Brutal Jarrod Bowen tells Graham Potter some players have no future at West Ham
It seems Graham Potter is not the only one who has snapped at West Ham as captain Jarrod Bowen finally throws his weight around too.
Julen Lopetegui raised a few eyebrows when he made Jarrod Bowen the new West Ham captain last summer.
It probably says everything about the lack of character and leadership that has been witnessed at West Ham this season that one of the quietest members of the squad was the outstanding candidate for the armband.
Bowen replaced a big character and personality in Kurt Zouma, who himself had followed on from midfield generals Declan Rice and Mark Noble.
West Ham fans absolutely love Bowen as a club legend and their talisman.
He certainly leads by example with his effort, performances, goals and assists.
But many felt Bowen was too quiet, shy and retiring to be a proper leader.
In many respects that has been proved right.
His first season as skipper could not have gone much worse with West Ham sat 17th in the Premier League table and having exited both domestic cups at the third round stage.
Bowen himself has been one of West Ham’s best and most consistent performers alongside Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tomas Soucek.
West Ham captain’s armband has weighed heavy on Bowen
But there has been a nagging feeling he is not the type to get teammates by the scruff of the neck when things are going badly.
And my goodness things have been going badly at West Ham – as 13 wins from their last 53 Premier League games attests.
Many West Ham fans demanded Niclas Fullkrug replace Bowen as captain after he blasted the team following the 1-1 draw with Southampton last week.
West Ham conceded in the last minute – yet again – to draw with the already relegated Saints at the London Stadium.
Fullkrug called the team “s—” and questioned the mentality of some of his West Ham teammates.
The forward said half the team retreat and stop playing football when in the lead.
The German striker was criticised and dropped by Graham Potter in the aftermath. Much to the fury of fans.
But he was proved spot on as West Ham came from behind to lead 2-1 at Brighton with six minutes of normal time remaining, only to lose 3-2.
“The German’s right, we’re f—— s—-” sang fans – who also aimed another two chants about Fullkrug at West Ham boss Potter.
Bowen looked particularly demoralised as he stared blankly at West Ham fans after the shocking Brighton collapse.
Whatever your stance on whether he should be the club’s skipper, there are few other serious candidates who are going to be at the club for years to come like him.
And the England attacker certainly put in a captain’s performance at the Amex, almost trying to do too much to single-handedly get West Ham over the line.
Bowen was everywhere, setting up the two goals, tracking back and defending in his own box.
When Carlos Baleba lined up his match-winning long-range strike, the only West Ham player to even attempt to close him down was – you guessed it – Bowen.
Brutal Bowen tells Potter some players have no future at West Ham
Potter completely snapped after the game as the pressure begins to tell.
New audio then emerged of Potter saying it’s time to blame West Ham’s players.
Now brutal Bowen has told Potter some players simply have no future at West Ham.
Like Bowen, Potter has been deemed too nice and meek to really give West Ham’s underperforming players a rocket when needed.
Many Hammers fans have actually welcomed Potter’s angry outburst after just three wins in his 15 games in charge.
Now Bowen has reached the end of his tether too it seems.
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