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Jarrod Bowen believes West Ham should “push for European football every year”, but manager Julen Lopetegui insists the focus should instead be on becoming a “good team”.
West Ham secured a crucial victory on Monday night, beating Newcastle 2-0 at St James’ Park to ease the pressure on Lopetegui.
The Hammers scored either side of the break through Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka to claim their fourth Premier League win of the season, but they remain 14th in the table.
“I think we should push for European football every year,” said captain Bowen, who scored the winning goal in the Europa Conference League final as West Ham won the competition under Lopetegui’s predecessor, David Moyes, during the 2022/23 season.
“We spent three years there, and in a season where we finished, I think, 14th, we came away with a trophy. These are the standards of this club.
“We have a very good team, a very good manager. We haven’t reached those levels, but it’s not for lack of trying. When we step on that pitch, it’s up to us, the players, to play. Tonight, with everyone involved, it was a really big moment.
“It was more like the level you needed to play for this club. And then quality shows; we have high quality players. It is important now that we rest.
Bowen added: “I’ve said it before, we have to constantly win games on the bounce. It started this evening.
“[Next opponents] Arsenal are a top team fighting for Premier League titles, but we are at home, we can use that to our advantage, put in another great performance and win the game.
When asked what Bowen had said about the goals of European football, Lopetegui replied: “I think West Ham should be a team, a good team. That’s the most important thing.
“Tomorrow we work hard, looking forward to the next challenge. Looking along-[term] the future doesn’t help anyone. Our big challenge is to try to form a good team.
Lopetegui is suspended from the touchline for Saturday’s home game against Arsenal after picking up his third yellow card of the season against Newcastle.
