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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tom Clark & Danyal Khan

West Ham boss David Moyes sets Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen new targets ahead of Newcastle

West Ham manager David Moyes wants more 'consistency' and regularity from both Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen ahead of the Hammers' clash against Newcastle this weekend.

The Hammers pair have been pivotal up to this point in their ambitious top four challenge, with Bowen scoring his eighth Premier League goal of the season in the dramatic 2-2 draw with struggling Leicester City last weekend.

In all competitions, the significance of both players has been summarised by the fact that both have attained 18 goal contributions - most of which have come in the domestic top flight of English football.

Consistency seems to be an issue for most forward players from the east London outfit but they will need to pick some of this up soon if they are to keep up with the pace being set in the top four race.

Next up for Moyes and co is a rejuvenated Newcastle side who have looked a different beast since their January transfer window spree has set them in a good place to at least avoid relegation this season.

Both are set to meet in the early kick-off on Saturday lunchtime despite Storm Eunice's best attempts to disrupt the footballing weekend for all sides in England.

Ahead of the match, Moyes has pinpointed 'consistency' as the key to winning on Saturday afternoon but also in the long-run if top four was to be in the question come May.

On Antonio who has toiled in recent times, the Scottish boss said in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon: "I want him to get on the goal scoring sheet regularly. But as a club it is not a problem as we're still fourth in the Premier League as goals scored goes.

"So we are really fortunate. We have other people who have stepped up with goals in different areas in the team. Generally, any football manager would probably want the goals to be shared around because it shows you can score from different areas.

"I want to get Mich back to the levels because he's really important for the team. Even last week at Leicester he did not get a goal but I am just beginning to see little bits which are giving us encouragement he's getting back and I don't think it'll be too long before he's back on the scoresheet."

Moyes then went on to deliver some similar advice to Bowen, who has been set fewer targets due to the fact that he's scored more recently in comparison to West Ham's number 9.

"He has stepped up when we needed him, his goals and assists have been great. We want that consistency he is more in control of himself, his finishing has become very good and he is good form, he has great confidence," he said.

The former Hull City ace picked up a minor knock in the fixture at the King Power Stadium in last gameweek meaning he may not feature from the start despite Moyes' new challenge for him and Antonio to undertake against the Toon.

Moyes said in a coy fashion: "I wouldn't give anything away. We have a couple of knocks. All clubs will have them, I don't we want to focus. We have one or two who are doubt and we just need to make sure we can be ready for tomorrow."

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