Tomas Soucek destroyed after West Ham United loss v Crystal Palace in Premier League
Former Premier League goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has slammed Tomas Soucek for sloppy play during the Premier League clash between Crystal Palace and West Ham United on Saturday 29 April, as reported by the BBC in their live text commentary of the game.
Schwarzer savaged the Czech international with a “very poor” verdict as he dithered on the ball, leaving Jeffrey Schlupp to take full advantage, to make it 3-1 on 29 minutes.
The Australian revealed the joy expressed on the Crystal Palace bench at that moment, contributing to the half-time lead for the Eagles.
The upturn of individual and collective performances from Crystal Palace has been evident since Roy Hodgson’s return, as West Ham have now discovered.
“Very poor from Tomas Soucek,” said Schwarzer.
“I was watching the Crystal Palace bench after that goal.
“Ray Lewington was jumping up and down. He and Dean Kiely were hugging and kissing!”
Self destruct
Palace’s third goal is another example of an unforced error and poor individual decision-making on the pitch that has been a feature of West Ham’s struggles in recent times.
It must be of great frustration to David Moyes as there is nothing much he can do to prevent it. What it does, is to display a lack of confidence as well as a doubt that still prevails despite the recent upturn in the Premier League and in Europe for the Hammers.
Back-to-back defeats, with this loss to Crystal Palace following on from the Liverpool result means that Moyes and the leaders in the squad will need to take stock. There is no need to panic about a freefall just yet, but the next two games are against Manchester City and Manchester United, respectively.
Another six points should be enough to secure Premier League survival but they need to come sooner rather than later.
In other West Ham news, Alan Brazil has predicted a new Moyes problem live on talkSPORT