The QPR defender believes Newcastle are under a lot of pressure to live up to their ‘Championship favourites’ title.
QPR’s James Perch in action with Blackburn’s Derrick Williams
Queens Park Rangers defender James Perch is looking forward to go up against his former club Newcastle United at Loftus Road on Tuesday evening (7.45pm kick-off).
Perch spent three seasons at St. James’ Park making 81 appearances before being sold to Wigan Athletic in 2013.
The versatile Englishman became a surprise fan favourite during his time on Tyneside for his consistent defensive displays during the 2011/12 season in which Newcastle finished fifth in the Barclays Premier League.
James Perch in action for Newcastle
In fact Perch developed somewhat of a cult legend status for the Magpies after he recovered from a poor start at the club to become a regular member of the first team with Geordie fans nicknaming him ‘Perchinho’.
And while the 30-year-old told Get West London that he has, “nothing but love for Newcastle,” he also issued a word of warning ahead of Tuesday’s match.
“Teams like Newcastle and Villa have come down with that pressure of needing to go straight back up,” he continued.
Perch celebrates scoring Newcastle’s first goal at Old Trafford
“With the squad Newcastle have got, the resources the manager and the fan base they are definitely the favourites.
“So the rest of the teams in the Championship now can go under the radar a little bit and keep all the pressure on those boys.”
This will be the first time Perch has faced his former club and he will be hoping to pick up a victory that will see the Rs leapfrog United in the Championship table.
Queens Park Rangers manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Will Newcastle beat QPR?
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