QPR manager Julien Stephan has revealed what their dressing room is like after beating Birmingham City.
Rangers have had a fantastic season so far, despite the ups and downs.
They began the season with just one point from their first three games, including a 7-1 humiliation at the hands of Coventry City. With questions growing regarding new manager Stephan’s competence in the English game, QPR had to respond quickly.
Four victories in their next six matches showed a significant improvement in form, with the R’s remaining unbeaten over that period. Four defeats in the next five Championship matches put an end to their chances of making the playoffs.
It’s difficult to maintain a top-six charge with this amount of volatility, but Stephan’s team appears to be in another solid patch of form right now. They have won four of their past five second-tier games, propelling them into the play-off positions.
The most recent of these victories came in dramatic form against Birmingham City, with Stephan opening up in his team’s changing room following the win.
Julien Stephan discusses QPR’s locker room following Birmingham City’s triumph.
QPR appeared to be clinging to their impressive 1-0 victory over Birmingham City last time out, with Jimmy Dunne opening the opener after 40 minutes.
Blues were unable to answer for the remainder of the 90 minutes, but in the first minutes of stoppage time, Patrick Roberts scored at the back post to tie the game.
QPR appeared defeated, but instead of accepting a draw, they chose to go all out for victory. This resulted in Kieran Morgan scoring from range in the 90+6th minute, sparking scenes of unrestrained jubilation around Loftus Road.
Stephan opened up about the atmosphere inside his team’s changing room following the stunning victory.
“Of course, I was very frustrated after the goal we conceded because it was something that we talked about together at the beginning of the game,” Stephan told the club’s press. “And the fact that we needed to close the far post – but this team and this dressing room is just insane, and I believe today is a huge triumph.
“All credit to the players for their performance, and I believe we felt the excitement in the stadium and the fans today, which was insane. Crazy.
“It was a big shot of adrenaline for everybody, for all the players and the fans as well.”
QPR’s strong dressing room may prove to be a significant benefit.
Teams will be tested in a variety of ways over the course of a 46-match Championship schedule.
As QPR have demonstrated, there will be phases of the campaign when victory come easily and others when getting points on the board is impossible.
Having a strong dressing room throughout can be a significant asset, with players sticking together and not reacting emotionally to poor runs of form.
This might be a huge advantage for QPR in the play-off battle, as group togetherness is a weapon that other clubs may not have.
Only time will tell if the Rs can finish in the top six, but Stephan’s glowing description on the atmosphere inside the dressing room can only be interpreted positively.
xz
