Former West Ham United midfielder John Moncur has suggested the clubs demise is partly down to their decision to allow Adrian to leave in the summer. The Spaniard left the club on a free transfer and was picked up by Premier League leaders Liverpool as a back-up to Alisson.
The Hammers’ goalkeeping troubles have been well documented this season with Roberto having failed to maintain the standards set by the injured Lukasz Fabianski.
Speaking on Love Sport Radio, Moncur said: “It’s a pivotal position and it has led to the demise in results. If you look at the goalkeeper at the moment, he’s a fine shot-stopper but it seems to happen after he’s thrown the game away and that’s the frustrating thing about it”.
TIF Tactics – Pellegrini not to blame for Adrian’s departure
Since the Polish international goalkeeper sustained his injury, West Ham have failed to win and in that period conceded 11 goals which further strengthens Moncur’s claim. The east-London club signed Spanish goalkeeper Roberto from La Liga outfit Espanyol during the summer but his performances have left a lot to be desired – following his extremely poor performance at Turf Moor last weekend it seems the fans and ex-players have had enough.
The return of Fabianski cannot come soon enough but the clubs current issues are not isolated to one area of the field. Manuel Pellegrini faces a huge task when it comes to turning the team’s fortunes around but to blame the 66-year-old for Adrian’s departure feels harsh. Despite being offered a contract, Adrian’s heart was set on becoming a free-agent enabling him to search for either a bigger club or first-team football and subsequently got a late move to Liverpool.