Queens Park Rangers star Alex Smithies feels club’s talent wasn’t fulfilled this season

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QPR had a rough ride in the Championship, and only finished two points above the relegation zone.

QPR’s Alex Smithies saves from Sheffield Wednesday’s Jordan Rhodes

Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Alex Smithies has revealed his disappointment at how the season went from a team perspective, even if the campaign was a personally good one from his own angle, as reports the QPR official website.

The 27-year-old was voted the club’s Player of the Year after an outstanding season, which pretty much kept QPR in the Championship, with Ian Holloway’s side finishing the campaign in 18th place – just two points above the relegation zone.

The former Huddersfield Town goalkeeper had been heavily linked with a move to Aston Villa in January, as reports the Mirror, and played in all 46 of QPR’s league fixtures this season, eventually signing a new long term deal in February.

While it was a very good season from a personal perspective for Smithies, who never left the first team and won admirers from all round, the 27-year-old was disappointed in the team’s overall performance, and believes that with the talent in and around the squad, QPR should have done better.

QPR’s Alex Smithies saves the penalty from Aston Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia

“Overall it’s been a bit disappointing,” Smithies said to the QPR official website. “I think we’ve underachieved with the talent we’ve got.

“Personally, I’ve managed to play in all the games and be involved in a lot of the season, and after having quite a long period out of playing, for the most part I’ve enjoyed it.

“But I think we’ll look forward to next season now that we’ve secured our place in the Championship.”

Newcastle United’s Aleksandar Mitrovic in action with Queens Park Rangers’ Jake Bidwell and Alex Smithies

QPR and Holloway have a big summer ahead of them, as it became abundantly clear that the squad needs some reinforcements if they are to avoid being sucked into a relegation dogfight like they nearly did this season.

It seems the work has already begun at Loftus Road, with manager Holloway coming out and saying that he would like to bring in three or four new players to steady the ship, as reports Get West London.