Deja Vu...

QPR 2-0 Hull

The beginning of a new QPR era saw superb goals from Hogan Ephraim and Mikele Liegertwood - as the R's beat Hull 2-0 at Loftus Road to get new boss, Luigi De Canio off to a winning and perfect start. The result was a repeat of last years against the Tigers, which ironically, was John Gregory's first game in charge.



The day started well enough for me as on route to the Stadium, I was lucky enough to get one of the R's benefactors and formula one supremo, Bernie Ecclestone to sign my match programme (thanks Sammi!). So, onto the stadium and although there was a definate upbeat mood around the place, many were expressing concerns about the team selection. But fortunately, there was only one change from last weeks impressive win at Charlton, as Adam Bolder made way for new signing, Akos Buzsaky.

Onto the game and in truth, Rangers started nervously as you would probably expect with all things considered and Hull, although without threatening, were setting the early pace. But the impressive Rangers midfield soon began to get grips with the game and on 26 minutes, we saw the first goal of the De Canio era and what a goal it was too! Rowlands superb pass found Hogan Ephraim, who against my better judgement of screaming for him to hit the touchline and cross, made me eat my words and cut inside, before smashing the ball into the net from 25 yards.



If Hogan's goal wasn't good enough, then enter Mikele Liegertwood, who when joining us, it wasn't really for his goalscoring record - if you saw his miss at Charlton, then you will know what I am talking about. However, that miss was considered by many as an easy chance, but Mikele just doesn't do easy chances - take his 25 yard rocket away at Leicester for example. Today, he picked up a loose ball outside the penalty area, evaded a challenge and curled an absolute beauty into the top right hand corner.



QPR: Camp, Barker, Stewart, Mancienne, Buzsaky (Ainsworth 86), Rowlands, Ephraim, Vine (Nardiello 90), Nygaard (Bolder 82), Leigertwood, Cranie. Subs: Cole, Timoska.

Lofty's Man of the Match - Mikele Liegertwood - an awesome midfield performance and an awesome goal to boot.

Well, if any one had any doubts about how the players would react following Mick Harford's departure, then you can put them straight to bed now. This was a very decent all round team performance and we are finally now out of the dreaded bottom three - and rightly so. The players are looking so hungry and confident, which certainly is refreshing to say the least and we played some real good football along the way. Also, we are now unbeaten in 5, with another clean sheet and only one goal shipped in that time - which incidentally was a quality goal from Ipswich's Legwinski - not to be sneezed at!



We now have a situation where Rowan Vine's loan has come to an end and Hogan plays the last game of his loan spell against Coventry on Tuesday night. But for now, I am not even thinking about that, all in all, it was a great performance, a great result with some great goals - a great day for all at QPR!!