Soucek is an interesting debate when we play mid to bottom table teams when we have more of the ball, he starts (for me) everytime against the bigger teams. Just really chuffed for him last night, he cares and wears the shirt with pride and always puts the hard yards in.
Took his goal really well last night and his passing, which is much maligned, was much improved. Hopefully he keeps this up as he is such an important player for us.
Also, love the fact that him and Coufal (who also had a decent game) walked round the whole pitch clapping the fans afterwards.
They may not be world beaters but they are triers and they care.
With Rice reverting to a more defensive role and Paqueta’s sheer ability demanding attention from the opposition I think we’ll see more goals from Tom as he gets back to making those late runs into the box. He never shirks a challenge and as ever his running stats are superb, he’ll be the unsung hero in a midfield trio with Dec & Lucas, but no less a vital ingredient.
Starting to go through the gears isn't he? Reckon he'll be flying in a couple of weeks and then he can go at it full pelt until what is probably the longest break from football he'll have had in 3-4 years during the World Cup.
Something that came to mind late in yesterday's game. When we have situations where the game slows right down for us to take a goal kick or a deep free kick, I feel like we'd be much better served by him stepping into the centre forward position and Antonio dropping a bit deeper. He's way more likely to win the header and it's not like he offers a huge amount when Antonio does win the odd knock down.
Thought he was offering very little by way of help to Rice in the middle for the first half of the game, industrious but ineffective. Shortly before he scored, I said to those around me that he needed to be doing a bit more in there... absolutely delighted to see him push forward and make an impact shortly after those words left my mouth. Cue a few verbal digs at me from those around me for 'slagging him off' (which I wasn't, just stating fact), but so pleased to see him prove that he certainly can do more.
I take full credit for the goal, best commentator curse ever!
That is Soucek at his best, he needs to be more advanced, driving into the box and getting on the end of things. Not stuck under Rice's feet or dropping deep to pick the ball up.
Really think a midfield four of Bowen Paquita Soucek and Cornet is going to be the way to go. Rice sitting behind them clearing up and picking passes off like an American QB and a striker in front of them linking it all up.
Having Kehrer behind him is helping massively I think. He stepped forward a few times and was almost playing CDM when we had the ball. It gave Soucek more license to get forward and the confidence that he had someone behind him who could play the pass and also mop up if needed.
We still need to work on the balance of the side as we are prone to being caught in the transition phase, but hopefully that will come with a better player in front of Rice and Soucek so Rice can focus more on the end he influences!
I'm not sure I've seen one single person saying that there is a problem with Soucek's breaking up of opposition play to be fair. From that list Palhinha, Neves and McAllister are all significantly better on the ball whilst still being able defensively. That is what we lack IMO
Last edited by Whufc06 on Wed Sep 21, 2022 12:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Whufc06 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 12:19 pm
I'm not sure I've seen one single person saying that there is a problem with Soucek's breaking up of opposition play to be fair. From that list Palhinha, Neves and McAllister are all significantly better on the ball whilst still being able defensively. That is what we lack IMO
But they are all less of a goal threat and worse in the air. Bring in one of those types and we’ll lack in those categories instead.
MB wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 12:32 pm
But they are all less of a goal threat and worse in the air. Bring in one of those types and we’ll lack in those categories instead.
Solve one problem, create another.
Of course on paper that is true but it could be that by having a more press resistant and progressive CM instead the forward players will receive the ball in better areas and be more of a goal threat themselves. There's no certainty either way but it's definitely the time to explore that possibility IMO
