Nuno Espirito Santo has a dilemma. West Ham have just shipped five goals, the first three being the subject of huge public and supporter scrutiny as they all came from corners – set pieces- in the first half at Anfield. Any repeat of this against Fulham will see the window of opportunity for the Hammers to lift themselves out of the relegation zone surely shut tight.
As a former goal keeper, Nuno has the experience where it counts – at the back, between the sticks – to make the call over changing his first choice keeper. Surely Mads Hermansen will sit the Craven Cottage visit out on the Irons’ bench?
No goal keeper can concede five times with impunity.
And remember it isn’t the first time the likeable Dane has suffered a cave-in. Hermansen was dropped after conceding eleven times in his first four outings.
Despite the trio of Hermansen, Disasi and Mavropanos’ post mortem after the Liverpool debacle, Nuno needs to act. According to the nytimes.com:
“Mavropanos, Disasi and Hermansen had a lengthy discussion after the loss to Liverpool. They have been key performers in West Ham’s recent upturn in performances and will hope last Saturday was just a bump in the road.”
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“Bump in the road?” I’d suggest more a massive pothole.
The defenders deserve another shot: With Todibo waiting in the wings, they know another slip-up will likely lead to one or other of them heading to the bench. Hermansen, however, cannot be expecting to walk out at the start of play at Craven Cottage after such a mediocre performance.
Where Areola can do a better job of dominating his ‘box remains to be seen: The Frenchman’s greater stature at least means he won’t be bullied by opponents during set-pieces – in the way in which we’ve become painfully accustomed to watching when the Dane takes the gloves.