West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini is reportedly set to continue with under-fire goalkeeper Roberto for the London derby versus Tottenham Hotspur on the 23rd November. As reported by Claret and Hugh, David Martin, who many are calling for to replace the Spaniard, was offered a contract aimed at making him what is known as a ‘training ground keeper’.
An insider told the site: “It would be a shock if he called him into the first team – the likelihood is that Roberto will be given more time. Despite some big mistakes, there have also been some top saves and although anything is possible in this game, the present thinking seems to be that he will hold his place for the Spurs game.”
These latest reports haven’t gone down well with the supporters.
Why give him a squad number then it’s a waste of a squad place. The club is so badly run.
— William Field (@wilfield71) November 14, 2019
I’d put Fabianski on crutches between the sticks then, can’t do much worse surely !
— Russell Kirby (@rustyk1971) November 14, 2019
Looooool this club
— Simon?? (@BrexitIniesta16) November 14, 2019
HAHAHAHA only at West Ham .. So looking forward to this game now !!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Chris Shepherd (@shepherd_1972) November 14, 2019
What a load of nonsense ??
— Rob Holloway (@robhollo) November 14, 2019
The circus is in full swing
All defeats until fab is back in january then!
Bottom at xmas— hammerhead (@larryberyl) November 14, 2019
Good grief it gets worse
— Nicholas Johnson (@nickjohns47) November 14, 2019
What do we think?
If David Martin, son of legendary West Ham defender Alvin Martin was signed with the intention of being nothing more than a ‘training ground keeper’, then sticking with Roberto isn’t as bad a decision as it appears on the surface. Despite being in a poor run of form the 33-year-old has played over 337 times in Spain, Portugal, Greece, in the Champions League and the Europa League.
The Spaniard boasts far more top-level experience and it seems Martin has never featured in Pellegrini’s plans. Whilst the goalkeeping position has been problematic for the club in recent weeks, it’s not the only area in which they need to significantly improve, so perhaps there is too much focus on who will line up in-between the posts rather than the team as a whole.