QPR told to make signing to solve big issue that 'needs addressing' | OneFootball

Queens Park Rangers have been urged to sign a new goalkeeper as Julien Stephan battles for Championship consistency.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Queens Park Rangers have struggled for consistency this term, and consequently sit 12th in the Championship table following last weekend's defeat to Wrexham.

QPR have not earned a win since their 3-0 victory over bottom side Sheffield Wednesday on 4 January, and must turn their fortunes around to launch a serious play-off bid.

Meanwhile, Julien Stephan's side have been relatively busy in the winter transfer market, acquiring defender Ronnie Edwards and striker Justin Obikwu from Southampton and Coventry City, respectively.

The R's have also facilitated player exits this month, with forward Michael Frey joining Swiss side Grasshopper on a permanent deal, whereas defender Liam Morrison has made a loan move to Scottish Premiership outfit Aberdeen.

QPR told to make goalkeeper signing amid growing Championship concerns

QPR's biggest issue this season is the fact that Stephan has not been able to rely on any of his goalkeepers to perform consistently in the Championship.

Joe Walsh has been favoured by the West London side in recent weeks, starting each of their last four games across all competitions, while both Paul Nardi and Ben Hamer have been given their fair share of game time this term.

While all three goalkeepers have struggled to identify themselves as Stephan's first-choice, the R's have conceded a concerning tally of 42 goals in 29 Championship fixtures.

With that in mind, Football League World asked our QPR fan pundit, Louis Moir, how much it concerns him that his club haven't signed a new shot-stopper this month, and if it has to be their biggest priority before the transfer window closes on Monday.

Moir told FLW: "Unfortunately, I can see us waiting until the summer now to get a goalkeeper in. It's now late on into the window. I can't see us buying one. Potentially a loan, but I would be surprised at this point now. I think the club might just settle with Walsh or possibly switch between him and Hamer.

"God knows what's happening with Nardi. He could even leave, I guess, this month. Ideally, you want a new goalkeeper in this window. Nardi's been in and out, Hamer's been in and out, Walsh has been in and out, and he's now back in. He's just not good enough, Joe Walsh, nowhere near it, in my opinion.

"Essentially, you've got three goalkeepers at the club who are all quite dodgy, and it's really affected us this season. Switching between the three, how is your back four meant to become consistent when your goalkeeper keeps changing? It's disappointing they've all been so bad.

"It's a position that needs addressing, but I just think it's going to be one that might have to be prioritised in the summer, when we can actually buy someone, potentially, or get someone at least on a permanent deal.

"If he doesn't go this month, I think Nardi will be surely gone in the summer. Hamer, I think, will be gone in the summer, because I think he only signed a new deal until then. Walsh, he's at that age now where, if he's good enough, he needs to be playing consistently, every week for us, and he's shown this season, again, he's nowhere near it in terms of consistency.

"I just think, ultimately, he's just not a good enough goalkeeper for us at all. It's a position that really needs work on, because next season, say, we get someone in, Walsh is number two. But then, for his own career, he needs to be playing. I don't know what's going to happen.

"All I can think of is that, at this point in the January window, I can't see it happening. I'll be surprised. If it does happen, happy days. But if it doesn't, we're unfortunately going to have to deal with Walsh until the end of the season, or switching between him and Hamer, and then sort it out in the summer."

Julien Stephan should solve goalkeeping issues before the transfer window closes

As alluded to by Moir, QPR may struggle to get a deal for a new goalkeeper over the line before the current transfer window closes, with so little time left.

However, both Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United, who currently occupy spots in the Championship relegation zone, boast better defensive records in the second tier than the R's this term.

The fact that Stephan has switched between Nardi, Walsh, and Hamer has created an inconsistent environment for his backline, who are blatantly struggling to cope.

Therefore, the R's must acquire a new goalkeeper by the end of transfer deadline day, or they run the risk of struggling at the business end of the Championship season.