Liam Walsh is targeting the Premier League after signing a permanent contract with Luton Town.
The midfielder put pen to paper after three weeks spent training with Rob Edwards’ squad at The Brache.
In his first interview as a Hatter, the 26-year-old tells LTFC+ that the manager’s style of play will be the perfect fit for him to produce his best football.
“He’s easy going, really easy to talk to and he’s a manager who suits how I play,” said the former Everton scholar. “That’s part of being a footballer. You need to get that right fit and if you do that, it can give you the world of confidence to go out there on a pitch and perform the best you can do if the manager believes in you.
“Since I’ve been here, in the three weeks he’s given me that belief that I can come in and play some games and do well.”
Injuries have hampered Walsh’s career so far with Bristol City and Swansea, but as he approaches his 27th birthday he feels ready for the next big step to prove his fitness on a regular basis with the Town.
“I know where I should be as a player and how good I can be, and I’m just as frustrated as everyone else is, to see that I’ve been injured quite a lot in the past,” he said.
“But I feel like I’ve come through those injuries now and I’m ready to play another full season, and Luton Town just fits that for me.
“I’ve been speaking to the physios and the fitness staff and they have a plan for me. It’s not something that I’m going to be looking at and worrying about.
“I’m past that and I’m just here now to play games and help the team.”
Walsh was at Kenilworth Road for the Burnley game, and watched the Hatters grind out a goalless draw at Portsmouth on Saturday for our first point of the season despite playing over an hour with ten men.
“It was brilliant from the lads at the weekend in the circumstances, it showed the character of the team and the manager,” he said. “I’m expecting big things from Luton as it’s a big club and it’s a great squad that we’ve got. I feel that we’ll do really well this season.
“I was at the Burnley game and the result wasn’t the best, but the fans are still there for the players and I want to be a part of it. I can’t wait for it.”
Manager Rob Edwards described Walsh as a midfielder “who can do a bit everything”, but what does the Huyton-born player say about himself?
“I’m someone who likes to get on the ball and play forward. I’ll always give everything in the tackle, I’ll try to win every single tackle I can and give 100 per cent in everything I do.
“I’m just here to help the team get promotion and back to the Premier League, where it wants to be.”
Walsh picked up the 'Merseyside Messi’ nickname when he scored a brilliant solo goal in the Carabao Cup against Rochdale when on loan at Coventry in the 2019/20 season (see video below).
Asked about that goal, he replied: “That’s another thing. Once I get going and my confidence is high, I’ve got stuff like that in my locker. I’m hoping to bring that here to Luton alongside other stuff that I can do to help the team.”
