QPR show they mean business with comfortable win against Leeds

One of the last games to take place on the opening weekend of the Championship saw QPR host Garry Monk’s Leeds United. Before kick-off, even the most optimistic of QPR fans wouldn’t have predicted a comfortable 3-0 win. Yet, this is exactly what happened and if anything, the Rs could have scored more.

It was odd seeing Rob Green in goal for another team. But here he was making his United debut and in true Rob Green fashion, he flip-flapped on a corner leaving the goal at the mercy of all players. A scramble between Nedum Onuoha and Leeds defender Sol Bamba followed and ended up with the ball being bundled over the line. 1-0 up in four minutes, thanks Rob.

As the first-half progressed, QPR looked fit, hungry, organised and were playing with purpose. The seven-week pre-season, touted as brutal by many of the squad, was clearly paying early dividends. Chery worked his way through and then had a shot ricochet off him and hit the post. Olamide Shodipo – making his league debut in left midfield – hassled and harried Berardi, the Leeds right-back. Shodipo showed a willingness to cross the ball on the left and take a man on that hasn’t been seen in these parts for many a year. He faded as the game went on, but he showed plenty of promise.

Chris Wood of Leeds United battles with Grant Hall of Queens Park Rangers – Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.

In facing Bamba and Bartley, one of the league’s biggest centre-half pairings, QPR forward Sebastien Polter should’ve had his work cut out. However, the German target man frankly bossed it all afternoon. This was arguably his best performance in an Rs shirt and after also hitting the post in the first-half, he was rewarded for his fine work in the last minute of the game, capitalising on slack defending, out-muscling his man and rifling the ball home from a tight angle. He may still have his critics, but playing like this there is no reason why Polter can’t score 15-20 goals this season.

Despite dominating the first half, QPR went in only 1-0 up. Leeds came out for the second-half with a bit more drive and passion and had several periods when they looked like they might threaten to do something. However, it didn’t materialise. Monstrous clearances by Alex Smithies in goal, combined with brilliant leading of the line by Polter, meant that QPR had a way out of trouble. One of these instances resulted in the Rs second goal. A break away move, saw Jordan Cousins get in front of Ronaldo Vieira (yes that’s actually his name) in the penalty area. He naively tumbled Cousins over and Chery duly dispatched the subsequent penalty.

QPR boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink would have been impressed with his side’s performance against Leeds.

So many players performed well, it feels harsh not to talk about them all. The backline were solid and it’s so refreshing to see an actual left-back. I think Bidwell will be a fans’ favourite. However, the central midfield pairing of Karl Henry and Massimo Luongo were for me the stand out players. Henry, maligned even by his own fans (something I’ve always found odd), barely put a foot wrong. Bar one misplaced pass, everything he did was simple. Win it, cover players who have moved forward, keep ball retention and a cool head. Henry proved his worth.

Luongo was similarly on top form, winning countless 50/50s and making some crucial interceptions when Leeds were on the break, most notably one where he stopped the much-touted Kemar Roofe in his tracks. Luongo started last year brightly before fading after international duty, let’s hope he can keep this kind of form up. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Luongo’s former Swindon teammate, Ben Gladwin. The only real negative on Sunday was that Gladwin looked a bit lost at times and was lucky not to be sent off after several clumsy challenges whilst on a yellow. I worry that he is out of his depth at this level. He might just need a bit of luck, but if he keeps on playing like that he’ll be falling down the pecking order.

At this point in time it’s hard to know how good or bad Leeds were, but on the basis of last season, I’ve seen the Rs lose to worse teams. Despite all of the positive feeling it’s important not to get carried away as it’s only one game into a season where the club are perhaps wisely being cagey about expectations, but what a way to start the season off. Well done Rangers and all involved.