QPR manager Mark Warburton has labelled possession statistics as "irrelevant" despite his side having recorded the fourth-highest average possession in the Championship this term.

Warburton has made a promising start to life at his new club with the Rs having won six of their opening 11 league matches, with this seeing them sit in ninth place during the international break.

Their most recent match saw them secure an impressive 4-2 victory over Blackburn at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, with leading marksmen Jordan Hugill and Nahki Wells both among the goals.

The on-loan duo have formed a bright attacking partnership in the opening weeks of the season, with both players having scored six goals each to make up two thirds of QPR's overall league goal tally so far this term.

Warburton has now praised the pair for their prolific outings at the tip of his side's attack, but he also paid tribute to the rest of his side for the frequency in which they have created chances since August.

QPR have produced the fourth-most shots per game in the Championship this campaign, and Warburton has explained to The Athletic why he values this much more highly than simply maintaining possession of the ball.

“Possession is an irrelevant stat,” Warburton said.

“The biggest stat for me is chances created, and the quality of the chance created, in key zones around the goal. As a team, we are creating chances.”

“Everyone is talking about Jordan (Hugill) and Nahki Wells, and all credit to them for putting the ball in the back of the net. But they feed off the chances created by the team.

"If the goalkeeper doesn’t play to the centre-half, and he doesn’t play, then it doesn’t happen. We defend from the front, we attack from the back. If we can plant that theme, we’re in it together as a team.”

The Verdict

Warburton's description of possession as "irrelevant" is interesting given that possession is needed in order to create chances, but his comments do reveal the clear vision he has for his side's playing style.

Th 57-year-old sets his side up with a view to creating chances rather than simply keeping hold of the ball, and this can only be a positive thing for QPR fans who are likely to see a brand of high-energy football this term.

It is clear to see how Warburton's tactics have also benefitted some of QPR's players this term with Ryan Manning having been delivring fine performances in both an attacking and defensive context while playing in the full-back role.

He has registered the most assists for QPR this season which shows how Warburton's strategy of attacking from the back has been well-received by the players and produces results on the pitch.

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