Soucek haters

[Kidders]

Take a rest

[Massive Attack]

"Under Lopetegui so far in his first 3 games - 3 starts, 2 wins, 2 clean sheets, 1 Goal, 1 Assist (by way of winning a penalty). Nowhere near as useless as some like to make him out to be and continues to be a solid useful Squad player who even Lopetegui clearly values when so many were convinced he wouldn't play and would be sold, let alone continue to start him. When the time comes, he will eventually be phased out the starting line-up for better playerd but for now he's more than doing his bit for the side helping us to keep clean sheets and win 2 in 2 games when others are struggling to make any impact (looks at Fullkrug, Summerville, Antonio)."

[paul6565]

Playing like a total fucking twat tonight ! As usual !

[Takashi Miike]

"leroys, no I was more referring to the middle four and not playing with a conventional striker. you must have noticed soucek saturday pushed so far up the pitch? I'm not a fan of it, but if he did try it i would rather have better technical players in those two 10 spots. you mention three defenders and a forward, and frankfurt played a similar system when turning us over, but you have to be pretty brave and have very hard working wide players like they did (kostic/knauf) and a disciplined back three"

[LeroysBoots]

"Takahashi, that box midfield has 6 players Stick in the keeper and the forward Leaves you with 3 defenders !"

[brick_lane_batty_boy]

"To be very, very clear though - He is not a holding midfielder due to his inability to pass a football"

[brick_lane_batty_boy]

"Makes me laugh when someone scores a goal then people go - 'what do you have to say now?' I have been one of the most critical of Soucek - this was all manifested by Moyes refusing to drop a player irrespective of form. I am more than happy for Soucek to be a squad member - Under Lopetegui - it looks like that's exactly what he will be - a squad member. Somebody who can come from the bench , or even god forbid, be substituted if he starts."

[Leavemyarcelona]

"Soucek offers so much to the team, club then people realise. Cult hero in my book. So glad social media wasn't around during the likes of lyall, greenwood, moore, hurst, peters, brooking era"

[goose]

Yorkammer 6:09 Tue Aug 27 Re: Soucek haters Really? you don't think the 150 games he's played for us is a bit more appropriate for context?

[Jasnik]

"Yeah think your right Loopy has obviously said our squad is too small we need 2 players for every position. We can't handle it, as we been told a for so long we can only afford a small squad and all west ham can expect as that is our place."

[threesixty]

"It's a squad game. Moyes made everyone think there was only ever 11 players to choose from. As long as players accept that no one starts every game at a big club then everythings fine. Small club mentality is when JWP doesnt start it means he has no place in a team, ever. Like no one gets injured and there are no other comps etc.. Or you know, tactically you might want to play someone because you .. god forbid, decide to play slightly differently next week! Players who NEED to start every single game or throw their toys out of the pram should get out of the club. Thats not the mentality we need."

[Yorkammer]

If Soucek was still at Slavia Prague and it was announced that we were getting the current Czech Republic captain as a squad player we would see it as the club moving forward. That's the context of how we should be viewing Tomas.

[terry-h]

He obviously loves the club and would be quite happy to be used from the subs bench on a regular basis.

[wansteadman]

As I said I like soucek but if we mean to push on he cannot be first choice but great squad player as he can be a defensive or attacking midfielder. Was more important to Moyes set up as at one stage a goal from a corner or free kick was our only hope

[Massive Attack]

"Wanstead No, of course not. But what he is, is an excellent squad player to call upon which should now be his acceptance within the side now we have an abundance of talent to select. And it's just the kind of strength in depth and competition we want in the Squad to keep everyone on their toes to cover for lack of fitness, form and suspensions. It appears Soucek is more than happy to play such an important role without kicking up a fuss and I'm glad Lopetegui also see it that way and isn't afraid to start him in both games already..And he's repaid some of that faith already with his penalty award in our 1st goal of the season, a goal himself and a clean sheet contribution away from home in the 2nd game if the season."

[dealcanvey]

A box to box midfielder in a different sense. Good at defending his box. Good at attacking the opponents box. Shit at anything else in between both boxes.

