Former West Ham goalkeeper Phil Parkes tears into Roberto after Burnley defeat

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Retired goalkeeper Phil Parkes made 344 league appearances for West Ham so he knows a thing or two about playing between the sticks for the Hammers.

And he has spoken to Claret and Hugh about current West Ham gloveman Roberto after his shocking performance in the 3-0 loss at Burnley.

He said: “I haven’t seen a lot of Roberto but it’s pretty obvious he’s not very good. I don’t like him at all and he doesn’t even look like a goalkeeper to me – he looks like an outfield player who has somehow found his way between the sticks.

“The manager needs to make sure Dave Martin is between the posts against Spurs. It would be unfair on Roberto and the team to keep playing him. The bloke needs to drop to the bench. Things need to change – the goalkeeping situation has to be addressed right away. End of.”

TBR’s View – Parkes is right, Roberto needs to be taken out of the firing line

Sometimes, a goalkeeper needs the backing of his manager to play through bad form but this has gone too far now.

Roberto is an experienced stopper who could reasonably be expected to come into the side and hit the ground running and the way that he has spectacularly failed to do that has created such uncertainty throughout the team.

Of course the attacking players need to step up but everyone connected with the Hammers would feel more comfortable if Martin was the man between the sticks for the visit of Tottenham after the international break.