Richard Kone sends message to QPR fans - 'we need you' | OneFootball

The Ivorian frontman has spoken after the Hoops' draw with Preston on Easter Monday

It's been a real up-and-down year for QPR this season, but it's one that will provide more optimism than pessimism for the future.

The Hoops have gone from being battered 7-1 by Coventry City in August to being in the top six come the October international break, then falling down the division to the point where there'd have been some worries about potentially being involved in a relegation scrap, and now three wins and a draw in their last four have seen them climb back up the table.

After all of that, it's rather apt that Julien Stephan's side are sat 12th, in the most mid-table position possible. A seven-point gap between themselves and the top six seems rather insurmountable in the final five games, but just a second top-10 finish since their relegation from the Premier League in 2015 is attainable.

And given the injury issues that the Hoops have had to face this year, that would mark a really successful first year in this new project under Julien Stephan.

Richard Kone delivers a QPR rallying cry ahead of the final five league games

One of the faces of that project on the field is Richard Kone, who joined for an initial £2.75 million fee in the summer from Wycombe Wanderers.

He's also experienced some inconsistencies on the field alongside his teammates as he too adjusts to Championship football. However, he's still managed nine goals and two assists in 39 games in his debut second-tier campaign.

The 22-year-old started for the 23rd consecutive league outing on Easter Monday against Preston North End, a game in which the Hoops were able to salvage a point thanks to one of the most peculiar own goals seen this season from North End's Thierry Small.

After the game, Kone took to Instagram to praise the away support at Deepdale and encourage it to remain as good as it has been this season in the final five games.

"Good performance yesterday. Disappointing not to get the 3 points, but we go again on Saturday. Thanks to the fans for your support, [it] was amazing, and we need you until the end. Urssssss💙🔥," he wrote.

884 Hoops fans made the trip up from the capital on Easter Monday, and Kone is banking on that support to at least remain, and perhaps get even better, for some shorter journeys to Millwall and Ipswich Town between now and the end of the campaign, alongside the loyal Loftus Road fans, too.

QPR will have to work hard for a top-10 finish this season

If finishing in the top 10 is the goal in the final five games, QPR are going to have to work hard to reach it.

Alongside their aforementioned away trips to the sides currently sat fourth and second in the division, they have home games against a resurgent Bristol City under Roy Hodgson, Swansea City and play-off chasing Derby County.

If they can finish the season strong and welcome back the likes of Rumarn Burrell, Nicolas Madsen and Ilias Chair along the way from their injuries, there'll be plenty to be excited about heading into next season at Loftus Road.

Many would argue that if Julien Stephan had the likes of Burrell and Chair fit and firing in the second half of this season, the Hoops could even be banging on the door of the top six at present, so with another summer transfer window to come, where the defence will likely receive an upgrade, QPR could be in for a really positive campaign.

And with two extra play-off spots up for grabs, Rangers will definitely be one of the sides looking to take advantage and squeeze into that top eight.

However, right now, the focus is on ending the current campaign as strongly as possible to finish nearer the top of this congested middle pack in the Championship.