Getting the correct Rice/Soucek balance – Moyes

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.”