1. Soucek the Enigma
There’s no doubt he’s a lovely guy, passionate, and a goal threat. However, he’s also slow, uninspiring in midfield, and poor at passing. Other players avoid passing to him, and when he does get the ball, he either loses it or passes backwards.
The question is: Are his goals worth the cost to our midfield potency? If he didn’t play and a more natural midfielder did, would we be more productive?
2. The Strength of Summerville
There’s no doubting that he’s fast, tricky, and exciting to watch… right up until he gets blown off the ball due to his size and lack of upper body strength. Hit the gym, lil’ bro!
Against defenders, he needs to use his skills to stay away from physical battles. Last season, he excelled when his pace left full-backs in his dust. However, in the Premier League, he’ll struggle to find the same space if he doesn’t learn how to hold his ground. Let’s hope he does because he’s a brilliant talent and an upgrade on Bennie.
3. Kilman & Mavro Play “Hodor”
Watch Soucek’s goal again, and instead of focusing on the ball, look at what Kilman and Mavropanos do. Notice how they create a protective barrier, holding back Wolves defenders. All they can do is stand and watch as Soucek, unchallenged, heads the ball in.
Sure, Bowen’s corner and Soucek’s header were great. But credit the coaches and our central defenders, who deserve an assist for their Game of Thrones-style tactics. Love it!
4. What’s the Point of the Academy?
I’ve seen comments suggesting academy players should be on our bench. For me, that’s a matter of opinion, and Lopetegui is paid to decide. If he feels first-team players provide better options than the academy equivalents, he’ll go with the senior players.
The Academy’s purpose is to produce players who can compete with senior squad members. If they can’t, they shape up or ship out. Their opportunities need to be earned, not handed out. If they’re good enough, they’ll play.
Of course, when they do play, we love it—and rightly so—it’s special. But they have to earn it
I also would be interested to see how Soucek would do as a central striker. At Arsenal the 6ft 4 inch, skinny, medium paced but skillful Havertz has been not too shabby.
Although pace is always nice to have in any position its not the be all & end all. Increasingly goals are being scored by fast wingers getting to the bye line but instead of crossing along a line just inside the 6 yard box they cut the ball back to a slower, later arriving striker or midfielder somewhere between the penalty spot & the 18 yard box.
I am no expert, but for some reason I think he might be a good striker.
I am talking about Soucek.
Then I think youd be surprised how often players like Paqueta and Kudus lose the ball compared to Souchek.
Paqueta and kudos lose the ball so much because they want out, mainly because we have a manager who is totally clueless, well done Sullivan
If the all conquering academy graduates can’t even get on the bench then exactly there is no point in the academy. But it’s hard to believe they are not worth opportunities at least. Lopetegui even when he has them on the bench and the games gone will put on Cresswell, Ings or anyone rather than a help develop youngsters. This is not what most fans want when he’s playing it safe not to upset senior players. All part of why Lopetegui is a bad fit for West Ham.
Why not make Soucek a centre forward and get some else to play in Midfield. Worked with Frank McAvennie why not him.
Keith – I have previously suggested this too – in the Chris Wood/Andy Carroll style of striker – but was laughed out of town. Personally, I think he would do well coming on when we need a goal and just want to lump it into the box, thus freeing up a slot in midfield for a more technical player to pull the strings.
I simply do not see the academy players as being good enough. They go on loan to lower league clubs but don’t pull up trees, they run contracts down to go to premier league clubs where they do not make the grade. We get paid development fees for them, they don’t go on frees when their contracts expire. The academy probably makes money but it is not a reliable source of premier league quality players. Look in the lower leagues you will find them there. The only two exceptions are Rice who is undisputed quality that we were paid for and Johnson who is not and who has only made six appearances for Ipswich.
On of your better articles Gonzo. Spot on except give Soucek a little more credibility. Not all passes go astray or backwards. When he first arrived he was our best signing for a while and scoring goals for fun
Agree whole heartedly your comments on the Academy, Just look what has happened to the careers of supposably “stars of the future”. Mark Noble, eat humble pie!
Wes tammer
Hey Graham. I wrote the article, off the back of watching last night’s game, but Gonzo has tried to take credit for himself!! 😀
Seriously though, thank you. I personally don’t see any benefit at all of Soucek being in midfield – I think he slows us down, loses the ball, gives away fouls (when he realises he’s beaten) and is taking the spot of a more technical player who could help speed things up. Of course not ALL balls go astray, but if you watch him closely in the next game – really focus on what he does – I wonder if you’ll agree with me. He’s not the player he was 3 years ago, sadly, as I agree, he was brilliant. Perhaps Rice’s endeavours helped to cover over some of these cracks?
But that’s why I was asking the question, because I appreciate not everyone agrees.
What’s the point of JLo more like?
I think there have been plenty of articles on that, Ricky. Was trying to mix it up a bit with some observations. 🙂
Are you saying that because the primary issue has been discussed multiple times, give up and try “mixing it up a bit”? While some of the additional comments also have their value, nothing is going to change until the root of the problem is removed. The root of the problem is not Soucek playing in midfield or Summerville needing to be genetically modified. Solve the obvious and bigger problem and the rest will take care of itself .
You’re welcome to your opinion, Ray, which I agree with. These are not ROOT causes of the problem. The players don’t pick themselves. But that doesn’t make my observations any less valid.
Invalid, no, less valid than the root cause yes it kinda does, so I guess we will agree to disagree on that? One thing I am sure we can agree on is that we all want to see the clubs problems resolved and an upturn in their weekly fortunes so that we can return to the excitement and anticipation of a good game, win, lose or draw.
100% Ray!