Top game from young Longelo
West Ham’s luck has well and truly run out with the now more serious than first thought injury to Aaron Cresswell.
There can be no certainty at all when the left back will return and that unquestionably plunges us into a real problem on that side of the pitch and it’s impossible not to think about central defence.
Our news yesterday that 32 year old Cress has chipped a bone in his back is dreadful if we are to be entirely honest about it.
Back problems are always difficult at any age – at his. there are clearly going to be problems and all our sympathy goes to a guy who has been outstanding this season.
The left back scenario was always gonna come and haunt us to death – it’s almost as though ghosts of Christmas past have decided to use 2021 as the year when the name Masuaku becomes out worst nightmare AGAIN.
Every team in the world knows where to attack us when he plays in that position and he simply can’t be used in the role against Saints or at Watford.
Ben Johnson – though nothing near a perfect answer – can play over there but could this be the game for Emmanuel Longelo who was so impressive against Dinamo Zagreb.
With the entire back line changed for the Spurs match through injury we can be pleased with the way we performed – Masujaku excepted.
Both Benny and Manu are a tad out of touch right now so this would be my team for Saints: Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Longleo, Rice, Soucek, Fornals, Bowen, Vlasic and if avaialable Antonio. Should Mikey not be out of isolation I’d opt for Johnson at left wing back with Bowen up top.
We have been talking about the young players for a while now, and perhaps necessity will reap its own rewards now. The one thing that I have seen with Ben, and also Longelo, Ashby, Elise and Baptiste is a calm composure when put in the frame. It’s not a risk anymore when the seniors are unavailable, it’s a real opportunity. I love to see young talent given a chance. Better anyday than Sam the Sham Yarmo and No Idea Arthur!!!
Both Longelo and Alese are left footed and capable of playing left back.
The current incumbent is simply not up to the task, so.its time to be brave and choose either Johnson, Longelo or Alese and stick with it.
I like your perseverance with Longelo and think he we have to try him as he is left footed. I’ve seen enough of him to at least try him as a better option than the worst player at our club for a long time.(Ashby is not left footed by the way but has played left wing back a coule of times ).
Whether he can trusted, be composed and good enough in a PL debut is another case.
We know Johnson can play there as cover but we need another option. Johnson has only just come back from a hamstring injury and we don’t want him out for a couple of months by bringing him back and playing to many games in a short period.
I don’t get your formation though if Antonio doesn’t make it.
You have a back 4 with the orginal.
Without Antonio:
Coufal, Diop, Dawson,Longelo
Rice Soucek
Vlasic, Fornals, Johnson
Bowen
He would be of greater help to Longelo than Lanzin was to Masuaku