It might not have been a classic, but QPR got the job done as they recorded a 1-0 victory over Northampton Town to progress into the second round of the Carabao Cup.

We take a look at three main talking points to come out of the performance.

Steven Caulker

Caulker coped extremely well in his first competitive match since October 2016. He started the game with nerves, but ensured he got the basics right to ease himself into the game.

By the time the second half came the 25-year-old looked a confident and composed member of the defence, and a familiar figure compared with his former self.

The clean sheet will have done him the world of good and it’ll be interesting to see if he can force himself into the starting 11 on a more regular basis.

Ilias Chair

The 19-year-old was introduced in the second half and looked like a real show-stopper.

The pint sized winger looked pacy, nimble and clearly has a trick or two up his sleeve as well.

However he is no show pony, and did well to create numerous chances for his team-mates in the latter stages.

A regular starting spot may not be a realistic target right away but he has shown that he is certainly capable of making a big impact.

The ability to adapt to different opposition

The clash with Northampton was a completely different proposition to that which Reading posed, hence the reason Ian Holloway changed his system.

However what the game showed us was just how big an impact Jamie Mackie and Conor Washington had on Saturday, as their exceptional work ethic set the pace for their team-mates, something which couldn’t be replicated with Matt Smith and Idrissa Sylla up top.

In the interest of fairness, what Smith and Sylla bring to the table is physical strength and a focal point for each attack, but this approach can often become predictable if over-used.

But credit to Holloway, who has clearly worked hard to ensure that his team are not just one-trick ponies, and that they are capable of adapting styles to beat the team in front of them.