Back in form: Jarrod Bowen is among the goals for West Ham once again
(Picture: PA)Jarrod Bowen says his confidence is returning after missing out on a place in the England squad for the World Cup.
Bowen opened the scoring on Monday night as the Hammers beat Derby in the FA Cup to set up a fifth-round trip to Manchester United.
The forward has now scored three goals in his last two games, which is the same number he managed in his previous 18 matches before that.
Bowen has opened up this month about how he was putting too much pressure on himself to make the England squad for the World Cup in Qatar, which led to him playing with “fear”.
The 26-year-old, however, insists he is in a better place now and is hoping to get back to his best to fire West Ham to Premier League safety.
“It was nice to get two against Everton and with the situation we’re in, any goal gives confidence to any player,” Bowen said. “So, obviously, to be involved with the goals in the last two matches is really good for me and for us as well.
“It’s two wins on the bounce, two good results, it gives us momentum and that’s what it’s all about in this game. We can use this as a real springboard now.”
Following Bowen’s opener against Derby last night, Michail Antonio added a second after the break, as West Ham secured back-to-back wins for the first time since October.
The Hammers have struggled this season and are currently sat 16th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation places. They face a tough run of games now, with a trip to Newcastle on Saturday followed by matches against London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham.
West Ham will hope they have turned a corner, and midfielder Pablo Fornals believes a firing Bowen could hold the key to success.
“He’s an incredible player,” he said. “He can play as No9 or wherever. Just like everyone, we need that click, that luck.
“Last week he scored twice and, hopefully, after these goals he is going to have more power, more confidence in himself. I am really pleased for him.”
Bowen being back among the goals is a big boost for West Ham, and so was Antonio finding the net last night, too. The striker has struggled for form this season and has scored just six goals.
Antonio floated the idea he could leave West Ham this month when doing his podcast last week, but manager David Moyes wants to keep him — and this win over Derby showed why.
“I don’t think there’s any price we are interested in taking for Mich,” said Moyes. “Him getting a goal tonight was huge, because we’ve been missing them for quite a while.
“I’m pleased for Jarrod, because it gets him in the knack of scoring at the moment, so, hopefully, that continues. It’s been really important that they got goals.”
Monday night’s win should help ease some of the pressure on Moyes, who has come in for criticism due to the Hammers’ poor form.
The Scot was pleased with his side’s display, particularly with the fact they kept another clean sheet after also keeping out Everton last week.
Centre-back Nayef Aguerd shone in the heart of a back-three, and Moyes believes he will have a key role to play in the second half of the season after being troubled by injury following his move in the summer.
“We really wanted to buy him two years ago,” said Moyes. “He’s a really good player, really good on the ball, stylish. He’s got some really good attributes and I think he will big a plus to us.”
