WHZ View: Soucek can cause aerial chaos and roll back the months in West Ham v Wolves
West Ham travel to Wolves on Monday and the Premier League encounter could be the perfect chance to revive Tomas Soucek’s aerial mojo.
Soucek was in the goals during the international break as he struck a superb hat-trick for Czech Republic in their 6-2 rout of Estonia on March 23, three days after he netted against Arsenal for the Irons.
However that extremely fortunate goal, one that cannoned off his leg after a Michail Antonio header, was his first since February 3 and despite his towering presence, Soucek has not scored a header since January 26.
At West Ham Zone we think that could change at Molineux on Monday, especially considering the previous encounter between the sides in East London.
According to Wyscout Soucek had four touches in the penalty box on September 27, a figure he has only trumped twice this season.
He also had five shots in this game which is the most he has recorded in the current campaign.
The Czech Republic international was an aerial menace, winning 80% (8/10) of his aerial duels, his fourth-highest figure of the season.
The three games he scored higher in were all in consecutive December fixtures versus Chelsea, Brighton and Southampton, but he has failed to reach those levels since and on only one occasion has he breached the 60% barrier.
But he should find plenty of success at Molineux, as these images from September’s clash show.
Soucek did not get on the scoresheet against Wolves at the London Stadium but he was mightily close.
This first example below shows him completely strong-arming the now-departed Ruben Vinagre to head an effort on target which was just kept out by Rui Patricio.
This next clip actually resulted in a goal and while Soucek was not credited with an assist or goal, his fingertips, or rather head, were all over it.
He met Aaron Cresswell’s corner at the near post and his header deflected off Raul Jimenez and into the Wolves net to put the Irons 3-0 up and in cruise control.
Soucek also had an indirect hand in the fourth and final goal of the game.
Here, Arthur Masuaku is lining the ball up on the left-hand side with Soucek in the penalty area, hand raised to receive the ball.
Up against Conor Coady, he has the physique and power to beat him easily in the air.
This is something spotted by Romain Saiss who attempts to shuffle over to help his captain out and double up on Soucek.
Saiss steps forward but that is to his and Wolves’ detriment as Masuaku lifts across over his head and into the path of Sebastien Haller, who nodded past Patricio.
It was Soucek’s mere presence in the penalty box that distracted Saiss and that slight change of footing was costly to ensure he was unable to reach Masuaku’s cross.
Only three Premier League clubs have conceded more headed goals than Wolves’ eight this season, one of which is rock-bottom Sheffield United [Wyscout], so there is a clear defensive deficiency from which to exploit.
West Ham, meanwhile, are the second-highest scorers from headers and only Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Edinson Cavani and Harry Kane have netted more via this method than Soucek [Premier League website].
He caused indirect damage to Wolves last time and now Soucek will be hoping to make a more direct impact on Monday.
In other West Ham news, our view on how boundless Bowen could prove pivotal at Molineux.