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An Accident Waiting To Happen Gago-Why Not Jo?

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Thu, 21/11/2019 - 17:45

Managers of modern day football clubs have not only to try and impress their own style of play on both their players and supporters alike, but also have to be diplomatic when it comes to criticism facing their players, especially so it seems if the player in question is an incredibly frail goal keeper who has just conceded 12 goals in the preceding six Barclays Premier League matches since taking over from last season's player of the year!

Roberto Jiminez Gago is a well travelled keeper with vast experience, but his exploits between the sticks for West Ham United have been catastrophically atrocious, admittedly not aided by an incredibly embarrassing ponderous and porous defence. His confidence must be shot following what was probably the worst of a bad bunch of performances, culminating with his own goal in the miserable 3-0 defeat at Turf Moor against Burnley.

So why throw a player who is clearly disintegrating in to the maelstrom of a london derby against the club's fiercest rivals, rivals who will be egged on by the arrival of their new manager 'old sourpuss' himself, Jose Mourinho, who will be looking forward to putting one over on his old sparring partner Manuel Pellegrini. Pellegrini and Mourinho don't send each other Christmas cards, in fact they have a mutual contempt for each other, so it will be interesting to see if Pelle's well coiffured feathers get rustled by the presence of the Portugeezer.

So, what other options ahead of such an important game does the Hammers manager have to fill such a crucial position in his starting line up? David Martin is the fans' choice, son of West Ham and England legend Alvin Martin, he would bleed Claret and Blue, why not? Essentially David Martin was signed from Millwall to be a 'target Joe', in other words cannon fodder for the players to 'have a go' at. He was never signed to play for the first or even second team, so selecting him is seen as an unreal, despite being popular, option.

Pellegrini is quoted as saying “Every player when they are in a bad moment needs the confidence of us behind them. Roberto has a lot of experience in a lot of countries. He knows it’s not his best performance in the last game, but I think that all of us must be behind him.” A statement that will strike fear in to the hearts of the thousands who will turn up for the early kick off at the London Stadium!

If David Martin is out of the frame, why not promote Joseph Anang from the U 23 squad? He has been performing admirably and wouldn't be as fazed as Martin might be in a big match situation, he could not be any worse than Gago, and would more than likely be a whole lot better! He might grab the opportunity with both hands and show that he is capable of stepping up to the next level.

Although Anang is registered as one of the club's youth players, a special FA emergency goal keeper's dispensation is available to promote him to the senior squad, and Manuel Pellegrini should snap at the chance. If Anang isn't included in the U 23 squad due to play on Friday, then speculation will intensify as to whether he plays instead of Hammers current calamity clown. - Ed

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I've watched both that you mention and neither can come in for Roberto unfortunately so we are stuck with him. Anang is a bright prospect, but is nowhere near premier league ready, and definitely not in our biggest derby of the year. Martin is horrible, way worse than Roberto. Hopefully it's not a cricket score on satirday

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31 users have voted.

Anyone Is worse than Roberto,I'd rather have sully between the sticks than him!

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