It almost feels like, with every day that goes by, Premier League strugglers West Ham United make a decision which leaves everyone just that little bit more baffled.
Whether it be the superb form of Vladimir Coufal at Hoffenheim [the former West Ham favourite has been ‘flawless’ in the Bundesliga] or Nuno Espirito Santo’s inexplicable team selections. Tony Cottee was left baffled at Leeds as Callum Wilson joined Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa on the bench.
And this is without pointing fingers at the boardroom, where common sense appears as rare as a solid striker signing in East London.
On Wednesday, less than a week after a 2-1 loss at Elland Road saw further questions asked of Nuno, it was West Ham United’s decision to recall Finlay Herrick from his Boreham Wood loan spell which raised eyebrows.
So impressive had he been performing at the ambitious non-league outfit, Herrick earned a maiden England Under-20 call-up at the beginning of October. Ten appearances, six wins, only one defeat, and five clean sheets.
Boreham Wood are only two points off the top of the National League table. Coach Luke Gerrard was at pains to point out just how ‘important’ Herrick was proving to be, at a club looking to secure promotion to the EFL for the very first time.
So when West Ham opted to cut short Herrick’s stay at Meadow Park, the feeling in Hertfordshire was that the rug had been pulled from under their feet.
Boreham Wood fans stunned as West Ham United recall goalkeeper Finlay Herrick
Exactly why West Ham made such a decision is anyone’s guess. Boreham Wood offered no explanation via their official website, while the Hammers have not even commented on it.
Perhaps, as one supporter suggests, the plan may be to send him out on another loan spell. Maybe, a Football League club? Recalling Herrick only to bring him back into the Under-21 set-up would feel like a backwards step for a 19-year-old who was making a real impression during his first spell in senior football.
It is not as if there is an obvious role for him in Nuno’s plans right now, either. Lukasz Fabianski made his West Ham return a few weeks back, offering support for Alphonse Areola and Mads Hermansen.
If there was an injury to one of the three, then Herrick’s comeback might make a little more sense. As things stand, however, there are no suggestions of any fitness problems at Rush Green.
“I cannot express how big a loss Fin Herrick is for Boreham Wood,” one supporter wrote on X. “He’s made ten appearances for them so far this season and kept seven clean sheets. Conceded just 5 goals too. Insane.”
“[Herrick] will be a League One starter within 12 months I reckon.”
“Bit poor by them as he isn’t going to play,” another says. “I guess someone must be injured, but there’s Areola, Hermansen and Fabianski still.”
Others, meanwhile, fear that Boreham Wood’s promotion charge has just taken an almighty hit.
“We’re screwed.”
“And there’s our title fight gone.”
“Would they possibly loan him back out at a higher level?”
West Ham make an ‘absolutely bonkers’ decision
Herrick was West Ham’s starting goalkeeper at Premier League 2 level last term. Interim head coach Greg Lincoln has Krisztian Hegyi back available and starting games now in Herrick’s absence, following a season-ending injury for the Hungarian last term.
West Ham signed ex-Newcastle prospect Reece Byrne in September too. Byrne joined Tom Wooster, once of Manchester United, in their Under-21 set-up.
“I find it absolutely bonkers that we recalled him,” a confused West Ham supporter says. “He was on unreal form in his first senior loan. Now, we’ll need to wait till January to get him another loan.
“Are we expecting him to play? Surely not. Have we found him a better loan to go to? Maybe? Has everyone connected to the club lost their minds?”
Linus Kandolin is a huge fan of the ‘unbelievable’ Herrick
While a fine shot-stopper with a penchant for penalty kicks, Fin Herrick has made real progress at West Ham regarding his ball-playing talents in recent times.
The recently-departed Linus Kandolin labelled Herrick an ‘unbelievable’ talent when looking back on his brief spell as part of Graham Potter’s coaching staff in East London.
“We sent Fin on loan to Boreham Wood in Non-League,” Kandolin told Goalkeeper.com. “He needed a new challenge and to play men’s football.
“He’s unbelievably good on the ball, but he needs to challenge himself by commanding his area and defending the box.
“We try to see what goalkeepers are good at and where they need to improve. Every goalkeeper will have a different pathway, but our main objective was to put that time into individual improvement.”
