Arthur Masuaku – despite rumours on social media – is believed to be fit for Saturday’s game against Newcastle at St James’ Park.
The DC Congo midfielder – who could well be counted responsible for the two goals we conceded against Leicester City – was thought to be struggling at the end of the game by some.
It remains to be seen whether he will be part of the manager’s thinking given his errors on Sunday but CandH understands there is no issue over his fitness.
Ben Johnson looks certain to play a part in another key game and it could easily be that Said Benrahma will get a chance to impress down the left side.
Frankly, it would be a surprise were Arthur to keep his place as it’s hard to put such errors down to rustiness despite a long time on the sidelines as of course it’s happened too many times in past.
Personally I would have said Benrahma was to blame for the second goal, gave the ball away very cheaply in midfield when any other decision other than the pass he tried would have been a better option to continue to see out the game. Could have kept the ball easily. I think this one of the things that Moyes has constantly said about Benrahma, decision making and retention of the ball at key times.
It would be good to see Benrahma and Johnson build the kind of understanding Cresswell and Masuaku have. Maybe they should be given that chance.
Totally agree. Moyes is right to be concerned about Benrhama’s decision making, Gives the ball away far to often and does’nt release it when in good attacking areas. I’m not convinced he’s a Premiership player!
He’s been back for two games after months out and he’s getting this already. He played a key part in at least one goal that I can remember off hand. Give him a break
King Arthur is a fantastic attacking player. I think it’s harsh to pin the blame for any of the Leicester goals on him. The first one was a poor pass out to him which he couldn’t quite control, and the cross could have been cleared by any of the defenders. We have missed him.
One of the team’s biggest problems last season and seasons before was conceding goals from individual errors. This season I think statistics show this part of our game has been eradicated then Masuaku returns.
He has always made this type of error and will continue to do so I’m sure. He should not be picked, a few dribbles and crosses will not compensate for his errors and lack of defensive
awareness
Alan I agree , benrhama should be looking to his right for an easy sideways pass to keep posession at that point in the game. Instead he tries to take it forwards, loses it, they score another, very nervy 5 minutes to follow.
He needs to step up mentally.
I absolutely hate our fan base sometimes. A bloke comes back after 4 months off after knee surgery and there are talks of him not being good enough!? He’s played 3 games and we’ve taken 7 points from 9 against very difficult opposition. We look a much better team when he plays with Cresswell, improves our balance, and we are far more offensive and score more goals. Every defender has struggled against some of the wingers he’s come up against. Plus his job is to help us break out, its Cresswells job to defend. Cresswell sprints forward whenever he can, but rarely runs back (more of a slow amble) and is constantly out of position. To protect his lack of speed we need someone like Mas on that side.
There is no issue whatsoever, Masuaku is a terrific player and he just needs some game time. Just don’t play him at left back but as a winger!
Eh that’s the issue – just too long for a headline
There is no issue with Masa based on his last two performances since his comeback from injury. I thought he was excellent in both games but he also tired in both games which I felt was to blame for the ball being knicked away from him for the first goal. 100% he starts at the weekend and I believe he will be even better this weekend with Ogbonna behind him in a back 3 with Cressie out injured. Ogbonna is just a better defender than Cressie – no offense to Cressie he has been brilliant this season. 100% starts for me this weekend. The team I would like see selected is the following:- Fab, Coufal, Diop, Dawson, Ogbonna, Masa, Fornals (with Noble on for the last 30mins) and Soucek in the midde, Benrahma and Lingard behind Bowen. Noble has done well in the last 2 games but when he tires we do not react quickly enough, the other team scores and suddenly we are under pressure, so my suggestion is why not bring him in for the last 20-30 mins !.
He got a direct assist for fornals goal in his first game back then it was skill and cross that opened the scoring against Leicester.
There were many times where he beat the opoositions press and brought the ball toward with good skill and pace.
There were other factors in those goals not just masuaku for him to be blamed solely is unfair. Rather than knit pick negatives why don’t we big up the good things he has done and support him?
Sorry folks. All the subs who entered the field of play sadly only weakened the team exceptionally.
The seasons Masuaku has been with WH testify that he has our worst defender/tackler.
As soon as Cressie left the field the manager had to make the right decision to bring on a proper left back, and that certainly is not Ben J either. The amount of mistakes he made in his previous matches should have been clear to the manager and the coaching staff.
And then Noble’s substitution should have been made with deeper understanding. Here Benrahma’s defending weaknesses could never happen.
The rest is history now. Just grateful we got past Leicester with a win. Now Mr Moyes make the right, well-informed decisions that will get us another good win.
Thank you. Coyi. God bless West Ham.
Yeah you’re right, he should have brought on our other left back (not Johnson, the OTHER one), he should have brought on our 50 million quid midfielder and then either of Messi or Ronaldo for good measure. Mate, you’re on another planet. The subs weren’t the best, but they’re the best we have right now, just get behind the team and stop moaning. Hopefully we add a bit more quality in the summer and have the players on the bench that can make an impact on games and not just make up the numbers, until then its a case of p**ssing with the d**ks we’ve got.
Masuaku passed the ball to Iheanacho just outside our area and Iheanacho scored. Exactly what other factors were in play that made it a catalogue of errors rather than just one player’s?
Arthur has great feet but he doesn’t have a defenders brain. He creates goals (sometimes) but he costs us goals (more often).
Why has Arthur Masuaku suddenly become the bad boy of our side? Surely Awesome Dawson has greater claims to be criticised following ‘mistakes’ and a couple of own goals. We can do without the attention to detail from the armchair experts. The direction of travel is what counts and we’re generally heading the right way. Total perfection from everyone all of the time is an unrealistic ask.
COYI
It’s not suddenly. He’s always been a liability near our own box. He has said himself that defending doesn’t come naturally to him. Whoever bought him as a left back was at fault. He’s quite handy going forward with a Wanchope level of unpredictability. He’s OK as a wing back or as a attacking midfielder but not aa a left back. Cresswell has been a fine servant and played well this season but the injuries have slowed him a bit. He needs left back cover as we all know. A Coufal level of left back will transform our solidity and provide a real platform for attacks down our left – if Moyes can find one.
Too true, collectively the team has been clawing out results against sides who, on paper at least, should be above us. There’s been some slip ups but there’s also been some tremendous moments. We have an entire defensive lineup that costs less than one of Man Uniteds reserve full backs. If you look at the squad, all the expensive signings of 2 seasons ago are toast and the group of players on the field each week are really pulling in the same direction. I wish the fans were the same way and stopped picking holes.
Masuaku is a myth of a footballer.
How many goals does he score and how many does he create.
Compare him to Coufal and that is all you need.
Dreadful defender,doesn’t put the fear into any attacker,creates very little unlike Coufal.
I’d love to play agaisnt him as you know he will give the ball away countlessly.
Get rid off in the summer
Directly contributed to two of the goals in last game.
The guy has contributed well the past 2 games and was good before his injury. He’s a prem standard left midfielder but a championship fullback. He’s got a mistake in him but lots of our players do, even Coufals had a few nightmares. I’m not saying we don’t need to bulk up on that side of the field but I’m pretty sure if you did get out of your armchair he’d paste you up and down the “mythical” left side of the LS.