He may be quiet, without the blood and guts, fist-pumping demeanour from the Hammers’ captaincy days of long ago when Billy Bonds, Julian Dicks or Steve Lomas wore the armband: But Jarrod Bowen’s slightly more subdued leadership style is every bit as effective.
Considered by some to be quiet and unassuming with the armband, Bowen proves that leaders don’t need to be in-your-face to be successful. However, as former Wolves’ skipper Mario Lemina will testify, judo-throwing Bowen is no pushover.
From the days of ‘Mr West Ham’ – Mark Noble, the Hammers skipper who was inspirational on and off the pitch, the Hammers have been favoured with the talents of Declan Rice and now Bowen to lead by both word and example. Bowen shows he’s every bit as committed to the Hammers’ cause:
“For me, I think it’s just trying to be the best captain I can be every single day, with the lads and away from the training ground as well”, he told whufc.com.
Illustrating the work that goes on behind the scenes with the head coach, especially in the post Lopetegui-era, Bowen explained his relationship with Graham Potter thus:
“If the manager needs me, we always have conversations. I think we’re both feeling quite open and he’s really good to speak to. I think our performances have definitely improved.”
Away on England duty, Bowen will hope to add to his tally of international appearances and goals before Captaincy duties resume on the first of April in West Ham’s away fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
Without a rerun of the fisticuffs with Mario Lemina – who has left Wolves for Galatasaray.
Probably for the best.