Former West Ham defender James Collins believes keeping Jarrod Bowen was one of the crucial decisions behind the Hammers’ impressive Championship form. Speaking to Sky Sports, Ginge described West Ham as “absolutely excellent” over the past month after taking time to adjust to the division.
Collins believes retaining players who expected to be playing Premier League football was vital, with Bowen in particular giving the whole club a lift. The Hammers captain publicly committed his future to West Ham following relegation and has since backed that decision up on the pitch.
It’s hard to disagree. Jarrod Bowen remaining at West Ham was possibly the most important piece of business the club did this summer. In fact, I argued exactly that before the season started, and his performances since have only strengthened the case.
Bowen decision changed everything
Bowen has already registered four goals and three assists in the Championship, putting him right at the top of the division for combined goal contributions.
But more importantly, it’s what he symbolises to the club and people viewing it from the outside.
When West Ham signed Arne Engels from Celtic, the importance of retaining players such as Bowen formed part of the picture being presented to prospective signings.
Bowen staying told potential recruits that relegation hadn’t resulted in West Ham throwing in the towel. The captain, leading goalscorer and arguably best player was prepared to stick around and try to get the club promoted again.
Collins believes the decision had a similar impact inside the club. “It gave the whole club a lift,” Ginge told Sky Sports.
He also praised Bowen’s attitude, leadership and work rate, describing his Championship performances so far as “amazing”.
Ginger Pele noted that Bowen remaining at West Ham gave the whole club a lift
Ginge is bang on
Many thought Bowen would be the best player in the Championship this season, and his numbers are beginning to prove exactly that. Therefore, it’s hard to disagree with Collins when he speculates that Nuno Espírito Santo’s team may have struggled without him.
Ginge also reckons West Ham needed a little time to get used to the pace and physicality of Championship football, which is probably fair.
Bowen himself has definitely needed time to acclimatise to the hustle and bustle of the division and indeed the two games a week.
But Collins is absolutely bang on when he says that Bowen has hit his stride now.
West Ham made plenty of signings during the summer, including spending a Championship-record fee on Engels.
But perhaps the most important piece of business was convincing the best player already here not to leave.