West Ham End of Season Analysis: Goalkeepers
Youth Prospects?
It’s always hard to judge young keepers. You get some who come straight through as an outstanding talent, but because of the maturity required to excel as a goalkeeper some can surprise later on in their career. As such I don’t like to cast a wide net when making assumptions.
However I don’t think Raphael Spiegel will be troubling the first team any time soon. At 24 he should be starting to show his true quality, and it’s just not there right now. Whilst he has been involved in part with the U23 team, I don’t expect a big jump up any time soon.
Next: Are Hammers closing in on 23 goal striker?
Sam Howes, at 19, is a different story. He spent most of the season on loan at Hampton and Richmond Borough, where he helped them into the playoffs. He pulled off a number of top saves and was a key asset in their bid to get promoted. They may have fallen in the playoffs, but he did manage this nice save
Editor’s note: Since writing, Howes has been released by West Ham. I am slightly shocked by this and certainly didn’t think we’d let him go yet. Green Street Hammers wishes him the best in his future endeavors.
Nathan Trott and academy keeper Rihards Matrevics are still very young, and have only played for the youth sides at West Ham according to transfermarkt. It’s hard to judge where they will be, so whilst in the long term the Hammers may have a few decent keepers in line it’s also unfair to say that one will be sitting on the bench next year.