QPR decision that Julien Stephan made v West Ham was a revelation - it changes things | OneFootball

The reintroduction of Joe Walsh to the QPR side in the FA Cup could solve the Hoops' goalkeeper questions

QPR were knocked out of the FA Cup following a valiant effort away at Premier League side West Ham United, marking yet another early exit from the competition.

Julien Stephan's side pushed the Hammers all the way to extra time, where West Ham's new striker addition, Taty Castellanos, finally breached the QPR goal to give his side a 2-1 lead.

However, the top-flight hosts could have been home and hosed before 90 minutes were up. Not only did Nuno Espírito Santo's side have the lead initially, before Richard Kone levelled things in the second half, but they also had a plethora of great chances which didn't find the net.

That was due in part, however, to some heroic goalkeeping from 23-year-old Joe Walsh, who was making his return in the QPR goal for the first time in a senior game since he broke his wrist in September.

The Hoops have been suspect at best at the back so far this season, and no one has been able to nail down the starting spot in goal, either. But the reintroduction of Walsh on Sunday could give plenty of food for thought for Julien Stephan going forward.

Joe Walsh was a standout performer for QPR in FA Cup defeat at West Ham

Walsh had been out for months following his broken wrist injury in September, for which he required surgery. He'd made a couple of bench appearances in the Championship in November and December, but this marked his full return to the side.

And given his performance, it wouldn't be too far out of the question to suggest that this wouldn't be a one-off appearance.

According to Fotmob, Walsh made five saves, won both his aerial duels and prevented 0.73 expected goals.

Of the saves he did make, the fingertip stretch to deny a Crysencio Summerville curled effort in the first half at 0-0 was the standout, but he also made some great reaction saves at 1-1 to deny Castellanos and Tomas Soucek, too.

All the QPR players came off the pitch at the London Stadium with their heads held high after pushing a granted, struggling, but established Premier League outfit for two hours, but none should feel prouder than Walsh.

And, given QPR's struggles in naming a regular goalkeeper this season, the performance could lead to some more regular games in the Championship in the near future.

Joe Walsh could quell the need for a new goalkeeper at QPR this January

Walsh had started the opening four games of the campaign for the Hoops before he got injured. Within those four games, QPR conceded 11 goals, including seven in one match against Coventry City.

However, performances since then have shown that the freak result wasn't down to poor goalkeeping, or at least goalkeeping worse than Walsh's, as Julien Stephan's side have continued to leak goals as the campaign has gone on.

The number one spot has been shared between Paul Nardi and Ben Hamer since September. QPR have conceded 22 times in the 16 games with Nardi in goal, and, in fairness, only six in seven games when Hamer has started in between the sticks.

The bottom line is, however, that only the short-handed Sheffield Wednesday have shipped more goals in the Championship than QPR this season, and defensive reinforcements, both outfield and in goal, have been the demand this January by those inside Loftus Road to help the Hoops legitimise their outside chances at landing a play-off spot come May.

If Julien Stephan is still unconvinced by the performances of his two regular starters since September, the return of Walsh and the exceptional showing he put in against Premier League opposition could do enough to earn his way back into the side.

At 23, Walsh offers a lot more upside than Nardi, who is eight years his elder, and Hamer, who is 15 years his elder, and after a couple of seasons waiting on the sidelines, it seems that the shot-stopper is ready to stake his claim to be a regular number one option for Julien Stephan.

And if he can show the excellent saving ability from Sunday more often in league action, QPR might have their answer in goal not only for the rest of this season, but for years to come, too.