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Peacock has two things going for him which aren't helping his cause, 1) He's a high wage earner, and 2) His age. Neither of these things are exactly his own fault – his current deal, which expires in 2003, was agreed two years ago when he took a pay-cut anyway, and his age, 34, is the same when Ray Wilkins joined us all those years ago — and nobody ever complained about him.
Regardless of how well QPR are playing, there is always someone that needs to be the boo boy. Quite why Peacock has been the chosen target in recent weeks I cannot understand. I keep reading and hearing things like ‘his legs have gone', ‘the game passes him by' and ‘bring back Bonnot' (sic).
Taking those Easter games as an example of Peacock's value to the side, he had a hand in four of the six goals, including two direct assists at Tranmere – the second showing excellent awareness and a perfect weighted ball to setup Langley's goal. Bonnot wouldn't have been that far forward in the first place.
Of course we all moan when Peacock misplaces a pass, or punts a hopeful ball forward to the head of the first opposing defender, but all players are guilty of such crimes.
Peacock still has plenty of energy and drive to be an asset to QPR. Sure, he's not the player he used to be, but in Division 2 that isn't so important. A stint in the Premiership with Charlton this season perhaps even disproves that theory. Alan Curbishley hasn't got the reputation of being the brightest young manager in the Premiership for nothing.
Since Peacock returned from Charlton, he has started 17 games, of which QPR have won 10, drawn 4 and lost only 3. Of the 27 goals scored in this period, Peacock has played a part in a third of them, either getting on the scoresheet himself, or applying assists. In the 6 games Peacock missed through injury in February/March, QPR won just once, scoring a paltry 4 goals. And remember what a mess the midfield was in for the first half of the season when Peacock was away?
These are just a few of the reasons why supporters should take a step back and look at the bigger picture, and then hopefully realise what an asset Gavin Peacock still is to QPR.
And one other thing — Peacock isn't preventing Richard Langley from playing in the centre of midfield. Holloway has his reasons for playing him out wide, and they have definitely paid off. I would even go as far as saying that Langley is a more effective player in a wide position, and I hope this is where he plays next season — providing he hasn't been sold of course.