Goal hero and rescuer of stranded ball boys, Tomas Soucek, has expressed his delight at starting the season so well, stating, “I want to keep my place in the team.”
The big Czech has every chance of doing so after providing an assist against Aston Villa and scoring in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. He has seamlessly integrated himself into Julen Lopetegui’s new Hammers team, surprising everyone but himself.
“It means a lot. We wanted three points from the first game against Aston Villa, but we didn’t get them,” Souček said. “We know the importance of starting the season well, and this is a massive three points for us. Now we have to continue from this moment and play the same way as we did today.
“I’m happy with the goal because I could’ve scored against Aston Villa. I was disappointed all week about that, but now I’ve scored this important goal, so I’m really happy.
“We have many players in the squad, which is important if you want to compete. We know that someone is always waiting for a place behind us. The sessions the manager puts on are great and of good quality every day. I just want to keep my place in the team and continue to try to help as well.
“We are in a new era now, and we are enjoying it and excited about what’s to come. We want to be high in the Premier League table and get West Ham back into Europe. We have to continue to fight for each other because the quality of the individuals is great, but we are a team, and I hope after today we can be even stronger.”
What a difference in attitude to what it was under Moyes. Its no wonder Moyes said he preferred a small squad; he was not able to stand the pressure of handling the situation of having more than one player available for each position. With Jlo, he is more ruthless and hard nosed to do this sort of thing, like many other top club coaches like Pep and Arteta. You have to have competition for places to raise the skill levels of players as is evident in the team now.
Soucek drives me mad most of the time, but in many ways is the beating heart of the team. He won’t be written off, has the heart of a lion, and is a fantastic team player. The new manager has him playing in exactly the right position too. I just wish I only had to watch his highlights reel!
Great to have Soucek back to how he was when he first joined and played a major part in keeping us up. I’m not a hater of him but I’m very mindful of slides playing left, his least favoured position. Also Pac-Man having a void in front of him as Soucek is further forward in a second striker position. We’d be better balanced with Summerville on the left. So would I pick Soucek or Kudus?
Slides playing left?? I certainly meant Kudus.
Auto correct and predictive are useful most of the time but sometimes 🤯
Oh no you are not Mister Soucek! You will be going to Everton in January when Davy Boy saddles up. Regretably you are not good enough for our midfield now. Sorry but that is the way it is.
Just read that west ham are in talks with ings to terminate his contract and pay him off because he refuses to be transferred elsewhere, as i stated before he is not with us to perform his just here for the money good riddance to the greedy useless ****.