A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and how good it was to see our QPR playing free flowing football again. The team for the first half was: Chris Day Terrel Forbes, Steve Palmer, Matt Rose, and Paul Bruce in defence. A midfield of Marcus Bignot, Gavin Peacock, Mark Perry & Karl Conolly, with Andy Thomson and Richard Pacquette up front.

We soon settled down and within the first ten mins we were a goal up. A superb Marcus Bignot cross reached the feet of Andy Thomson who slotted the ball home.

The rest of the half was a pleasure to watch. Palmer and forbes in particular at the back were solid and determined, Bignot, Peacock and Mark Perry were like men possessed and the front two did not stop chasing and making space within the area.

We could have taken the lead further a couple of times. For instance, around midway through the period, Bignot played an exceptional ball to Thomson just inside the box, he passed to Matt Rose who had made a good run but he couldn't finish which was a real shame.

Mark Perry also nearly gave us an increased lead by unleashing a great shot but was prevented by getting his name onto the scoresheet via good goalkeeping. As the second half commenced a host of new players came on for us. I recognised Carl Hutchins (a right back) from the Watford game.

Christer Warren also replaced Paul Bruce. But then the fun begins. Nicky Banger replaced Connolly, a central defender called Costa came on in place of Matt Rose. A strong looking striker called Rafael someone or other (didn't catch his surname) replaced Richard Pacquette and a little lad up front came on in Andy Thomson's place. His name was M'Bombo and almost immediately he had an impact, hitting a shot that just went over the crossbar.

Actually, I'm sure someone else came on at the start of the second half but I can't remember now. I tell you what though, those new boys, along with the other players, made me so proud to support the R's. Each and every one of them fought, scrapped and challenged for the ball at each opportunity. Oh what it is to see our Rangers back.

I was disappointed with Birmingham's performance. Maybe they're still suffering from the disappointment of their play off failure from last season? They were poor and Chris Day was really only called upon to make a couple of saves throughout the entire game. Geoff Horsfield came on and immediately got himself involved in some argy bargy. But to be honest, majority of the Brum boys just did not look interested.

The few Birmingham fans who had bothered to make the journey left the stadium without even acknowledging their players. In stark contrast to the reception our players received at the end. I'm really looking forward to next Saturday. I hear that Stoke are bringing near enough their full quota of allocation, so it will make for a cracking atmosphere. Well done to the players today and a special mention for Olly. Judging by the friendly matches over this past month, if the drive, enthusiasm and sheer will he has driven into his players can be taken into the start of the coming season, I am really optimistic about our prospects.