West Ham United fans have been quick to judge one of their summer signings after a difficult first half of the season.
It was the 20 year anniversary of fake footballer Ali Dia tricking Southampton into signing him recently and West Ham fans were asking themselves if Arthur Masuaku was the tribute act.
The French left back actually looked promising on his debut but has endured a torrid time ever since.
His latest showings against Manchester United and Arsenal sandwiched by knee injuries saw Slaven Bilic’s side side ship eight goals in 90 minutes of football with him at left back.
West Ham United’s Arthur Masuaku
And who can forget his showing in the defeat at West Bromwich Albion where his bizarre handball in the box set the ball rolling on a thrashing.
One recent report described the man West Ham paid Olympiakos £6.5 million for as weak, uninterested and lacking in any positional sense or game intelligence.
Masuaku has been pillared by Hammers fans and pundits, some of whom believe he should be shipped out already.
But has the defender been judged too soon given the fact he is just 23 years old – the same age as the man on the opposite flank, Sam Byram.
When Byram was signed from Leeds United he too enjoyed a fine debut, against Manchester City at Upton Park last season.
Sam Byram
Since then injuries and Bilic not being 100% sold on the young Englishman has restricted his game time.
But West Ham fans have remained steadfast behind Byram, often citing his age when defending his failure to make the right back spot his own.
Byram has returned to training this week after a hamstring injury and Hammers fans are excited about his return on forums and social media.
Many feel he is the long-term answer to the problem position with Alvaro Arbeloa reportedly set to be released this month after just a handful of appearances.
Why then has Masuaku not been afforded the same patience as Byram, particularly when you consider he has also had to adapt to a new country, new language and new culture of football.
Masuaku recently pledged to do better in the second half of the season in a message to West Ham fans on Twitter.
With the support of the club’s fans he could still be a talented player for the East Londoners.
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