QPR and Cifuentes can look to Stevenage for a boost in tough period, here's why | OneFootball

QPR's Murphy Cooper is currently enjoying his time on loan at Stevenage, which will be one positive for the Hoops during this difficult period.

Queens Park Rangers have got off to a difficult start to the season.

The hopes for this season were that QPR would improve on their disappointing 2023/24 campaign, as they finished just six points outside the relegation, but so far that has not been the case, unfortunately.

Marti Cifuentes signed a new long-term contract at the end of September, but results have suggested that perhaps the club should have held off for the time being.

His QPR side sit inside the relegation zone after their first 11 league games, of which just one has been a win. Before this week, the Hoops suffered a 4-game losing streak, which left supporters frustrated and wondering when things will change.

Fortunes changed ever so slightly on Tuesday evening as QPR picked up their first point in five games. Cifuentes' men held Coventry City to a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road, thanks to Kieran Morgan's second-half goal.

The QPR faithful will be demanding more though, as they search for their first win since the end of August.

Their defensive record is rather poor so far this season, as they have conceded 19 goals in their first 11 games of the season, and have failed to keep a single clean sheet. The Hoops do have one goalkeeper currently out on loan who is enjoying completely opposite experience defensively.

Murphy Cooper is performing well on loan in League One

QPR fans will likely know him as Murphy Mahoney, but the 22-year-old changed his name to Murphy Cooper by deed poll in the summer before heading out on loan to Stevenage in League One.

He previously impressed in League Two for Swindon Town, so it seemed a natural progression to move to League One and feature for Alex Revell's Boro.

So far, it looks like a move that is paying off for all parties involved. Cooper has started all 12 of Stevenage's League One fixtures this season, and has conceded just nine goals in that time.

Boro fans have been hugely impressed with his confidence between the sticks and his shot-stopping ability. The 22-year-old has kept an incredible seven clean sheets from those opening 12 games as Alex Revell's side have been tough to break down.

He may not be the tallest goalkeeper in the EFL, but his claims from set-pieces are hugely impressive and he likes to have complete control over his 18-yard box.

QPR will be looking at Cooper's spell at Stevenage with pride as he is really proving himself to be a top EFL goalkeeper. They will be wishing that their defensive record is as good as Stevenage's at this stage of the season.

Cifuentes' current number one is Paul Nardi who signed for the club this summer from Gent in the Belgian top flight. The Frenchman has not had it easy so far this season, having conceded 19 goals in 11 Championship games.

Compared to Murphy Cooper's seven, Nardi has not kept a single clean sheet yet this season, which is not all down to him, but it is a stat that he will be looking to improve on.

Ultimately, QPR need to improve both their defensive and offensive record if they have hopes of staying up this season, but they will be looking on at Cooper in League One as a positive that they can take.

The goalkeeper is just 22 years old, so he has plenty of potential.