QPR boss Ian Holloway says Conor Washington is benefitting from no longer having to worry about the defensive side of his game.
Washington has scored four goals in his last six matches, having scored just twice in 31 appearances under Holloway’s predecessor Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who often deployed him on the left flank.
It was a role Washington struggled in, but Holloway has enabled him to play to his strengths by pairing him with target man Matt Smith up front.
Holloway told West London Sport: “He’s a centre-forward and he knows he can play with Matt Smith. When he’s in a two he’s fantastic.
“If you know what your job is, which is to go and score a goal instead of worrying about defending all the time, it makes a difference.
“He can press a centre-half all day long, but he finds it difficult in that wider area.”
Washington inspired Rangers to a 2-1 victory over Wigan at Loftus Road on Tuesday, setting up an early opener for Smith and then restoring Rangers’ lead after Omar Bogle had equalised with a penalty.
“We got an ugly win but the character has come and you can see that the lads are growing,” Holloway said.
“The work-rate is there. They’re all wearing the shirt with so much pride.”