Lewis Steele blasts ‘utterly embarrassing’ West Ham United, shares Tomas Soucek verdict after 5-1 loss v Newcastle United
Daily Mail journalist Lewis Steele blasted West Ham United for their “utterly embarrassing” defensive showing against Newcastle at the London Stadium on Wednesday [5 April].
The Hammers were completely outclassed by a rampant Newcastle United side with goals from Callum Wilson (2), Joelinton (2) and Alexander Isak kept the Hammers flirting with the drop zone.
And Steele writing in his Daily Mail notebook [6 April] had his say on the performance and was left baffled by David Moyes’ continued selection of Tomas Soucek who has struggled for form in recent weeks.
He said: “David Moyes is often criticised for his negative tactics but it seems his team have now forgotten how to defend, too. This defensive performance was utterly embarrassing.
“On a pre-match stroll outside the stadium, the main points of disgruntlement were Moyes’ system, his continued selection of out-of-form Tomas Soucek and a lack of ambition.”
Baffling
Why Moyes continues to pick Soucek in his team despite his dreadful form every week is beyond belief and just goes to show that the former Everton manager’s stubbornness has been hurting the club all season long.
It’s no wonder why West Ham United have been flirting with the drop for so long because of baffling decisions like that but also goes to show the club’s lack of quality depth in midfield.
In a period where the Hammers need their best performers on the pitch, Soucek hasn’t been one of them and with his contract situation at the London Stadium up in the air, the club board may not be so encouraged to open talks with him regarding a new deal.
The Czech has been on the decline for a long while now, struggling to match the form he showed early on in his West Ham career, but maybe it’s time the club moves on from him this summer. With main-man Declan Rice leaving too, the club will desperately need a major revamp of their midfield.
Premier League safety will be high on the agenda first though, but the defensive embarrassment suffered on Wednesday night leaves their ambitions in serious jeopardy.