Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , former West Ham striker Carlton Cole has given his thoughts West Ham’s start to the season and back Graham Potter to get the best out of his former club with time.
Cole also discussed Jarrod Bowen’s importance to West Ham, what his future holds and if he can make England’s World Cup squad.
He gives his insight into some of the Hammers squad, explain why Lucas Paqueta will feel like a new signing, his assessment of new signing Malick Diouf and if they can get the better of Crystal Palace at the weekend.
West Ham
Positive Signs For West Ham
It's one of those situations where you have to take it game by game. It hasn't been a great start to the season, admittedly. We haven't really found our feet yet. As you can see, there were some positive signs after the Chelsea game, especially looking at the Nottingham Forest game, where you thought, ‘We might be onto something here.’
I think Graham Potter is trying to understand his team, and obviously, we've had some new players come in to change the dynamics of the team as well. So, we're just waiting for them to bed in and understand the system and what Graham Potter expects from them.
I look at it like this: sometimes you do start slow, and I'm a firm believer that if you have a great preseason, sometimes you come into the season quite slowly. I've been in dressing rooms where that's actually happened, and then you have to find your feet again, and then you have to go again.
So, I'm still quite optimistic. I know the game on the weekend against Spurs wasn't great, and it's never ideal losing two big derby games in quick succession. Graham Potter and all his staff would look at it and say, ‘we need to improve.
But at the same time, you look at it and think we could get to the next level if we use these experiences as targets to establish a baseline and then grow from there. So, I'm hoping there are bigger and better things to come.
Give Potter Time To Succeed!
I'm optimistic about West Ham’s prospects. As a staff member, I have an insider's view, and the atmosphere at the training ground is positive. I imagine sometimes, it can severely impact the mood, but this really isn't like that.
I believe things will turn around. We saw promising signs against Nottingham Forest, and Graham Potter is working to integrate the players into his system. I'm confident he'll get it right, especially as new signings settle in.
I recently did a club podcast with Callum Wilson. He's eager to play and feels fitter than ever. He was likely disappointed not to start against Spurs, but made a significant impact as a substitute against Nottingham Forest.
He's determined to prove himself as the main man, but he'll face stiff competition from Niclas Fullkrug. This competition will only benefit the team's morale and goal-scoring potential.
Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen is a top player who is so committed to West Ham. His passion and pride are evident in the way he plays. He learned from the leadership of both Mark Noble and Declan Rice, who passed on the torch. Jarrod is receiving his well-deserved recognition, even if the team's league performance isn't ideal yet.
He consistently makes the England squad, showing his commitment to giving his all and performing to the best of his ability. Hopefully, he can translate this energy into the game, making more of his signature mazy runs, getting on the scoresheet, and winning games as he usually does.
Could Bowen Retire At West Ham?
I can’t speak for Jarrod’s situation, but from what I see, he looks like the type who could stay here until he retires. He might not retire with us, but his main body of work would likely be with West Ham.”
Bowen’s World Cup Dreams
I look at him and I think he's one of the purest, honest footballers that England has at the moment. He doesn't hide, he doesn't shirk from responsibility, and he always puts himself and the team first to make sure that he's trying to get a goal or create something.
Looking past Harry Kane, I'm not sure there are many out there that you'd say have nailed that spot as a striker. So it just shows you what half a good season can do for you.
Lucas Paqueta
Paqueta: “Like A New Signing”
“For me, Lucas Paqueta is like a new signing. Last season, he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, and I can only imagine what he was going through while still trying to play. That definitely takes a toll on your game.
Malick Diouf
Malick Diouf Is “Massively, Massively Talented”
Malik Diouf, I liked him straight away. Especially, look, I'm a striker and this guy doesn't think twice to just whip the ball into the box. I'm looking at that, I'm thinking, I'd love that. That goal, like Callum Wilson scored the other day, that's like bread and butter for me.
I'd love that, right on my nut, straight in. When you look at it, I asked Callum about it, and he goes, ‘Yeah, he does it in training every day.’ So you just know, you just gotta be in the right position, make the right run, and he'll pull it on a sixpence for you, and it's up to you to put it in the back of the net.
So yeah, he's a massively, massively talented boy. You can see it; he's athletic, he gets up and down, he defends. He hasn't taken too long, and I think he's still adjusting to the Premier League, don't get me wrong. But there are so many positive signs of where he could be going and what his ceiling is because he is a top, top player, I think.
Prediction: West Ham vs Crystal Palace
Prediction: West Ham vs Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are in excellent form. This season's league will be strenuous, and West Ham will need to improve in this one. Palace have won the Community Shield and the FA Cup, which makes us feel that it should be us achieving those accolades.
Living near Crystal Palace, I see the fans, and I'm happy for the area. I believe they will be a formidable opponent this season due to their confidence, even after losing key players like Michael Olise and Wilfried Zaha.
They've established a culture of finding the next best talent. Mark Bright recently told me that manager Oliver Glasner is very thorough in his approach, making everything clear. With Jean-Philippe Mateta up front, Adam Wharton orchestrating play, and Marc Guehi at the back, they have a strong spine that allows for many possibilities.
My prediction is a hard-fought game. While I do fancy us to win one of these types of games to gain a foothold, like our win against Nottingham Forest. Palace are beatable. However, their current momentum will make it difficult. If we can secure a win, we can build on it. I usually get scores wrong, but I'll go 2-1 to West Ham.
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