Another disaster display from Issa Diop – what on Earth has happened?

West Ham narrowly edged past National League North side Kidderminster Harriers in the 4th Round of the FA Cup, 1-2, in a shocking performance with the Hammers relying on late goals and an inspired Declan Rice to save them from total embarrassment.

There was plenty of woeful displays from West Ham players but centre-back Issa Diop was poor once again, getting substituted at half-time, replaced by Craig Dawson.

The Frenchman, who at one time showed such great promise as a young commanding centre-back, now seems to have lost all confidence and is in disastrous form, his performance at the weekend was labelled as ‘dreadful’.

West Ham escaped embarrassment against Kidderminster Harries in the FA Cup but in the first half there was another nightmare performance from Issa Diop.

Of course, players can suffer dips in form and having falling down the pecking order since Manuel Pellegrini departed and David Moyes returned to the club, it is understandable why Diop is low in self belief as West Ham’s fourth choice central defender.

However, a chance opened up for Diop this season and he has failed to take it. Angelo Ogbonna suffered an injury that is set to keep him out for the rest of the season and Kurt Zouma, who is now back to the relief of all West Ham fans, were both out with injuries. Due to this, there was an opportunity for Diop to make his case to become Zouma’s partner at the back and prove that he is not an inconsistent player.

Things didn’t go as hoped, West Ham were leaking chances with Diop and Dawson as a duo, that centre-back place alongside Zouma for the rest of the season is now firmly the latter’s, Dawson, despite battling through injury lately is far more reliable.

West Ham’s loss to Leeds 2-3 in the Premier League highlighted Diop’s inabilities. He was caught numerous times with players running in behind him, he looked uncomfortable and awkward dealing with simple crosses and while in possession his passing was wasteful and nervy as he gave the ball away for one of Jack Harrison’s goals.

The performance in London Stadium that afternoon was awful as fans got on his back but his worst sheepish was still to come. Subbed off at half-time for his positional rival Dawson after struggling to deal with a Non-League striker and being partly to blame for Kidderminster’s goal is surely his lowest moment yet. West Ham fans took to social media to say he “wouldn’t even get in the Kidderminster team.”

There seems to be no way back now for Diop, who has clearly lost the trust of Moyes. West Ham were keen on signing another centre-back in January, for example, Duje Caleta-Car, a deal didn’t materialise to the disappointment and frustration of supporters though and the 25-year-old couldn’t leave the club with Newcastle interested in him.

But it is strange how this has happened, he was called a “monster” by then Man United boss Jose Mourinho after a convincing display and many West Ham fans believed if he could continue to improve from when he first arrived in East London, a good quality centre-back could’ve been in him.

Unfortunately, it feels like Diop has never kicked on or progressed and now has completely lost his way. It is a shame to see a player fall apart like Diop has in recent weeks. There is no doubt that at another club he could find the form that impressed many at the start of his West Ham career again but there is a feeling there is no way back for him in a claret and blue shirt.