Michael Beale believes rising star Chris Willock can play at a higher level after he inspired QPR to a 2-0 Championship win over Millwall.
Goals from Willock and Stefan Johansen settled the contest at the Den, with the former Arsenal man once again grabbing the headlines as Rangers made it three wins in their last four matches.
The 24-year-old broke the deadlock with a superb finish in the 54th minute that gave Millwall keeper Bartosz Bialkowski no chance.
And Rangers manager Beale revealed after the game he will keep pushing Willock, who won the fans Player of the Year award last season, to ensure he fulfils his full potential.
βHe (Willock) is in fantastic form at the minute,β said Beale. βHe is an excellent player, you look at his CV we know weβre fortunate to have him at QPR.
π Beale ball from back to front.
β QPR FC (@QPR) September 15, 2022
πΌπ£π€π©πππ§ delightful @chriswillock goal π«#QPR | #MILQPR pic.twitter.com/YOkInIEzOK
βI think he can play at the next level, he just has to make little adjustments.
βItβs a wonderful goal but it would be wrong to not keep my foot on the accelerator with him in terms of demands.
βHe has as much talent as nearly everyone Iβve worked with, so I want more for him. Hopefully that is with QPR.β
Willock may have stolen the show, but he was far from the only player for in hoops to impress.
Ilias Chair was lively throughout upfront, with youngster Tim Iroegbunam impressing on his full debut, while Sam Field stood out with another assured performance in the engine room.
However, Beale revealed after the game that the ex-West Brom midfielder was very close to not making kick-off after a late sickness worry.
βField was really sick in the warm-up,β he said. βI wasnβt sure at all if he was going to make it."
βHe was really ill, but thankfully was able to play.
βIt was a big decision as well to give Tim (Iroegbunam) a full debut as well. But I believe in this boy a lot
βI moved him slightly out of his normal position but thought he helped Ethan (Laird) out really well.β
Although Rangers were able to savour another well-earned three points, their injury list continues to grow.
Defender Rob Dickie didnβt travel to the Den with manager Beale later revealing it was down to an injury first picked up last week.
π€« How to play ππ‘πππ₯ππ£π πππ€π£π¨.@IliasChaiir π€ @stefanjohansen#QPR | #MILQPR pic.twitter.com/LudiN1KKle
β QPR FC (@QPR) September 15, 2022
βWe had to keep that a little under wraps,β he added.βΒ βRob turned his ankle in training last Friday. But we will see him after the international break, itβs not major.β
βIt just seems we canβt keep three centre-halves fit at the moment.
βI think we have four very good senior ones and I would like to use three out of the four of them together at some stage.
βIt is disappointing for Rob, but it was the right decision to bring Leon (Balogun) in and Iβm delighted with him.β
Former Aston Villa assistant manager Beale has made a strong start to life at Loftus Road, with QPR only outside the play-off positions on goal difference following the midweek fixtures ahead of a home game against Stoke on Saturday.
Elated to survive another early season test with three points and a clean sheet, the QPR boss was particularly complimentary of his full backs.
βIβm delighted,β he added. βItβs a shame there is only one London derby in the Championship this year!
βItβs a difficult place to come. We had to get through the first 15 minutes or so, then start to play.
βAnd I thought we were good tonight. We had to deal with some difficult moments but did play the better football, ultimately, we deserved to win.
βWe defended very well; Ethan Laird and Kenneth Paal had to do the dirty bits and defend the box; they did that well.β
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