Jarrod Bowen could do little to prevent another dismal night for West Ham United, as the Hammers fell to a 2-0 defeat against Brentford at the London Stadium on Monday.
Keith Andrews’ Brentford side dominated from start to finish, with West Ham rarely threatening across the 90 minutes. The hosts managed just 0.33 expected goals from seven shots, while the visitors racked up 2.31 xG and unleashed 22 efforts on Alphonse Areola’s goal.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo made several changes to his starting lineup, but his tactical tweaks failed to pay off — and instead left many supporters baffled by his decisions. One particularly puzzling call was the continued omission of James Ward-Prowse, who once again missed out entirely from the matchday squad.
Bowen struggles to make an impact
Fresh off an encouraging international break with England, Bowen entered the game as one of West Ham’s few hopes of inspiration. But the winger endured one of his quietest performances in recent memory.
The club captain misplaced nearly half of his passes, lost the majority of his duels, and was largely ineffective in the final third. His only bright moment came midway through the first half, when a fierce long-range strike forced Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher into a smart save.
For a player usually known for his relentless energy and end product, it was an unusually subdued outing. Even Fantasy Premier League players felt the sting — Bowen was the third-most transferred-in forward for Gameweek 8, leaving thousands of managers disappointed as he failed to deliver.
Warning signs for fantasy managers and fans alike
Many FPL managers have taken a gamble on West Ham assets this season, hoping to capitalise on their low prices and the potential of a turnaround under Nuno. But Monday’s performance provided little encouragement.
West Ham were passive, uninspired, and easily outplayed in front of their own supporters. There was no spark, no cohesion, and no sign that a resurgence is on the horizon.
With a difficult run of fixtures looming, Nuno Espirito Santo faces a daunting task to lift his side out of their early-season slump. Unless something changes quickly, both West Ham fans and fantasy football managers may find it best to look elsewhere for points — and optimism.