Former West Ham goalkeeper Ludek 'Ludo' Miklosko has backed Jussi Jaaskelainen - despite the veteran stopper's error at Carrow Road last weekend.
Jaaskelainen dropped the ball when coming to claim a cross against Norwich and subsequently conceded a penalty as he scrambled to retain control of the ball. At the time West Ham were 1-0 ahead and looking comfortable, but eventually fell to a demoralising 3-1 defeat.However despite Jaaskelainen's glaring mistake, he has the backing of former great Ludo Miklosko, who told KUMB.com that he still has faith in the veteran Finn. "I think he's a good goalkeeper," said Miklosko, "but maybe after the Norwich game he needs another good game.
"I know people may say he's too old but it's up to the manager to decide whether he may need a rest or can carry on. I didn't see the game itself, but Jussi is a good goalkeeper."
Miklosko, who was speaking exclusively to Knees up Mother Brown about his eight-year spell at West Ham United was signed by Lou Macari in 1990 and went on to play under Billy Bonds and Harry Redknapp before joining fellow London side Queens Park Rangers in 1998.
Speaking in the latest episode of the KUMB.com Podcast, which you may download now, the 52-year-old - who is currently working for a sporting investment agency charged with tracking the best young talent in the Czech Republic - revealed that he will be back in London later this month to watch the Hammers take on Chelsea.
"I don't really have too much time to watch games with the job I'm doing now, concentrating on young players in the Czech Republic," he said. "But I've been to London a few times this year.
"Mostly I've been over to watch Academy players but I'm planning to come and watch the Chelsea game in two weeks' time. I'll be at the Under 18s match with Fulham in the morning then in the afternoon I'll go to the West Ham game with Chelsea."
Ludo on... the 1991 FA Cup Semi Final
"It didn't start well because we had a player sent off! Nothing went right for us and it was a bad day from the beginning - but it was a great atmosphere, that's all I remember. Even though we lost the game it was a great day for the fans. They stayed behind us, which was fantastic."
Ludo on... the West Ham fans
"It was a special club for me. I don't know why but the fans took to me very well and we always had a great relationship. Throughout games they would shout my name and ask me what the score is - they wanted me to show them! I didn't like that too much as I felt I was losing concentration, but it was part of the game. Our relationship was always fantastic and I loved to play for them."
Ludo on... Julian Dicks
"I had a routine before the game which I always did. We also had players like Julian Dicks whose warm-up consisted of sitting in a warm bath for five minutes before putting his socks on - and that was it! I think we were a little bit different, but he was a fantastic player who did very well. He didn't need to warm up."
Ludo on ... Manchester United 1995
"It was a great day and one from which I have good memories. It was the last day of the season and we had nothing to lose. We just went out there to enjoy our last game [of the season]. For me it was just like every other game. Maybe I had a bit of luck - which you need all the time - but it was a great day. For both us and Blackburn - but not for Manchester United!"
* Hear more from Ludo by downloading the latest KUMB.com Podcast, which also features former Head of Media at West Ham and the FA's current Head of Corporate Communications Greg Demetriou.
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