Largely from their own selection, tactical and on-field decisions, West Ham United capitulated this afternoon against a Newcastle side who were made to look like world beaters. Haven’t scored in 17 games? No worries, here come West Ham to act as cannon fodder for you, Nick Woltemade.
Talking of droughts, we need to talk about Jarrod Bowen.
No goals since January at the time his West Ham side need him the most.
Now I have to consider myself one of his biggest fans, the guy has sweated claret and blue for six years since arriving in 2020 just ahead of lockdown. But something seems very much amiss with West Ham’s captain.
Bowen cut a dejected figure at St James’ Park this afternoon
Perhaps it is the accumulated fatigue of carrying the Irons attack, often single-handedly, over several years. Perhaps it is simply another of Nuno’s tactical decisions to have his skipper hug the touchline, largely ineffective.
Perhaps it is the accumulated fatigue of club captaincy as three managers have made their own demands upon the skipper who has had to try and shut out the noise and concentrate on his game – at the same time as seeing upheaval after upheaval.
More likely, though – in my capacity as most definitely not an ITK! – it’s probable that there’s an undisclosed injury which Bowen is playing through. The 29 year old still harbours dreams of a World Cup selection place and it would be typical of the man if he’s simply ignoring or playing through the pain of an injury.
He looked largely invisible this afternoon and for the second game in a row, when he did get a shot at goal the trusty left foot produced only a modest scuffed effort straight at Newcastle’s keeper Nick Pope.
Rumours persist that he’s off to Newcastle in the summer yet claret and blue supporters will hope that there isn’t a deeper underlying issue and all that Bowen desperately needs is a reset, a huge vote of thanks from Hammers fans for his efforts and a damn’ fine holiday. He’s certainly earned it. Whatever the future holds for him.
He has seemed tired for a couple of months now, add to this everything mentioned in the article: pressures of captaincy and probably a sense of failure too.
He definitely has been told to hug the touchline. In fact, there is a lack of interchanging and mobility up front generally. Pablo & Taty were swapping roles freely before, never see Summerville & Bowen swap round, just to give a defence something new to think about. All 4 forwards seem to have assigned roles and positions more than before, but for me, part of the winning aspect of WHU’s 4-2-3-1 was this movement upfront, making it difficult for defenders to mark players – that is a coaching mistake.
Wish him well, whatever he decides on doing. If he stays, do not make him captain, it does not suit him and he’s done his bit.
He looks to me that he has lost a little pace- evident when we played palace away. He has been in this, as you say, under 3 managers and it looks like it is catching up with him. He probably needed a break but our squad dictate’s otherwise. A top professional and a great servant to our club. Wish him well
Well there will no doubt be a clear out of players just to meet our debts. We need a total overhaul,I don’t feel regret about selling some of those players,they took us down so why should I? New manager? I would get Kevin Nolan back,he has the fight and spirit that we need. Brady has gone one to go.
Somebody will buy him on the cheap, not sure he’s that good , it’s no that difficult to look good in a very average team, and that’s being generous.
Would be interesting to see him play for a knowledgeable manager though .
Jarrod Bowen couldn’t kick his way out of a wet paper bag at the moment! Shocking but true. I wonder what is wrong with him. He has been so very good and our best player for a long time. Like almost every one of us, I respect Jarrod and thank him for all he has given West Ham United since he joined. Maybe he will answer questions regarding his alarming drop in form at the end of the season. There surely must be something many of us are not fully aware of. I’m sure there will be a time when the smile reappears on his face. I just hope he is still our player when that happens. Good luck Jarrod!
I have said this for a while. He is not going past full backs like he has done. Not the happy soul he was. I think he will be lucky to be on the plane.
Only one person to blame. Sullivan
I’m afraid we’ve seen the best of him. He’s not getting any younger and now may be just the right time to sell high. The Hammer in me would love for him to come down to the Championship and help us back up like Noble did, but the pragmatist says it’s better to sell high now before his value plummets and he can’t help us once we (God willing) get back to the top flight.
I think he needs to move on but his father in law is holding him back.
He is worried if upsetting his family
For god sake if you have a club in the European competitions wanting you, it is a no brainier.
It could be his last chance to win something big, he has been loyal and as a great fan of his, if you decide to leave I wish you all the best as you deserve some glory.