It is a rare situation this January that Graham Potter gets to make a choice over selection. For the game against Crystal Palace there were six first team players sidelined through injury. Potter’s squad was down to the bare bones so there was very few options available – even today’s trip to the Midlands is dogged by injury and suspension so many changes will be forced on the head coach.
West Ham’s ‘Training Gallery | Villa preparations in full swing” photo shoot showed a very welcome sight – Goal keeper Alphonse Areola back training in advance of the trip to the midlands.
A Welcome sight – A chilly Alphonse Areola returning to training and donning the gloves again
Lucas Fabianski has been struggling to recapture his best form and Graham Potter will relish the chance to pick from the two stoppers.
Areola has been absent injured for several weeks after suffering a very public falling out with Julen Lopetegui, so his own form will no doubt bounce back under Potters coaching.
If nothing else, West Ham fans will feel mighty relieved to see Areola on the bench instead of Gonzo’s perennial favourite ‘clean sheet’ Wes Foderingham: West Ham’s third choice keeper is really suited just to training duties these days being a token home-grown member of the squad.
Foderingham’s last full time role in the Premier League was between the sticks for relegated Sheffield United in 2023-4, conceding 70 goals in a Premier League season which is the second worst ever, only beaten by Luton’s Thomas Kaminsky’s 85 the same year.
So it is a very relieved West Ham defence who will welcome back Alphonse to the squad.
In fairness to Wes Foderingham, the statistics show that he has not conceded any goals in the Premier League whilst playing for West Ham. Amazing career stats for a first class goalkeeper.
He’s been PLAYING for West Ham? I must have missed it! 🙄
The problem is, because we can’t defend our keepers are ridiculously overworked.
Too many crosses, too many shots faced.
In a good team, the ‘keeper should be the most underworked player in the side.
Oh sorry, I forgot, we’re crap !
Fabianski is statistically the best keeper in the pL at preventing goal’s against so have no idea what this article is referring too with his form. Areola is statistically the worst in the PL while it’s good that he is fit he is far and away not good enough to be our first choice. We need a new keeper as Fabianski can’t go on forever and Areola isn’t a first team keeper he may look the part but the statistics and results tell us another story.
I’d rather have Fabianski over Aerola any day.
We do need to seriously look at getting in a very decent keeper in though to be out number 1.