Green Street Hammers
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Two West Ham defenders under the microscope against Newcastle

By Adam Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Joselu of Newcastle battles with Aaron Cresswell of West Ham during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on December 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Joselu of Newcastle battles with Aaron Cresswell of West Ham during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on December 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 10: Felipe Anderson of West Ham United celebrates with teammate Aaron Cresswell after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and West Ham United at the John Smith’s Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 10: Felipe Anderson of West Ham United celebrates with teammate Aaron Cresswell after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and West Ham United at the John Smith’s Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

Aaron Cresswell

You see that, Aaron? Everything Masuaku touched, it’s all yours! 

And that place over there?

That’s the looming January Transfer window… don’t ever go there.

Did the Lion King reference come across? If not, allow me to explain. West Ham are in a serious pickle at left-back. A month out from the January transfer window and the possible reinforcements it holds Pellegrini must choose between the lesser of two evils – Masuaku or Cresswell.

The decision for this game is going to be pretty easy. Masuaku was objectively horrible against Manchester City, actively contributing to all the first half goals before he was subbed off. If Pellegrini selects Masuaku against Newcastle it would be the first time in his tenure at West Ham that I would be questioning his decision making.

Let’s assess Cresswell now. Cresswell showed up at halftime and settled in nicely to the match. Manchester City only scored one more goal in the match and it came in the 93rd minute showing they didn’t let their foot off the pedal. It was a simple game plan for Cresswell coming in – don’t overextend, don’t get beaten defensively, and do the easy stuff well.

On a few occasions, Cresswell put his body between Raheem Sterling and the ball, forcing turnovers and out letting up the leftwing to Felipe Anderson. It was a welcomed sign that Cress has some life left in him and clearly showed to me that he wants to be on the pitch.

A massive boost to Cresswell’s effectiveness would be the return of Andy Carroll to the lineup. Last season Cresswell led West Ham with 7 assists in Premier League action, Carroll (while limited in game time) was on the end of a few of his crosses.

Next. Is December the time to try out some Academy players?. dark

He won’t set the world on fire but the bar is low and doesn’t require him to. Against City, in a game with little to no pressure on Cresswell to perform at an intense level, he looked calm, composed, and relaxed on the ball. He pressured the attackers well, got back quickly, and cleared his lines when needed. More of the same would certainly help West Ham until January comes and with it hopefully a new left-sided defender.