TNT Sports journalist baffled as David Moyes ‘had a go at me’ over Jarrod Bowen before West Ham United win
Archie Rhind-Tutt was “still not sure why” David Moyes “had a go at me” over a question about Jarrod Bowen ahead of the West Ham win at Freiburg.
The TNT Sports reporter took to Twitter on 5 October after his prematch interview with the Irons boss in which the Scot refused to answer any questions about the star winger making the England squad before his side’s Europa League game after his call-up was mentioned.
An awkward moment ahead of kickoff in Germany ensued and the interview continued, before the Hammers went on to win 2-1 to keep up their 100% record in the group.
Rhind-Tutt had asked: “Part of that success has been Jarrod Bowen called up to the England squad today, looks like he’s leading the line.
“What are the qualities do you think that have made him stand out in your team?”
Moyes replied: “Well I’m not going to answer anything to do about Jarrod getting in the England team before a West Ham cup game tonight so let’s keep to the West Ham questions please.”
The journalist then asked again about the qualities the winger has shown for the Irons and the manager answered the question.
Something of nothing
Considering the question was only framed around Bowen’s selection by Gareth Southgate to ask about West Ham it was odd that Moyes reacted to it, only to answer it straight after anyway.
But equally he hardly “had a go” so it was a bemusing exchange all round, and until the pair are next on either side of a microphone will likely be forgotten.
Moyes has previously got himself in trouble after he warned the BBC’s Vicki Sparks she “might get a slap” while he was manager at Sunderland and received a £30,000 fine as a result [Guardian], so he has form in reacting unnecessarily to questions in interviews but this was nothing in comparison.
A solid away performance in Europa saw an early goal from Lucas Paqueta arrive thanks to an assist from Bowen as the former Hull City man continued the fantastic form that has got him called up to the national team.
Nayef Aguerd’s second after the break secured the points despite the home side pulling one back, and leaves West Ham top of group A with six points from six.
If Bowen can keep these performances up then he could finally become a regular in Southgate’s set up, although James Ward-Prowse apparently has some way to go still.
In other West Ham news, Moyes has been mooted to “phase out” one of his in-form favourites ahead of the first-team regular’s likely exit in the next year.