Freelance journalist and Evertonian Simon Hart on why the appointment of Chris Woods as goalkeeping coach is good news for the Hammers…
Chris Woods was part of a very successful backroom staff at Everton, who helped to build very strong foundations at the club.
They brought in good players and good characters and there was a real sense of unity, which brought the best out of players. He’s seen how players can develop within the right structures and Tim Howard is a case in point.
He probably arrived at Everton with his confidence maybe a little damaged by what happened at Manchester United, and developed into one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers with Chris Woods playing an integral part in that.
The relationship between him and Tim Howard must have been special, because he then became the USA goalkeeping coach too. Jurgen Klinsmann, who as a German must have worked with some pretty good goalkeepers in his time, must respect what he can bring.
So, not only does Chris bring Premier League experience, but World Cup experience too, from that American team who got to the last 16 in Brazil last summer.
Before that, Chris went to Manchester United along with David Moyes, Steve Round, Jimmy Lumsden and Phil Neville.
Like many people at the top of their industries, to get into Moyes’ circle may not be easy, but Chris obviously became a trusted lieutenant.
Of course, It was Walter Smith who brought him to Everton back in 1998 so he must be very respected if Moyes kept him on.
He brought in Alan Irvine from Newcastle, and Mike Rathbone too, but kept Chris Woods, which says something in itself.
Slaven Bilic was also a player at Everton, and it’s not the first time there’s been a connection between the clubs, with the likes of Tony Cottee, Ian Bishop and Mark Ward, so Chris adds to that line!
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of West Ham United