CAPTAIN Nedum Onuoha wants QPR to build on their perfect start to 2018 by progressing in the Emirates FA Cup this weekend.

The R’s journey in the world’s greatest domestic Cup competition begins in earnest with a home tie against League One side MK Dons on Saturday at Loftus Road – and Onuoha is determined to make it two wins from two at the start of the New Year.

“Everyone looks forward to playing in the FA Cup,” he told www.qpr.co.uk.

“The first week of January is all about the FA Cup third round.

“There'll be some players in this squad who have never played in the competition, so come Saturday we'll all be up for it.

“Of course it’s a competition we want to go as far as we can in.”

Rangers head into the clash against MK in the wake of a New Year’s Day victory against Cardiff City in W12, on an afternoon when youngster Paul Smyth grabbed the headlines with a man-of-the-match performance, capped with a match-winning goal.

“We feel we deserved that one,” said Onuoha.

“We feel we've deserved more in a number of games we've played this season, so to play well and get a positive result against one of the teams competing at the top end of the division has given us all a lift.

“To come back from a losing position is great credit to the players.”

On goalscorer Smyth, Onuoha added: “Paul's come over from Northern Ireland and he's settled in well. He's a really nice guy to be around.

“He's not had the opportunities that he perhaps would've hoped for early on in his QPR career, but he's trained well, waited for his chance, and he took it superbly on Monday.

“That's the type of mentality you want to see from all young players.

“Nothing fazes him. He's a tough young man. He's got a strong mentality.

“It's brilliant to see someone like that come in and play with such a refreshing attitude for the game.”

That victory over the Bluebirds means QPR have taken eight points from their last five games, having only tasted defeat once, to Millwall, in the hectic festive fixture schedule.

It’s something for the squad to build on, as Onuoha acknowledged.

“One defeat in five gives us something to work with and build on,” he said.

“Eight points from 15 is definitely a step in the right direction.

“But we need to build on it and go on an unbeaten run now.”