Stephan bemoans QPR’s ‘worst 20 minutes’ after heavy defeat at Southampton
Julien Stephan bemoaned a dismal 20-minute spell for QPR in their 4-1 defeat at Southampton.
Rangers, 5-0 winners against Swansea in their previous match, were one down at the interval at St Mary’s but very much in the game.
However, some woeful defending led to a second goal for the hosts, scored by Cameron Bragg, and Keven Schlotterbeck then headed home unchallenged from Ryan Manning’s corner.
Head coach Stephan said: “The big disappointment is the first 20 to 25 minutes of the second half. We didn’t organise, and technically the level dropped.
“The first half was OK. The beginning of the second half was not OK at all. It was probably the worst 20 minutes collectively since the start of the season.
“We struggled as well on set plays for the first time this season.”
Rangers, now ninth in the Championship table, had chances to equalise in the first half.
The best fell to Kwame Poku, who fired into the side netting, while Paul Smyth headed over from Boy Kemper’s cross.
“When you have some opportunities, you have to take them,” Stephan admitted.
“I think we had in the first half enough chances to score and equalise.
“When they have good chances, to score and to kill you, they take it.
“This is one of the big differences between the two teams today – the ability when you have good momentum to create chances and score.
“It showed the improvement we have to do to compete against this kind of team, especially in the second half.
“We have to accept that and just try to be better for the rest of the season.”
