Jordan Archer of Millwall reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Birmingham City at The Den. (Getty Images)
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Forget it Pellegrini – West Ham’s goal would be safe if they steer clear of this 26-year-old free agent

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Why West Ham should avoid signing Jordan Archer on a free transfer

According to a report from Guardian, West Ham are weighing up a move to sign free agent goalkeeper Jordan Archer given their issues between the sticks.

Jordan Archer, 26, is without a club after leaving Millwall at the end of last season. Millwall lost both of their first-choice goalkeepers, with David Martin making the move from The New Den to West Ham. Archer, meanwhile, has been on trial with Aston Villa and is looking for a club. (h/t the Daily Mail)

West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini is under pressure after seven games without a win, with a steep decline in form leaving the East London outfit three points above the bottom three.

Jordan Archer in action for Millwall. (Getty Images)
Jordan Archer in action for Millwall. (Getty Images)

The latest defeat came against Tottenham on Saturday and even though the Hammers showed heart in the last 10-15 minutes to make it 3-2, it was another abject performance from Pellegrini’s side.

Much of West Ham’s poor form has been down to the glaring mistakes made in goal. Lukasz Fabianski has been sorely missed since he suffered a hip injury in September, and the veteran Pole’s absence has been intensified by calamitous performances from his deputy, Roberto.

Roberto has conceded a staggering 14 goals in the last 6 league games, with the Spaniard enduring another poor game against Tottenham. His woeful displays between the sticks have coincided with West Ham plummeting down the league table.

With third-choice David Martin being overlooked so far, West Ham are struggling without Fabianski – and they are now looking at the free-agent market for help. But will signing Jordan Archer on a free transfer ease West Ham’s problems in goal?

Lukasz Fabianski has been excellent for West Ham since joining from Swansea City in 2018. (Getty Images)
Lukasz Fabianski has been excellent for West Ham since joining from Swansea City in 2018. (Getty Images)

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Archer did play well over 100 games for Millwall but his displays in goal were often riddled with glaring errors. He played 27 times in the Championship for Millwall last season but has still not been picked up by any clubs since his contract expired. 

The one-cap Scotland international made some high-profile errors that actually saw him lose his place to David Martin by the end of his spell at the Den.

Verdict

With the 26-year-old Archer not showing dependability in goal for the Lions last season, it doesn’t make sense for West Ham to sign him. Perhaps, Pellegrini should hand Martin his fair share of chances in goal as Roberto looks completely out of sorts at the moment.

Come January, the Hammers should look to recruit a new goalkeeper to cover and compete with Fabianski but for now, they must stay away from Archer.