West Ham star Tomas Soucek has expressed serious concerns about what he sees at the club and it will impress fans.
West Ham are in the middle of yet another rebuild this summer transfer window and time is running out.
Midfielders Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse arrived at West Ham last week.
But the deal for Harry Maguire collapsed and Lucas Paqueta is now being linked with a move.
With Gianluca Scamacca out and both Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell linked with departures – the Hammers are short in defence, midfield and up front.
While there were some positives from the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, West Ham’s all too familiar inability to maintain possession was to blame for handing over the lead.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
West Ham star Tomas Soucek has expressed serious concerns about what he sees at the club and it will shock fans
West Ham had the second worst possession statistics in the Premier League last season.
In a division currently full of Pep Guardiola’s disciples who play a possession-based attacking style, this is a major issue.
And one that has seen some West Ham fans continue to call for David Moyes to be replaced by a more modern, attack-minded coach.
Now West Ham star Tomas Soucek has expressed serious concerns about what he sees at the club and it will shock fans.
After the Cherries’ draw, Soucek said The Night Standard he was alarmed by the team’s inability to keep the ball for any length of time.
The big Czech is also concerned about how deep the team sits during games, saying it invites too much pressure.
If ownership is nine tenths of the law then West Ham could be in jail
“I’m very worried that Bournemouth have more possessions than us,” Soucek said.
“They were going into our box every two minutes, so that was bad.
“It was our mistake, and we have to learn: even if we scored, we have to play forward, play high, and keep the ball.”
Soucek’s concerns are backed up by statistics. West Ham once again handed over the lion’s share of possession (63% against 37%). And the Hammers completed 213 fewer passes than the Cherries (517 vs 304).
The midfielder is one of Moyes’ most trusted lieutenants. So if he questions style and tactics, the manager must act.
It looks like Moyes and the West Ham board are trying to do something about it if the club’s reported transfer targets are anything to go by.
The likes of Mohammed Kudus, Jeremy Doku and Elye Wahi have been linked with moves to West Ham this week.
They are the type of player profile that will make a huge difference to the Hammers in terms of possession and style.
Let’s hope they – or players for that matter – can be brought in before the deadline or it could be a long, tumultuous season for West Ham.