James Ward-Prowse

[S-Clarke]

It was inventible, as the window drew to a close there was a point at which this would move. We'll see similar with a few more of our players now, just not the ones we want out.

You can't help but wish him all the success in the world, he has been pretty much an ever present for us for years - never missing a minute, running more than anyone else - always committed. Maybe not the most vocal or strongest of captains, but the gap he leaves in this team will be huge. 

I imagine Flynn Downes is on his way here now, another Martin-ball player, like Manning (knows the style). Let's see how it pans out, but he is levels below JWP of no doubt.

[do i not like fizzy pop]

Let's be honest, we are in the position of having to sell at what is perceived as cut price due the ineptitude of a board that monumentally cocked up managerial appointments not once, but twice in a season and got us relegated with barely a whimper.

This was inevitable and I don't blame any player leaving.

[Saint Fan CaM]

6 minutes ago, do i not like fizzy pop said:

Let's be honest, we are in the position of having to sell at what is perceived as cut price due the ineptitude of a board that monumentally cocked up managerial appointments not once, but twice in a season and got us relegated with barely a whimper.

This was inevitable and I don't blame any player leaving.

When put like that it’s difficult to disagree. I think there are a few players in the squad who think they are better than they actually are and while JWP going will weaken our 1st team, if the right quality replacement is found it might be beneficial in the longer term.  I’m not sure Downes on loan is the answer - why would a non-starter for an average team like WH put any more effort into his game playing for Saints? Don’t like it one bit…there must be better options to buy.

[Miltonaggro]

Wish the lad well, been a great servant to us, but sincerely wish he wasn’t going to Dildo FC - shithouse club. When Moyes is sacked it’s going to get rather interesting in that fickle boardroom and stadium rather quickly. They’ll probably give the job to Nathan Jones. Perhaps when we pass them we can buy him back for half price. 

[S-Clarke]

3 hours ago, st alex said:

Why?

Surely any sane fan would jump at the chance to follow their team in any European competition, even the Conference league? I know I would, that's as good as we'll ever see - and it will require a lot to go right to even get there. It may be tin-pot for teams like Man City, but for us it's all we can really aspire to and I'd enjoy every minute of it - like I did back in 2016.

[Saint_clark]

4 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Surely any sane fan would jump at the chance to follow their team in any European competition, even the Conference league? I know I would, that's as good as we'll ever see - and it will require a lot to go right to even get there. It may be tin-pot for teams like Man City, but for us it's all we can really aspire to and I'd enjoy every minute of it - like I did back in 2016.

100%, to see your team playing abroad in a competitive game is superb. Almost as good as it gets for a club our size, besides winning a League/FA cup. Did Milan and Vitesse Arnhem away and they were two of the best football trips i've ever done. 

Edited 9 August, 2023 by Saint_clark

[SaintStinger]

So who will take the free kicks now?

[Yorkshire Saint]

9 minutes ago, SaintStinger said:

So who will take the free kicks now?

Not James Bree with any luck.

Manning ? 

[East Kent Saint]

It looked like we have had peak JWP at Saints , I hope he has a revival at WH to see his career out . Saints need a rebuild and I'm not confident we have reached the bottom yet before an upturn.

[Saint Matty 76]

Disappointed as the lack of movement until this point had me slightly hopeful that he'd have ended up staying for the year to get us back up, and be considered an actual legend of this era.

A good move for him. European football and gives himself the opportunity to play for the chance of a spot in the Euros, however unlikely I may think that really is.

Hope his career doesn't somewhat peter out like Ings' has, but at least he'll have the PL free-kick record in hand. Overall a bit disappointed, but nothing against JWP who always gave it his all, where so many others haven't over the past few years.

[Whitey Grandad]

He must have been due a testimonial by about now.

[The Kraken]

4 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

He must have been due a testimonial by about now.

Usually after ten years’ service I think, or used to be. JWP made his debut in 2011, signed his first proper contract 2012, so he’d have been due. I guess not much call for them these days and players tend to do them for charity as they’re already rich enough unlike back in the day when it was needed as a guaranteed retirement fund.

[Bad Wolf]

[bangkoksaint]

Good luck JWP. I genuinely think you cared and ultimately it’s all we should ask for as fans. Loved to have seen you stay but understood why you have gone. 

[Baird of the land]

Real shame the  expected move has happened. Hopefully Saints can replace him with a seasoned pro like Grimes and not another developmental kid.

