Queen’s Park Rangers manager Ian Holloway says it should come as no surprise that Ipswich Town are currently in the Championship’s automatic promotion places.

The Blues have made an impressive start to the season, only losing their perfect league record last time out, when Fulham left Portman Road with maximum points after a 2-0 victory.

Despite that, Ipswich remain second, in an automatic promotion place, ahead of their trip to Loftus Road today, where they will face a Rangers side that have won two from two at home, against Hull and Reading, to sit 10th in the Championship.

Holloway said: “Why would anyone be surprised that Mick (McCarthy) – who has won this Championship twice – has got his team near the top of the table at the start of the season.

“They haven’t got the money everyone else has had and that can get fans murmuring. But it’s nothing to do with the job Mick has done. You won’t get anything against Ipswich unless you match the honesty and hard work that Mick gets out of his team.”

Ahead of Ipswich’s visit to west London, Holloway added: “I think it’s going to be a very combative game.

“I think we have a high-pressing midfield and so do they.

“There won’t be much space in the midfield that’s for sure – we know that and Mick McCarthy has said he is happy for opposing centre-backs to have the ball.

“I think there will be goals here – hopefully we can score more than them but I’m looking forward to the challenge of a tight pitch and trying to break them down on it.”