West Ham manager David Moyes and winger Jarrod Bowen preview UEFA Europa League clash with Freiburg
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 Hello David, thanks for your time. So the flu bug, cleared?
00:04 No, we never said flu.
00:06 The bug?
00:08 Yeah.
00:09 What kind of bug was it? Tummy?
00:11 Sorry, I've not got my doctor's certificate with me today to give you the answer to that,
00:16 but we're the few people who had a bit of illness, so that's all I can give you.
00:21 And the two days off, was that what you would normally do because of the fixtures coming thick and fast,
00:25 or was it to do with clearing the bug away?
00:28 A bit of all of that. I think the scheduling we've had has been quite difficult.
00:32 Last week was really difficult, two Premier League games away from home, Thursday and Sunday was difficult.
00:36 And there's not much time around this time of the year for MD,
00:40 so any time we can give the players a bit of time to themselves, we do that.
00:45 Brilliant night, obviously, ahead of us. A cup night, London Stadium, floodlights.
00:50 So important as well to get a result so that you can go straight into that group of 16.
00:56 Yeah, look, the last few years we've had really good nights at London Stadium.
01:00 I think back to the likes of Seville and Altmaier last year,
01:04 and some of the games we've had have been special, special nights for us.
01:07 But we're not quite at that stage yet. This is still the group.
01:10 We've won the group the last two years.
01:13 Winning it for three years in a row will be really tough. Freiburg are a good team,
01:17 and we'll need to play very well to get a result.
01:20 It was a really close game over in Freiburg, and we narrowly came out in front.
01:25 They've shown in the group that they're a really good side.
01:28 The benefits of winning the group, how important are they?
01:32 You could maybe be in a League Cup final in February,
01:35 could be in the fifth round of the FA Cup in February.
01:37 Yeah, could be, but we're in Europe after Christmas time, and that's the most important thing.
01:40 Whether we were first or whether we were second, that's the most important thing.
01:43 We're going to try and be first, but that's the big thing for us.
01:46 You're obviously taking into account the unexpected result at the weekend.
01:52 That was at the back of six on the bouts of that defeat.
01:55 You won five of those. You're in the top half of the Premier League, three points off Europe.
02:00 Are your achievements as a team and a manager being overlooked a little, do you think?
02:04 I don't know about that. I think that as a manager, you go along and you go game to game.
02:09 Obviously, I didn't enjoy the weekend's game.
02:11 Whether I'd won six before that or not, it doesn't make it any easier.
02:15 But look, we've just had a real gruelling schedule with the trips we've had
02:20 and we've had to be... it just caught up on us a little bit.
02:23 So, hopefully we can correct that, get back to the normal way,
02:28 which hopefully is winning and playing a lot better than we did do.
02:31 And also, as you said, it's that with a little bit of illness which didn't help us
02:36 and something changing a little bit.
02:38 So, hopefully we can try and get back to normality.
02:41 Is anyone still going to be missing with that illness tomorrow, do you think?
02:45 We've still got a few lingering, we've had a few in the last day or two,
02:50 but we think we're okay.
02:51 I don't think it's anything which is keeping people out for weeks or anything like that.
02:55 I just think there's been a bit of sickness, a bit of all sorts going on
02:58 and it's just keeping us under the weather a little bit.
03:02 Any other team news? No-one's picked up anything from the weekend?
03:05 No, not at the moment. I think we're pretty much as we were.
03:09 How hard is it for you as a manager?
03:11 You've got four games in nine days coming up now in three different competitions.
03:15 How hard is it for you to prioritise games?
03:18 I know you go next game, next game, but you must have to think about it.
03:22 Well, I don't really prioritise.
03:24 I'm looking at the next game and only taking one game at a time, really.
03:27 But I've always said, and I wouldn't change my mind,
03:29 the Premier League will always be first and foremost for me.
03:31 I think it's the thing that you have to focus on.
03:36 But the cup competitions have become pretty special for us
03:39 because we've been to a semi-final and we've now been in one-a-final.
03:43 So we're now seeing the cup competitions as something we have to try
03:47 and always take as seriously as we possibly can.
03:50 It's getting harder because of the level of the competition.
