Arthur Masuaku is hoping his super substitute appearances against Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City lead to more playing time after the international break.
The No23, who could make his DR Congo debut in Libya on Saturday, has created goals after being introduced from the bench in each of his last two Premier League games.
And, with a growing clamour among supporters for him to be handed a start at Burnley next time out, Masuaku hopes to give manager Slaven Bilic a selection ‘headache’ ahead of the trip to Turf Moor.
It is not frustrating not to start. The coach makes the decisions and I have to give him a headache
Arthur Masuaku
“I feel good and, in my opinion, I just have to keep focused even when I am not playing and try to do my best for the team,” said the 23-year-old, who has provided outstanding crosses for Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho to score for the Hammers. “That is working well for me at the moment.
“I am happy to keep working. In the last game [against Tottenham] I crossed and Cheikhou scored and now I am even more happy because we won, as last week we didn’t manage that.
“It is not frustrating not to start. The coach makes the decisions and I have to give him a headache. I am still young.”
Masuaku’s only previous Premier League start this season came in the opening weekend defeat at Manchester United, when he played as a left-back in a flat back four.
However, the former Olympiacos star impressed playing further up the pitch against Spurs and Swansea, using his pace, dribbling and crossing ability to get past his man on the outside and deliver quality balls into the opposition penalty area.
Those assists came on the back of another outstanding attacking moment against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup third round, when he scored with an unstoppable 25-yard shot to complete West Ham’s 3-0 victory.
“I like to go forward because when I was younger I played left wing, so for me my best position is left wing-back,” he confirmed, when asked to name his preferred position.
On Saturday, Masuaku’s assist – from a left midfield position – saw him combine with fellow substitutes Manuel Lanzini and Sakho, with all three giving the Hammers a noticeable boost following their arrival on the London Stadium pitch.
“We were speaking about this before we came on,” he said. “It is good, we came on and we played a big part for the goal so everyone was happy for us.”
Having secured their second victory of the campaign, Masuaku says the Hammers cannot afford to be complacent, but rather should look to improve their level of performance in an October month that sees them face Burnley, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace.
“It was good to win,” he observed. “It was a very tough game against a good team, but we have the three points and this is the most important thing for us.
“It was difficult, as Swansea played very well, but I have to be honest, I don’t think we played well, in my opinion. We have to improve and work hard in training starting from next week.
“We have to be positive because I think we have a good team and a great squad, so let us keep working to get higher up the league.”