‘No panic’ from Stephan despite ’embarrassing’ QPR showing

Julien Stephan insisted “it’s not time to panic” after another QPR defeat – but admitted his team produced a “very embarrassing” first-half display in their 1-0 loss at Birmingham.

Patrick Roberts’ early goal was enough to see off Rangers, who have now lost – and failed to score in – four matches in a row.

They are only nine points above the relegation zone and a defeat against fourth-from-bottom Leicester on Saturday could leave them in genuine danger.

Stephan again suggested that injury problems were the major factor in the recent decline.

“We are completely aware of the situation. It’s not time to panic. We know why (results have been poor), but we cannot complain,” he said.

“Some players will come back soon, but we will have the same group until perhaps the international break.”

Rangers failed to threaten until a late strike wide by Kwame Poku, whose promising return from injury was at least a bright spot.

Poku was lively after coming on as a second-half substitute. Up to that point, the visitors were woeful.

“Very embarrassing in the first half. There was no quality. No intensity. In the first three minutes I think we lost seven aerial duels,” Stephan said.

“It’s impossible to play football if you don’t win your duels. It was better in the second half, but it’s very difficult to get a result in this league when you only play for 45 minutes.”