As I have said previously, it is so important to have a consistent goalkeeper; one that offers a sense of confidence in the manager, the players around him and also the fans. I have also said before that Graham Potter had managed to improve us defensively towards the back end of last season and Alphonse Areola was the number one. And finally, I commented on the fact that, in my opinion, changing the number one right at the beginning of the new season could undo some of the good work done with the defence. It appears that I was correct.
So, why did West Ham need a new goalkeeper? Well, Lukasz Fabianski had been released by West Ham so Potter needed either a new number one or a number two goalkeeper. Although Areola was the number one at the club under Potter at the end of the season, there were question marks over his reliability and I had said before that he needs to consistently perform and play well for his place in the team, as all players should.
Hermansen Arrives: Ball-Playing Skills and a Steep Debut
Mads Hermansen was signed on the 9th August. He is renowned for his ball-playing skills, alongside shot-stopping talent. Now, most goalkeepers these days are fairly adept with the ball at their feet and this, on paper, would suit the style of play that Potter likes. Building from the back. So, it’s understandable that Potter would be interested in him. He is also known for saving crucial penalties.
Hermansen was successful at Leicester City, being given confidence and responsibility by his manager at the time (current Chelsea Manager and ex West Ham assistant: Enzo Maresca) which he appreciated. He earned a place in the Championship Team of the Season as Leicester City won the Championship title and secured promotion back to the Premier League. Hermansen was playing in a struggling team and they just got worse and worse. This would of course affect any player and their confidence, particularly a goalkeeper who is conceding goals in a struggling team.
A week after signing for West Ham, Hermansen made his competitive debut on the 16th August against newly-promoted Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Was I surprised that he was put straight in goal after only being at the club for one week? Yes, I was. The goalkeeper position is so very important. In my opinion, Hermansen was thrown in at the deep end, playing with strangers.
Disastrous Debuts and Unfair Scrutiny
As we know, the match did not go very well for the team but also for him personally. A disastrous second half saw West Ham defeated by a 3-0 scoreline. I would say that he was let down by our centre backs for the first two headed goals but that maybe the third goal was saveable. After a tough start to your West Ham career, the next match would be live on Sky on Friday Night Football. Home to Chelsea against your former manager, who you loved playing under. Another disaster, five goals conceded this time, in front of your home fans.
Hermansen, as well as all of the players/manager needs to take responsibility of course, he let in some goals that he should have done better with – the fourth and fifth goal. But ask yourself this: Why was he trying to command his box here? Maybe because his centre backs have instilled no confidence in him in one and a half matches. Three headed goals across two games by the time of the fourth goal. He should have done better, it’s fair to say, but the amount of stick he has got on social media (mainly X) is not fair. Supporters support.
System Failure: The 3-5-2 Problem
I think it is fair to say that the 3-5-2 system is not working. Potter surely will adapt. As I write this, West Ham have just lost 3-2 away at Wolves in the Carabao Cup, playing the same system; with another two headed goals scored, this time with Areola in goal. The system needs changing. Perhaps, working on crosses in training also needs to happen. Whatever happens there has to be a sense of trust between the centre backs and the goalkeeper otherwise this thread will continue to be pulled and if you’re conceding a lot of goals then the team will not win football matches. It’s everyone’s responsibility – you defend and attack as a team.
I believe that Graham Potter will continue to have Mads Hermansen as his number one. As stated, the problems are on their way to becoming deep-rooted and questions have to be asked about the majority of players and the system being played. It is not getting success out of the players that Potter has at his disposal. Three defeats in three matches is as bad as it gets. But, let’s get behind the players, including Mads Hermansen. He has had success in his career so there’s no reason why that cannot continue at West Ham.
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