For Queens Park Rangers, it's safe to say expectations weren't astronomical going into the new Championship season at Loftus Road.

The Hoops have been stuck in the Championship since the 2014/2015 campaign and they'll be after a return to the top flight as soon as possible and it's safe to say they given themselves a pretty solid chance.

As starts go, it's been very good. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's side have taken three wins from five and with that, they sit fifth in the Championship going into the international break.

Convincing wins over Preston and Leeds United have been the highlight and Hoops supporters will be hoping for more of the same as the season progresses.

Whilst typical stars have shone, we want to have a look at whether there are some slightly underrated players in this QPR team who perhaps don't quite get the credit they deserve.

Who deserves to grab the headlines a little more often at Loftus Road?

Football League World writer Hayden Atkins takes us through THREE names who might deserve a little more credit going forward.

Alex Smithies

Alex Smithiesd

 

Goalkeeper Alex Smithies has been massive for the Hoops already this season and it would have been three defeats on the spin, had he not been between the sticks for the win over Wigan.

Known for his time with Huddersfield Town, he's a consistent shot-stopper without perhaps being known as one of the biggest players in the league.

A great player and one that will continue to tick along nicely as the season progresses.

Nedum Onuoha

Nedum Onuohad

English centre-back Nedum Onuoha is well respected at Queens Park Rangers but few actually realise how good he is.

QPR's club captain epitomises everything Hasselbaink is trying to build at Loftus Road. Heart, determination and courage are all words you could use to describe his game, after a turbulent couple of years which saw wages spiral and players laze.

He's club captain for a reason and whilst Hoops fans might know how good he is, there are few from outside Loftus Road that know he could probably play at a higher level.

Conor Washington

conor washingtonconor washington

Former Peterborough United striker Conor Washington endured a tough start to his QPR career after failing to score in his first campaign at the club, albeit signing in January.

The Northern Ireland international is pretty heavily relied on for goals right now and if Hasselbaink's team are to do well this season, they'll need to get him firing as quickly as possible.

Don't discount him though, he proved at London Road he can bang them in and all he might need is a bit of time to settle.