There has been an almighty change in the mood at West Ham United over the last few weeks and Tomas Soucek knows exactly why.
While West Ham United may yet suffer the indignation of relegation from the Premier League, they are at least making a fist of it.
Indeed, West Ham’s draw with Manchester United made it three wins, one draw and one defeat in the last five games.
The tide has turned following those bleak results at the start of January, in which Nuno Espirito Santo’s side lost to Wolves and Nottingham Forest.
Tomas Soucek of West Ham United celebrates - West Ham United v Manchester United - Premier League
Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images
For that, there have been several factors. New signings have helped, along with the arrival of Paco Jemez as a coach.
Still, Soucek has lifted the lid on some talks behind the scenes. Speaking to The Athletic, he revealed that talks at the training ground helped change the culture behind the scenes.
According to the Czech midfielder, the West Ham squad are no longer playing like individuals.
He said: “Two months ago, not many people probably believed in us — they would have written us off. But we’ve changed our mentality, we fight for each other and we know what’s at stake.
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“We’ve said we can’t play like individual players, the team comes first and we can show our qualities. I’m just so happy that we’re starting to do that now.”
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Paco Jemez the manager of Rayo Vallecano reacts during the La Liga match between RC Celta de Vigo and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Abanca Balaidos Stadium on May 18, 2019 in Vigo, Spain.
Speaking after West Ham’s win over Burnley, Nuno told a pre-match press conference that there were simply no individuals in his team.
“There’s no individuals,” he said. “We need the best of each one of us. That’s the only path that you can take.”
Instead, the focus is on the collective – and it is so far working out. Partnerships are being built across the team, from Soucek and Mateus Fernandes in midfield, Taty and Pablo up front, and Axel Disasi and Konstantinos Mavropanos in central defence.
Quite whether it’s enough to keep the Irons in the Premier League remains to be seen but the shift behind the scenes has played out on the pitch.
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A graphic showing Nuno Espirito Santo's quote after West Ham draw with Manchester United
Credit: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield
Tomas Soucek’s new leadership at West Ham as squad starts to unite
There has clearly been a huge difference to the way in which the team have played in recent weeks.
While Soucek has always been a key player for the Hammers, a recent demand from the manager has placed an added importance onto his shoulders.
Indeed, Soucek has revealed that Nuno has told him to become a leader on the pitch.
“[Nuno] wants me to be a leader in the middle of the pitch,” he said earlier this month.
“He wants me to be the connection with the players. I’m just in the middle of all the parts, and I just want to be compact, be together and be prepared for an offensive or defensive style of play.”
Though sometimes a divisive figure, the Czech has certainly done that with his recent performances.
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