Rivals rumbled again

Last night lightning struck twice, with pretty much all of our rivals once again falling over themselves to do their bit for our promotion bid.

Not only did West Brom slip to another unexpected defeat, away at Barnsley, but there was an upset for Preston too, beaten at the previously impregnable Deepdale by lowly Reading. Elsewhere, in-form Blackpool went down at Bristol City, Saturday's visitors to St James' and Sheffield Utd could only manage a point at home to winless Ipswich, now rock-bottom of the league (though unfortunately for us Keano's defence once again did their darndest to lend their opponents a hand, obligingly throwing away a two goal lead).

Meanwhile, we have Nigel Pearson to thank for guiding his Leicester side to a first away victory of the season over the Smoggies. Another old boy was less generous, though, Michael Chopra getting Cardiff firmly back on track with four goals in a 6-1 demolition of Derby.

So, a win tonight would take us five points clear at the top, and seven points clear of third. Ryan Taylor is likely to miss out through injury, but with Danny Guthrie and Geremi available and the side full of confidence we would hope to have too much for QPR. Go to work, boys.