Another week brings another fiery interview at West Ham as Jarrod Bowen hits back at West Ham fans he has heard criticising him.
Without Jarrod Bowen’s goals and assists it is highly likely West Ham would have been in real danger of being relegated this season.
Bowen got another to salvage an underwhelming 1-1 draw with a Tottenham reserve team who look more concerned with not getting injured than winning a derby.
Max Kilman gifted Spurs the lead but Bowen’s clever run and finish levelled things up and that’s how it remained as Graham Potter’s awful record stretched to three wins in 16 games.
The Hammers were booed off yet again as fans made their feelings clear.
Bowen goal masks deeper West Ham problems as poor run continues
It’s also now just 13 wins in West Ham’s last 54 Premier League games going back to January 2024.
So when Niclas Fullkrug broke ranks to slam West Ham’s poor standards and weak mentality, he was hailed a hero by fans for giving them a voice.
Many Hammers fans called for Fullkrug to be made captain after his angry ourburst.
There was a feeling among many that he was doing what Bowen should have done long ago.
Some eyebrows were raised when Bowen was made captain by Julen Lopetegui.
Unquestionably West Ham’s best and most consistent player, it made sense in terms of choosing someone to lead by example.
And that works when you have a functioning team where everyone is pulling in the same direction.
The problem is Bowen is a quiet and shy character and fans have always had doubts whether he could be the type to really rally a dressing room or get teammates by the scruff of the neck if required.
Sadly this season proves those concerns were probably valid.
Why West Ham fans are questioning Jarrod Bowen’s captaincy
West Ham sit 17th and look likely to finish there after as their winless run stretches to eight games.
Bowen finally showed some leadership skills – externally at least – when he warned his Hammers teammates ahead of the clash with Tottenham.
While there was no lack of effort from West Ham’s players in the game, it was a boring performance and disappointing result given Spurs rested nearly their entire team.
Now an angry Bowen has hit back at West Ham fans he has heard criticising him.
A visibly agitated Bowen says he has seen and heard the criticism of his captaincy from supporters.
Bowen responds to West Ham critics in fiery interview
Bowen says they don’t see what really goes on but admits his leadership probably hasn’t been good enough given where West Ham are in the table.
But he says West Ham fans can’t criticise the way he leads by example.
“Listen when you’re captain all eyes and all questions are on you,” Bowen told Sky Sports in the interview you can see below.
“It’s not been the season we’ve wanted and there have been fingers pointed at me and I’m big enough to accept that.
“I’ve been here long enough and my ego is not going to be touched when people are asking questions. We haven’t been performing this season and I’m captain of this group, of course there’s going to be questions asked.
“I think one thing from me, I turn up every single week, every single day in training and get around the players as well as I know that I can.
“People don’t see me every single day working, how I am every single day, it’s just people’s opinions and you know football is a game of opinions.
“All I do is turn up every single day in training, try and be the best player in training, be the best teammate, be the best captain I can be in training and when it comes to the weekend consistently turn up and show what it means to play for this club.
“I think when you’re captain and when questions come to you, that’s all you can do and that’s all that I’ve tried to do this season.
“You know ultimately, maybe I’ve not done enough because of the position that we’re in. But I’ll never sit away and hide from it, I’ll always face the music, I’ll always face the critics that come with it but I’m trying.”
