‘Clear they couldn’t continue with same intensity': QPR boss believes margin of Portsmouth victory should’ve been greater
The QPR boss gives his verdict on his side’s come-from-behind Championship victory at PO4.
Julian Stephan believes QPR’s opening-day win at Fratton Park should’ve been more emphatic.
And the R’s boss was confident Pompey couldn’t maintain their high-intensity opening, as the Londoner’s picked up a 3-1 success.
QPR boss: ‘Clear they couldn’t continue intensity for 90 minutes’
Stephan’s side came from behind after a high-tempo Blues start, to stun John Mousinho’s men with three goals in 14 minutes before the break.
It was a half-time scoreline which never looked on the cards when Terry Devlin opened the scoring from 30 yards after 15 minutes.
But a double from Ilias Chair and deflected Koko Saito effort changed the face of the game, with QPR able to see the game out in the second half.
Stephan acknowledged Pompey’s fast start, but felt the home side wouldn’t be able to maintain their ferocity, and was frustrated QPR didn’t make the scoreline more emphatic after the restart.
He told the BBC: ‘I think Portsmouth started very strongly in the first 15-20 minutes and scored a wonderful goal.
‘I wanted to get through this moment, because it was clear they could not continue with the same intensity for 90 minutes.
‘But they scored and It was really interesting to see the reaction of the team after the goal we conceded. I enjoyed a lot the reaction of the players. No panic, just stick to the plan.
‘We scored a good first one and after we were able to kill immediately the opponent by scoring in a short time the second and the third ones. I think that changed a lot the momentum of the game.
‘We were efficient and that changed completely the momentum of the game.
‘We wanted to restart like it was 0-0 and I enjoyed a lot how we managed the first 25 or 30 minutes (after the break) in terms of possession.
‘My only concern was that we didn’t score the fourth one.
‘We had the opportunities and I didn't like the fact that we didn't kill the game in this moment. When we have the opportunity to kill, especially when we play away from home, we have to kill.
‘I have to be very demanding of this group because they are capable of doing some good things.
‘This is the only regret I can have because it’s really important and we let them live. In fact, in the last 15 minutes, they put a lot of players on our defensive line, had a lot crosses and had opportunities to score.
‘We need to be strong and protect the box, but I’m happy with the result and it’s a good start.’
Stephan is optimistic about QPR’s prospects this term, but is aware of the challenge of Bolton - who go to Loftus Road next.
He told QPR’s X page: ‘We have improvements to make and there are good signs about the levels of the team.
‘But this is now done and now we have to think about Bolton, because Bolton won and they are a very dynamic team. It’s never easy to start at home against a dynamic team who are promoted, so it will be a tough game.’