Matt Smith scored his third goal of the season against Portsmouth in the FA Cup.
After loaning out youngster Aramide Oteh, it appeared Queens Park Rangers left themselves light in the attacking department as the transfer window closed.
Loanee Tomer Hemed is still returning to full fitness, which effectively left Nahki Wells as the only strong forward that QPR could call upon.
However, R’s manager Steve McClaren took a chance on Tuesday night when he opted to start Matt Smith up top, and the gamble paid dividends.
The former Leeds United striker was a thorn in the Portsmouth defence all night, and his second-half goal was more than justified.
Smith has struggled to force his way into the first-team this season after finishing as Rangers’ top-scorer last term, but his Pompey display will remind McClaren just how useful he can be.
Even defensively, Smith is a brilliant asset with his height and aerial prowess and he will be a handful for any defender in the Championship at the other end of the pitch.
Although Wells and Hemed are higher up the pecking order, there is no reason why Smith cannot force his way into the starting line-up and prove his worth once again.
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After all, Smith scored 11 league goals last year and now he has the potential to go on and build from his strong performance on Tuesday, it is vital McClaren utilises him in the right way and gives him more minutes on the pitch.
With the visit of Birmingham City coming up at the weekend, it will be a great opportunity to give Smith another run out before the FA Cup tie against Watford a week on Friday.
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