Club legend Windass admits he was wrong about Bowen
EX-HULL City promotion winner and club legend Dean Windass admits he was wrong about Jarrod Bowen, after the winger established himself in the Premier League at West Ham United.
Bowen, who left the KCOM Stadium in January last year has become a regular in David Moyes’ side this season, with the Hammers surprising many with a bright campaign so far which threatens European qualification.
Despite feeling moving to the top flight a year ago would maybe prove a step too far for Bowen, Windass freely admits he underestimated the talents of the Leominster-born star.
“I’ve questioned Jarrod Bowen before. I questioned
Jarrod when he left Hull,” Windass told Football Fan Cast.
“Was he good enough to play in the Premier League?
“He’s proved me wrong and he’s probably proved himself wrong the kid. He’s a lovely kid.”
Windass, though, clearly needs less convincing than former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips, who feels Moyes needs to seek more from the 24-year-old, certainly when it comes to the defensive side of his game.
“Stats don’t lie,” Phillips said in conversation with Football Insider.
“In possession, he’s great. But ultimately out of possession, you’ve got to know your positions, you’ve got to know when to press, you’ve got to know where to show someone and where not to show them.
“If you don’t get it quite right at this level, you get punished. It’s no surprise because he’s more of an offensive player, defending’s not his main duty. But we all know that nowadays you’ve got to be able to do both.
“So that will be an area they’ll want to improve. These coaches know that. They’ll look at the stats.
“It’s certainly an area that he needs to learn, the young kid. That will get better as time goes on, particularly under Moyes who is a fantastic coach.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a major concern for Moyes because they are getting results. He’ll be more concerned with what he does when he’s in possession.”