‘Been a bad, bad time’ - Danny Dyer has tender message for Jarrod Bowen and wife Dani amid West Ham struggles

Dyer's love for West Ham is well known and he's admitted it's been a difficult time for Hammers fans after a dismal start to the season that has seen a change in management. Potter was sacked after managing just six wins from 25 matches in charge after succeeding Julen Lopetegui and West Ham will be hoping Espirito Santo can revive the club's fortunes. The new boss started his tenure with a 1-1 draw away at Everton, with Bowen scoring the equaliser to grab a vital point for the Hammers.

Dyer has been happy to show his love for Bowen and hailed the West Ham captain for his efforts this season. Chatting with daughter Dani, Bowen's wife, on their Live and Let Dyers podcast he was told Bowen was taking a nap. The former EastEnders star replied: "Jarrod. He is asleep. He only got back from scoring a goal against Everton. It's been a bad, bad time and obviously you know it's been difficult for everyone involved. But your man, my son in law, has come to the front again. I almost want to go upstairs and turn him over. Tuck him in a little bit more, if his feet are out, maybe cover his feet, if they're a bit cold, just to let him rest for another couple of hours. He really has earnt it."

Bowen spoke about the club's fortunes after the draw with Everton and is confident the club are moving in the right direction under their new boss. He told BBC Sport: "It's a big point for us. We had chances to win the game. They had chances as well so, on reflection, it's probably a fair result. It speaks to the character of the team after going down 1-0. We've got a really good group here that really want to work hard and change our fortunes, and I think you saw that. We've had Nuno for two days and I thought we put in a really good performance. It's about time, putting the work in and listening to the new gaffer. We're heading in the right direction and tonight's a good start."

The new West Ham boss also spoke about his aims: "We have to build on that. Now it is about keeping it simple and trying to give the boys a good identity. We will get there in terms of identity and character, but now it's keeping it simple. The clear message was how we have to approach the game. It is a tough place to come and Everton are a good team in a good moment."

Bowen was also in action for England over the international break and put in a fine cameo in Tuesday's 5-0 win over Latvia that confirmed the Three Lions' qualification for World Cup 2026. The West Ham star grabbed an assist for England's fifth goal and also created more chances than any other players on the pitch despite only featuring for the last 30 minutes of the match in Riga. Former defender Micah Richards was impressed with his performance. He told the Rest is Football podcast: “I think watching the game, it’s more the way they press, the high [press]. But it is [also] about how they’re winning the ball back so quickly. So, once it goes past the first line and then the second line, not even in the mid-block, [they win the ball back] between high and mid-block. Everyone’s out [pressing]. And even a perfect example of that was Bowen.”

West Ham and Bowen will return to action after the international break with some fixtures they will hope can yield points and move the club out of the relegation zone. First up is a visit from Brentford on Saturday, followed by a trip to Leeds United. Both teams have also started the season slowly and have only managed two wins each so far in the 2025-26 campaign.