QPR produced their best performance of the season so far at Loftus Road on Saturday as goals from Joey Barton and Charlie Austin saw off Middlesbrough 2-0.

Could that be the faint sound of the 2013/14 Queens Park Rangers finally clicking into place?

Football’s village elders tell us that league tables don’t lie and as the sun rose on another unseasonably warm autumn Saturday in West London QPR sat proudly atop of the second tier. Eight games, six wins, two draws, just two goals conceded — Rangers have trailed in league matches for just 23 minutes so far this season as we prepare to enter October. What’s not to like?

But there hasn’t been much super about the Hoops this term. The suave, sophisticated, stylish swagger that coursed through the early season performances in 2010/11, when Neil Warnock’s Rangers won this division, has been sadly lacking. Games have been grinds rather than exhibitions, like footballing arm wrestles won through attrition or good fortune rather than skill or ability.

If anything the performances have been getting worse. A recent home win against Birmingham City was achieved more due to the poor finishing ability of the opposition than anything Rangers did while a subsequent goalless draw with Brighton in W12 could have lulled an acid addict into a deep sleep. Last week at Yeovil only goalkeeper Robert Green prevented defeat to a team whose entire weekly wage bill could probably be covered by QPR’s catering contract.

Things didn’t bode well for a great improvement against Middlesbrough in Shepherd’s Bush on Saturday. Manager Harry Redknapp, who has forged a career on a reputation for attractive, attacking football, was shorn of the services of both his first choice wingers: Junior Hoilett’s chewing gum hamstring is bent out of shape again and Matt Phillips’ wankers’ elbow keeps playing him up.

The response to a growing absentee list was inspired, and has potentially provided a glimpse to a very bright future for this group of players through a long dark winter ahead. Redknapp chose to field his five best ball players through the midfield and allow full backs Danny Simpson and Benoit Assou-Ekotto to provide the threat in wide areas. Joey Barton and Ale Faurlin were recalled to the team to hold Little Tom Carroll’s hand while Gary O’Neil and his iron lung added work rate and guile.

The whole thing was hung around Niko Kranjcar, three parts male model to one part footballer and apparently well short of match fitness but still far, far too good for the Championship on this evidence. In the first half, when he played mainly wide left, the Croatian showed off a repertoire of neat touches and clever passes then when he was positioned more centrally after the break he dictated the entire pattern of the game without breaking a sweat. He needn’t have changed out of his designer suit, so easy did it seem to him, and the contrast between the man capped 79 times by Croatia and lone striker Charlie Austin, a former brick layer with work rate to match, was both intriguing and effective.

The home team took the lead after just four minutes thanks to a mixture of actually committing decent numbers into the penalty box for a change and some shambolic Middlesbrough defending. When the visitors failed to take several invitations to clear their lines Danny Simpson whipped in a low cross that goalkeeper Jason Steele punched out as far as Barton and his bobbling low shot bounced into the net via half a dozen deflections in a crowded goal mouth. His first goal of a second spell with Rangers following a loan at Marseille last season.

Later Barton’s eye for a Hollywood pass almost had Danny Simpson clean through into the area. Referee Darren Deadman ruled that the interception that denied the full back a goal his best performance of the season so far really deserved was no pass back, and a later shove by Fraser Richardson on Ale Faurlin in the area when the Argentinean seemed set to open his goalscoring account for the campaign wasn’t a penalty. But the R’s did get a spot kick just after the half hour when QPR flooded a chaotic penalty area with bodies, Charlie Austin drew a save from Steele and young centre back Ben Gibson handled a follow up shot from O’Neil playing against his former club. Austin took the kick himself, went the opposite side the one he’d picked for his match winner at Yeovil a week ago, and calmly collected his third goal in four appearances.

QPR had scored 23 goals by this point of their last promotion season compared to just eight prior to the start of Saturday’s game. Of the six victories achieved so far, five have been by a 1-0 scoreline, and the R’s seemed to revel in the comfort provided by a two goal cushion. Austin headed off target when he should have scored after earlier shooting wide from range and Steele spread himself to save well when Barton got free in the area.

