David Moyes explains exactly why he dropped Alphonse Areola and brought back Lukasz Fabianski to the starting XI

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West Ham boss David Moyes has explained why Lukasz Fabianski came back into the team in place of Alphonse Areola on Sunday against Southampton.

Lukasz Fabianski has been the number one goalkeeper for West Ham over the past 18 months, in spite of Alphonse Areola being brought in from Paris Saint-Germain.

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David Moyes has received plenty of criticism from the Hammers fans this season for his refusal to start Areola, 30, consistently in the Premier League.

However, Fabianski was absolutely brilliant on Sunday against Southampton so in fairness to the Scot, he got that call absolutely spot on.

And Moyes has opened up as to exactly why he chose to bring the Pole back into the starting lineup against the Saints…

David Moyes lifts lid on Lukasz Fabianski and Alphonse Areola decision

Speaking on Sky Sports on Sunday, Moyes explained exactly why he brought Fabianski back into the team in place of Areola:

“Really pleased (to have Lukasz Fabianski back). It was a big decision between Lukasz and Alphonse, who has done really well. But we just felt that Lukasz hasn’t done much wrong and has healed after a nasty injury.”

Now, it seemed like a harsh call at the time but it was one that yielded great rewards for the Hammers.

I have criticised Moyes probably more than most, but he deserves a lot of credit for having the guts to bring the 37-year-old back into the team on Sunday.

Fab made some brilliant saves – match-winning ones, and he commanded his penalty area with authority.

That is one thing that Alphonse Areola doesn’t do so well and as much as I’ve championed the Frenchman to be our number one goalkeeper, Lukasz Fabianski did look considerably better than him on Sunday.

I refuse to criticise the former PSG ace though. It’s nigh on impossible for a goalkeeper to play once a month on average and build up any kind of consistency or rhythm.

Unfortunately for Areola, he just hasn’t played regularly enough to build up any kind of confidence and familiarity with his back four.

Hopefully next season he will get that chance in the Premier League but as things stand, Fabianski is clearly still Moyes’s number one.

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