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Getting the correct Rice/Soucek balance – Moyes

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David Moyes admits he has to find a way to balance the attributes of both Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice if the Hammers are to continue being successful.

This season, Rice has become the more predominant attacker of the two, regularly driving forward at pace and attempting shots at goal, just as he did against Kidderminster at the weekend.

The England star scored the equaliser late on, taking his tally for the season to four goals, whereas Soucek has scored three.

Moyes admits he has to build a tactic that allows both to be at their best, instead of naturally limiting one of them with his system.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the midweek game against Watford, he said: “It’s coming more into his game, but with the way we play we have Tomas Soucek who is more often in the box than Declan – he has been more of a defensive midfielder.

“The thing is that he has the ability to do that as well so we are trying to balance that out, people who watch West Ham regularly will say they have watched Declan Rice getting in more goalscoring positions and is more likely to score.

“He also has two in Europe, you cannot completely rule those out either so he is beginning to get a decent tally at the moment and it’s a part of a game that he is improving in.”

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A journalist with 10 years' experience of working on National newspapers, now chief reporter covering the club that I've loved since I was a boy. Upton Park remains the greatest football stadium ever built.

3 comments

  • West Ham Fan No 32 says:

    Agree, Rice is breaking forward too often which means Soucek is stuck covering the defence, Soucek is a better goal scorer than Rice and offers a different threat that we aren’t maximising.

  • petebonds says:

    Soucek scored more goals than Declan does when he was the one going forward.

  • hammerpete6 says:

    Agree that Soucek is a greater attacker (Martin Peters) but they should hopefully mix and match?

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