West Ham’s individual errors have proven rather costly recently—and yesterday’s 2-1 loss to [Nottingham Forest](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-1-2-nottingham-forest-the-morning-after/) was no different.
Two weeks ago, when **West Ham** faced Tottenham, Max Kilman found himself in a situation where a hoof into row Z would’ve comfortably thwarted a Spurs attack. However, instead of taking the more ‘industrial’ approach, the Hammers’ £40m central defender attempted to deftly play the ball to a teammate.
It didn’t work. Kilman was lucky his misjudged pass deflected back off Mathys Tel, giving him a second chance to clear. Unfortunately, instead of taking the reprieve, Kilman tried a second piece of skill, was dispossessed, and Spurs scored with ease.
I only make the point because it’s clear West Ham are under strict instruction to play out from the back almost as a first and only choice. And it was exactly that approach that led to Forest’s opener yesterday, when Alphonse Areola’s lack of passing technique was brutally exposed.
In many respects, Kilman has no excuse. He was signed for big money as a ball-playing defender. But in the case of Areola, we’re asking a 32-year-old goalkeeper to suddenly develop skills that are completely foreign to him.
If anyone was still on the fence about whether West Ham need a new goalkeeper this summer, I doubt they are now.
It’s clear [Graham Potter](https://www.claretandhugh.info/prickly-potter-may-have-more-reason-for-cheer-than-hes-letting-on/) won’t deviate from his philosophy of possession at all costs. That means, if we persist with Areola in goal, there will be more moments next season when he’s tasked with playing out—and I’m sorry to say, he just can’t do it.
Despite denials from club sources that we’re looking for a new man between the sticks, I believe it’s about to become a transfer priority.