Nuno Espirito Santo is a pretty stubborn manager. Most likely, they all are: It goes with the territory. Without that single mindedness, few get to the top of their profession. There are times when the whole world is against them and yet the manager has to be prepared to back his own instinct and continue doing so until his decision is proven right.
Especially if they’ve gone out on a limb for a signing, as Lopetegui did with the nonsensical purchase of Maximilian Kilman, now shown to be for an utterly outrageous transfer fee: The Spanish head coach just had a blind spot and couldn’t see past Kilman as the solution to his problems.
Make the change: Areola for Hermansen is long overdue
As Nuno Espírito Santo appears to have when it comes to the choice of his goal keeper: Whilst he didn’t have anything to do with the acquisition of either, he’s evidently got something of a blind spot when it comes to the endless errors and handling mistakes contributing to West Ham’s goal concessions.
Despite all the pointers to the contrary, statistics, points dropped, goals conceded, Nuno keeps on picking Mads Hermansen when the evidence, results and most supporters shout loudly to recall Alphonse Areola. A former goal keeper himself, Nuno just keeps doubling down on his choice without considering a change at the back.
And after Hermansen’s latest dodgy game – including being the direct contributory factor to the second of Southampton’s three goals, at the very least, surely Nuno will have someone within his camp whispering in his ear that enough is enough. As thefalse9.com observed after the game in their own player ratings, far more objective than mine:
“Mads Hermansen 5 – Made four saves, but two of them fell straight to Southampton scorers, Matsuki for the first goal and Dobbin for the third.”
The young Dane needs benching. Areola – far from the perfect solution but the only one available right now – might not be as sure footed with the ball on the deck but he ‘d be unlikely, for example, to palm a wayward cross straight back out into the path of an opponent as Nuno’s first choice ‘keeper did on Saturday.
Not that this was a unique error of judgement by the Dane. Sadly, the lapses are an all too familiar component of Hermansen’s game.
Nuno doesn’t admit anything that puts a question over his MANY poor decisions, he is a defensive minded ex goalkeeper who believes only results matter at all costs, he seems determined to bore us all to death, I find it hard to believe we have lost at all this season, we have the most expensive team in the league, unfortunately it is run by scared Muppets, and that’s a disservice to Muppets.
Nuno should be picking games now for Finlay Herrick. Games that are likely to build his confidence as the first choice keeper he will become. Already England U16, U17, U18, U19 and U20 and 21 years old in January. At 6′ 2″, he is the one they should be building around for a return to the PL along with Golambeckis and Ayala.
If Mavro is out bring in Golambeckis, drop Kilman and move Morato as centre back giving space for Boiro at l/bk.
Perhaps give give Orford/Magassa/Alvarez more time in mid field…
Who plays as striker_have we got one.
Won’t play Aerolo he’s been relegated to Nunos bomb squad.
Agreed!
Areola is no answer, he is rubbish. Never kicks the ball unless he has to. Punches when in danger, shakes when corners are taken around him. No thanks. Herrick may be young, but bring him on.
He’s not been great but then again been badly exposed by his defence. For me Kilman is a bigger issue. Don’t position himself correctly, don’t sense the danger and where it’s coming from leaving him chasing the ball a couple of seconds after the event leaving him a spectator at times. I would also say the midfield don’t understand their defence responsibilities and that’s on Nuno. Top that with how slow the ball is moved doesn’t make it easy.
He’s unlikely to drop a keeper who’s had 2 clean sheets in three games, but including a defensive midfielder would help all of the defenders
Its a hard one ..Because he is the very last person to see the ball cross the line…What about the ten outfield players?..They are all responsible…You could have driven a tank through our midfield on Saturday in the first fifteen minutes..Was that mads fault?…There are three central midfielders ..All good on the ball..But no good breaking up the play..One of them should have taken the reins early on..Not just wait for the ball…Just for the first ten minutes or so..Nothing fancy ..Just patrol the halfway line…Pace and strength says this should be Kantes job…He is too far forward looking for glory…Brilliant player just needs a word from his manager.