One of the big talking points of last season was the lack of leaders on the pitch wearing [Claret and Blue.](https://www.claretandhugh.info/ward-prowse-must-stay/)
Even during last years’ pre-season, former Hammers skipper Nigel Red-Coker remarked on it during the Florida trip, suggesting that the dressing room lacked leadership -“_my biggest worry is the lack of characters that I saw there, especially with how things are going_.” he commented at the start of the season.
Bowen’s less vocal leadership style came under fire from many quarters, but he received staunch support yesterday from the player who at one stage – before Lopetegui sent him on loan – was tipped as a future Hammers captain.
Speaking to [_skysports.com_](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/13385034/james-ward-prowse-interview-west-ham-midfielder-says-club-needs-period-of-reflection-after-disappointing-premier-league-campaign), **James Ward Prowse** alluded to Bowen’s more understated style:
_“I think everybody leads in different ways,” said the midfielder. “I don’t think you need to be this stereotypical shouter and sort of aggressor. You can be more of a subtle leader.”_
And suggesting that there are plenty of loud voices in the dressing room, the Hammers midfielder believes that ‘leadership’ is not just one style, nor solely the captain’s responsibility:
_“Try and lead by example, try and drive the standards in a sort of a secretive way, if you like._ _But then again, you do have more vocal leaders in the changing room. So it’s about finding that balance and making sure that we lead by example.”_
It has to be emphasised that virtually the whole defence and midfield last season was imported: Now that all four of the back line have had a season to gel, the ‘newbies’ – Kilman, Wan Bissaka, Todibo – should now more ready to step up to leading by their own, and a collective example. Ward-Prowse certainly believes Jarrod Bowen should not be the only one responsible for pulling the side forward. And in that he is surely correct.