COMMENTARY
Some West Ham fans were fearing that Manuel Pellegrini was going to recall Arthur Masuaku to his starting line-up against Cardiff City on Tuesday, and it’s easy to see why they were dreading that possibility. The 25-year-old left-back has struggled all season and as one fan pointed out he clearly has proven that he is a winger and not a defensive-minded full-back. Masuaku has regularly been exposed at the back for the Hammers this season and has been at fault for numerous goals. For this reason the defender is no longer a guaranteed starter at the club and Aaron Cresswell seems to have jumped ahead of his teammate in the pecking order. The only issue is that the English international limped off in the 3-0 win over Newcastle United and it’s unclear whether he’ll be fit in time to feature. Hopefully Cresswell is available as the Hammers do look more solid at the back and given that fans were suggesting Angelo Ogbonna, who has looked awful in his few outings, and even Andy Carroll to play at left-back, it shows how Pellegrini will no doubt be forced to play Masuaku if Cresswell is unavailable.
Forever West Ham has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
We will lose next game If Masuaku start
— East London Hammers (@EastHammers) December 1, 2018
@Ing_Pellegrini Please consider Ogbonba for left back v Cardiff if Cresswell is unavailable – Masuaku is too much of a liability, he can tackle but cannot defend – Always out of position & has questionable decision making.
— Timco (@timco20) December 2, 2018
Worried about Cress injury the thought of Masuaku playing on Tuesday doesn’t bear thinking about. https://t.co/G8vxiw6siL
— Mike Austin (@mikeaustin1404) December 1, 2018
Possibly. Would offer absolutely nothing going forward but could possibly help at the back. It’s a risk, but so is Masuaku at the minute. I like Masuaku, but it’s becoming more and more apparent that he’s a winger, not a LB
— Michael Zdenek (@MichaelZdenek) December 1, 2018
