Two goals in two games have made Jay Bothroyd much happier at Loftus Road

Jay Bothroyd believes that Neil Warnock’s decision to pair him with Heidar Helguson up front has played a crucial part in his return to form for QPR.

England striker Bothroyd failed to score in his first eight games for the Rs, and was subsequently dropped by Warnock for the matches against Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea.

But with Warnock switching from a 4-2-3-1 formation to two up front Bothroyd has suddenly found his scoring boots, netting against Tottenham last weekend, while he and Helguson were both on target in the 3-2 defeat to league leaders Manchester City on Saturday.

“Heidar is one of those players who wants to play on the shoulders of defenders, he likes the physical confrontation and he’ll stay high up the pitch,” said Bothroyd. “I’m a bit of a different player, I like to come inside and get involved in the game, drift wide, take players on and hopefully score goals.

“With him up there he’s complementing my style, giving me the freedom to come deep when I want to and wide when I want to. The manager’s told me to go and express myself, that’s what I’ve been doing the last couple of games, and I’ve really enjoyed it.

“When you play that disciplined role up front, staying within the width of the six yard box, it’s difficult because you’re not involved in long periods of the game.

“I’m a player who always wants to be involved in the game, I want things to come through me, be a catalyst and contribute. With Heidar up there and Shaun Wright-Phillips and Jamie Mackie wide it gives me a bit more freedom.”

Bothroyd insisted he was unaffected by his manager’s decision to leave him out, and said the brief spell on the sidelines only increased his desire to prove the doubters wrong.

“The manager said to me even before I got left out that the games I started in I did well but didn’t get the goal, so he said he was going to leave me out,” added Bothroyd.

“I think that was great management to be honest. He’s a good man manager, I don’t think there’s many managers out there now who would pull you over and tell you they’re going to leave you out for a few games. All you can do as a professional is go back in the next day and work even harder to get yourself back in the team.

“I’ve been doing extra sessions with the coaches, keeping myself fit, coming in early and being the last person to leave, and obviously it’s paid off so far.”

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