Saturday 6th March 2010
The Coca Cola Championship
Loftus Road Stadium
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Attendance: 14, 578
Queens Park Rangers 3-1 West Bromwich Albion
By The Godfather

Queens Park Rangers starting line-up: Ikeme, Stewart, Leigertwood, Gorkss, Connolly, Faurlin, Hill, Simpson, Ephraim, Priskin, Taraabt.

West Brom starting line-up: Carson, Olsson, Cech, Brunt, Thomas, Mulumbu, Watson, Tamas, Morrison, Cox, Reid.

On Saturday we witnessed the impact that a new (competent) manager can make. With the same group of players that had embarked upon that terrible winless run in February, Warnock inspired the team to produce a battling display, overcoming automatic promotion candidates, West Brom. QPR enjoyed a fair share of luck, particularly with the bizarre third goal, but generally this was a much-improved performance, which will leave supporters feeling very positive about the future.

Warnock, of course, is a manager who favours an aggressive style of football. There were certainly some signs of that on Saturday. The central midfielders, particularly Faurlin, really got 'stuck in' and outfought Watson and co. in the middle of the park. Moreover, when attacking, the Rs opted for a more direct approach. These tactics reaped a lot of success against a West Brom team that enjoys crafting attractive passing patterns.

In his first team selection as manager of Queens Park Rangers, Warnock chose Priskin to partner Simpson up front. With Lee Cook unavailable, Hogan Ephraim and Adel Taraabt occupied the flanks. Faurlin and Leigertwood took up central midfield, whilst the back four consisted of Connolly, Stewart, Gorkss and Hill. Ikeme retained his place in goal.

After a minute's applause for the legendary Mike Keen, who sadly passed away last year, and Macclesfield manager, Keith Alexander, who died this week, the match kicked off. I was delighted by the start Queens Park Rangers made, with the players seemingly eager to impress the new boss. And, in the 12th minute, the Rs deservedly took the lead. Receiving it from Priskin, Taraabt skilfully beat his man on the right flank and whipped a low ball into the penalty area. Carson inexcusably spilled the cross, and Simpson was able to carry out the simple task of tapping into the empty net. This was just the first of a series of errors from the WBA goalkeeper - I must say I do find it difficult to believe that he has played at international level.

Six minutes later, QPR exploited West Brom's defensive weaknesses for a second time. Faurlin was the provider, picking the ball up in central midfield and finding Matthew Connolly with a superb through-pass. In acres of space on the right flank, the former Arsenal defender progressed into the penalty area and tucked it into the net, doubling the Rs' advantage. Once again, Carson could have done better, allowing Connolly to score from what seemed a rather tight angle.

At this stage I really felt that the Rs could put the match to bed. The Baggies were looking vulnerable, and had shown very little attacking threat. Unfortunately, though, the second goal seemed to serve as a wake-up call for the away team, who began to dominate possession and pile pressure upon QPR's defence.

In the 33rd minute, the Baggies almost got themselves back into the match. A weak clearance from Kaspars Gorkss fell to Ben Watson, who unleashed a powerful half volley towards goal, forcing Ikeme into an excellent one-handed save. With the exception of this effort, Watson, who spent a brief period on loan with QPR earlier in the campaign, contributed very little indeed. Steven Reid, another former R, also produced a lacklustre performance.

A minute later, the Rs were not so fortunate. Jerome Thomas, another former QPR loanee, progressed down the left wing and produced a wonderful cross to the far post. The talented Chris Brunt, completely unmarked, was able to rise and send his looping header into the top corner of the net, leaving Ikeme flat-footed. Matt Hill, whose positioning could have been better, has to take some responsibility for the goal - I expect Neil Warnock will have given him the "hairdryer treatment" in the dressing room at half time!

Just before the break, the Baggies could have equalised. A cross found its way to James Morrison in the penalty area, who had the time and space to unleash a shot towards goal. Fortunately, Ikeme was able to race out of his goal and block the effort.

Half-time scoreline: Queens Park Rangers 2-1 West Brom

West Brom started the second half quite strongly, carving out a decent opportunity in the 54th minute. Chris Brunt received the ball on the right flank and sent a curling cross into the penalty area, finding the unmarked Simon Cox at the near post. Luckily, his effort flew over the crossbar.

Warnock responded to West Brom's resurgence by bringing on Akos Buzsaky at the expense of Hogan Ephraim, who had struggled to make an impact on proceedings. And, in the 62nd minute, the Hungarian almost created a third goal for the home team when his corner found Damion Stewart at the near post. To my despair, Carson managed to push the Jamaican's header to safety.

West Brom substitution: Cech off for Miller (64 minutes).

Just as I was becoming worried that West Brom's pressure would eventually prove too much for QPR's defence, the home side netted their third goal in bizarre fashion. Taraabt was fouled on the right flank, about 35 yards out. Buzsaky's resulting free kick bounced over the diving Scott Carson, off the post and into the net.

West Brom substitution: Morrison off for Dorrans (68 minutes).

This served as the killer blow, with West Brom never looking like they were going to find a way back into the match. In the 69th minute, Warnock brought Ramage on for Taraabt, surprisingly moving the former Newcastle man to the right wing. Priskin, who had produced a slightly improved performance, also made way for Vine in the 77th minute.

The closing stages saw QPR produce two more efforts on goal; first, Vine picked out Simpson with a superb pass, putting the loanee one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, Carson blocked the QPR top scorer's shot. Then, Vine tested the keeper from the edge of the box, but the former England international saved comfortably.

When Mr Attwell blew the final whistle after four minutes of stoppage time (which was delayed by what looked like a serious injury sustained by Simon Cox), I was impressed by the fact that Warnock made the whole team stay on the pitch and acknowledge the supporters. Overall, this was a very promising performance.

Bookings - QPR: Priskin, Faurlin.

WBA: Cech, Brunt.

Full-time scoreline: Queens Park Rangers 3-1 West Brom

Conclusion

This was an excellent result against one of the best teams in this division. Aspects of the performance were very promising indeed, particularly the spirit the side showed throughout the match.

However, we must make sure that the good performances continue. Tuesday night's fixture against relegation candidates, Plymouth Argyle, is a must-win match. I do hope that the Rs do not become complacent (although I doubt Mr Warnock will stand for that!).

Man of the match - Alejandro Faurlin. Continued his excellent form with another outstanding performance in the middle of the park. What an excellent signing he has proved to be.