West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek believes he is back to his goalscoring best, after admitting he “didn’t feel that motivated” last season.
Soucek scored his second goal in a week as the Hammers beat League One Lincoln 1-0 in the Carabao Cup on Wedneday to set up a fourth-round derby clash against Arsenal.
After joining the Hammers in 2020, the Czech international scored 10 and then six goals in his first two campaigns. But his form dipped, and he managed only three goals in 50 appearances last season.
Now back as a regular goal threat, Soucek has opened up on a difficult period in his career.
“I am happy I could get on the scoresheet, and I can again in the future,” he said. “I feel very good. Maybe last season I didn’t feel right, didn’t feel that motivated, but this season I feel great. We have a very strong squad, we’re in four competitions and I just hope this season can be even better than last season.”
Soucek was the only survivor as David Moyes made 10 changes from the team that lost 3-1 at Liverpool on Sunday, with Jarrod Bowen, James Ward-Prowse, Lucas Paqueta and Kurt Zouma all left at home.
Lincoln had already seen off Premier League opposition this season, after beating Sheffield United on penalties in the previous round, but West Ham avoided an upset.
Soucek, who bundled home a scruffy winner from a corner in the second half, said: “I have to be honest, it was a very difficult game for us. I was just happy we went through. Our team was strong, but in some things we went wrong. We did many mistakes, they could counter-attack and we have to be more ready next time.”
Mohammed Kudus made his second start for West Ham since his £38million move from Ajax. “He did well,” said Soucek. “Kudus and a few guys here are still quite new. The connections [between the players] are getting better week in, week out.”
