APSunderland keeper Simon Mignolet denies QPR's Jamie Mackie

Improvement? I should think so. Although the winless streak continues to break all records, a draw at the Stadium of Light on a pig of a night is most definitely a step forward.

And the manner in which QPR managed to achieve their first clean sheet away from home since August 2011, a 1-0 win at Everton, is cause for cautious optimism. Cautious.

Of the three areas that all QPR fans will be looking at with interest: the defence looked comfortable enough under the set piece; and Adel Taarabt put in another man of the match performance. However, the ball still isn't moved quickly enough from back to front considering the midfield we have: the surging runs of Samba Diakite, the passing ability of Esteban Granero and the trickery of Taarabt.

But two out of three is no bad start - so, well done Harry Redknapp.

Of the changes that 'Arry made to the starting line up, perhaps the most significant was the use of Stephane Mbia as a defensive midfielder. It is where he is meant to be. Marseille used him to great effect in that role when they won the Ligue 1 title the season before last. And he looked comfortable in a QPR shirt for the first time. Not that he didn't perform at centre-back and right-back where Mark Hughes had played him, but horses for courses, I say.

The increasing reticence of Djibril Cisse continues to be a concern, though, as goals are looking increasingly the Achilles Heel of any attempt to get ourselves out of this mess. He started well enough, but by the end of the match he looked disinterested, almost broken.
Of course, if Jamie Mackie had taken a more than gettable chance in the second half we might be glossing over the negatives. But he didn't, and so we aren't.

We predicted the possible return of Rob Green between the sticks, but not in the manner it happened - Julio Cesar's groin injury perhaps highlighting the lack of madness in having two class keepers in the squad. Green looked assured and made a couple of sharp saves to protect a point it would have been cruel to lose.

A final word about Shaun Wright-Phillips who replaced Taarabt late on. Will we see a resurgence of the pacy winger under 'Arry? He is definitely the type of player that 'Arry gets the best out of, and likes to use to great effect late in matches. An SWP that is confident and scoring again would be a massive fillip.

And the kind of miracle we are hoping for from our new manager.
No pressure.

Follow Sean Smith on Twitter @seanshorn

 

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