Two years after being released by Leeds United, Fleetwood Town stopper Alex Cairns could be on his way to the Premier League with West Ham.
If the hurt of hindsight could be avoided, mistakes would be an endangered species. Yet, while Leeds United’s decision to let Alex Cairns go appeared to make perfect sense at the time, his form at Fleetwood Town suggests he was more than deserving of an opportunity.
After all, it is not as if the young goalkeeper was stuck behind Rob Green in the pecking order. Instead, the frequent flapper Marco Silvestri stayed between the sticks for two years, with Cairns’ one and only appearances in Leeds colours coming as a substitute in the 5-0 home defeat to Blackpool in 2011.
Therefore, there is a degree of poetic justice in the fact that Cairns, released by Leeds in 2015, could reach the promised land of the Premier League quicker than his old employers.
According to the Daily Mail, West Ham United are keeping tabs on Fleetwood Town’s undisputed number one with his stand-out tally of 15 clean sheets in 29 games spearheading the Cod Army’s League One promotion push.
The newspaper reports that Manchester City outcast Joe Hart remains the Hammers’ first-choice but, with goalkeeping duo Adrian and Darren Randolph both facing uncertain futures, Cairns may be handpicked to act as understudy to the England international.
Though, instead of mulling over their mistake, perhaps Leeds should act instead. While the evergreen Green is staying for another season after extending his contract, Silvestri is out of favour having only started in the cup competitions.
It would be no surprise if the Italian was to seek an exit or if manager Garry Monk entered the summer market for an upgrade.
Therefore, it could be the perfect time to offer Cairns a route back home. Although, after farming him out after just one fleeting appearance, you wonder whether Leeds have already burned their bridges.
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