[Texas Iron]

Sir Alf… 100% …

[wansteadman]

I like soucek but he's nowhere near as good as Alvarez and Rodrigues and you can't possibly think you'd choose him in front of kudus or paquetta in an attacking midfield role

[wansteadman]

I like soucek but he's nowhere near as good as Alvarez and Rodrigues and you can't possibly think you'd choose him in front of kudus or paquetta in an attacking midfield role

[Massive Attack]

"Where Soucek lacks technical ability in regards to his passing, he certainly makes up for it with his technical ability when usually in front of goal. He has all types of finishing in the bag with some excellent finishes on the volley - Luton Home, Everton Away spring immediately to mind. 33 goals - 11 Assists During his 4 and a half years at West Ham. To put that into a bit of perspective during the same time period, Bowen has 61 goals - 39 Assists and he's a top class Forward. That's an excellent goal producing return for a predominately Defensive Midfielder. So glad we still have him in our Squad to call upon as and when Lopetegui sees fit. His goal scoring, top class attitude and battling qualities are invaluable to us."

[the exile]

"Got to agree with Sir Alf in saying that seeing people as either loving or hating Soucek is completely missing the point. I also agree with those who are saying that his lack of pace and technical ability means that as the team evolves into what the manager wants, Soucek should find himself more often than not on the bench. I think the arrival of Soler might hasten that state of affairs. But it's worth keeping Tommy, though I can't see any point hanging onto JWP."

[Eerie Descent]

"An devil may care optimist who's life's work is to wind up posters on an internet forum, usually in the form of made up weird sex-obsessed gutter banter. What a thrilling existence you live, in comparison to the miserable lives full of frustration and hate."

[british is best]

Certain games suit the big man . Games like the one coming up this Saturday don't . Against man city you need to try and keep possession. Which isn't him . Still a great option to have off the bench same as Antonio .

[joyo]

"The ""haters"" always always need a target wether it's the board,Noble,Moyes or Soucek,they tend to lead miserable lives full of frustration and hate Pessimists who call themselves realists,and I'm pleased to be an optimist and wind up the losers"

[Takashi Miike]

"it's not something I want to see but maybe Lop sees a possibility of a box midfield, with two advanced players in front of two deeper and the wide players. where that would leave the strikers in the squad, I don't know? the only way something like that could work, and even then I'd have my doubts is something like this (and it wouldn't include soucek starting)...... -------------------------- rodriguez ----------- alvarez ---------------------------------- ------------------------ kudus ----------------------- paqueta ---------------------------- -- bowen ----------- ⬇⬇⬇------------------------------ ⬇⬇⬇-------- summerville --- ------ ↘↘↘ ------------------------------------------------------------------- ↙↙↙ -------- again, I don't tucking like it but it's the only thing I can think he's pondering having tomas so far up the field yet contributing so little in the build up"

[Sir Alf]

"The problem with framing a discussion as “haters” vs “lovers” is by definition a tad divisive and simplistic polarisation more akin to arguments you have with friends at high, or dare I say primary, school :-) My stance, humble opinion ( like most on here just a fan who likes to discuss but also listen to other opinions ) is that Soucek is not good enough technically or quick enough to be part of any current Premiership midfield that wants to play out from the back, thru midfield and press in what wpuld be a “possession game” or tactics. Simple as that really and he weakens our midfield in that respect and using him to play in midfield will be akin to being a player short and make us susceptible to being overrun, getting caught in possession and vilnerable to fast counters. However, if played as a false 9 or almost a striker, he can be effective because like a forward, his role is primarily to get on the end or be part of work in the final 3rd and most of all scoring goals. At this moment he’s our best forward in that respect. But he should never start in a role in midfield to build play, press etc. 10-15 touches a game supports that. So you have to watch games and understand the team dynamic not just be a “scoreboard fan” who sees a goal scored by a player and immediately gives them 8, 9 or 10 for theor 90 min performance. Again far too simplistic. What happens if Palace scored 2 and Soucek still got his goal but missed 2 or 3 gilt edged chances? Would he still get 7,8 or 9 and be hailed for exactly the same performance? Most probably not :-) For me he is and should become an impact sub once the transition to Loppy’s tactics and more possession based / playing out thru midfield style fully takes hold. He’s a great team bloke and super attitude etc too but all these traits do not hide the fact that if he is not scoring or at least regularly causing problems for teams up front or we are not winning games he needs to be benched. Imho :-) At this time, he’s scoring, causing problems and while I think against better teams he is a huge liability in midfield, he currently “keeps the shirt”. But I would think it highly likely he drops to be a very useful bench option by New Year. If not, we are winning games and he is scorimg regularly then bravo Tommy and he remains. Above doesnt mean we hate him but are applying a bit of critical thinking which concludes he is limited and ultimately not a starting 11 player. As always with me, 100 words when 1 will do in an attempt to be balanced :-) I have the Samaritans number if anyone got this far :-)"