Misfit finds his feet

AKOS BUZSAKY was considering his future at Loftus Road before Mark Hughes’ arrival but is now leading the way among fringe players looking to impress the new Queens Park Rangers manager.

Hughes is expected to start spending this week but those who appeared vulnerable when he took the job gave a reminder of what is already in the squad.

Brazilian forward Henrique is a target, yet Heidar Helguson opened the scoring against Wigan Athletic. Tommy Smith, who has not started a Premier League game in more than a month, added the third goal.

And Buzsaky, who scored with a fine free-kick, had started just two league games all season before Neil Warnock was sacked. While Joey Barton, the QPR captain, used Twitter to criticise Warnock, Hughes’ goalscorers did their talking on the pitch.

“In the Christmas period I wasn’t even in the squad. I wasn’t even travelling with the team and that was really hard,” Buzsaky said. “It was really testing me. To be as low as not travelling with the team had never happened to me in my life.

“If you are not playing or not even on the bench, of course you are thinking about everything. But in football everything changes so quick so there’s no point in thinking too much, just work on the training pitch and wait for your chance.

“When you get on the pitch, then you have your chance. All the players know that a new manager came and we want to show what we are capable of doing.”

QPR also appeared to play more of a passing game under Hughes, compared to the direct style adopted by Warnock.

“It’s two different managers,” Buzsaky said, after Hughes‘ first league win since his appointment. “Every manager has a different way he wants his team to play.

“We train very hard, the training is very quick and we try to do everything at match rhythm.”

Helguson’s opener came when Republic of Ireland midfielder James McCarthy handled in the area when he defended a corner, attacking the ball with his hand rather than his head.

“The penalty we gave away is an example of our nerves,” Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said, although it also looked like McCarthy was looking to avoid a collision with one of his team-mates.

Buzsaky’s free-kick doubled the lead before Hugo Rodallega pulled one back for the visitors with an expert set-piece of his own.

Helguson also missed another penalty after getting held by Gary Caldwell, with Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi adding to his decent record of saving spot-kicks this season.

Momentum appeared to be with Wigan after the penalty save but Smith wrapped up the scoring with a 25-yard drive into the top corner, ensuring Martinez’s side remained bottom of the league.

Wigan have next weekend to rest as they are knocked out of the FA Cup, while QPR face Chelsea.