Queens Park Rangers attacker Ilias Chair is aiming for greater consistency after an unsteady goals return to start the season. The attacking midfielder, who turns 24 this month, scored three goals in a week. He previously netted one goal in ten games in all competitions.
Ilias Chair Aims for Consistency and Improvement
‘If I’m Not Staying Consistent Then What’s the Point?’
In an interview with West London Sport, Chair pledged more is yet to come from him after he answered critics with winners against Birmingham and Preston North End.
“It’s all about consistency,” he told the local news outlet.
“I need to stay consistent. If I’m not staying consistent then what’s the point?
“I’m going out there trying to be an eight or nine out of ten every game. Obviously, that’s not always possible and if it’s not then work hard for the team.
“I’m not the finished article yet. I still need to improve and that’s what I’m trying to do.
“I’m just looking to improve every single day and keep my feet on the ground.”
Chair’s determination to improve aligns with his reasoning to take the number ten shirt at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium. Rodney Marsh, Stanley Bowles, Adel Taarabt and Eberechi Eze have all held the shirt in the past and are the reason behind its nostalgic weight.
He added: “I like challenges. I like to challenge myself. I went into the gaffer’s office and asked for the number ten shirt.
“I knew what the previous players did, like Stan Bowles, Ebere and Adel Taarabt. I wanted to step in the footsteps of those guys.”
Ilias Chair Taking Responsibility
The Moroccan’s interview shows a glimmer of personal frustration that he has with himself over his season.
Chair is one of QPR’s most important players, and perhaps their most crucial attacker. It is natural for someone of his quality to be thinking about his goals and assist return when he is relied upon to be one of QPR’s main scorers and creators. The forward has just one assist so far.
Additionally, Chair received backlash after West Bromwich Albion executed a superb press to dispossess him of the ball and switch defence into attack. Moments later, the Baggies capitalised and took a 2-1 lead at The Hawthorns, which QPR had no response to.
However, Rangers will be delighted by Chair aiming for greater consistency. Mark Warburton and his senior players have improved the mentality of the squad over the course of the year and Chair’s admission proves he has a knack for taking responsibility.
Since the January transfer window, QPR’s fortunes completely shifted from relegation to promotion. The likes of Charlie Austin and Stefan Johansen not only added experienced quality to a young side but established a winning psyche.
This change has been foundational for Rangers who tied with Coventry City for the most points from losing positions (nine) after their 2-1 comeback against Preston North End. Chair notched the winner here, and he was also responsible for sparking a resurgence against Barnsley in August.
Chris Willock Partnership
While the 23-year-old is looking to improve, it does not mean he has played poorly by any stretch. In fact, Chair is always instrumental to how QPR play in an advanced area.
His movement off the ball, finding gaps between midfield and defence, and completing passes into runners is always on display. Likewise, Chair’s trickery typically hypnotises defenders, causing them to either make a loose tackle or draw their attention so much they become blind to the other attackers’ movements.
The biggest conclusion from this season so far for Chair is his partnership with Chris Willock. The attacking pair have regularly put on box office entertainment at Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.
The two players are drawn together during matches, knowingly they are so hard to cope with. Often they are responsible for injecting momentum into the Rangers side. Similarly, somewhere down the line their combination most likely helped QPR get into a dangerous position.
Whenever they get close and start to connect QPR go up a gear. Either attacker has a burst of space to get by their defender or the skill to fool the opposition. Their chemistry is regularly unmatched.
Rangers their partnership will keep on delivering, and potentially even improve, as they hope to turn Chair into a formidable player. Meanwhile, interested clubs will be keeping a close eye on the 23-year-old’s development, despite his contract potentially expiring as late as 2026.
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