The phrase ‘manager’s dream’ exists almost purely for players like this. Nuno Espirito Santo was ‘delighted’ to see West Ham United pick up successive Premier League wins, and even more delighted with the contributions of one man in particular.
It is no secret that the Hammers boss admires versatility.
When Nuno explained the reasoning behind Max Kilman’s new role as West Ham United’s right-sided centre-half, and Jean-Clair Todibo’s new-look left-sided position, he said that he swapped the two defenders around simply to see if they were capable of unlocking previously little-known qualities.
Nuno Espirito Santo has also trialled Ollie Scarles as a right-back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka as a left-back, and El Hadji Malick Diouf as a winger. And after West Ham lost Niclas Fullkrug to injury, he gave Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta the chance to impress up top in the big German’s absence.
Callum Wilson returned to the XI for those victories over Newcastle and Burnley, though there was still room for another experiment. Tomas Soucek gave the West Ham boss plenty to ponder after his eye-catching, goalscoring cameo against Eddie Howe’s outfit, coming off the bench and finding the net as a number nine.
He would repeat the trick six days later, at home to Burnley.
Nuno Espirito Santo says stopping West Ham United’s Tomas Soucek is a ‘nightmare’
While opposite number Scott Parker was disappointed to see Soucek pop up unmarked at the back post to pounce on a Martin Dubravka error and put Burnley behind in the 77th minute, Nuno knows from experience that stopping the 30-year-old from doing what he does best is easier said than done.
“Look, I’ve played against Tomas many times,” says the former Wolves, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest coach.
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“And every time I’m analysing it, it was a nightmare stopping Tomas from getting into the box.
“He recognises space, he has the belief that not many players have.”
Soucek is fast becoming West Ham’s supersub. Not only did he complete the turnaround which started with a Callum Wilson equaliser, it was his speculative drive which paved the way for Kyle Walker-Peters to snaffle a third.
Some way to celebrate a quarter-of-a-century of Hammers appearances.
“A 250th appearance for the club, it’s huge. I think we know Tomas. We cannot have anything but respect for Tomas,” Nuno adds. “What he gives for the team is huge.
“I think he came on two games and helped the team immensely. He gives it all, no matter which position [he plays in].
“I think you can play him full-back and he will deliver for us!”
Callum Wilson credits ‘massive’ West Ham win
Another evergreen veteran proved his worth on Saturday too. Callum Wilson has now scored twice in just three Premier League starts. The 33-year-old is now just ten goals away from 100 in the competition.
“It’s a massive win today. It was important that we got three points,” Wilson smiles. “We needed to catch the team that was above us. That was a big task of ours today, and that was not going to get given to us easily.
“We knew we had to work hard, similar to last week, and show good character, which we did when we went behind as well.
“On a personal level, it’s fantastic to score. I just want to score as many goals as I can for the Club, and hopefully that gets me closer to any personal targets that you’ve set yourself.
“I think it’s just a case of anticipation, really. You never want to be, as a striker, standing still in the box because if it drops to you and you’re not ready for a shot, to react, then you miss an opportunity to score a goal.”
Crysencio Summerville created Wilson equaliser in Burnley fightback
Wilson profited from some fine Crysencio Summerville work from a West Ham corner.
“Today, Cry ran in the box, and I knew that I was never going to affect his shot at goal, but it was what happened after it. If it hits the goalkeeper, if it hits the post, or if it hits a defender like it did, I’m positioned perfectly to get myself on the score sheet,” says the former England international.
“Any time you step over the white line, you want to score, but the most important thing has been the team getting the three points. You know you have to be selfless to achieve that as a striker.
“You have to run, you have to fight. In the position that we’re in, sometimes boys are going to be under pressure, and they’re going to have to play it long with you.
“It’s about trying to get your team a platform to build from, get yourself on the pitch. Any time I’m in the team, I’m playing football, I do put my body on the line, hence why I’ve had a few injuries!
“Going forward, I feel good, I feel fit, strong and just happy that I’m able to contribute.”