What Kevin Nolan told Tomas Soucek as he was jeered off in West Ham United win v Southampton
Daily Mail journalist Ian Herbert has suggested that West Ham coach Kevin Nolan told Tomas Soucek “I’ve been there” following the player’s substitution against Southampton on Sunday (2 April).
The Czech midfielder was hooked by manager David Moyes in the 68th minute at the London Stadium for Flynn Downes.
And Herbert has suggested that many inside the stadium were cheering when the once-loved Soucek was brought off the field in the 1-0 victory.
“There was a time, a few years ago, when Tomas Soucek’s only challenge at West Ham was adjusting to playing at Christmas,” Herbert wrote for the Daily Mail. “He was a classic David Moyes acquisition – great value, great work ethic and part of a dynamic partnership with Declan Rice. But his life at West Ham is barren now.
“Against Southampton on Sunday, he was struggling to tackle, unsure of his role and there were cheers when he was substituted after an hour or so. You sensed that leaving the field was actually a relief for him.
“Coach Kevin Nolan came out to meet him as he approached the bench, gripping him in what seemed to be a way of shielding him from the pleasure being taken at his departure. Nolan seemed to be saying: ‘I’ve been there.’”
Fall from grace
Soucek would not have been too worried at all when Moyes decided to bring Brazil international Lucas Paqueta to East London last summer, even with his club-record £51million fee.
That is because it seemed the attacker was brought in to help the club in the final third, and not to displace Soucek from the heart of midfield.
But Paqueta has now been enjoying a run in a slightly more deeper role than he had previously been used to, with Soucek either pushed forward out of position, or indeed dropped to the bench by Moyes to accommodate the Brazilian.
It is, however, foolish to question Soucek’s importance to the Hammers, with the defensive midfielder making 37 appearances in all competition this season.
West Ham are, of course, fighting for their Premier League football, but potential European silverware is on the line, with the club into the last eight of the Europa Conference League.
Moyes has been and will continue to rotate his squad in the coming months, and that will undoubtedly involve Soucek playing the full 90 minutes in some matches, and being substituted or indeed starting on the bench in others.