Having claimed back-to-back away league victories against Bristol City and Birmingham City, QPR had to beat League One leaders Rotherham United the hard way in their FA Cup third-round clash last weekend.
After a goalless draw in 90 minutes, substitute Lyndon Dykes cancelled out Michael Ihiekwe’s opener in extra time to force the tie to penalties, with goalkeeper Jordan Archer saving the decisive spot kick to help the Hoops win 8-7 on penalties.
Mark Warburton labelled his side an “average team” in his post-match interview but credited the spirit that his players showed for fighting until the end to progress into the fourth round, where they will face Peterborough United next month.
QPR’s next challenge is a home clash with playoff rivals West Brom, a side who they have struggled against in recent meetings. Four of their last five encounters have ended in defeat and they have conceded 16 goals in the process.
While the Hoops will be keen to end their winless run against the Baggies on Saturday, they will also be seeking to avoid a third successive defeat at home, after losing without reply to Stoke City and Bournemouth in their last two games.
Victory for Warburton’s men would see them leapfrog West Brom into fourth place, with a game in hand on both Blackburn Rovers and Bournemouth in the top three.
West Bromwich Albion extended their winless run across all competitions to four matches when they suffered an extra-time defeat at home to Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup third round last weekend.
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Despite taking the lead two minutes after the break through Callum Robinson, the dismissal of Baggies centre-back Cedric Kirpe benefited the visitors, who equalised in the 81st minute thanks to Jakub Moder, before Neal Maupay scored the winner eight minutes into extra time to send the Seagulls through to the fourth round.
A lack of discipline has seemingly proven costly for Valerien Ismael’s side over the last week, with three red cards and six bookings in their last two matches. In addition, no Championship team has received more red cards than West Brom (five) so far this season, while only five clubs have picked up more yellow cards.
West Brom’s slight dip in form has seen them slip further away from the automatic promotion places, with six points now separating them in fourth with second-placed Fulham, who have a game in hand
