IT'S not quite the irresistible force against the immovable object.

But when Burnley, the division's draw specialists, travel to meet a side with four straight home wins behind them, then something clearly has to give.

And if Steve Cotterill was a betting man, then he would be laying his house on the Clarets maintaining their status quo.

In fact, a point at Loftus Road would be music to the ears of the Burnley boss, who is still not quite convinced his troops have found the killer instinct he is nurturing.

Cotterill admitted: "We just haven't been able to turn draws into wins and I still don't know if we've got that in our locker at the moment.

"But you need to start from somewhere because you can't go from losing games to winning games overnight.

"We needed to stop the rot a little bit, and then move on. Going down to QPR, I'd rather draw than get beat, although I'd rather win above all.

"We set out every game to win, it's just if the team you're playing against on the day are better than you.

"But right now we'll take the draw. It's as basic as that."

It is those nine draws in 15 league games that have anchored Burnley in mid-table - one of 10 clubs now separated by just three points.

The gap stands at seven points up to sixth place, but equally important is just five clear of the Championship drop zone.

"That middle bracket, with three points for a win, is unbelievable," said Cotterill.

"Someone said to me the other day, 'You're struggling in the Championship, and yet you go and knock Aston Villa out of the cup.'

"But if we had won against Derby, we would have been seventh and wouldn't have been struggling then, would we?"

Burnley do, however, head south thankful that Rangers winning streak has finally come to an end.

Ian Holloway's side recently enjoyed an amazing seven straight victories to end a disappointing start to the season following the euphoria of promotion.

The run was finally ended 10 days ago by Preston North End before, perhaps predictably, a second successive defeat away to Wolves last time out brought Rangers fans crashing back down to earth.

However, the Londoners are still sitting pretty in fifth place, a position that does not surprise Cotterill one little bit.

He said: "Ian has had a three-year period to bring in players who are a mirror image of himself; energetic, combative and passionate.

"So I'm not surprised by their start at all. I've been in that boat three times with promoted teams, where the euphoria from the back end of last year carries you through.

"I thought it was a joke that he was under pressure earlier this season. Why should Ian Holloway be under pressure for what he's done?

"They are a great club that got into difficulties a few years ago, and Ian was the man that steered them out of that, so he deserves fantastic praise.

"But then again, we shouldn't be surprised by things happening in football. He's done a magnificent job there and I'm sure every QPR fan would say the same."

Cotterill, whose side go in search of their first win in five league games following the thrilling midweek Carling Cup win over Villa, added: "I saw QPR at Wolves in their last match, so we know it's going to be a tough game.

"They are up there after a great start, and it's up to us to go there and play as well as we have done in the past ... and during the week."