Top scorer for QPR

Wednesday December 2, 2009

The wind is sweeping across QPR's training ground, bringing with it a screen of driving rain. Suddenly, from across the M4 comes a strange sight - sun so bright it glints off the green turf.

And, as it shines through the moisture in the air, the result is a brilliant rainbow - the end of which is planted in a distant five-aside pitch. Proof, as if it were needed, that the Championship's richest club is sat on a pot of gold.

But all the money in the world hasn't been able to get QPR the one thing they craved the most in recent seasons - a consistent goalscorer.

Until now. Jay Simpson has always known where the net is. The on-loan Arsenal forward holds the distinction of being the first player to net a hat-trick at the Emirates Stadium, in an FA Youth Cup tie ('at the time I didn't even know it - the next day it sunk in').

But QPR's top goalscorer? He's as surprised as the rest of us. "Last season I was playing up with the front man," says the softly-spoken former England U18 man.

"This season I'm playing up top by myself. I'm enjoying it. It's something else I can add to my game. I'm always looking to learn, and it's a great learning curve from here."

The fact Simpson can call something as elusive as that goalscoring Midas touch 'something else I can add to my game' shows just how special a prospect he is.

Eight goals in 14 league games have catapulted him into the Championship topscorers table - something alien to QPR of late.

Islington-born, and a product of Arsene Wenger's fabled youth policy, Simpson has been sent out on the road to get regular football and improve his game.

He had stints at Millwall ('the best decision I ever made'), and West Brom before arriving at Loftus Road.

The opportunity has seen Simpson come of age, both figuratively and literally: today he celebrates his 21st birthday ('my mum is taking me out for a surprise, I don't really know what').

And he's having the time of his life.

"The fans have been great since I've been here. My first game was away but the second, Peterborough, was at home. So I had a great reception from them.

"As we were going into the stadium, they were all stopping and talking to me - being really friendly and encouraging me. At times they've been singing my name as well, so it has been great for me.

"I've really really enjoyed it since I've come. The lads in the team, the club staff: everyone's been really good to me, to help me settle in quickly. And I think that shows on the pitch - I'm scoring goals and we're climbing the table."

Apart from one or two minor set-backs, the Hoops' season is looking good - and a place in the play-offs is clearly on the agenda. But Simpson is taking nothing for granted.

"In this league we've seen it time and time again," he asserts. "Anyone can beat anyone, and every weekend you see results that will shock you."

Rangers will therefore have to be on-form if they are to keep the momentum through coming matches against Middlesbrough, Watford and West Brom.

Simpson says: "Obviously West Brom are at the top of the table and doing well. Watford are on-form at the moment, and (Middlesbrough boss) Gordon Strachan wants to win some games, so that will be a tough one.

"I think the stature of the club means everyone expects QPR to be up at the top. That can translate into pressure. But I think at the moment the team is gelling well and everyone is pushing in the right direction."

For QPR, that is the only problem with Simpson. Because the more goals he scores, the more likely Arsenal are to want him back playing for them at the end of his season-long loan.

He says: "I'm an Arsenal player but at the moment I'm at QPR, so I class myself as a QPR player. The end of the season is a long way away, and I'm trying to focus on the immediate future: just the weekend. But I have to perform well if I'm going to go back to Arsenal and force my way into the team.

"If you want to be successful then you have to play at your best all the time and score goals. Hopefully I'll score as many goals as I can and get QPR up the table."