It's been an uncertain 24 hours at Loftus Road as speculation over the manager's future was brought sharply into focus.

Reports in The Sun suggested that QPR had been working behind the scenes to line up a replacement for Ian Holloway, should they fail to secure victory next week against Bolton Wanderers.

A defeat would make it seven games without a win, with Kenny Jackett being tipped as the man to replace Ollie; something which Tony Fernandes swiftly denied on social media.

Since the start of the summer, there has been a notable improvement both in team performances and in squad unity; something which was clearly lacking last season.

However the formation of a tight-knit squad with players who clearly know their roles is a real plus for the side and something not to be sniffed at.

The negative side is that Saturday's draw with Sunderland was a sixth game in a row without a win, a run of games which has included some of the more lenient fixtures which the league has to offer.

But anybody who was at the game on Saturday will have seen QPR dominate for large spells, and if it wasn't for a lack of killer instinct, the game would have been done and dusted before the hour mark.

Ian Holloway (Photo by Harry Hubbard/Getty Images)

I think it's unfair to pin the blame on the manager after a positive display on the whole, but it is crucial that the team get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

QPR's 15th position in the Championship is probably where most people thought they would be at this stage of the season, following their over-achievement in the early stages being followed by the under-achievement of late, but the important thing now is to find a way to turn these individual points into three points to propel the team up the table.

The upcoming test with Bolton is a game which QPR need to be winning. The Trotters have picked up just five points so far this term and are rooted to the bottom of the league, and anything but a victory will increase the pressure on Ian Holloway hugely, but it's important to remain calm.

Holloway is in the early stages of rebuilding the QPR squad, and it'd be foolish to press the panic button with the club firmly on track for their start of season ambitions; although things must improve soon if the club is to avoid free-falling into a relegation battle.