From the perspective of writing about all things West Ham, Graham Potter is the gift that just keeps giving. Press sessions actually yield points of interest to pass on instead of the mumbled jumbled platitudes of the past regime. It got to the stage under Julen Lopetegui when nobody took any notice or tried to de-cypher what was being said: Now we listen. West Ham’s Manager is sufficiently confident and media savvy to be candid and dare I say it, entertaining.
Admitting yesterday that he tried to sign Tomas Soucek when he was Brighton Coach, Graham Potter surprised quite a few as before his arrival, many had tipped the big Czech to be insufficiently technically skilled to thrive under Potter’s exacting regime. Far from it.
“He gives his best every single day, he’s a dream in that regard,” The Hammers’ head coach commented:. “I know him well because we tried to sign him at Brighton.”
The attraction? Again according to Potter:”His strengths are he can help in both boxes, he covers the ground and plays in whatever role the team needs, he’s adaptable. He’s fantastic to work with.”
Which whilst clearly true, is something of a surprise to know that Potter is obviously at the head of the Tomas Soucek appreciation society. He failed to add that Tornado Tom has been doing a brilliant job as stand-in skipper, deputising well for Jarrod Bowen and helping to pull the team together in Potter’s chosen style.
Wheres many – me amongst them – had assumed Soucek would lack the touch and the skill to flourish going forward in the new era, it is clear that Potter’s is not a one dimensional vision of how his team should play and there is ample room for a solid, honest workhorse in the ranks.
Soucek has just celebrated five years as a Hammer: Who’s to say there might not be another five to come.
Never understood the Souchek knockers. He’s the kind of player every team needs. Superb in both boxes and his long passing is absolutely sublime.
It’s about time big Tom got some credit on here
Soucek is good in the air be that offensively or defensively, he also has an ability to find a yard or two in the opponents box. All of that is high ability but you have to accept some of the not so high ability things that come along with it. A good coach can maximise the high ability bits while minimising the not so good. Potter is nobodies fool.
Very well said.
Big Tom a Hammer through and through.
I have to say that Potters attitude and engagement are spot on and I feel more confident that we will slowly improve from now on, both on and off the pitch.
100% Martyn. It’s great to be able to actually start looking forward to a game on Monday again, instead of the negative turgid stuff we have had to endure for so long.
I think Graham will obviously take time to introduce the tactics and players he needs, but it’s nice to see some early positive signs.