Should we be playing this formation or that formation, why aren't x, y and z playing. The only person that needs to know the answer to these questions is Ian Holloway and on last nights showing, I'm not sure that he does.

In a major reshuffle from Saturday's game top scorer, Andy Thomson was dropped to the bench along with the often ponderous Leroy Griffiths. Richard Pacquette started up front alongside Karl Connolly with Doudou filling the left wing berth. With a 4-4-2 formation being deployed, Matthew Rose started at right back with big Danny Shittu coming in for his debut in the centre.

We couldn't have got off to a better start, taking the lead after only 4 minutes. Paul Bruce's in-swinging corner was badly misjudged by the Posh defence and Steve Palmer was left with an easy close range finish for his third of the season. This made Palmer our second top scorer of the season, something which tells a tale about our current plight.

At this point, we thought we were in for a decent night and maybe a shock point! With both sides playing some half-decent football the game was end to end for long periods with both sides creating chances. Ollie Burgess was unlucky not to score with a twenty-five yard piledriver that Mark Tyler did well to turn over the bar. Bruce also fired over from long range and Connolly could only shoot straight at the keeper when it looked easier to score.

We were made to pay for these missed chances when Dave Farrell levelled the scores after 39 minutes. The ball was worked along the edge of the box to Farrell, easily Peterborough's outstanding player, to fire in left footed. He gave Paul Bruce a torrid time all night, something that I have a theory about but I'll go into that later. If we could have held out until half time we might still have got something out of the game but it was not to be.

On the stroke of half time, a corner was swung over from the right and Chris Day came rushing from his goal to gather it. He could only look on as the ball sailed over his head and fell at the feet of Neale Fenn who duly poked home from six yards. With that, you could see the heads of all the Rangers players' drop. We had seen this last season and everybody instinctively knew what was going to happen.

I'm not sure what Holloway's team talk was about but it sure as hell didn't make the blindest bit of difference. He introduced Thomson and Griffiths at half time in place of Pacquette and Doudou, with the hope of pulling back the goal we needed. Unfortunately, more incisive wing play from Farrell led to a Peterborough third only four minutes after the re-start.

Farrell roasted Bruce for the umpteenth time and fired a low cross from the right. Former Palace striker Leon McKenzie was on hand to fire the ball home. We had now conceded three goals in only ten minutes either side of the interval and there was no coming back from that.

Midway through the half Connolly had a goal disallowed for offside. This just about summed up the way the night was going. He went close again with a header and Griffiths flashed an angled drive just wide as we attempted to haul our way back into the game.

With only six minutes left, a miserable night was about to get worse. Danny Shittu, on loan from Charlton, had been the only bright spot to come out of the performance. He had given a powerful performance at centre back and was harshly booked in the first half for a challenge with which he won the ball. In the 84th minute, he made a sliding challenge on McKenzie, again winning the ball and again being shown a yellow card. He had been sent off for his only two "fouls" of the game. We have brought him in to cover the defence whilst Ben-Askar is suspended and Plummer completes his rehabilitation. With two idiotic refereeing decisions that has gone out of the window.

To make matters worse, Fenn stepped up to fire the free kick past Day with the help of a massive deflection. Game over and yet another piss poor showing. If the rumours regarding the take-over are true we would have new owners and of all things a transfer kitty within the next week. God knows we need it.

This squad is lacking in three main areas. Up front, wide left and wide right. We need another striker to take some pressure off Andy Thomson. He has ten goals but is looking out of sorts and I'm sure the pressure of carrying the goal threat of the team is getting to him. He needs a partner that will score fifteen goals before the end of the season. None of our current crop of inexperienced youngsters are going to do that, at least not this season. He needs help and fast. I don't really understand Holloway's decision to leave him out, I'm not sure dropping him is going to improve his confidence.

We need two wide players whose only brief is to hug the touchline and provide ammunition for the front men. Peterborough had this in Farrell and Tom Williams last night and they ripped us to shreds. Wide men create space for the rest of the team by stretching the play. All of our midfielders were being pulled too central and this left our full backs exposed to the overlap. When we wanted to attack in wide areas only one player was going forward and as a result was being doubled up and losing the ball. Wingers provide so much to a team even when they don't have the ball and I think this has to be the way to go.

I have a feeling that Holloway has maybe two or three games to turn this team around. If we get up to six or seven defeats on the spin then it may be impossible to get ourselves back to winning ways. If new owners are in I can't see them standing for many more defeats. I think the key will be whether they give him money to spend. If they do it will show they have confidence in him and are backing him to arrest this slide. If not I think he may be clearing his desk by the middle of next month. I hope this isn't the case. I have enormous respect for Holloway and the efforts he has made to turn things around. He does not have the strength in depth needed at the moment and he is obviously having motivational problems with this side.

Oldham, Notts County and Tranmere have become must win games but it won't be easy. Our season may well be decided in the boardroom rather than on the pitch and if that is the case it needs to be done now.