QPR 3 Walsall 0 - match analysis

A tie that was settled on the teamsheets leaves Walsall hoping for kinder fortunes when the FA Cup comes around.

This second round Capital Cup contest was difficult enough for Dean Smith when the draw was made. It was rendered as close as a football contest can ever be to impossible when he looked at the numbers opposite number Mark Hughes selected.

Hughes pretty much crushed the capacity for surprise from the tie with an unfamiliar selection for Premier League teams so early in this competition – packed to the rafters with the 2012 crop of star names lured to Shepherd's Bush by the chequebook.

The QPR boss's surprise approach against League One opposition showed a greater appetite for the contest then the home fans who numbered less than 6,000 when you take into account of the Saddlers' following in the 6,129 attendance.

From the other side of the tracks, Walsall pitched up with their own new signing, non-contract full-back Andy Taylor, who was handed his first game since the play-off final with Sheffield United and found Shaun Wright-Phillips bearing down on him.

In the event, Taylor did well enough and so did Walsall. In the few pockets of play in which the Saddlers were able to gain control, they once again showed this will be a season when they will endeavour to keep possession and thread their way through the opposition.

They had one or two moments last night which might – just might – have got the nerves jangling in the home camp but ultimately QPR cruised to a victory they will probably feel they reached in second gear.

A first-half goal from Shaun Wright-Phillips was added to after the break by Bobby Zamora – the pick of the night – and Jose Bosingwa. With the money spent on those three alone, you could buy the Saddlers and have change to spare.

There was one moment, perhaps, when the tie might have become precarious for Rangers as Walsall made a spirited start to the second half and Robert Green, perhaps unnerved by that 5-0 opening day hammering in his first Loftus Road appearance and the presence of Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar in the stand, spilled a Florent Cuvelier drive to concede a rare corner.

Jamie Paterson flipped it to the near post for Will Grigg to connect with a header which crashed off the bar. An almighty scramble ensued which saw Andy Butler and Grigg again defied in their efforts to force the loose ball over the line – and Rangers celebrated the escape by choking the like out of the contest.

Yet another return by Kieron Dyer as the first of three international substitutes by Hughes, saw the injury-tormented midfielder thread a super pass through Walsall's right side – but Zamora's finish was even better.

As keeper David Grof advanced, the wannabe England forward chipped him with precision from his left foot.

It had been Zamora who had unlocked Saddlers before the break too, placing a quality pass beyond the commendable Dean Holden for Wright-Phillips to run on to and side-foot beyond Grof.

Bosingwa finished things off from close-range with six minutes remaining, a goal which put a slightly flattering tone on the night for his side.

Smith will have been pleased with Taylor's opening contribution, the efforts of Paterson and Florent Cuvelier again and Holden's stern defending.

The Saddlers had to readjust in the 34th minute when ex-Albion man Adam Chambers was carried out of the game with a hamstring injury which will sideline him for a fortnight or more.

And that will possibly have more of an impact on Walsall's plans for the league season then any after-effects from this defeat.

QPR (4-4-2) Green; Bosingwa, Ferdinand, Nelsen, Fabio; Wright-Phillips (Traore 66), Faurlin, Park, Hoillet (Dyer 60); Johnson, Zamora (Cisse 68). Subs not used: Murphy, Derry, Mackie, Onuoha,

Walsall (4-5-1): Grof 6/10; Purkiss 6, Holden 7, Butler 6, Taylor 6; Paterson6 , A Chambers 6 (Baxendale – 34mins, 6), Featherstone 6, Cuvelier 6, Hemmings 6 (Jones 78min, 6); Grigg 6 (Bowerman 69min, 6 ). Subs not used: Walker, Williams, Benning, Downing

Referee: Michael Naylor (Sheffield)

Attendance: 6,129

By Martin Swain