Moyes on Kudus starting a game

[J.Riddle]

"BBC Sport after Newcastle game asked Moyes what Kudus has to do to get a Premier League start for the Hammers. Moyes answered “He (Kudus) will be in the team for years to come so we are not in a huge hurry,” Moyes said matter-of-factly. “The team is getting good results (so there’s no need to change at the moment). “But he can play a big role in the future.”"

[Willtell]

Manuel There are broadly 2 types of midfielders. Attacking or defensive. Soucek is a defensive midfielder with the energy to get into both boxes while Alvarez is more of a sitter. Even he gets forward too but will always be a DM. Box to box for me means a midfielder with energy to defend and get forward to the opposition box as well. Soucek is a dm with box to box energy and the comfort of Alvarez behind him.

[fraser]

"Manuel - there are lots everywhere, some here but all across social media.. We can't play without Soucek's defensive qualities and the only player that can be dropped is Antonio. Willtell (yeah I know) thinks of he doesn't play Alvarez will be the only defensive barrier in our midfield, I've read similar everywhere. When others suggest otherwise, I've read others accusing people of thinking they know more than Moyes about football. I don't for a second think I know more than him. But not liking the way he cautiously sets up isn't that, it's just not liking it. I bet there isn't another manager in the league that would set up that way with our squad, doesn't mean they don't know better than Moyes. Those cunts in North London played like us last season, I know loads of them that made the same complaints.. Doubt any of them knew better than their multiple title winning manager.. But they got rid and now they're as happy as pigs in shit being entertained.."

[Manuel]

"fraser - Who are all these people being brainwashed by Moyes? Surely the vast majority would like to see Kudus come in for him. no? Willtell - A box to box DM? Fucking hell, just admit you were wrong and slip away quietly."

[fraser]

"Sorry but of course Moyes can play without Soucek because of the defensive side of midfield. We have Alverez who just sits and screens, Paqueta who ISN'T an attacking midfielder who has the best defensive stats in the whole league for tackles and winning possession. In fact I saw something a couple of weeks ago which said he was the best in the top 5 euro leagues. We also have JWP who can also break up play.. They've all done it better than Soucek this season. So many people brainwashed by Moyes into thinking it's all about defensive players. We need flair, pace and ball carrying to link it all up."

[LJC]

"box to box DM Hahaha. Alf - where do you get that nothing is happening in Jan or is this you being Mr Negative again like in the summer? Only this morning I have read hat we are in for 3 players (lb, cm, cf). It’s also being said we are in for two CBs as replacement for Zouma who is being sounded out by Saudi (Maguire and Tapsoba) and finally apparently Inter scouted soucek the other night with a view to a move. https://www.westhamzone.com/transfers/west-ham-united-target-triple-january-signing-as-plans-revealed/ https://www.hammers.news/transfer-news/tim-steidten-has-close-eye-on-rapid-penalty-taking-centre-back-edmond-tapsoba-if-west-ham-move-for-harry-maguire-fails-again/ https://www.westhamzone.com/transfers/west-ham-united-transfer-news-tomas-soucek-inter-milan-update/ Oh and this… https://www.hammers.news/transfer-news/do-west-ham-want-to-replace-ageing-star-lukasz-fabianski-with-free-agent-whos-6-years-younger-after-shock-david-de-gea-claim/ I know you may not place much faith in the sources but still rumblings…."

[Mex Martillo]

"I agree with that about Soucek, Willtell. Didn’t think I’d see myself typing that, but good post."

[Manuel]

Hammer and Pickle 10:45 Fri Oct 13 ''Benny looks like a confidence-player who needs a goal to get going again. Needs to be starting games but that's not happening either. Reckon he's off in January.'' He will be off.....to the Africa Cup of Nations.

[Willtell]

"I agree with you Sir Alf, that Soucek doesn't have the ball playing skills of the best but he does do a lot of good work all the same. I just can't see Soucek being dropped for an forward player like Kudus. Moyes invariably plays a midfield 5 made up of 2 defensive and 3 attacking midfielders. Do you really think Moyes would play only 1 DM and 4 attacking players. Perhaps he should in some games and maybe he might try it at some time but I really think Moyes just is too defensive minded to go for that. I suppose the only option would be to use Paqueta as the second DM but I reckon he wasn't disciplined enough when he did play there before for Moyes to trust him there for too long. I'm not a fan of Soucek but it's the number of headed clearances, blocks, goals and running that make him a box to box DM worth his place"

[Hammer and Pickle]

Benny looks like a confidence-player who needs a goal to get going again. Needs to be starting games but that's not happening either. Reckon he's off in January.