03:52 The Europa League we're in this year, it's incredible the level of the teams
03:55 and the quality of the teams in it.
03:57 It's making it a little bit harder to chop and change
04:00 maybe as much as we've done in years gone by.
04:03 I just think that the standard of the football generally has gone up.
04:08 But with all the competitions, it becomes difficult.
04:11 Does this run offer a chance as well to some players
04:14 that maybe haven't performed as you would like them to
04:16 or have been on the fringes to grab their chance over the next couple of weeks?
04:20 I think that undoubtedly, whether it be illness, injury, suspension, whatever,
04:25 players will all be involved in the coming weeks
04:27 and the games are coming thick and fast as well.
04:29 So we'll try and prepare and get the players ready.
04:36 We'll try and put a team out in every game which we think has a good chance of winning
04:39 and we'll try and do that against Freiburg.
04:41 Jarrod's just been in speaking to him about playing through the middle,
04:44 which I know you've tried at different times.
04:46 I know you've probably been asked it, but how pleased are you with how he's doing
04:50 and would you see him as an option for the rest of the season through the middle?
04:54 I do see it as an option going forward.
04:57 It's been so difficult, not just for our club,
04:59 for lots of clubs to go and buy centre-forwards at the right price
05:03 and ones who can come in and make an impact immediately.
05:05 I don't think there's loads in the market like that.
05:08 Jarrod's been able to step in while Micky's been injured
05:11 and while we've just not felt as if we've quite had enough,
05:15 he's scored goals.
05:17 I think he's played really well when he's been up front.
05:20 So if we see a dip in him, we can always put him back in the side.
05:25 If we see him scoring and continuing that, we can keep it going.
05:28 So there's a wee bit of flexibility with Jarrod at the moment.
05:31 I was going to ask you a Jarrod question as well.
05:33 Do you think playing down the middle helps his all-round game
05:36 wherever his future is, whether it's centre or wide?
05:39 And do you think it will improve his chance of getting the England squad as well
05:42 if he shows his versatility?
05:45 I think of all the people who I think were probably,
05:48 this might be a bad example, but Ronaldo started as a winger
05:52 and eventually evolved into being a centre-forward.
05:54 The ones who we've had here, a couple of them have done very similar.
05:57 I think what they get is they want to be goal-scorers as it goes on.
06:00 They've always been assists-makers in their early part of their career
06:03 and then they start to want the goals.
06:06 I actually think that the way wide players play nowadays,
06:08 there's more goals expected from them than maybe on years gone by.
06:13 But I think Jarrod can do both.
06:15 I think it will help him if he keeps scoring the goals.
06:18 I think it will keep him in Gareth's mind.
06:21 Whether he can score being a wide player or being a centre-forward,
06:24 I think it will help him.
06:26 But as I've said many times and I keep saying it,
06:29 Gareth's got a great selection of players to choose from
06:33 and Jarrod will need to continue playing really well to be selected.
06:37 Just a quick one as well, an update.
06:39 Is there any update on your contract talks?
06:42 No, we don't need to talk too much at the moment.
06:46 We're all in a good place and moving along
06:48 and we're more interested in winning the games
06:50 and keeping the good form going.
06:52 Have you got an idea of when you'd like to do that?
06:55 I'll have a chat privately at the right time with the board
06:59 and speak to them when I think it's convenient.
07:03 Any other questions?
07:05 Mr Boyce, Johannes Boer from Bild in Germany.
07:10 Two questions from Germany.
07:11 First of all, you said that Freiburg is a very strong team.
07:14 What player or what team stood out the most for you in the first game?
07:19 I think the manager.
07:21 I think the manager's stability.
07:24 He's been there 13 years.
07:26 Incredible, great.
07:28 I was 11 and a half years at one club
07:31 and I think when you have that length of period and that time,
07:34 it gives you a chance to do lots of things, build the club.
07:40 You understand, you're involved in everything which was there.
07:44 So I think the manager looks as if he's the thing
07:47 which is really an important part of the football club
07:49 and has been for a few years.
07:52 Freiburg, I was looking at their record last year,
07:55 they got to the last 16 and I think it was Juventus
07:57 who put them out in the last 16.
07:59 So we're talking about a side who are doing really well
08:02 and they've got many good players.
