West Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen looked indecisive and out of sorts during the Hammers’ 5–2 defeat away to Liverpool. But if we are honest, that in itself is nothing new.
The talisman has been struggling for form for some time now. Fortunately, the slack has been taken up by Crysencio Summerville, who’s form has coincided with Jarrod’s drop-off and taken up the slack.
Some mitigation regularly offered for Bowen’s downturn, largely centred on the idea that his defensive workload has blunted his attacking edge. While he has been diligent tracking back and helping out defensively, it has arguably come at the expense of his output in the final third.
However, something slightly different happened at Anfield. Despite the heavy defeat at the hands of Arne Slot’s side, West Ham actually attacked reasonably well. Nuno Espírito Santo’s team registered 11 shots and enjoyed 50 per cent possession — enough to suggest Bowen should have influenced the game from open play.
Energy There — Impact Missing
Unfortunately, despite his usual high energy levels, Bowen struggled to impose himself. He passed when he perhaps should have shot, ran down the line when cutting inside looked the better option, and too often tried to dribble past one player too many — resulting in West Ham losing possession.
Most concerningly, he appears to have lost a yard of pace. Personally, I do not believe that is terminal. It feels more like a player who has not had a proper break for three years and may be feeling the weight of the captaincy at a club struggling both on and off the pitch.
That said, if West Ham are to have any genuine hope of remaining in the Premier League this season, we will need arguably our best player to rediscover the levels that made him a modern Hammers legend.
His goal threat has dropped performance levels are still off the charts maybe Nuno could try him up top alongside Taty with Traore on the wing ?
Previously he had no centre forward to pass to so he did a lot on his own. I think the addition of Tatty has meant there is now a target in the box to cross to which has negated his need to do a lot on his own. Sadly, that has curtailed his directness towards goal. We can see it with how many fewer shots he takes and how many more crosses he tries. Possibly the same reason Salah isn’t hitting the same heights as last season?
Also, hasn’t Bowen not long ago become the father of twins? Can’t imagine that hasn’t taken some toll on him too
Personally I think other players need to be trusted more to go for goal. I feel like Summerville and Bowen can be a little greedy at times. Seen a few moments in recent games where a simple pass or lay off would’ve provided Taty, Magassa or Fernandez a clear chance, but they’ve both held on to the ball for too long. Team play has been better, but still room for improvement in attack.
If he is no longer cutting in on his stronger left foot, perhaps he has an injury in that foot. There was a rumour around Christmas time that someone was playing with an injury
Probably been asked to put some hours in at the Dyers’ Caravan Park…
It seems he rarely cuts inside to shoot these days. He has obviously practiced using his right foot, but has it gone too far? He keeps running down the line to cross with his right instead of turning in and finishing
We have just put too much on his shoulders. He is defending and attacking and we have totally burnt him out.
We needed to have another top striker who was scoring regularly, but our owners as usual were too tight. Don’t get me wrong Pablo and Taty have been brilliant but we needed one more.
And in defence if we had got Cresswell it could be so different
I always thought we were going to get out of relegation but I am loosing hope.We are creating so many chance but just are not finishing and the defence have gone a step backwards again
We need to get into training and do shooting practice
I hope I am proved wrong this is the first time in 50 years of supporting the club I have my doubts that we are good enough
Prove me wrong boys
It will break my heart if we go down
His corners have improved though .
That is true mate