This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Paul Robinson has suggested that Manuel Pellegrini should take Roberto out of the West Ham United team for his own good, as reported by Football Insider.
What did he say?
The Spaniard has had a very tough time of it since coming in for Lukasz Fabianski, with the Hammers taking just one point from the six games he has started.
There are no signs that things are getting better for the 33-year-old either, as he has conceded three goals in each of his last three games, making errors that have made a large contribution to that concerning number.
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Paul Robinson has suggested that enough is enough, feeling that Pellegrini needs to think of Roberto’s lack of confidence, as quoted by Football Insider: “He can’t just leave Roberto in there, I feel sorry for him, Pellegrini has to take him out.
“I think the manager has to take him out regardless of if you put Martin in or someone from the U-23s, he has to change it.
“He is devoid of confidence, he doesn’t want the ball anywhere near him, you can see he is a bag of nerves, whatever he is trying to do it just doesn’t work.
“Unfortunately, when you get in situations like that as a keeper and the crowd are on your back, there’s not a lot you can do.
“It’s a very very difficult situation and he needs to be taken out of the firing line straight away.”
The correct call
Robinson is making the right call in this situation, as it is difficult to see how Roberto can carry on in goal with his current form.
Not only is this detrimental for the team, but it can be imagined that playing such a large role in losing points week-in week-out must be soul-destroying for the goalkeeper.
This will only be added to by the amount of attention that is being placed upon him, as indicated by the fact he was heavily criticised by West Ham fans after the loss against Tottenham Hotspur.
Regarding Robinson’s suggestion of who could come in, Joseph Anang may be a better option than David Martin.
The 19-year-old will be filled with confidence, having kept five clean sheets in 11 Premier League 2 games this season.
That is a trait West Ham haven’t seen in their goalkeeper for quite some time now.
In other news, there has been an update on Lukasz Fabianski’s injury situation.