With a budget as big as the one available to Harry Redknapp at Queens Park Rangers, it was expected that the West Londoners would waltz through the Championship last season.

It wasn't to be so straightforward, though, with the R's having to rely on the lottery of the playoffs to secure their return to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Redknapp was keen to stress that his squad was now free of the egos that had hampered their previous spell in the top flight, so how have they fared so far? Here, Sports Mole has looked back over the opening five months of the 2014-15 campaign.

August

No disrespect to Hull City, but facing them at home on the opening day of the season was viewed as the perfect encounter for QPR on their return to the top flight.

However, it would not be the perfect start that many had predicted as Charlie Austin missed from the penalty spot, while further salt was rubbed into the wound by Hull centre-back James Chester, who scored the game's only goal.

Next time out, the R's were hammered at Redknapp's former club Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. It was 3-0 by the break, with Emmanuel Adebayor adding the gloss after the restart to make it 4-0. Then, further disappointment arrived in the shape of the Capital One Cup, with League Two side Burton Albion winning 1-0 at QPR's expense.

Nevertheless, the month would at least end on a high note with a first victory of the season against Sunderland thanks to Austin, who fired into the net through a crowded penalty area.

September

Yet, that win over the Black Cats failed to inspire some positive form from the R's as they did not win any of their three encounters in September.

First up after the international break was a trip to Manchester United, who were looking for their maiden win under Louis van Gaal's management. They claimed it emphatically, scoring four unanswered goals against the West Londoners, meaning that they had conceded eight goals in their two away encounters.

Back at Loftus Road, late inspiration from Niko Kranjcar secured a 2-2 draw against Stoke City, with summer signing from Cardiff City Steven Caulker also getting his name on the scoresheet.

September concluded with Austin scoring a stunning goal away at Southampton, only for the hosts to win through 2-1, thanks in part to Graziano Pelle volleying in a memorable goal himself.

October

While October started poorly, by the end of the month, there was at least some light at the end of the tunnel for Redknapp and his charges.

West Ham United made light work of QPR at Upton Park, but that was followed by an entertaining encounter at home to Liverpool. The R's may have lost 3-2 to a stoppage-time Caulker own goal, but with Bobby Zamora having caused plenty of problems and Eduardo Vargas shining out wide, there was a sense that Redknapp had at last identified the best style for his side.

It certainly appeared that way when Villa made the trip to Loftus Road, with QPR propping up the Premier League's other 19 sides.

They moved off the bottom, though, courtesy of a 2-0 victory, with Austin once again proving to be the hero by scoring both of the home side's goals.

November

A spirited performance away at Chelsea counted for little as a late Eden Hazard penalty secured all three points for Jose Mourinho's men. Still, on the plus side, Austin was among the goals again and he was becoming one of the Premier League's most clinical marksman.

It didn't get any easier next time out with the visit of champions Manchester City, but QPR held their own and their efforts were rewarded with a 2-2 draw, with Austin once again on the scoresheet.

Yet, the home sickness continued on the road, with Newcastle United recording a 1-0 victory at St James' Park, which inflicted a sixth straight away defeat on QPR.

Having said that, home victories were much easier to come by. It seemed that Leicester City were going to head home with a point, but Austin was Johnny on the spot to secure a 3-2 victory for his side - a result that moved the R's up to 18th in the table.

December

Six consecutive away defeats became seven at the start of December with a visit to Swansea City. It seemed for a long while that the game was petering out to a goalless draw, only for the hosting Swans to score two goals late on.

At the same time, Loftus Road was becoming something of a fortress, with Austin once again among the goals in a 2-0 victory over his former club Burnley. The striker was suspended for the away clash at Everton next time out, which saw the hosts run out 3-1 winners at Goodison Park.

Back for the home encounter against West Bromwich Albion, Austin's worth enhanced even further when he fired in a hat-trick to defeat West Bromwich Albion.

On the road again on Boxing Day, the R's equalled a record set by Bolton Wanderers in 1995-96 of losing their first nine away games of the season as they went down 2-1 at Arsenal, before a disappointing 0-0 home draw was played out with managerless Crystal Palace to bring down the curtain on 2014.

Position at start of 2015: 15th

Star player so far: Charlie Austin

Must do better: Rio Ferdinand

Where they need to strengthen in January: Winger

Mid-season grade: C-

To see QPR's remaining fixtures in 2014-15, click here.