Hoilett shines as Hughes continues building plans
It would be nice to think that Loftus Road witnessed a vision of what life would be like for QPR in a few years’ time if Mark Hughes is given the time to complete the job he started.
GettyImagesJunior Hoilett: Should enjoy himself against the Arsenal defence
Before the arrival of Everton, Hughes admitted that project Hoops was being modelled on David Moyes' excellent work at Goodison Park.
After ten-man Toffees showed the grit and determination to grab a point where none should have been accrued, QPR could do worse than mimic their visitors on Sunday.
It was the same problems as ever that proved QPR's downfall as a confused defence allowed Sylvain Distin a free header from five yards out to equalise Junior Hoilett's excellent run and finish in the second minute.
Despite losing Steven Pienaar in the second half to two bookable offences, Everton rallied round the superb Phil Jagielka and produced a superb backs-to-the-wall performance.
What that means is that despite failing to win once more, QPR had a top four side scratching around desperately for a point.
And it would appear that Hughes is a step closer to knowing his favoured starting XI. Gone was Shaun Wright-Phillips who had been ineffectual in midfield to be replaced by Adel Taarabt - a move made possible by the return of a 'proper left back' in Armand Traore.
The defence is also beginning to look more like what Hughes had in mind with Stephane Mbia joining Ryan Nelsen and Jose Bosingwa.
In midfield, the return of Samba Diakite to play alongside Esteban Granero, Taarabt and Ji-sung Park has freed up Hughes to play Bobby Zamora up front with a bit of help in Junior Hoilett, whose pace had Everton on the back foot all afternoon.
In fact, Hoilett put in the kind of performance that is likely to cement his place in the first XI for some considerable time. His opening goal was enterprising and made, in part, by some excellent off-the-ball running from Zamora. He was buzzy all afternoon, and would have won the game for QPR had the referee given him a stonewall penalty in the second half.
Overall, this side - fingers crossed - is capable of picking up three points in the upcoming matches against Reading and Southampton.
I, for one, am looking forward to Hughes being able to pick the same starting XI for the first time in consecutive games.
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