We're all football crazy!

Gulf Air-sponsored Queens Park Rangers' new captain Fitz Hall spoke exclusively to GulfWeekly as the club made its first step at the weekend towards achieving a dream promotion to the English Premiership

WE made a great start to the season on Saturday with the 4-0 win over Barnsley but none of us are getting carried away by one result. We know there is a long way to go.

Five players made their debuts for the club in the match, and Adel Taarabt played his first game since signing permanently. It was great to see how quickly we were able to gel as a team. We have worked hard over the pre-season on our fitness levels, but we have also spent a lot of time together as a group, which has helped us quickly build a strong team spirit.

Over the course of a season you spend a lot of time with each other and it's important that you get on as a group. We have got a great mix here of hard-working players and talented individuals. There are a number of great teams in the Championship who are rightly targeting promotion this season. We are no different.

On a personal level, it is a huge honour to be captain of QPR. It's a great club with an incredible history. I've got the experience and I know the division and I'll relish the responsibility that comes with being skipper. I'm not a shouter, but I like to lead by example.

I know we have a great following in Bahrain, and it is incredible to think people look out for our results from so far away. Hopefully we can continue to perform in the way we started at the weekend and have a successful season which our fans near and far can enjoy and be proud of.

Depending on their relationships with their husbands, housewives around the world will have been either rejoicing or in a state of despair as the football season kicked off last weekend after only a short interlude following the World Cup.

The opening fixture on Friday evening set the tone for a weekend of surprises. While it is widely acknowledged that early results can be difficult to predict and are rarely a true indicator for the season ahead, a good run of early victories can help new signings settle quickly and provide strong impetus for the season ahead.

A vastly-depleted Watford side brought Championship new-boys Norwich City down to earth at Carrow Road in the season opener. Two goals from Danny Graham ensured the Hornets secured their first points and registered the first surprise of the season.

Moving across the country to Bristol, a summer full of high-profile transfer activity has had our Pirates-loving editor in despair at the number and quality of new arrivals, not least England keeper David James. However, the manner of their defeat at home to Milwall, who in the process became the only one of the promoted teams to secure victory, will have provided some satisfaction.

For any neutral Bahrain football fan they will be delighted with Gulf Air-sponsored QPR heading the table following a 4-0 victory over Barnsley, giving notice of their promotion intentions. Heidar Helguson's penalty opened the scoring before Barnsley hit the post twice.

New signing Jon Mackie's tap-in extended the lead and 21-year-old former Tottenham midfielder, Moroccan Adel Taarabt, scored the next penalty after Helguson was fouled. 'One size' Fitz Hall completed the rout with another tap-in.

Manager Neil Warnock claimed that Taarabt was the difference between the teams and that, with his help, the Moroccan could end up playing for Barcelona.

The one game last weekend for the footballing romantics came at Elland Road with the return of the Clough name to the famous stadium.

Back in 1974, Brian Clough famously managed Leeds United for only 44 days. This time it was son Nigel's time to return, bringing another of Brian's former teams, Derby County. While Clough junior played down the significance of the fixture, he did display some of his father's tactical nous when he stopped the team coach 200 yards before the stadium and made his players walk the final distance through the opposition fans.

Nigel also lined up his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Rob Hulse as the target man with Commons, Green and Cywka linking play. Leeds struggled to pick up the runs from deep and conceded goals to Hulse and a penalty from the excellent, yet tiring, Chris Commons. Clough's only concession to the pleasure he gained from this victory came from his own son being banned from walking on the pitch prior to kick-off.

Of the teams relegated from the Premiership, Hull should be indebted to Tottenham Hotspur following their opening goal from loanee, John Bostock. The England junior international's 30-yard screamer will vie for goal of the season and set the Tigers on their way to a comfortable 2-0 win against Swansea. Captain Ian Ashbee, out after a long injury spell which probably cost his side its Premiership status, added the second.

