Czech newspapers react to Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal performances v Switzerland
Both Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal had games to forget on Tuesday night as the West Ham duo suffered a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in the Nations League.
After a nervy start to the match, the Czech Republic endured a nightmare two-minute spell that saw both Remo Freuler and Breel Embolo score.
Patrik Schick clawed one back for the visitors on the brink of half-time, but it wasn’t enough to rescue any points for his side.
Soucek had a handful of chances to score – including a penalty – but failed to find the back of the net, while Coufal hit the post but was poor in defence. Czech newspapers have since delivered their verdict on their performances.
Blesk gave Soucek a dire rating of 3/10, and said he “fell asleep” defensively for Switzerland’s first goal. Coufal was handed a 5 and was described as “angry”, although he was also praised for his attacking activity.
Idnes piled on more criticism, singling out Soucek’s penalty kick as a “weak, ill-placed” shot. They also criticised Coufal for being “skipped past” by Freuler for the first goal.
Soucek and Coufal both received 3/10 ratings from Sport.CZ. Soucek was slammed for placing a vital header “straight where [Jan] Sommer was standing”, while Coufal “escaped” errors twice on the right, and was “late” to stopping Freuler.
Terrible form
So it seems Soucek and Coufal’s terrible form is not just for the Hammers this season.
Soucek endured a nightmare performance for his nation on Tuesday evening. Not only did he look fragile and vulnerable at the back, but his passing was sloppy and his shooting even worse.
The missed penalty summed it all up. Soucek looks a shadow of himself compared to previous seasons, when his physicality and presence in midfield could not be ignored.
As for Coufal, he’s often looked tired for the Hammers and was unable to keep up with the pace yet again for the Czech Republic.
Both perhaps need some time out, and David Moyes dropping them for the upcoming matches against Wolves, Anderlecht and Fulham could be exactly what they need to kickstart their season.
Soucek’s poor form has often left Declan Rice exposed in midfield, and the England international deserves the chance to play alongside a new midfield partner.
As for Coufal, Moyes needs to reorganise the West Ham defence and possibly drop the 30-year-old for Thilo Kehrer.