Hoop Dreams - QPR FC

Surprisingly and despite all the omens of recent history, QPR remained in the draw for the next round of the FA Cup on Sunday teatime. The Hoops haven't made it past the third round since 2001 and though they couldn't secure a game against Bolton with victory at Bramall Lane, they still retain the opportunity to visit the Reebok Stadium this season after Sunday's 1-1 draw. What pointers can be taken from that game?

1 - Wayne Routledge is the most creative player in the QPR team. Adel Taarabt often gets the plaudits for his ability to achieve the unexpected but in a team not lacking in visionary players, Routledge remains the one most likely to create a QPR goal. His eight assists in the league are only bettered by Graham Dorrans of WBA (nine) and so it was unsurprising to see that Routledge was the chief architect of Rangers' breakway goal on Sunday. His all-purpose drive down the wing opened up the Blades defence and though his final ball lacked pace, it somehow found its way to Jay Simpson who needs no second invitations to find the net at the moment. As a pair they have been the brightest points about QPR as an attacking force this season.

2 - Paul Hart has certainly brought luck with him. The new Rangers boss is unafraid to see his team sit back and try to lap up the opposition's pressure, a tactic which brought the wrath of his own fans in only his second home game. Away from home it could prove to be a valuable tactic though, especially if his team can be as deadly on the break as they proved on Sunday. It is a tactic which can demand a huge dollop of luck though and Rangers certainly had that. Some tell-tale rigidity in their back-line looked to have allowed Stephen Quinn an opportunity to open the scoring early on in the game, but he turned his shot onto the bar from close-range. As United then drove on to find a winner in the second half, Ched Evans blasted a 35-yard free-kick straight onto the woodwork. Will Hart's luck hold in forthcoming fixtures?

3 - Not everyone is appreciating the 'magic' of the FA Cup. In a weekend which saw pitifully low crowds at Middlesbrough and Wigan, not many in Sheffield felt fit to turn up to see this game either. Of course QPR aren't the same draw as Manchester City should have posed at the Riverside Stadium and various factors including the weather probably contributed to the low attendance of 11,461 at Bramall Lane. But Sheffield United are the third best supported team in the Championship with average crowds this season of 29,000. To many supporters the FA Cup now poses an extra burden, a game too many that a lot can't afford. As QPR struggle to fill their ground at the best of times, should they go on an unexpected Cup run their owners might want to think about the best way to fill the ground. Just don't expect a bumper crowd for the replay next Tuesday.

4 - Bolton away isn't exciting, but it is winnable. QPR still have the uneasy task of winning that replay. Should they succeed though, they face another trip to the North to face Bolton. By that time, Bolton will almost certainly have a new manager, most likely Owen Coyle. On taking the job, a Cup run is unlikely to feature too highly on his target list though. His one and only task will be to keep his new team in the Premiership this season. Anything else and his decision to move from Burnley will be seen as a massive error of judgement. The possibility is there for Bolton to even rest players as they focus their attentions on Premiership survival so the incentive for QPR next Tuesday is clear.

Sheffield United - Bunn, Montgomery, Morgan, Kilgallon (Seip 46), Evans, Taylor, Cresswell, Ward (Little 87), Geary, Quinn (Williamson 78), Camara.

Subs not used - Bennett, France, Reid, Harper.

Goals - Cresswell (45+2)

Bookings - Cresswell (35), Taylor (37), Geary (85)

QPR - Cerny, Ramage, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Buzsaky (Ephraim 71), Agyemang (Helguson 85), Gorkss, Faurlin, Simpson, Borrowdale.

Subs not used - Taylor, Hall, Connolly, Balanta, Parker.

Goals - Simpson (39)

Bookings - Faurlin (90)

Referee - Mr A R Hall

Attendance - 11, 461