This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Player view’ series, this content strand is where we put ourselves in the shoes of a given player, and offer an opinion-based outlook on the perspective on the situation at hand…

Since the beginning of the season, Ryan Manning has put in consistently good performances playing in a role not many would have suited him for.

Due to several departures, there were gaps in QPR’s squad coming into the season. In particular, the left-back spot was light having lost first-team left-back Jake Bidwell on a free transfer to Swansea. 

Not many would have called for the immediate inclusion of, then midfielder, Ryan Manning to start the season there. Manning had a mixed last season whilst on-loan at Rotherham; whilst only making 13 appearances for the relegated side, he still managed to register four goals and an assist.

Since then, Manning has been an ever-present, starting at left-back in every single QPR game this season. With a string of top-drawer performances, many were calling for his inclusion in the latest Republic of Ireland squad ahead of the international break.

With so much young talent rising through QPR’s ranks, along with attacking signings in the limelight, it would be easy to overlook the terrific work put in by Manning at the left-back slot. The weekend’s 4-2 victory over Blackburn is a prime example of this. Manning had a hand in three of Rangers’ goals with a deep cross to the far post being nodded into the path of Nakhi Wells to break the deadlock, and quick interchange out wide saw Eberechi Eze played through for the second, and clipping a cross for Hugill to head in from 12 yards to seal the victory with the R’s fourth goal.

What these goals show is traits much akin to the best modern full-backs around, with boundless energy, a willingness to overlap, and the ability to dig out a cross to a teammate or at least into an area which causes havoc for the defence.

The stats back up this surge in form too, with Manning topping QPR’s charts for chances created, assists, crosses, tackles, possession won, touches, and fouls won. With Manning naturally being a versatile player, it should not come as much of a surprise to see him relishing the change in position and becoming one of QPR’s top performers.

With an international break that Manning is somewhat surprisingly not involved in, he has a chance to recuperate and prepare for a busy month, with three London derbies alongside tests against top promotion contenders. QPR’s form of late has been inconsistent and they need not look further than Manning for a source of inspiration.