{"id":517084,"date":"2026-04-07T05:34:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T05:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/517084\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T05:34:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T05:34:14","slug":"gary-lineker-delivers-verdict-on-finlay-herricks-west-ham-debut-after-giving-it-large-to-leeds-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/517084\/","title":{"rendered":"Gary Lineker delivers verdict on Finlay Herrick’s West Ham debut after ‘giving it large’ to Leeds stars"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\/ Add as preferred source on Google <\/a> <\/p>\n

West Ham United goalkeeper Finlay Herrick had quite the first team debut on Sunday afternoon. <\/p>\n

It has been a good season for the West Ham United academy<\/a> despite the struggles that Nuno Espirito Santo<\/a>\u2019s first team have endured. <\/p>\n

The success of the academy was evident for all to see when Herrick came on for the injured Alphonse Areola just before Sunday\u2019s penalty shootout against Leeds in the FA Cup. <\/p>\n

What did you make of Adama Traore\u2019s performance? <\/p>\n

Has he won you over?<\/p>\n

\"West <\/p>\n

The 20-year-old Herrick did save the first penalty of the shootout<\/a>, denying\u00a0Joel\u00a0Piroe\u00a0in stunning fashion. Still, a combination of Leeds scoring their next four and West Ham<\/a> missing two of their\u00a0spot-kicks\u00a0meant it all ended in disappointment.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was still a moment to remember for Herrick, and Gary Lineker<\/a> liked what he saw. <\/p>\n

Lineker says Herrick was cocky\u00a0on West Ham debut\u00a0<\/p>\n

Speaking on The Rest Is Football<\/a>, Lineker said: \u201cHe was quite cocky, the young goalkeeper though, wasn\u2019t he? <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was giving it\u00a0large, chatting! I thought \u2018Crikey!’\u201d<\/p>\n

It must be said that the former England striker had a smile on his face when reflecting on Herrick\u2019s debut. <\/p>\n

There is absolutely no suggestion that he was criticising the custodian. Rather, Lineker seemed to enjoy what he saw from Herrick<\/a>. <\/p>\n

How do you feel about fans booing Max Kilman? \ud83d\ude33 <\/p>\n

West Ham fans are booing Kilman whenever he touches the ball. #WHUFC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Roshane Thomas (@RoshaneSport) April 5, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

Herrick did rightly celebrate his save, and he was seen shouting at the Leeds players who were gearing up for their attempts. <\/p>\n

Frankly, which of us wouldn\u2019t do the same thing? He joined West Ham as a six-year-old and has gone on quite the journey since. <\/p>\n

\"WestPhoto by Rob Newell \u2013 CameraSport via Getty Images<\/p>\n

This was a reward for his hard work and dedication. It was brilliant to see him enjoying it, rather than wilting under pressure. <\/p>\n

There are so often complaints of a lack of characters in modern football. <\/p>\n

Herrick is clearly one, so those criticising him (again, that\u2019s not to suggest that Lineker is) are being far too over the top. <\/p>\n

It\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0the fairytale debut he would have been hoping\u00a0for\u00a0but Herrick certainly made an impact.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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