"I don’t understand the stick" - Marti Cifuentes urged to make big QPR striker call v Portsmouth | OneFootball

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes has been told to give Zan Celar a start at home to Portsmouth this weekend.

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...

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes has been told to give Zan Celar an opportunity from the start against Portsmouth as the team look to get a much-needed victory after their poor season so far.

The R’s are in the bottom three, having picked up just seven points from nine games, which includes three defeats on the bounce. Of course, it’s too soon to panic, and the Spaniard proved last season that he is capable of getting a tune out of this group of players.

However, results are required, and a home fixture against 23rd place Portsmouth offers a great chance to get three points.

Marti Cifuentes must give Zan Celar a chance

That poor run of form means Cifuentes may look to shake things up this weekend, and when asked by FLW what one change he would want the boss to make, fan pundit Louis explained why he feels Celar should come back into the XI.

“Now we’re nine games into the season, and we’ve only won once, there’s a problem that has to be solved, and we have to try something different.

“One change I’d like to see is Zan Celar coming in. He hasn’t scored yet, so he needs to get his first goal, but when he has played, I don’t understand the stick he’s got, because he has looked alright, and he’s actually up there in terms of the most shots in the league. Yes, he hasn’t scored, but his positioning has been good, he has chances, he links up play and he looks a good player. I think he’ll come good eventually, but he needs to start now.

“I wouldn’t mind starting him and Frey up front, because something could click there and it could be quite dangerous - and we need to try something.

“With Celar, as time goes on, he just needs that first goal, and at home to Portsmouth, there’s probably not a better opportunity to get your first goal for the club.

“I’d be looking to make that change. Frey arguably doesn’t deserve to be dropped, even though he hasn’t been as good in the past few weeks, but you’re not going to score every game.

“I fully expect him to still start, but I want Celar with him, and if they click, that could be something that could unlock goals in this team, and enable us to win games. So, Celar has to start for me.”

Zan Celar can come good for QPR

There’s no denying that Celar’s first few months at QPR have been underwhelming, as he arrived with a good reputation having scored regularly in Switzerland over the years, and he also represented Slovenia at Euro 2024.

But, it hasn’t clicked for him just yet, as he hasn’t found the net for QPR, and all forward players will be judged on their goals.

Nevertheless, it’s still very early days, and Celar should be afforded time as he adapts to a new league and country.

The Portsmouth game is a huge one for QPR, and you would expect Cifuentes to set the side up with more attacking intent than usual, so it could be a great opportunity for Celar to play.