OPINION
Arthur Masuaku was restored to the West Ham starting XI as Manuel Pellegrini fielded a near-full strength side in today’s FA Cup clash against Birmingham at London Stadium. It paid dividends as the Hammers triumphed 2-0 through goals from Marko Arnautovic and his replacement Andy Carroll. But supporters were savage in their criticism of Masuaku, who was making his 18th appearance of the season in all competitions, 15 of which have been starts. As they rightly pointed out, the left-back’s defending left an awful lot to be desired. Nothing new there. The 25-year-old is a threat going forward and offers penetration of the overlap. The problem is he isn’t really up to it when it comes to defensive solidity, the principal part of his job. Masuaku is an ideal wing-back. Not a good enough defender at Premier League level or quite inventive enough to play as an orthodox attacker, he falls between the two. Given how he struggled against Championship wide man Connor Maloney, it is hard to see the DR Congo international getting back in the Premier League starting XI any time soon.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
Masuaku cant defend?
— East London Hammers (@EastHammers) January 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/Jay_WHU/status/1081540188415901696
Masuaku getting schooled by championship wingers. Carroll missing simple defensive headers and offering nothing going forward.
— IRONS (@IRONSSSS) January 5, 2019
Masuaku is such a liability ffs
— J (@JayWHU) January 5, 2019
Never seen a full back get beat as easy as Masuaku
— Callum (@WHUFCallum_) January 5, 2019
Masuaku has been so poor defensively?
— Conor Harding? (@Conor_Harding) January 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/jeremiahhjoshua/status/1081552735558762497
Masuaku beaten by his man for the 28463828th time todsy. Poor.
— West Ham News (@WHUFC_News) January 5, 2019
Obiang Dreadful, Masuaku dreadful, Carroll Dreadful
— Dan Ellis (@xDellisOfficial) January 5, 2019