ago.
He said: “I was at the game in ’86 as a fan and it was an absolute disaster.
“We looked over-confident and you look back now and although Oxford were underdogs that day, they had a very good team and players who went on to better things.
“We knew we wouldn’t produce a performance like that in Cardiff. We were desperate to win and I thought we would, but we knew it’d be a tough game and we were the kind of team that was always going to give everything.
“I don’t think something like ’86 will happen with this QPR team. For a start they’ve got no reason to be over-confident, because it’s an evenly matched game with two good teams.
“You do have to be confident though and the Rangers players will be. You need to feel you can stamp your authority on a game and QPR have the players to do that if they perform.
“Without being over-confident, before a big game like a play-off final you have to picture yourself playing well and winning the game. Any football psychologist will tell you that.
“The key is to focus on the game and put all the other stuff to one side. All the buzz about tickets, the fans getting excited, is great, but there comes a time when you have to forget all that and focus on winning the game as you would any other.
“Players have people asking them about tickets and there comes a stage where you just tell people you haven’t got any and you just concentrate on the game and remove yourself from the other stuff.
“I’m not even at QPR any more and I’m being asked if I can get people tickets – and as players you get a lot of that. You have to put it to one side.”
Gallen will be at Wembley with his family, including his parents and brothers Steve – QPR’s Under-21 boss – and Joe, who previously had a similar role at the club.
Kevin Gallen explained: “It’s my daughter’s First Communion on Saturday at 11am and afterwards it’ll be a case of getting everyone home and then out to Wembley.
“I’m looking forward to it and I think we can be optimistic. It’ll be a tough one but we’ve got every chance of winning the game and getting back to the Premier League.”
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