Faurlin: Rangers are ready for Chelsea

Alejandro Faurlin says QPR are ready for the daunting challenge of facing Chelsea.

Rangers are gearing up for their first league match against the Blues since 1996 and are 17/2 outsiders to win, with many expecting Sunday’s west London derby to be a very one-sided affair.

But midfielder Faurlin insists they are determined not to let their fans down.

“It will be tough and probably a lot of people don’t expect much from us, but I can tell you now that we are really motivated,” he declared.

“Every one of the players is looking forward to this. We have the massive support of the fans and we want a good performance and to get a good result. We want to make them proud.

“Before Fulham we were doing very well and playing some good stuff. We have to focus on playing again like we did then. We know we can do it.”

The recent 6-0 defeat against Fulham was an ominous sign ahead of the local encounter that means much more to the R’s faithful than that game did.

Before the clash at Craven Cottage, Rangers boss Neil Warnock dismissed its significance as a derby, but he has assured supporters that he understands this weekend’s game is different.

Warnock also revealed that as well as a number of fans, the Mittal family have been quick to tell him how important it is.

“This is it. This is the game everyone has been looking to,” said Warnock.

“And it’s the game Amit Bhatia and his family have been on about the most. It means a lot to them, this one.”

For Faurlin, whose move to Loftus Road triggered the FA hearing it was feared might cost QPR promotion, the encounter with Chelsea will be one to savour for obvious reasons.

“These are the games every player wants to play in and I am excited,” said the Argentine.

“Six months ago I was inside Wembley Stadium and it was like I’d murdered someone, standing there saying ‘I will tell the truth and the whole truth.’”