Iain Dowie believes Rangers are in good shape to kick-start the new Championship campaign in style, despite Saturday's 2-1 defeat to AC Chievo Verona.

The Serie A newcomers edged a tight contest by the odd goal at Loftus Road, but Dowie was satisfied with his side's overall display.

"It would have been nice to end our pre-season campaign with a victory, but the real proof in the pudding will be next Saturday against Barnsley," he told www.qpr.co.uk.

"I thought it was a very even match and they just shaded it by the odd goal.

"The second goal we conceded was very poor from a defensive point of view. You can't take anything away from the player's strike, but we should have stopped them from getting the ball to him in the first place.

"They edged the first half, but I thought we grew stronger as the match wore on."