It is never a great sign when one of your big-money summer signings is dropped just four games in, as was the case with West Ham United and Graham Potter’s new £18 million goalkeeper Mads Hermansen against Crystal Palace.
Jamie Redknapp felt, even after just two games, that Hermansen needed to be taken out of the firing line.
Redknapp watched the ex-Leicester goalkeeper concede five goals in the space of just 43 minutes against Chelsea on what was only the second weekend of the campaign.
But if that maiden West Ham United clean sheet away at Nottingham Forest was supposed to be a turning point for Mads Hermansen, the phrase ‘false dawn’ came to mind as Tottenham took advantage of his set-piece Achilles heel in another crushing derby defeat.
While Graham Potter has the good sense to stop short of admitting his faith in the club’s new number one has been shaken, actions certainly speak louder than words. Potter replaced Hermansen with Alphonse Areola last weekend.
Now, ahead of the trip to Everton, Potter would not be drawn on who will start between the sticks at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Graham Potter explains Mads Hermansen vs Alphonse Areola situation at West Ham United
Determined as ever to see the silver lining, Potter insists he is glad to have competition for a starting spot.
In private, however, one suspects the manager will be wishing Hermansen had endured a less traumatic beginning to life in East London.
“I think it’s always a difficult decision when you’re making team selections, certainly at this level,” Potter begins. “Because there are – you can imagine – lots of top players with great attributes.
“I was happy with Alphonse when he came into the team. I think he had a good game, and I’m happy with the competition.”
Areola did little wrong against Palace.
Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos were ‘really poor’ again when trying and failing to defend yet another corner. One converted by Jean-Philippe Mateta just past the half-hour mark. Clearly, West Ham’s set-piece issues run a lot deeper than the man in goal, although Areola does seem to possess more presence inside the six-yard box than his younger rival.
Former England glovesman Paul Robinson feels Hermansen’s issues stem from a tendency to stay glued to his line. A bit more aggression, a dash more bravery, would be a start, perhaps.
“Graham Potter has got problems,” Robinson told BBC Sport after that Spurs reverse. “I was surprised when they signed Mads Hermansen. He was susceptible last season and, watching him today, he has not left his line once.
“You need help from the goalkeeper and that has not come from Hermansen.”
Potter insists he remains Hammers backing before Everton trip
While Potter praised the performances of El Hadji Malick Diouf and ruled out his fellow full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka yet again during his Friday press conference, the exit-linked head coach insists he retains the backing of the players.
Potter held ‘positive’ talks with the West Ham hierarchy this week, too, though the pursuit of a replacement is very much underway.
“[Yes, the players still back me] is the simple answer. I know that’s probably not what people want to hear because they want to create more negativity. But that’s the reality,” said a bullish Potter.
“There’s noise from the outside that you can’t control. What you can control is how you work here, the support you have with the players, the support you have with the staff. And I can’t speak highly enough of everybody here.
“Their support and effort has been amazing.”
