QPR U-turn verdict issued on upcoming contract decision for 22-cap international - "he deserves it" | OneFootball

FLW’s QPR fan pundit has urged the club to hand Paul Smyth a new contract at Loftus Road.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

After an impressive run of form, Queens Park Rangers suffered a bump in the road by suffering defeat away at promotion-contending Middlesbrough last weekend.

Heading into their trip to the Riverside Stadium, the R’s had won four out of their last five Championship outings, but were no match for a Boro side who have their sights firmly set on gaining automatic promotion to the Premier League.

The gulf between the two sides was demonstrated in the first half, as strikes from David Stelec and Morgan Whittaker handed the Teesside outfit a two-goal advantage heading into the break, while Tommy Conway’s dispatched penalty put the game beyond reach just five minutes into the second period.

QPR did get a penalty themselves with 20 minutes to go, which was rifled in by Nicolas Madsen, but it was too little, too late for the West London outfit, who will have to respond to this setback next weekend when they host Leicester City.

In spite of their defeat, Stéphan and QPR will be delighted by the contribution attacker Paul Smyth is making for the team.

Heading into his final year at Loftus Road, Smyth has featured 19 times so far this term, making a difference in the final third whether it be starting or arriving off the bench.

The Northern Ireland international has netted twice when being introduced from the sidelines against Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City, while he earned his first 90 minutes of the campaign at Boro last weekend, winning the penalty that was converted by Madsen.

It appears the 28-year-old has changed some thoughts of the QPR faithful due to his performances this season, and could be worthy of a new contract at the club should he maintain his form.

With this in mind, FLW’s QPR fan pundit has issued his thoughts over whether he would hand Smyth a new deal.

QPR advised to keep Paul Smyth beyond this season due to an impressive run of form

Speaking to Football League World, QPR fan pundit Louis Moir believes 22-cap Northern Ireland international Smyth is deserving of a new contract at the end of the season, should he maintain his positive form during the first half of the campaign, citing that the attacker has “gone up a level” under the guidance of Julien Stéphan.

Louis said: “I’ve definitely been a critic of Paul Smyth before this season, saying that he’s not been good enough numbers wise, he doesn’t provide enough going forward when it comes to goals and assists and his decision-making at times is lacking a lot.

“But, in his credit, this season, he has gone up a level, and he certainly has proven that. He’s impressing a manager of Julien Stéphan's standards, which is testament to him that he’s doing well.

“He’s been involved in quite a lot of games this season, and he’s got a couple of goals. He’s been more than a threat going forward when coming off the bench or even starting games, and if a deal can be done with him, I would say why not.

“Maybe he will end up staying for another year or two, and the way he’s going this season, he deserves it. I think he’s more than good enough to be a squad player and, in certain games, a starter, but certainly Paul Smyth off the bench in games is such a threat, and we’ve seen it quite a few times.

“He may think he deserves to start more games, but that’s where the decisions come in, and it’s hard when we have a squad full of good attacking players.

“I wouldn’t have said it a year or so ago, but the way he’s going this season, he does deserve another contract, and I’d be more than happy to give him one. If he continues the form he’s shown so far, then hopefully, he will stick around, because he’s more than good enough to have at this level.

“It's interesting, because, if the miracle dream happened where we ended up getting promoted, then there wouldn’t be a reason to keep him because we’d be looking for much better players and with his contract expiring, he would leave, but let’s see what happens at the end of the season and go from there.

“I think that would be the most sensible decision to make, and if we’re still in the Championship, then why not offer him a new deal.”

Paul Smyth has to continue contributing to earn much-needed QPR contract extension

Despite being a versatile addition during his time at QPR, Paul Smyth has largely been inconsistent for the Hoops, leading to calls for him to depart West London at the end of the season.

But he’s now beginning to change the minds of some supporters, with Smyth having an impact in the frontline game-after-game and being a dependable option either starting or coming off the bench.

Smyth did receive some criticism for his performance at Middlesbrough last weekend, with his decision-making called out, but one bad game doesn’t define a player’s season, and on the basis of the whole campaign so far, he is showing steady signs of improvement.

Provided Smyth can put the Boro game behind him and continue to impress then he will be deserving of a new contract, and could prove to be such a valuable player if the R’s remain in the second-tier next season.