After an amazing run of form, Queens Park Rangers hit a stumbling block last weekend, losing away to promotion-chasing Middlesbrough.
The R’s had won four of their past five Championship games into their trip to the Riverside Stadium, but they were no match for a Boro side with their sights set on automatic promotion to the Premier League.
The gap between the two sides was demonstrated in the first half, with scores from David Stelec and Morgan Whittaker giving the Teessiders a two-goal lead at the break, while Tommy Conway’s penalty put the game out of reach only five minutes into the second period.
QPR did have a penalty with 20 minutes remaining, which was rifled in by Nicolas Madsen, but it was too late for the West London club, who will have to respond to this setback next weekend when they play Leicester City.
Despite their setback, Stéphan and QPR will be pleased with the contribution attacker Paul Smyth is making to the team.
Heading into his final year at Loftus Road, Smyth has appeared 19 times this season, making an impact in the final third whether he starts or comes off the bench.
The Northern Ireland international has scored twice after coming on as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City, and he played his first 90 minutes of the season at Boro last weekend, winning a penalties that Madsen converted.
The 28-year-old appears to have changed some QPR fans’ minds with his performances this season, and he could be worth a new contract if he maintains his form.
With this in mind, FLW’s QPR fan analyst has expressed his opinion on whether he would offer Smyth a new contract.
QPR urged to keep Paul Smyth beyond this season owing to his remarkable run of form.
Speaking to Football League World, QPR fan pundit Louis Moir believes 22-cap Northern Ireland international Smyth is deserving of a new contract at the end of the season if he maintains his positive form from the first half of the season, stating that the attacker has “gone up a level” under Julien Stéphan’s guidance.
Louis stated, “I’ve obviously been a critic of Paul Smyth before this season, saying that he hasn’t been good enough numbers-wise, that he doesn’t give enough going forward in terms of goals and assists, and that his decision-making is often missing.
“To his credit, he has risen to a new level this season, as evidenced by his performance. He’s impressing a manager of Julien Stéphan’s caliber, which demonstrates that he’s doing well.
“He’s played a lot of games this season and scored a few goals. He’s been more than a threat going forward, whether coming off the bench or starting games, and if a deal can be worked out with him, I say why not.
“Maybe he’ll stay for another year or two, and the way he’s performing this season, he deserves it. I believe he is more than capable of being a squad player and, in certain cases, a starter, but Paul Smyth off the bench in games is a real threat, as we’ve seen on numerous occasions.
“He may believe he deserves to start more games, but that is where the decisions come in, and it is difficult when we have a group full of talented attacking players.
“I wouldn’t have said that a year or so ago, but the way he’s performing this season, he deserves another contract, and I’d be delighted to offer him one. If he keeps up his current form, he should stick around because he’s more than capable of playing at this level.
“It’s interesting because, if the miracle dream came true and we were promoted, there would be no reason to keep him because we’d be looking for much better players, and with his contract expiring, he’d leave, but let’s see what happens at the end of the season and then go from there.”
“I think that would be the most sensible decision to make, and if we’re still in the Championship, then why not offer him a new deal.”
Paul Smyth must continue contributing to win the much-needed QPR contract extension.
Despite being a versatile addition throughout his time at QPR, Paul Smyth has been inconsistent for the Hoops, prompting calls for him to leave West London at the end of this season.
But he’s starting to change the opinions of some fans, with Smyth making an effect on the frontline game after game and being a reliable option whether starting or coming off the bench.
Smyth did face some criticism for his performance at Middlesbrough last weekend, with his decision-making criticized, but one bad game does not define a player’s season, and based on the entire campaign thus far, he is exhibiting consistent indications of development.
If Smyth can put the Boro game behind him and continue to impress, he will be deserving of a new contract and might prove to be an invaluable asset if the R’s stay in the second tier next season.
There is still a lot of football to be played, and opinions may change as the weeks and months pass, but the 28-year-old has been one of the Hoops’ bright spots thus far, and he is on track to extend his eight-year relationship with the club.
xz
