Pundit praises West Ham United ace Tomas Soucek after ‘awful’ start to season
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 Tomas Soucek is starting to play well for West Ham after his “awful” start to the season.
The pundit noted that manager David Moyes continued to play the midfielder despite his poor form, resulting in anger from supporters.
The Czech Republic international was on the scoresheet as the Hammers drew 2-2 with Newcastle United on Sunday (8 October).
The 28-year-old has made 10 appearances in all competitions this season, and now has four goals to his name, with two of those coming in the Premier League.
He is part of a talented midfield under Moyes, with Soucek joined by Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse and Lucas Paqueta in that area.
The midfield was restructured in the summer following the exit of Declan Rice, with McAvennie believing that his sale has benefited Soucek.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “It’s nice to see Soucek starting to play well again. He was awful at the start of the season. Moyes never dropped him, and the fans were getting on his back because of that.
“But he’s started to play well now and is coming back into it, putting challenges in and getting forward to try and score goals.
“It’s a new team, and they are better since Rice left. They are a wonderful, wonderful team and are better equipped now. They are a team, working together. With Rice not there, they are all fighting for each other. To play the way Moyes wants, they’ve all got to play well.
“I don’t think Soucek knew what to do when Rice was there. Rice was going forward rather than him, but I think he knows what he’s doing now. It’s a more balanced midfield.”
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