QPR's uneven performance doomed them to defeat at Wigan Saturday, revealing that there is still much to be done in turning this into a Premier League team. Latics striker Franco Di Santo scored two goals while Ali Al Habsi, aided by his goal posts, denied the Super Hoops on a number of attempts to keep a clean sheet.

After a strong performance at Everton last week, the Super Hoops were done in as much by their own inaction as the Latic's lucky breaks. Wigan out paced them time and again while the R's abandoned the steady and controlled form they'd achieved against the Toffies in favor of more passive play that allowed too many opportunities against them.

Queens Park Rangers needed a special signing at this moment in the club's history. Not just a bit-part player, not just another fill-in to add depth to the squad. They needed a physical and emotional leader to draw the attention of opponents. They needed an instigator. Into that void steps Joseph Anthony Barton.

Neil Warnock often talked up the Bosmans he brought in this summer, under the Eccelstone Austerity Program, as men "with something to prove." Can anyone say that Barton doesn't fit this category as well? The man who once described himself as the "best midfielder in England" has had a difficult summer at St James' park, sparring with his club and ultimately being let go on a free transfer. Is there anyone else you'd rather have playing for you when he's out to prove that cutting him loose was a colossal mistake?

QPR endured yet another early exit from the Carling Cup to a lower division club, falling two-nil to League One outfit Rochdale on a muggy Tuesday at Loftus Road.

Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro opened the scoring in the fifth minute while Gary Jones chipped a brilliant ball over substitute keeper Brian Murphy late in the second half to put the R's out of the League Cup.

Rochdale outperformed the Premier League side throughout the match, demonstrating a solid defensive plan and a surprising attacking pace that stifled the home side and led to their sixth Second Round exit in the last eight years.

Queens Park Rangers secured their first Premier League win at Goodison Park on Saturday, outworking an Everton team that never found its rhythm against the energetic new boys.

The contrast between the fortunes of the two teams were the main story leading up to the match, as QPR welcomed a new owner in Tony Fernandes, who promised to spend to improve the club, and Everton boss Bill Kenwright revealed that the club is over leveraged and out of money.

The change in prospects re-invigorated QPR and the club's supporters, with the new owner already launching bids to secure Premier League talents Scott Parker and Shaun Wright-Philips.

Buoyed by the changing winds in the owner's box, the Hoops ground out a convincing win against an Everton side that finished seventh last season on the strength of Tommy Smith's 30th minute goal.

Neil Warnock vowed to press on with the campaign following the thrashing handed to his QPR squad on opening day.

QPR's fans may not have expected to see the Barclay's Cup and fireworks at Loftus Road come May, but the disastrous first game was still a shock to the home crowd. While it was only 90 minutes of football, it seemed to mock their heady notions of promotion and survival, growing worse as the moments and Wanderer's goals ticked by.

At his post-game press interview, Warnock was more sanguine than his frustrated supporters. The Hoop's boss told reporters following the match:

"It was disappointing how we capitulated at 2-0 and we are going to have to learn lessons quickly.We defended poorly and got punished, which is what happens in the Premier League. I am not happy we lost 4-0, but sometimes you have to smile through adversity."

His cool, detached demeanor post-game was a bit of a surprise from the usually fiery coach. He seemed to be taking in the monumental task set before him, but not ready to make excuses and whine over missed opportunities. Warnock's steady hand will be a crucial component to the fate of Queens Park Rangers this season.

The best you can say about QPR's inauspicious return to the Premier League is that it was only one game. The worst is that there may be many more like it ahead.

Queens Park Rangers fell 4-0 to Bolton Wanders in their first game in the Premier League since 1995, falling in spectacular fashion to a club which only won two away games last year.

DJ Campbell tapped home a rebound in the first minute of the match to the thrill of the 18,000 on hand at Loftus Road, but it was waived away due to an off-side flag.

The experience of elation being snatched away would be a hallmark of the match. Just moments later, new man Kieron Dyer went down in a seemingly innocuous tackle, but clutched his foot in agony. He was stretchered off and while there is no official word yet, it looks likely he'll miss significant time. His injury is a particularly cruel blow to a player who has worked so hard to overcome a number of knee and ankle blows over the past several years.

One of the keys to Queens Park Rangers incredible run in 2010-11 was the impressive start to the season the club enjoyed. Through the last week of November, the team had not known defeat, winning eleven times and drawing nine. While success on that level will be impossible to repeat in the Premier League, it is vital that QPR get off to a strong start, given the way the match ups they face unfold.

Four of the first six matches will be against opponents who narrowly avoided the drop last year, and securing early points there will be crucial to establishing some comfort in the table.

Ali Faurlin and QPR have to hit the ground running

Neil Warnock has been given a straightforward but difficult task this season - keep QPR in the Premier League. Now all he needs is some cash to help do just that.

With less than a week left until the start of the Premier League season, Neil Warnock can survey his work this off-season and be happy with what he's accomplished, given the miniscular financial support offered by the club's owners. He has targeted a number of skilled veteran players on free transfers, and with just £1.25 million to spend on DJ Campbell, he has done well to add to the ranks so far.

But with the end of the transfer window rapidly approaching and the ownership situation unresolved, he continues to try and plug glaring holes with Bosman deals and loans for other clubs' cast-aways because they are all he can afford.

The fans have given him credit - now the bosses should give him some cash.

Queens Park Rangers put on a good display for prospective new owner Tony Fernandes, who was on hand in Italy this weekend to see them win the Bortolotti Trofeo tournament.

More important than winning the brief, three-team weekend tournament, multiple outlets are that Formula One team owner Tony Fernandes was in the stands with current majority shareholder Bernie Eccelstone and his partner, Flavio Briatore.

Hoops manager Neil Warnock told the Daily Mail:

"Myself, Flavio and Tony all had a positive chat after the match on Saturday.

"We've already spoken about possible targets and he is a very positive chap."