Pundit: Tomas Soucek ‘not right’ at West Ham United, tells him to fight for his place
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 admits that “something is not right” with Tomas Soucek this season, but has told him to fight for his place in the West Ham side.
The Czech Republic international has been criticised for his form in recent times, with just one goal and one assist in 27 appearances in the Premier League this season.
Despite fans being unhappy at his performances he continues to be selected by David Moyes with the team in a relegation battle, and McAvennie believes he’s fighting for his future with Declan Rice set to leave in the summer.
“He’s not kicked a ball this year and I don’t know if that’s because Paqueta has come in, but they should all be fighting for places,” he told West Ham Zone.
“If it was me I’d be saying you’re not taking my place. I don’t get these people who all of a sudden go into their shell. Fight for your place.
“That’s what the manager wants.
“Declan is going, so he should think he can take his place. I might be wrong, but Paqueta wants to do the sitting not play as a number ten. Soucek wants to get the goals.
“I think it’s a partnership made in heaven, because Declan wants to run forward and that’s what he done last year when Soucek went off the boil.
“It’s a strange one. It might be a situation to have a look at, but the way they’re playing at the moment none of them are happy. They don’t look like a team, they’re all individuals. You can tell with their faces that something is not right.”