‘I hope it doesn’t happen’ – Sky Sports pundit fears Jarrod Bowen situation amid upset at West Ham
Kris Boyd doesn’t know where West Ham can turn if Jarrod Bowen’s situation comes to a head after yet another bad result.
Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side were beaten 2-1 by promoted Leeds United on Friday night for their third-straight defeat under the Portuguese.
After taking over from Graham Potter, the former Wolves and Nottingham Forest boss has only registered a point in four Premier League outings – the 1-1 draw with Everton in his first game in charge.
Bowen assisted Matheus Fernandes’ late consolation at Elland Road and remains the stand-out performer for the Hammers, but Boyd has doubts that the status quo can continue.
Jarrod Bowen let down by West Ham side after Leeds United loss
With Bowen, 28, the West Ham captain and star man, Boyd is sceptical that the attacker will be content to remain the face of the club through such sustained struggles.
He suggested that such responsibility amid growing discontent among the fanbase could be weighing heavily, while hinting that even a departure from the London Stadium might be on the cards.
The former Scotland international said live on Sky Sports News on 25 October: “For Jarrod Bowen, he will be frustrated. He’s got himself in the England set up as well; there’s a World Cup coming up, he’ll want to be a part of it.
“He’ll be looking around, thinking to himself, ‘There’s not many players here helping me out’.
“And you do feel sorry for him because right now he’s the figurehead of the football club. Because the owners are getting criticised by the fans.
“The managerial situation, I know Nuno’s gone in there, but the West Ham fans are probably not fully on board with him right now as well.
“The only one they can connect to is Bowen, and that’s because of his performances. And then, I hope it doesn’t happen, but something has to happen, and where do West Ham go from there?”
David Sullivan bungles David Moyes succession beyond all doubt
It’s galling for West Ham supporters that less than two-and-a-half seasons ago, they were riding high as Europa Conference League champions, after Bowen’s winner against Fiorentina, and regular European qualifiers.
David Moyes’ own failure to capitalise on that point divided opinion the following season, and while it was easy to support the conclusion that the Scot’s reign had run its course has only led to further decline.
David Sullivan‘s choices in the wake of maddening indecision have seen them lurch from one unsuitable coach to another in Julen Lopetegui and Potter, with recruitment power handed to and then removed from Tim Steidten and Kyle McCauley.
Santo might have seemed like a return to the positive elements of Moyes’ reign, given his success at Forest, but enough of a mess appears to have been made that it’s just more of the same.
Bowen fits well as the star of a successful West Ham side, but few could blame him for having doubts over wasting the rest of his prime in East London if this continues.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest West Ham United news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account – @westhamzone247