Hammers stopper Randolph reflects on positive campaign

Darren Randolph may have lost his spot as West Ham’s No.1 towards the end of the season but the goalkeeper is adamant that 2016-17 will still go down as a successful campaign for him.

Entering the season as a back-up, Randolph became the first-choice stopper ahead of Adrian in November and went on to make 27 appearances in all competitions.

But a succession of dicey displays in April saw the Irishman cede the gloves back to Adrian for the final six games of the Premier League season.

However, Randolph did win West Ham’s Save of the Season award for pushing Jordan Henderson’s long-range piledriver over the bar with his fingertips against Liverpool at Anfield in December and the 30-year-old was largely content with his year’s work.

(Photo by Kieran Galvin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“It’s always nice to get a pat on the back for your hard work throughout the season and nice to get that recognition,” said Randolph.

“I don’t remember too much before the actual [Henderson] shot. I remember him hitting the shot and it kind of went in slow motion, then I thought ‘Uh-oh!’, then I moved my feet and kind of just threw myself and I managed to get there and tip it over the bar.

“I didn’t realise how good a save it was until I watched it back, because you never get to see the replays on the big screens. I didn’t realise it was so far in the corner at the time, I thought it was more central.

“Sometimes when you back you think ‘That wasn’t as good as I thought’ and other times you think ‘It was better than I thought’ and that was definitely in the latter category.

“It was a good season for me. Obviously I got in the team and played 27 games, I think it was, then unfortunately got taken out of the team, but that’s football.

“I like to think that, when I’ve played, I’ve contributed to the team and helped us pick up points, so on the whole, for myself it’s been a good season.”