Liam Walsh: Technical brilliance hampered by injury
On Tuesday, Luton announced the signing of Liam Walsh, following the midfielder’s extended period training with Rob Edwards’ side.
The 26-year-old had been a free agent since leaving Swansea City at the end of last season and adds to Luton’s midfield options.
A talented ball playing midfielder, the former England youth international has had a career hampered by injuries and has only managed more than 20 games in a season on one occasion during his career so far.
Liam Walsh, the club and Luton fans will be hoping those injury problems are behind him so that he can get back to his best in a Luton side that has made a habit of rejuvenating careers.
Career so far
Like another former Luton midfielder, Walsh came through the Everton academy. However he was unable to reach the first team on Merseyside and joined Bristol City permanently in January 2018, following loans with Yeovil and Birmingham City.
Walsh made just 22 appearances for the Robins and was sent out on loan to Coventry City in September 2019, where he spent the most successful period of his career. He made 34 appearances and helped Coventry City to promotion out of League One.
Upon leaving Bristol City, Walsh joined Swansea and made 34 appearances over three season, with 20 of those coming last season, scoring twice.
key stats
Walsh’s strongest attribute is his passing. The 26-year-old averaged 83.7% passing accuracy per 90 minutes last season, with 41.74 accurate passes per game (Fotmob).
He created an abundance of chances with his passing game, averaging 1.96 chances created per 90 across his 20 appearances last season.
highly rated by fans
Swansea City fans have expressed admiration for Walsh’s ability and felt his injuries held him back. Swansea City fan podcast, Swanscast believe he has untapped potential and can understand Luton’s decision to take a punt on him.
Liam Walsh was something of an enigma during his time at Swansea City, much due to his inexplainable injury record, which is also the reason he was allowed to leave at the end of his contract. A player who has so much talent, but as his record at every previous club suggests is held back by a body who doesn't want to allow him to succeed. He made 32 appearances over 3 seasons at the Swans, with a loan spell at Hull in between only allowing him a further three. It seems a low number, but it is the most amount of game time he has had at any of his previous clubs, and it deserved to be so much more.
Walsh is a technical player, he has so much quality on the ball and has a creative eye about him. Hard to disposes, the ball can be glued to his feet when he is match fit and up to speed, working hard in the midfield, turning the play and making a difference. He has an eye for goal, and is capable of adding goal contributions through assisting and scoring from midfield. He can be deployed as a ten, but more often in a midfield two. His strengths are not his defensive duties but he wont shy away from them either. He is definitely one that got away at Swansea, he has so much untapped potential and as a Swansea fan who was sad, though understanding of the decision to let him go, I can completely see why Luton would take a punt on him. Moving to one of the clubs relegated from the Premier League did come as a surprise, purely for his lack of game time, but it screams of de-ja-vu of the time he signed for us from Bristol. I just hope he can finally leave his injury woes behind, he deserves it.
fitting in at luton
Walsh has been training with Luton for a number of weeks prior to signing a contract and will already be well-acquainted with his new teammates.
Luton’s midfield has looked relatively light in the early stages of the season, following the departures of Ross Barkley, Sambi Lokonga and Luke Berry, with just Shandon Baptiste coming in to replace the outgoing players.
Walsh offers a different option to the current midfield choices. With a greater range of passing and less drive going forward, he could prove key to helping break down stubborn defences or low blocks.
As a free transfer, Walsh is a low-risk addition to the squad, but brings quality and experience in the Football League.
