West Ham United will probably be hoping to return to profitable methods as soon as Premier League motion resumes this weekend, with the Hammers presently languishing within the relegation zone having picked up simply 4 factors from their opening seven video games.
That measly return ensures it’s the membership’s joint-worst begin to a top-flight marketing campaign for the reason that 2016/17 season, whereas solely in the course of the 1973/74 season have the east Londoners registered fewer factors (three) on the similar stage.
The membership’s most up-to-date assembly got here in acquainted environment for David Moyes at Goodison Park, with the previous Everton boss seeing his previous facet run out 1-0 winners courtesy of a Neal Maupay stunner, making certain that the guests have now misplaced eight of their final ten league away video games.
Fortunately, the London Stadium outfit will probably be on house soil towards Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend, with the encounter providing the prospect to leapfrog Bruno Lage’s males and transfer out of the drop zone.
To make sure victory, Moyes might effectively have to make alterations from a facet that has been so distinctly underwhelming in current weeks, with one notable casualty absolutely that of the struggling Tomas Soucek, with the Czech Republic worldwide having come beneath fireplace thus far this time period.
The 27-year-old has began all seven league video games thus far this time period alongside skipper Declan Rice, though has scored simply as soon as and didn’t register a single help, along with his tepid type having seen him branded “terrible” by journalist Alan Rzepa.
Such worrying shows had been additionally evident final time period for the £67k-per-week colossus, as he has struggled each out and in of possession over the previous yr, notably rating in simply the underside 18% for move completion amongst these in his place throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues, in addition to solely within the backside 35% for tackles made.
Ought to Moyes drop Soucek?
No
Sure please!
Whereas he stays a risk within the air attributable to his towering 6 foot 4 body – rating within the high 2% for aerial duels gained – the £40.5m-rated man seemingly has little else going for him at current, following a summer time which had introduced uncertainty over his future amid a reported breakdown in contract negotiations.
Regardless of his woes, the 52-cap brute stays an everyday fixture of the facet as a result of potential lack of a real different – with the membership having missed out on Amadou Onana over the summer time as an example – with journalist Paul Brown maybe rightly suggesting that it’s a “bit too cosy and secure for him.”
Though not a high-profile title, there’s a clear alternative for Soucek within the Hammers ranks within the type of Flynn Downes, with it time handy the boyhood fan a begin within the league with the 23-year-old having largely been on the periphery since his £12m transfer from Swansea Metropolis.
The teen had made only a solitary substitute look within the league up to now this time period, whereas he’s featured in three of the Europa Convention League video games to this point – together with qualifiers – albeit having solely began a kind of.
It might doubtlessly be one other case the place such a “particular” expertise – as lauded by one supply – is signed by Moyes solely to then be merely resigned to the bench, with that having been the case for loanee Alex Kral final time period who was bizarrely ignored for successfully the complete season.
Within the case of Downes, the Englishman might not provide the identical imposing presence in midfield as that of Soucek, though he’s seemingly way more comfy in possession, having recorded a move accuracy of 93% in 37 video games within the Championship final time period, in distinction to his present teammate who had a move accuracy of simply 77% in the course of the 2021/22 marketing campaign.
With the latter man having additionally underwhelmed for his nation towards Portugal on the weekend – being branded ‘ineffective’ by the Czech media – it might effectively be a great time for the brand new signing to lastly get his first league begin for the membership towards Wolves on Saturday night.
