Stephan praises Walsh for taking his ‘second opportunity’ at QPR

Julien Stephan praised Joe Walsh after the QPR goalkeeper produced another impressive performance in the 0-0 draw at Charlton.

It was Rangers’ third consecutive away goalless draw and Walsh came up with a number of saves – the pick of the bunch being a stop with his legs to deny Conor Coady at point-blank range.

Walsh struggled after being given a place in the side at the start of the season, and then suffered a broken wrist, but has done well since returning.

Head coach 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.”

QPR had plenty of the ball in the second half at The Valley but struggled to create clear-cut chances – until four came their way in stoppage time.

Steve Cook headed over from Nicolas Madsen’s corner, substitute Rayan Kolli was unable to find a way past keeper Thomas Kaminski after being set up by Madsen, Jimmy Dunne’s header was cleared off the line by ex-R’s striker Lyndon Dykes, and Richard Kone’s glancing header from Kolli’s cross drifted wide.

“We were dominant in the second half, we finished the game very strongly and had the best opportunities,” said Stephan.

“We fixed a couple of problems during half-time and there was a strong reaction from the players. It was better in the second half.

“Their goalkeeper did a very good save in the Rayan Kolli situation. We did a very good second half and probably at the end we deserved more than the opponent.”