Hammers fans know the truth behind West Ham star Tomas Soucek’s shocking but refreshingly honest statement.
There has – and continues to be – much talk about the place of Tomas Soucek in the West Ham side over the last year.
But the big Czech has certainly been silencing many of his critics so far this season.
West Ham’s towering Czech midfielder has looked much more like his old self of late.
But on the flip side, the arrivals of Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse – and the fact Lucas Paqueta is clearly a guaranteed starter – is already causing a dilemma for David Moyes.
Especially as the Scot needs to somehow fit his new £38m magic man Mohammed Kudus into the Hammers side too.
It’s a nice problem for West Ham to have of course. But given how much Soucek has given the club, many feel a big sense of loyalty towards him. Coupled with the fact he is playing well enough to justify his selection, it’s a potentially awkward situation.
Fans know the truth behind West Ham star Tomas Soucek’s shocking but refreshingly honest statement
Soucek scored in West Ham’s 3-1 Europa League win over FK TSC Backa Topola last week.
And good old reliable Soucek followed that up by scoring the goal which secured West Ham’s place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
After that game the fan favourite made a surprising admission.
“I am happy I could get on the scoresheet, and I can again in the future,” Soucek said.
“I feel very good. Maybe last season I didn’t feel right, didn’t feel that motivated, but this season I feel great.
“We have a very strong squad, we’re in four competitions and I just hope this season can be even better than last season.”
It is quite something for a footballer to openly admit he was not feeling motivated. Especially in light of West Ham’s Premier League struggles last term.
But fans know the truth behind West Ham star Soucek’s shocking but refreshingly honest statement.
Soucek enjoying new lease of life after being shackled by Moyes pandering to roaming Rice
He didn’t say it directly, because he didn’t need to. But Soucek is referring to the fact he was made to sacrifice his natural game as Moyes pandered to Declan Rice.
Soucek does a major job for West Ham defensively, especially aerially. But he is not a defensive midfielder and never has been. He is a box-to-box midfielder who keeps things simple, progresses the play and times his runs into the box in search of goals.
It was no coincidence that his goal threat considerably diminished as Rice was given the freedom to rampage up and down the pitch.
But Rice did not contribute the goals Soucek did and can – that was clear for all to see last season.
Just ask Moyes who admitted himself a change of role for Rice was hugely responsible for selfless Soucek’s dip in form.
Soucek poured his heart out about his difficulties in the face of harsh fan criticism last season.
Moyes got it wrong to change Soucek and Rice dynamic – he’s admitted that himself – and now we’re seeing why
But his latest comments are the first time he has made it clear he was not happy with the change of dynamic between him and Rice.
The former Hammers skipper can chip in with the odd – often spectacular – goal. But he is not capable of providing the kind of consistent goal threat that Soucek is.
But don’t take our – or even Soucek’s – word for it. Because Moyes came out and held his hands up back in February that he was wrong to change the Rice and Soucek dynamic.
The Scot has since claimed West Ham’s midfield is better this season despite Rice’s departure.
Moyes clearly values Soucek. Because he has reportedly already signed a new four-year deal behind the scenes at West Ham.
And West Ham fans who doubted and scapegoated him during the dark days of last season are starting to appreciate him again too.
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