08:04 I'm not going to tell you who they are
08:06 because we have to deal with that ourselves.
08:09 Another question about Tino Chara.
08:11 He's had a hard time getting into the top 11.
08:18 How do you see his role?
08:20 Also from Germany, there are some rumblings
08:23 that some clubs from Germany are interested in bringing him back.
08:26 Is this a possibility for you
08:28 or do you plan with him over the winter as well?
08:31 We never talk about players or what's going to happen
08:33 in a contractual situation,
08:35 but I can tell you about Tino, he's a brilliant boy.
08:38 He works really hard in training, he's committed.
08:42 For us, his flexibility and what he can do,
08:44 he can play right back, left back, centre-half.
08:47 So all those roles for us are hugely important.
08:50 It gives us that versatility with him.
08:53 It's been tough because we've had players
08:55 who have been playing really well defensively
08:57 and it's not been easy for them to get on the side.
09:00 But anything else other than that,
09:01 I wouldn't discuss at this moment.
09:03 Hi Jarrod, thanks for your time.
09:05 You managed to avoid the bug?
09:07 Avoid the what, sorry?
09:08 Avoid the bug.
09:09 Yeah, nothing for me luckily.
09:12 How important is this match tomorrow night?
09:15 Under the lights, London Stadium, European night.
09:18 To draw or win means you get a much easier February
09:21 straight into the final 16.
09:24 Yeah, and I think since we've been in Europe,
09:26 we've always wanted to top the group
09:27 because one, it's two less games
09:30 and it gets you straight into the round of 16,
09:32 which is the real business end of it.
09:34 We don't go into any game wanting to draw the game.
09:37 We know a point will do that,
09:39 but I think our mindset is to go and win the game.
09:41 So I think that's the message from our side
09:44 that we want to go and win the game.
09:46 So we've got to go and do that.
09:47 Now I haven't actually scored in Europe yet
09:49 before it gets brought up,
09:50 but I want to score.
09:53 So tomorrow's a great chance to do that.
09:55 But yeah, like I said, that moment in summer was,
09:58 it just makes you want it more.
09:59 It was the first trophy that I've ever won
10:01 and that kind of hunger it gives inside you
10:04 to give again for your teammates
10:07 and then for the fans as well.
10:08 It's special for everyone.
10:10 First it was Mark, then it was Declan.
10:13 Now it's you really, who's Mr West Ham.
10:15 I'm told your shirts fly off the shelf.
10:18 That's my family behind them, that's why.
10:21 But is that something you take on board?
10:22 The fact that you are maybe like
10:24 the centre of attention at this club now?
10:26 Yeah, maybe.
10:27 I don't look into it like that.
10:29 I never want to big myself up
10:32 or try and speak too highly of myself.
10:34 But I think with the new contracts and everything
10:36 and the summer and how it's all gone,
10:39 it's where I want to be,
10:41 where I want to play my football.
10:42 I feel loved at the end of the day
10:44 and I'm a really happy player.
10:45 I think that gets the best out of you.
10:48 I'm in a real good place at the minute
10:50 and many years to keep, hopefully,
10:53 writing my name into the history of this club.
10:55 Another big cup night coming up in a week's time.
10:58 You've scored at Anfield already this season.
11:00 It'll be your 27th birthday, I think, won't it?
11:03 Yeah, day of the game.
11:05 Away from my birthday, but these are those things.
11:07 That's another great game for us.
11:09 We're one win away from a semi-final again
11:11 and I think our season this season,
11:14 we're still in Europe,
11:16 still in the Carabao latter stages.
11:19 We've got the FA Cup,
11:20 so there's still lots of opportunities
11:22 and it's a trophy to then try and grab as well.
11:24 I think any trophy that you win
11:26 is a massive landmark for everyone to try and do.
11:29 So, a real tough game against Liverpool,
11:31 but I think we've got some really good, exciting games
11:33 coming up as well to really kick on again.
11:36 To score at Anfield, get through to a semi-final
11:39 would be a special birthday present, wouldn't it?
11:41 It would be nice, yeah.
11:42 A 1-0 win and a goal would be lovely,
11:44 but if we just get through,
11:46 I think that would be a great birthday present
11:47 into the semi-final.
