January signing could solve major QPR problem: View | OneFootball

Queens Park Rangers have had a poor season so far.

The R’s started the season with Gareth Ainsworth in charge before he was sacked at the end of October following a run of nine games without a win.

Two days after his dismissal, QPR turned to Marti Cifuentes – a Spanish coach who was in charge of Hammarby in the Swedish top flight.

His arrival sparked a new manager bounce, as they only lost one of his first seven games in charge - winning three.

A rocky patch followed his initial strong start but Cifuentes' side look to be on the up again and have taken seven points from their last three games, which leaves them still in the relegation zone but three points from safety.

In an attempt to boost their survival hopes, QPR signed Michael Frey from Royal Antwerp in January. But why was his signing needed?

QPR’s attacking problem

QPR have been one of the worst sides in front of goal so far this season. They are the joint second-lowest goalscorers in the division, scoring 27 goals in 30 games. Only Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United have scored less, scoring 22 and 27 respectively.

The top scorers so far for QPR are Kenneth Paal and Lyndon Dykes, each scoring four goals.

To have a left-back as the joint top scorer is not a good sign - not to mention the fact it is only four goals.

Under Cifuentes QPR have usually played in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, switching from the three or five at-the-back formations that Ainsworth would use.

In recent weeks, it has been Republic of Ireland international Sinclair Armstrong who has been leading the line. However, the 20-year-old has struggled for goals this term, scoring just twice in 26 games.

Dykes is known for being a target man at this level but under Cifuentes he has been pushed back a little deeper, playing behind the striker.

This tactical tweak has been interesting but has made QPR more rigid in midfield, due to Dykes’ physicality and ball-winning ability (he ranks very highly this season for defensive actions and aerial duels won).

However, whilst this may make QPR more defensively sound, it still leaves the team lacking goals.

Michael Frey could be the solution

With Dykes being moved deeper and the departure of Charlie Kelman to Wigan Athletic, QPR would have been lacking in depth up front if not for Frey’s signing.

He provides another striking option, and is similar to what QPR already have so should fit into their play style well.

The Swiss striker is a bit of a throwback no.9. He works hard, he is strong and powerful – a typical target man.

He also comes to Loftus Road with a point to prove. He had not made a single appearance this season before his move to QPR, after being frozen out at Antwerp.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Schalke in the Bundesliga 2 in Germany, but failed to score in 15 appearances.

After a very poor 2023, Frey will want to try and reach the levels he reached when he last played in Belgium’s top flight. He had an average (in the league) of 0.42 goals per 90 in 20/21, 0.70 goals per 90 in 21/22, and in the first half of last season, he had an average of 1.04 per 90.

If he can show that sort of quality in the Championship, the 29-year-old could end up being the perfect solution for QPR and could be the man to save them from relegation.