Tomas Soucek has aimed what appears to be a clear dig at Nuno Espirito Santo and it has taken the words out of the mouths of frustrated West Ham fans.
If anyone at West Ham has earned the right to speak his mind freely, it is Tomas Soucek.
Behind Jarrod Bowen, Soucek is hands down West Ham’s most consistent and effective player of the last six years.
The two players arrived in the same January window back in 2020 and have been fundamental players ever since.
Both Bowen and Soucek will be key to any chance the Hammers have of escaping relegation this season.
West Ham are essentially seven points adrift of Leeds and Forest given their inferior goal difference.
West Ham stand at a crossroads for Premier League survival
With 14 games to go, it is now make or break for the Irons – starting with Burnley this weekend.
But there are growing frustrations among a large section of West Ham fans towards manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
What message do YOU have for Nuno ahead of Saturday’s Burnley clash? 💡
Tell us your demands
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo, the manager of West Ham, shakes hands with Manager Scott Parker, the manager of Burnley, after the final whistle during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Burnley at the London Stadium in Stratford, England, on November 8, 2025.
The Hammers have thrown away a gut-wrenching 18 points from winning positions under Nuno.
Even if West Ham had half of those points on the board now, they’d be level with Spurs in 14th place.
Instead they are languishing in 18th, knowing they need at least six, if not seven, wins from their final 14 games to have a chance of staying in the Premier League.
Tomas Soucek speaks to referee Anthony Taylor and Chelsea captain Reece James.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Those dropped points could well end up being the difference between relegation and survival for West Ham this season.
And fans blame Nuno for many of them.
West Ham supporters have been angered by Nuno’s default second half tactics when the side are ahead.
As their record shows, the Hammers all too often take the lead but end up blowing it and capitulating.
Even in the win at Spurs recently, West Ham were ahead but sat off second half and allowed Tottenham to get back into the game before Callum Wilson’s late winner.
Against Sunderland, West Ham were 3-0 up but the Black Cats had too much control of the second half as they got a goal back and almost made things hairy with an effort off the bar.
Soucek’s Nuno dig is exactly what fans have been saying
West Ham twice led against Brighton and drew and were in front against Forest but lost.
The Chelsea game was amongst the worst yet as West Ham ran into a comfortable and deserved 2-0 lead at half-time.
If you were Nuno, which of these players are you calling up for Burnley?
A Disasi debut? A Wilson re-call? Tell us what Nuno must change
The Hammers could and should have scored more but didn’t and were made to pay after another dismal collapse when Nuno went defensive in the second period to try and hold on instead of continuing to play on the front foot.
Nuno has admitted he is frustrated his side know how to start games well but can’t sustain it.
However, many fans feel his negative tactical changes, such as bringing off hard-working striker Pablo for flop Max Kilman, are the reason for that.
Nuno Espirito Santo, manager of West Ham United, speaks with Max Kilman - West Ham United v Sunderland - Premier League
Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Now one of the side’s most senior stars has spoken out.
And Soucek’s dig at Nuno is exactly what frustrated West Ham fans have been saying.
The midfielder’s comments will strike a chord with fans and cut to the very heart of the growing frustration surrounding the manager and his tactics.
Soucek has sent a clear, very public message to Nuno about his tactics, imploring the head coach to stop going defensive and instead keep pushing for more goals.
The big Czech says attack is the best form of defence and wants a change in mentality from Nuno. ro
Soucek implores Nuno to ditch defensive West Ham tactics
“We couldn’t concede three goals,” Soucek told West Ham’s website as he reflected on the Chelsea collapse in a refreshingly honest interview.
“We have to go for counter-attacks again as to score a third goal would be important, but we can’t concede three goals, because it’s sometimes too easy.
“That’s the mentality we should have (to go and score another goal), because the best defence is to attack, so that’s what we want, but sometimes when we are winning we go too much to defence, and then they create the chances and we didn’t manage that.”
Soucek makes some salient points that needed to be said by someone of his standing at the club.
It is all well and good fans venting their spleen about the manager’s tactics.
But when a key, senior player shares their frustrations then supporters can only hope Nuno listens.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox