Pundit backs Vladimir Coufal amid West Ham United dispute over international participation
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie believes the dispute over West Ham ace Vladimir Coufal’s participation for Czech Republic in the international break has been blown out of proportion.
The Hammers were reportedly unhappy that Coufal was called up to the squad for the recent international break, after he missed a series of games following a heel injury.
But Coufal played in both games during the break, getting an assist against Poland and playing 90 minutes against Moldova and McAvennie feels that is a good thing for West Ham as it gets him match sharpness ahead of their big run in to close the season.
“I don’t know because I look at it the other way, he’s not been first-choice at West Ham,” he told West Ham Zone.
“He may have went to get a game. He would have spoken to David and been told to go and get a game, because the more games you get under your belt the better.
“I know the boy Johnson has been playing there, but Coufal is a good right-back.
“He’s not been playing so I’d have thought he’s had a word with the manager and said he wants to go and get a game. The manager would have given him his blessing.
“It’s a win-win for West Ham that one. Hopefully he played well and he can come back, because Coufal hasn’t been doing it recently.”
The Hammers will host bottom of the table Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday (2 April), as they look to claim all three points and move out of the relegation zone themselves.
Coufal will be expected to feature in the game now having recovered from injury, and David Moyes will be hopeful he can continue the good form he showed for his country last week.