Fabianski returns in top form
Lukasz Fabianski showed us all he has lost nothing since being relegated to No 2 keeper giving a fine performance against Lincoln City last night.
The keeper was forced to make a couple of fine saves to keep the League One team as Tomas Soucek’s goal eventually saw us through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
One save was right out of the top drawer when he kept out a powerful header from Hakeeb Adelakun when the game was goalless, and added another from substitute Dylan Duffy after Souček had opened the scoring .
On a stormy night the 38 year old’s handling was excellent and demonstrated again that it really is a photo finish between him and Alphonse Areola for the No 1 spot.
Fabianski: Irons we had to match Imps energy
He explained that the squad had realised going into it this was going to be a tough game – very physical and very direct – and that the boys had to be ready to match City’s energy.
He told West Ham TV. “We got the result, maybe in a scrappy way, but the main thing was to get through to the next round so I was very pleased with the performance and with the result.
“It wasn’t easy and the conditions not easy to deal with, so I thought we put in a very professional performance. The first half wasn’t too bad but in the second half we were playing against the wind and the ball can do many things in the air because the wind was coming in diagonally!
“It always makes it difficult and you have to be very careful. All my goal kicks in the second half basically ended up in my own box! So, as a player, you have to be careful to deal with it and do it in a very responsible way. I think we did it in a good way.”
“I believe I really helped the team on a few occasions and I felt really good out there on the pitch so I believe this was our first clean this season in official games, which is pleasing, and I played a big part in it, actually.
“There is big competition. I believe we have a strong squad and everyone tries to compete and do their best for the team and for themselves.
“We have loads of games in the league and in the cups as well and we want to progress in them, so even the players who don’t play in the Premier League as much are playing almost every week because of the amount of games we have.
“For me personally, that’s what I am pushing for. I want to be very competitive and take as many chances as I can to perform in a good way so I stay at a good level and I help the team to grow.
“Being on the pitch is always a good opportunity to progress as a team and also as a player.”