[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football Fancast’s Loan Watch series, which takes a closer look at those players who are aiming to galvanise their careers away from the spotlight of their parent club.

Since signing for Wycombe Wanderers back in July, QPR loanee Paul Smyth has enjoyed an impressive run of form with the League One side.

The 21-year-old joined the Chairboys on a season-long loan deal, having previously made 19 first-team appearances for the R’s whilst scoring two goals and grabbing an assist.

Despite his young age, Smyth has already made two senior appearances for Northern Ireland and even managed to net on his debut against South Korea last year.

Since arriving at Wycombe, Smyth has already grabbed a goal and an assist in three league games for the club under Gareth Ainsworth, although he could’ve been forgiven for having a little panic after seeing what Mark Warburton recently did back at his parent club.

The former Brentford and Rangers boss recently switched to a 5-3-2 formation – a system which suits left-back Ryan Manning like a glove – and the move had the desired effect with a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday last time out.

For Smyth however, as a natural right-sided attacking midfielder, he may have feared for his chances of game time under Warburton seeing as the 5-3-2 system does not have a place for a right-sided midfielder, as that flank is occupied by the right wing-back.

With that said, the saving grace for Smyth is his versatility.

After the controversy surrounding young Bobby Duncan at Liverpool, we ask if enough is being done to protect young players from shady agents in the video below…

Luckily, the Irishman can also play as a centre-forward, a position which Warburton’s new system does account for and as such, his hopes of making the grade in the QPR first-team have been somewhat saved by his ability to play in another position other than on the right flank.

Smyth has made two appearances as a right-forward this term, and one as a centre-forward.

Whilst his early performances for Wycombe and for his country have been encouraging, Smyth still has a long season to go under Ainsworth before he can turn to Warburton and argue that he should be handed a chance.

However, if he does keep up his impressive form, his ability to play in the centre could well salvage his hopes of a spot in the first-team playing in a 5-3-2 formation should the QPR boss choose to stick with it.

[ad_pod ]