Rio Ferdinand has just been outpaced by Peter Crouch - a new low. Luckily for the home side Crouch's delivery is terrible and the danger has gone.

Former Tottenham manager David Pleat
BBC Radio 5 live

"QPR will need a result here to give their fans confidence that the team can beat the sides who are likely to be in their position in the table.

"This is an important game for Eduardo Vargas. He has a chance to make a name for himself, and QPR are short of quality players in forward positions."

Image source, PA

Joey Barton takes aim from 30 yards as fans in the stand take aim at Mark Hughes. "Stand up, if you hate Mark Hughes!" is the cry, as Barton's shot flies wide. Energetic start from the Hoops.

It's not been a good day for Watford defender Gabriel Tamas.

The former West Brom man, who was making his 100th appearance in English football today, gave away the early penalty missed by Ian Harte and has now been stretchered from the pitch in clear discomfort after receiving some lengthy treatment on the pitch.

Craig Cathcart has come on in his place.

Rio Ferdinand has a real air of authority as he strides out of the back four like a young Sir Bobby Moore, but rather scotches that with a mishit long pass, turning possessing over.

Stoke have lined up with Peter Crouch as a lone forward and Mame Biram Diouf out wide.

QPR striker Eduardo Vargas has the first attempt on goal, hitting an early snap-shot from 20 yards but he doesn't get hold of it and it's easy for Asmir Begovic. Positive outlook from the hosts in these very early stages though.

Robbie Fowler
Former Liverpool, Leeds and England striker

Image source, Empics

"I have not directly applied for any managerial job. Someone put my name forward at Leeds, but I know it's not going to happen. It's a fantastic job - I just know that I'm not going to Leeds."

Here we go - Joey Barton gets the ball rolling at Loftus Road...

The hands have been shaken, photographs have been taken, Rio has warmed up and Crouchy has had a stretch. All set at Loftus Road.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at St James' Park

Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini has used his programme notes to plead with fans to go easy on Newcastle's players against Hull. With Magpies supporters planning protests against boss Alan Pardew before and during today's game, a toxic atmosphere is expected at St James' Park on Saturday.

"We are football fans too, so we understand that things can get frustrating," writes Coloccini. "But please, support the team for 90 minutes inside the stadium.

"We need your support. We have a lot of new players and a young squad. They need your backing, a push from you and a positive atmosphere to get the best out of them."

The game has settled down after a frenetic start with the Cherries missing a penalty and causing Watford all sorts of problems at the back with the pace of Junior Stanislas and Callum Wilson.

They've had the best of it but Matej Vydra was inches away from converting a fine cross from Lloyd Dyer for the hosts.

Here they come - the players are in the tunnel at Loftus Road, the massive figure of Ryan Shawcross doing a fair job of filling it.

A little earlier on the cameras were trained on Rio Ferdinand's pre-match routine which consisted of a game of keepy-uppy with a QPR team-mate. Good to see...

QPR boss Harry Redknapp on BT Sport: "We've played well in both of our home games so far and it's another tough game today. Stoke are on a good run away from home but we need a win today.

"The problem we have had is that we've had to throw a team together this summer. We had eight players on loan last season so it's been difficult, but once we all gel in I'm confident we will be OK. Eduardo Vargas did ever so well for Chile in the World Cup, we're all looking forward to seeing him play."

Martin Fisher
Match of the Day commentator at Loftus Road

"Victory at Manchester City three weeks ago means Mark Hughes has already proved something to a club which has previously sacked him, and now he has the chance to complete a hugely satisfying double.

"The Welshman was only in charge at Loftus Road for 11 months in 2012 but it was dramatic. In his first season he saved them from the drop, just. However, despite signing 17 players over two transfer windows, things didn't improve and Hughes was sacked with QPR bottom and without a win 12 games into the new campaign.

"Harry Redknapp's QPR are still finding their feet back in the top flight. Heavy defeats at Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur suggest their survival prospects look bleak but they've looked okay at home, and t's at Loftus Road where their success this season will be shaped, surely?"

Image source, Getty Images

Before Alan Pardew runs the gauntlet though, we are set for action at Loftus Road.

Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has had little to do in his four league games for Stoke so far this season, but could Charlie Austin keep him on his toes this afternoon? Kick-off is 10 minutes away.

Untenable? Strong words from Lawro this lunchtime - but can Alan Pardew ride the wave of discontent on Tyneside this afternoon?

The club maintain that there are no plans to make a managerial change, and they definitely haven't spoken to former Manchester United boss David Moyes.

Is Alan Pardew preparing for his final game in charge this afternoon? Or will Newcastle get a win against Hull and all will be smiles again?

Get in touch let us know on #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, 81111 on text, or via the BBC Sport Facebook, external and Google+ pages., external

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson
on Newcastle United and Alan Pardew's future

"You've got to win games, and Newcastle haven't won games. Newcastle as a club made a profit last season, but the issue there is that it's the biggest city in the country with only one league club.

"For the majority of those supporters, the big thing is the home games. They want to go to St James' Park and see their team, good, bad or indifferent, giving it a go. They keep on losing, but the owner maintains things are alright.

"The fans are romantics at that football club. The stadium holds 52,000 people, but if only 40,000 people start turning up then that will made the owner notice.

"I think Alan Pardew's position is untenable. Forget about the fact that they're not winning games - I think it's absolutely impossible for him to manage that club anymore."

Lawro, of course, was defensive coach at Newcastle United under Kevin Keegan.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at St James' Park

"It's a grey, damp day in Newcastle where quite a welcome is being prepared for under-fire Magpies boss Alan Pardew by the section of fans who want him out. Around 30,000 anti-Pardew posters and 200 banners are being distributed by the website SackPardew.com in the pubs and streets around St James' Park, with instructions to wave them in the fifth-minute of the game against Hull, to mark the number of wins Newcastle have managed in 2014. I think the club's owner Mike Ashley might recognise the typeface on their logo."

Thanks very much Mandeep.

Hello everyone, are we all set for a potentially hostile afternoon of top-flight action? Mark Hughes was booed by fans before lunchtime as he stepped off the Stoke coach, and Alan Pardew could face a very tricky afternoon indeed...

It's been a pleasure from my part this morning and Tom Rostance will now be taking over to see through the rest of the afternoon.