Independent Rs Messageboard

[Tommy Cunningham]

I have no doubt I won’t be very popular with this opinion, but Pierce Charles is a total liability
in goal for QPR for me.

Yes I have seen the good clips of his distribution in games last season, but watching him last week
and again yesterday I am not convinced by him.

He made a costly error against Millwall last week that was poor goalkeeping, he was beaten by a
shot from some distance yesterday that didn’t go in the top corner.

We were cruising to victory leading 3-1 in our first game of the season away from home, when Charles
inexplicably passed the ball out to a Pompey player just a few yards outside our box. T

The Pompey player made a total mess of his chance and shot straight back into a grateful Charles, that
could have been a turning point in the game when it didn’t need to be.

We need an experienced goalkeeper who inspires confidence, not a young lad from an EPL club who is on
loan and being developed by our club. We signed a goalkeeper this summer that we paid a significant transfer
fee for, yet he is sitting on the bench when in my opinion he should be starting games.

[ESSEXURs]

I have two criticisms of his play.

We seem to be obsessed with feeding him the ball at every opportunity. With his excellent
distribution this is understandable I suppose but he was slow to release the ball for the incident
you mention and was nearly caught a couple of times against Millwall doing the same.

Is he overthinking his distribution if so when in doubt just hoof it to safety.

We should not be developing players for other clubs. Goalkeeper position is critical to the team
and as you say we should be bringing on a player we actually own.
Otherwise he looks a good prospect but still work in progress.

As far as the goal is concerned yesterday I hope he is not the latest in a long line of recent goalkeepers
we’ve had who are slow to respond to long range shots. In his defence it was well struck and always
curving away from him.

[Tommy Cunningham]

He has come through the ranks at Man City, during which time Pep Guardiola was at the helm.

Guardiola insists his keepers play out from the back, that system applies to all teams throughout
the club he manages.

The difference is they had world class players in all positions, at QPR we don’t and he has to think
differently when playing out.

Last season he played for Sheffield Wednesday and they really struggled, so his performances wouldn’t
have been analysed as closely as they will be at QPR. They were losing regularly and the expectancy
within the club to win games was very low.

I think Pierce Charles is far too casual with the ball at his feet and needs to move the ball quicker.

[Kerrins]

All I will say there is no way he can be any worse than Walsh.

The Wigan locals near where I live are spitting feathers over the signing
of Walsh and don't understand why he was put on the books.

Much moaning and groaning over his performances so far including preseason.
They are certainly not impressed

[Tommy Cunningham]

I wouldn’t disagree with any of your comments on Joe Walsh, the Sky Sports commentator
covering Wigan’s game on Saturday was very critical of his performance.

Joe Walsh was loaned out this season, because he was never gonna play for us.

His performances last season left a lot to be desired and his departure from QPR was best for
his career.

I still firmly believe that Pierce Charles will cost us this season, I know he is a young goalkeeper
of great potential, but other than great distribution I struggle to see what other goalkeeping
strengths he possesses.

[Conor Campbell]

I appreciate the concerns voiced here as fully valid and with foundation.

I'm just glad that we are not putting last season's GK between the sticks and am
keen to see a battle between Charles and Ward to impress and earn first choice position.

Ward has not come to us to play second fiddle and is looking at an upward career trajectory.

Charles must have had a high value learning experience getting battered at Wednesday and must
be highly motivated to convert that learning into elevated contribution that validates his place on
City's books and moves him from potential to performer.

Both of these keepers each have a lot riding on this season. It's a good opportunity for each of them.
Gotta have faith.