West Ham fans on Twitter talk left-backs ahead of Spurs clash
Whilst the international break is currently among us, a lot of West Ham fans have been looking ahead to their next game. A massive crunch match against Tottenham at the London Stadium. The supporters can’t wait for the game, although they’ve been struggling to work out how they’ll set up in defence with none of them convinced by their club’s left-backs.
After his poor performance against Brighton it’s now apparent Masuaku is not a left back.
On their radio show @ExWHUemployee suggested one solution would be to try Ogbonna in that position.
Would you agree?
— Hammers Polls (@HammersPolls) 11 October 2018
Arthur Masuaku has been used by Manuel Pellegrini so far but the Congolese defender has come in for criticism from a lot of fans for his lack of defensive awareness, with some fans calling for Angelo Ogbonna to be deployed on the left side of the defence. Whoever plays left-back will be directly up against Tottenham’s Lucas Moura, and keeping the Brazilian quiet is much easier said than done, especially considering his current form.
Some fans are keen to stick with Masuaku whilst others have been questioning why Aaron Cresswell doesn’t fit into this equation. Under David Moyes, The Hammers often deployed Cresswell in a back three and had Masuaku as a wing-back, providing the team with both the dynamism of Masuaku going forward and the delivery of Cresswell on corners, free-kicks and from deep positions. One thing is certain, whoever does play will need to be on their A-game to stop Moura and Pellegrini will know that when he makes the decision.
You can read The Irons’ thoughts on their left-back position and Masuaku here:
Can't we just play Cresswell?
— JohnWHU1895 (@johnwhu1895) October 11, 2018
Full backs need to be able to get forward especially pellegrinis full backs.
— Adam hickey (@tekkers44whufc) 11 October 2018
It's been apparent for 18 months. He's not a defender. Anyone that watches him can see he has no awareness of what's around him in defensive situations. You can't blame him for that though. He's just not a defender.
— Paul Haytch (@paulhaytch) October 11, 2018
I'd use cresswell and have masuaku as a optiomnto sub Anderson when he gets tired or move Anderson in field and have masuaku on wing. At least until transfers window and get ourselves a true leftback/wingback
— Simon Westley (@WestleySimon) October 11, 2018
Both left backs have had opportunities and squandered them. Time to bring one more player in the January window, injuries aside I’d go and get Danny Rose.
— PetetheHammer (@PDGHammer) 11 October 2018
It's not unknown that Ogbonna has the ability to play left back. Has played there for Italy, Torino and Juventus. I personally would like to see a youth given a chance. If he stayed, Dan Potts would have been ideal right now.
— Adam Leatherbarrow (@Adam_atLDESIGN) October 11, 2018
He’s not a great lb either. Masuaku is linking well with Anderson so I’d stick with it tbh.
— Trevor Bishop (@trevorbishop11) October 11, 2018
Antonio
— PeterWright (@peterwright67) 11 October 2018
The Irons are far from convinced by any of their options at left-back and it will be interesting to see how Pellegrini lines up when Spurs come to Stratford.
