Joe Walsh in action for QPR against Charlton Athletic.placeholder image
Joe Walsh in action for QPR against Charlton Athletic. | Getty Images
QPR head coach Julien Stephan has labelled it a ‘second season’ for Joe Walsh after he returned from injury.
QPR were reported to be in the market for a new goalkeeper last month with head coach Julien Stephan rotating three separate shot-stoppers so far this season at Loftus Road.
The R’s head coach had started with Joe Walsh in between the sticks but the 23-year-old then suffered a broken wrist and lost his place to Paul Nardi. The Frenchman reclaimed the number one spot he had nailed down last term, but has shared game time in the Championship with veteran Ben Hamer.
QPR linked with Sunderland and West Brom transfers in January
Patterson ended up joining Millwall on loan with O’Leary signing for West Brom. Those looked to be blows for QPR but perhaps the club already has a player ready to fully claim the starting berth.
Walsh has started the last six matches for the side since returning from injury and has helped the team to three clean sheets in their last three away games. The goalkeeper was singled out for praise by Stephan after the 0-0 draw with Charlton Athletic on Friday night.
Walsh was rated an 8/10 for his showing in that game by West London Sport. The outlet wrote: “Continues to impress. Produced a number of saves, including one at point-blank range to deny Conor Coady.”
Joe Walsh praised for showing against Charlton Athletic
Stephan said: “It’s a young goalkeeper, this is the first season in the Championship for him, and when you give a chance to a young goalkeeper you need to accept that you have a process at the beginning – it’s not top, top, top immediately.
“He had a bad injury and it’s a second opportunity for him – like a second season – and since he came back he’s done some very good performances and it’s good for his confidence and to show that he has good qualities. We still don’t forget that he is 23 years old and this is his first season in the Championship.”
Failing to sign a goalkeeper in January could come to benefit QPR should Walsh continue to up his game. Reflecting on his season so far after the outing at The Valley, Walsh said: “At the start of the season it was a bit rocky, through pre-season a bit rocky but the best thing to happen to me was probably breaking my wrist earlier on in the season. It gave me a mental break, there were certain things I could work on and the block of training leading into the West Ham game, I had a couple of Dev Squad games which really helped.
“I think as a team and back four we are growing and becoming solidified. It helps a lot coming away from home and being tough to beat - if you can’t win, don’t lose. That’s where we’re at at the moment.”
In other news, QPR, Millwall and Charlton Athletic handed huge boost as Championship club hit with points deduction.
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