Queens Park Rangers manager Julien Stéphan has struck an upbeat tone ahead of his side's Championship home fixture against Bolton Wanderers, telling BBC Radio London that "the momentum is positive" around the club at present.

Stéphan points to a shift in confidence

Speaking to the BBC's Emma Jones in an interview broadcast on 18 August, Stéphan was measured but clearly encouraged by the direction of travel at Loftus Road. Without detailing specific results, the QPR head coach suggested the squad's collective belief has grown and that training performances have reflected that.

"The momentum is positive," Stéphan said, in comments reported by BBC Sounds. "When you can feel that in training and in the dressing room, it gives you confidence going into the next game."

The French coach, who has been working to impose his own tactical identity on the west London club since taking charge, appeared relaxed in his assessment of where QPR stand, though he will be well aware that momentum in the Championship can shift quickly and Bolton represent a genuine test.

Bolton arrive as a capable Championship side

Bolton Wanderers make the trip to Loftus Road as a club that has shown they are not to be taken lightly in the second tier. The fixture promises to be a competitive encounter between two sides with differing routes back into the Championship but similar ambitions of establishing themselves firmly in the division.

For QPR, home form will be central to any aspirations of a productive campaign. Loftus Road has historically been a difficult venue for visiting sides, and Stéphan will be hoping his players can translate the positive training ground atmosphere into three points on matchday.

Bolton, meanwhile, arrive with their own momentum to consider after recent activity. The Whites have been building their squad and their supporters will be keen to see how the side shapes up away from home in the early stages of the season.

Early-season importance

Fixtures in the Championship's opening weeks carry a weight that can set the tone for months ahead. A win for QPR would consolidate any early confidence and provide a platform for Stéphan to build upon, while Bolton will view any points taken at Loftus Road as a significant away day achievement.

The Championship is notoriously difficult to predict, and neither club will be making grand claims about final-day ambitions this early in the campaign. But Stéphan's words suggest QPR are in a healthy headspace, and for supporters who have seen the club endure inconsistent periods in recent seasons, that in itself is an encouraging sign.

The head coach's brief but pointed comments to BBC Radio London are the kind of grounded, process-focused messaging that tends to define well-organised second-tier sides. Whether QPR can back up the positivity with a result against Bolton remains to be seen, but the intent at Loftus Road appears clear.

Frequently asked

When do QPR play Bolton Wanderers at Loftus Road?
The Championship fixture between Queens Park Rangers and Bolton Wanderers at Loftus Road is scheduled for 18 August 2026, according to the BBC Radio London broadcast in which Julien Stéphan was interviewed ahead of the game.
What has Julien Stéphan said about QPR's form?
Speaking to BBC Radio London, QPR head coach Julien Stéphan said that 'the momentum is positive' at the club, pointing to a good atmosphere in training and growing confidence in the squad ahead of the Bolton fixture.
Are QPR and Bolton both in the Championship this season?
Yes, both Queens Park Rangers and Bolton Wanderers are competing in the Championship this season, making their Loftus Road meeting a second-tier league fixture.