What a difference a month makes. Back in January, Alphonse Areola had the Hammers’ goal keeping starting berth and Mads Hermansen was condemned to virtually a practise-goal keeper role, saving shots in training sessions the closest he came to live action.
The Dane looked drained, seemingly banished from the starting line up and with the expectations being that West Ham would be loaning him out in the January window and bringing in a replacement.
In short, his West Ham career seemed over before it had begun.
Credit to Nuno for deciding that Hermansen’s attitude and hard work, despite his terrible start meant that he deserved another look: The Head Coach would have had volleys of abuse if Hermansen had flopped again.
But he brought the Dane back against Burnley: Insiders described his recall as a ‘bold call” and Hermansen overcame a shaky start to reward Nuno with a clean sheet.
West Ham’s number one described yesterday’s clean sheet from his vantage point behind the defence and made it clear where he sees the improvement over last year:
“I actually asked Axel after the Burnley game when he last played, and when he said it was April I was a bit shocked! He’s brought a lot of stability to the defence, and on the ball as well he is really good. Together with Dinos [Mavropanos], I think he’s been amazing.”
Indeed, a solid 96 minutes of focus and concentration with no lapses from West Ham’s centre back pairing – compared with August, that might well be ‘amazing’.
Achieving the same clean sheet next week against the defending Champions at Anfield would indeed be something remarkable.
Notes celebrates the Anfield victory of 2015
The Hammers have a poor record not having won at Liverpool’s home since 2015 but must hope to replicate the heroics of Lanzini, Payet, Sakho, Noble and Co, who on that August day enjoyed just 37% possession yet came away with a three goal win and three points.
Never since have Liverpool looked more ‘beatable’ as their form has stuttered: However nobody is underestimating the task that lies ahead next weekend. Hermansen in particular will face probably his sternest test yet in a West Ham shirt.
Aerola is a clown !
Yes a great shot stopper , but he’s always got a mistake in him , never catches a ball and distribution is terrible!
I thought he’d was to blame for at least 2 of the goals against Chelsea as he could have caught a cross and taken the pressure off the team ….
Definitely the right call to drop him
I think Areola has been a bit unlucky as he is a good shot stopper. His command of the box especially at corners is dreadful. I worry that Hermadsen is too short and feel he has done well since his return but I think that is very much down to Disasi’s introduction as we look solid now.
I just hope we give a good account of ourselves up there not like the anaemic effort that we gave when we played them at the LS late last year.
Hermansen is a good keeper When he come to us Potter stupidly put him straight into the team when he should have given him time to settle The defence playing in front of him was horrific Bearing in mind the man had been badly injured and out of the Leicester side for months Imn certain we will see the best of him now This is a case of many bad mistakes our club have made in the past Nuno will settle us down now for the future
Hear, hear Mick. A sensible and realistic view.
Fortunate review for Hermansen not being sent out on loan or sold.
Saved £15m-£20m on Nuno insistence to bring in new goalkeeper.
Keep on smiling Sulley.
Shame same attitude wasn’t applied to Earthy and Marshal.
Foresight is something whu need to learn could save them millions.
Good game against Bournemouth but need stronger bench.
Following in Moyes footsteps where he only had faith in 10-12 players.
Decided not to buy in January resulting in knackered players by May.
Whether Nuno wants to or not academy players look to be a necessity.
Hermansen hasn’t had that much to do since returning so the jury’s out, however what I am impressed with is his distribution
We need to defend solidly as a team but not sit back and let Liverpool continually pressure us . Think this is a game we start with same team as yesterday but play fernandes further forward with tom as dmf but only goes further forward for free kicks or corners . Liverpool aren’t as good this season but we still need to produce a good game like Chelsea 1st half or man u 96 mins.