West Ham v Southampton - time to contemplate the unthinkable

West Ham are in a pretty dire situation, saved only by the inferiority of the three teams below them from the threat of relegation. Leadership is in short supply on the pitch – how the Hammers are crying out for a Bonds, a Moore, or a Noble to grab the lethargic and the lacklustre amongst the squad and enforce higher standards and demand more from those around him.

Now this is not an anti-Jarrod Bowen article. I absolutely love the man and have nothing but admiration for his ability and commitment to the club. He’s well on the way to legend status and I won’t listen to anyone who criticises his performances as a player. He’s put up with three managers in twelve months, been intensely loyal to the outgoing ones and never complains. But I wonder whether he is the type of leader West Ham need just now.

Watching Niclas Fullkrug’s rant on Sky yesterday I saw another ‘leadership’ style. Not full of platitudes and ‘we must work harder’ truisms.: Fullkrug exuded raw emotion. I’m not suggesting Fullkrug is the leader in waiting, but the contrast in style is enormous and boy do West Ham need a ‘blood and guts’ performer on the pitch just now.

Jarrod Bowen reminds me of – different era so bear with me – Ian Botham when appointed England Cricket Captain. Botham was a true genius but suffered when the weight of captaincy was thrust upon his young shoulders as his side embarked upon a disastrous series of results. The game after he was sacked, he produced his best performances in his life and the rest was history.

I genuinely feel sorry for Bowen who is doing his best, (it is not his fault)-Bowen is one of the few who is above criticism this tumultuous season. At times when the camera cut to his face at the end he was clearly upset by what had taken place and the boo’s at the end must have cut deep.

I’d merely float the suggestion that he may not be the “in your face, confrontational, take no s**t-style leader” that West Ham need just now to enforce the Manager’s instructions and get the team playing to order. Probably also, we’d see a liberated, reborn Jarrod Bowen, without the weight of the world upon his shoulders.

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