Say one factor about David Moyes, say he is aware of learn how to handle his group. West Ham United have their flaws, Moyes is aware of that. Everyone knows that.
However the Scottish supervisor has cultivated an actual sense of perception in London and for all of the claims of his stylistic pragmaticism, Moyes has gained a European honour and stays within the race for a fourth successive continental marketing campaign, seventh within the Premier League after 31 matches.
A degree in opposition to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night should be met with positivity, however now formed and used as gasoline for the rest of the yr, the place a purple patch is now a necessity to prevail in opposition to divisional rivals and overcome Bayer Leverkusen within the Europa League quarter-finals – a tall order certainly.
It was a tough graft; the gamers put in a shift. However sadly, right-back Vladimir Coufal couldn’t bounce again from his horrorshow throughout final weekend’s surprising collapse in opposition to Newcastle United, as a substitute flattering to deceive as soon as once more.
Vladimir Coufal’s efficiency vs Spurs
Coufal has been a powerful, reliable determine in east London since signing for a small sum of £5m again in 2020, with the Czech worldwide even being hailed as “among the best signings that membership have made in latest historical past” by Dan Woffenden.
However he is been a contact out of kinds lately and after struggling on the epicentre of Newcastle’s comeback from 3-1 right down to win 4-3 at St. James’ Park on Saturday, he was branded with a 4/10 match score by The Night Normal’s Malik Ouzia.
|
Vladimir Coufal’s Stats vs Spurs |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
# |
|
Minutes performed |
90′ |
|
Touches |
55 |
|
Correct passes |
19/30 (63%) |
|
Key passes |
0 |
|
Tackles |
0 |
|
Clearances |
2 |
|
Duels gained |
0/2 |
|
Dribble makes an attempt |
0/1 |
|
Possession misplaced |
20x |
|
Stats by way of Sofascore |
|
Effectively, it did not get a lot better in opposition to Ange Postecoglou’s Lilywhites, with Ouzia giving him a 5/10 rating and writing: ‘Run ragged by Anthony Gordon at Newcastle on Saturday and given a tricky time once more right here by Timo Werner. Alert on the back-post to disclaim the German a sure winner.’
It is not nice studying actually, is it? Coufal may not have endured the calamitous show suffered in opposition to Anthony Gordon final weekend however he actually left a lot to be desired.
Failing with each of his duel makes an attempt and his one dribbling effort nullified a lot of West Ham’s fluency down the correct, additionally failing to create a single key move for his teammates.
Maybe it is time for the 31-year-old to maneuver to the bench for a bit, particularly with the fleet-footed Rayan Ait-Nouri up subsequent as West Ham meet Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Ben Johnson is clearly unfavoured by Moyes and is out of contract in the summertime. Nevertheless, up-and-coming expertise Junior Robinson may simply discover a possibility amongst the seniors given Coufal’s nosedive in type.
Why West Ham ought to unleash Junior Robinson
With a reputation match for a flashy American Soccer broad receiver, it is solely pure that Junior Robinson is endowed with blistering velocity and deft close-control capability.
The 19-year-old is snug throughout the totally different rungs of the right-sided ladder on the pitch and has impressed for a West Ham U21s facet that presently perch in second place within the Premier League 2, posting a objective and three assists from 13 growth league fixtures.
Final season, Robinson was beset by accidents that restricted him to simply 5 beginning appearances, however he has since bounced again to showcase his powers of resilience, overcoming adversity at a younger age that may have mentally ready him for all times on the senior stage, hardening him, fortifying his resolve.
His velocity and boyish ebullience make for nice instruments to reach the English top-flight, profitable 5 duels and two tackles in a 1-0 EFL Trophy victory over Newport County earlier within the marketing campaign too, highlighting his budding defensive qualities.
Coufal has been an awesome servant for West Ham and can proceed to play an element for Moyes’ group, however maybe Robinson ought to now be unleashed to leapfrog former academy star Johnson and combat for a starring spot on the correct flank of the Irons’ rearguard.
In The Pipeline
Soccer FanCast’s Within the Pipeline collection uncovers the perfect wonderkids in world soccer. Each membership goals of getting the following Mbappe of their academy, do not they?
