West Ham academy coach Greg Lincoln made an interesting comment about Tomas Soucek after the under-21s’ most recent game.
The Hammers exited the Premier League 2 play-offs after a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Brighton on Monday night.
Following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, Lincoln emphasised the untapped potential of West Ham’s many talented youngsters.
The lead coach urged them to follow in Soucek’s footsteps by becoming significant contributors in a key aspect of the game.
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Greg Lincoln wants West Ham youngsters to impact set pieces like Tomas Soucek
Lincoln highlighted the growing impact of set pieces in football, which the Hammers’ academy players need to develop.
Brighton’s first goal on Monday came from a corner, as Callum Mackley headed home after he was left unmarked at the back post.
“Set plays are something we keep banging the drum about to the boys. We work on it tirelessly on the pitch.
“You have to get good at it – it’s around 30 per cent of all goals, and that statistic is rising all the time,” Lincoln told whufc.com.
Lincoln then used Tomas Soucek as a prime example of a player who has increased his value with his aerial dominance from set pieces.
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The Czech Republic international has scored more than a dozen headed goals for West Ham and is equally good at defending crosses.
“To have a good career in senior football, you have to become a specialist,” Lincoln urged his players to emulate Soucek in one way or another.
“We’ve got some great examples in the first team – Tomas Soucek being one of them – who’s a real weapon in both boxes from set plays.
“The boys have to recognise that and become a specialist, whatever that might look like, whether that’s delivering set plays or being strong on first contact.
As Lincoln explained, not everyone is six-foot-three like Soucek, but they can still help the team at set pieces.
Especially when you consider that set pieces have contributed massively towards Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge, it is hard to disagree.
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