Tuesday 15 December 2015 12:27, UK
Junior Hoilett has experienced a rollercoaster of emotions during his time with Queens Park Rangers, but he is finally hoping for stability under new manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
The Canada international joined QPR from Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer in July 2012 during Mark Hughes' ill-fated spell in charge of the club, and has since experienced somewhat of a revolving door at Loftus Road.
Harry Redknapp, Hughes' successor, failed to prevent QPR suffering relegation from the Premier League in 2013, but secured an immediate return to the top-flight a year later, beating Derby County 1-0 in a dramatic Championship play-off final at Wembley.
However, Redknapp struggled to build on QPR's promotion back to the Premier League and quit in February, with the club embroiled in another relegation scrap and then-captain Joey Barton blaming "bad eggs" within the dressing room for their problems.
Chris Ramsey was catapulted into first-team management following Redknapp's exit, but was unable to halt QPR's slide out of the top-flight for the second time in three seasons.
Ramsey, who was handed a three-year deal in the summer, was sacked in November by director of football Les Ferdinand following a poor run of results, with Neil Warnock filling in on an interim basis.
Hasselbaink is the latest man to try his luck at the helm and Hoilett is desperate for some continuity at the club as QPR attempt to plot another route back to the Premier League.
"Stability is what I think the club really needs. Someone, like Jimmy, that can stabilise the club and get us going in the right direction. I can see from the early stages, in his passion and everything that he wants to implement, we are going in the right direction. It is great to have a manager that is so desperate to do well for himself as well as the team," the 25-year-old told Sky Sports ahead of his side's 10 in 10 clash with Brighton.
"It has been a rollercoaster for the club and the players, like me, who have been around during that time. We need a manager that is going to be around to help the players on the pitch and off the pitch. To help improve and stabilise the club. I can see this manager is willing to fight for the team and fight for the players."
Hasselbaink led Burton Albion to the League Two title last season and left the club top of League One, having won 13 of his 20 league matches this season.
The Dutchman failed to secure that winning feeling on his debut as QPR manager last Saturday with promotion hopefuls Burnley holding them to a goalless draw at Loftus Road.
However, Hoilett insists he has seen enough to know Hasselbaink is the right man to lead the club forward.
"It's been great. He's been positive, he wants the team to express themselves going forward as well as being organised and compact defensively. Of course, he played at the highest level so it is great to have someone like him to learn from and get a few tips and pointers to help me progress as a player," he added.
"He has just been very positive and organised on the training pitch. He wants the players to help each other. We have been working hard the past week on the training pitch to get the team organised and ready going into games.
"Even under Neil Warnock, I think people could see the players were fighting for each other and were desperate to progress. Now, I feel we are communicating much more and everything is coming easier to us on the pitch. That emphasis is starting on the training pitch, to communicate, help each other and give each other feedback."
QPR welcome unbeaten league leaders Brighton to Loftus Road on Tuesday - live on Sky Sports 1HD and Sky Sports 5HD from 7.30pm - as Hasselbaink goes in search of his first win since taking control.
And Hoilett is banking on the support of the club's fans as they attempt to get their own promotion push back on track.
"Right now, we are just fighting to get back into the promotion race. If we could get a play-off spot that would be a great achievement considering the predicament that we are in right now. We are focussed, sticking together and taking each game as it comes," he said.
"Every time a team comes to Loftus Road, it is hard for them to get a result. If we have the 12th man with us, it will be a big bonus for us and I am looking forward to it."
