Southampton v QPR | Match Thread

[SheepRanger]

A tricky one, but after Sat we need to keep the momentum going and aim for all three points.

[daveshads]

Tricky indeed, both in terms of predicting the outcome and playing a good side. However one thing gives me hope. The Saints are a good footballing side, not particularly famous for being physical. Indeed I thought that could be said about Swansea.
It is the tough gnarly teams we really struggle against like Middlesbrough and Birmingham.
If we can approach this game with the high energy levels of last week, we might get something. Be ready for them though from the off!

[SheepRanger]

Julien Stephan is cautiously optimistic that Ilias Chair will be available for QPR’s trip to Southampton along with Boy Kemper and Alfie Lloyd.

Jake Clarke-Salter is a doubt for Saturday’s game, but head coach Stephan currently believes that Kemper, Chair and Lloyd will be fit.

Kemper, hugely impressive recently since returning from an ankle injury, hobbled off during the 5-0 hammering of Swansea at the weekend.

Stephan indicated after the match that the early signs were that the injury was not a cause for alarm and that Kemper seemed likely to be ready for the visit to the south coast.

And that is still the case, despite the Dutch left-back having missed training in the early part of the week.

Stephan explained: “Boy didn’t train but – and I’m not a doctor – I think it will be OK for the end of the week. I think so.

“There is more of a question mark around Jake Clarke-Salter. I don’t know if he will be available by the end of the week.”

Clarke-Salter, who has made nine appearances for the R’s this season, sat out the Swansea game.

Lloyd, meanwhile, scored in the 4-1 home win against Derby but has missed the two matches since.

Chair has not featured since going off after 14 minutes of the home game against Middlesbrough on 5 September but is hoping to be involved against the Saints.

“Alfie has trained in part of the session and now hopefully he will be completely involved, and the same for Illy,” said Stephan.

“I want to say it’s quite positive, but I have to wait until the big (training) session (on Wednesday) to be sure that they are available for the next game. It’s a little bit early in the week.

“But it’s quite positive that for both it will be OK.”

[Abseits]

Tough game but we should be going there with belief. Thing is a team can lose 10 games over a season and still make top two. Can lose 15 and make the playoffs.... So, with only 2 losses in 12 games (about a quarter of the season) we're ahead of the curve and there's no need to get despondent if things go against us at Saints: it's a marathon, not a sprint.

It's not a "free hit" cos every point is precious but we should be able to relax, play our game and make a darn good go of it. If we can pick up from where we left off against Swans, Southampton will have to be very impressive and in sparkling form to get anything.

[LoftusRoadLad]

Think we going back to our drawing game with this one.

[LoftusRoadLad]

Don't need to spy on them.....we have 007 Edwards

[lozzer52]

We need consistency. Southampton are definitely one of the top three teams in the division. Would love a draw.

[MINCER]

Was encouraging to read that Southampton Coach Tonda Ekert describing us similar to WHU as being a dangerous attacking side but with more variations to our set pieces.

Looking into some surprising Opta stats they quote Vale as our number 1 player for tackles made and chances created, no surprise to see Kamara completing the most passes in MF and Poku most shots on goal.

[72bus]

We lost 5 nil there last season , would love to get a point or points down there ...
When they click they are probably the best team in the division
... Would like to see us go at them and not sit back .

[LoftusRoadLad]

.

[LoftusRoadLad]

Whata bench !!

[Fraggy]

1-0

[eam1882]

Oh dear

[lozzer52]

We are not playing badly but would like to see more pace from us : Dembele for Vale and think Llyod too. Still 1-0 in the final 10 and we have a real go. Lets get a point.... Second goal and all over. I did think we might fold and 3-0 but doing ok.

[shaggy24]

Game over imo 2-0