West Ham End of Season Analysis: Goalkeepers

STRATFORD, ENGLAND - MAY 14: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUNON SUNDAY OUT) Adam Lallana of Liverpool comes close during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium on May 14, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
STRATFORD, ENGLAND - MAY 14: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUNON SUNDAY OUT) Adam Lallana of Liverpool comes close during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium on May 14, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) /
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PETERBOROUGH, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Sam Howes of West Ham United replaces Adrain San Miguel during the Pre Season Friendly match between Peterborough United and West Ham United at London Road Stadium on July 11, 2015 in Peterborough, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
PETERBOROUGH, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Sam Howes of West Ham United replaces Adrain San Miguel during the Pre Season Friendly match between Peterborough United and West Ham United at London Road Stadium on July 11, 2015 in Peterborough, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /

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.