The French Connection: Honeymoon period to end for QPR and Warnock

The French Connection / Andrew French / 12 March 2010 / Leave a Comment

Neil Warnock has made a tremendous start as manager of QPR, but his side face a stern test against Sheffield United this weekend

Back Sheffield United @ [2.11]; Back Southend @ [2.13]; Back Bury @ [2.28]; The Treble pays approximately 10.37

Sheffield United may be poor away from Bramall Lane, but on their own turf they are in tremendous form. Andrew French believes the Blades will end Neil Warnock's fine start at QPR and includes them in this week's treble.

Leg 1: Sheffield United at [2.11] to beat QPR

What an impact Neil Warnock has had at QPR. Two games, two wins, and suddenly life looks much rosier from 15th position in the Championship table. However, they were both home games and one was against a side seemingly doomed - it's going to get much harder this weekend and I think Sheffield United will end the honeymoon period.

On the road, Rangers have been abysmal; four consecutive defeats without scoring, no away wins in nine attempts, seven of which have been defeats. Warnock may have worked the Oracle at Loftus Road, but it's going to take a bit more to change Rangers' ways once they head out of London. And Sheffield United is not the place to go with a bad away record. The Blades have won seven of their last nine (and drew the other two) at Bramall Lane - such is their poor away form that home games are essential to United's promotion push and, at [2.11], I'm backing them to beat the Hoops.

Leg 2: Southend at [2.13] to beat Exeter

It promises to be pretty grim stuff at Roots Hall as Southend host Exeter in League One. These two footballing luminaries have managed the grand total of four points between them in the last six games, and the pair are divided by just one goal with the Essex side in the relegation zone and their West Country visitors perched directly above them. However, at home, the Shrimpers have some redeeming features: they were unlucky last-minute losers to Charlton last time out, and drew the three home games before that.

Exeter, conversely, are dreadful on the road. They have drawn one and lost the other seven of their last eight away games - while they have not won a game, home or away, in eight attempts. Back Southend at [2.13].

Leg 3: Bury at [2.28] to beat Macclesfield

With Notts County seemingly recovered from the after-effects of the Sven media circus, the pressure on the top three sides in League Two is increasing. County have games in hand on all those around them, so the likes of Bury have to keep on winning - and I think the Shakers will do so when they visit Macclesfield. Alan Knill's side have lost only once in 14 games and have an away record that compares favourably with anyone in the division. Macclesfield have not won any of their last five games at the Moss Rose, losing three. With Macc having a fair buffer between themselves and the drop zone, the need of Bury is greater - so back them at [2.28].

*The Treble pays around 10.37