Queens Park Rangers manager Julien Stephan has warned his players against complacency following their emphatic 5-0 victory over Swansea City. The win, which ended a three-game losing streak, was powered by a stunning first-half hat-trick from Richard Kone.

Kone struck after just two minutes, nine minutes and 15 minutes at MATRADE Loftus Road, with Jimmy Dunne adding a fourth in first-half stoppage time and a second late on. The result lifted QPR to sixth in the Championship standings, but Stephan immediately shifted focus to Saturday's away fixture against Southampton.

'Head in the stars' warning

"The danger after a game like this is to stay with your head in the stars and think that it will be easy for the next one," Stephan said. He described Southampton as one of the division's best teams, noting their strong form since an early-season four-point deduction. That penalty, for a breach of financial regulations, is the only reason the Saints are level with QPR on points. Without it, they would be second.

"The quality of the opponent forces us immediately to be very, very humble," Stephan added. "Otherwise, if we don't do that, it will not be fine for us at the end of the game."

Context from a mixed run

The 5-0 scoreline provided a stark contrast to QPR's recent form. Before Tuesday night, their last five matches had yielded zero wins, two draws and three defeats, a sequence that included a 3-0 loss at Birmingham. Stephan acknowledged Southampton's difficult start to the campaign but said they are now "at 100%" following their own win over West Ham, a result that extended their unbeaten run to seven games.

He stressed his team must match that intensity in every area of the pitch at St Mary's. The fixture on 31 October represents a significant test, with QPR's squad needing to replicate the sharp start that saw Kone complete his treble inside a quarter of an hour. The manager confirmed the team has no new injury concerns ahead of the trip, with the current squad list unchanged.

Stephan also highlighted the specific challenge of facing Southampton's high-pressing style and individual quality, mentioning players like Adam Armstrong and Che Adams. He concluded that the victory over Swansea, while important for confidence, will mean little if not followed by a disciplined performance on the south coast.

Background and full detail: bbc.co.uk