Dowie hits back at critics

Dowie: Defensive

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QPR manager Iain Dowie has hit back at critics of his tactics in the wake of a 1-1 draw with Blackpool at Loftus Road.

The Hoops, who received pre-season backing as promotion candidates, were grateful for a point as Dexter Blackstock cancelled out Gary Taylor-Fletcher's sensational opener.

QPR have dropped to eighth in the Championship table on the back of the result and some have questioned Dowie's cautious formations this season.

But Dowie believes his side should have defeated Simon Grayson's Blackpool outfit and insists his tactics are working well.

"There's an obsession in this country with systems, but it's about the players out there," said Dowie.

Decent start

"We just didn't get going enough. We could have been 2-0 up at half-time and then there would have been no talk about systems.

"We've scored four at home twice this season using the system we started with tonight, and Emmanuel Ledesma got a hat-trick playing in it a couple of weeks ago.

"We've made a decent start to the season with that formation, reached the last 16 of the Carling Cup and are eighth in the table - one win away from fourth place."

Meanwhile, Blackpool boss Simon Grayson was full of praise for his team after a gritty performance.

Under pressure

He said: "We were under pressure from set-pieces in the second half but the players dug in and defended for their lives at times.

"We'd have taken a point at the start of the game but when you get to where we were and concede a goal, it's always tough and the players are disappointed.

"That shows how far those players have come. Everyone wrote us off at the start of the season but all we can do is keep working hard, and we've got some quality too.

"We've surprised quite a few people and hopefully that will continue. There's a determination to prove people wrong, because no-one likes to have the tag of relegation favourites before a ball's even been kicked.

"I can't fault the players because they've played well again. We have to be delighted with this point."