West Ham Online

Despised by many on here.

Man of the match, player of the season and should be captain.

legend. 

He’s 30 and entering the twilight of his career. Its probably the last chance we have of getting a decent fee for him if he were sold. On the other hand, scoring as many as he does has made him a valuable asset and would be great to keep him if he was prepared to accept more of a squad role with less minutes. The impact sub role would seem perfect ( if we were chasing a game ) but would he accept that and does he deserve to be at a club where he starts and plays most games?  If we want to improve our ability to play at pace, in possession and be able to play thru and around teams I dont see how he can be a starter most weeks.  If he was 25 maybe but he will be getting slower. Its a tough one because he has such a great attitude and commitment, seems to really love the club and a nice, humble bloke. If he was 25 or younger no problem, keep him but he’s got 2, maybe 3 more years at the top level and he will get slower.  Im hoping he accepts playing a lot less minutes and sees out his career with us. This is something I would never have said 3 or so years back but he has proved to be a very effective player despite his lack of speed and technique.

Eerie Decent" wrote: ↑12 May 2025, 18:19

Massive Attack" wrote: ↑12 May 2025, 17:53 Soucek really bothers you, don't he?

It's a thread about Soucek, I think it's a pretty level headed debate? Is it because I gave you a conclusive stat earlier that completely contradicted what you said?

Regardless, the way you've been on here the last couple of years over Moyes & now Potter, you've got some front. You're hysterical at times. I'm pretty level headed, i just happen to be right most of the time. On the other hand, you've had some shockers.

Massive Attack" wrote: ↑12 May 2025, 17:53 Soucek really bothers you, don't he?

Glad he could celebrate the birth of his child with a goal. 

Well done, Tomas.

Soucek really bothers you, don't he?

Why is your mate Moyes the only manager interested in signing him?

To put Soucek in a little more perspective, he's currently joint 24th top scorer in the Premier League, with Bowen joint 15th..


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/pr ... op-scorers


I'm not sure how it equates if we took out all Penalties scored by others too which would have a further effect on his level of impact. 

Everton!

Fine squad player, that's all!

As fans it’s difficult to be objective when assessing our players but as Larry Grayson used to say he seems a nice boy.

So, good bloke that Tomas is, right now which other prem clubs would have him as an automatic starter, several, or more?

How many has he stopped us scoring by not being able to pass the football to a half decent standard?

It's incredible how people think if Soucek didn't play, we wouldn't have scored those goals. It's a ridiculous argument. We might have scored more on the day, performing better as a team.

He has 9 league goals this season. Over a fifth of our league goals. For all his faults, that is a huge asset. And he doesn't do cheap or luxury goals (say the 3rd goal in a 3 - 0 win). All of his  legue goals bar one this season, have been a go ahead goal, or an equaliser.

Lee Trundle" wrote: ↑12 May 2025, 14:29 If you look at the STATS, then he's in the bottom 4% in the league when it comes to progressive passes, bottom 10% in passing attempts, and bottom 6% of passes completed.

I'd suggest that's shockingly bad for a central midfielder.

scott_d wrote: ↑12 May 2025, 14:25 Not saying you're wrong btw, just think you're going in a bit hard on him.

Thought he was supurb yesterday 

If you look at the STATS, then he's in the bottom 4% in the league when it comes to progressive passes, bottom 10% in passing attempts, and bottom 6% of passes completed.

I'd suggest that's shockingly bad for a central midfielder.

He's just not really suited to how we are aspiring to play now. As was mentioned he was great for a Moyes style of play. To be fair to him his goal return is still very good but he's not a great fit for Potter's team. 

Not saying you're wrong btw, just think you're going in a bit hard on him.

Eerie Decent" wrote: ↑12 May 2025, 12:21 I don't think anyone would deny his commitment to the cause. A great character.

But he is shockingly bad at passing and moving, and has terrible mobility. The way this league is, and given the fact I think most of us want to see us play football the right way, he's kryptonite. Everyone has been complaining about our central midfield for a couple of years, suddenly he's not a problem?

For his own faults, Potter clearly wants to go in a different direction, hence dropping him recently. Trouble is, nothing seems to be working, so he's gone with the bloke who pops up with a decent return in goals and defends corners, but does pretty much nothing else.

He's a Moyes/Allardyce player. I think most of us want to move on from that.

Alvarez is more limited than Soucek.

For me our best midfielder and the one with the highest ceiling is Alvarez. 

I would like to keep him and get him back to his best, stick another great CM alongside him and that could be a great duo. 

But Potter seems to have had a row with him and he looks to be on the way out so we need at least 2/3 midfielders to come in which seems optimistic. 

You can clearly see Potter has gone largely with the players who are more selfless/team players who are willing to do what's best and set the best example in midfield, in the absence of putting the most talented players in the squad in. Hence Soucek and JWP being the mainstays. There's no doubt Soler, Alvarez etc are better players as individuals, but just not for the team. He's just going with the least damaging line up, sacrificing quality to do so. And also with the percentages with Soucek's goal contributions and JWP's set pieces. 

I don't think anyone would deny his commitment to the cause. A great character.

But he is shockingly bad at passing and moving, and has terrible mobility. The way this league is, and given the fact I think most of us want to see us play football the right way, he's kryptonite. Everyone has been complaining about our central midfield for a couple of years, suddenly he's not a problem?

For his own faults, Potter clearly wants to go in a different direction, hence dropping him recently. Trouble is, nothing seems to be working, so he's gone with the bloke who pops up with a decent return in goals and defends corners, but does pretty much nothing else.

He's a Moyes/Allardyce player. I think most of us want to move on from that.

What you need is a PLAN when replacing a player like Soucek. This is where we have failed so many times with just some 'random' individual brought in who is still a midfielder and might tick some boxes but not the type you need. (Look at last summer- absolute scattergun) This is where I hope and expect this time it'll be different this summer with Potter and Macauley. A specific skillset/player type identified for what the team needs from them in a specific role. Less square pegs in round holes. Our entire midfield at the moment is square pegs in round holes.

Love Big Tommy. 

He’s a magnificent servant to the club and more often than not delivers. I realise frustrating at times, but what player hasn’t?

In terms of value, attitude, delivery and most importantly for me, connection with us in the stands, he’s got it all. Arguably a West Ham legend as he was a huge part of our recent success.

I wouldn’t rush to sell him but also recognise that if we want to progress as a club we need players who offer different options for the team. He can still play a part, so should be kept.  

 

Rossal wrote: ↑12 May 2025, 10:58

Gary Strodders shank" wrote: ↑12 May 2025, 10:38 It's all very well cashing in on him but only if you can replace him with a player that is not only an upgrade but actually lives up to his billing.

With our recent track record it might be better to stick with big Tom for another season despite some of his limitations.

Who knows how the Potter tenure will evolve next season but if we find ourselves in the shit again next he is one player I would rather have in the camp helping to dig us out of it.

This is the bit i struggle with, some fans acting like he is so hard to replace.  Any CM that is brave enough to get on the ball, able to pass it well and has some legs to press is an upgrade no?  Soucek doesn't really do any of those things well which is vital for a prem CM. 

Say the new addition whether it be Potts or a new signing chip in with 4 or 5 goals. We have sacrificed 3 or 4 goals but should be a much better team as a result.