QPR captain Clint Hill has been a crucial member of the R's starting XI this season in their quest to land Championship glory. The experienced centre-back has started 23 of their 25 league games and has been pivotal to the team keeping a league high 14 clean sheets this term.
Hill has developed a formidable partnership with summer arrival Richard Dunne in the heart of the QPR defence as they look to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. This has seen the 35-year-old's WhoScored rating reach an impressive 7.46, the highest of every QPR player, denoting how notable a campaign he's enjoying.
WhoScored.com were granted to the opportunity to speak with Hill prior to QPR's recent 2-1 win over Huddersfield.
With QPR currently 5 points off top spot in the Championship, how do you see the season panning out between now and May?
Obviously we want to close the 5-point gap as quick as possible and close that gap on the top 2, but ultimately I think we’ve come through a tough period and we’re still only a point off second, which is good for us. There will be loads of ups and downs, so hopefully we can still be in the running for the top 2 by May.
You’re midway through your fourth season with QPR, what are the most impressive aspects this team has displayed this season?
I’d say probably resilience, especially coming from relegation from the Premier League can be quite a dramatic experience, so to hit the ground running like we have and show that kind of resilience and team spirit; I’d say that’s one of our biggest pluses this season.
During your time with QPR, you’ve worked under 3 different managers - Neil Warnock, Mark Hughes and now Harry Redknapp. How has the approach differed with each manager?
Well, it’s not just those 3, it’s with every manager I’ve had has approached the game differently. Some people have had success, some haven’t. I don’t think you can disagree with how each manager approaches what he believes in. Obviously he’s judged on results and how they progress in the season, but I think, definitely, from 2 of them has been to get a decent team work ethic and a decent team spirit with a good group of lads.
Last season, QPR used 6 different players at centre-back, yourself included. This season, only 3 players have played in that position. How important for you and the club has it been having a regular partner at centre-back in the form of Richard Dunne?
Obviously a great player. Has spent most of his time in the top flight and has been consistently one of the top defenders in that league for a number of years, so for us to get him was a massive scalp and I think you can only learn off players like himself. There’s Nedum (Onuoha) there as well, who has been absolutely fantastic this season.
He’s come on leaps and bounds as a centre-back, so to have those 2 and me, 3 of us fighting for 2 starting spots, it keeps you on your toes and hopefully brings out the better player within yourself, because you know if you lose your spot, then 1 of those 2 will get it and you may not get back into the team for a long time.
With the increase in statistical data to measure performance, do you consider stats to be a key aspect of the modern game?
I think there’s a place for them, definitely. We use Prozone a lot, where you can judge a lot within a game. You can see the positional sense of a player when conceding or scoring a goal, how much he’s run, how much effort he’s put in, so in that kind of capacity, it works brilliantly and I think the players can benefit from using those kind of statistics.
You’re currently QPR’s highest rated player on WhoScored.com with a rating of 7.46: Do you believe you’re having your best season in a QPR shirt?
I don’t know if it’s my best season. That’s quite surprising and I might take that in when I need a new contract! I’m quite surprised by that, but is it my best season? I don’t know. A couple of years ago, my first or second season, I thought I probably played a bit better than I am now, but I’ll definitely take that rating.
5 of your 23 league starts this season have come at left-back, where your average rating (7.59) is higher than it is at centre-back (7.46). Do you see your best position being left-back or centre-back?
I’m sure if I played another 17 games, my rating wouldn’t be 7.59 at left-back. I’m definitely more of a centre-back than a left-back, that’s where statistics can be a little bit confusing.
Your performances have developed 5 statistically calculated WhoScored.com strengths, including ‘aerial duels’, ‘tackling’ and ‘concentration’. What do you believe is your greatest strength?
That’s pretty much outlined it right there. Does what it says on the tin there really. That’s basically what I do, to be honest. I don’t try and step out of my comfort zone by doing outrageously technically gifted things because I’ll probably end up on my bum, to be honest with you. I just try and stick to the basics of what I’m good at and those 3 things pretty much sum me up.
Who is the toughest opponent you’ve faced, both this season and in your career?
One that sticks out is (Liverpool striker Luis) Suárez, who was unbelievable. He’s the best player I’ve played against in my whole career. He’s a fantastic player, his work ethic, his movement, his desire and he just punishes you. He’s just a great player and when you step back and look at it, you think what an honour it was to be on the pitch, at the time it was absolutely horrendous, but you look at it and think you had the chance to play against one of the best players in the world, so yeah, definitely him.
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