It will have been 16 days since we saw what football at the top end of things could look like by Arsenal, who made us look second class citizens in footballing terms.
This game is unusual this season, in so far as the bookies have us down as favourites to win. Monday nigth, under the lights....but how empty will the bowl be. With a boycott planned, kids for a quid, general sale tickets up for cheap, and Nuno's first home game, the atmosphere and attendance is anyone's guess.
Injuries wise, our Big Fucking German is big fucking injured again...reducing the options up front to the two Callum's. Nuno chose to save ~86k in wages last time out, preferring the pace and mobility of Marshall over Wilson, and it will be interesting to see if he does the same thing here, or goes for a 'makeshift' centreforward. And of course Soucek is back.
Other than that, there are no fresh concerns reported going into the weekend.
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 11:05
by Rossal
stubbo-admin wrote: ↑23 Oct 2025, 10:06
Soucek is just the next scapegoat off the rank after JWP. He's far from our biggest problem...frankly we're a team who don't score goals, and those are the teams that go down...and he and Bowen are the goal scorers in the squad. We need him in the team scoring goals (since we have no one else in the squad who I'd back to get double figures).
With Mavro looking like a hamstring tear, our big concern has to be we have no one that can head the ball now...another reason Soucek has to be found a role in the side.
Trouble is, you also somehow need to also fit in Paqueta (as the only guy that can set us away on attacks from deep...whilst he's not THAT creative, he's the most creative we have) and Fernandes (who is the energy in midfield that can play the number 8 role).
Probably means Soucek has to play as a 6 which has never been his best spot, as he doesn't distribute well, and he doesn't cover ground quickly.
But until Magassa settles and demonstrates his value, it's probably:
Potts vs Fernandes
Magassa vs Soucek
Paqueta vs Earthy (?)
Funny that Mavro out leaves us in a tight spot after most were calling for him to be got gone....he's now the only defender we have remotely suited to the way we're going to be playing. Todibo is frankly looking a disaster. Kilman only plays well with someone commanding along side him, and Igor....you have to assume was 5th choice at Brighton for a reason.
Igor has to come in, just in case he's able to not be bulied by a centreforward and show some aggression in the back line. But it's two left footers with him and Kilman...
Wouldn't surprise me to see Nuno go to a back 5 at this point to try and hide our deficiencies....anyway...that's a discussion for the Leeds thread.
Soucek is a huge problem, All anyone says he does is head the ball in both boxes. Brilliant, just what a prem midfielder needs.
He can't run, can't get close to players to defend. On the ball he is probably the worst in the league, he can't take it in tight areas. Can't pass particularly well and often has the least amount of passes in the middle of the players on the pitch.
There is no creativity, he can never get back the right side of the ball once bypassed. He doesnt offer any sort of pivot for his midfield playing partner.
Next time you watch him, especially at home..... just watch him when the defence has the ball. He will only look for it deep with no one near him. Just constantly hides up front or stand next to his opponent to scared to get on the ball.
If Fernandes or Magassa are not better than him then I was bang on criticising their singings a few months back. From what I have seen Potts is far braver to get on the ball and far more progressive with it. Irving and Rodriguez are irrelevant for me, you're just comparing other midfielders miles off it.
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 10:46
by El Scorchio
Thought half term was next week.
Or has this dull as dishwater account just come off yet another ban?
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 10:33
by Mad Ferret
-LOCKED-
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 10:20
by Gary Strodders shank
Soucek continues to get in the side for the reasons stated below and the fact that there is no other player that has managed to wrestle his spot from him on a permanent basis.
It's a perennial argument over his inclusion
If we had that dynamic athletic box to box player who could score double figures and do the ugly stuff as well then he (Soucek) would be bench warming or put out to graze.
.
The manger doesn't seem to have the faith or belief in the like of Potta or other contenders and ultimate trust in big Tom despite his lack of mobility and other limitation.
Attitude is also a big tick in his favour.
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 10:10
by Mad Ferret
Let's get this thread locked now.
On to Leeds....
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 10:09
by Massive Attack
Keep dreaming" wrote: ↑23 Oct 2025, 08:46
0 attacking passes
That's accurate then. 1:19 secs..
