Julien Stephan urged to make QPR goalkeeper call after "really strange" Joe Walsh decision | OneFootball

FLW's QPR fan pundit believes the first-choice goalkeeper situation should be reconsidered by Julien Stephan

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…

Julien Stephan may have to reconsider his decision of who fills the first-choice goalkeeper spot at QPR, as Paul Nardi impressed versus Wrexham in replace of Joe Walsh in between the sticks.

QPR have made a promising start to the 2025/26 Championship season under Julien Stephan, as they currently sit in 12th position after their their hard-fought 1-3 victory away at Wrexham.

With the R's being five games down and having seven points on the board, only two points separate themselves and Coventry, who occupy the final play-off place on nine points.

QPR will sure have it in their sights to kick on from their back-to-back league wins as it is Stoke City next on the cards at Loftus Road on Saturday lunchtime. However, with Stephan seeming to have his side solidified as the season gets into full swing, who will start in between the sticks for the Hoops is still up for debate.

The French manager has most commonly opted for Joe Walsh to be his number one for this season but decided to switch up the personnel versus Wrexham, as Paul Nardi took his place. With Nardi being the first-choice last season, having made 45 league appearances and being a reliable figure in net, Stephan may have to reconsider who is to take on the responsibility for the next batch of games, or failing that, the rest of the season.

Joe Walsh "doesn't look comfortable at all"

The 23-year-old Walsh has been rather disappointing for the R's so far this season, having made four starts in the league and has clocked up a low save percentage of just 35%. The inexperienced goalkeeper was number two to Nardi last season, but Stephan has made it clear in the first month of this campaign that the Englishman will be his man of choice to fill the role.

After conceding 11 goals in just four games to kick off his season, including shipping seven away to Coventry, it has unsurprisingly led to question marks over his name with Nardi patiently waiting in the wings.

Football League World's QPR fan pundit, Louis Moir, believes that Stephan may be making a mistake with his first-choice keeper as Walsh hasn't filled the R's fans with much confidence so far this season.

"I think there were obviously murmurs that Joe Walsh was going to be given the chance to be our number one this season prior to the season kicking off, and obviously it came out to be true. He played a lot pre-season, and then you just knew that he was going to be the number one."

"Personally, I think, and a load of other fans as well have not been impressed with Walsh."

"I still think it's been a bit of a risky decision chucking him in. Yes, he's had a couple of experiences playing in the Championship, but I do not feel confident with him in goal. I think every game so far this season it's looked like we're going to concede. It just doesn't look comfortable at all and Paul Nardi one of our better players last season, kept us in games and there was a whole discussion of whether he was as good as Walsh with the ball at his feet, or distribution, but realistically, who's the better goalkeeper? You know, just look at it, who is simply the better goalkepeer? It's Nardi by far."

A change in personnel in between the sticks could benefit QPR

If QPR are going to seriously mount a challenge for the top six this season, a change of starting goalkeeper sooner rather than later could be pivotal to their success as the R's looked defensively sound in their recent victory over Wrexham.

Nardi's leadership, Championship know-how, and comfortable nature in between the sticks is just what Stephan needs in offering his side some stability in the defensive third. FLW's QPR fan pundit, Louis, believes that a switch should be made and could benefit all parties involved.

Louis said, "Walsh potentially needs to be taken out for a break and then Nardi comes in and can hopefully show why he should still be number one. It's a really strange decision to just suddenly make Walsh the number one. But then, if you flip it, Walsh is at an age now where, if he doesn't become the number one for us now, would he ever actually do so? It's a tough one, but I've just not been impressed at all. I do not feel confident with him in goal."

"Nardi has to come back in, and it might do Walsh some good really. Just take him out of the firing for a little bit and Nardi comes in with more experience. He's more used to playing, obviously being number one last season, and I just think it's a really strange and harsh decision to suddenly drop him."