Stephan hails ‘brave’ QPR – but demands ‘next step’

Julien Stephan enjoyed QPR’s win Blackburn but insisted he will continue to demand more from them.

Rangers remain unbeaten in the Championship after their first three matches – and have won both their away games.

They came from behind at Ewood Park, where Paul Smyth equalised and Jimmy Dunne headed them in front, but head coach Stephan felt the victory could have been more emphatic.

Stephan said: “We scored two and probably we should have scored more and this is the next step that we have to reach if we want to be a top team.

“You have to kill the game because when you are 2-1 up like that, you never know what can happen in the last few minutes. We have to try to push it.

“We have some improvement to do. I know my players and I know they are able to be better, so I have to be demanding with them and have to increase the level of demand if we want to increase our consistency this season.”

The Frenchman nevertheless believes the players are taking on board his emphasis on attacking football and being prepared to be courageous during games.

He declared: “When the players believe in something, when they trust in the way they want to play, and they enjoy that, and they take some initiative, and if we concede a goal but they continue because they trust in that, this is the way we want to develop.

“We know as well how important it is when we are away from home to control the game when the crowd is not for you.

“We have to be brave. We use the words brave and courage a lot. And the players, I think they are brave. And I enjoy that. That’s probably the main thing I’ve enjoyed with them this season.

“It’s just the beginning but I think we are in the right direction and going the right way.”

Stephan also confirmed that the half-time substitutions of Nicolas Madsen and Dennis Cirkin were planned in advance.

Madsen picked up an injury during pre-season, while Cirkin was without a club prior to his recent move to QPR, having been released by Sunderland.