Ebere Eze and Paul Smyth have made positive strides since breaking into QPR’s first-team and now Steve McClaren must make sure they continue to flourish.
Queens Park Rangers are not typically renowned for their strong youth set-up or having produced top class players, so it has been a real breath of fresh air to see the emergence of a number of academy graduates into the first-team.
Ebere Eze and Paul Smyth are just two examples of this and the pair will be very much looking forward to learning their trade from one of Britain’s most respected coaches, Steve McClaren.
The former England boss has taken over the reigns from Ian Holloway at Loftus Road and will be chomping at the bit to work with the young crop of stars at QPR.
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Eze enjoyed a successful loan spell at League 2 Wycombe Wanderers last season before being recalled to the R’s in February. The attacking midfielder notched five goals in 20 appearances for Gareth Ainsworth’s side and also scored his first Championship goals for the Hoops at the back end of the campaign.
Furthermore, it is Eze’s natural ability on the ball that makes him truly exciting. Able to turn on a sixpence, the 20-year-old is widely admired by the Rangers faithful for his committed displays and attacking presence that McClaren will only help develop over the coming months.
Smyth is perhaps considered a more live-wire type of player. Predominantly a striker but used in wider positions to date, the Northern Irish international offers blistering pace and a genuine eye for goal. The former Linfield player dazzled in games last season and he is another that McClaren will likely improve sooner rather than later.
The QPR duo are still somewhat raw and wet behind the ears but, if McClaren’s reign at Middlesbrough is anything to go by, exciting times could lay ahead for R’s fans and their young stars.
During his time at Middlesbrough, McClaren once played a team that consisted entirely of local players, a total of 15 of the 16 who travelled were from in or around Teeside. That is quite incredible really but it is not to say McClaren is trying to replicate that feat, although it is perhaps a model to work alongside.
Eze and Smyth are certainly two of QPR’s brightest prospects and it is now down to McClaren to really push and develop the exciting duo for next season.
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