David Moyes appears to have inadvertently hinted at the reason for Jarrod Bowen’s slump when defending the out of sorts West Ham star.
One of the biggest disappointments of West Ham’s slow start to the new season has undoubtedly been the form of Bowen.
Bowen was West Ham’s star player last season as he laid on nearly 31 goals and assists in all competitions.
West Ham were hugely reliant on the £20m man as Michail Antonio’s form dropped off a cliff from November.
Bowen was so good he made the last England squad.
The attacker has still been working hard for the team. But he has been off the pace in almost everything he does so far this term and it has cost the Hammers, who are struggling to get goals.
Some feel Bowen does not look 100 per cent fit or may be playing with an injury.
There have been instances where Bowen has been put through on the counter attack – like at Aston Villa – but has been caught whereas last season he would have been away.
Many fans have been calling for Bowen to be taken out of the side. Others feel he should be allowed to play his way back into form given his importance to the team.
But it seems Moyes has inadvertently hinted at the reason for Bowen’s slump when defending the out of sorts West Ham star.
Speaking in his pre-FCSB press conference, Moyes said he feels Bowen is slowly getting there.
And the Scot said the reason Bowen was so good last season was because he turned up to pre-season in incredible shape and fitness.
Moyes did not state that was not the case this summer.
But the inference was there by virtue of his efforts to explain why Bowen had not hit the same heights so far this term.
“I actually thought last year he started quite well,” Moyes said in his presser (West Ham TV).
“He came back in super condition last year! And I think that actually helped him – and I know maybe it didn’t show with his goals (right away) – but I think he came back in a physically brilliant condition.
“He’s been a little bit slow in the goalscoring, he’s been a little bit unlucky in one or two other things you know.
“But hopefully he’s getting much closer to where he was.”
Let’s hope indeed.
Because Bowen being back to his best will completely transform the Hammers.
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