Birmingham City v QPR

1. ASMIR BEGOVIC
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
KEY THREE
Goalkeeper | DOB: 3 February 1995
Queens Park Rangers pulled off one of the signings of the summer in persuading
the colossal shot-stopper to head to Loftus Road on a one-year deal.
Having served Portsmouth, Stoke City, Chelsea, Bournemouth and Everton in
the Premier League, as well as amassing 63 international caps for Bosnia and
Herzegovina, the 6ft 6ins goalkeeper brings a wealth of top-level experience to
West London.
Gareth Ainsworth could not have asked for a more capable replacement for
the out-going Seny Dieng, and said of his 36-year-old captain: “This is a huge
signing for QPR and for me personally. Asmir is going to add so much. People I
talk to in the game cannot recommend his professionalism and the leadership
he’ll bring highly enough.”
4. JACK COLBACK
The tenacious central-midfield scurrier provides the grit and a will to win
through the centre of the park that was absent too often last season.
The 33-year-old joined as a free agent in the summer after 11 appearances in
the Premier League for Nottingham Forest, having been part of their promotionwinning
side of 2022. It was the second time he had achieved the feat during his
15-year career, having also earned promotion from the Sky Bet Championship
with hometown Newcastle United.
Colback has scored in trips to Southampton and Middlesbrough already this
season and Gareth Ainsworth is hoping his determination rubs off at Loftus
Road, with the Rangers boss saying: “He is a great player and will add energy and
experience to us. He has got quality on the ball, but he has tenacity off it and a
winning mentality, which will, hopefully, be contagious.”
10. ILIAS CHAIR
Coaxing the best from the mercurial Moroccan could be the difference for
Queens Park Rangers as they look to kick on under Gareth Ainsworth.
The 25-year-old talisman has been a regular supplier of goals since joining in
2017 from Belgian side Lierse, scoring 26 times and providing 24 assists in just
over 200 appearances.
The highly-regarded creative spark was on hand to provide the cross for QPR’s
leveller in midweek against Swansea City and is once again among the division’s
leading lights for chances created.
Attacking midfielder | DOB: 30 October 1997
The talented playmaker has the craft and guile to unlock the tightest of defences
and Ainsworth has been impressed with the attacking fluidity of Ilias Chair and
Chris Willock behind targetman Lyndon Dykes, saying: “You put a structure in to
get them the ball but they pop up in areas and see passes and moves that I don’t
see as a coach. It’s great to see the fluidity they go forward with.”
Centre-midfielder | DOB: 24 October 1989
22 | BLUES NEWS BIRMINGHAM CITY V QUEENS PARK RANGERS