Flynn Downes can pile pressure on Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl for West Ham United on Sunday
By Kwame Boakye
Flynn Downes produced another classy display for West Ham in their 2-1 Conference League win over Anderlecht on Thursday and is now seriously pushing Tomas Soucek for a starting berth this weekend.
The former Swansea City star is yet to start a Premier League game but has dazzled with his performances in Europe and adds another dimension to West Ham’s play.
His ability to break up play, retain possession and play forward passes were on full display against Anderlecht, and the signs of a promising partnership with Hammers skipper Declan Rice were there for all to see in the 3-1 win over FSCB last month.
Downes is comfortable playing the holding role and would allow Rice to make those driving runs from midfield which became a hallmark of his game last season.
Meanwhile, Tomas Soucek’s form has been the subject of much debate with the Czech star struggling to make the same sort of impact he did in the 2020/21 campaign in which he got 10 goals from midfield.
The 27-year-old has coasted through several games this season, often leaving Rice exposed, and with just one Premier League goal to his name thus far; his lack of contributions to the defensive/attacking side of the game has become a cause for concern.
The Hammers travel to a struggling Southampton side sitting 17th in the league on Sunday.
The Daily Mail reported on 5 October that their manager Ralph Hasehuttl is under pressure following a poor start to the season. It was claimed that “the 55-year-old is now in serious danger of losing his job, with many believing it is now a matter of when not if he leaves St Mary’s”.
With the Irons expected to dominate possession against under-pressure Southampton, it could be the perfect opportunity for David Moyes to unleash Downes and see if he can translate his promising European form onto the domestic stage.