Despite a defeat away at Coventry, Portsmouth's fans were still celebrating. Having had their immediate future saved after a challenge to their Company Voluntary Agreement by HM Revenue and Customs was dismissed by the High Court, their fans were simply enjoying being allowed to play. However, on the field their team still looked short of quality and passion.

Burnley continued their strong home form with a 1-0 win against one of last season's stronger Championship teams, Nottingham Forest. In the other games there were wins for Crystal Palace, Doncaster and Scunthorpe.

Big spending Middlesborough, pre-season favourites, were boo-ed off their home turf following a surprise defeat to Roy Keane's Ipswich. It took three second-half goals from Smith, Priskin and Stead to help overcome a team consisting of several stars from last season's Scottish Premier League (six former Old Firm players), recruited by former national team manager, Gordon Strachan. The comeback win delighted Tractor Boy's coach Roy Keane whose side dominated the chances created if not possession.

The Championship looks to be a tight affair. While Middlesborough have been installed as favourites, Strachan will need to get his various Scottish imports playing together as a team early if they are to mount a challenge.

Nottingham Forest do not appear to possess the strength in depth. My personal favourites for promotion this year are Burnley who still have quality players and experience of Championship football, although they will need to improve away from home. I would be delighted to see QPR do well. In Warnock they have a strong manager who needs to be left alone by the board. A manager lasting more than a few months in the hot seat could see the continuity required for success - and rejoicing in Bahrain!

In the lower leagues Plymouth scored the largest surprise against South Coast favourites, Southampton, while promoted Division 2 champions Notts County had a disastrous 3-0 home defeat to Huddersfield, a score matched by Peterborough playing at home to Bristol Rovers.

Krazy Kev's beloved Oldham started well building a two-goal lead through Dale Stephens although had new manager Paul Dickov biting his nails having conceded in the 89th minute to set up a nervous ending against Tranmere.

Football League newcomers Stevenage grabbed a last gasp goal through Charlie Griffin to salvage a point in Division Two.

As with the opening games of the Championship, too much can be read into the Community Shield. However, following further criticism over the short off-season, Manchester United can be pleased with their 3-1 victory over last season's nemesis, Chelsea, securing their first victory over their rivals since the arrival of Ancelotti as manager, despite missing the rested Evra and the injured Ferdinand.

Much of Manchester United's better moves took advantage of Valencia's ability to get behind the troubled Ashley Cole who looked so out of position at times he could have been standing in Madrid next to his previous boss, Jose Mourinho.

Indeed, the opening goal came from an exquisite pass from Rooney who found Valencia who calmly slotted the ball past Hilario in goal.

The Chelsea keeper could be forgiven for turning green-eyed as Hernandez, known as the Little Pea, miskicked the ball into his own face only to see the ball deflect into the net for his first formal goal for the Red Devils.

Kalou raised Chelsea's hopes when he slotted in, following up an excellent save by Van der Sar from Sturridge. However, United once more raised their game and Nani cleverly sent through Berbatov who scored with an exquisite chip to secure a record 18th Shield.

Looking forward to the Premiership season ahead, Arsenal will be in the hunt, their optimism buoyed by securing the services of Cesc Fabregas, although their success may depend on how motivated he remains.

Liverpool have a point to prove, both as a club but also from a number of individuals, particularly Gerrard and Torres, who should benefit from the shrewd and practical management style of Roy Hodgson.

Manchester City, with the hundreds of millions they have spent, are another obvious threat. England fans can look towards

Tottenham also possess the players to mount a challenge although will need to find more consistency this season, despite having the distraction of Champions League football.

The curtain has been raised on the season and, following this opening display, expectations will have been raised. The season promises to be competitive and one of intrigue. With teams being restricted to an initial squad of 25 players, managers will be tested. I fancy the league title to stay in London, although this time for the Arsenal youngsters to find glory although expect North/South bragging rights to be closely contested with Manchester.