NEDUM Onuoha breathed a sigh of relief that a QPR opening game wasn’t the disaster of the last two seasons.

Rangers were caned 5-0 at home by Swansea this time last year, and were beaten 4-1 by Bolton the season before that.

This time a nip-and-tuck affair that saw them edge past Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 was testimony to the new spirit in the camp, according to the defender.

“It was a welcome to a division where you have to stand up to the challenge,” Onuoha (pic) said.

“I feel we’ve taken a step forward with this game compared to how we played last year.

“I thought it could have ended 4-3, there were that many chances – but with my hand on heart we deserved to win.”

Onuoha admits the Championship is a brave new world as far he’s concerned, and one in which he anticipates a full-on season.

“This is my first game at this level, and it really is just a question of getting to know the division,” he explained.

“They say it’s game after game after game, and we’ll have to be ready.”

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