Thank goodness for Lewes FC!
Once upon a time its coaches moved a 16-year-old Grant Hall into central defence. He had just joined the club after being released by Brighton & Hove Albion FC.
The 25-year-old started out as a striker and steadily shuffled down the pitch into a midfielder’s role before finally finding his home in defence.
Hall has proved to be an inspiring signing since moving to Loftus Road in the summer of 2015 and should be back in the fold once he regains his match fitness. The former Tottenham defender played his first 45 minutes of the season on Monday night for the R’s reserves since recovering from his persistent knee injury.
This is the man who once sustained an ankle problem in the most embarrassing of ways while out on loan for Blackpool back in 2015. He scored an own goal when the ball smashed into his face and then into the back of the net. And to add insult to injury, he then twisted his ankle as he landed on the ground following the blow to the face.
Hall will hope the Hoops’ dreams don’t get crushed on Saturday as they look to end their run of five games without a win against struggling Sunderland, who have fared well in this fixture of late.
QPR last won on Wearside in 1973 to a weary Black Cats who had certainly painted the town red after winning the FA Cup against Leeds just four days earlier. While Sunderland manager Simon Grayson has also not lost to the R’s in his last seven league meetings.
Can Ian Holloway’s men end their poor record with Sunderland on Saturday? I am going for an away win.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
