JWP

Although his finishing was very disappointing today (we obviously knew that already), I think that Prowsey is starting to fulfill his potential. His play is much more direct, and he appeared to be always looking to move the ball forward, something often absent from his play in the past. I watched large portions of the England u21s qualifier (?) at St Marys on the television here, and was impressed by his ability to really pull the strings through the middle of the park, something he has not displayed throughout the last few years. The rest of the team seemed very confident in giving him much of the ball.

Although his finishing was very disappointing today (we obviously knew that already), I think that Prowsey is starting to fulfill his potential. His play is much more direct, and he appeared to be always looking to move the ball forward, something often absent from his play in the past. I watched large portions of the England u21s qualifier (?) at St Marys on the television here, and was impressed by his ability to really pull the strings through the middle of the park, something he has not displayed throughout the last few years. The rest of the team seemed very confident in giving him much of the ball.

He displayed this in the match today, that is...

I think Koeman at the back of last season also got him to tackle with more bite. AS we all know, its just the goals that really need to come. I still think that we are pretty desperate to get a midfielder who can score on a regular basis - say 10 league goals a season.

I think Koeman at the back of last season also got him to tackle with more bite. AS we all know, its just the goals that really need to come. I still think that we are pretty desperate to get a midfielder who can score on a regular basis - say 10 league goals a season.

10 goals? Where do you expect us to find such a player? Here is a list of all the players to have scored doubles figures in all competitions last season for Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético, Juventus and Bayern:

Suárez - 59

Ronaldo - 51

Lewandowski - 42

Messi - 41

Griezmann - 32

Müller - 32

Neymar - 31

Benzema - 28

Dybala - 23

Bale - 19

Mandzukic - 13

Morata - 12

Torres - 12

Pogba - 10

One midfielder and he is the most expensive transfer ever. It is our forwards that have to score more, a lot more.

He was desperately unlucky with the 2nd attempt, great awareness to bring the ball down and just a freak save from Stekelenburg really. First was awful though.

Very impressed with him today, finally. Please keep it up Prowsee!!

He was desperately unlucky with the 2nd attempt, great awareness to bring the ball down and just a freak save from Stekelenburg really. First was awful though.

If he'd kept the shot low then Stek wouldn't have had a chance. It was the classic 'perfect' height for the 'keeper.

10 goals? Where do you expect us to find such a player? Here is a list of all the players to have scored doubles figures in all competitions last season for Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético, Juventus and Bayern:

 

Suárez - 59

Ronaldo - 51

Lewandowski - 42

Messi - 41

Griezmann - 32

Müller - 32

Neymar - 31

Benzema - 28

Dybala - 23

Bale - 19

Mandzukic - 13

Morata - 12

Torres - 12

Pogba - 10

 

One midfielder and he is the most expensive transfer ever. It is our forwards that have to score more, a lot more.

Well said Hartman. JWP has been superb so far this season. He is coming on leaps and bounds and starting to dictate games. He is also Southampton through and through and what, 21 or 22... anything that can be done to improve and develop him should be used. He is goingto be a very important player for saints over the years and future captain. I have no doubts about that at and won't change my view unless he gets a serious injury.

Also, she "sitter" he missed at the end as well maybe could have been scored by most players, but Austin actually set it up awkwardly for JWP by not playing it on the deck as you'd expect and put at shin height at him.

I've have been critical to JWP and thought he hasn't contributed enough or fulfilled his potential/hype. This season he has grown as a player i think.

Also seem like a great lad with great passion for the club

Well said Hartman. JWP has been superb so far this season. He is coming on leaps and bounds and starting to dictate games.

Complete tosh .