Wonderful play by Austin at the heart of a counter attack just before half time drew a free kick on the edge of the box that Faurlin smacked over the top and then after the break the hosts really threatened to cut loose. At one point a dozen first time passes were strung together in quick succession through the midfield to the delight of the home crowd, and another eye catching move ended with Steele saving well from O’Neil. O’Neil then saw a volley fly straight at the keeper when a corner landed at his feet in the area — a foot right or left and that would have been three nil.

The stats say Middlesbrough had 16 shots on Robert Green’s goal, but 67% possession in the home team’s favour paints a much fairier picture of the game. QPR shouldn’t get too cocky or confident yet because seven of their nine games to this point have been against teams placed twelfth or lower in a dreadfully mediocre league, and they’re yet to play any of the top seven. Middlesbrough are a poor team playing poorly and never once carried themselves with any sort of belief that they would take anything from this match.

They were without centre half Rhys Williams prior to the game, young Ben Gibson did plenty to suggest a bright future in his stead, and were forced into two further changes at half time with veteran Jonathan Woodgate and József Varga both withdrawn, so there were mitigating circumstances but this was mostly dismal stuff from Tony Mowbray’s side who look a million miles away from a Premier League return after four years away.

In the first half they succeeded in niggling the home side and little more. Carroll’s penchant for turning into traffic in midfield created one or two nervy moments for the R’s and former Harrow Borough boy Albert Adomah saw a fifth minute shot deflected over the bar before Rob Green showed great command of his area to fist the resulting corner away under pressure. Kei Kamara had a shot deflected at Green after 12 minutes when Faurlin took a turn in sloppily conceding possession in his own half.

But QPR had more trouble with the match officials than their opposition. Dean Whitehead, formerly with Sunderland, always has been a wind up merchant extraordinaire and in Hungarian Varga he had a handy partner in crime. For the second time in as many home games Joey Barton did well to, just about, hold onto his notoriously short temper in the face of provocation — especially as referee Deadman was quite happy to produce early yellow cards for first Gary O’Neil and then Danny Simpson while continuing to allow Whitehead and Varga free reign to do as they pleased. The penalty award, and a long overdue card for Whitehead just after the half hour, lessened QPR’s persecution complex somewhat.

There were occasional threats from Boro in the second half too. Half time substitute Lukas Jutkiewicz, on for Varga, blasted over after Carroll lost the ball in a dangerous area and Richard Dunne Pub Landlord, imperious once again at the back, had to slide in bravely and clear at the back post as a low cross flew through the six yard box 20 minutes from time.

Boro’s best chance of the game came in seventy fourth minute when Jutkiewicz nodded a long ball down and Adomah missed the target via a deflection when he really should have scored. That suggested a grant stand finish could yet have Rangers in a sweat, especially when veteran centre back Clint Hill pulled up injured and had to be replaced by inexperienced youth team graduate Max Ehmer for his senior debut.

Jutkiewicz is a decent striker at this level, and immediately pulled away from Dunne and onto the new comer hunting nerves and weakness. But while tattoo-enthusiast Ehmer may be a relative pup, he’s built like an old boat and seemed to relish a ten minute physical battle with his fellow substitute that he got much the better of.

QPR seem to be running some sort of Battersea Dogs Home for out of contract footballers down at Harlington at the moment, unused substitute Javier Chevanton the latest to sign a permanent deal after spending time kicking around with the R’s in training, and with Nedum Onuoha out injured any potential absence for Hill could well see Redknapp looking externally for options again but Ehmer has enough about him to fill in adequately. Nine minutes from time he flung his substantial frame in the way of a low shot from Richard Smallwood to keep the sheet clean for a club record seventh consecutive league game.

Redknapp shored the midfield up by sending on Karl Henry for the final ten minutes instead of Faurlin, and gave Junior Hoilett a run at the end to try and expose any tiring limbs in the visiting defence, but that was really belt and braces stuff because the game was won long before.

Hoilett went past three and fired wide in four minutes of stoppage time at the end of QPR’s most accomplished performance of the season by some distance.

