West Ham United’s Resilience Against Leicester City
West Ham United will host Leicester City in a Premier League clash on Thursday night, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. The match comes hot on the heels of the Hammers’ impressive 1-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates, marking a significant moment in their adaptation to a new era under manager Graham Potter. The transition has been challenging, especially for players like Jarrod Bowen, who candidly discussed the impact of the managerial change in an exclusive interview with TNT Sports.
A Difficult Transition
The departure of former manager Quique Sánchez Flores was a tough pill to swallow for the West Ham squad, particularly for Bowen, who had been appointed captain by the Spanish coach. Bowen reflected, "Losing him was a difficult time because in football there’s so much change and managers are the ones who get changed more than players. I had a really good relationship with him, so it was difficult to see him leave." Despite the emotional toll, Bowen and his teammates are now focusing on the new direction set by Potter.
Potter’s Calm and Confidence
Potter, who joined West Ham after a brief and unsuccessful stint at Chelsea, has brought a sense of calm and new ideas to the team. Bowen praised Potter’s approach, saying, "He’s a really calm character and a really good man manager. We’ve changed the structure a little bit, going with five at the back a lot of times, sometimes three at the back. It’s just different ideas the lads are listening to every day. Obviously, performances help with that confidence to carry on." The team has shown promising signs, even in matches where they haven’t secured results, such as the FA Cup tie against Aston Villa, where they performed well in the first half.
Embracing the Underdog Tag
West Ham currently sit 16th in the Premier League table, a comfortable 13 points clear of the relegation zone. Despite their position, they face the challenge of being the favorites against Leicester City, a team struggling under the leadership of Ruud van Nistelrooy. Bowen acknowledged the shift in mindset, saying, "We’ve gone to Arsenal and won 1-0. We’ve got another game now to back that up. Thursday is a different game, as people probably expect us to win. Now it’s almost us taking that pressure and going, ‘Right, we’re expected to win here.’ It’s a different mindset, and we need to respect Leicester as a team while backing our performance."
Bowen’s England Journey
Bowen also discussed his journey with the England national team, a path that has seen him earn 14 caps and score his first international goal. He admitted, "Before you get that call-up, I think you always wonder if you’re good enough. But once you get the call-up, it gives you a bit of confidence to know you are good enough to play for England, and it’s down to you to show it." His dream of scoring for his country came true when he netted with his first touch as a substitute against the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League, a moment he described as a significant personal achievement. "The main thing for me was scoring for my country. I had 14 caps and I’d never scored, so to actually score was a relief and a proud moment."
Looking Forward to the Leicester Match
As West Ham prepares to face Leicester City, the team is determined to build on their recent success. Bowen emphasized the importance of maintaining their recent form and meeting the expectations that come with being the favorites. "We need to go in knowing we’re probably favourites and back that up with a performance like we did on Saturday," he said. The match, scheduled for Thursday, February 27, with a 20:00 UK kick-off, will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, providing fans with an exciting match to look forward to.
How to Watch
For those eager to catch all the action, TNT Sports is available across major TV platforms, including discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. Coverage begins at 19:00 UK time, leading up to the kick-off at 20:00. To find local establishments showing the match, fans can use the Pub Finder tool on the TNT Sports website. Whether you’re a die-hard West Ham supporter or a casual Premier League fan, this match is not to be missed.
