A game in which all your hopes (continue the momentum from the end of last season; maintain solid defence; keep being good at either end with set pieces; more attacking threat with Celar) are dashed, and all your fears (blunt attack; impotent without Chair; thin squad depth with no one on the bench who can make a difference) are realised. We looked like the team Marti inherited, not the one he finished with.
Albion were a big physical team that we couldn't cope with. It wasn't until WBA had gone 3-1 up that we offered any urgency and that was only because the Baggies dropped a bit deeper and were happy to protect their 2 goal lead.
Defensively poor today and we had no idea how to mark Maja who seemed to score every time the ball came into our box.
I thought both Field and Colback never got into the game and let Mowett run the game. We have to hope that Varane will impose himself on the opposition in future games because Field and Colback didn't do that today.
Up front this would have been a wake up call for Jan Celar who looked lost and was dominated by the big WBA centre back before being replaced by Frey. IMO both Kolli and Lloyd are ones for the future and whilst they both try they needed a season out on loan getting more experience before being thrown into Championship football. Smyth wasnt good enough for the Championship in his first spell at the club and nothing has changed since he's re-joined, his lack of creativity and his awful finishing means it's time to for him to be replaced.
Overall we looked slow and ponderous without much creativity and Cifuentes wont be happy. Marti bemoaned our lack of a cutting edge after the Reading friendly so his comments after this game will be very interesting.
There was criticism of Smyth leaving us exposed down the right, but at least he was pushing forward in attack. Paal, on the other hand, looked always likely to pass backwards. Good point about Maja sitting between the CBs and neither getting to him, although would have been nice to see Celar do the same. We looked dire when it came to the (many) dead ball plays! Plus side: Kolli and Lloyd were again not overawed; Varane looked useful when he came on; good save and composure from Nardi; and again impressed with Andersen.
GK - Paul Nardi, 5 Conceding three on his competitive QPR debut is far from an ideal start for the former Gent man. Nardi wasn't helped for those goals by a skittled QPR defence and did show his talent with a strong save from a Karlan Grant shot in the second half.
LB - Kenneth Paal, 4 The full-back has been linked with a move to Watford. The full-back has been linked with a move to Watford. | Getty Images Consistent last season but off the pace as the Championship got underway today. Watford are reportedly weighing up a bid for the full-back but that performance won't help the R's demand a higher price. QPR had looked stronger defensively on the left early on but Paal was left wanting for the second and third goals.
CB - Steve Cook, 5 The QPR back four lacked organisation on Saturday. It'd be harsh to hold Cook at fault for that but the side were crying for someone to take charge. Did make an impressive and neat intervention as the Baggies countered in the second half, as well as firing off a late shot from a set piece.
CB - Jake Clarke-Salter, 5 Composed early on but looked sluggish at times. The centre-back was outmanoeuvred for the West Brom opener.
RB - Jimmy Dunne, 4 Grew to look comfortable at full-back last season but a lacklustre showing today made him look a fish out of water. West Brom had a lot of joy down that flank early on and Dunne was easily outjumped by Maja for the striker's second.
CDM - Jack Colback, 4 QPR struggled for control in midfield. A largely anonymous showing in the centre of midfield as QPR struggled to find some bite. Not his usual industrious self.
CDM - Sam Field, 5 Finished the season so strongly last time out but another who was not up to his own standards. A nifty intervention to hook the ball away from danger in the penalty box early on is the type of moment he's capable of but not enough of that today.
LW - Rayan Kolli, 7 Had a big task today filling in for Ilias Chair but the 19-year-old looked well up for it. Lively during his time on the pitch and picked out a peach of a cross to tee up Andersen for the opening. Perhaps overworked the ball at times but the teenager is one positive from a frustrating opener.
CAM - Lucas Andersen, 7 Showed lots of hustle and bustle, that liveliness helping him bag QPR's first goal of the season. Andersen will clearly be heavily involved in the R's best attacking moments this season.
RW - Paul Smyth, 6 Paul Smyth started at right wing for QPR. Struggled to influence the match. When the winger did manage to get the ball at his feet, showed some drive and desire to progress moves up the pitch. This is still clearly a priority recruitment area for the club.
ST - Zan Celar, 4 Having plundered 21 goals in all competitions for FC Lugano last season, QPR supporters may have hoped to see some more threat from their new signing against West Brom. The physicality of the Championship will take some getting used to for the striker, who lacked bite today.
SUB - Alfie Lloyd, 5 Was one of the QPR players at fault for the third goal when performing his defensive role. His only real moment of note was a decent shot from distance with five minutes left on the clock.
SUB - Jonathan Varane, 6 Little chance to see the new arrival from Sporting de Gijon in his cameo. The R’s did gain a little more control with the midfielder on the pitch.
SUB - Michael Frey, 5 His physicality probably did add more for QPR up top than Celar offered but lashed at a half-chance that fell to him in the dying embers.
SUB - Daniel Bennie, 5 A tough task asking the 18-year-old to help change the game late on as QPR struggle for attacking impetus.
Today wasn’t good But there is a lot of games to go Still some new players to come in Our best player wasn’t in the squad today It’s only the first game Put it this way We’re only 3 points of being top of the league
I thought Bennie looked very lively when he came on, clearly wanted to make an impact. Celar was a bit of a worry, Bearley got a touch, and second best psychically. Varane seemed good on the ball and looked like he had a little bit more time than others to pick a pass. Frey desperately needs a goal! He's almost trying to hard, and not letting it come to him. No composure. Shades of Armstrong. It was far from positive but, I'm not as downbeat as I was after the Watford game last season. We have a far better squad, and twice the manager, who has a plan. Still time to bring in one, or two more. And still no Chair. So, onwards, and hopefully upwards.
