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What really struck me about this encounter was its intensity. It was played at such speed and had me on the edge of my seat. I don't know about everyone else, but after watching League One/Championship quality players for so many years, I felt really privileged to be able to enjoy such a high standard of football. Fantastic entertainment.
I was pleasantly surprised by the speed at which our new signings have settled in. It felt like I was watching a team that had played together for years. On the night I felt that we were clearly the better side and had we been more clinical in front of goal then we might have easily won by three or four goals. I think the fact that Krul was time-wasting towards the end demonstrated that Newcastle were hanging on for a point.
And what an atmosphere. Just shows the difference that a competent Chairman can make. There was a real sense of excitement around Loftus Road, something that was noticeably absent from our first fixture against Bolton Wanderers.
Individual players
Kenny - tremendous save from Leon Best in the first half. From where I was sitting Best's drive looked unstoppable, but to my relief Kenny somehow managed to palm it away. Throughout the game he dealt with crosses very well, with the exception of one incident in the second half where he fumbled the ball. Another excellent performance from a Premiership-class goalkeeper.
Young - I don't wish to be disrespectful to Bradley Orr, who made a decent contribution to the promotion-winning team last season, but this guy is a class above in every respect. Dealt with the Argentinean international, Gutierrez, superbly and one could see why he was so highly regarded at Aston Villa. There was a great moment in the first half where we lost possession on the right flank and Young raced back and made a fantastic sliding tackle from a difficult angle. A good signing by Neil Warnock.
Gabbidon - Overall this was a solid performance, although he looked the more vulnerable out of the two centre-halves in my opinion. Leon Best did go past him with worrying ease in the first half, forcing that great save from Kenny. However, after that, he improved and produced a resilient display at the heart of defence.
Ferdinand - Again, this was an assured performance from the centre-back. Dealt with Ameobi very well (although in my view Shola is a poor striker at this level). Looked comfortable on the ball, retained possession very well and generally seemed like a Premiership-class defender.
Traore - Shame that he went off injured during the second half, but luckily it doesn't sound like the injury was too serious - Warnock apparently said it was 'cramp' on Sky television. As expected, Traore looked athletic - brilliant on the ball and capable of producing top-class crosses. He did give away possession on one occasion in a dangerous area, but one must remember that he is very young and has still got things to learn. I think he has the makings of an excellent full-back.
Derry - I know he's only been with us for a season, but already this guy is turning into a QPR legend. Seemed just as effective as he was in the Championship - broke up play, retained possession and even posed a bit of an attacking threat (he missed a couple of really good opportunities). On the night we won the midfield battle and Derry played an enormous role in that.
Faurlin - After a couple of sub-standard performances against Bolton and Wigan, I was beginning to worry that Alejandro would struggle to perform in the Premiership. However, last night he was absolutely superb and (sorry Sky) was my Man of the Match. Coloccinni and Gutierrez are both Argentinean internationals and neither performed anywhere near as well as Faurlin in my opinion. He was everywhere on the pitch, making tackles and great passes, just as he did in the previous campaign. I just had a look at the Newcastle forum and many mentioned Faurlin as our best player on the night. I agree.
Barton - This wasn't a spectacular performance from the former Newcastle man, but he was definitely solid and offered both full-backs (he seemed to move from flank to flank) good protection from Obertan and Gutierrez. It must have been difficult for him, playing against his former club, but I thought he coped well in general.
Wright-Phillips - in the first half he was absolutely superb and destroyed the Newcastle full-back, Ryan Taylor. It does make me laugh that a while ago a certain poster claimed that 'we should have signed Routledge instead' - these two players are in completely different leagues. On another night Wright-Phillips might have scored two and created another. In the second half I thought he was a little quieter - Warnock seemed to move him into a more central position, which I'm not sure was the correct decision. However, overall, this was a brilliant debut, especially when one considers that he hadn't played regular first-team football at Manchester City.
Taarabt - This was a very good performance by the Moroccan international, particularly in the first half. Some wonderful skill and he seemed to already have developed an excellent understanding with Shaun Wright-Phillips. However, I think Gary Neville was right in saying that Adel should have driven into the penalty area more - he might have got on the scoresheet if he had.
Bothroyd - Some people have criticised Bothroyd, stating that DJ Campbell should have played instead. I disagree. DJ Campbell is a good player, but in my view cannot play the lone striker role. He just doesn't have the physical presence. Yes, Bothroyd should have scored on Monday night, but his gameplay was terrific. His positioning was top class and he held the ball up very well against very physical and aggressive defenders. Give him a couple more games and the goals will start coming.
Subs
Connolly - Looked very nervous. Just didn't seem comfortable on the ball and couldn't get forward like Traore did. That said, I thought he coped relatively well defensively.
DJ Campbell - didn't really contribute much, but was only on the pitch for ten minutes or so. I think he will score goals for us - but, as I said, I can't see him coping very well on his own up front.
