Stephan sensed QPR hat-trick hero Kone was ready to turn corner
Julien Stephan said he sensed Richard Kone was ready to turn a corner – after the striker returned to form with a 15-minute hat-trick in QPR’s 5-0 hammering of Swansea.
Kone had failed to score this season and has had fitness issues, but was recalled to the starting line-up by head coach Stephan and emphatically justified the decision.
Stephan insisted he never lost faith in Kone, who scored in the second minute and netted twice more during a blistering start against the Swans, who were top of the Championship until Friday night.
Asked about Kone’s turbulent start to the campaign, Stephan said: “Before this game we played less than 25% of the season. We can only do an assessment at the end of the season – not too quickly and not in the middle.”
The Frenchman added: “During the week, with the quality of the week (in training) he had, we felt that it was the right moment for him to deliver this kind of performance.
“In my dream, I probably couldn’t have imagined a performance like this, with three goals, but he did everything during the week to prepare for this game in the best way.”
Kone’s fellow attacking players certainly helped him rediscover his scoring touch.
The outstanding Paul Smyth laying the opening goal on a plate for him was just what the striker needed, and Kwame Poku delivered an excellent cross for Kone to double Rangers’ lead with a header into the far corner.
And when Smyth was brought down by keeper Lawrence Vigouroux, Kone converted the resulting penalty to complete his hat-trick.
Jimmy Dunne’s brace capped off a resounding Rangers victory and took them up to eighth in the table.
“Of course I am really pleased for Rich. But I think it’s impossible to speak only about him today, because he received a real gift from Smythy for the first goal. Smythy also won the penalty,” said Stephan.
“I’m very proud of all the players. They deserve big credit. They found a way to disrupt Swansea defensively. I want to enjoy this moment.”
Rangers were further boosted by the return of Karamoko Dembele after 10 months out with an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury.
Dembele came on as a substitute in the second half.
“Very happy for Kaddie Dembele, because we know how it was difficult for him the last months, and he did a great job to come back with a top rehab,” said Stephan.
“And the last three weeks as well he did a great, great effort on the (training0 pitch to work with us collectively.
“He played 45 minutes with the dev squad last Sunday, so [it was] the right moment as well for him to come back.”
Swansea boss Vitor Matos said: “QPR started much better and were clinical. First chance: score. Second chance: score. Then a penalty. That’s up to us. We need to do better and we can do better.
“We did all the wrongs today. But you need to understand what’s wrong and need to improve on that. If you just put it under the carpet, it’s not right.”
