Ahead of West Ham United hosting Manchester City in tonight’s late Premier League kick-off at the London Stadium, Jarrod Bowen lifted the lid on a new pre-match tactic introduced by Nuno Espirito Santo.

Bowen’s role as captain has been a source of much discussion over recent times, with some Hammers fans wondering if the skipper would be better off freed from the added pressure of the armband.

Mateus Fernandes views Freddie Potts as a captain-in-waiting, while Konstantinos Mavropanos took on the role for the first time recently in the FA Cup.

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But, ahead of a game which could see West Ham United leapfrog both Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, Jarrod Bowen opened up on the new responsibilities bestowed upon him by Nuno Espirito Santo.

Jarrod Bowen performs a speech before West Ham United games

Speaking to the official West Ham website, Bowen reveals that, at Nuno’s instruction, he now performs a pre-match speech in the dressing room.

“When the new manager came in, it was something that we brought into the dressing room, that he wanted me to do a speech before every game,” the England international says.

“So before each game, we all stand in a circle with our arms around each other, and then I deliver a speech in the dressing room, just to give everyone a little bit of a lift. It gives me a lift inside as well.

“You always get excited for a game, but I think once you do a speech and you see everyone getting ready for the game, it kind of gives you that buzz inside.

“I like to lead by example, and do the right things, and be the best captain possible.”

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It might not be Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday, but Bowen certainly seems to enjoy the added responsibility.

“I think being a fan of West Ham is about passion and loyalty, and it’s an honour for me to represent the club and to represent the fans in the best way,” Bowen adds.

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“I’ve been here six years now as a player, so I’ve experienced a lot. I think for me I’ve always done the same thing, trying to be the best teammate I can be off the pitch every single day, trying to make everyone as welcoming as possible, and be the best friend that they have at the club.”

Ending his goal drought with a brace against Brentford in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday night, Bowen will be looking to ensure history repeats itself tonight. He tends to score in bunches. While not quite ‘feast or famine’, that Bowen often nets a flurry of goals on the back of a barren streak is a good omen for a side who may be without their other talismanic wideman until after the international break.

Speaking to Hammers News, a club source indicated that Summerville may be back to face Aston Villa on March 22, though that is very much the best-case scenario.