Queens Park Ranger Ryan: gaffer has faith in me

EXCLUSIVE BY YANN TEAR
yann@slpmedia.co.uk­

Ryan Manning insists he will not get ahead of himself in trying to nail down
a regular starting place at QPR – but knows this could be a breakthrough season.

The left-sided player – who has been switched from left wing to left back this season – appears to have won the trust of boss Mark Warburton, featuring
prominently and earning praise from the man in charge, who said last week: “Ryan has grabbed the shirt. He’s stepped up and really staked a claim, doing outstandingly well.”

But the Irishman intends to keep his feet firmly on the ground, because he recognises that only consistency will keep him in the team.

“I’m very happy with the way the season’s begun for me,” Manning told the London Weekly News.

“I’m playing regularly and contributing, and it’s nice that the gaffer has put his faith in me.

“But I know I have to carry on working hard in training and in matches and be consistent.

“With the quality of the players we have in the squad, nobody is guaranteed a shirt. I don’t think for a moment that I’m there. It’s all about how well you’ve done in deciding if you keep playing.

“But this could be a big season for me and the team.

“There’s a lot of football to be played and everyone will be needed. One of the great things about the gaffer is that nobody takes things for granted.”

The 23-year-old, signed from Galway United in 2015 during Harry Redknapp’s tenure, made 18 appearances for the R’s in 2016-17 and 21 the following season.

But last season he was shipped out to Rotherham on loan, with Steve
McClaren deciding he would benefit from a move. Manning feels it did him the world of good.

“I feel I came back from Rotherham last season a better player,” he said. “It was really beneficial. I played a lot of games there for [boss] Paul Warne and got good experience of the Championship.

It brought my game on. Things didn’t really go to plan when I came back in January but it’s all changed now.

“There is a different buzz about the place compared to the end of last season. When there’s a change of manager, you get fresh ideas and a fresh approach and that keeps everyone of their toes.

“It’s a style of play we enjoy too. We play a lot more football than we did and all the lads have bought into it. It’s been great in the dressing room too. Everyone gets on well and we are a hard-working group who want to achieve something.”

Manning added: “When you think about the huge amount of change at the club, we have done so well to gel as well as we have done in just six weeks.

“Everyone feels optimistic about the season. We feel we’ve put in some
very good performances already and are through in the cup, so we are all pretty upbeat and hopefully we can push on from here.

“My contract expires at the end of the season but that’s also something that’s just in the background for now.”

As for his best position, Manning is still open to suggestion but feels Warburton knows how to get the best out of him.

And he is ready for more penalty-taking, having converted two against Bristol City in the League Cup last week – one of them in the decisive shoot-out.

“I’ve been a bit of a Jack-of-all-trades during my years at QPR,” he said. “In theory, I’m a midfielder but you have to be able to play in different positions.

“This season I’ve been playing at left back and I’m really enjoying it. The gaffer gives us licence to get forward at full back.

“I’m not sure if I’m going to be a regular penalty taker. I think a few hands will go up in the dressing room, wanting to take them this season. It may be about whoever is feeling confident at the time. But I’ll be very happy to take them again.”

Manning has another ambition in the wings too. He was called up to the
Republic of Ireland squad last season, so knows more rewards await in he can remain uppermost in Warburton’s plans.

“Everybody wants to play for their country and hopefully I will get a chance to join the squad again,” he said. “But for now, all I want to do is concentrate on my club and do well for them.

“At the moment I don’t want to look too far into the future – just try to keep putting in good performances. I think we all want to just take each game as
it comes and re-evaluate where we are at Christmas.”

Rangers were at home to Swansea City last night and have two more matches this week at the newly-renamed Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium. Wigan Athletic pay a visit for a Championship fixture on Saturday, while League One Portsmouth travel to W12 on Wednesday for the second round of the League Cup.