It seems Hoops boss Ian Holloway is no longer scrapping the bottom of the barrel for the dregs.
He has the firepower on his bench and the ability to make game-changing substitutions – he rang the changes on Tuesday night to come back from 0-2 against Millwall to secure a point in the 2-2 draw.
Matt Smith is slowly gaining the super sub moniker after scoring an 85th-minute equaliser at Loftus Road in the London derby to maintain QPR's 100 per cent league record at home this season.
The old-fashioned target man was equally influential in Rangers' 2-1 home win over Hull in August after coming off the bench.
The other attacking options sitting behind Holloway include striker Idrissa Sylla, who despite a lack of playing time seems to have the knack of popping up at the right place at the right time. And then there is the tricky Kazenga LuaLua who on his day can leave any defender's head in a spin as he bombards down the wing.
This depth in quality and never-say-die attitude is what Holloway has been screaming out for – and now it could finally prove to be a pivotal point in the fortunes of the R's.
"Normally QPR would fold, but I'm really pleased we stayed solid and understood where the spare man was. We didn't just launch it," said the QPR boss after the game.
"My bench is so strong these days that I can cause anybody problems. So if it's not working then keep going and keep believing and I'll make some changes. There's some belief that we've got attacking options and if I use them we might get back in almost every game."
Furthermore, the midfield general that is Massimo Luongo is in a rich vein of form with Holloway proclaiming the Aussie international to be the best midfielder in the Championship right now.
Luongo was shortlisted for the prestigious Ballon d'Or in 2015; the only Championship player to be nominated and continues to stand out. Can the Aussie weave his magic away at Boro on Saturday?
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
