Stephan hails QPR players and explains decision to play Edwards at right-back

Julien Stephan felt QPR’s victory against Championship leaders Coventry underlined his team’s improvement since being thumped 7-1 by the Sky Blues in August.

Rangers came from behind to win 2-1 in thrilling fashion at Loftus Road, with Richard Kone equalising and the outstanding Nicolas Madsen scoring the winner.

“We knew before the game that we’ve had a lot of progress since August,” said the R’s head coach.

“For me this game showed the ambition and the character of this group. We played with fire, with desire and ambition.

“The players did a great performance today. It was a great performance in terms of quality and what they showed on the pitch offensively and defensively.

“It was also a great performance mentally – the character they showed when we conceded a goal.

“They played with desire and ambition to create danger offensively and had strong defensive organisation as well.

“If I had to sum up this game it was after we equalised and Nico Madsen ran to get the ball and put in down in the middle immediately – not to be happy to score and to draw, but to want to give us the opportunity to win this game.

“That summed up very well the character and personalty of the players.”

Ronnie Edwards started the game for Rangers – his first appearance since his £4.5m move from Southampton.

Edwards played at right-back, with Stephan opting to leave Jimmy Dunne in the centre of defence rather than move the captain across in the absence of the suspended Amadou Mbengue.

It meant Edwards went up against his former Peterborough team-mate Ephron Mason-Clark.

“I was sure he (Edwards) was able to do a great game in this position,” Stephan explained.

“He played against an opponent he knew very well because he played with him at Peterborough.

“I was sure he was able to be very strong defensively and when you play against Coventry you need to be strong defensively.

“He came into the back four and did very well. He did a great job.”