Enjoyment factor meant Luton midfielder was happy to extend his Hatters stint despite relegation
Town midfielder Liam Walsh revealed that despite Luton’s relegation putting the club in a position they don’t want to be in this season, he was more than happy to extend his stint at Kenilworth Road after finally beginning to enjoy his football once more.
The 27-year-old came through the ranks at Everton as a youngster, having loan spells at Yeovil and Birmingham, then joining Bristol City in January 2018. It wasn’t until a loan spell at Coventry City in September 2019 that he was really able to showcase his talents though, making 34 appearances for the Sky Blues in an impressive stint that saw him named the club’s Young Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year, also selected for the League One PFA Team of the Season too
However, Walsh failed to build on that apparent breakthrough, as injuries blighted his time with Swansea and Hull, agreeing to move to Luton on a free transfer last summer having started just 60 league games in his career. It looked like he was going to ruin his chances of being a success with the Hatters too, sent off twice for rash tackles when coming off the bench against Oxford and Blackburn, as the majority of fans quickly lost patience with his lack of discipline.
Portsmouth and Oxford United have both registered their interest in Luton Town midfielder Shandon Baptiste, as per Hayters, and should be trying to make a deal possible if they are to survive next campaign.
Portsmouth and Oxford United are both looking to strengthen their squads over the coming months. Pompey finished 16th in the table in their first season since gaining promotion from League One. OUFC finished one place below them in the division.
John Mousinho’s side will likely be aiming for a repeat of last term and solidify their status in the second tier, and the U’s will ideally be hoping for the same too.
The summer window will be vital for both teams, and it had been reported earlier in the week by Hayters that they are after Luton Town’s Baptiste. He joined the Hatters on a free transfer last year following his release from Brentford and only made 16 appearances due to injuries.
It would be a gamble to say the least for either side to sign the 27-year-old given his injury record but the quality of the midfielder could be too hard to resist. The Grenadian previously came through the ranks at Oxford United before moving to the Bees in 2020.
