Alan Pardew says Alphonse Areola problem must be addressed ‘very quickly’ at West Ham – ‘Trouble’
Alphonse Areola was once again punished for a mistake in West Ham’s 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
West Ham took the lead against Forest when Murillo headed the ball into his own net, and they thought they had made it 2-0 before Crysencio Summerville’s volley was disallowed for offside.
Forest replied instantly through Nicolas Dominguez’s looping header, and with the match on a knife-edge, Areola produced a calamitous error.
When Elliot Anderson swung in a dangerous free-kick, Areola accidentally punched Morgan Gibbs-White in the face when attempting to clear, allowing the midfielder to score from the spot late on after VAR intervention.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are now seven points adrift of safety, and Alan Pardew believes the Hammers have to replace Areola if they are to have any chance of avoiding relegation.
Alan Pardew believes West Ham need a new goalkeeper
Areola made a stunning save to deny Neco Williams in the first half, but his moment of madness in the closing minutes might have sealed his fate as West Ham‘s number one goalkeeper.
West Ham are interested in signing Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento, and made an initial loan offer with an option to buy him for £10million on Sunday.
However, with the Brazilian shot-stopper preferring a move to Italian side Genoa, the Hammers will need to set their sights on another target, and Pardew believes that it has to become a priority.
Speaking live on talkSPORT on Wednesday, he said: “If you haven’t got the right personnel, then you’re in trouble, and that’s particularly the case with Areola.
| Stat | Areola |
| Appearances | 17 |
| Clean sheets | 0 |
| Saves | 68 |
| Save percentage | 68% |
| xG prevented | -1.71 |
“He’s made a fantastic save in the first half, which is typical of him, but it’s crosses that are a problem.
“He doesn’t look comfortable from crosses, and they’re swinging them right on top of him. It’s proving that the goalkeeper situation needs to be addressed very, very quickly.”
The offer for Bento shows Nuno is in search of an upgrade, but with the games coming thick and fast, the Hammers need to find a solution to their goalkeeper problem sooner rather than later.
West Ham are embroiled in a relegation battle, and this has partly boiled down to their defensive issues, which have been brutally exposed.
A new goalkeeper won’t save West Ham from relegation
However, while a lot of focus goes on the league’s worst defence, some attention must be paid to their attacking woes.
Jarrod Bowen has six league goals this season, and although the Hammers have invested in Taty Castellanos and Pablo, it looks to be too little, too late if Nuno remains at the helm.
With two wins in 16 matches, the Portuguese head coach has an abysmal win percentage, and he could be sacked at any minute.
The midfield looks inexperienced and ill-equipped to handle the pressure of a relegation battle, with Lucas Paqueta performing so poorly this season.
The issues run far deeper than just replacing a goalkeeper, and while Areola should be replaced, a lot more has to be done if the Hammers want to go on a miraculous winning run.
Stay up to date this winter with our West Ham transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at the London Stadium, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.