Portsmouth v QPR | Match Thread

[SheepRanger]

Julien Stephan says he expects Rumarn Burrell, Jonathan Varane and Paul Smyth to shake off knocks in time for QPR’s opening Championship match of the season.

Burrell picked up a thigh problem during Saturday’s Carabao Cup tie against Millwall, while Varane and Smyth were also left nursing minor injuries.

But head coach Stephan believes all three players will be fit for this weekend’s game at Portsmouth.

“I think they will be OK and will be available,” said the Frenchman, who also believes recent signing Glen Kamara will be in the squad for the trip to the south coast.

Former Leeds midfielder Kamara, who has been brought in on loan from Rennes, did not feature against Millwall.

“He didn’t have a normal pre-season with his previous club – he didn’t play in the last four or five months – but he is a very experienced player and has trained with us,” said Stephan.

“If everything is OK this week he will probably be available for us. I don’t want to consider him like a starter for now, but to be on the teamsheet it can be an option.”

Tariq Lamptey is working his way back to fitness after a long-term injury and is “definitely” on course to play before next month’s international break, according to Stephan.

Justin Obiku returned to training on Monday after another injury problem.

[Acton Stations]

Portsmouth 2 QPR 2.

Hopefully they've forgotten all about that 6-1 business (all water under the bridge and all that what).

[Abseits]

In our opening six matches we play five teams that are bookies' faves for being in/around the drop zone. We unquestionably have a comparitively gentle set of opening fixtures.

IF we are to mount a credible push for the top 8 we cannot be dropping too many points in these initial games against the "little hitters".

IF we are to avoid the drop we cannot be dropping too many points against teams in the mini-league down the bottom.

So, a BIG couple of weeks coming up and we need to set off on the right foot on Saturday. If we lose AND put in a tepid shot-shy effort, Bolton, Blackburn and Cardiff will be licking their lips... we MUST give a good account of ourselves, ideally win but if we can't manage that, do NOT lose.

As I said in The Prediction Thread, I think we've found a bit of consistency and will carry the momentum of last season into Saturday. The Millwall game showed we've not allowed the summer break to interrupt our performance level and we have seamlessly picked up where we left off back in May.

I canot say I know much about Pompey's summer business and prep' but you instinctively know what they're about and what they're like at Fratton so I'll say PFC 3 QPR 1

[LordLoftus]

Didn't we end the season with 5 losses?
I hope we don't pick up where we left off.

I like the new formation and style of play, we seem to be able to build from the back and actually rotate possession now. Which is lucky as we aren't built for arial balls.

I'd like to see Poku start, but I think Burrell is a confidence and consistency player, so needs to play to get back to his best

I also like that the cup went early and removed any jitters from opening game. I think away from home will suite us and option to counter attack will be good.

As long as we don't conceed early, 3-1

[daveshads]

Seems to me a part of the jigsaw might still be missing. Unless Kamara turns out to be a genius signing, we still appear rather lightweight in midfield.