Puncheon - Hmm...I don't want to judge players too early and of course he must be given a chance to impress, but what I saw was not too promising. Seemed uncomfortable on the ball.
I was pleasantly surprised by the speed at which our new signings have settled in. It felt like I was watching a team that had played together for years. On the night I felt that we were clearly the better side and had we been more clinical in front of goal then we might have easily won by three or four goals. I think the fact that Krul was time-wasting towards the end demonstrated that Newcastle were hanging on for a point.
And what an atmosphere. Just shows the difference that a competent Chairman can make. There was a real sense of excitement around Loftus Road, something that was noticeably absent from our first fixture against Bolton Wanderers.
Individual players
Kenny - tremendous save from Leon Best in the first half. From where I was sitting Best's drive looked unstoppable, but to my relief Kenny somehow managed to palm it away. Throughout the game he dealt with crosses very well, with the exception of one incident in the second half where he fumbled the ball. Another excellent performance from a Premiership-class goalkeeper.
Young - I don't wish to be disrespectful to Bradley Orr, who made a decent contribution to the promotion-winning team last season, but this guy is a class above in every respect. Dealt with the Argentinean international, Gutierrez, superbly and one could see why he was so highly regarded at Aston Villa. There was a great moment in the first half where we lost possession on the right flank and Young raced back and made a fantastic sliding tackle from a difficult angle. A good signing by Neil Warnock.
Gabbidon - Overall this was a solid performance, although he looked the more vulnerable out of the two centre-halves in my opinion. Leon Best did go past him with worrying ease in the first half, forcing that great save from Kenny. However, after that, he improved and produced a resilient display at the heart of defence.
Ferdinand - Again, this was an assured performance from the centre-back. Dealt with Ameobi very well (although in my view Shola is a poor striker at this level). Looked comfortable on the ball, retained possession very well and generally seemed like a Premiership-class defender.
Traore - Shame that he went off injured during the second half, but luckily it doesn't sound like the injury was too serious - Warnock apparently said it was 'cramp' on Sky television. As expected, Traore looked athletic - brilliant on the ball and capable of producing top-class crosses. He did give away possession on one occasion in a dangerous area, but one must remember that he is very young and has still got things to learn. I think he has the makings of an excellent full-back.
Derry - I know he's only been with us for a season, but already this guy is turning into a QPR legend. Seemed just as effective as he was in the Championship - broke up play, retained possession and even posed a bit of an attacking threat (he missed a couple of really good opportunities). On the night we won the midfield battle and Derry played an enormous role in that.
Faurlin - After a couple of sub-standard performances against Bolton and Wigan, I was beginning to worry that Alejandro would struggle to perform in the Premiership. However, last night he was absolutely superb and (sorry Sky) was my Man of the Match. Coloccinni and Gutierrez are both Argentinean internationals and neither performed anywhere near as well as Faurlin in my opinion. He was everywhere on the pitch, making tackles and great passes, just as he did in the previous campaign. I just had a look at the Newcastle forum and many mentioned Faurlin as our best player on the night. I agree.
Barton - This wasn't a spectacular performance from the former Newcastle man, but he was definitely solid and offered both full-backs (he seemed to move from flank to flank) good protection from Obertan and Gutierrez. It must have been difficult for him, playing against his former club, but I thought he coped well in general.
Wright-Phillips - in the first half he was absolutely superb and destroyed the Newcastle full-back, Ryan Taylor. It does make me laugh that a while ago a certain poster claimed that 'we should have signed Routledge instead' - these two players are in completely different leagues. On another night Wright-Phillips might have scored two and created another. In the second half I thought he was a little quieter - Warnock seemed to move him into a more central position, which I'm not sure was the correct decision. However, overall, this was a brilliant debut, especially when one considers that he hadn't played regular first-team football at Manchester City.
Taarabt - This was a very good performance by the Moroccan international, particularly in the first half. Some wonderful skill and he seemed to already have developed an excellent understanding with Shaun Wright-Phillips. However, I think Gary Neville was right in saying that Adel should have driven into the penalty area more - he might have got on the scoresheet if he had.
Bothroyd - Some people have criticised Bothroyd, stating that DJ Campbell should have played instead. I disagree. DJ Campbell is a good player, but in my view cannot play the lone striker role. He just doesn't have the physical presence. Yes, Bothroyd should have scored on Monday night, but his gameplay was terrific. His positioning was top class and he held the ball up very well against very physical and aggressive defenders. Give him a couple more games and the goals will start coming.
Subs
Connolly - Looked very nervous. Just didn't seem comfortable on the ball and couldn't get forward like Traore did. That said, I thought he coped relatively well defensively.
DJ Campbell - didn't really contribute much, but was only on the pitch for ten minutes or so. I think he will score goals for us - but, as I said, I can't see him coping very well on his own up front.
Puncheon - Hmm...I don't want to judge players too early and of course he must be given a chance to impress, but what I saw was not too promising. Seemed uncomfortable on the ball.
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