QPR are now without a home league win since the opening day – but Saturday’s draw with Birmingham was a step in the right direction.

Steven Caulker’s towering header cancelled out Lukas Jutkiewicz’s opener for high-flying Blues, while Tjaronn Chery twice came close to a deserved Hoops winner after the break.

Here’s the reflections on a more positive 90 minutes at Loftus Road.

A modicum of confidence restored

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side can take heart from the fact they bossed the entire second half against one of the early season pace-setters, so much so there was only one side who ever looked likely to get a winner.

It didn’t come – but only 10 days on from the Newcastle mauling this a step towards healing those mental scars.

Do I know you? Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink greets Gary Rowett

A better shape

Too narrow, too often this season, Rangers played with width against Brum and so created some space between the lines for will-o’-the-wisp Tjaronn Chery that got the Dutchman into shooting positions around the six-yard box more than once.

The chances weren’t taken, but continue in this way and it's just a matter of time.

Every cloud, and all that...

Rangers could have done without the early injury to Jordan Cousins, but the former Charlton midfielder’s misfortune gave fans another look at Pawel Wszolek.

Impressive against Sunderland in midweek, the Polish ace sparkled again thanks to pace and willingness to take on Blues full-backs on either flank.

Work is needed on the end product, but he looks one to get fans off their seats.

Bedding in: Idrissa Sylla (R)

Mixed stuff from Idrissa Sylla on first league start

The Guinea international scored at Huddersfield last week after coming off the bench, but enjoyed a mixed day in a starting shirt.

His upper body strength saw him hold the ball up well for others to join in, but he won little in the air and had few sights of goal.

QPR defensive concerns remain

Rangers will still have held an inquest over the goal they conceded.

A poor headed clearance in the first instance was followed by no pressure on the ball when the cross came in from the left. Grant Hall was then out-jumped at the far post and when the ball came back across Jutkiewicz had the freedom of the six yard-box to tap in.

That makes FOUR costly errors in a matter of seconds.

Nice one: Congrats for Steven Caulker
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QPR 1-1 Birmingham - fair result?