He has been woeful in some games and average in most. Yesterday was the only time he's looked like a half decent player, but he didn't " dictate the game " in any way shape or form.Perhaps we should wait until he plays a dozen or so games like that in a row before lording him . On Thursday he looked out of his depth so it was good to see him play ok, but I think you're jumping the gun a bit

Can't believe some people are criticising the ball played by Charlie Austin. He realised he had to hit it reasonably hard to avoid it being intercepted so let's not make excuses for the fact that JWP opened his foot instead of slightly closing it which would have made sure of a good contact - he only had to guide the ball into an empty net so let's not blame Charlie for a horrendous finish by JWP. Other than two bad misses JWP had one of his better games and did cut out some of the negative square and backward passes but he must start converting good chances more regularly.

Can't believe some people are criticising the ball played by Charlie Austin. He realised he had to hit it reasonably hard to avoid it being intercepted so let's not make excuses for the fact that JWP opened his foot instead of slightly closing it which would have made sure of a good contact - he only had to guide the ball into an empty net so let's not blame Charlie for a horrendous finish by JWP. Other than two bad misses JWP had one of his better games and did cut out some of the negative square and backward passes but he must start converting good chances more regularly.

Charlie Austin apologise in an interview for hitting it to hard as it was a half shot....

Can't believe Charlie Austin is criticising the ball he played....

His good games are becoming more and more frequent where a couple of years ago he'd have one a month if that. Needs to keep up that tempo of passing, moving it quickly.

Well said Hartman. JWP has been superb so far this season. He is coming on leaps and bounds and starting to dictate games. He is also Southampton through and through and what, 21 or 22... anything that can be done to improve and develop him should be used. He is goingto be a very important player for saints over the years and future captain. I have no doubts about that at and won't change my view unless he gets a serious injury.

I acknowledge I'm not a fan of JWP's Football, and I may have become a bit blinkered about the lad - but to claim that he has been superb this season and starting to dictate games is a bit of a stretch!!!! There's definitely some improvement in his game but he looks a long way off justifying some of the ongoing praise.

I acknowledge I'm not a fan of JWP's Football, and I may have become a bit blinkered about the lad - but to claim that he has been superb this season and starting to dictate games is a bit of a stretch!!!! There's definitely some improvement in his game but he looks a long way off justifying some of the ongoing praise.

Only 22 though tbf. Got another 3 years before you'd say he should be as good as he can be, and the signs are all good.

Well said Hartman. JWP has been superb so far this season. He is coming on leaps and bounds and starting to dictate games. He is also Southampton through and through and what, 21 or 22... anything that can be done to improve and develop him should be used. He is goingto be a very important player for saints over the years and future captain. I have no doubts about that at and won't change my view unless he gets a serious injury.

He played well yesterday and Milan at home but other than that been poor.

10 goals? Where do you expect us to find such a player? Here is a list of all the players to have scored doubles figures in all competitions last season for Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético, Juventus and Bayern:

 

Suárez - 59

Ronaldo - 51

Lewandowski - 42

Messi - 41

Griezmann - 32

Müller - 32

Neymar - 31

Benzema - 28

Dybala - 23

Bale - 19

Mandzukic - 13

Morata - 12

Torres - 12

Pogba - 10

 

One midfielder and he is the most expensive transfer ever. It is our forwards that have to score more, a lot more.

Demanding 10 goals a season from a midfielder is pining for a bygone era in the Premier League, but getting five or six out of someone would be nice.

(The only PL midfielders to hit double figures last season were Alli, Wijnaldum and Sigurdsson)

He was superb last night. He has had many more good games for us than bad ones this season.

I used to be quite critical of him (remembering he just turned 22) but he is really developing into a fine footballer imo. I'd like to see Romeu, Davis and Prowsey get more games together.

Still don't see what JWP brings to the table. The usual argument is his set pieces, but when was the last time we scored a free kick or from a corner?? Off the top of my head I can't remember many. Not great given he's a 'set piece specialist'.

IMO he is too slow and the fast pace of the PL is too much for him (similar to clasie). For me it's no surprise that his best performances have been in EL and international football.

A position we could really do with strengthening in Jan/Summer.

Still don't see what JWP brings to the table. The usual argument is his set pieces, but when was the last time we scored a free kick or from a corner?? Off the top of my head I can't remember many. Not great given he's a 'set piece specialist'.