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QPR: Green 7; Simpson 7, Dunne 8, Hill 7 (Ehmer 79, 7), Assou-Ekotto 7; Carroll 6, Faurlin 7 (Henry 79, 6), Barton 7, Kranjcar 8 (Hoilett 83, -), O’Neil 7; Austin 7

Subs not used: Murphy, Traore, Jenas, Chevanton

Goals: Barton 4 (assisted Simpson), Austin 35 (penalty, handball)

Bookings: O’Neil 6 (foul), Simpson 12 (foul)

Middlesbrough: Steele 6; Friend 6 Gibson 7, Woodgate 6 (Parnaby 46, 6), Richardson 6; Butterfield 6 (Smallwood 67, 6), Leadbitter 6, Varga 5 (Jutkiewicz 46, 6), Whitehead 5; Adomah 6, Kamara 6

Subs not used: Leutwiler, Hoyte, Halliday, Carayol

Bookings: Whitehead 32 (repetitive fouling), Gibson 34 (deliberate handball) Adomah 89 (foul)

QPR Star Man — Niko Kranjcar 8 Close run thing between him and Dunne but I thought the way Krancjar controlled the pace and direction of the game, particularly in the second half, was exceptional and made a massive improvement to the way QPR have been playing just recently.

Referee — Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire) 5 A fairly typical performance from Mr Deadman, who seems to lack any feeling for the sport he’s in charge of each weekend at all. The early bookings of O’Neil and Simpson, while Whitehead and Varga were allowed to chop their way through QPR’s midfield unchecked, was just rank inconsistency and had Joey Barton properly lost his rag and got sent off as a result — which it looked at one point like he was going to — it would have affected the whole pattern of the game and probably the result as well. Calmed down a bit after that, and got both first half penalty decisions — one given for handball, the other not for a shove on Faurlin — just about right I think.

Attendance — 17,081 (1,500 Boro approx) A decent crowd in, and a good following from the North East considering their place in the league and quality of the team. The atmosphere was improved on recent weeks, in line with the performance on the pitch, but still nothing to write home about.

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Myke added 00:44 - Sep 30 Thanks Clive, sounds like a vastly improved performance and just in the nick of time before some tough looking fixtures after the international break. Barnsley, on current form should be another repeat of Middlesboro and it would be nice to see us add a little consistency ( to performances not results obviously) before the break. Like everyone else I was concerned about the succession of 1-0 wins (though very tempted to say 'told you so' regarding Dunne's influence at the back!), obviously they couldn't continue indefinitely, which begged the question which way would it go? Would we start to improve and score more or would we start conceding and dropping points - thankfully it appears to be the former. Much has been made how we have only played teams from the lower end of the table and while this is true, victories at Leeds and Bolton will be quire rare for most teams this season despite the current form of both teams. My latest concern (I'm a worrier by nature) is the prospect of losing McLaren to Derby. I think his influence this season has been considerably understated, he is an excellent coach (not so much a manager - a bit like Malcolm Alison back in the day) and would be a huge loss). If he goes, Harry could do a lot worse than a straight swap and add Clough to his coaching backroom team.

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Kaos_Agent added 02:28 - Sep 30 Thanks Clive. You had a combined rating of 78 for the starters. When was the last time we had that? Sterner tests to come, but it looks like the schedule to date has been practically scripted to raise the morale and confidence so sorely lacking from the past two years. I see that Carroll only got a six, but is he not looking like the future lynch-pin for advancing the ball from the back?

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JB007007 added 08:04 - Sep 30 Thanks Clive. Things appear to be clicking into place. I'm still trying to make my mind up about Carroll. He's a confident lad - always wanting the ball and trying to work it, but does give the thing away cheaply. It seems the whole team have been told to pass to him and get him on it at every opportunity. I hadn't seen Max Ehmer until Saturday. Impossible to judge on this, but he looks very mobile and I was impressed by the way he was alert from the off and was even pointing and giving orders. All in all a very satisfying and comfortable win.

