For the second time in a year QPR v Hull City at Loftus Road was the first game for a new manager. Last year John Gregory enjoyed a 2-0 win in his first game in charge and this year new man Gi Gi De Canio was hoping to enjoy a similar start to life at Loftus Road.

De Canio's arrival has been far more low key than many expected with no press conference to announce his arrival and only a brief interview on QPR world to introduce the new man to the fans. So going to the game yesterday was a step into the unknown for most of us who didn't really know what to expect from the new managers team. Of course five days in charge is never enough time to stamp your authority on the squad but fans would have been pleased with what they saw as we produced out best footballing display of the season.

De Canio made one change to the team that beat Charlton with club captain Adam Bolder dropped to the bench and new signing Akos Buzsacky made his debut in central midfield. The bench also had a far more balanced look to it with just the one full back rather than the three we used to have under Gregory.

De Canio was introduced the fans before the game and received a warm welcome from the 12,000 supporters at Loftus Road. The game didn't get off to the best of starts from our point of view as Hull started off on the front foot and we struggled to get out of our own half for the first few minutes. Former Bolton midfielder Jay Jay Okocha was looking to get on the ball as much as possible and had a shot blocked by a defender to concede an early corner which almost opened the scoring when turner headed over the bar.

Dean Windass was also looking sharp up front using his rather large frame to good effect against Stewart and he almost opened the scoring with a shot, which Lee Camp did well to save. Rangers looked a little nervous but began to play their way into the game with Rowlands snapping into some strong challenges on the right, which seemed to wake the team up and push us further forward. Buzsacky was showing some nice skill in midfield using a trick to get away from two players before spreading the ball wide and the Hungarian appeared to grow in confidence as the game wore on and went close to scoring with a long range effort which was well saved by the keeper.

Hull were having more of the ball without really creating much and Rangers looked very solid at the back with Cranie and Stewart clearing everything into the box and the two full backs were also doing well with Barker continuing his recent improvements.

Rangers started to cause a few problems going forward after a great ball in from Rowlands just evaded Nygaard and the target man went close to his second goal of the season when he headed Buzsacky's corner wide of the post.

The first goal of De Canio's reign came after twenty six minutes and it was a brilliant finish. Hogan Ephraim got it cutting in from the left onto his right foot and he curled a shot past the keeper into the bottom corner. An excellent goal from the youngster whose loan spell ends this week and he became the first player to score two league goals this season for QPR.

Rangers suddenly looked a very confident side as we knocked the ball around playing some nice possession football. Buzsacky was looking very good on the ball whilst Rowlands was having an excellent game on the right and almost scored with an audacious shot from out wide which was hit with great power and forced the keeper into a good save.

Hull still looked a threat at the other end and when the ball fell to Windass on the edge of the box it looked like an equaliser was on the cards but Windass shot was deflected inches wide of the post. At half time the team was given a standing ovation off the pitch and the second half performance would ensure the players got an even bigger ovation at the end.

Whatever was said at half time certainly worked as Rangers started the second half on fire and played their opponents off the pitch for the first fifteen minutes.

We started quickly breaking down the left but the keeper plucked Ephraim's cross out of the air with Nygaard lurking in the background. Rowan Vine then began to shine going on an excellent run from deep as the Hull defence backed off him and he fired a shot just wide of the post.

Nygaard was holding the ball up well and always looking to win flick ons and lay offs for Vine. It was by far his best performance of the season and although not everything was coming off for him he was for once using his size and strength to his advantage.

We were playing some lovely football and the crowd were right being the team before for the first time this season we scored a second goal at home. Chris barker took a throw in on the left and it feel to Vine who worked the ball well with Ephraim before passing into space where Leigertwood had run into. The defensive midfielder ran into the box under no pressure from Hull, he looked up and curled a brilliant shot past the keeper and into the top corner. It was a goal of stunning quality and capped another excellent performance from the fast improving Leigertwood.

De Canio then made a tactical change moving Vine to the right and playing a 4-5-1 formation to try and kill the game off. It certainly worked as we kept the ball well and sucked the life out of the game giving Hull little to no chance of getting back in it. The style wasn't pretty to watch but was a very effective and very Italian way to win a football match.

Dean Marney was denied by an excellent Lee Camp save towards the end but as the game reached the 80-minute mark the game was as good as over. De Canio made three changes during the final minutes with Bolder, Ainsworth and Nardiello getting on to replace Nygaard, Vine and Buzsacky. Vine was given a standing ovation with chants of sign hum up and before he went off he almost grabbed a goal of the season contender. He won the ball on the right and did a few showboating kick ups before a reverse pass to Rowlands. Vine then ran in field and got the ball back before fitting just over the bar from distance.

It was a little frustrating to see us take the ball into the corner at 2-0 up which eventually saw Vince pick up a needless booking. Hull had a late goal disallowed with McPhee a yard offside and at the final whistle the team got the ovation they thoroughly deserved for a professional and at times exciting performance.

This was very good start to the De Canio era.

The first half I thought we played a bit too deep at times and Hull looked slightly the better side but we saw signs of what De Canio was trying to do. The little triangles in midfield, trying to keep the ball and in Buzsacky we have someone who can open up a defence even though he wasn't at his best yesterday. Nygaard played with his back to goal so we had a target man to play off and it worked, that was the best Nygaard has played for a hell of a long time so full credit to him and also to Barker who had a decent game at left back.

In the second half we were sensational for the first fifteen minutes. The one touch passing, the running at players, it was a joy to watch. I think that's the best spell of football I've seen from us since we stuffed Coventry 4-1 at home a few years back. Leigeterwood's goal was quality and summed up his performance. I don't mind admitting I was wrong about him, I could not see any way he was going to make an impact in midfield and wanted him back in defence but these last 4 or 5 games he has been brilliant in midfield and looks a bargain at the moment.

Ephraim also had a very good game, I'd like to see him have his loan extended for the season. The only downside was this was Rowan Vine's last game of his loan spell and unless something can be sorted out he'll be on his way to Birmingham on Monday. Fingers crossed that he stays as he has made a massive difference to the forward line in recent weeks although the return to fitness of Danny Nardiello will mean we have a ready made replacement if Vine does return to Birmingham.

So a great start for De Canio, if he can get the team playing like this on a regular basis we could be in for some excitement over the next few months and should be able to move clear of the relegation zone.

Man of the Match: Mikele Leigterwood

QPR: Camp 7, Mancienne 7, Stewart 8, Cranie 8, Barker 7, Buzsacky 7 (Ainsworth 6), Leigertwood 9, Rowlands 8, Ephraim 8, Vine 8 (Nardiello 6), Nygaard 8 (Bolder 6)