Nedum Onuoha believes QPR have benefited from not having a 'marquee player' in their ranks this season.

Rangers sold Charlie Austin to Southampton in January, Matt Phillips joined West Bromwich Albion this summer, Junior Hoilett has seemingly left the club while Sandro is likely to depart before the transfer window closes, while Steven Caulker could also leave.

Hoops then won't have any big-name players left in their ranks and Onuoha believes it has led to a change of focus in the squad.

He said: “We have lost some very good players but this year there's more emphasis on the team instead of an individual to bail you out.

Leighton Baines of Everton holds off Matt Phillips of West Bromwich Albion
Leighton Baines of Everton holds off Matt Phillips of West Bromwich Albion

“We have good players but not the Championship marquee players other sides have. When you're looking around, you're not looking in one place that someone is going to do something.

“You look around thinking everyone knows their role and if we do it right we'll be more competitive.”

He added: “We had Charlie, Matty Phillips, Sandro but it's different now.

“They're good players They're not here now but we're not struggling. They'd help any side though. We're all working to try and achieve the same thing.

“We've got loads of young players coming through. It's good to see them achieving something and you can give them advice about the game.”

QPR's Nedum Onuoha opens the scoring against Leeds United on Sunday afternoon.
QPR's Nedum Onuoha opens the scoring against Leeds United on Sunday afternoon.

Onuoha scored the only goal of the game as QPR claimed victory at Wigan and his strike was similar to one Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink would have scored.

“I'm sure he'd be proud. I used to watch him to be fair so I'm sure he'll be telling me about the ones he's done in the past,” he explained.

“I wish I was that player (that sets goal targets) but two in a month feels great but saying I'll get 30 is a bit too far. I like being the top scoring defender – I like to let them know.”