West Ham United boss David Moyes has piled the pressure on star Jarrod Bowen ahead of today’s game against bogey team Brighton.
Is Haller being mistreated by Moyes or does he simply have to toughen up?
West Ham go into the game off the back of a disappointing and somewhat harsh 3-0 defeat to Chelsea last time out.
But that had followed a rather lacklustre performance in the 1-1 draw against 10-man Crystal Palace.
West Ham’s attack flagging without Antonio
And what is clear is that West Ham’s attack is showing clear signs that it is starting to flag in the absence of Michail Antonio.
Sebastien Haller is not the answer and looks set to be sold in January or the summer according to West Ham insiders Claret & Hugh.
One of the stars of West Ham’s season so far has been Bowen.
His high energy, hard-working displays have endeared him to Moyes and West Ham fans.
Bowen has been a breath of fresh air since signing from Hull for a bargain £20million.
He helped keep West Ham up last season. And the winger has four goals and two assists in 14 games this term.
He is on track to hit double figures.
Bowen on track for double figures but Moyes wants more
But Moyes has piled the pressure on Bowen ahead of the game against Brighton and challenged him to score more goals (BT.com).
“I think if you look at his goals record for Hull, he was normally 13, 14 or 15 goals a season at Hull for a wide player,” Moyes told the press ahead of Sunday’s clash with Brighton (BT.com).
“He plays a similar role for us here to what he did there, but we are looking for goals and assists from him. It’s a big part of his game which we rely on.
“I think he’s made the step up well, but I think there’s still more to come from him. He can still continue to make improvements in his game but he’s been consistent for us and we are pleased with him.
“Of course there will be different times when we have to take him out but, yes, we’d like more goals from him, but overall I think he is still making a big contribution to the team.”
In fairness to Bowen he has been unlucky too.
Risky strategy from Moyes to pile pressure on star man
He should have had a goal against Manchester United. And he should have been teed up by Pablo Fornals for a simple tap-in during the defeat at Liverpool.
Then against Chelsea Bowen had a goal ruled out for a non-existent foul on Thiago Silva.
Fornals and Haller have also both continually squandered goalscoring opportunities set up by Bowen too.
Putting pressure on a player that has performed so well for you is a risky game.
Moyes knows his players. And the West Ham boss is right to set high standards.
But that added pressure could have a detrimental impact on Bowen’s performances.
And is that a risk worth taking given West Ham need everyone pulling together to make things work up front while Antonio is out.
Moyes to make two huge changes to West Ham side for Brighton?
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