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The Left back at West Ham, please allow me to eat crow

By Jeremiah Carson

WATFORD, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Manuel Lanzini of West Ham United celebrates with teammate Arthur Masuaku after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and West Ham United at Vicarage Road on May 12, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Manuel Lanzini of West Ham United celebrates with teammate Arthur Masuaku after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and West Ham United at Vicarage Road on May 12, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images) /
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All year, West Ham United have had an interesting time figuring out what to do about the defense on the left side of the field. Nothing seemed to be set as players couldn’t find their timing on when to attack and when to defend or even, who to cover down on. Fortunately for the hammers, this started changing by the end of the season possibly leaving hope.

Now just because there seems to be a new-found hope, doesn’t mean that there’s peace within the West Ham community about the matter of the left back exhibit A, our most recent podcast. West Ham have two options, Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku, and options are really all they are to some.

It seems to, that the unrest of the fans comes from the unrest in the clubhouse as one week they say they are looking to sign a left back and the next, they are going to be good at left back. So now that its “put to bed,” who do I think West Ham should start? Arthur Masuaku.

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Now, let me eat my own crow as I express to you why. The Congolese international is 25 and coming into the prime of his playing career. At the end of the season, he and winger Felipe Anderson formed a bond and were playing extremely well off of each other earning him a 7.14 whoscored rating in the last 7 matches of the season.

Now do I think he is the best left back even in London, no. Do we need to waste additional money on a position where we have him and Cresswell playing it out, also no. As he and Anderson have grown this season as a left field pairing, the team’s performance has massively increased seeing the Hammers finish strong in 10th place and winning 3 of there last 5 matches gaining 10 points.

It appears that he has gained the respect and friendship of the players back, exhibit b and there has to be something said for when players on a team can bond together like this. With his head finally right and his form on the rise I will boldly predict that he has a massive season for West Ham next year.

Podcast chat: New Kits, Next striker choices?. dark. Next

The sometimes overused motto here in America is “defense wins championships.” Now, I am in no way stating that we will win the league anytime soon but with a solid defensive pairing having chemistry between them will do wonders for West Ham on the field, in the locker room, and in the pocketbook. Until next time, COME ON YOU IRONS!