Chris King returns to LoftforWords with his take on what he sees as a pivotal win for the R's at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Saturday's game at Goodison Park was significant for a whole host of reasons. But it was primarily important because it constituted Queens Park Rangers' first victory in the Premier League since 1996, and the R's inaugural triumph of what will be a long, arduous, testing season.

For a club accustomed to winning, having spent more or less the whole of last season at the top of the Championship, this return to form was undoubtedly the perfect end to a perfect week. Tony Fernandes' arrival at QPR has created an aura of untainted positivity around Loftus Road not witnessed for a great many years, perhaps since the promotion season of 2004-2005.

Fans are now beginning to talk about potential signings and concentrate on the business of football, which over the past few seasons has been overshadowed far too often by events off the pitch. In terms of the transfer window, Rangers could be about to have their own 'Indian Summer', with manager Neil Warnock talking of a list of 'around a dozen targets' and Fernandes admitting that four new arrivals in W12 could be feasible prior to September 1.

In fact, things are so good at Loftus Road right now that the squad appears to have developed the ability to play through a bout of sickness and cope with such unimaginable catastrophes as Patrick Agyemang being forced to lead the line away from home in the Premier League.

Last year, QPR gained a reputation for a cast-iron defence, built around the tremendous record of Paddy Kenny - 24 clean sheets in a season where he was voted as Player of the Year by his team mates and the supporters. Against Bolton Wanderers on the opening day Rangers did their level best to destroy this hard-earned badge of honour, conceding four and generally creating an appearance of ineptitude, naivety and inability to stop even the most mediocre of Premier League stalwarts running riot (see Fabrice Muamba's goal for more details).

Against Everton, however, a defence featuring Matthew Connolly at left-back, deputising for the suspended Clint Hill, Fitz Hall, Danny Gabbidon and Bradley Orr was able to hold off a side who have never been relegated from the top flight. Indeed, the Toffees soon ran out of ideas when faced with the blue and white brick wall, and were unable to stop Ákos Buzsáky setting up Tommy Smith to score a classy opener – which turned out to be the only goal of the game.

Naturally, Neil Warnock’s penchant for showing no respect whatsoever to cup competitions means the R’s line-up tonight against Rochdale will bear no resemblance to the starting eleven on Saturday, but defeat to the League Two side would hardly be disastrous, if a little embarrassing.

After the euphoria of the weekend it will be interesting to see how Rangers cope with another away trip, this time to face Wigan Athletic, in what must be described as a relegation six-pointer even at this stage of the season. Fans will certainly be hoping that, with the transfer window still ajar if not wide open, at least one new face will be making the trip to the DW Stadium.

A name once again being mentioned is Jason Puncheon, with reports today claiming that the Southampton winger could be on his way to Loftus Road after a mooted transfer earlier in the season stalled amidst the intransigent attitude of the previous regime towards new signings.

Puncheon would certainly add a new dimension to the R’s attack, and his performances on loan for Blackpool last season suggest that the 25-year old could fit well into a side already boasting significant pace in striker DJ Campbell, in a league where speed is less a desirable quality than an essential attribute.

The left-back position cannot be ignored either; in some ways Clint Hill’s suspension has been a good thing for Rangers, because it has revealed that the evergreen defensive stalwart can’t be counted on to go a whole season without missing a game, and that back-up is desperately required.

Having missed out on Kyle Naughton – something that could come back to haunt QPR with a vengeance over the course of the season – supporters will be hoping to recruit either Ryan Bertrand or Patrick van Aanholt, whilst an unlikely return for Kyle Walker would certainly be well-received, and a perfect way of crowning the arrival of a new era in W12. Tweet @chriskking

Photo: Action Images

gigiisourgod added 18:48 - Aug 23 Two points. The proverbial wall was mango and Rochdale are a League one side. Excellent read - thanks for that. Got to agree about the feel good factor being back. Looking forward to having a half time beer again!
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