Jamie O'Hara and Danny Dyer
(Credit: Imago)
Rahul Lakhani
Mon 18 August 2025 7:10, UK
West Ham put in a dismal performance to kick off their Premier League campaign as they were beaten 3-0 by Sunderland, and criticism is flying in.
Graham Potter’s side travelled to the Stadium of Light to put right some of the wrongs of last season, but their misery continued as they put in an abysmal performance in a heavy defeat against a promoted team on Saturday.
West Ham were woeful across the pitch, with Niclas Fullkrug particularly disappointing upfront, and there will be inquests into the display.
Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has now fired shots at the Hammers and has called out one new signing for his performance.
Graham Potter
Potter’s side were woeful against Sunderland (Credit: Imago)
O’Hara slams Mads Hermansen after disaster debut
West Ham recruited Mads Hermansen from Leicester City as a new goalkeeper, and he was thrown straight into the deep end as he started against Sunderland.
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However, the Danish goalkeeper had a nightmare debut, with Hermansen poor on all three goals, and it was simply a day to forget for him.
Hermansen faced five shots on target against Sunderland, but conceded three goals.
The 25-year-old conceded three goals from just 1.03xG against.
The goalkeeper completed 45 per cent of his attempted long balls.
Speaking on talkSPORT, O’Hara slammed the goalkeeper and compared him to famous West Ham fan Danny Dyer.
“Absolutely pathetic from them. Been saying it, they’re in big trouble, West Ham,” O’Hara stated.
“I thought, it’s the first game of the season, let’s see what they’re about, they’re going to play Sunderland away, they’re back in the big time, and they absolutely destroyed West Ham.
“The goalkeeper – it looked like Danny Dyer in goal. What was he doing? They spent £20 million on him!”
Hermansen needs to recover from disaster debut
While it is not easy for a goalkeeper to adapt to a new team with no pre-season minutes under his belt, Hermansen’s display was truly disastrous and one he will want to forget quickly.
West Ham have bigger problems than the goalkeeper, though, and Hermansen showed that he is capable of some top performances at Leicester last season.
The defence was ripped apart with ease, while there is a serious lack of pace in the West Ham midfield, which needs to be addressed.
Hermansen will have to recover quickly from his debut, and while he is unlikely to be dropped so quickly, more poor performances will become a concern very quickly.
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