QPR issue continues to haunt Julien Stephan - R’s face big Millwall transfer envy | OneFootball

QPR's dramatic defeat against Wrexham highlighted the need for a new shot-stopper at Loftus Road

In amongst all the craziness that unfolded at Loftus Road between QPR and Wrexham, it was made clear that Julien Stephan's search for a Championship-quality goalkeeper is set to continue.

There were some hopes that, after impressing in the FA Cup against West Ham United and then keeping clean sheets in back-to-back bore draws upon his return to league action, Joe Walsh could re-emerge as the new QPR number one, but after a poor showing against the Red Dragons, that idea is now being questioned once more.

The 23-year-old let Callum Doyle's equalising strike go through him and punched the ball into the path of Josh Windass for the second leveller late on.

Then, a minute later, despite Ollie Rathbone's winner from outside the box having plenty of power and swerve, it was still rather central, and some critics would feel that it was a shot that he should have been saving.

Evidently, a new goalkeeper looks to be required at Loftus Road, but with little time remaining in the January transfer window, it looks like Julien Stephan is going to have to grit his teeth and bear with the current crop of keepers at his disposal.

And that is made even more frustrating given that, across the capital, Millwall are looking to strike a deal with Sunderland for last season's play-off winning goalkeeper, Anthony Patterson.

Millwall, Anthony Patterson move will fill QPR with envy

There's no doubt that Max Crocombe has been a serviceable shot stopper for Alex Neil's Millwall side this season, keeping eight clean sheets and preventing over two goals throughout the campaign, according to FotMob.

However, in the midst of their play-off push, they want to upgrade the keeper position with someone who knows what it's like to lift the play-off final trophy at Wembley, in Anthony Patterson.

The 25-year-old was in between the sticks throughout Sunderland's promotion campaign last season, keeping 14 clean sheets along the way. This year, however, he's been unable to break into the side in the Premier League due to the excellence of Robin Roefs, and has seemingly become expendable.

Millwall have emerged as the frontrunners to land him on loan for the remainder of the campaign. That being said, Regis Le Bris seems unwilling to let Patterson go until another backup is in place at the Stadium of Light.

That place seemed to be covered by the addition of Borussia Mönchengladbach goalkeeper Jonas Omlin, but he has since agreed to sign for fellow German side Bayer Leverkusen.

While this may put the move on pause, Millwall shouldn't be in any rush to replace Crocombe, and may hold out for Patterson if he becomes available ahead of the transfer deadline on February 2.

If they do, then it'll seem a formality that the 25-year-old will head to the Den, while QPR will look on with envy from West London, knowing that they need a goalkeeper upgrade if they are to legitimise any outside chances of landing in the top six themselves between now and the end of the season.

The next few months will be vital for Joe Walsh if no goalkeeper additions are made by QPR

Despite a poor showing vs Wrexham, Walsh arguably has enough credit in the bank from his performance in the FA Cup defeat against Premier League side West Ham, and the two clean sheets he kept against Stoke City and Oxford United to keep his place, even if he did face a combined 0.3 xGOT across both league games, indicating a strong defensive display, rather than one from himself.

If the 23-year-old does keep his place and QPR don't upgrade in the goalkeeper department before the winter window slams shut, then he'll have the rest of the campaign to prove that he's good enough to remain the number one option before the summer.

Currently, Walsh has conceded 14 goals in just seven Championship games, having been in between the sticks for the 7-1 hammering by Coventry City earlier in the season, and then shipping three last time out against Wrexham.

And overall, QPR have conceded the fourth-most goals in the division. That is, despite the Hoops ranking eighth for the lowest xG conceded this season.

Ultimately, whether it's been Walsh or otherwise, Julien Stephan's goalkeepers have been letting him down. If none come through the door before the end of the window, these next few months could be key in shaping out the rest of the 23-year-old's QPR career.