Jarrod Bowen says West Ham’s relegation battle hurts him more than anyone else, ahead of a “must win” game against Wolves on Friday Night Football.
The West Ham captain is desperate to keep his club in the Premier League for a 15th season in a row, but they are now one point clear of safety with seven games remaining.
Bowen spent over six years at the London Stadium, playing a key role in three European campaigns and helping the club win the Conference League. With 84 goals in 273 appearances, he understands better than anyone how important it is for West Ham to stay in the top flight.
Friday, April 10th 7:30pm
Kickoff at 8pm
“It would mean the world,” he said. “This club means a lot to me and the situation we are in probably hurts me more than anyone else.
“What I’m trying to do is bring an A match every week and get the team ready to bring an A match. We know what we have to do to avoid relegation and we have a great chance to do that.”
“We have to keep doing that. Of course we want to score, we want to assist, we want to make a difference. But our teammates are just as important. They’re very important.”
“They need to continue to step up like they have been doing. We all need to continue to step up and continue to change our destinies, continue to change our destinies and win games. Then we’re pretty much in control of the situation we’re in. We know what we need to do, so that’s the most important thing.”
West Ham will host bottom club Wolves this Friday, live on Sky Sports, with a chance to move out of the bottom three and put pressure on those around them.
“We have to win the game,” Bowen said. “It’s a great opportunity for us before all the other teams play to get out of the relegation zone.
“The only thing I can control is my results and points. We can’t rely on other teams. We have to take the lead and go for the three points on Friday.”
Jarrod Bowen and Matheus Fernandes
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are also on a mission for revenge after he described Wolves’ 3-0 defeat at Molineux, which saw them win for the first time in 20 games this season, as “embarrassing” and the worst day of his footballing career.
West Ham supporters shouted “not fit to wear the shirt” at the players and Bowen had to be held back at full time as he tried to confront them.
“We were really, really poor that day. That was unfortunate for us,” he said.
“Since the new manager Robert Edwards came in they have really changed and looked like a different side.
“They’re at the bottom of the league, but don’t look at them that way because we’re on the losing side to them and they’re playing really, really well.”
West Ham will also be looking to make up for their loss to Leeds in the FA Cup quarter-finals, where they scored twice in stoppage time to force extra-time but lost on penalties.
“I think it shows the team spirit,” Bowen said. “It’s easy to lose 2-0 and throw in the towel, but we don’t want to be that team. We keep moving forward, we keep moving forward. We almost came up short, but we turned out to be a special team.”
“I think this says a lot about where the group is at the moment.”
Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perry saves Jarrod Bowen’s penalty in the FA Cup
Bowen saw his penalty saved in the shootout and spoke candidly about dealing with the disappointment.
He said: “It’s easy to score a goal and win the game.The best way to enjoy the moment is to look at the goal.
But I think you learn a lot about yourself when things don’t go your way. You still do the same thing. I still watch the games, I watch the highlights, I watch the penalty miss and the scene where he hit the post twice.
“I think the other day it wasn’t meant to be for me. That game was one of those games, but it can happen. But like I said, for me, I never hesitate to criticize when things don’t go well, because at the end of the day everyone wants high football.
“But I think it’s the downs that make you a better person and a better player. How do you deal with those downs? I think you have to acknowledge them.
“There’s always going to be days when you’re disappointed and hurt. I was like that on game day and the day after the game. But now I’ve changed my mindset. It’s over.”
Watch Friday Night Football live as West Ham host Wolves on Sky Sports. Kickoff at 8pm
