It may taken six months but slandered star Tomas Soucek says David Moyes has finally solved the big West Ham conundrum.
The partnership of Declan Rice and Soucek in the heart of midfield was regarded one of the best in the Premier League during West Ham’s rapid rise under Moyes.
But just a couple of months into last season – back in October 2021 – Hammers News noticed a very worrying change in the way Moyes was setting the team up.
Suddenly Rice, who had become the best defensive shield in the top flight bar none, was rampaging all over the pitch and bombing forward.
And it had an instant, negative impact on Soucek, who had bagged 10 goals for the Hammers the season before.
Moyes admitted after a 2-1 defeat at home to Brentford that Soucek was struggling to play his natural game due to Rice’s new role (Football.London).
Soucek has struggled ever since, looking a shadow of his former self, and becoming something of a scapegoat for some West Ham supporters – even being unfathomably jeered off the pitch during one defeat and persistently slandered on social media.
Last month Moyes admitted he was wrong to change the Rice and Soucek dynamic and revealed he was working to fix his broken midfield while also incorporating record signing Lucas Paqueta.
Well it’s taken six months but slandered star Soucek says Moyes has finally solved the big West Ham conundrum.
Speaking on West Ham’s official website, Soucek says the Scot has devised a plan to use him, Rice and Paqueta together from here on in with a rotation between all three to keep the opposition guessing.
“We have had time (as a three) together and I just hope we show more and more on the pitch, which can bring us more good things,” Soucek told whufc.com.
“I prefer all of the positions in the midfield, even playing as a defensive midfielder. But what I like the most is the rotation between the three. If we get better and better in the middle, we will rotate with each other.
“It’s great for us and it is tough for the opponent as they don’t know who will be in what position. I like having the freedom to change between us and I hope it will carry on.”