 

IMO he is too slow and the fast pace of the PL is too much for him (similar to clasie). For me it's no surprise that his best performances have been in EL and international football.

 

A position we could really do with strengthening in Jan/Summer.

He keeps the ball well, has a good range of passing, keeps the ball moving and recycles possession well.

In relation to the set pieces, the balls he puts in are top quality, you can see that. It's not his fault that the players in the box can't finish the chances.

Still don't see what JWP brings to the table. The usual argument is his set pieces, but when was the last time we scored a free kick or from a corner?? Off the top of my head I can't remember many. Not great given he's a 'set piece specialist'.

 

IMO he is too slow and the fast pace of the PL is too much for him (similar to clasie). For me it's no surprise that his best performances have been in EL and international football.

 

A position we could really do with strengthening in Jan/Summer.

It's not just his set pieces. He passes well in open play. Too many professionals seem to rate him for him to be as bad as some of the amateurs on here seem to think.

Thought he was excellent yesterday other than the bad miss. Was great Vs Inter away.

Has had some poor ones, but rather JWP than Clasie any day. Do not see what Clasie brings to the table at all.

I thought the midfield 3 of OR / PEH / JWP performed well together yesterday, both JWP and PEH had a few chances on another day could have scored.

Think i'd start with that 3 against Palace..

It's not just his set pieces. He passes well in open play. Too many professionals seem to rate him for him to be as bad as some of the amateurs on here seem to think.

Think its more a personal preference on what kind of midfielder people like, instead of amateur or professional opinions. I dont really rate JWP, he's just not the type of midfielder i like to see. Same goes for players like Clasie and Davis.

Think its more a personal preference on what kind of midfielder people like, instead of amateur or professional opinions. I dont really rate JWP, he's just not the type of midfielder i like to see. Same goes for players like Clasie and Davis.

Completely agree.

He keeps possession well and is very good at passing the ball from side to side, but for me I'd prefer to see someone in there (alongside OR and PEH) who can split the defensive with a forward pass. As shown on Thursday, possession doesn't win you games.

Completely agree.

 

He keeps possession well and is very good at passing the ball from side to side, but for me I'd prefer to see someone in there (alongside OR and PEH) who can split the defensive with a forward pass. As shown on Thursday, possession doesn't win you games.

Yesterday he was very good at passing it forward too!

I think that longer term Ross Barkley has more in his locker but yesterday JWP totally outshone him

He is a classy player, intelligent and works hard to fulfil his potential.

22.

I remember Morgan at 22, it was either our first season in League One or the one we fell out of the championship. Dean Hammond hadn't even shown up yet to teach Morgan how to slide tackle, Morgan had only played 30-50 games for Saints, rarely scoring, but always with the menace of losing his sh1t and getting sent off.

JWP's played over 100 games for Saints, captained his country to success, been deployed in at least 3 different centre mid roles where he's had to chose to dictate play deep in midfield and at the point of midfield, all at 22.

I bumped into him in my local shops the other week (didn't realise how short he is) he went onto have an excellent performance against inter the next evening, pulling strings and setting off a lot of our attacks, I tell my mates at the games who by large retorted, "hope you told him he was a sk8te *****".

I get the feeling he's going to be like Southgate/Milner/Le Saux/Barry etc. Solid pro quietly heading for a 600game top flight career, inoffensive, probably quite good at scrabble, the whiff of middle-class upbringing, easily mistaken for pompus. No wonder the terraces hate him.

22.

 

I remember Morgan at 22, it was either our first season in League One or the one we fell out of the championship. Dean Hammond hadn't even shown up yet to teach Morgan how to slide tackle, Morgan had only played 30-50 games for Saints, rarely scoring, but always with the menace of losing his sh1t and getting sent off.

 

JWP's played over 100 games for Saints, captained his country to success, been deployed in at least 3 different centre mid roles where he's had to chose to dictate play deep in midfield and at the point of midfield, all at 22.

