QPR sent 'outstanding' Wrexham warning as Julien Stephan makes 'respect' claim

QPR have been warned they will be facing an ‘outstanding’ Wrexham squad on Saturday as they look to pick up their second win of the young Championship season. Julien Stephan’s men beat London rivals Charlton Athletic before the international break to bounce back from that horror show defeat to Coventry City.

The Hoops have an interesting campaign ahead. Coming into this season, few knew what to expect with a new boss in Stephan taking over, and one that does not have experience in English football.

And putting that Coventry City result aside as a one-off disaster, it’s still not clear what the ceiling will be for this QPR side. It’s a similar case for Saturday’s opponents Wrexham, who have spent big this summer in a bid to get Championship-ready following promotion from League One.

The Welsh also have just four points to their name at this stage, although unlike QPR, the money they have spent and the general buzz around the club means there is a greater expectation, even if it’s unclear what that expectation will be during their first season back in the second tier.

But summer arrival Conor Coady believes the squad is now an ‘outstanding’ one after a busy summer of recruitment. He told BBC Sport Wales: “I think the squad is outstanding, it's full credit to the football club, the manager and the people upstairs that they've developed a team and a squad that's like this.

"I'm so excited to be a part of it. I was one of those excited people seeing players come through the door, players to make us better. Real good people first and foremost, but fantastic footballers as well. I'm massively excited, I can't wait for Saturday and just to keep the season going."

He added: “Deadline day is exciting for everybody, including us as players. When you see top quality players who have had fantastic careers come into your club, it's always exciting. Having Sheafo (Ben Sheaf) in, Dom being away with Scotland and Issa's been away as well, to have them all back and firing for us is brilliant. It just makes us as a team and a football club stronger which is the most important thing. We can't wait to get going now."

What Stephan has said

Asked about the Welsh club during his pre-match press conference, QPR boss Stephan said: “I respect a lot the trajectory of the club. And I respect also the project of Wrexham. But to be honest, I prefer to keep my focus on our club, our players and our project.

“When you speak a lot about the opponents, that means you are not in good confidence with your project and your club. And I trust a lot in our club, in our players, in our dressing room. So, yes, a lot of respect for Wrexham but a big, big love for our club and our players. I keep my focus on the whole squad and what we have to do on the pitch to get a good result against Wrexham.”

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