I'm quite shocked to find myself saying this but Holloway nearly got it right tactically last night. Furlong provided the width, pace and crossing ability we have often been lacking and that, plus bombarding Derby with long throws from both sides, produced any number of half-chances which an instinctive goal scorer would have snapped up (that's not you Connor, sorry). Smyth was given a free roll in behind the front two and caused Derby so many problems that they tried to kick him of the pitch. If only our defenders had been even a little bit as cynical then the move that led to Derby's goal could have easily been snuffed out. As it turned out we were left facing the away team stat that has dogged us all season: 1 shot on target = 1 goal.
Based on this showing I really have no idea how Derby find themselves in a play off spot but it was clear that they could defend their lead with some ease even without Ledley King who had limped off after a few minutes. As a result, the chances in the second half dried up almost completely and Holloway was forced to try to get things going again with the introduction of Eze who again showed signs of being that classic QPR 'number 10' we are all desperate for. If the boy doesn't start on Saturday we will know that Holloway's visit to tactical sense was only a blip. As it was, Ian gave us a gentle reminder of just what a nutter he is when he replaced Furlong (best player on the pitch for me and still full of running) with Wszolek who has been ineffective in recent games. The introduction of Lynch as impromptu centre forward wasn't quite as daft as it seems on paper however, as Smith was clearly tiring fast and we had absolutely no one else who could maintain an aerial threat. Well, except for Massimo Luongo who, despite another innocuous performance, popped up unmarked to head home the equaliser. Now, if only Lynch had slotted home the chance in stoppage time we might even be celebrating the governor as a tactical master... well perhaps not.