Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens has impressed since arriving at Old Trafford but now faces his first hurdle
Senne Lammens reacts during Manchester United's defeat to Everton in the Premier League
Senne Lammens reacts during Manchester United's defeat to Everton in the Premier League
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"I'm realistic," Senne Lammens told MEN Sport in October after, in just his second appearance for the club, he excelled as Manchester United beat Liverpool at Anfield. This measured response came to a question regarding the social media praise which was flooding his way since making his debut for the Reds against Sunderland.
Things were overwhelmingly positive then and, in truth, they have stayed on that trajectory. Since assuming the first choice role, Lammens has proven to be the reliable safe hands which United have been crying out for. Altay Bayindir always feels like he has a mistake in him while if it wasn't errors letting him down, it was Andre Onana's antics which were holding him back - as proven against Lyon last season.
But Lammens, despite being six years Onana's junior, oozes maturity and this has shown itself on the pitch. For the first time since starting at United, this maturity and responsibility he possesses will be put to the test. On Monday night, it was clear Lammens should have done better to stop Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's winner for Everton. The Belgian's blame is only partial - Bruno Fernandes could have done more and Leny Yoro's tackle was too half-hearted in such a critical position.
However, once the shot was taken, Lammens did not set himself well enough. He was too far over to his right side meaning he was always going to struggle to get back across to his left when the former Chelsea man hit it. To his credit, the 23-year-old got a hand to it but it wasn't enough and the goalkeeper will accept he should have saved it.
Now is the time for Lammens to bounce back and before the Everton game, he explained how his biggest strength will help him do just that. He told Inside Carrington: "I think that [mentality] has always been one of my biggest strengths, it always has been because my character has always been a little more relaxed, at ease, more mellow and not really going too high or too low with the feelings.
"Also as a goalkeeper, if you want to be a support to the team, you also have to be reliable and not always doing the crazy stuff but doing the simple things good. I agree it is something that I am proud of but also something I check myself and do after every game."
He added: "When I was growing up I had difficulties with it [confidence] because as a young goalkeeper it is difficult. I was not always the best one in my age group and I also made a lot of mistakes so I think as a young goalkeeper sometimes it is really difficult to get over those mistakes but then you just keep working on it.
"I did do some psychology work when I was growing up but now I don’t really need it anymore, I think I help myself more and I like to journal a lot and writing down after every game makes it a little easier on the mind as well to not always think too much after games and then it is out of your head."
Lammens seems to have a way of coping which has served him well so far. But this week will test it properly and it will be interesting to see how he performs.