Doom and gloom prevails around West Ham this morning after the penalty shootout loss to Leeds and the end of another cup dream for another year. Thoughts of a trip to Wembley for the first time since our 1980’s triumph were just starting to creep in – only to be dashed.
Which is why we all still love the game – despite VAR. Being a West Ham fan means the ‘hope’ gets us caught up every time, just when we think we’ve managed to clamp down on the emotions and the dreaming. Damn.
For West Ham fans – it’s definitely ‘the hope that kills you’
One who probably still hasn’t come down yet is Fin Herrick who made his debut in the most dramatic circumstances with five minutes to play ahead of a penalty shootout.
Twenty years old and used to turning out for the u21’s at Rush Green, Herrick could hardly have imagined in all those years of dreaming of a first team appearance that his first task as West Ham goal keeper -after taking a goal kick -would be to save the first penalty of a quarter final shootout.
His frank admission on whufc after the game shows he’s clearly holding himself to high standards:
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Herrick still euphoric on West Ham TV – despite the loss
“Maybe one of the penalties I should have maybe done slightly better with, but saving the first one, it was euphoric, unbelievable”
After fourteen years at West Ham, he’s realised the dream of making it into the first team in the most dramatic circumstances after Areola limped off.
There were moments during the oh-so-tense shootout where he was actually chattering to himself and smiling – clearly enjoying the occasion for which he’d been aiming since he was six years old. Shame he just couldn’t have got that bit closer to one of the other spot kicks.
And as for his relationship with the players in the senior squad and how supportive the environment has been for a youngster stepping up to daily training with the senior pro’s:
They help me every day, as well as the coaches , they help me develop. I just wish I could have helped more [in the shootout].
Herrick has had a whirlwind season – he’s been out on loan, recalled, back in the under 21’s, played in the National League Cup final, been selected for England u20’s – so yesterday was another massive landmark for the young man who, despite everything, seems to have his feet firmly on the ground. Surely a bright future beckons and after yesterday he’s taken a giant leap forward.