Of all the problems Graham Potter ran into at West Ham United, the poor form of both Alphonse Areola and Mads Hermansen proved to be among the most damaging.
During what was supposed to be his final season as the Hammers’ number one, Areola became a ‘glaring weak spot’ between the sticks.
And when he took last season’s errors into pre-season – the experienced Frenchman committed yet another blunder when trying and failing to play out from the back against Manchester United in the USA – West Ham United’s determination to find a long-term replacement was only strengthened.
Yet, while Mads Hermansen did earn a Save of the Month nomination in August, that Potter felt the need to reintroduce Areola ahead of his final match in charge spoke volumes about the Dane’s dreadful start.
Hammers News were even told, by sources at the club, that some expected Lukasz Fabianski to return to the XI shortly after the 40-year-old re-joined the Londoners on a short-term deal.
On a more positive note, while West Ham’s current goalkeeping options have endured a difficult year, their next generation of shot-stoppers are faring much better.
Finlay Herrick was ‘excellent’ for West Ham’s Under-21s in the first few weeks of the new campaign. Reserve team coach Mark Robson highlighted the vast improvements in Herrick’s game when it came to playing out from the back, too.
And, embarking upon a first-ever senior loan spell at non-league outfit Boreham Wood, that recent progress is being impressively maintained.
Not to mention rewarded.
West Ham United’s Finlay Herrick earns England Under-20 call-up amid Boreham Wood brilliance
As his representatives from the Two Touch Agency put it, via their official Instagram account, Finlay ‘Fin’ Herrick ‘has made a stellar start to life on loan at Boreham Wood’.
The 19-year-old has now played six National League matches. In that time, he has won four, keeping three clean sheets, while remaining undefeated. Herrick even saved a penalty during the 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe, albeit the rebound would be tucked away in the immediate aftermath.
“The West Ham goalkeeper is making a statement on his first senior loan,” the Two Touch Agency add.
Speaking of penalties, Herrick appears to have a knack for repelling spot-kicks.
The teenager excelled from 12 yards as England’s Under-18s beat the Netherlands in the Pinatar Super Cup last year. Back in 2023, Herrick helped knock Southampton out of the FA Youth Cup during a penalty shoot-out triumph, while also saving further spot-kicks against West Brom and Manchester City.
Herrick has now played 11 times for the Young Lions between Under-16 and Under-19 level. His 12th cap could come for the Under-20s this month.
Herrick earned his first call-up for the U20s on Friday.
“Obviously, Finn is a goalkeeper that is highly-regarded in the England set-up, let alone West Ham,” Boreham Wood coach Luke Garrard says.
“We know what traits and characteristics he has. We know how much and how important he is going to be in our progression.”
Tom Wooster and Reece Bryne join West Ham’s Under-21 ranks
Currently fifth in the National League table, Herrick’s immediate impact has Boreham Wood dreaming of promotion to the EFL for the first time in their 77-year history.
In Herrick’s absence, West Ham have signed ex-Newcastle youngster Reece Byrne to provide cover for the remainder of this season’s Premier League 2 campaign. One-time Manchester United prospect Tom Wooster has impressed Robson as well, after an initial trial period paved the way for a contract offer.
Wooster saved a penalty of his own during the 3-1 defeat by Reading in the EFL Cup a few days ago.
Herrick’s near-namesake Finlay Hooper signed professional terms at West Ham too, while opening up on the privilege he feels learning off a goalkeeper who already had Polish Ekstraklasa title under his belt before the 17-year-old was even born.
“Fabianski is a club legend. Everybody loves him,” Hooper told the club’s official website after watching a man nearly a quarter-of-a-century older make his West Ham return in the 5-1 dismantling of MK Dons in the EFL Trophy.
“When we did pre-match at the hotel, I was asking him questions. He’s a genuine guy, doesn’t think he’s better than anyone else, and speaks to everyone with respect, which I really admire. That’s who you want to learn from.
“Being so close to the first team, just a pitch away [at Rush Green], it’s a massive thing. If you want to be over there, you’ve got to prove it. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a few training sessions, in-house games, time on the bench and things like that.
“Being around those players, that’s where you want to be.”
