Jarrod Bowen can feel the confidence growing both within himself and his West Ham United teammates with every goal they score.
Bowen took his tally to three in the past two games with the opening strike in Monday night’s 2-0 Emirates FA Cup fourth round victory over Derby County, as the Hammers registered back-to-back wins following their Premier League success against Everton the previous weekend.
With Derby dispatched, the Hammers will head to Manchester United in the fifth round of this competition, but first come a slew of vital league outings and Bowen is determined to ensure these victories act as a building block.
“It was nice to get two against Everton and with the situation we’re in, any goal gives confidence to any player,” he explained.
“So obviously, to be involved with the goals in the last two matches is really good for me and for us as well, it’s two wins on the bounce, two good results, it gives us momentum and that’s what it’s all about in this game. We can use this as a real springboard now.”
Bowen’s goal involvement stretched to an assist, too, as he got in down the right hand side to cross for Michail Antonio to head home a second five minutes into the second period, and he was delighted for his fellow forward – particularly after he received a gift from the No9 himself against Everton.
“It’s a massive goal for Micky as well. Something we’ve been working on, as the manager would say, is tap in goals,” he continued.
“That’s what we’ve been trying to get and you’ve seen in the last couple of games they’re the goals we’ve got.
“It was Mick’s ball to me for the second goal against Everton and tonight I returned the favour for him.
“It was a massive goal at a massive time because 1-0 wasn’t fully secure just after half-time, so to get that second goal helped us put another foot on hold of the game.”
An FA Cup tie against Manchester United is familiar territory for the Hammers – the fifth round meeting will be the sixth time the teams have locked horns in this competition in just 22 years, and the Old Trafford tie late next month is one Bowen will relish.
“It’s never easy, but if we want to be successful in these competitions we have to beat the best teams,” the No20 added.
“It’s going to be a tough game, we respect Manchester United, they’re a top, top team but as I said to be successful in this competition you have to beat the best to be the best.”
