West Ham take on Manchester City at the Etihad this afternoon. Tomas Soucek is a vital player for the Hammers and David Moyes should consider using him as a number 10 in order to really hurt City.
Read also: Craig Dawson calls West Ham ace the most hard as nails player he’s ever played with or against
Pep Guardiola’s side have been magnificent this season. They are currently sitting 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Man City are in the midst of a 19-game winning run and are red-hot favourites to make that 20 against West Ham today.
The Hammers will undoubtedly be under the cosh for large portions of the game at the Etihad.
We need to cause City some problems and make them think twice about us today, however, if we are to have any chance of heading back to the London Stadium with a positive result to show for our efforts.
David Moyes will undoubtedly set his team up to be hard to beat. One interesting option for West Ham, however, could be to utilise Tomas Soucek as a number 10.
The 26-year-old has been brilliant since moving to the London Stadium on loan in January 2020.
The Hammers signed him permanently in the summer and he has already established himself as a firm fan favourite at the London Stadium.
The Czech Republic international has scored 11 goals in 41 games for West Ham (Transfermarkt).
One of Soucek’s main strengths is his aerial ability.
David Moyes should throw curveball by playing Tomas Soucek as a number 10
Manchester City have no weaknesses really but one way we could get at them is by using Soucek as a target man.
Moyes could play the 6ft 4in midfielder just off Michail Antonio with Declan Rice and Jesse Lingard in the middle of the park.
The 26-year-old could cause all sorts of problems in the air. And with Antonio playing just in front of him, it would certainly give City something to think about.
We cannot afford to isolate Michy at the Etihad this afternoon. He needs some kind of support if he is to be effective.
If Antonio plays up front all on his own and we just lump it up to him the ball will keep coming back at us. That would equate to a very long afternoon at the Etihad for the Hammers.
Having Soucek operating close to the 30-year-old, however, will enable us to keep the ball higher up the pitch – an absolute necessity against this Man City team.
Look, we will do very well do get anything from this game. It is somewhat of a free hit for us. So why not try something different? There certainly isn’t anything to lose by doing so.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
