Soucek: We’ll knock Spurs for Six
TOMAS SOUCEK believes that being a ‘Big Six’ club is meaningless when compared to a top-six finish.
The West Ham star’s swipe at the so-called Premier League elite, who six months ago launched the doomed European Super League breakaway, comes ahead of Tottenham’s visit to the London Stadium today.
As far as Soucek is concerned, reputation and standing count for nothing against where a club actually ends up in the table.
West Ham claimed sixth spot last season to qualify for the Europa League – and consign seventh-placed Spurs to the Europa League Conference.
Czech Republic star Soucek declared: “It’s not important being called one of the Big Six. We just want to finish in the top six.
“A year after we had fought off relegation, last season was just unbelievable for us.
“We would need to keep going for many seasons in a row in respect of being in the ‘Big Six’. But we are a team that want to be in the top six. That’s how we want to play.”
Certainly, there has been no let up in performances and results from David
Moyes’
Irons, who have combined a perfect three wins in Europe with an excellent start in the league.
Which is why the belief that they can upset their bitter rivals today is even greater than last year when they took four points off Tottenham.
Soucek, who played in Thursday’s 3-0 home stroll past Swedish side Genk, said: “For us, it’s the biggest derby. I especially like this game because it’s special for everyone.
“I remember last season at Spurs, we were losing 3-0 and got to 3-3 at the end. We went there thinking we could beat them but knowing it would be a hard game.
It’s not important being called one of the Big Six. We just want to finish in the top six
Scar
“Now that has changed. We go into the game wanting to beat Tottenham – and being confident of beating them.”
Soucek will sport a fresh and nasty facial scar this afternoon, after a wounding that forced him off in last Sunday’s 1-0 win at Everton.
Mrs Soucek wasn’t impressed, revealed the grinning 6ft 4in star, who said: “My wife told me I should be happy I am already married because I have too many facial scars now.
“Maybe she really was scared of me but it’s only stitches, nothing serious on the head.
“I wanted to play the last minutes at Everton but the doctor said the stitches would take too long to heal.’’