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By WILL PICKWORTH, SPORTS REPORTER Published: 23: 00 AEDT, 1 January 2026 | Updated: 23: 00 AEDT, 1 January 2026 View comments Jonathan Varane picked up the loose ball inside the Birmingham box after Kwame Poku's mazy run was halted. Varane played it back to Kieron Morgan at the edge of the area where the former Tottenham youngster took a touch, and then another, before unleashing a fierce effort past James Beadle. Loftus Road erupted, and Morgan ripped off his shirt in wild scenes after his 96th-minute winner, moments after Patrick Roberts looked to have stolen a point from QPR with his own injury-time strike. The superb 2-1 victory over the Blues last month, QPR’s fourth in five games at the time, took Julien Stephan’s side into the Championship play-off spots and summed up the new character and qualities of the team he is building in West London. ‘Yeah, definitely (it sums us up), ’ Hoops skipper Jimmy Dunne tells Daily Mail Sport. ‘In the past we'd be scarred by conceding a late goal and our heads would go down. But this new group has no scars, and they are totally fearless. ‘It’s water off a duck's back if we concede. We believe we can just go and get another. We're playing exciting football, can score goals from anywhere, and at Loftus Road they're enjoying us because we guarantee entertainment. ’ QPR are enjoying a good season and sit ninth in the Championship, three points off the top six Hoops skipper Jimmy Dunne spoke to Daily Mail Sport to reflect on the season so far Dunne, 28, is perfectly placed to talk about QPR’s rise given the defender, who took over from Steve Cook as captain in the summer, has played 185 times for the club since joining from Burnley in 2021. He is a fan favourite too having won several individual awards over his four-and-a-half-year spell. QPR’s progress has been slightly halted by a draw with relegation-threatened Portsmouth and a defeat at West Brom over the Christmas period, although that came after a 4-1 win against Leicester, who are managed by former QPR boss Marti Cifuentes. They are still well-placed though in one of the most open Championship seasons in years. Stephan’s side are ninth, three points adrift of the play-offs, and they host Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday, the bottom two sides in the division, over the next few days. ‘We’re hanging in there, ’ adds Dunne. ‘We're staying close to the top six and you don't want to drift too far away, because the closer you stay the more belief you have. That will only grow as the season progresses. When the run-in comes at the end you want to be playing for something. ‘This group is new, but we’re fearless and everyone believes we can achieve something special. ’ The competitiveness of the Championship has never been in question, but there are even more opportunities for teams this season with Leicester and Southampton - two of last season’s relegated teams - having endured a disappointing first half of the campaign. The new ‘fearless’ group Dunne refers to has brought positivity to a club now in their 11th consecutive season in the Championship. Over that time the Rs have had 10 permanent managers, yet their highest finish is ninth in 2020-21. Dunne, 28, was appointed as QPR captain ahead of the campaign, taking over from Steve Cook It comes after a busy summer too. Not only did Cifuentes depart for Leicester, but 10 senior players arrived, while several others moved on, including long-serving left back Kenneth Paal and the experienced pair of Jack Colback and Morgan Fox.   Many signings were young and exciting, like sought-after striker Richard Kone and Rumarn Burrell, who has scored nine times.   18 months ago, Burrell was playing for Cove Rangers in Scotland’s League One, while Kone was in the Essex Senior League with Athletic Newham until he joined Wycombe in 2024. In our conversation, Dunne alludes to QPR’s diverse squad and range of recruitment, with players from 23 different nationalities having represented the club in all competitions this season. There was a focus in the summer on bringing the squad's average age down, although Isaac Hayden, Michael Frey, Cook and goalkeepers Paul Nardi and Ben Hamer are 30 or over, leaving a good blend of youth and experience. ‘There's been lots of new faces and staff, but we've gelled and are doing well considering how much change there was, ’ adds Dunne. ‘The new guys don't fear the Championship one bit. ’ With significant turnover, Dunne believes the importance of figures like Jake Clarke-Salter, Sam Field and Ilias Chair in making the transition easier cannot be underestimated.   Alongside Dunne, the trio have all been at the club for at least three years and they have matured into experienced members of the squad. There was a lot of turnover in the squad in the summer, with Rumarn Burrell (above) one new signing to have shone after joining from Burton Albion Several other young and exciting players arrived, including ex-Wycombe striker Richard Kone  Over Dunne’s four full seasons at QPR they have finished in 11th, 20th, 18th and 15th, so what is different about this group? ‘A big thing we’ve got is consistency, ’ adds the defender, who enjoyed loan spells at Barrow, Accrington Stanley, Hearts, Sunderland and Fleetwood while at Burnley after previously spending time in Manchester United’s youth set-up. ‘Our worst and our best performances don't vary too much. ‘We've had results where you can maybe tell we lack experience because we are a new group, but consistency has been our best asset, and we believe we can beat anyone. ' Dunne is similarly full of praise for Stephan, an unfamiliar figure to English fans prior to his appointment. The 45-year-old gained plaudits in France for developing young talent and leading Rennes to their first trophy for 48 years in 2019 - and into the Champions League a year later. At Rennes, Stephan, who also spent two years as boss of Strasbourg, worked with Ousmane Dembele, Eduardo Camavinga, Raphinha and Jeremy Doku. ‘He's implemented that consistency in us and made everybody disciplined in their jobs, ’ Dunne adds. ‘As the weeks and months go on, we're getting better and you're seeing particular individuals grow this season more than before. ’  Dunne highlights Nicolas Madsen and Jonathan Varane as two stars to have prospered under Stephan, whose smart communication has been well-received. The Frenchman has been adaptable in his tactics and instilled belief in his squad after an early setback when the Rs suffered a 7-1 defeat by Coventry in their third game of 2025-26. As his team have improved, their character and spirit has grown, and Stephan is not afraid to rotate. Highly-rated French boss Julien Stephan has impressed since joining the club in the summer QPR have had a good first half of the Championship season will hope to stay in the play-off mix Dunne is desperate to lead QPR back into the Premier League during his time with the club Dunne signed a new contract ahead of the campaign and is relishing the responsibility of captaincy. ‘It's a privilege and an honour, because everyone knows how passionate I feel about playing for QPR, ’ he says.   The Republic of Ireland international, while appreciative of the experienced players in the squad, is leading in his own way - and he is focused on ensuring everyone feels welcome and enjoys their football. The 28-year-old is equally excited for what the future holds at QPR as they enter a crunch period of the campaign. ‘What we've done well is we've had runs of wins, ’ Dunne explains. ‘We need to keep plugging away and stay close (to the top six). If a bad result comes, don't get disappointed. Get back on the horse and go again. ’ Stephan’s side still have areas to improve in, evidenced by their results over Christmas and a dip in form in October, but they are heading in the right direction. Whatever happens over the next five months, Dunne is confident the club is closer than before to his ultimate aim. ‘Since the day I signed, my ambition has been to get promoted, ’ he concludes. ‘I don't think that will ever change. It might take more patience, but I’ll keep pushing. ‘The club has progressed so much, and everything is getting better at QPR. People are desperate to come and play for us now. ‘I'm enjoying that process and if we stick with it, hopefully we can have our special season eventually. ’ Copy Bet is the official front of shirt Partner of Queens Park Rangers FC. Visit Copy Bet. com 

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