Sky Sports’ choice to shift EFL games for TV coverage seldom goes down well with fans, and the new year’s announcement of the live picks has irritated some QPR fans.

Julien Stephan’s team has had a successful first few months of the season. The Hoops have tumbled out of the top eight following only one win in their last four games, but they had previously only appeared in the play-offs.

And, with only one win in that stretch, a 5-0 thrashing of erstwhile league leaders Swansea City, there’s still reason to believe they’ll be in the playoffs come May.

To accomplish this, the fanbase will want as many games at Loftus Road to be played in the evening or at the traditional time of 3pm to help build the atmosphere on one of the Championship’s tighter grounds, as well as away games that are not scheduled at inconvenient times so they can support the squad on the road.

QPR’s televised picks have not gone over well with hoops fans.

Three of QPR’s home games from January to the end of February, against Birmingham City, Southampton, and West Ham United, have been rescheduled for Saturday at 12:30pm.

Meanwhile, Julien Stephan’s side will travel to Lincoln City on a Friday night in late January, which is not just a six-hour round trip with minimal traffic, but also follows an away day in Burnley just three days prior.

It’s safe to say that R’s fans are outraged by the decision to shift the games for TV coverage.

QPR could have had a slight advantage in those home games – if they kicked off at 3pm

The shifting of games against Birmingham, Southampton, and West Ham, three sides now in the top eight and projected to remain there in the new year, suggests that Sky Sports intends to televise some possible top-eight confrontations.

It’s a testament to QPR’s current success under Julien Stephan, but it could be damaging to their performance in those matches.

As previously said, Loftus Road can be a difficult place to visit when the crowd is excited for the game. Swansea, Derby County, and Preston North End, who lost a 2-0 lead despite having a man advantage, understand what it’s like.

In these important confrontations against fellow strong starts who have the spending power that QPR does not, the Hoops will have to rely on the fans to equalise the playing field and propel them to victory.

At 12:30, it can frequently take a while to warm up, which may help away teams who can take advantage of a quieter-than-usual Loftus Road.

QPR won’t be the only side dissatisfied with TV selections this week.

When you combine that home lunchtime triple-header with a trip to Lincoln, the one away day that the majority of Championship regulars were looking forward to, given how long it’s been since the Imps were in the league, there’s arguably nothing positive about these TV choices.

However, QPR will not be the only team unhappy about having their schedule changed to suit the cameras. In fact, it’s nearly a given that each side will complain about the scheduling changes.

On the plus side, there isn’t a 12:30 away from home. People travelling down from Birmingham or up from Southampton to Loftus Road for those encounters may find it more difficult due to the early start.

QPR will be hoping that this good start can be sustained for the rest of the calendar year, so that the decision to move these games to a national audience is justified.