Not so long ago, Ruben Amorim was looking at replacing his error-strewn hapless goal keeper at Old Trafford. The Portuguese coach had seen enough of the the ‘calamitous’ Andre Onana to want him out of the door and according to national newspapers, was looking at West Ham’s target to strengthen his shot-stopper options.
According to thesun.co.uk, Manchester United’s manager was a big admirer of Mads Hermansen and according to their article back in the transfer window: “United, along with Aston Villa, Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Wolves, have been impressed by the Dane’s displays since he dethroned Danny Ward as the Foxes’ first-choice stopper two seasons ago.”
So what has gone wrong? Did all of those clubs – plus Potter’s West Ham – make a monumental miscalculation about Hermansen’s ability?
Could it be that – as several reports suggest this morning, Hermansen is simply too small at 6’1” -( 1 metre 87) – to be a Premier League goal keeper.
That can be debunked straight away. Everton and England’s keeper Jordan Pickford- who has taken the national side to World Cup and Euro finals – is shorter at six feet- a couple of centimetres -than the Dane.
Twenty two years ago Hammers play-off keeper Jimmy Walker made a successful career as a keeper at just 5’10 – (1.8o meters) and indeed, his own autobiography ‘size isn’t everything‘ made it plain that there’s more to being a success between the posts than just being huge. Clearly, Hermansen and Pickford are amongst the smaller of the Premier League’s ‘keepers but it is a red herring to suggest that Hermansen is simply not big enough.
Almost certainly it is more to do with the mind rather than the physique.
Hermansen’s confidence is ‘zero’ just now and he needs a few months out of the firing line to rebuild his mindset. Having to play behind a defence that cannot mark or head the ball is enough to give anybody nightmares and without attention to the back line, of course Alphonse Areola fared no better in the 2-3 Carabao Cup loss.
But to blame it on Hermansen’s height is spurious. Lack of confidence, hesitancy, nerves, decision making, fear, apprehension behind a woeful defence… Yes. But in time, that can be fixed.
Jimmy Walker was not a successful Premier League goalkeeper. He made only 13 appearances in total for us, the majority of them being in the Championship. So he’s not really comparable.
But your point re Pickford is valid even though he’s only an inch shorter than Hermansen.
I can remember when Mervyn Day ( ask your dad/grandad) was having a tough old time. I was sitting on a bus down Barking Rd behind 2 old girlsand they were of the opinion that poor Mervyn is playing bad because his missus had just had a baby and he probably weren’t getting enough sleep😀
Life was simple then
Phil Parkes was 6’3”, not far different to Hermansen. His height never really affected him if I remember rightly !
Rob Green was 6’2”. His height never really affected him if I remember rightly ! Jussi Jääskeläinen was 6’3”, not far different to Hermansen. His height never really affected him if I remember rightly !
Allen Mcknight was 6’1” !!!!!
Until we have a functioning, well coached and drilled back FOUR (please), together with a non-porous defensively astute midfield, I fail to see how anyone can judge the fella.
His double save towards the end of the last game was blinding and I doubt whether Areola (who was beaten at his near post versus Wolves) or Fab could have pulled that save off.
Allison, Donnarumma and Pickford combined wouldn’t have had a chance paired with our Chuckle Brothers defence.
exactly
Height is not the issue. Since when is 6’2″ short? He either isn’t good enough or has lost confidence. Sometimes goalkeepers do and sometimes it doesn’t come back.
If I were playing behind what purports to be our premier league standard defence my mindset would be shot to shirt
He might need to bulk up a little to help himself while maintaining his athleticism . Pickford is not taller but bounces off players like a rubber ball, he’s robust. If Hermandsen carried a bit more weight with him into contact, it might actually help him -while maintaining flexibility of course. Basic but could help.
Also repeating what I have read, zonal marking is leaving Hermandsen exposed and by all accounts our set piece specialist is not a specialist at all. Potter selected him for his backroom staff. Most people are wondering what IS going on at Rush Green apart from set practices and routines. Seeing our team play, it is a valid question.