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Waiting for Godot was once described as the play 'in which nothing happens, twice', and as parody ex-footballer Smudger Smith suggested on Twitter, that description was quite fitting for QPR's dull 0-0 draw with Spurs.
A match with few, if any, highlights stumbled along with Spurs desperately trying to find the fluency they exhibited over the festive period. QPR, however, seemed quite content with a point that keeps them bottom and five clear of safety, but Harry Redknapp has to find answers to the team's startling lack of attacking threat this month.
It goes without saying that Redknapp must be bursting with excitement at the prospect of a foray into the transfer market and the manager will also reflect that four points in the last two matches against Chelsea and Spurs marks a good start to a crucial month for QPR. But as much as the Rs now seem capable of grinding out results, they will need to show more intent to secure the wins needed for survival.
Redknapp decided to stick with the 'false nine' system that served the team well against a profligate Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge, but on Saturday QPR looked devoid of ideas in attack and an excellent run from Adel Taarabt in the second half summed up a blunt display when he was forced to turn back into trouble with only Shaun Wright-Phillips to aim at in the box.
It was Wright-Phillips who scored the winner for QPR at Chelsea on January 2, and the winger's long-range effort in the 1-0 victory was indicative of a side who struggle to create clear-cut chances in the penalty area. Before Saturday, half of all QPR's attempts on goal this season had come from outside the box, compared to a Premier League average of 39%.
Although Taarabt, Wright-Phillips and Jamie Mackie failed to test Spurs' back line, Redknapp resisted the urge to change the shape and personnel, despite having Djibril Cisse and recently recalled duo Jay Bothroyd and DJ Campbell on the bench. It was an odd decision, considering the Rs didn't manage a single shot on target (and only four in total) and one wonders if Redknapp will persist with his 'false nine' formation against weaker teams in the club's battle to avoid relegation.
Not only has the manager's system hinted that QPR could sneak a point both away to West Ham and at home to Man City in the next two games, but it has also helped to boost Redknapp's reputation. The former candidate for the England manager's job was widely criticised for a lack of tactical nous as Spurs threw away a 13-point lead over Arsenal in the race for third last season, but Redknapp has stiffened a QPR side that looked already relegated in the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool over Christmas.
The aim now for the manager is to add more attacking threat to a team that have scored just 17 goals in 22 league matches, which is likely to come in the form of a new striker, just as it did for QPR last season when Cisse arrived to score six goals in eight games.
The Rs have no time for complacency this year, though, and that Cisse also missed six matches through suspsension after picking up two red cards in the run-in should serve as a warning to Redknapp in his pursuit of a reliable hitman in January. Loic Remy has ruled out a move to Loftus Road, but Redknapp has to find a proven striker soon. It goes without saying that if QPR fail to hit the target in every match from now until the end of the season, it won't be long until relegation is confirmed.
Matt Stanger - he's on the Twitter.
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