Why Darren Randolph should start over Adrian
In addition to the new stadium and the new badge, there are new problems at West Ham United. The rocky start to the season can be attributed to a variety of different factors, but conceding 19 goals in the first 10 games has not helped the situation.
Slaven Bilic has implemented many solutions, which have had varying levels of success. Switching from a back four to a back three has helped stabilise the backline, but the foundation of a strong defence stems from the man you have in between the sticks; the goalkeeper. In my opinion, Darren Randolph has more than earned his right to start in the league. His chance to shine is long overdue.
Today’s defeat at Goodison Park was by no means a deserved loss. A first half that warranted a goal from the side in claret and blue, the Hammers were unlucky to come out of the game with nothing. Although Romelu Lukaku’s record against West Ham is impeccable, he was left with an empty net to shoot in for the opening goal. The original effort on goal that comes in is easy for Adrian to deal with. He has two options. Either to try and hold onto the ball, or to punch it as wide as possible. He does neither, and Yannick Bolasie feeds Lukaku for a tap-in.
The second goal is another that the Spanish shot-stopper should have done better with. Ross Barkley’s should not be beating him at his near post and as a result, the Irons leave Merseyside empty handed.
But this is not the first time Adrian has been costly with his performances. The home capitulation to Watford was as a result of shots being directed straight at him that would still be finding their way into the back of the net, as well as poor positioning (particularly for Troy Deeney’s equalising goal).
There were times towards the end of last season that were also detrimental to the club finishing in the top six where Adrian should have done better. At home to Crystal Palace for instance, where he flaps at a ball that was going out of play which ended up being turned in.
Darren Randolph put in a fine display in the EFL Cup, making some fine saves to deny Chelsea and help the Hammers reach the quarter-finals of the competition. Adrian coming back into the side was the only change that Bilic made for the game against Everton and it has proved to be a costly one. The Irishman deserves to be given a run of matches in the Premier League and dropping Adrian would make a starting place in the team even more competitive.
Adrian is a fan favourite, but Randolph is much more commanding. His distribution is efficient, and his ability to come for crosses has improved. An international goalkeeper for the Republic of Ireland, he could easily start for the majority of sides in the Premier League and to not make the most of his services would be a waste of talent. Starting Randolph against Stoke next week will only help the club’s chances of getting the three points.