Roberto Martínez hopes squad rotation eases Europa hangover against QPR

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/dec/14/roberto-martinez-premier-league-qpr-europa-league

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If last season was hailed as an all-round success for two vibrant Merseyside clubs then the focus on the recent misery across Stanley Park has perhaps obscured that the reverse is applicable to both. Everton have won just one of their last six Premier League games; although victory over Queen’s Park Rangers would move them above Liverpool, there is a feeling that the rigours of the Europa League have done their campaign few favours so far.

That was certainly the case when Roberto Martínez spoke of “tired legs” after a draw with Hull in their last game at Goodison Park, where Everton have won only twice this season, with that result coming after away trips to Wolfsburg and Tottenham. Martínez made 10 changes for Thursday’s defeat to Krasnodar – only retaining Gareth Barry, who is suspended on Monday – and will hope that this helps change a concerning pattern. They have lost three times, and won only once, in their five post-Europe matches so far.

Martínez needs his team to find some rhythm and will be encouraged that Romelu Lukaku, after scoring twice in his first 10 games, has found some form with three goals in the last five. There is further good news in the comeback of Arouna Koné, who played his first game in 14 months against Krasnodar, while John Stones is in contention for a return after 10 weeks out with ankle ligament damage.

QPR’s visit still feels like a clash of moveable objects. Rangers have improved sufficiently to make those above them worry but are still to win a single point on their travels and have an away goal difference of minus 15. Their top scorer, Charlie Austin, was sent off against Burnley last time out and Bobby Zamora may lead the line alone.

“Without wanting to make excuses, we haven’t been to the easiest places – everyone has been in the top 10 at the time we’ve played them,” says the midfielder Joey Barton of his team’s away form. It might be harder to explain away another defeat at Goodison by that logic.