West Ham manager David Moyes has faced a lot of criticism this season, but even the most disgruntled Hammers fan cannot deny his impact on Jarrod Bowen.
The English international has spent his career playing in wide positions, but earlier this season, Moyes chose to deploy him as a pure striker.
The result has been Bowen scoring 14 goals – his best tally in the Premier League – and netting his first career hat-trick in the 4-2 victory against Brentford on Monday.
It was the perfect time for Bowen to repay his manager’s faith in him in that central role, with pressure mounting on Moyes following a humiliating 6-0 home loss to Arsenal on February 11th and then a 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest six days later.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank described Bowen as “unplayable” on Monday, and for the player himself, he could hardly have timed it better, with England boss Gareth Southgate undoubtedly beginning to finalize his squad for this summer’s European Championship in Germany.
“It gets him back in the goals,” said Moyes. “I’m sure if he scores like that, he’ll stay in Gareth [Southgate]’s mind.
“If you can play on the wing and you’re a goalscorer, you will attract interest from the national team manager.
“Jarrod Bowen has looked like that at times but hasn’t scored many goals. Some of his recent performances have gone unnoticed because we haven’t won.
“He was in the right place at the right time and scored goals. He was also a threat in other ways.”
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Bowen’s 14 goals firmly place him among the top scorers in the Premier League. He is level with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke, one goal behind Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and three goals behind Manchester City’s lead striker Erling Haaland.
Bowen’s tally is even more impressive when you consider he has just emerged from a seven-game scoring drought in the Premier League, stretching back to December 23rd.
This was also the first time this season he has scored more than once in a game – but against Brentford, it seemed like almost every opportunity that came his way, he converted into a goal, even scoring with a rare header.
“I had never got a hat-trick [before]. It was on my mind,” Bowen told Sky Sports. “I don’t often score with headers, but they all count.
“It’s a really proud moment for me. You’re always waiting for that third one, and it never comes. I got a little glance on the header, and it went in. I was so buzzing to get it.”z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z
Bowen said he still feels there is more to come from him as a striker as he continues to learn how to best play in that position.
“I’m always learning,” he added.
“With my energy, I’m always trying to press. It’s difficult. I’m 5ft 9in tall and up against big center-backs. I have to know what I’m good at and what I’m not good at. I’m trying to learn a new position in one of the best leagues.”
Now that he is back among the goals, Bowen will be determined to increase his tally further and really give Southgate something to think about as the summer approaches.
