Get West London's QPR reporter previews the weekend's game at Loftus Road
Paul Warburton, chief reporter on Queens Park Rangers for Get West London, speaks to bwfc.co.uk to preview the weekend’s game at Loftus Road.
bwfc.co.uk: What can we expect from QPR this weekend?
PW: A bit of a bounce back is what we’re led to believe. By all accounts the riot act was read after the 4-0 surrender at Fulham last Friday. Everyone is very much expecting a performance full of grit and determination this weekend to prove that the horror show at Fulham was a one-off.
bwfc.co.uk: Aside from the performance at Fulham, how have QPR been playing so far this season?
PW: Performances have been pretty mixed to tell the truth. They have been a side that have been grinding out results, as opposed to playing teams off the park. QPR are very much a side in transition. Over the summer they brought in 14 new players and let 16 go. They are going to take some time to gel.
bwfc.co.uk: After the large turnover of players in the summer, how have the new recruits fared so far?
PW: Mixed if the truth be told. Two or three of the new players have hit the ground running, whilst a few couple of others are taking a little bit longer to settle. Massimo Luongo does look the part in the midfield. He’s a bustling and busy character and has certainly shown he has the quality to make the step up from League One.
bwfc.co.uk: How big of a blow is the injury to Charlie Austin?
PW: Massive. He’s had a hand in seven of QPR’s 14 goals so far. We’re talking about a £15million-rated striker who has been in and around England international squads here. I think if you would give Premier League clubs the chance to come back in for him now at that price they definitely would. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher as to who will come in for him. Sebastian Polter is an option. He’s back fit having not featured in the last month, but whether he starts or not is another matter. I wouldn’t be surprised to Leroy Fer start up top, with midfielders tasked with bombing on beyond him.
bwfc.co.uk: And a prediction?
PW: It’s very much snakes and ladders in the Championship. It’s a very hard one to call. One minute you get a good performance and then you see a side turned over. QPR will no doubt be up for it, but I’m going to say the game will be decided by a single goal, though I can’t decide which way.
Paul is on Twitter, @PaulWsport.
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