Jarrod Bowen joined up with England this week having left a warning ringing in West Ham’s ears.
A good captain will always speak up for his teammates or give them a proverbial kick up the backside if needed.
There has been intense debate over whether Jarrod Bowen is the right man to captain West Ham.
Bowen’s quiet and unassuming character means he leads by example.
Some Hammers fans want to see a vocal leader out there on the pitch.
That’s understandable when you have had the likes of Mark Noble and Declan Rice in recent years.
Not to mention Paolo Di Canio, Julian Dicks, Billy Bonds and Bobby Moore in the past.
Bowen captain debate rumbles on among Hammers fans
Bowen has always been West Ham’s one constant.
The forward is head and shoulders the club’s most consistent performer.
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As a consummate professional too, it would be hard to pick a better candidate to lead the team.
West Ham’s dismal season leaves the captain debate wide open, though.
Only better results and performances will settle that particular argument.
However, it was refreshing to see Bowen challenge the club’s owners and fans about one of his teammates before he joined up with the Three Lions.
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
West Ham chant proves Bowen wrong to call out fans on Soucek
Bowen sent a blunt warning to the Hammers about star Tomas Soucek after the Everton game.
Soucek has been heavily linked with a move to Everton this summer.
As one of Moyes’ favourite ever signings and with West Ham desperate to raise funds due to PSR, it is not beyond the realms of possibility Soucek might leave.
The towering midfielder, who was crowned Czech player of the year for the fourth time this week, remains a key player for West Ham.
Soucek has had his doubters at West Ham in recent seasons, though.
Many predicted – and wanted – him to be the first casualty of Julen Lopetegui’s overhaul.
Soucek has come full circle at West Ham
The 30-year-old was even jeered a couple of seasons ago when substituted during a difficult spell for him and the team.
After everything he has given the Hammers, that was a very regrettable episode. And Soucek has since admitted it hurt him deeply.
After another goal against Everton took his tally for the season to seven, Bowen told West Ham fans and the club Soucek needs to be appreciated more.
Perhaps that is true when it comes to the board, who wrangled with the player and his representatives for some time before giving him a new deal.
But a new West Ham chant proves Bowen is wrong to call out fans over his teammate.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
West Ham fans show what they really think of Soucek
Hammers supporters can be a tough nut to crack.
At West Ham respect and adoration has to be earned.
The fanbase is not like others who make heroes of players and managers the moment they arrive at the club.
Noble got it spot on about West Ham fans when speaking in a TV interview last week.
He stated that the Hammers faithful are demanding and will tell you when they’re not happy.
But when it’s going well and you earn their love and respect, there’s nothing else like it.
Soucek has certainly done that.
Because a new chant about Soucek rang out from the away end at Everton which proves he is appreciated by West Ham fans.
‘Soucek again, ole, ole, Soucek again, ole, ole, Soucek again, Soucek again, Soucek again, ole, ole,” went the chant.
‘Soucek again, ole, ole’
It’s a West Ham take on a Man City chant and it is perfect for their consistent midfielder.
Soucek has come up with some important goals for West Ham since he arrived in January 2020.
A fair few of them against the Toffees.
But now he finally has his own chant and it’s much deserved.
‘Soucek again, ole, ole’ will ring out at every West Ham game now.
Especially when he gets his goals.
The adoration and love of West Ham fans is indeed hard earned.
And Soucek has more than earned it.
But he is no longer under appreciated, as Bowen suggested.
Soucek’s new chant proves he’s on his way to West Ham legend status – if he’s not there already.