Huddersfield Town Opinion: Terriers should move for Keiren Westwood
According to a report from Examiner Live, Sheffield Wednesday shot-stopper Keiren Westwood has been linked with a move to Huddersfield Town in the summer.
The 34-year-old Republic of Ireland international is out of contract in the summer and a move to the John Smith’s Stadium looks likely to materialize for the popular figure at Hillsborough.
Westwood has managed an impressive 11 clean sheets from 18 appearances in the Championship this season after being reinstated as the club’s first choice between the sticks following the arrival of Steve Bruce.
Former manager Jos Luhukay favoured academy product Cameron Dawson as the No.1 earlier in the season but the Owls had the worst defensive record in the Championship under the Dutchman, having conceded 40 goals from 22 games.
That figure has come down significantly since Bruce’s arrival in December, with Westwood being an integral part of a backline that has shipped 14 goals in 19 games.
A youth product of Man City, Westwood played for Coventry City, Carlisle United and Sunderland before joining Sheffield Wednesday in 2014.
Boasting of a bagful of experience of playing in the lower divisions and capped by Ireland on 21 occasions at the senior international level, Westwood can be regarded as one of the most underrated goalkeepers in the lower echelons of English football in the recent era.
The veteran is still performing at the peak of his powers even at the age of 34 and it looks as if he has at least a season or two more left in his prime.
To put things into perspective, the acquisition of a hugely experienced shot-stopper like Westwood on a free transfer would be a massive coup for Huddersfield Town.
The Terries have already been relegated from the Premier League and they need to start planning for a successful season in the Championship next term. Westwood has loads of experience of playing in the second-tier and his reliable presence at the back should help them challenge for promotion back to the top flight.
Jonas Lossl has been the first choice between the sticks at the John Smith’s Stadium for large quarters of a disastrous season but Jan Siewert has omitted the Dane from the matchday squads for the last three games, with the manager trusting Englishman Ben Hamer to don the gloves.
However, Hamer hasn’t done any better than Lossl in recent weeks and came under criticism in the 4-1 defeat to Leicester City for his lacklustre performance. Moreover, Lossl is out of contract in the summer and Huddersfield would need to look at other options to fill in the void between the sticks.
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The Terriers have the second worst defensive record in the Premier League after Fulham, having shipped 67 goals from 34 games. Neither of the goalkeepers has done a great job and the fans have every reason to welcome Keiren Westwood with open arms.
That said, they should not hesitate to lure the veteran to the John Smith’s Stadium as he can contribute massively to their promotion push next season.