[Sir Alf]

"Perhaps we should focus on what we agree on? Or is that an oxymoron on WHO ? :-) Soucek is not of the technical quality to start every league game I think we might agree on? If we want progress and address weaknesses then he, Coufal, Antonio, Benrahma should not be considered in our strongest 11. The other position that might need a better first 11 player is CB. I’m still not sure Aguerd has the physicality but it’s only the start of his second season so maybe still time. But we have Stavros as an alternative so less of an issue. The aforementioned players have a role to play but more a squad backup options. That could see them wish to move elsewhere but they fall short of different combinations of technical quality, pace and decision making imo. Hopefully we see them no longer starting league games as Steidten continues good recruitment in next few windows ( sounds like nothing much will happen in Jan?). Addressing the Kudus question, he replaces Soucek for me as the starter in league games and it may be that Moyes “easing him in” is designed in part not to upset Soucek too much as he is one who always looks dejected when subbed off. Good management of the squad or blind loyalty to a type of player ( Soucek ) that is rarely seen in the best midfields ? I notice Soucek is beginning to be subbed off now so maybe Moyes has recognised Tommy’s limitations ? Kudus would be another outlet who doesn’t lose the ball and provides movement and passing options going forward. I am hopeful by end of season he is a regular first team starter and Tommy a useful bench option. But I do see Soucek is better now we have Alvarez and Paqueta winning the ball ( Paqueta is great at that as well as the more creative skills). Benrahma is now the most frustrating player and Antonio the next just due to losing the ball too often or selfish decisions to shoot etc."

[Eerie Descent]

"I don't really give a fuck what he says himself or what some website says, he plays some form of central midfield, and averages about 10 passes a game. Shocking."

[BillyJenningsBoots]

"Strange though that pundits are calling out that he is getting back to his best now that he's contributing by getting on the score sheet... Which is not the expectation of a DCM more a box to box midfielder maybe?! Lets face it Alvarez was definitely not brought in for his goals = DCM When Soucek first joined he was allowed to attack and scored consistently arriving late with headers and tap ins, but as soon as he was shackled and Rice took that role he struggled - obv not as many goal chances and i think his confidence dropped which affected his all round game - his stats were terrible (better this season) as he's just not got the ability to just sit and defend - as his distribution is woeful.. Now he's got that box to box role again he is thriving... Box to Box not out and out DCM"

[OneAll]

soucek is a box to box midfielder he is not a cdm

[Willtell]

Of course Vexed and Lee Trundle are world authorities and much more reliable than Wikipedia and Transfermarkt Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

[Lee Trundle]

"Yeah, let's all forget what type of player Soucek calls himself, and listen to Wikipedia and Transfermarkt. hahaha"

[Mex Martillo]

Chill out guys. It’s not life or death.

[Willtell]

FMOB! Soucek is a defensive midfielder known internationally as being that. Of course he’s not as good at it as Rice or Alvarez’s but he’s still a fucking defensive midfielder! And if there’s a plank it’s you Vexed. Check how Wikipedia and Transfermarkt classify him. Oh look! Defensive Midfield

[Willtell]

FMOB! Soucek is a defensive midfielder known internationally as being that. Of course he’s not as good at it as Rice or Alvarez’s but he’s still a fucking defensive midfielder! And if there’s a plank it’s you Vexed. Check how Wikipedia and Transfermarkt classify him. Oh look! Defensive Midfield

[Mex Martillo]

"Thinking about it probably too much. Soucek is an intelligent player that reads the game really well. He knows where best to position himself to receive or win the ball. This explains why he is effective in both boxes, either winning blocks / clearing headers or scoring goals."

[Hammer and Pickle]

"Moyes has to take responsibility for playing a half-fit Antonio ahead of Kudus. He is a twit, isn’t he"

[Takashi Miike]

"tomas is a hard working box to box player, who's happiest in the opposition's half. I think he can play with kudus but that means dropping antonio, and the jock twat doesn't bench his favourites so kudus will continue waiting for a chance"

[Vexed]

"Id love to know what Willtell thinks Alverez is. Probably a number ten or something, the plank."

[Manuel]

"Sorry 'Tell, but no way is Soucek just a DM, for a start that is an important, specialized position and Soucek isn't good enough to take that on. His style of play, the way he moves around the pitch (awkwardly, most of the time) is not befitting of the DM. Look at Alvarez, who is a proper DM, you hardly notice him, but Soucek pops up all over, DM's don't do that."

[BRANDED]

Tommy isnt just a defensive midfielder though is he? He seems to like getting forward and scoring. ?üòÇ?üòÇ

[Willtell]

Vexed 12:24 Only on WHO would a foul mouthed gobshite like you argue black was white. Soucek is a defensive midfielder. End of story. That’s how he’s seen internationally throughout the game. The fact that he also gets to run further than most to pop up with goals makes no difference to his primary task which is to protect the back 4. Just like Rice did even though you insisted he was really a centre back! Funny how we got £105m for that CB eh?