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 10:06
by stubbo-admin
Soucek is just the next scapegoat off the rank after JWP. He's far from our biggest problem...frankly we're a team who don't score goals, and those are the teams that go down...and he and Bowen are the goal scorers in the squad. We need him in the team scoring goals (since we have no one else in the squad who I'd back to get double figures).
With Mavro looking like a hamstring tear, our big concern has to be we have no one that can head the ball now...another reason Soucek has to be found a role in the side.
Trouble is, you also somehow need to also fit in Paqueta (as the only guy that can set us away on attacks from deep...whilst he's not THAT creative, he's the most creative we have) and Fernandes (who is the energy in midfield that can play the number 8 role).
Probably means Soucek has to play as a 6 which has never been his best spot, as he doesn't distribute well, and he doesn't cover ground quickly.
But until Magassa settles and demonstrates his value, it's probably:
Potts vs Fernandes
Magassa vs Soucek
Paqueta vs Earthy (?)
Funny that Mavro out leaves us in a tight spot after most were calling for him to be got gone....he's now the only defender we have remotely suited to the way we're going to be playing. Todibo is frankly looking a disaster. Kilman only plays well with someone commanding along side him, and Igor....you have to assume was 5th choice at Brighton for a reason.
Igor has to come in, just in case he's able to not be bulied by a centreforward and show some aggression in the back line. But it's two left footers with him and Kilman...
Wouldn't surprise me to see Nuno go to a back 5 at this point to try and hide our deficiencies....anyway...that's a discussion for the Leeds thread.
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 10:04
by Massive Attack
In fact when Tomas Scapegoat 1st arrived initially on loan at the Club we were by the relegation zone then and survived with his 3 goals in 13 appearances in wins against Chelsea, Watford and a draw against Newcastle.
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 09:14
by Massive Attack
Rossal wrote: ↑23 Oct 2025, 07:39
If Soucek continues to start we're definitely down. You can't play with 10 men all season and expect to stay up
And yet we somehow miraculously avoided relegation last season in 14th with his 9 goals and 2 assists and his 35 appearances, just like every other season since he arrived.
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 08:46
by Keep dreaming
The support is Soucek is funny. Start him and we will lose. And is got nothing to do with us playing possession passing football.
Just take a look at his latest stats against Brentford:
Played 71 mins
58% passing accuracy (18 of 31)
Won 1 of 3 duels
0 shots on goal
0 attacking passes
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
In case anyone wants to contribute to the West Ham survey of the Brentford match
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 07:39
by Rossal
If Soucek continues to start we're definitely down. You can't play with 10 men all season and expect to stay up
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 23 Oct 2025, 06:48
by stubbo-admin
I think Soucek will fit Nuno's team just fine.
The general pattern will be shifting the ball quickly from back to front in possession to the likes of Summerville and Bowen probably via Paqueta, and defending from a deepish block position.
Soucek is good at getting deep blocks in, heading the ball, and arriving in the box to score goals.
Nuno's build up won't be trying to play intricate possession passes through central midfield. I expect Soucek to return to near to what made him most effective under Nuno, and as has rightly been said...he's one of the few goalscorers in our team.
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 22 Oct 2025, 20:30
by Massive Attack
He even embarrassed Paqueta last night in Brentfords final third getting in the right position so to lay it on to Bowen with smart 1 touch passing between them to almost score with our only effort on target. But that doesn't get picked up on, only his faults.
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 22 Oct 2025, 20:19
by Gary Strodders shank
Soucek maybe a good awful footballer but he also happened to be our second highest goalscorer last season and even made double figures which speaks volumes.
He is the only player who seems capable of getting his head on a corner and also does the same when defending them.
Brave without question, a face and bonce full of mars bars bears testament to that.
Putting the ball in the back of the net seems to have gone out of fashion for a lot of our players as does putting a shift in.
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 22 Oct 2025, 18:39
by Keep dreaming
Sir Alf
As a central defender in possession Soucek provides aerial ability for set pieces in defence.
What the hell do you mean with that?
In possession, you normally don't need to defend set pieces...
The rest is correct, with Soucek we are one player short.