11:49 Thank you.
11:50 Jarrod, obviously you're having to play through the middle
11:52 at the moment, adjusting to that and doing quite well.
11:54 I just wondered, I read some quotes from Michael Antonia
11:57 about how he hated it when he first moved up front
12:00 because you don't see the ball as much
12:02 and a lot of selfless work and defenders right on your back.
12:04 How are you adjusting to it?
12:06 No, I'm just dealing with it every game.
12:08 I think there'll be games where you play really well,
12:10 there'll be games where you might struggle,
12:11 but I think every game is a learning curve
12:13 and you keep learning it as you play.
12:15 Like I said, it's not my main position,
12:18 so there's a lot of things for me to learn,
12:20 but I think you get confidence with those games
12:22 that you play well in.
12:23 When you don't play so well,
12:25 it's more time to learn as well
12:26 because you can see what you didn't do very well
12:28 and try and learn and just ultimately put 110% in up there
12:32 and make sure everything comes off for you.
12:35 Is there anyone you're looking at outside of the club,
12:37 any other strikers around the world,
12:38 to pick bits out and maybe learn the role a bit more?
12:42 I wouldn't say I'm looking specifically at people,
12:44 it's more just speaking to the coaches
12:46 and seeing what I can do to improve on in different things,
12:49 whether that be with the ball or without the ball,
12:51 but just little videos here and there
12:53 to help me learn and try and keep getting better at it.
12:56 Is it a role that you're ready and willing to play
12:59 for the rest of the season if you need to?
13:01 Yes, well I think that decision is not down to me,
13:03 that's down to the manager,
13:04 wherever he wants to play me.
13:06 I think wherever he plays me,
13:08 he knows what he's getting with me.
13:10 So moving forward, if this is how it is,
13:12 then this is how it is,
13:13 but I'm sure there'll be times where I might need to play
13:15 in different positions as well,
13:17 so I've got to be ready to play those,
13:18 whatever position he asks me to play.
13:20 Hi Darren, just on the same theme,
13:24 do you think gaining this experience playing down the middle
13:26 is going to help you maybe for the England selection as well,
13:28 another string to your bow that you could not only play out wide
13:31 but down the middle for England as well?
13:33 Again, that's probably not the question to ask me.
13:35 It's not me picking the team,
13:37 but I think all I can do is,
13:39 if I'm in a new position, it's playing it
13:41 as well as what I can play in my normal position,
13:43 so to speak.
13:44 So I think with me, I'm always wanting to score goals,
13:47 I think that's the main part of my game,
13:49 whether that be out front, out wide,
13:50 and then I think another part of my game is,
13:52 like I said, I work really hard for the team,
13:54 and I think that's all I can do,
13:56 is my bit from now until the back end of the season.
13:59 You do look comfortable doing it,
14:01 it looks like a bit of a natural doing it,
14:03 so it's certainly not an issue for you, is it?
14:05 No, I'm glad it looks natural,
14:06 because sometimes I'm playing out there
14:07 and I think, 'God, I'm having a beast'.
14:09 No, I think, like I said, some games you'll have some touches
14:12 where you might give the ball away and do things wrong,
14:15 but then there'll be other times where you look good
14:18 holding the ball up.
14:19 But I think every game, like I said,
14:21 is kind of I learn from it and learn different runs
14:23 and different movements and receiving the ball.
14:25 So, like I said, it's just me adapting to the position
14:28 and keep trying to play it to the highest level that I can.
14:32 What's the thing you've found most difficult,
14:34 you think you've had to learn most about that position,
14:37 as opposed to where you...
14:38 I think it's more when the ball comes up to you,
14:41 as in when you're playing out wide,
14:43 you kind of know how to deal with the ball
14:46 and receive the ball when you've got a full-back
14:48 behind you tackling you.
14:49 It's different when you're centre-forward
14:51 and you're in between two centre-halves
14:52 and you just want to come and kick you
14:53 or come through the back of you.
14:55 You're the main focal point, really,
14:57 of keeping the ball for the team,
14:58 so it's an added responsibility of when the ball comes up to you
15:01 it's making sure it sticks
15:02 so the team can build the attacks on that.
15:04 So I'd probably say that's probably what I've been working on the most.