 

I bumped into him in my local shops the other week (didn't realise how short he is) he went onto have an excellent performance against inter the next evening, pulling strings and setting off a lot of our attacks, I tell my mates at the games who by large retorted, "hope you told him he was a sk8te *****".

 

I get the feeling he's going to be like Southgate/Milner/Le Saux/Barry etc. Solid pro quietly heading for a 600game top flight career, inoffensive, probably quite good at scrabble, the whiff of middle-class upbringing, easily mistaken for pompus. No wonder the terraces hate him.

Morgan turned 22 in our Championship promotion season. jwp has had a couple of very good games recently. If he can maintain that for a dozen or so more and learn to score he will prove to be a good midfield pl squad player, a Milner if you like.

"James Ward-Prowse, making his second Premier League start of the season" from the BBC commentary of Sunday's match tells you plenty.

Hope he starts again vs Palace

Hope he starts again vs Palace

Davis' illness was the only reason he started on Sunday, but given the need to share time with 2 more games this week I'd probably expect him to start on Wednesday so Davis is available for the league.

Davis' illness was the only reason he started on Sunday, but given the need to share time with 2 more games this week I'd probably expect him to start on Wednesday so Davis is available for the league.

With Palace's record at defending set pieces, I'd rather JWP plays at Selhurst.

He's going to be a v good player. Puel is working closely with him. Wait.

I thought that and then he played against Prague and annoyed me again

I thought that and then he played against Prague and annoyed me again

he wasn't the only one tbf.

Yeh everyone sucked vs Prague, Holjbjerg especially was weirdly awful that game.

Couldn't disagree more. Especially with the controlling games comment.

In that game the other day I think the TV pundit made a great point in regards to his bad miss. It's OK to miss those chances when you're winning and the other team never look like scoring. But saying it was 1-0 how would that have been looked at? And that is jwp all over Imo.

His opta rating right now sees him 16th in our squad.

I want some of what you guys are smoking as he has been awful this season. Don't see how he has progressed at all. When we are up against it and need someone to help create something to get us back in the game he never does it. Today was another example of how awful he is. Long balls to nobody. Side ways passes and back to defenders. **** corners and losing the ball too many times. Shouldnt be in the team at all. Sims is 5 years younger then him and looks a much better player already.

I was so pleased that I could finally write something positive about Prowsey after the Everton game. Then he does that.

This is the worst game I've seen him play for us, hopeless. Needs a long hard look at himself after THAT!

Odd i didn't think he was terrible today. Now Hojberg was bad today. I'd suggest the management agree as he was the one hooked.

Odd i didn't think he was terrible today. Now Hojberg was bad today. I'd suggest the management agree as he was the one hooked.

Goes to show it is a game of opinions which is great.

Personally I thought it was a typical jwp display. Created nothing, lost the ball lot, sloppy passing when it is beyond 2 yards and every free kick/corner either goes to the keeper or into the first defender. He is what he is and that isnt a top level footballer.

He seems to have been around for ever and is thought of highly enough to captain the England U21s and some claim he'll progress to be handed the same honour for the senior team. People rave about his deadball delivery. Yet how many really great games does he have for us? More often than not he is ineffective and I don't recall us scoring shedloads of goals from his pinpoint corners and freekicks. For me he remains an enigma, his finishing is poor as proved again last week and I am still not convinced he is ever going to play well on a regular basis at the highest level. Once more he offered precious little today. Would love him to prove me wrong.

Holjberg was way worse and Puel agreed.

Disgraceful peformance by all today though.

Holjberg was way worse and Puel agreed.

Disgraceful peformance by all today though.

Another dire performance from him today. Poor free kick lead to a penalty and a player down. Was at fault for the 4th.

He was utterly woeful tonight after the 2nd minute.

He has good attributes but would never start him against a powerful side full of running because he is a pansy.

Not nearly good enough at this level I'm afraid. Unfortunately for the lad he dosesn't have the physical strength or speed required and boy did it show tonight against the Tottenham midfield.