Is Lukasz Fabianski’s return to West Ham United a help or a hindrance to Mads Hermansen’s hopes of establishing himself at the Premier League strugglers?
Fabianski watched on from the sidelines – included in the matchday squad for the first time since returning to the London Stadium on a short-term basis – as Tottenham put three more goals past Hermansen on Saturday evening.
Now, Fabianski accepts he has a ‘completely different’ role these days. At least, initially.
The 40-year-old former Poland international is expected to operate as West Ham United’s third-choice, using his vast experience behind the scenes while becoming a vocal presence on the training pitch.
Yet, Hammers News have learned that some at the club feel Fabianski will actually replace Hermansen as the club’s go-to shot-stopper again sooner rather than later.
Such a move would reflect extremely badly on their short-term planning and squad building – a 40-year-old brought back months after his contract expired to oust an £18 million summer signing – but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Lukasz Fabianski certainly didn’t look like a goalkeeper making his first appearance since May when he marked his comeback in Tuesday’s 5-1 EFL Trophy victory over MK Dons, coach Mark Robson speaking warmly about both his performance and his personality.
Lukasz Fabianski celebrates during Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
Mark Robson hails Lukasz Fabianski as West Ham United thrash MK Dons
Fabianski played the full 90 minutes on a night when Preston Fearon and Callum Marshall both hit braces.
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The former Arsenal and Swansea City glovesman would be denied a clean sheet on his second West Ham debut – MK Dons scored a 67th minute consolation from the penalty spot – but Robson is confident that his youngsters can learn a huge amount from a man who won the Polish Ekstraklasa title with Legia Warsaw before 18-year-old Fearon was even born.
“I thought Lukasz really helped us,” Robson tells the club’s official website. “He was calm on the ball, made a couple of very good saves, and gave the younger players around him real confidence.
“I don’t think it was a penalty and I felt we deserved a clean sheet. But overall, the defending from the front right the way through was top quality.”
Fabianski stepped in for a goalkeeper 21 years his junior, following Finn Herrick’s loan move to Boreham Wood.
Herrick had been ‘excellent’ for West Ham’s Under-21s in the opening weeks of the new campaign. He, alongside Braintree Town loanee Mason Terry, is now seizing the chance to prove himself in the men’s game having outgrown the relatively small pond that is academy football.
Graham Potter explains why Hammers re-signed Fabianski
After Wes Foderingham joined Cypriot outfit Aris earlier this month, Graham Potter welcomed Lukasz Fabianski back with open arms.
And while many fans feel that Fabianski will help Hermansen settle behind the scenes, doubts will continue to grow around the Dane if Crystal Palace deepen the gloom on Saturday.
“When the opportunity for Wes came up, it was the right thing for him and us from a footballing perspective,” Potter said ahead of Saturday’s 3-0 London derby defeat by Tottenham
“Then, you look at someone who can support the goalkeepers, and when we know Lukasz like we do, he was an obvious choice for us.
“He brings a lot of character and personality. He’s an incredible professional, so we are really pleased.”