Depending on which outlet you read, West Ham’s newly appointed manager plans two, three or even four changes today as the Hammers take on Blackburn Rovers with the possibility of a rise to third place beckoning depending win other results in this madcap league.
Ezra Mayers and Joel Piroe seem by all accounts to be the most likely duo to benefit from Scott Parker’s new broom. Young Mayers in particular performed creditably considering he’s had no match time since August and Morato’s clumsy performance has surely put him back onto the bench unless a centre-back is needed.
Taty Castellanos’ poor first half was contrasted by Joel Piroe’s instant impact: A pretty unanimous ‘thumbs up’ suggests Piroe will start, after assisting in one of the Irons’s three strikes on Wednesday night. Without looking a world beater, Piroe surely wins the starting place over a moody, ineffective Taty who just continues to disappoint in this league. As football fancast put it:
“Castellanos showed enough potential to create the assumption that he would walk through the Championship. To say that has not happened would be the understatement of the year.”
But the real head-scratcher is why there’s not been more noise around the goal keeper situation after Mads Hermansen let in nine goals in three successive games without laying a glove on any of the attempts.
Mads Hermansen was many people’s choice this season but he hasn’t improved on the fragility shown last year
With the existing ‘connection’ between Scott Parker and Hammers number two Alphonse Areola, most had assumed the new manager would instantly re-instate the ‘keeper who he bought to Fulham and who has been waiting, out of favour, thought this season despite Hermansen’s patchy form. The Dane was even dropped by his international side for a couple of the Nations League ties last month but still, seemingly, could do no wrong under Nuno.
Mystery solved this afternoon, perhaps, when the side is announced. I’m sure most Irons supporters would rather see Areola at the top of the team sheet: No doubt a little rusty but more confidence-inspiring than his counterpart.
Claret and Hugh Predictions:
Sean 2 – 0 West Ham win
Gonzo 3 – 1 West Ham win
Martin 2 – 0 West Ham win
Matt 2 – 1 West Ham win
Team news at 13.45!
100% on both MB
lol Last year it was all about Areola not being good enough as he error prone and had no distribution skills. Suddenly he is the second coming 🤣. He was in his day a good shot stopper, but nothing else. How long since he actually played? He is well past his and seems more interested being a DJ these days. Much better off to stick with Hermansen.
One puzzle? What about Kilman playing every time?
Best defender in team this year that’s why he plays every game.