Hoop Dreams - QPR FC

The image of QPR as one of the richest clubs in England is always at odds with the squad on offer at Loftus Road, but the combined wealth of QPR's current owners can't be dismissed. In fact, together they far surpass the potential spending power of Chelsea's Roman Abramovich.
When the two sides clashed in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night though, it was clear how far QPR still have to go to compete with clubs of Chelsea's stature. Rangers far from disgraced themselves in a tight encounter, though they will be disappointed with the number of goal-scoring chances they crafted, but there was always a feeling that the Blues could slip into a second gear if required.

A quick look at their sub's bench gave a striking example of the current gulf between the two teams. If need be, they had the talents of Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Ashley Cole and John Terry to call on. That safety-net allowed them the freedom to test out some youngsters, with Sam Hutchinson starting at centre-back and 18-year old Fabio Borini getting a run-out up front. They could also ease in some players returning from injury. Joe Cole made his first start in eight months following a cruciate knee ligament injury, with Paulo Ferreira also returning following a similar injury. £18 million signing Yury Zhirkov also made his first competitive start in a Chelsea shirt.

QPR weren't quite so spoiled for options so Jim Magilton went with a relatively unchanged side. The only nod to this being the Carling Cup was placing Tom Heaton, on loan from Man Utd, in goal, allowing Radek Cerny the night off. With Ben Watson cup-tied, Alejandro Faurlin also came in to partner Martin Rowlands in the middle of the pitch. What is most pleasing about QPR at the moment is that Magilton seems to have settled on a 4-4-2 formation which finds room for Wayne Routledge and Akos Buzsaky on the wings. This could pay dividends in future games at Loftus Road.

Chelsea tested Rangers early with Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou getting in shots on target which Heaton dealt with admirably, but the Hoops also showed that they could threaten on the break, Routledge going on a bracing drive through the heart of the Chelsea midfield, which drew four or five players. He eventually found Buzsaky who curled a decent effort just over the bar.

I got a much closer view of the bench for this game and Magilton was as involved in the game as some of his players. Rowan Vine exercised most of his attentions in the first half, not always in a complimentary way, as he held up the ball well but then often wasted the team's momentum with some questionable passes. Both he and Jay Simpson had to work tirelessly to make the most of what little of the ball they saw though.

The greatest compliment to QPR came at half-time when Carlo Ancelotti decided to plump for one of his biggest names, bringing Lampard on in place of Malouda who had been ineffective. It gave Chelsea far better shape in the middle and they deprived the R's of any further goal-scoring chances in the second half.

The eventual breakthrough came surprisingly on the break with Cole lifting the ball delicately into the path of Kalou. He bursted into the box and left Mikele Leigertwood decidedly flat-footed, the midfielder, employed at right-back again, making no attempt to challenge for the ball. The Ivorian then slammed the ball to the far corner, leaving Heaton absolutely no chance of a save.

After that, Rangers continued to enjoy more of the ball then they perhaps expected and further compliment was paid to their potential threat by the introduction of Cole and Terry. Magilton looked to Taarabt to make the difference, replacing the tiring Vine, but that only served to fuel his lone hero mentality. I don't want to harp too greatly on his lack of team play, but it remains unfathomable that he continues to try and dribble the ball into the goal on his own rather than play in a team-mate. I expect he will challenge Vine for his first-team place in upcoming games though with Simpson doing enough to continue his run up front at the moment.

The most pleasing aspect of QPR's evening was the confidence with which they set about Chelsea when possible and the belief that they could get something. This was most greatly visible on the touchline, with Magilton kicking every ball and wheeling away in frustration when attacks fizzled out to nothing. He clearly expected his team to get a result and that was shown in the bold formation he employed, with two men up front throughout the game and creative players throughout the midfield. There was no question of him 'parking the team bus in front of the goal' as Jose Mourinho once alleged teams would do on their visits to the Bridge.

He won't have won the hearts of every QPR fan yet as the team are still to put together a run of wins to really lift their season. But most will surely be taking him seriously now and will have dispersed any nagging doubts that he is there purely to pick Flavio's team. It will of course be in the Championship as well were his credentials will be most truly examined.

HIGHS: Matched one of the best teams in the country for much of the game; Jim Magilton seems to have a settled team and formation for the first time; the QPR fans, who showed that any negativity at home hasn't yet transferred away.

LOWS: Struggled to create any chances; questionable defending from Leigertwood at right-back; Adel Taarabt's personal quest to win football matches.

Chelsea - Hilario (GK), Ferreira, Belletti, Hutchinson (Terry 77), J Cole, Mikel, Malouda (Lampard 46), Zhirkov (A Cole 69), Kalou, Borini.

Subs not used - Turnbull (GK), Bruma, Essien, Matic.

Goal - Kalou (52)

Bookings - None

QPR - Heaton (GK), Stewart, Leigertwood, Gorkss, Borrowdale, Routledge, Buzsaky, Rowlands (Ephraim 73), Faurlin, Vine (Taarabt 66), Simpson (Pellicori 73).

Subs not used - Cerny (GK), Ramage, Mahon, Agyemang.

Bookings - None.

Referee - Mr M Jones.

Attendance - 37,781.