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Sorry and thanks Fab …but it looks all over now

There’s never s shortage of talking points at West Ham United – it’s actually one of the joys of running a website dedicated to the club and right now one of the biggest is Lukasz Fabianski.

The guy has been an absolute star since he arrived for Swansea at £7 million under Pellegrini but despite one or two great saves on Sunday he is being held widely responsible for that first goal.

He has of course suffered his share of injuries over the last couple of seasons and it may be we will be seeing less and less of him over the remainder of the season – we’ll soon find out.

It looks a given that Alphone Areola could take his first step towards becoming the new No 1 if given the chance at Old Trafford tomorrow night.

 

Here, CandH follower Claret Veins gives his view on where the goalkeeping situation is going!

 

I agree that the time has come to thank our keeper of the past three years and pass the gloves over to Monsieur Areola.

Not only did Fab spill the ball once too often but he also miserably failed in the primary job of keeping goal…..taking total command of the penalty area.

Not once did he advance off his line to make a catch or punched clearance and, although I wasn’t near enough to hear, he obviously wasn’t calling out and directing his defence.

In the 88th minute a very collectable and unchallenged cross came into the area and our No.1 started to come out but backed off leaving it for Zouma to (once again) head clear.

The direct result of not calling for and catching the ball was (as others have described it) a worldie from Lingard.

Had he caught the ball and kept hold for a few seconds, as any top keeper would do in the 88th minute, penalty or not, United would NOT have won. Memories of Lionel Scaloni come flooding back.

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

2 comments on “Sorry and thanks Fab …but it looks all over now

  1. I agree with the 88th minute error, Zuma could have safely left the ball if given a call by Fab and probably avoided conceding to Lingard’s goal as a consequence. Fab is not the player he was a couple of years ago, and since coming back from injury has lost the authority of his area he once had. Time to move him on? Not sure just yet?
    It’s time for Areola to show us what he can do and also give Fab a chance to see what he’s up against from the sidelines and fight for his place. If Areola proves a hit it still doesn’t mean he won’t get injured, and a rejuvenated Fabianski on the bench would be a decent fall back position if required.

  2. Very succinctly put. 100% agree. Twice in the closing stages he had the opportunity to release the pressure valve for his tiring defence, both times he neglected to do so.
    He has many attributes and we applaud him for them, but at the elite level, game management in play is crucial.

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