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LeroysBoots 6:58 Sat Nov 20
Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

Not playing at all, doesn't contribute anything currently

Is he carrying a knock ?

Does he need a rest ?

Did absolutely nothing today, looks fucked to me

hammerintheorient 3:13 Wed Dec 29
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

Love Super Tommy Soucek! I think he has been stifled a bit by the role he is asked to play. One of my favorite players to be honest

Irish Hammer 2:35 Wed Dec 29
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

1975witham 2:11 Wed Dec 29

Brilliant stuff.

Make sure you wash it sharpish, he covers about 10km per game, it'll be minging by tomorrow morning !!!

Glad your boy saw such an exciting game.

1975witham 2:11 Wed Dec 29
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

Top man made my sons day.. first away game and he got his shirt after the game.... Memories..... Ironssss.....

chim chim cha boo 2:24 Tue Nov 23
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

My God White Pony, isn't that the absolute joy of watching live football?

No commentary, no being ruled by a camera and a director, your eyes just go where you want them to go.

I"ll watch Soucek for ten minutes and absolutely love him. Rice and Bowen too.

There's nothing like watching the team you love live, especially now

White Pony 1:27 Tue Nov 23
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

I completely agree that his “dip in form” is massively exaggerated. He just isn’t scoring as much. Watch him the next match we play. I sometimes follow one player for a while during a game. This is probably a hangover from a memorable assessment I had with Opta where I had to watch a match and only watch and score Di Canio. Anyway, it is an interesting thing to do from time to time, if you’re a boring cunt like me.

Full Claret Jacket 10:38 Mon Nov 22
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

Personally I think he has been playing alright. He has done a decent job in midfield breaking up play. Always useful at set plays. He has been unlucky to have goals chalked off and I think once he gets one goal a few will follow.
We need to make sure Rice and Soucek are not outnumbered in midfield. They get through an incredible amount of work covering the pitch. With Antonio, Benrahma and Bowen all being attack minded, we leave big gaps at times.
He's also better with Coufal alongside as he makes the runs forward and provides an outlet to pass to.

Sir Alf 9:52 Mon Nov 22
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

There are a lot of players in the Prem suffering Euro hangovers it would seem. Just ask Maguire, Shaw and Kane for a start. Rice has largely been the exception. Even Kalvin Philips , his midfield partner, has looked a shadow of himself from last season.

Soucek still putting in the yards and work rate and still effective at the defensive stuff, its as mentioned by others that the goals have dried up and its that which people notice and got him most of the plaudits. He is probably jaded after the Euros and so many games, as with the players listed above, but we have to remember its also second season syndrome where teams are now aware of him on set pieces and in the air, where he arrives late. Add to that the old problem of "lady luck" deserting him. Like on Saturday the ball just wouldn't fall and it ends up hitting on the hand as he shapes to shoot.

No real problem performance wise IMHO but he could do with more rest.

Far Cough 7:56 Mon Nov 22
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

He needs more potato salad

chim chim cha boo 7:54 Mon Nov 22
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

Fuck me, a great to read and well thought out football thread on here! Well done chaps.

Russ of the BML 5:05 Mon Nov 22
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

Yep, he does need a rest. I was kind of hoping Kral would come in and show some form so Moyes could give Soucek a few games off.

Lato 2:38 Mon Nov 22
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

He needs a rest.......thing is if he isn't there we will miss him, he keeps putting his body on the line for the team, its takes it's toll

Alwaysaniron 2:36 Mon Nov 22
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

Like others have said on here. He's work rate is excellent, he never hides from his duties. He hasn't got the goals this season (that's because other teams are wise to his strengths after his performances last year). He has played loads of football and could be showing some tiredness but all in all he's still a great asset to us. Next?

southbankbornnbred 2:35 Mon Nov 22
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

I also think some of our set piece goals have been due to the fact that, after last season, teams started to focus on defending against Soucek's threat - leaving a bit more room for the likes of Dawson, Rice, Zouma and Oggy (when fit).

Seen some sides put two men on Soucek at set pieces this season. Fine by me - leaves space.

southbankbornnbred 2:30 Mon Nov 22
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

Agree with that, Russ.

Soucek does the hard and unglamorous yards every week.

My only concern about him is the amount of football he's played in the past 14 or so months, considering just how much ground he's covered.

He barely got a rest over the summer, due to the Czech Republic's good form in the Euros. It followed a frenzied year in the Prem last season, where he covered an abnormal number of miles per game. And he's doing it again this season (just without the goals from midfield, which we miss in games like the one at the weekend).

It wouldn't surprise me if he's a bit heavy-legged. You can't keep asking him to burst his lungs without some sort of quality rest period once in a while.

Still a top player.

Russ of the BML 2:20 Mon Nov 22
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

His form hasn't dropped. He just isn't scoring as many goals.

For a player if his position last season was probably a one off for goals. He couldn't stop scoring. That doesn't mean he is out of form now.

He has had some good chances this season and they just haven't gone in for whatever reason. It happens. But he shouldn't be judged by his goal scoring of last season as that was outrageous.

You also will have noticed that Declan is now playing more advanced. Last season out of the two it was Soucek going forward. Now, as Rice has developed and added carrying the ball upfield more to his game, it seems its Rice who is now more advanced.

His productivity and work rate are still top draw. He does so much dirty work which goes un-noticed. All I would say is ask Declan Rice. If you wanted to hear properly what Soucek brings then Rice would tell you. There's not a player Rice would like partnering him up than Soucek.

Block 11:43 Mon Nov 22
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

Doesn't contribute anything?

I'm sure I heard that this season he's covered more than any other player in the league.

I think , the stamp on his face has had an impact on his confidence - might sound as if I'm clutching at straws, but he had to have plastic surgery on his face.

He's also playing a different role now, as Declan is getting forwards a lot more so he's doing the dirty work which Declan did which goes completely unnoticed.

The main difference is that he's not scoring, so we aren't noticing him as much. But he's still 1 of the first names on the team sheet.

Mad Dog 6:49 Sun Nov 21
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

Genk?

daveyg 6:45 Sun Nov 21
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

If it is because Rice is being allowed to roam forward then so be it.
Rice is clearly the better player.
Rice was doing similar last year but has stepped up and is now scoring plus assisting.
Rice was clearly not 100 %.
It happens.
Moyes has shrugged it off. The players can have a day off and go again . Genk play tonight at 8, a ridiculous time but surely to our advantage.
Soucek has been in numerous good positions to score and hasn't finished his chances off. His was a purple patch. Will start banging them in soon.

Sajmo1 12:32 Sun Nov 21
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

Imo the reason why he's not looking as good as last season is the fact that we've been playing on another level this season. We've been playing some really good football and we're moving the ball around much faster which doesn't exactly suit him.

Side of Ham 12:16 Sun Nov 21
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

The thing that is wrong with slagging Soucek is that those doing the slagging seem to have forgotten how weak our midfield was and how easily it was played through. Even yesterday when we looked as close to that type of midfield for the first time since he’s been here it was Rice who was off form and misplacing passes……

twoleftfeet 12:14 Sun Nov 21
Re: Soucek - What Has Happened To Him ?

I’d like to see Kral given a run in the side, no point in having him if we don’t give him a go and I think he will suit the defensive side of the game more.

Soucek is a beast but even beasts need a rest.

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