West Ham United icon Tony Cottee has voiced his sympathy for players Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta as the club faces a challenging season.
Premier League Predicament
As the team prepares for their matchup against Newcastle today, West Ham finds itself at a troubling 19th place in the Premier League standings.
Cottee’s Insights
In an interview with The Sun, Cottee remarked:
The players I truly feel for are Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta. I came across the news about Paqueta possibly seeking a move in January, and I can’t fault him for that. Bowen is a true legend for West Ham, and my heart goes out to him for all he has contributed. Both players have been let down by poor recruitment choices.
Historical Context
Reflecting on the season’s early struggles, Cottee noted:
Although we are just under a quarter into the season, the performances during the first nine matches remind me of the 2011 campaign when Avram Grant was in charge and the club faced relegation. In that season, we managed only one victory in our first nine fixtures, conceded 17 goals, and ultimately finished at the bottom of the league. Alarmingly, our current record is even worse.