For a few seasons now, the centre forward position at QPR has left a little to be desired. The likes of Michael Frey and Zan Celar have been unable to make the number nine position their own.
But, at long last, the Hoops might’ve found their man. Although I don’t think that it’s who fans were expecting.
During the summer, QPR fought off a lot of interest to land the signing of Richard Kone from Wycombe Wanderers. The Ivorian registered 26 goal contributions in 52 games for the Chairboys last season.
Kone has made a decent start to life in West London, scoring 4 goals and providing 1 assist in 17 Championship appearances as he has come in and out of the starting eleven. But Kone isn’t the one grabbing the headlines.
Instead, it is a different striker who was signed during the summer. Rumarn Burrell.
Burrell’s arrival from Burton Albion was somewhat overshadowed by the signing of Kone later in the window. But the Jamaican put up some impressive numbers of his own last season.
He scored 11 times and assisted twice for a Burton team who managed to pull off a miraculous relegation escape. However, the 24-year-old is already close to beating that tally, with 9 goals and 1 assist to his name after only 19 Championship matches.
Burrell has already scored more goals this season, than any QPR player has during the last three campaigns.
In terms of league position, the Hoops currently sit 10th, two points off of a playoff spot. They will need to keep their momentum going as the table is incredibly congested at the moment, with only six points separating 4th place Ipswich Town and 16th place West Bromwich Albion.
If Burrell is able to keep his form up and his teammates follow suit, there is no reason why QPR couldn’t make a bid for the top six. But they must remain consistent.
Three wins in their last four matches is great, but that came after four points from six games. R’s fans will be relieved to not be watching another relegation battle this season and Rumarn Burrell is one of the first people to thank.