QPR winger Junior Hoilett believes Ravel Morrison has the quality to help restore their faltering bid for automatic promotion.
The talented but controversial youngster, 20, is set to spend the rest of the season on loan at Loftus Road after falling out of favour at West Ham.
Morrison arrives as the R’s reflect on a second successive defeat to a promotion rival – a 3-1 defeat at home to Reading that leaves them four points behind second-placed Burnley.
And Hoilett says Harry Redknapp’s pre-season title favourites are desperate to avoid the play-offs.
“Morrison is a fantastic player – I’ve seen him play a few times and I’d be delighted to play with him,” he said.
“I’m looking forward for him to come into the squad and help us win automatic promotion. That’s what he’s here for.
“Nobody wants to be in the play-offs. It would be my first time at Wembley and I wouldn’t want to lose there. We want automatic promotion.”
Sunday’s loss was another setback after last week’s 1-0 reverse at Derby, and Rangers are clearly missing sidelined top scorer Charlie Austin.
But Hoilett added: “Every game is a must-win because we still have to gain some points on Burnley. If we win our game in hand we’re one point behind, so we’re not far off and we’re still positive we’ll pull it off.
“We have the confidence to pick ourselves up and get ourselves the wins needed to get back into the Premiership.”
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This post was last modified on 17/02/2014
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There has been more goals conceded in recent games is because of playing two strikers which leaves more space for the opposition to attack and create chances and goals.
So I think going back to the 4-5-1 formation that won so many games earlier in the season is the best idea for the short term.
3 of the regular players from that line up have long term injuries so it will be difficult without Austin and Phillips and Simpson.
But the team this season has a far better attitude than last season and has won far more games.
So that and the addition of Ravel Morrisson means there is still a good chance to get automatic promotion.
Teams that played QPR in the first half of the season, won't repeat the mistake of allowing us possession and hitting on the break - too much respect. In the last few weeks, we've seen opposition playing a high line, crowding the midfield and thereby harassing the defence - no more clean sheets. Derby, Burnley and Reading have been very successful in that tactic, as well as Huddersfield, who were unlucky not to get something out of their match with us.
To turn the current trend around, we must match fire with fire. Move the ball much quicker and up the work rate - we didn't start playing until 1-3 down against Reading. While teams had too much respect for us earlier, we now need to respect them, but put in a fight.