Jarrod Bowen has been one of West Ham United’s better players this season, but that’s not saying much really is it.
Bowen was named as the new West Ham captain in the summer, but it would be plain wrong to suggest that the added responsibility and pressure of that role hasn’t adversely affected him.
West Ham skipper Bowen is one of the best players in the Premier League according to his teammate Jean-Clair Todibo.
And when the 28-year-old is on top form, he is undoubtedly a fantastic player. However, he simply hasn’t produced the levels we all know he’s capable of so far this season.
That said, he has still bagged 10 goals and nine assists in 32 games, so he’s undoubtedly still delivered on the most part.
As captain though, I just expect more from him.
West Ham fans didn’t need to hear what Jarrod Bowen just said
Like so many other Hammers players this season, Bowen has had to come out after games and apologise to the fans.
Performances haven’t improved much since Graham Potter took over, if at all.
The Hammers head coach looked like an absolutely beaten man during his press conference after the defeat to Brighton on Saturday.
And Bowen looked extremely dejected when speaking to reporters at the Amex Stadium as well.
The Hammers captain highlighted the need for him and his teammates to bounce back next week against Tottenham, as quoted by WHUFC.com:
“We’ve got four big games to end the season. We’ve got Tottenham at home next week, which is a massive derby for us. So that’s one where we have to bounce back.
“It’s about all of us together, digging in together and playing as a team. We did that, I thought, in the second half especially, but it’s about us now being together in these moments. One thing that we can’t do is let the season go.
“We play for a club that turns up with 60,000 fans week in, week out and we’re 17th in the Premier League. If we can accept that, we shouldn’t be here. So this is why the last four games are so important, because we have so much to play for.
“Our own pride for one, the fans’ pride [for another], because like I said, playing in front of 60,000 week in, week out, being 17th, you can’t be happy with that as a player for West Ham United.”
I’m sorry, but we’ve heard those kind of comments all season long now. Words are cheap, but it’s actions that matter.
Jarrod Bowen would be more productive if he had West Ham captaincy taken away
Bowen is certainly not a player who thrives when having to lift his teammates.
He is hardly ever seen getting into referees when we’ve had decisions go against us.
I feel like Bowen has the weight of the world on his shoulders at West Ham right now.
Taking the captaincy away from him would solve all of that in an instant.
And I really think Potter should consider changing captains in the summer, for the good of Bowen and West Ham as a club.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
