After seeing a close-range effort from DJ Campbell, signed from Blackpool, ruled out of offside and former Cardiff frontman Jay Bothroyd, a free transfer, having a goal-bound strike cleared by Gretar Steinsson, Wanderers took the lead in first-half stoppage time when defender Gary Cahill curled in from 20 yards.

Following the restart, once Daniel Gabbidon, on his debut, had put past his own goalkeeper Paddy Kenny to make it 2-0, QPR capitulated. Ivan Klasnic’s deflected effort and Fabrice Muamba completed the rout.

QPR’s miserable afternoon was complete when defender Clint Hill was shown a red card in stoppage time, for putting his head into the chest of Martin Petrov.

While Warnock was far from despondent, the former Sheffield United boss feels his squad have to wise up.

“We are going to get lessons, and have to learn them quickly,” he said.

“They are clever people in the Premier League.

“How long has Kevin Davies been in the Premier League? He has been a top player, a thorn in everybody’s side and I love him.

“You do get cuter as you go along, and certain players have got a certain reputation of making more than what it is.

“You have got to try to learn quickly who you can do things [against] and who you can’t.

“We have got to be less naive in certain situations, but all the three clubs who have come up are the same – we have to grow up quickly and look who you are playing against.”

Rangers were also dealt a blow after just five minutes when midfielder Kieron Dyer, a summer signing from West Ham, was taken off with a foot injury.

Warnock remains hopeful the former England man can soon be back in action after X-rays showed there was no broken metatarsal.

Lotus Formula One boss Tony Fernandes watched from the directors box yesterday, and looks set to push through a takeover.

Warnock expects to be able to bring in a couple more new faces ahead before the transfer window shuts.

“All managers work within whatever restraints you have. The players we have signed have been excellent value for what we have got,” he said.

“I would love two or three top players in the next fortnight. I am confident we will get them.

“If everything is sorted [with the takeover], I am sure the club can take a giant step towards staying up like we tried to plan from the word go.”

Bolton were good value for an early away win, as Owen Coyle’s men were rewarded for their industry.

He said: “Regardless of who you play in this league, if you do not bring that work-rate, you are going to achieve nothing.

“We know if we do, we have quality in our team.”

Coyle added: “One or two people had written us off this season, maybe because of the leg breaks we have had, and with one or two leaving, but that is my job as a manager, to adjust and readjust.”