This is where the decision not to replace [Tim Steidten](https://www.claretandhugh.info/steidten-source-gives-west-ham-transfer-reality-check/) as ‘technical director’ is going to be severely tested. A summer transfer window, something approaching ten players needing to be replaced and West Ham needing to sell to raise funds in order to replace them. Potter, David Sullivan and numbers analyst Kyle Macaulay have their work cut out.
Add to that the emerging goal keeper crisis.
Having let the 40-year old Fabianski leave, West Ham now have the error-strewn Areola as their only front line keeper. Wes Foderingham is only third choice because there isn’t a fourth, and if he gets onto the pitch in a Premier League fixture then the Hammers really are in trouble. Areola’s inability to play Potter’s system with the ball at his feet was demonstrated only too clearly yesterday as his gift set up Nottingham Forest’s first goal.
[_Givemesport.com_](https://www.givemesport.com/graham-potter-must-sell-west-ham-star-to-save-his-job/) put it quite succinctly: “_Graham Potter Must Sell £120,000 a week West Ham Star to save his job”_ and few would argue with that after yesterday’s showing. This isn’t an isolated incident. Areola is a ‘hoofball’ proponent and will not get better at 32 years old no matter how much he practises Potter’s preferred passing game.
Having to add the urgent recruitment of a goal keeper to the Hammers’ shopping list means the Irons will likely go for a quick fix – Aaron Ramsdale as readily available would be the simplest (not the best) solution providing Sullivan can scrape the £20 + million together.
And sadly that is likely to be as far as West Ham’s poor performance that season will allow them to search. Other keepers want better clubs and the Hammer’s dreadful performance this year does not make them attractive – unless you happen to have just been relegated as in Ramsdale’s case.