Queens Park Rangers have enjoyed a good start to life under Mark Warburton, but there’s still room for improvement for the West Londoners.

Arriving at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium in the summer, Mark Warburton has so far done a fine job at QPR.

Overseeing a mass transformation of the club, the former Brentford manager has worked wonders to get his team playing how they have.

A 3-1 defeat to rivals Brentford in the Championship on Monday night saw them miss the chance to go 2nd in the table, and they now lie in 8th going into the weekend’s fixtures - just a point off Bristol City in 6th.

There’s been plenty for fans to cheers about at QPR this season, but there’s also plenty of work still to do if they’re to mount a serious promotion push this season.

Here we take a look at three areas where QPR need to strengthen in January.

The heart of defence

The glaring concern for QPR this season has been their defensive ineptitude.

For all their free-scoring form this season, QPR are the only side yet to keep a clean sheet in the Championship this season.

Too often this season they've been undone by woeful defending - the 2-2 draw with Reading earlier this month was a prime example of polarising offence and defence, and this will be the first port of call for Warburton in January.

The club need one more quality centre-back. Toni Leistner is probably the best of the central defenders at the club, but Yoann Barbet and Geoff Cameron haven’t been up to scratch in the middle of a five-strong defence this season.

The holding midfield role

To help conquer their defensive frailties, QPR could do with a dominant force in-front of the defenders.

Josh Scowen has been occupying the holding midfielder role for QPR this season, but the loss on Monday night highlighted the club's need for someone with a bit more solidity in that position.

Luke Amos can play that position, though he's more of a passing midfielder than a tackling one.

What QPR need in January is a real rock of a midfielder, one who won’t shy away from a tackle and one who will deal the defence some more protection.

Back-up striker

Nahki Wells and Jordan Hugill have been in fine goal-scoring form for the club this season - they've scored 13 goals in the Championship between them this season.

But if one of them were to become injured, QPR would be in a lot of trouble.

Their only realistic back-up option is Jan Mlakar, who’s made just four sporadic substitute appearances for the club this season.

This one might go amiss, but QPR desperately need a back-up forward in January to provide Wells and Hugill with some cover should they need to be rested.

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