QPR v Preston | Match Thread

[swede]

About 6 weeks ago some friends of ours managed to get a last minute cancellation of a wedding venue, much rushing around and planning. Everybody's happy and lots of goodwill. We get an invite for the whole day.
Guess what day and time? I'm absolutely bloody livid, I'll be stuck in the middle of a field with no bloody signal come 3pm on Saturday.

Just like our CMF.

[SheepRanger]

Just seen the latest training video on FB and Kolli was there......and I think I saw Celar too.

Neither may have played in pre-season but they seem to be injury free and possibly ready to play. Do players need to play in meaningless friendlies to be ready for the opening game?

I think their absence in the pre-season games may be getting overhyped

[72bus]

Just hoping for better football than last season, as long as every player gives his all its all u can ask for .

[Isleworth116]

Just seen the latest training video on FB and Kolli was there......and I think I saw Celar too.

Neither may have played in pre-season but they seem to be injury free and possibly ready to play. Do players need to play in meaningless friendlies to be ready for the opening game?

I think their absence in the pre-season games may be getting overhyped

Don't remember many teams starting season without playing friendlies. They are important. Celar and Kolli probably on bench.

[SheepRanger]

Don't remember many teams starting season without playing friendlies. They are important. Celar and Kolli probably on bench.

If Burrell starts and Kolli comes on for the last 30 minutes that's good enough for me. I really can't see us starting without a CF.

[LordLoftus]

Celar played in the first three preseason games and missed the next three.
I don't recall it being said it was due to injury and would probably assume it was some agreement thing due to the baby as it means he's missed 3 weeks.

[daveshads]

Come on lads, this one seems really winnable.
No time for negativity. That can wait until next week

[Abseits]

I reckon it's literally the easiest game we could have started with. Folks might say Wednesday would be an easier opponent but I suspect their players would be fired up and they seem to have our number over past few games.

Meanwhile, PNE fell away dreadfully in 2025 and have an ageing threadbare squad too. They are basically in the doldrums and looking at a relegation dogfight already.

BUT... We don't seem to have much of a spring in our step either and I'm not seeing any indication that JS is substantially different to Cifuentes and he'll just obediently stick to the club manifesto of boring walking risk-averse football.

So, I'm fearful that a hobbled PNE will still have enough about them to keep our blunt attack out all game AND pinch a goal or two up the other end.

I'm not confident about the game at all and expect a tough watch where we barely warm their keeper's hands. I'll gladly be proved wrong but I just feel there's something "off" about us at the mo'.

[daveshads]

Yes Abs, I have that same kind of trepidation. However, no negativity just yet......

[SheepRanger]

"On the eve of the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship season, the club would like to provide an update on the players currently working their way back to full fitness.

Unfortunately, Jonathan Varane sustained a concussion in our friendly against Brentford last weekend. He is expected to be available for next Saturday’s fixture at Watford – in line with The FA’s concussion protocol.

Paul Smyth is progressing well from a minor groin injury sustained in pre-season. He has returned to training and is expected to be available for the trip to Watford, too.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Dunne sustained a hip injury against Brentford. He will undergo further scans this coming weekend to confirm a timeline for his return.

Taylor Richards picked up a hamstring injury in our friendly versus Cardiff and is expected to return at the end of August.

Finally, Michi Frey (calf) and Jake Clarke-Salter (post-surgical recovery) are both due to return to full training during the first international break of the season".

[Sleeping Giants]

"On the eve of the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship season, the club would like to provide an update on the players currently working their way back to full fitness.

Unfortunately, Jonathan Varane sustained a concussion in our friendly against Brentford last weekend. He is expected to be available for next Saturday’s fixture at Watford – in line with The FA’s concussion protocol.

Paul Smyth is progressing well from a minor groin injury sustained in pre-season. He has returned to training and is expected to be available for the trip to Watford, too.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Dunne sustained a hip injury against Brentford. He will undergo further scans this coming weekend to confirm a timeline for his return.

Taylor Richards picked up a hamstring injury in our friendly versus Cardiff and is expected to return at the end of August.

Finally, Michi Frey (calf) and Jake Clarke-Salter (post-surgical recovery) are both due to return to full training during the first international break of the season".

So we're without Varane, Smyth, Dunne & Richards (no loss there) for Preston and Frey/JCS until at least mid September.

[Rebel R's]

Preston are one of the favourites to go down so this on paper is as easy an opening fixture as we could have wished for .
I predict 1-1

[stainrod67]

0-0 both light up front

[SheepRanger]

So we're without Varane, Smyth, Dunne & Richards (no loss there) for Preston and Frey/JCS until at least mid September.

We have plently of players available to put out a decent team. You can pick from Burrell & Koli, Vale & Chair, Morgan, Cook and Adamson

I wouldnt describe our squad as decimated quite yet.....

[eam1882]

We have plently of players available to put out a decent team. You can pick from Burrell & Koli, Vale & Chair, Morgan, Cook and Adamson

I wouldnt describe our squad as decimated quite yet.....

I'm going tomorrow
don't care who plays ,just want to see some good football and a confidence boosting win.
Also got a tenner on them.