Washington speaks of ‘contempt’ for Hasselbaink’s methods

Conor Washington has spoken of the “contempt” he had for former QPR manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s methods.

The R’s striker has impressed under Ian Holloway, whose predecessor often deployed Washington as a lone striker or in a left-sided role.

It meant Northern Ireland international Washington endured a difficult first year at Loftus Road following his move from Peterborough.

“Within a year I’ve gone from the highest point to the lowest point back to where I am now,” said Washington.

Hasselbaink was sacked by QPR in November last year

“Going from playing and scoring and being the main man at Peterborough and coming to QPR and having a few disagreements with the manager, not really understanding how he wanted me to play, his style of play – it was really tough.

“It was not so much disagreements as miscommunication maybe – probably on both of our parts.”

Speaking ahead of Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Norway, Washington added: “I didn’t really understand the job he wanted me to do within the team.

“I’ve always found playing up top on my own in the system we were playing doesn’t really suit me particularly well. There was a lot of contempt on my part in that.”