Speaking after Queens Park Rangers’ loss against Brentford, Julien Stephan spoke about the gap between the Championship and the Premier League, Rumarn Burrell and Preston North End. The former Stade Rennais manager also made a bold statement about goalkeeper Joe Walsh, whose inclusion over last season’s Supporters’ Player of the Season runner-up Paul Nardi, during preseason, has surprised many fans.
On Joe Walsh’s performance, the Frenchman said:
“Joe made two or three good saves, which is very good for his confidence.
“He is a young goalkeeper, but he showed a lot of quality.
“We have two good goalkeepers, Paul [Nardi] and him, so we are very lucky in that respect.
“I was very happy with Joe’s performance.”
Stephan was then questioned on why he felt that it was the right time for Walsh to make the step up and compete with Nardi.
“Part of the project of the club is to develop young players.
“If you want to develop them, you have to give them opportunities to show their quality on the pitch.
“I think he is ready.”
The R’s boss was also asked if the game reflected the jump in quality between the Championship and the Premier League, which is as big as it has ever been, according to many pundits.
“We saw that there is a gap, of course. Especially so given that the Championship team has so many injuries!
“We do not have all of our players available, and, even though it was only a preseason game, you could see the gap between the Championship and Premier League.
“The last two seasons have seen all of the teams that were promoted from the Championship get relegated in their first seasons, even when they bought a lot of players in the transfer window, so that shows the big step.
“That is why it was a very good test for us today. A very, very good test.
“We collected a lot of information, and I am sure that this information will help us to be ready for the beginning of the league season.”
Rumarn Burrell signed for QPR after their last game against SC Heerenveen. Stephan was asked what the striker would bring to his team and if not getting any minutes during preseason would put him on the back foot ahead of the start of the league season next week.
“He has a lot of energy, and he will be able to make a lot of runs, both in terms of pressing the opposition and making runs in behind.
“Also, he is very happy to have joined the club, and it is important to have players who want to be here and show their qualities on the pitch.
“Last week, he only trained with us once and he spent the rest of the time working individually on his fitness.
“He intentionally only participated in the warmup before the game to continue with his preseason.
“He will probably train with us next week. We will see if he is able to make a short appearance against Preston.
“It is better for the triggers, etc. to have players from the beginning of preseason, but, as is the situation with every other club, you can’t decide exactly when players will join or leave your team.
“I am just happy to have Burrell at the club. We will have time with him to prepare well.
“I am happy that we have a new striker!”
Finally, the 44-year-old was quizzed about next week’s Championship opener against Preston North End and whether it would be a similar game to the one against Brentford.
“It will be a completely different game.
“There will not be the same structure, the same principles of play; the characteristics of the opposition players will be different as well.
“The intensity will likely be very high because it is the first game of the season and that is what always happens.
“But, the balance of power will be completely different. It is not possible to compare the two games.”
Writer’s View
Stephan’s comments are once again very honest and accurate. It is encouraging that he already has such an in-depth understanding of his team.
Whilst the R’s looked competitive in the middle part of the pitch against Brentford, they were thoroughly outclassed in both boxes.
The home side had just two shots on target all game, an audacious overhead kick attempt by Jonathan Varane and a chipped effort by Daniel Bennie, which was nowhere near beating Caoimhin Kelleher in the Bees’ goal. The signing of Burrell was much-needed, though it is disappointing that he is not quite up to speed yet, and the West London-based club might even need another addition up top.
At the other end of the pitch, Walsh thoroughly impressed. The 23-year-old made a string of impressive saves to keep the scoreline at 1-0, and fans who are worried about him potentially replacing Nardi as first-choice goalkeeper have no reason to feel that way.
