AFTER their promising start to the season, Darren Powell says it is vital Saints now maintain their momentum.

Saints are fifth in the Championship and through to the second round of the Carling Cup after four wins in their opening seven matches.

They have also managed to keep five clean sheets and appear to have gone some way to solving the defensive problems which plagued Saints last season.

A big factor has been the arrival of centre-back Powell, who has slotted in beside Claus Lundekvam and provided a more physical presence in the heart of the defence.

The former Crystal Palace man, signed on a free transfer during the summer, admits he would preferred not to have had the international break this week.

"We have a good unit - we have got a bit of momentum," he said. "We would have preferred to have a game the following week and continued it.

"We have now got some games in succession and hopefully we can get three points and take it into Tuesday (at Ipswich).

"The games keep coming and if you are doing well, you want them to keep coming."

Powell, though, is well aware of the dangers that QPR pose, particularly with an experienced strike-partnership like Kevin Gallen and Paul Furlong.

"It's going to be a hard game," said Powell. "I've played Rangers before. They are a hard team to break down, they are dedicated and they work hard.

"It's not going to be a walk-over or anything like that. They have got experienced players like Kevin Gallen and Paul Furlong.

"Furlong is a good, experienced pro and he likes to get stuck in."

Boss Harry Redknapp says Saints must now build on the solid foundations laid in recent weeks.

He said: "You want a good start, now we have to take it on again. After a dozen games you will see teams perhaps open a bit of a gap.

"You want to be up there and stay up there. We are entitled to be among the favourites but there's six or seven teams up there scrapping away.

"I certainly see QPR as being a top ten team this season without a doubt."

Former Cherries striker Warren Feeney admits he expected Northern Ireland to beat England this week.

"I wasn't surprised we won," Feeney, 24, insisted. "We were 22/1 with some bookies, but before the match, six of us walked into the middle of the pitch - and every one of us said we would win."