The defender scored important goals in both of the Easter doubleheader games. Three days later, he scored a thunderous volley to win all three points against Swansea City after equalizing in Rangers’ 2-1 triumph against Birmingham City on Good Friday.
With just six games left in the Championship season, those two wins have helped the Hoops climb six points above the dreaded drop zone—something that was unthinkable just a few months ago
Cook has been a key player in the recent upswing in events. His depth of experience has helped lead his team to within striking distance of safety, and his goal-scoring prowess at one end is matched by his win-at-all-costs mentality when protecting his own goal.
Steve Cook contributes to Queens Park Rangers’ season turnaround
To realize what a mess Rangers have gotten themselves into this season, you just have to go back to mid-January. After 27 games, the team is five points from safety and has only five wins to its name.
After eight games, the Hoops had doubled their amount of wins. They also picked up 17 points out of a potential 24 points, which helped them escape the relegation zone for the first time in 2024—even though they were still very close to several teams at the bottom of the standings.
Back then, Cook was a one-man attack-stopping machine, bringing years of Premier League expertise from Nottingham Forest and AFC Bournemouth to bear just when his team needed it.
In that winning run, the defender helped to shutout Millwall and Bristol City in addition to putting on an incredible display that saw the Rangers defeat league leaders Leicester City 2-1 on home ground. The victory instilled even more confidence in the Rangers’ ranks.
| Steve Cook’s defensive stats 2023/24 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stat | Per 90 | ||
| Tackles | 0.82 | ||
| Interceptions | 1.17 | ||
| Blocks | 1.14 | ||
| Clearances | 6.30 | ||
| Aerials won | 2.74 | ||
| As of April 4th, 2024, Source: FBRef | |||
Cook, who has flourished in desperate moments when Championship survival has been on the line, demonstrated just how important he can be at the back with five blocked shots that day at the King Power amid his side’s relegation battle.
Since taking over for Gareth Ainsworth in the dugout, QPR has amassed the ninth-best league record. The defender has only suffered two losses in his last 14 games, demonstrating that he is Marti Cifuentes’ rock at Loftus Road.
With Rangers only let up 25 goals in 26 games under their new manager’s guidance, only promotion-chasing Leeds United have a better defensive record during that period. This emphasizes Cook’s defensive partnership with Jake Clarke-Salter even more.
Run-in for the Queens Park Rangers Championship
Cook will try to guide his teammates to Championship survival with six more solid performances before the season ends, starting with Sheffield Wednesday’s visit on Saturday, since things are still so tight at the bottom of the table.
Although they still sit in the bottom three heading into the weekend, the Owls have been on a recovery of their own under Danny Röhl. Both teams are aware of how drastically a win may alter the trajectory of their seasons.
Next Tuesday is another pivotal matchup with Plymouth Argyle. Cook’s talents will then be put to the test once again with matchups against Hull City, Preston North End, and Leeds United, before the campaign concludes away at Coventry City.
Rangers will know that, despite their modest league standing, they can compete with any team in the division right now; their victory over the Foxes serves as the ideal illustration of this.
From now until the conclusion of the season, they will be certain that their seasoned defender will lead the backline and keep the rival defense quiet in every game they play. Who knows, he might even deliver another thunderbolt to round off the season in style.
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