I write this after our goalless draw with Everton with West Ham 14th in the table on 12 points. Looking across various West Ham media, the mood is very much doom and gloom. There are ‘problems’ across the club; The board, the manager, Tim Steiden, the aging squad, the lack of pace in midfield, the injury to Niklas Fulkrug, the lack of discipline, no leadership – I could go on.
One problem that is relatively new though, is the goalkeeping situation. We have three goalkeepers – Areola, Fabianski and Foderingham – with a combined age of 113. Not necessarily the end of the world – goalkeepers have more longevity than outfield players, but it is a problem, well, if they are all a bit naff.
On paper – the three goalies are solid – a French international as number one, a capable veteran as number two, and a relatively decent journeyman as further back up. We started the season with Alfonse Areola between the sticks. I was pleased when we signed him originally.
A French international with a good pedigree having played for Real Madrid, PSG and Villareal, he also knew the Premier League after a very good loan stint with Fulham. I remember watching some Fulham games, and thinking Areola was an incredible shot stopper and an athletic, all-round keeper.
Doing a bit of research, Areola has been highly thought of for several years – as a keeper who is not only a good shot stopper, but good at crosses, commanding and very agile for his 6”5’ frame. I think he is going through a tricky patch and is worth sticking with, but as we know, there is no hiding place for a goalkeeper, and mistakes generally lead directly to a goal being conceded.
At 31 years of age, I expected Areola to be our man between the sticks for a good few years to come, and he may still be. This season, though, has not started well for the Frenchman, and he has found himself dropped for the 39-year-old Fabianski, after a poor performance in the 4-1 loss away at Tottenham.
Personally, I think this was a little harsh – the whole team could have been dropped after that game, and it seems that Areola has been made a scapegoat for a shocking team performance. It can be seen as a positive that Lopetegui has the balls to make a decision and drop a starter, but that is one of the few positives about our current manager, at the moment.
So, Super Fab or Flappyhandski – depending on which side of the fence you are. He played well against Man Utd and wasn’t bad against Forest. Does he keep his place? Not for me, I think it’s a step back for the team and I would hope to see Areola back in as soon as possible.
That said, credit to Fab, he’s clearly in good nick for 39, and is a good keeper. He had to bide his time as a professional – at the age of 29, he had only played 32 Premier League games, despite being at Arsenal for seven years.
During that time, he could struggle with crosses and had questionable distribution – these are still elements of his game that can be questionable. He does seem to instil more confidence in the defence than Areola – which is worth something as our whole backline has been lacking in confidence, although as has most of the team for that matter.
How long can Fab go on for? Goalkeepers can play until their late thirties, but much more? I recall Phil Parkes leaving us for Ipswich just before his fortieth birthday. Jussi Jaaskelain and Les Sealey also played for us at the age of 39.
But that age really is towards the end of a keeper’s career. I think, watching Fab, he has been in a slow decline for a few years. His reactions are not quite as fast, and he’s not getting down to the low shots as quick as he used to.
For me, as much as I can see why Fab has been put in the team, it smacks of a sticking plaster, a short-termist approach, which is pretty much the West Ham way, so I shouldn’t be surprised.
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