As a former goalkeeper himself, Nuno Espirito Santo can appreciate the pressure on Mads Hermansen and Alphonse Areola as West Ham United adapt to a set-piece dominated era.
Speaking ahead of Monday’s FA Cup clash with Brentford – one of the Premier League’s most fearsome dead-ball proponents – the Hammers head coach became the latest to question the weekly penalty area melee that tends to dominate top-flight matches these days.
West Ham United have conceded the most set-piece goals in the division. Alphonse Areola was dropped by Nuno after a couple of high-profile errors, such as the spill against Brighton and the penalty he gave away against Nottingham Forest.
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And though Mads Hermansen has four clean sheets in his last seven games, Nuno Espirito Santo feels it is unfair to expect his goalkeepers to thrive while opposition teams – yes, we are looking at you Arsenal – are crowding the goalmouth and almost scrumming the ball into the net.
Nuno Espirito Santo wants protection for Mads Hermansen and Alphonse Areola at West Ham United
“It’s changed, totally, what the referees now allow,” says Nuno, who played between the sticks for the likes of FC Porto, Deportivo la Coruna and Dinamo Moscow. “What’s happening in set-piece situations is almost crazy!
“I think [the referee’s association] should review it. They should come to the clubs and speak to the players, really try and explain to them what is a foul, what is contact, and how far you can go, so the players are more clear in their actions.
“Things that are [happening right now are] not normal. I consider many of them to be fouls; the contact, the holding, the grabbing, the blocks. The contact allowed onto the goalkeeper now makes a goalkeeper’s life very, very difficult.
“They are changing the nature of the game. Some of [the set-pieces] are legal, some are OK, but most of them are contacts that go much further than what is allowed in football.”
Nuno likely to start Areola in Brentford FA Cup clash
Hermansen pulled off a ‘brilliant’ save to frustrate Fulham in the dying embers of Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Craven Cottage. Given that Nuno tends to rotate his goalkeepers in cup competitions, though, Alphonse Areola is expected to take Hermansen’s place on Monday in the FA Cup fifth round.
The veteran Frenchman will therefore be tasked with combating the physical qualities of a Bees side who frequently cause havoc with Michael Kayode’s infamous long throws.
“I already had the chance to address this to Howard Webb [the PGMOL’s Chief Refereeing Officer],” Nuno admits. “He was sensible enough to recognise that something is going on. It’s not only me, I think [the frustration] goes through the whole league.
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“Not only corners, throw-ins! Brentford are one of the most effective teams at set-pieces. It’s really something we have to assess for Monday night.
“When a throw-in was a bad execution, the referee would come [penalise it as a foul throw]. Now, we see throw-ins sometimes inside the pitch, sometimes the foot is raised. They are not acknowledging that part of the game, so that’s why my worries are with the referees.
“Contact with goalkeepers inside the six-yard box was considered a foul. Now, it’s changed totally. I’m happy that I don’t have to play now because it’s really, really hard on them!
“Honestly, it’s not because I’m going to face Brentford, it’s coming from all over the league. We as managers have a natural concern about it. I think it’s out of our hands. We don’t really know what is a foul, what is allowed in terms of contact.
“It’s a big concern. I think it should be addressed! I think I saw a stat; 18 goals from throw-ins. We never saw that in the Premier League before.”
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