Perfect start for Laudrup as sorry QPR capitulate Published: Sunday, Aug 19, 2012, 8:54 IST By Arindam Rej | Agency: Daily Telegraph Those who voiced doubts about Michael Laudrup's suitability to succeed Brendan Rodgers have been quietened. The Danish manager's Swansea side, looking even slicker with their stylish new additions, embarrassingly dismantled QPR and ensured his reign started spectacularly. This performance was very much in the image of Laudrup; elegant and effective. The contrast in quality between Swansea and QPR was laid bare, especially in the context of the money spent. While Rangers manager Mark Hughes has invested heavily in overhauling his squad, Laudrup has brought in a handful of exceptional players at what seems to be incredible value for money. Around pounds 2m apiece seems a paltry price for players of the calibre of Michu and Chico Flores and reflects well on Laudrup's knowledge of the marketplace. "Sometimes it's about knowing people," admitted Laudrup. "It's important that a player wants to come. The economy is not easy so you can get a lot of quality for reasonable amounts in Spain." Michu was a classy, controlling presence in midfield and scored two goals early in each half to put Swansea 2-0 ahead before Hughes's side started playing like the strangers they are, collapsing as the second half wore on. All of the Welsh club's new players looked impressive and slotted into their system smoothly. Even more pleasingly, winger Wayne Routledge's invigorating running led to all three goals. With Scott Sinclair coming off the bench - after being unwilling to sign a new contract - Routledge's exceptional performance was just what the club needed. Mark Hughes, the home side's manager, must be feeling far less self-assured than Laudrup after one of his new additions, goalkeeper Rob Green, gave a dire display and their new-look attack failed to turn pressure into goals. For all the money spent on new faces at Loftus Road, this performance showed that building a team is not such a simplistic process. "Maybe it's good this defeat came now so we are under no false pretences," said Hughes. "It's about making sure we learn from that." Not giving Routledge space to run is a lesson that they can learn. The former QPR winger made an immediate impact by creating the opening goal of the Premier League season. He forced his way beyond a series of challenges before finding Nathan Dyer, who prodded the ball back for Michu. The Spaniard's 25-yard strike squirmed beyond the grasp of Green. It was an embarrassing misjudgement and indicative of nerves. Rangers laboured hard to rectify matters with their first chance falling for Jamie Mackie, whose eight-yard shot was blocked by Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm and hacked away by Chico Flores. QPR continued to press but, as chances came and went for them with Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm in form, Rangers' belief seemed to ebb away and the visitors finished the first half strongly. Green stretched to save a curling, 20-yard free-kick from Jonathan de Guzman - then the Welsh team hit the bar twice in quick succession. First, De Guzman's corner was met by a free header by Flores at the back post that struck the woodwork after Green had charged out and missed the ball. Michu was then similarly frustrated, following his eight-yard jab towards goal, after Green failed to punch clear another De Guzman corner. A second Swansea goal duly arrived shortly after the break, from a brilliantly swift counter-attack. Routledge collected the ball in his own half and burst forward before threading the ball into the path of Michu, who curled the ball beyond Green. And the home team's hopes of a result disappeared when Michu blocked an attempted Fabio pass, allowing Routledge to embark on another menacing break to carve open Hughes's men again. He picked out Dyer, who made no mistake with his calm finish. With Rangers looking in a shocked state, a fourth followed as Laudrup showed the Midas touch by bringing on Kemy Agustien, who promptly lofted the ball over for Dyer to fire in his second. Swansea looked almost embarrassed to score a fifth, as Rangers gave the ball away sloppily at the back, allowing Michu to take advantage and play in unsettled Sinclair - who had come off the bench - to finish with a 20-yard drive. Laudrup looked calm still and, afterwards - understatedly - said: "If you know you can win an away game, it gives you a lot of confidence." Confidence in him, as Swansea manager, has certainly grown. QPR (4-4-2): Green; Onuoha, Ferdinand, Hill (Wright-Phillips 64), Fabio; Taarabt, Diakite (Derry 86), Mackie, Park; Cisse (Johnson 77), Hoilett. Subs: Murphy (gk), Nelsen, Dyer, Zamora. Booked: Fabio, Diakite. Swansea (4-5-1): Vorm; Rangel, Chico, Williams, Taylor; Dyer (Sinclair 77), Britton, Michu (Gower 84), De Guzman (Agustien 70), Routledge; Graham. Subs: Tremmel (gk), Tate, Moore, Richards. Booked: De Guzman, Rangel. Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
