"A bit of stick" - QPR prediction made on Sinclair Armstrong's Loftus Road return with Bristol City | OneFootball

FLW's QPR fan pundit gives his verdict on Sinclair Armstrong's move to Bristol City

Highlights

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

FLW’s QPR fan pundit has admitted that Sinclair Armstong is likely to get a bit of stick from the home fans when he returns to the London club with Bristol City later this season.

Armstrong has made the switch to the Robins this summer with just one year remaining on his contract with QPR.

A fee was reportedly agreed between the two clubs worth £2.5 million, potentially rising by a further £1 million with add-ons.

However, despite the fee, it will still come as a blow for Martí Cifuentes’ side to have lost such a key part of their first team squad.

The Ireland international made 39 appearances in the Championship last season, contributing three goals and three assists (all stats from Fbref).

QPR fan pundit makes Armstrong transfer admission

FLW’s QPR fan pundit Louis Moir has admitted that Armstrong is likely to get some stick from supporters at Loftus Road when he returns to QPR with Bristol City.

However, he believes that the forward’s exit won’t leave a particularly sour taste in the fanbase’s mouth, and that the reception he’ll receive will be similar to other former players.

“I don’t think he’ll get a good reception because it’s a strange one why he wouldn’t want to stay at QPR long-term,” Moir told Football League World.

“And obviously he didn’t want to commit to that.

“You’ll probably get a few fans who will obviously applaud him and all that, you can’t fault his effort while he played for us.

“He was actually loved by the fans, and he just gave it his all every time he was on the pitch.

“Unfortunately, it was just a lack of goals, and I think not signing on longer-term that’s going to give fans the right to give him a bit of stick.

“It won’t be a surprise, it’ll be the same as the likes of Chris Willock as well.

“But it’s just one of those things, really.

“He didn’t leave in a bad way necessarily, he always had a great attitude playing for us, I wish him well but you’re going to give him a bit of stick because he’s moved to Bristol City.

“You could argue it’s not a bigger move at all in the context of things, so I think he’ll be getting a bit of stick when he returns to Loftus Road that’s for sure.”

Sinclair Armstrong's importance to QPR

Armstrong signed to QPR from Shamrock Rovers in 2020, and broke into the senior first team during the 2022/23 campaign.

He enjoyed a loan spell with Torquay United prior to earning his promotion into the QPR squad.

The forward has become a full Ireland international during his time at Loftus Road, and was key to their survival against relegation to League One last season.

However, Rangers were unable to agree terms on a new deal to keep him beyond 2025, which led to QPR cashing in on him this summer.

Armstrong performed well for QPR during his time with the club, and it was only his consistency in front of goal that really held him back.

Cifuentes should be disappointed to lose someone with his potential because, at 21, he could still grow into a top Championship forward.

Given he has departed for a minimal fee due to the end of his contract, this reflects poorly on the club’s management that he couldn’t be tied down to a longer deal.

But QPR’s loss could be Bristol City’s gain, and this could prove to be one of the smartest signings of the summer in the Championship.