QPR boss Neil Warnock excited by new-look team
Last updated on .From the section Football
Queens Park Rangers boss Neil Warnock said he was excited by his new-look team despite drawing a blank against Newcastle.
The goalless draw was given added gloss by an impressive display by Shaun Wright-Phillips, who was one of six players making their Rangers debut.
"I really enjoyed the game, that's what football is about - excitement," Warnock told BBC Radio 5 live.
Warnock also said making Joey Barton captain was a "logical choice".
Adel Taarabt had been the captain but Barton was given the armband on his debut against his former club, with Warnock adding: "It was just a logical thing really. I had a chat with Adel last week and he was straight away right about it.
"We need somebody as our leader. He (Barton) epitomised what we are about tonight. I thought he handled himself well."
Of his team's wasted chances, Warnock said: "We should have scored some goals, but you can't ask for everything. To put five or six new players [into the side] in 10 days we couldn't have asked for a better performance and I think the crowd will go home happy. I was delighted in the end."
As well as Wright-Phillips and Barton, Anton Ferdinand, Luke Young, Armand Traore and Jason Puncheon all made their QPR debuts.
But it was former Manchester City winger Wright-Phillips, who was the outstanding performer, creating several chances for the team as they dominated the first half.
"I think there's a lot to come from Shaun," said Warnock. "He's seen players, probably some of lesser ability than him, take over his mantle and he's got something to say about that.
"I think it's exciting times because I think he can score goals if he believes in it and gets in the positions."
Barton said that QPR could take encouragement from the display which keeps them 11th in the Premier League on four points.
"A clean sheet in football is different class, especially considering we had six new players on the pitch," he said. "We should probably have won the game, but if we keep playing like that we'll win games.
"We've only been together a few days but good players don't take that long to bond and we'll only get better."
