A 3-0 defeat at Birmingham City may have only been the Rs’ second defeat of the season, but it brought a five-match unbeaten run to an abrupt end and saw them drop from the play-off spots to ninth.

And Swansea, top of the league with 23 points, could be the ideal target for QPR to return to winning ways against, especially after their 1-0 loss to fellow promotion chasers West Ham last Saturday.

Speaking about the 3-0 defeat, Stéphan said: “It’s a new experience for everyone and it’s really important to accept the disappointment at the end of the game.

“You don’t have to go against the feeling because it was unusual to play like we did against Birmingham.

“I don’t want to say it was a bad, bad performance but it was probably the lowest performance since the start of the season.

“You have one or two down days but after it’s really important to explain what we missed, what we could do better, and what we need to fix.”

Liam Millar scored a brace in the Midlands before Demarai Gray compounded the Hoops’ misery in injury time, leaving Stéphan wondering why his side’s level had dropped so dramatically since putting four past Derby County on 14 October.

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He said: “Firstly, we didn’t have the same energy as usual. It took the first 10-15 minutes to build well and break the press. We had some problems in transition too which is unusual. We need to have positive energy to restart and move to the next one.

“I think we have had enough good moments since the start of the season to switch quickly but it’s a question of leadership. The leaders need to speak positively.”

Slovenian striker Žan Vipotnik hit 23 goals to finish as Swansea's top scorer last season, but new signing Adam Idah has taken his number nine berth at times early this season.

While Swansea’s strong squad targets a return to the Premier League, QPR’s was weakened by news of Amadou Mbengue’s ACL injury, while Tariq Lamptey, Nicolas Madsen and Rumarn Burrell remain sidelined until after November’s international break.

Stéphan said: “Swansea are in that position because they deserve it and they have a very complete team. But they lost last time against West Ham so it will be a game between two teams who have not experienced many defeats since the start of the season.

“We know the qualities they have and the profile of the players – pace in the wingers, good quality midfielders and different options. When your top scorer who scored over 20 goals last season is a substitute, that says a lot in terms of quality.

“They deserve their position, but like all teams they have weaknesses, which we will have to use.”