West Ham’s home form has been the subject of thousands of words of speculation over the seasons – especially now that the club are marooned within the relegation zone. The FA Cup game against QPR provides a whole new audience with ‘kids for quid’ enabling many to bring their own family for a first taste of east London football. However subsidised this large crowd may be, chances are it’ll be close to capacity with a huge away attendance likely.
West Ham’s under-scrutiny skipper Jarrod Bowen again lays his heart on his sleeve with an open letter to supporters on the whufc.com web site this morning.
Hammers fans know Bowen bleeds Claret and Blue but the Irons’ leader makes it plain that what has come before is not good enough, in an extraordinary and impassioned admission of his own loss of form along with a pledge to provide better fayre for supporters this afternoon:
“Every single game now, we’ve got to treat it as almost like a derby and even if you’re individually not playing well, not having your best game, I think it’s important that for the team’s sake everyone’s got to fight for every single ball.
And in a clear admission that the booing and jeering from the home crowd has affected the team:
“That’s going to be the only way that changes it and that’s going to get everyone back cheering for us and in good spirits. That’s the only way I know”.
Admitting that his team have a responsibility both to the hordes of youngsters who are likely to be in attendance this afternoon, Bowen shows how seriously he takes the responsibility to step up and try to provide the leadership to turn around the terrible run of home form:
“When you win a game it can certainly change the mood and then you go into a run of games where you’ve got that win under your belt and mentally it does something for you. It gives you that little bit of confidence and you can play with more freedom.
There will be a lot of kids here on Sunday attending their first game and it’s something they’ll never forget.
Fine words, Jarrod. Now please print them out and paste them to the other ten players’ locker doors.
Totally agree with with Mick, the implication is they have not been giving their all, so suddenly it’s time to do so is it? If the love of playing for the club isn’t enough, then the money they are paid each week should be! Sorry but some of the team bring a whole new meaning to the word “player ” If it comes down to off the pitch stuff influencing on the field performances, then we are doomed, still I suppose you have to feel sorry for the players, after all it’s an incredibly tough life …..
I agree you can see the difference in the way they play their hearts don’t seem to be in it when they are at home not knowing what the “fans” might do next They got what they wanted with Moyes but are still not happy
Numo surely can’t mess around with the team today .
This team needs a win and today is a perfect opportunity .
WAN Biska must start as in my view Walker Peters has been too lightweight and appears to be carrying the Saints relegation hangover with him from last season !
Mayers should start at left back .
I would give the young centre back a debut and play him alongside Mav who is the best of the current 3 ( Kilman , Tobpido)
Tye front 3 pick themselves Summerville , Taty and Bowen .
Magassa, Fernandez and PAC Man ? Or does he gamble and go with pablo as the no 10 …
These words frightens me Martin TREAT EVERY GAME LIKE A DERBY FIGHT FOR EVERY BALL THATS THE PROBLEM HERE This should have been done from day 1 of the season and it hasn’t That’s why we are where we are
Standard response from a member of a team that is playing very badly & under severe stress of relegation. Nice of Jarred to say the words – but they have all been said before. It is performance & effort on the field, & not words, that will make the difference. So, thanks for acknowledging the situation, but do your talking on the pitch ; in more ways than one ! Best of luck.