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N12Hoop added 08:49 - Sep 30 Many players impress early on , eg Granero, but Kranjcar looks absolute class and way to good to be playing at our level. How the hell did we get him? Does he know we are in the Championship. Whereas Taarabt never knew when to pass, this fella knows exactly how to make us tick along and keep the momentum going. Hopefully much more to come.
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QPunkR added 10:57 - Sep 30 For me, Kranjcar was wasted out on the left. He refuses to run forwards with the ball, always preferring a pass (not knocking him, that's his style of play). Definitely has to play in the #10 role. Once Toilet and Philips are actually fit (though prob not ever at the same time), I'd imagine he'll be played there consistently. Improved performance but still didn't really look like scoring, which sounds weird after putting away more than 1 for the first time since the opening day!

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dixiedean added 12:14 - Sep 30 Niko reminded me of Tony Currie- a true virtuoso performance. Hard to find fault with that performance, but sooner or later Carroll will cost us a goal when losing possession in our third of the pitch. I can't understand why he doesn't play in the final third where his passing will be a factor, but he is too naïve and lightweight to sit in front of the back 4 - wrong role for him IMO. He & Faurlin were both in wrong position on Sat and should have swapped. Better teams that Boro and others we've played will exploit that I fear. HR needs to wise up to that before it becomes costly. Result was never in doubt even when we went down 2 gears and got a bit casual. Another game when Green could have played in a dinner suit and slippers ( unlike at Yeovil !) No complacency v Barnsley - play properly and we'll hammer them.

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Charlie1 added 12:48 - Sep 30 Where is the report from your brother? Challenge accepted?
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Marshy added 16:31 - Sep 30 As well as being our best performance of the season, it was also our most entertaining. Our back four as solid as ever, and Danny Simpson was great going forward down the right flank. Gary O'Neill worked tirelessly all over the park, as did our very own Loftus road Philosopher Joey Barton. Kranjar I think in Harry's words will be a "triffic" signing. Some of his long ball passing was sublime. Fair enough he faded in the second half but, but clearly needs to build up match fitness. Good to see Ale Faurlin back in the side. Harry should be patient with him as to my mind he is a much better option than Jenus. A word of caution though is that Tom Carroll gave the ball away far too often, almost putting us in danger several times. He is used to playing with boys, and now he is mixing it in the frenetic Championship. Just calm it down a bit Tom and you'll be fine. At times Rangers passed and moved around like Barcelona! Well ok, let's not get too carried away, maybe let's say Swansea. Nevertheless great stuff.

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extratimeR added 17:38 - Sep 30 Thanks Clive! Great afternoon, huge intake prior to kick off, and as good a performance as I've seen for many a year. You forget how awful some of these Championship ref's are, and as mentioned its very obvious they have never ever played the game, at any level. Clint Hill telling him to calm down after booking two players inside the first seven minutes , (for next to nothing), reminded me of Wilkins and Lineker with Mr Singh many years ago. Thanks Clive

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sevenhoop added 21:34 - Sep 30 only thing i'd disagree with Clive is your take on the penalty decisons. The ref must have been desparate to have a chance to give us a pen, because the decision not to give one for the barge into Faurlin was awful and I am sure that the ref knew it. this was great stuff to watch though, a type of performance not seen for years (I still reckon that 3 or 4 games under Majiton when we had 3 mobile playes behing a cenre-forward, belive it was Jay Simpson, was the best stuff for a long, long time.

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W12SG2 added 22:06 - Sep 30 Saw Ehmer play for Stevenage last season and he looked average at best at league 1 level. He worked hard though and it's good to hear he did well on Saturday - obviously been coached well since he returned to Rangers and this has to be the way forward. Hopefully with a bit of stability and some decent young players coming through there's a brighter future on the horizon.

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TacticalR added 17:25 - Oct 1 A very enjoyable 90 minutes, and quite unexpected given our recent form. Scoring early probably settled our nerves, and there was a 10-15 minute spell in the second half when we seemed to be in complete control. Kranjčar was unflashy and made everything look easy, and also seemed to have a good understanding with Faurlin. Carroll was so deeply involved in the game that it was not surprising he made some high profile mistakes. Sometimes you just have to take the rough with the smooth.

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Kaos_Agent added 03:11 - Oct 2 Excerpt from a report on Arsenal's win over Napoli: "In Ozil, Arsenal have acquired a game-changing talent whose presence and quality has lifted the levels and confidence of his colleagues. " Substitute Kranjcar and perhaps this what QPR now have?
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