Kalvin Phillips tipped to succeed at West Ham but Tomas Soucek admits: 'It's been tough' | OneFootball

@MalikOuzia_

Kalvin Phillips was taken out of the firing line by David Moyes last night, but team-mate Tomas Soucek insists: “His time is coming.”

Phillips was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham as Moyes declined to make a change, despite both teams pushing for a winner late on.

The England international’s disastrous loan spell had plumbed new depths at Newcastle on Saturday, when he was sent off the bench with the Hammers leading 3-1, only to concede the penalty that sparked the home side’s comeback to win 4-3.

Afterwards, he was filmed raising his middle finger at a fan who had heckled him as he boarded the team bus outside St James’ Park. Speaking ahead of the Spurs game, however, Moyes called on supporters to get behind the 28-year-old, and Soucek insists he retains the full backing of his team-mates.

“We are behind him, like everyone,” said the Czech.

“I am behind every player from our changing room, but especially for him it’s quite tough. But he’s a good guy, a good player. He just has to show it on the pitch.”

Signing Phillips in January was hailed as something as a coup after Moyes had spent years pursuing the midfielder, stretching back to his time at Leeds.

However, he arrived short on playing time after failing to break through at Manchester City, and Saturday’s error at Newcastle was only the latest in a string of high-profile mistakes.

His lack of form has seen Phillips lose his place in the England squad, and West Ham now have just seven league matches left this season, as well as a Europa League quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen.