Julien Stephan hails Paul Smyth as ‘example’ after winner at Blackburn

Julien Stephan praised the “mindset” of matchwinner Paul Smyth after he came off the bench to secure a 1-0 win at Blackburn.

QPR edged a low margin encounter despite a pair of Andri Gudjohnsen chances either side of the half.

Smyth’s 78th-minute header from a pinpoint Ilias Chair cross for his third this season was the decisive moment that leaves the Hoops looking up at the play-offs.

Stephan described Smyth has an “example” to his squad.

He said: “(Smyth had a) strong impact, very strong impact. We expect from the substitutes the ability to change the game, be decisive and bring the French mindset in fact.

“It was completely the case. His behaviour, his mindset and how he is everyday in fact. It’s an example for everybody, for all the young players.

“He didn’t get on in the last two games but now he’s made the difference and it’s so important for us to have this kind of player, able to change a game, able to change a moment.

“So congratulations to Smythy, congratulations to all the players, credit to them for the victory.”

Stephan was also full of praise for substitute goalkeeper Paul Nardi who replaced the injured Ben Hamer in the first half and pulled off a vital second-half stop to deny Gudjohnsen at 0-0.

He added: “It was a very important moment for us because it would change something if they succeeded to score. I want to congratulate Paul because I took a difficult decision for him two games ago but he’s a great person and a very good goalkeeper. He showed today his qualities.”

Only the Championship’s bottom two have lost more home games than Blackburn this season and Valerien Ismael described the result as “painful.”

He said: “Tonight is maybe the worst feeling I’ve had (here). We thought after the win at Preston that you can do the next step at home, you hope that you can get support, but it was completely the opposite.

“It was the typical 0-0 game. We’ve had the better chance until the 1-0, we should have scored in the first half and especially in the second half, the goalkeeper made a big save.

“Then we gave the goal away and that’s the big frustration for me. The boys need to learn ok, not the game you can win but keep the point, 0-0, Championship, so many games, every point counts. You can build on some momentum.

“The goal was too cheap. We lost the ball in build-up without big pressure and that’s the frustration for me.

“It’s terrible. This one is painful because we didn’t expect it. Big disappointment with the performance, how we gave the goal away.”