Jarrod Bowen believes that West Ham should be “pushing for European football every year”, but his manager Julen Lopetegui insists the focus must instead be on becoming a “good team”.
West Ham earned a crucial win on Monday night when they beat Newcastle 2-0 at St James’ Park to ease the pressure on Lopetegui.
The Hammers scored either side of the break through Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka to earn their fourth Premier League win of the season, but they remain 14th in the table.
“I think we should be pushing for European football every year,” said captain Bowen, who scored the winning goal in the final of the Europa Conference League as West Ham won the competition under Lopetegui's predecessor David Moyes in the 2022/23 season.
“We had three years at it, and in a season where we finished I think 14th, we came away with a trophy. Those are the standards of this club.
“We have a really good side, a really good manager. We haven’t been to those levels, but it’s not for the want of trying. When we step on that pitch, it’s down to us players. Tonight, everyone involved, it was a really big moment.
“That was more the level it takes to play for this club. And then quality shows; we have top-quality players. It’s important now that we rest up.”
Bowen added: “I’ve said before, we need to be consistently winning games on the bounce. This has started tonight.
“[Next opponents] Arsenal are a top, top side pushing for Premier League titles, but we’re at home, we can use that to our advantage, and put in again another top performance and go to win the game.”
When told what Bowen had said about European football aims, Lopetegui replied: “I think that West Ham should be a team - a good team. That is the more important thing.
“Tomorrow we are working hard, looking forward to the next challenge. Looking at the long-[term] future doesn’t help anyone. Our big challenge is trying to be able to be a good team.”
Lopetegui is suspended from the touchline for Saturday’s home match against Arsenal after picking up his third yellow card of the season against Newcastle.
