The journey from pundit's chair back to the dug-out has been an unexpected one for Gary Rowett.

Derby's new manager was inked in for a stint on Sky, his brief to say what he thinks about County and Queens Park Rangers.

A penny for those thoughts now.

Matej Vydra celebrates opening the scoring in the 70th minute with Dave Nugent (left)

QPR's players are left dejected after conceding the goal - they offered little attacking threat

Idrissa Sylla missed the chance for an undeserved equaliser - heading against the post late on

MATCH STATS DERBY: Carson, Baird, Keogh, Pearce, Olsson, Bryson, Johnson; Ince (Hughes 79), Vydra (Anya 79), Russell, Nugent (Bent 86) Goal: Vydra 70 Subs not used: Christie, Butterfield, Camara, Mitchell QPR Smithies, Furlong (Sylla 76), Onuoha, Hall, Bidwell, Wszolek (Goss 58), Perch, Manning, Freeman, Smith, Washington (Ngbakoto 69) Subs not used: Mackie, Ingram, Robinson, Petrasso Booked: Freeman Referee: Geoff Eltringham Attendance: 27,690 Advertisement

Sadly Rowett is unlikely to reveal what was going through his mind as he gets to grips with the new job.

A draw at Nottingham Forest a fortnight ago was a decent start and this win will do very nicely, too, thank you.

Matej Vydra's third goal in four games is an equally decent return for someone who has struggled this season.

Forget the fact that the £8million forward's strike halfway through the second half was a short-range rebound after Alex Smithies fumbled Tom Ince's initial effort.

Vydra is beginning to look like a finisher after two in two for Rowett.

Derby's recent slump cost Steve McClaren his job but poke under the sorry statistics and a positive one immediately jumps out.

County continue to be formidable at Pride Park. Of the four home defeats in the League this season, three were way back in September under the first manager of the campaign, Nigel Pearson.

QPR boss Ian Holloway arrives before the Friday night Championship match at Pride Park

QPR's Alex Smithies comes out to make an acrobatic save during the first half at Pride Park

Fans might regard it as a straw-clutching exercise after the way their team has gone from play-off hopefuls to virtual also-rans but it gives Rowett a base on which to build.

His remit, according to chief executive Sam Rush in the match programme, is to produce a high-intensity performing side, presumably sooner rather than later given the longevity of Rowett's predecessors.

Opponents QPR have come at it from the opposite direction, a relegation battle now a fading nightmare.

Derby defender Alex Pearce battles for an aerial ball with QPR striker Conor Washington

QPR's Ryan Manning attempts to fend off Derby midfielder Craig Bryson's challenge

In fact, only three points separated the clubs at kick-off thanks to the rejuvenation of Rangers under Ian Holloway.

So, for very different reasons, both managers were demanding performances in front of the TV cameras.

Invariably Derby's threat comes from Tom Ince, who has scored 12 league goals this season. As soon as he gets on the ball there is an air of expectation.

The decision to shoot from 25 yards early on was far too ambitious, however, and never troubled Alex Smithies in the QPR goal.

The outstanding Johnny Russell was also involved early on with a run and shot which went wide.

Johnny Russell (left) had a few decent opportunities in a drab first half against QPR

The Friday night match was new manager Gary Rowett's first in charge of Derby at Pride Park

Rowett's side enjoyed the better of the first-half chances but couldn't make the breakthrough

Rangers these days are no longer a soft touch and conspired to frustrate the home side without looking particularly dangerous.

Derby, on the other hand, were beginning to get up a head of steam.

Smithies hesitated coming for right-wing cross from Chris Baird and the ball flashed past him and inches away from Russell.

Then striker Matt Smith clumsily gave away a free kick just outside the area. Vydra's effort rebounded towards Russell whose shot had no power.

Russell has his effort blocked by QPR's Darnell Furlong after delaying in pulling the trigger

Marcus Olsson slides in to make the challenge on Luke Freeman during a rare QPR attack

Next to test Smithies was David Nugent and this time the goalkeeper did well to block a fierce effort.

Russell was given plenty of space and utilised it to great effect.

Once again Baird was the provider from the right, his ball inviting the header from Russell, who was just off target.

Rowett has eight matches to decide his summer strategy and some of these players will be auditioning for their Pride Park futures.

They went into action having won just one of 10 league games although there was plenty of satisfaction with the draw at neighbours Nottingham Forest a fortnight ago.

Tom Ince (right) impressed with his delivery from corners throughout the match at Pride Park

QPR striker Matt Smith produces a good save late on from Derby keeper Scott Carson

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It was very much a baptism of fire for Rowett. The welcome was somewhat warmer from Derby fans who must wonder if they will ever see Premier League football again.

The supporters clearly appreciated the effort which was being expended even if the search for a breakthrough goal was taking a long time.

Russell picked up where he left off with another jinking run into the area which required a desperate clearance but it would be fair to say that QPR looked comfortable in defence eveni if they offered little in attack.

The sight of Rowett urging his players forward summed up the match in a nutshell. As a work in progress there is a long way to go.

But Derby deserve full marks for sticking at it with the breakthrough coming from Russell's run. He fed Ince, whose shot was flapped away by Smithies and there was Vydra, who has found life tough at Pride Park.

Having got their noses in front, Derby then made it hard on themselves as Rangers launched a late fightback.

There was a real let-off when substitute Idrissa Sylla tried to place his header and it hit the post in the dying minutes.

Sylla was left unmarked in the penalty area but the substitute was off target with his header

Rowett emerged victorious from his first match in charge as Derby boss at Pride Park