'You've got be ready for anything in football': Reading loanee Sam Walker reflects on a crazy few days at Blackpool

Blackpool’s emergency loan keeper Sam Walker admits footballers must always be adaptable and “ready for anything”.
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The Reading goalkeeper was brought in on a seven-day deal last week after Pool’s number one Chris Maxwell tested positive for Covid-19 alongside his teammate Matty Virtue.

The 29-year-old was due to make his debut on Boxing Day, but Pool’s scheduled fixture was postponed on Christmas Day due to a positive test within the Rochdale camp.

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Walker, who eventually made his first start against Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night, is due to play against Bristol Rovers on Saturday having had his loan extended by a further seven days.

Walker missed his son’s birthday on Christmas Eve to make the move up to Blackpool, missing out on spending Christmas Day with his wife who is also 36 weeks pregnant.

“With football, particularly this year, but always in football you’ve got to be adaptable and ready for anything,” Walker said.

“I was ready, I’ve been fit and ready at Reading all season playing that understudy role, so when the opportunity came up - it is a difficult time of the year, I know - but I was delighted to come up and help out.

Walker enjoyed a strong debut for Blackpool at Shrewsbury on Tuesday nightWalker enjoyed a strong debut for Blackpool at Shrewsbury on Tuesday night
Walker enjoyed a strong debut for Blackpool at Shrewsbury on Tuesday night

“Unfortunately I didn’t get another game on Boxing Day.”

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Walker was Blackpool’s standout performer at the New Meadow in midweek, making two or three important stops and commanding his box well throughout.

He also made a superb save from Ollie Norburn’s penalty, getting up quickly to deny Shaun Whalley on the rebound before Dan Udoh tapped home Shrewsbury’s decisive goal.

It was a frustrating way for Blackpool to lose the game for the first time in eight matches.

“We came here confident of getting a result. Our preparation was good but unfortunately on the night it wasn’t to be,” Walker said.

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“I must admit, that was a first for me in my career. I’ve saved penalties before but not made a double save.

“You’re kind of hoping the third one takes a ricochet, I think Dan (Ballard) was there and it could have come off his foot or gone anywhere, I was hoping for something, but it wasn’t to be.

“Other than that, it was a game of few chances, it was quite tight and unfortunately that was the goal that’s pushed it against us.

“When you’re chasing games you know you’ve got to stay focused and concentrated because they could still create chances and they did that.

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“I was pleased to keep it at 1-0 because I thought it gave us a chance going into the latter stages of the game to get something.”

Despite only arriving a few days ago, Walker demonstrated a good understanding with the back four in front of him and appeared to fit in seamlessly.

“I’ve done this kind of thing before, a while ago when I was younger I was out on loan where you have to get to know people quite quickly,” he added.

“I’ve only had a few sessions with the lads but I thought they were largely really good, won their headers, defended well and limited them to chances, so I thought they did well.”

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The Reading loanee added: “The first thing I noticed when I came into the group was just how good the group is and how good the atmosphere is.

“I know the team has been on a really good run, they had only lost one in 12 or 13 or something like that, so I could feel that immediately.

“We all felt confident of getting a result and that disappointment proves that at the end.”

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