Tomas Soucek was as good a player as has ever worn the West Ham shirt last season.
He defied all the stuff that’s often talked about it taking a while for players to fit in following a move from abroad.
The man was sensational and formed the heartbeat of the team alongside Declan and let’s be absolutely straightforward about this; you don’t go from that level to what we are seeing this season without a very good reason.
I’ve read of course that he’s tired as the man reason but I consider that a far too easy explanation.
I still believe that the problem lies in the fact that he continues to be used in an entirely defensive midfield role with Declan explaining he had decided to take on the runs on goal role.
Why has this happened? Tomas is simply not the same player and it is time it was sorted if in my view he is to hurry to sign a new deal.
We reported earlier that he will enter more talks towards the end of the season after a round of discussions today and in the meantime he has explained that things are being done differently at Rush Green on how we want the team to play.
Let’s hope a return to the way things were last season with him in a far more attacking role is among them.
Here’s what he had to say per Hammers News: “We’ve done some different things during training at Rush Green with how we want to play and what we want to develop, and I think this can improve us as a team, how we play and how we want to play.
We struggled with keeping the ball and creating chances against Newcastle, but we’ve been working hard to do our maximum, and we want to transfer that to the next game. That’s the best thing we can show against Wolves.”
Agree this must be sorted Hugh. It is daft that they can’t work it and rotate or have situations when one is preferred to go on. Declan runs are most effective later on and not over frequent, especially when the game is stretched out. Tomas is very good second wave on the attack and set pieces.
One of the delicate balancing acts in the art of player management. Although it is good to see Declan growing in confidence and making forward runs it is coming at a cost, ie the goals Tomas used to score who in my opinion is the much better attacking player. But who does Moyes appease? With Declan being linked away with a move all the time and the club desperately trying to keep him, is Moyes going to risk upsetting Dec by making him revert to the more defensive role ?
I think not, yet that is exactly what would be best for the team I reckon. I certainly don’t have the answer but it is a thorny problem for David Moyes and he has my sympathy.
Rice will have to stay back against Wolves but that doesn’t give Soucek a free rein. Wolves are about 3rd best in-form team. Speed is the key, we’ve been far too slow in the build up.