Ex-Queens Park Rangers forward Jay Bothroyd has discussed his two seasons at the club, and how he struggled for goals in the Premier League.

Bothroyd, 37, has been playing in Japan's J1 League with Hokkaido since 2017.

He joined QPR in the summer of 2011 after Neil Warnock had guided them to the Championship title. Bothroyd had been released by Cardiff City but signed a two-year deal at the West London club, and would go on to play 31 times in two seasons in the top-flight for the R's, scoring five goals.

It was a struggle for the Islington-born striker, but Bothroyd, speaking exclusively to 888sport, has opened up about his time at the club:

“The first season was good. We stayed up and that’s what the club wanted. I would have liked to have scored more goals but it’s always difficult to play in a team that is fighting relegation and especially as a striker.

"You’re feeding on scraps and it’s just not easy. You can’t influence the game and have to remain disciplined and stay in position. If the one chance comes you have to put it away."

Warnock was sacked midway through that season, with QPR sitting in 17th-place.

Mark Hughes came in and kept Rangers in the league by a point and a place in the table, but he too lost his job midway through the 2012/13 campaign, and Harry Redknapp would come in to oversee a 20th-place finish.

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"So I was frustrated that I didn’t score enough goals but that's Premier League football for you," added Bothroyd. "Overall though we stayed in the league. After Warnock we changed so many managers and that’s not ideal for any player.

"New managers are bringing in their own players. Players are leaving. It’s difficult to feel settled and play to your best.”

The verdict

Bothroyd was a player who always gave his all for QPR, and fans have always appreciated him for it. It's understandably hard to be prolific in a misfiring team, especially in a league as fast-paced and ruthless as the Premier League.

Nevertheless, QPR fans remember Bothroyd and what he did to help keep the club in the Premier League that season, and are happy to know he's still playing over in Japan.

Read the full 888sport interview with Bothroyd to get his thoughts on how Danny Ings should be part of Southgate’s 23 for this summer’s Euros.