West Ham news: Jarrod Bowen ‘problem’ has been exposed – pundit
Jarrod Bowen isn’t the answer for West Ham up front in the absence of Michail Antonio, according to Paul Robinson.
The former Spurs and England goalkeeper, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed David Moyes’ side miss Bowen’s creativity from wide areas when he moves inside.
The Hammers laboured to a 2-1 extra time win over Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday.
Antonio was absent for the clash due to his international commitments with Jamaica.
Speaking to Football.London after the game (5 February), Moyes described the situation as “not good”.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of West Ham in the absence of Antonio, Robinson said:
“I know Moyes believes Jarrod Bowen can play there but when he does, they lose his creativity from wide areas. That’s the problem.
“It is similar to [Harry] Kane at Tottenham and [Patrick] Bamford at Leeds. The way West Ham play is pretty rigid with an out and out number nine.
“When Antonio doesn’t play, they miss him dearly. They didn’t address it in the transfer market. [Andriy] Yarmolenko plays there occasionally but he’s not the answer. I think it’s an area they are light in.
“Moyes will have to be very careful when the European games start coming. If Antonio is out for a length of time they will miss him.”
Antonio has contributed nine goals and eight assists in 26 appearances this season.
He put pen to paper on a new contract in January.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed West Ham are well placed to break records in the summer after £135m-plus reveal.