West Ham’s Edson Alvarez somewhat surprisingly played himself back into Nuno’s starting elven last weekend. The Mexican skipper – back from a poor season on loan at Fenerbahce where he spent most of the time injured – seems by all accounts to be a player keen to buy into the Championship project this season despite the 50% salary cut and loss of kudos from dropping down a division.
However you have to wonder – especially after Alvarez’ poor performance against Portsmouth when his rash challenge should have been rewarded with another red card – quite how many opportunities he’ll be getting as a Hammer with those rush-of-blood bad challenges still not eradicated from his game – is hard to call.
Tomas Soucek – recovering well and ahead of schedule following bad World Cup injury
Especially with ExWHUemployee’s update yesterday (which seemed to go under the radar) providing important, positive news on stalwart Tomas Soucek’s recovery from his horrible injury sustained in the World Cup, which forced him off the playing field on a stretcher:
“Soucek is said to be recovering well,” was the welcome update: “We understand he is in line for an earlier than expected return, with the injury forecast to 4-6 weeks.””
With the Czech stalwart’s recovery, West Ham’s midfield squad with the dreaded Ward Prowse, Alvarez Soucek ‘slow stodgy’ combination under Lopetegui looks a real possibility if we are not careful. Cue ‘face palming’ amongst West Ham fans who had to witness that worst midfield in the Premier League first hand. The only hope is that West Ham get on and bring another dynamic player in before 2nd September.
In which case, does Nuno really need both Alvarez and Soucek in his squad?
Surely with Soucek fit again in a month or so, ‘El Machin’ will find himself out of the starting eleven and with limited opportunities, as Nuno is clearly looking at youngster Mohamadou Kanté as the future.
Room for Soucek and Alvarez in the same match day squad? I certainly hope not. Our midfield already lacks pace with either starting: With both it becomes positively statue – like.
Alvarez physicality seems a good match for Championship. Soucek can still contribute goals. JWP may be the one to be sold once either Engels or James arrives.
Tommy in the Championship will be great as long as we put some young legs alongside him. Kante, Orford and Earthy are good options now and the hopefully Engels before the end of the window. Just hurry up and get Parrott in as well.
There is room for all of them the championship is a long slog especially if we get a run in one or both of the cups
Completely agree don’t forget about up and coming injuries and suspensions.
Or is it about MORE cost cutting.
Staying in championship you won’t recognise team next year after a proper fire sale.
Alvarez is always consistent for Mexico but they are an average team – Soucek is always inconsistent for us but he has that goal threat – JWP is consistently mediocre, never terrible, never brilliant. Alvarez has the added bonus of being able to drop into defence and so is a keeper in my opinion. Soucek’s goal threat is significant, even if his passing is shocking at times PLUS he helps out defensively as much as any midfielder in the squad and so is a keeper. JWP? Don’t see the point in him in this team so he would be the one i’d look to sell, plus his wages are still significant even after relegation.
Alvarez’ poor performance against Portsmouth?!
Creating a narrative to fit an opinion??
General consensus suggests he held the midfield together and was West Hams most influential player.
And yes, I did watch the game.
alvarez is far better than tommy we need steel in the side not light weights like JWP
alvarez is no way near as good as tommy… what are you smoking mate?
If either James or Engels join in this window there will surely be limited opportunities for Alvarez. Maybe a cup game here and there. His £50,000 per week wage is all that’s keeping him at the LS. He is a busted flush and very much yesterday’s man. If an a comes in – take the money! Please?
I take your point Martin – but El Machin and Tommy can be in the same *squad as long as they are not in the midfield together – we are worryingly short of players – so one could replace the other during a game or EL Machin could play in central defence
COYI
cant believe hes still even a west ham player. total liability! he has no discipline and it cost us a fair few games the first two years he was at the club. not to mention he’s probably the 4/5th choice midfielder. get him gone
I think Orford is the player who the midfield should be built around. He’s the best passer,set piece provider,tackler and scores too. Whether this is with Alvarez,Soucek,JWP (who I think should be on his way out ) or Kante.
He’s our best hope in that midfield whether it’s in a 2 or 3.
David how can you say that we should build a team around Orford, he’s played one senior game and got sent back from Stevenage last season due to no game time?
His time may come but currently he needs a loan to harden him up, his passing in the attacking third is average and he lacks pace, as supporters we really do overate our players