The fall out from the trip to Ewood Park continues, despite there being no game this weekend and most of the squad having much needed recovery time after three games in eight days. News from after the Blackburn Rovers game was that goal keeper Alphonse Areola injured himself in the warm up and had to withdraw from the squad at the last minute.
From the westhamway.com today comes the news from ITK ExWHUEmployee that the injury, still unspecified, is such that Areola has been packed off for a scan, which will come as a worry for the coaching staff and for West Ham’s fan base too, who had pronounced first choice ‘keeper Mads Hermansen as their villain of the piece having (controversially) booed the Dane through much of the loss against Blackburn Rovers.
Not smiling today – Areola has been packed off for a scan
Which bodes ill for Areola’s participation in the Preston North End game in ten days time, with Scott Parker’s conundrum growing thanks to the coach getting all sorts of signals from fans and news sites alike that Hermansen’s form is shot and he urgently needs taking out of the firing line.
However the proverb that it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good again rings true, as third choice keeper Fin Herrick will be the beneficiary of any long term absence for Areola.
Herrick has already impressed, memorably saving a penalty on debut when called upon to take his place between the sticks against Leeds last year in the FA cup shootout (from none other than Joel Piroe!) and has the confidence of youth to perform admirably in whatever capacity Scott Parker may choose.
“controversially booed” should read “pathetically booed”… what happened to the West Ham Way? Supporting the team through ups and downs… nobody can argue Hermansen is in good form but he doesn’t deserve to be vilified…
think we need to sit down and have a think about ourselves as a supporter base