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 22 Oct 2025, 17:31
by Sir Alf
As a central midfielder in possession Soucek provides aerial ability for set pieces in defence. In possession he does not offer much. He is like being a player short sometimes such is his lack of pace but has maintained a place in the team due to his ability to get on the end of a cross and provide the aforementioned defensive protection which also includes a valuable outstretched leg to cut out a dangerous ball etc. He also has a great attitude and does whats asks which probably endears him to managers.
But at 30 he is slowing even more and to me really should have been no more than an impact sub even last season. Trouble is our squad is so poor that we have had to start him every week.
If Nuno starts him Friday then his selection disaster last Monday was not a one time, trying to be too clever, experiment. We shall see soon enough. 3 from Magassa, Potts, Fernandes and Paqueta should start in midfield imo.
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
the exile" wrote: ↑18 Oct 2025, 14:25
Areola
KWP Mavro Kilman Diouf
Fernandes Magassa Paqueta
Bowen Wilson Summerville
Really hoping not to see Soucek back for this one. For me he represents the past and was a major factor in what was a failing midfield.
I don't mind which of the Callums starts, but either way, I would hope the other one gets a good half hour.
Soucek is just a God awful footballer.
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 22 Oct 2025, 14:54
by Metroplex
the exile" wrote: ↑18 Oct 2025, 14:25
Areola
KWP Mavro Kilman Diouf
Fernandes Magassa Paqueta
Bowen Wilson Summerville
Really hoping not to see Soucek back for this one. For me he represents the past and was a major factor in what was a failing midfield.
I don't mind which of the Callums starts, but either way, I would hope the other one gets a good half hour.
Soucek is just a God awful footballer. Sure he runs a lot and scores the occasional tap in, but for me he's a constant reminder as to how the team is failing to evolve
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 22 Oct 2025, 14:49
by Far Cough UKunt
Wish we had the Wardrobe Abdoulaye Faye
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 22 Oct 2025, 14:46
by El Scorchio
Mad Dog" wrote: ↑22 Oct 2025, 14:31
Bowen is and never has been a captain on the pitch. Behind the scenes he might be great, but i want a captain shouting at the players, seeing them up, getting at the ref. Not simply waving his arms occasionally.
If your captain isnt leading on the pitch, then someone else needs to just do it.
Problem is weve got a bunch of gutless pathetic mercenary cowards who arent up for a fight and are gojg through the motions to collect (in some
cases) double my ANNUAL wage every single week.
Soucek has that character and needs to step up. He had no issue putting his body in the way. But he ia so hot and cold in games it's unbelievable. And probably shouldn't even be starting.
Kilman And todibo, no chance. Fernandes, potts, magassa? Nope.
Wan bisakka maybe.
Paqueta is vocal, but hes self absorbed and would probably get himself sent off. A lot
Much as I dislike him, we need a character like Tarkovsky. Nasty fucker who gets in the face of his opponents, plays as dirty and physical as he can to upset them and put them off their game, and gets in the face of the officials as well. Leads his team and looks like he cares.
We have had nothing like that since arguable Dawson or Zouma. Even those two weren't that nasty but they were lumps who could put themselves about.
Mav, Kilman and Todibo are just utter melts in comparison- less said about that gutless pussy cսnt Aguerd the better.
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 22 Oct 2025, 14:31
by Mad Dog
Bowen is and never has been a captain on the pitch. Behind the scenes he might be great, but i want a captain shouting at the players, seeing them up, getting at the ref. Not simply waving his arms occasionally.
If your captain isnt leading on the pitch, then someone else needs to just do it.
Problem is weve got a bunch of gutless pathetic mercenary cowards who arent up for a fight and are gojg through the motions to collect (in some
cases) double my ANNUAL wage every single week.
Soucek has that character and needs to step up. He had no issue putting his body in the way. But he ia so hot and cold in games it's unbelievable. And probably shouldn't even be starting.
Kilman And todibo, no chance. Fernandes, potts, magassa? Nope.
Wan bisakka maybe.
Paqueta is vocal, but hes self absorbed and would probably get himself sent off. A lot
Re: West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread
Posted: 22 Oct 2025, 13:44
by Russ of the BML
Every team in the PL has a methodology. So basically, when they get the ball, each player has a job to do - They are all thinking the same thing and have been drilled to get the ball, whichever way suits them best, into and around their main goal threat. West Ham have no methodology, players are not all thinking the same and we have no threat. How are we expected to win a game at this level?
