West Ham United snatched a late point against Fulham at Craven Cottage this afternoon, but despite the dramatic equaliser, it was far from a convincing performance by Julen Lopetegui’s side.
The match was a tale of two halves for West Ham, and while the last-gasp goal from Danny Ings secured a 1-1 draw, serious questions remain about Lopetegui’s decision-making, particularly regarding his starting XI.
From the moment the lineup was announced, many Hammers fans were left scratching their heads, convinced that Lopetegui had got his selections wrong.
The Spaniard must quickly address his team choices, as certain players are proving to be liabilities on the pitch.
One player, in particular, let himself down badly, and it didn’t go unnoticed. Roshane Thomas, a journalist for The Athletic, expressed his bafflement at the inclusion of Tomas Soucek in the starting lineup, a sentiment shared by many fans.
The Hammers were disjointed and sluggish in the first half, allowing Fulham to dominate for long periods. Lopetegui’s tactical approach left much to be desired, and he must shoulder a significant portion of the blame for the poor first-half display.
One selection, in particular, raised eyebrows – the decision to start Soucek in the number 10 role.
Thomas, covering the match at Craven Cottage, shared his thoughts at half-time, tweeting his disbelief at Soucek’s inclusion. His assessment echoed the views of many West Ham supporters.
Tomas Soucek, in truth, should not be starting for West Ham, let alone in such a pivotal attacking position.
The 29-year-old struggled throughout the match, and his lack of pace and creativity was glaringly obvious. His ponderous play slowed down West Ham’s transitions and offered little in the way of attacking threat.
For a player who has previously been effective in deeper roles, Soucek’s deployment in the number 10 position was perplexing. He lacks the guile and invention needed to unlock defences, making Lopetegui’s decision to start him there all the more baffling.
Lopetegui needs to reflect on this match and learn quickly from his mistakes. If West Ham are to improve, the manager must field his best lineup, and based on today’s performance, Soucek should no longer be part of the starting XI.