West Ham United have struggled under David Moyes and are yet to win a game since his 4-0 victory over A.F.C Bournemouth in his opening match in charge. But having had a tough run of fixtures, facing the Premier League’s top three on four occasions in their past five games, the Hammers face Southampton at the weekend which presents a genuine opportunity to secure a vital three points. For the game on Saturday, he must stop giving fans glimpses of January signing Jarrod Bowen and hand him his first Premier League start.
So far Bowen, valued at £18m (Transfermarkt) has been introduced two times from the bench, for a total of 16 top-flight minutes, via WhoScored, against both Manchester City and Liverpool; scarcely enough time to influence any game, let alone against the Premier League’s best sides. For two and a half seasons the 23-year-old Englishman proved that he was a cut above the level of the Championship, finding the back of the net 52 times in 117 appearances for Hull City, along with providing 12 assists, as per WhoScored. But if he is only given conciliation minutes at the end of Premier League games, he is unlikely to replicate those numbers.
The English winger has been given such a minuscule opportunity to influence games, he has taken just one shot across both appearances and played three passes, none of which have created chances for teammates, as per WhoScored. Moyes was keen to bring the talented wide man to the London Stadium in January, but with time running out if he does not utilise Bowen in his starting line-up, both the manager and fans may never find out whether he was capable of making the transition to the top-flight.
Ultimately Moyes’ job is likely to be on the line if the Hammers are to be relegated, along with the fate of the historic club. It is in both of their best interests to start Bowen to see if he can deliver the Premier League victory they have clamoured for over the last seven matches. With the Hammers next four games after Southampton against Arsenal, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, Saturday presents the ideal opportunity to start Bowen and give the January signing his first chance to impress in the starting XI.
