Tomas Soucek is expected to make his first appearance in a Hammers shirt against Brighton this afternoon but whether that’s from the start may be doubtful.
The new midfielder has arrived at the club during the course of the Czech winter break and hasn’t seen any action for six weeks which may lead manager David Moyes to using him sparingly.
Should that be the case Mark Noble and Declan Rice will continue in the midfield roles with Soucek arriving with Soucek appearing later in the game should Moyes take the option.
This has now become a crucial game with the Irons in 17th place and Brighton 15th two points ahead of us and the manager will keep his starting X1 under wraps until just before kick off.
Michail Antonio’s thigh problem, which caused him to miss the midweek defeat by Liverpool, is being assessed whilst for the visitors defender Shane Duffy is out with a shin injury.
Can’t wait to see him play I’m glad we got 3 players in this window
Personally I would start him, our midfielders look leggy and even if he isn’t fully up to speed his energy should lift the team. Can always play Noble alongside Rice with Soucek more advanced to minimise risk and give us a higher press.
It is a no brainer . He cannot be worse than Noble . Start him and then see how he is doing . Adrenalin will carry him through .
The winter break shouldn’t stop him from playing.
No point signing him if we have to wait. He’ll be fit enough.
Rice, Soucek and Noble/Snodgrass as three.
None of this 5 at the back rubbish.
Masuaku and Zab on the bench if they are lucky.
I cant believe it, Moyes has gone with only 1 up at home to Brighton. He is playing Fredericks, Noble and Snodgrass, no brains and legs and leaves Fornals. Zaba and Lanzini on the bench. I am stunned and totally frustrated by his lack of tactical awareness. Brighton will score at least 2 today, they will come down Fredericks side and we will need to score 3 but this team is a negative team so I just cant see it. How can he start the new player and not have the balls to drop Noble, he is clueless, has always been. After a positive window he just has given it all back, should I be surprised, NO. NO NO
Moyes is a fool, he is draining the confidence from the team with his decisions. The decision to take Antonio off today was simply incredible, to compound this to leave Noble on the pitch, just incredible. I have to say we are in big big trouble with this manager as he is so negative. He needs to go now before it is too late. He will continue to respect the point which will get is relegated. We need wins. We have to play two UP TOP, please wake up. We have to drop the likes of Fredericks and Noble.
He has had a solid first half. Considering he has never played with the team, quite remarkable,