Positive Park leads QPR’s fight

AFP

Park Ji-Sung is optimistic Queens Park Rangers can carry on their unlikely fight against relegation.

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London – Park Ji-Sung is optimistic Queens Park Rangers can carry on their unlikely fight against relegation away to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Seemingly dead and buried a fortnight ago, QPR won away to Southampton and then beat Sunderland last week to give themselves hope of avoiding relegation.

A 10-point gap to safety has been cut to four, while they now stand level on points with the second-bottom side, Reading.

“Our performances in the last two matches have been good, so we have a good chance of getting out of it,” said Park. “The other players believe that as well, and now we need to keep this momentum going until the end of the season.

“I'm not putting too much emphasis on winning twice in a row. We're very satisfied that we are getting better and now we need to prepare for the next match. We need to keep winning and to get out of the relegation zone.”

Park continued: “The mood in the changing room after winning and losing is totally different. I can see more players laughing after winning a match, and it will have a positive effect in the next match.”

Aston Villa are fourth-bottom, having climbed out of the relegation zone with victory at Reading last week.

Reading sacked manager Brian McDermott this week after four straight defeats and are unlikely to have anybody installed for their trip to leaders Manchester United.

Caretaker boss Eammon Dolan is almost certain to be in charge for that game. “One thing we pride ourselves on here at Reading is unity and Eamonn will no doubt focus on that moving forward together,” said midfielder Jobi McAnuff.

“We have nine games to go and, with our supporters alongside us, we will give it a real shot, starting on Saturday.”

Wigan Athletic, who slipped into the relegation zone last weekend having been in FA Cup action, host Newcastle United on Sunday.

Southampton, who have won just once since Mauricio Pochettino took charge and are only three points clear of the drop, host improving Liverpool, while Sunderland, six points clear but having taken just two points from their last six games, have a vital home game against Norwich City on Sunday.

Tottenham Hotspur continue their fight for Champions League qualification at home to Fulham on Sunday, while Chelsea host West Ham United, who beat them 3-1 at Upton Park earlier in the season but will be without forward Joe Cole who has a hamstring injury.

Second-placed Manchester City go to Everton, while Arsenal are at Swansea City and Stoke City host West Bromwich Abion.– Sapa-dpa