Cresswell vs Masuaku - the dilemma
So I've seen a lot of interesting opinions on this subject, and how our reliable LB of two seasons seems to now be second choice for many West Ham fans, and this view has grown over the past six months. Not just on here, other forums, social media, people I've spoken to and so on. I can't understand why Masuaku has suddenly become the preferred LB option.
So, what do we think? Wanted to gather some views from you ladies and gents in one thread.
As it stands, who do you prefer at LB and why? Who goes into the season as our first choice and is Cresserz getting a hard time for a below par season, when let's face it he wasn't the only culprit. I think he was one of the best attacking wing-backs in the league the first two seasons after he signed.
Masuaku looks to have promise, but has only played a handful of games?
For me, Cresserz is my main LB.
The big dilemma though is, whichever one is not first choice, is surely too good to be a substitute, when they could be a starter elsewhere? So we are likely at some point to lose one. Which one would you rather lose?
So, what do we think? Wanted to gather some views from you ladies and gents in one thread.
As it stands, who do you prefer at LB and why? Who goes into the season as our first choice and is Cresserz getting a hard time for a below par season, when let's face it he wasn't the only culprit. I think he was one of the best attacking wing-backs in the league the first two seasons after he signed.
Masuaku looks to have promise, but has only played a handful of games?
For me, Cresserz is my main LB.
The big dilemma though is, whichever one is not first choice, is surely too good to be a substitute, when they could be a starter elsewhere? So we are likely at some point to lose one. Which one would you rather lose?
Comments
I just like Masuakus confidence with the ball.....He has very quick feet and has the confidence to run past players. Yes he can sometimes lose the ball but he can really bring the ball forward. I also think that hes good defensively, he only had 1 bad game imo which was so bad that he got a bad rep but he has been class. He's only played a handful of games but he was player of the match a couple of those games. He's also younger and responded from his injury better than Cresswells. His big weakness is delivery though he doesn't have great crossing ability.
Cresswell, imo, is the player who regressed the most! He just looks a completely different player. He looks scared of any 50/50 challenges and gets beaten for pace far too often. He was never quick quick but he's obviously lost a step and leaves much bigger holes behind him. Where he does exceed Masuaku is his delivery which historically been very good.
I he can get a good pre-season and return his confidence and pace he may surpass Masuaku but for me its Masuaku who is 1st choice
Good problem to have
As Champo says, nice to have such a problem.
My worry is if we go with Masuaku, we will lose Cresswell to another club. He is too good a LB and still of an age where he has potential to still develop.
Tricky. Wonder if Masuaku could be merged into a LW?
As Baracks said they both have preseason to impress and they should battle it out for the starting XI spot
It's nice to have 2 players of good calibre fighting for a single spot
Last season Payet improved his game but the season before he was average defensively, imo, and certainly not an 8/10.
But we will lose him IMO if he doesn't play, which is a shame as an in form Cresswell is a massive asset. Cresswell isn't a sub. He could probably play as LFC's LB ahead of Milner, especially when his form returns. They are both too young to be sub players for any length of time. If Masuaku is deemed the back-up, he will want more, likewise Cresswell. They aren't like Ginge, mid 30s and happy to be patient.
He's an England international. Masuaku is a talent.
I appreciate at the minute he's not great but I've seen nothing from Masuaku other than a bit of pace and a few nutmegs to suggest he's the better option, yet many opinions are that he is.
If Cresswell cannot displace Masuaka this season then by that definition he is a sub as he is the 2nd best player in his position......and if he is our 2nd choice he isn't going to a top club unless as a backup
It's all hypothetical atm anyways I don't think anyone right now is interested in Cresswell (and masuaku rumours have died down)
Cresswell has been poor, but has Masuaku been markedly better?
I just mentioned the transfer issue as another thing to consider.
I just don't think Masuaku has been that great either. Not seen any 'wow' displays from him and he's only started 11 PL games in any case.
So we've got two LB's playing mediocrely at best.
I think he's been class when I've seen him, even at the beginning of the season
Makes it even more impressive as he is only 23, came into a team that was a bit all over the place and out of form and he himself had a pretty bad injury that ruled him out for over 2 months
Right now i'd probably rank left back as the position that needs improvement the least......although i'd love for us to get Sessengon from Fulham feel he is gonna be a star
Adrian
Zabaleta - Reid - Ogbonna - Cresswell
Obiang - Kouyate
Antonio - Lanzini - Masuaku
Ayew
As it stands.
Certainly gives us pace.
As a sub, Masuaku can at least get games as a winger. He was very good at the end of the season.
A few people here have mentioned that Cresswell seems to have lost his bottle and that is certainly my impression of most of his performances last season when he was always pulling out of tackles. That may be the effect of injury on a player who was previously an ever present in the team untouched by injury while those around him were dropping like flies.
What is good, is that we have two players capable of challenging one another. It's very good for the side to have players who can compete for the shirt.
I think there are a few positions that are up for debate for us, but the majority of position have, for me, a clear favourite for the starting berth.
GK Adrian / Randolph
DR Zabaleta
DC Reid
DC Ogbonna / Fonte
DL Cresswell / Masuaku
DM Obiang / Noble
MC Kouyate
WG Antonio
AM Lanzini
WG Ayew
ST Carroll
Problem is getting it out every week. Last season we were destroyed by injuries at the start (Cresswell, Feghouli, Byram, Ayew, Carroll, Sakho, Lanzini) and had Payet returning late!
The injury history is driving our need for new signings more than anything, as we do possess quality in the starting XI.
I mean, from that list (off the top of my head) 9 players of the 15 had spells out injured (Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Masuaku, Obiang, Noble, Antonio, Ayew, Carroll)
Teams should be picked on current form. And last year that was in Arthur's favour..