PA PhotosLuis Suarez scores his first goal in the 3-0 win against QPR

The mystery, in part, this season has often been: why can QPR play so well in short periods and yet look like a bunch of schoolgirls when it really counts.

- Reds run riot over Rs

Guaranteed, if the Hoops are behind in a game - a long way behind, so much the better - they will play with the requisite desire and purpose and, darn-nab-it, look like a Premier League team.

As was the case against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon: poor industry and no purpose in the first half and it was little surprise that the visitors were 3-0 up and out of sight by half-time.

But in the second half QPR played exactly how they have to play for every minute of every game between now and May if any hope of avoiding the drop is to exist.

However, unless manager Harry Redknapp does some stirring business in the January window, which includes getting rid of some of the more toxic elements in the dressing room, then it is not going to happen.

Set adrift at the start of 2013. It's rather apt considering how poor 2012 was for QPR. Fair enough, there was the great escape. But it papered over the cracks of a club that drifted away from its core and became a shadow of itself.

Under Harry there has been some improvement: reinstating Jamie Mackie and having faith in the old guard over the noxious new signings has been a plus point - and makes 2013 a year to look forward to.

Even if it means ending the year in The Championship.

Follow Sean Smith on Twitter @seanshorn

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