The Hoops boss took Burton up from League Two before departing for Loftus Road in December, but is finding life a lot tougher at his current club.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Queens Park Rangers manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has insisted that his players must not underestimate his former side Burton ahead of the first ever league meeting between the two clubs.
Rangers know they will be leapfrogged in the table by the Brewers if they are defeated at the Pirelli Stadium this evening, and they are looking to end a run of five matches without a win in all competitions.
Sebastian Polter faces a fitness test ahead of the match
“It won’t be an easy game,” Hasselbaink said. “They are a high-tempo team who like to play at their full capacity when they’re on the ball. They work very hard for each other and we will have to be at our best to get a positive result.”
The Dutchman knows more than most about Burton’s strengths, having been in the home dugout with the Brewers for a successful stint of just over a year from November 2014. Gary Rowett left big shoes to fill, but Hasselbaink continued his good work and led the club to League Two promotion at the end of the 2014/15 season.
Their momentum continued into League One, and by the time the former Chelsea striker was tempted by the offer from QPR in December last year he had set Burton well on their way to a second consecutive promotion. He left the club with a win ratio of 61%, and admitted that he is looking forward to catching up with some old friends.
Queens Park Rangers manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
“I look forward to all the games, so this is no different in that respect, but it will be nice to go back to Burton,” he said. “It will be good to see a few familiar faces again, but there are three points at stake and that is my only focus.”
Hasselbaink is acutely aware of the need for three points having come under fire from Hoops fans in recent weeks, most notably after the embarrassing 6-0 defeat at home to Newcastle.
Fans at Loftus Road are growing restless at the cautious and defensive nature of the football being played by their side, somewhat surprising as their manager was such an attacking force as a player. However, Hasselbaink’s success at Burton was built on a strong defence and it seems as if he is aiming to continue that formula in West London.
Sunderland’s Paddy McNair scored a brace to knock QPR out of the EFL Cup
So far, though, he is finding victories much harder to come by at QPR. After starting the season in impressive style by comfortably dispatching Leeds and Cardiff, the Hoops have struggled for goals and points in the matches since and travel to the Midlands looking for their first win in the month of September.
The club received a further setback this week when it was reported that Steve McClaren turned down the chance to rejoin the coaching staff at Loftus Road.
Sebastien Polter and Jordan Cousins are both in a race to be fit for the clash and will face late fitness tests, but QPR will definitely be without James Perch and Ben Gladwin with knee and ankle injuries respectively.
Queens Park Rangers’ Jordan Cousins and Swindon Town’s Jermaine Hylton in action
Hasselbaink is likely to receive a very warm welcome from the supporters of his former club out of respect for the fine job he did with Burton, and for having the courage to take the job in the first place – many illustrious former players wouldn’t dream of starting their English managerial career in the fourth tier.
If he leaves his former stomping ground without a win this evening, however, the pressure from his current club’s faithful will increase. Just two seasons ago QPR were in the Premier League with Burton in League Two; the fact the Brewers could end tonight above the Hoops just goes to show what a dramatic contrast in fortunes the two have faced in the time since.
Who do you think will come out on top at the Pirelli? Leave your predictions below.
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