Relegation run-in - QPR and Burnley win
Last updated : 04 April 2007 By Peter Bulkeley
Rangers earned themselves a narrow 1-0 win at home to promotion chasing Preston North End with a goal from top scorer Dexter Blackstock, who has now scored 11 goals, over twice as many as Luton's top scorer Dean Morgan (top scorer that is still at the club I mean). Statistics from the match show that the game was actually a very close one, with Preston having 9 shots to QPR's 7, but the statistics don't matter now. Even if they didn't deserve it, Rangers still managed to get a victory, something that Luton have struggled with this season. One poor result from our point of view at the bottom was bad enough, but two in one night was hard to take. Despite not achieving a league win since November, Burnley strolled to a 4-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle. The respective results now see the league table at the bottom look as it does below. The team to catch at the bottom is now Barnsley on 41 points. Luton, on 37 points, have also got to overtake both Southend and Leeds United on 39 before we can even think about safety. The relegation fight may now be down to just five teams with the good form of Hull recently and with Burnley's win last night, or maybe Luton can only catch four teams realistically now.
Good Friday sees Hull City play at home to Norwich City. A win for the Tigers in that match could almost guarantee them safety, as it would mean they overtake Leicester if they lost to Derby and would be 9 points clear, 11 ahead of us. Southend are also in action, with a home match against local rivals Colchester United. Colchester have found the Championship a lot easier than Southend have, yet away from home they have still only won four times, so by the time Luton face Southampton on Saturday, we could be another point off safety should Southend win. On Saturday, Burnley face a difficult match at St. Andrews against Birmingham City. Leeds have a much easier task ahead of them, playing Plymouth Argyle at home. Barnsley have to travel to Ipswich Town, whilst QPR go to Coventry, who are experiencing a revival of fortunes under Iain Dowie. Luton have a difficult match at home to Southampton. The Saints won 6-0 at Wolves last Saturday against a much stronger defence than Luton's, so hopefully their exploits last weekend will have tired them out. If not, then we will need a miracle at Loftus Road Easter Monday if we are going to survive relegation. At least the reserves won again.
