Nuno insists that Mads Hermansen\u2019s time will come<\/a> at the London Stadium. But for now, he is picking up where Potter left off by putting his faith in the older, more experienced Alphonse Areola<\/a>.<\/p>\n In truth, Areola restricted Brentford to just two goals<\/a> in East London. Without him, the Bees could have racked up a scoreline more reflective of the staggering gulf between the two sides. Though, with his 33rd birthday approaching and having made his fair share of mistakes too in the last year or so, Areola\u2019s return to the XI is rather damning in itself.<\/p>\n Especially considering that West Ham, only a few months ago, paid \u00a318 million for what was supposed to be his immediate replacement.<\/p>\n Linus Kandolin, the goalkeeping coach who joined in July and departed alongside Potter in September, was disappointed to see his spell in the English capital cut short. There is one glovesman he loved working with at Rush Green, meanwhile. <\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t Hermansen or Areola, however, but a 19-year-old Finlay Herrick.<\/p>\n Speaking to Goalkeeper.com<\/a>, former Elfsborg and Ostersunds coach Kandolin shone some light on the role he played during that brief stint at West Ham. He was the assistant to lead goalkeeping coach Casper Ankergren.<\/p>\n This meant that Kandolin\u2019s role was more focused on the club\u2019s best Under-21 talent, and those on the verge of a senior breakthrough. Herrick, for instance.<\/p>\n The 19-year-old was West Ham\u2019s starting goalkeeper at Under-21 level last season. He thrived as Mark Robson\u2019s side finished an impressive fourth in the Premier League 2 table.<\/p>\n And though the teenager is making a reputation for himself as something of a penalty-saving specialist, Robson highlighted Herrick\u2019s \u2018excellent\u2019 ball-playing talents<\/a>. Something Kandolin spotted as well, before green-lighting a loan move to non-league outfit Boreham Wood.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I work with an older, more experienced goalkeeper, I never throw all my thoughts or methodologies at him. I discuss and give him some parts, which he can put into his way of working. With a younger goalkeeper, I give them more tools,\u201d says Kandolin, who learned a lot from Herrick as well as the other way around.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t necessarily tell Fin how to act in the build-up, because he\u2019s so good at it and his way works for him. I would rather take stuff from him and put it into my methodology.<\/p>\n \u201cWe also had big help from Billy Lepine, the goalkeeper coach in the Under-21s. We had weekly meetings to discuss the goalkeepers and what would be the best journey for them. <\/p>\n \u201cWe sent Fin on loan to Boreham Wood in Non-League. He needed a new challenge and to play men\u2019s football.\u201d<\/p>\n Kandolin admits that decision was made in an attempt to get Herrick used to the physicality of the senior game.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s unbelievably good on the ball, but he needs to challenge himself by commanding his area and defending the box,\u201d the 34-year-old adds. <\/p>\n \u201cWe try to see what goalkeepers are good at and where they need to improve. Every goalkeeper will have a different pathway, but our main objective was to put that time into individual improvement.\u201d<\/p>\n Kandolin eyes England return as he prepares for Graham Potter reunion<\/p>\n![\"Fin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2226537807-1024x635.jpg\")
Photo by Pete Norton\/Getty ImagesLinus Kandolin explains what makes West Ham United youngster Finlay Herrick special<\/p>\n