Think if Moyes stays(which is the big question mark) it could be a good move for him. Unlike Saints i think they'll potentially get much more use of his set play ability from corners/free kicks

[Toadhall Saint]

Thanks for the memories. Good luck this season. See you at SMS next season.

[Charlie Wayman]

As Club Captain, Ward Prowse's chronic lack of leadership contributed more than a little to our demise of the past few seasons and ultimate relegation. One might have expected that now in Saints hour of need he would set aside any personal ambitions and be the first person to rally around the flag and lead the fight back but No! 

At the first sniff of rancid banknotes the big rats are fighting each other to get off the sinking ship and Ward Prowse it now proves has led the charge. Shame on him. It certainly leaves bitter taste. To hell with all the sentimental twaddle that so many forum scribes have posted on here, Ward Prowse has acted despicably and deserves opprobrium rather than misplaced misty eyed acclaim.

He's b*ggered off to enrich himself and left us the pick up the pieces. Good bloody riddance to him.

[Sheaf Saint]

I may have missed this elsewhere, but can someone please explain to me how we apparently turned down two bids, WH were ready to walk away from the deal, and we ended up accepting a lower bid? That's a new one on me. 

[Miltonaggro]

1 hour ago, Yorkshire Saint said:

Not James Bree with any luck.

Manning ? 

Bernard? 

[Yorkshire Saint]

1 positive is that we might get better with our penalties. JWP penalties were so predictable. 

[Bad Wolf]

1 minute ago, Yorkshire Saint said:

1 positive is that we might get better with our penalties. JWP penalties were so predictable. 

Yeah, it's only Tadic who's keeping him from being our worst ever regular penalty taker. Or at least worst in my memory.

[Verbal]

44 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

As Club Captain, Ward Prowse's chronic lack of leadership contributed more than a little to our demise of the past few seasons and ultimate relegation. One might have expected that now in Saints hour of need he would set aside any personal ambitions and be the first person to rally around the flag and lead the fight back but No! 

At the first sniff of rancid banknotes the big rats are fighting each other to get off the sinking ship and Ward Prowse it now proves has led the charge. Shame on him. It certainly leaves bitter taste. To hell with all the sentimental twaddle that so many forum scribes have posted on here, Ward Prowse has acted despicably and deserves opprobrium rather than misplaced misty eyed acclaim.

He's b*ggered off to enrich himself and left us the pick up the pieces. Good bloody riddance to him.

How big was your pram to hold this many toys?

[Bad Wolf]

52 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

As Club Captain, Ward Prowse's chronic lack of leadership contributed more than a little to our demise of the past few seasons and ultimate relegation. One might have expected that now in Saints hour of need he would set aside any personal ambitions and be the first person to rally around the flag and lead the fight back but No! 

At the first sniff of rancid banknotes the big rats are fighting each other to get off the sinking ship and Ward Prowse it now proves has led the charge. Shame on him. It certainly leaves bitter taste. To hell with all the sentimental twaddle that so many forum scribes have posted on here, Ward Prowse has acted despicably and deserves opprobrium rather than misplaced misty eyed acclaim.

He's b*ggered off to enrich himself and left us the pick up the pieces. Good bloody riddance to him.

Lol wow...

[derry]

1 hour ago, Bad Wolf said:

Photoshop?? Nothing on Saints Official Site.

[The Kraken]

The madder one has got hold of the Charlie Wayman account again. Buckle in. 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

So the "James Ward-Prouse, my Lord, one more year" song didn't work. What's sad is that Saints legends are truly special, and for someone like JWP, he could have inched his way in to legend status. Instead, he goes to some mediocre club paying a few more bob and offering premiership football. How much is the agent persuading him to move and our club pushing him out isn't known to us, but players like JWP are already set up financially for life so I don't get why these players value a few quid over recognition. Loyalty eh? A thing of the past. 

[Bad Wolf]

1 minute ago, derry said:

Photoshop?? Nothing on Saints Official Site.

One yeah, the image isn't real but the fact Fab says it's happening means it is. He's generally the most reliable twitter journo.

[Bad Wolf]

1 minute ago, The Kraken said:

The madder one has got hold of the Charlie Wayman account again. Buckle in. 

Wait until he realises Channon left and MLT was desperate to sign for Spurs and only stayed because his wife didn't want to leave the area.

[Bad Wolf]

7 minutes ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

So the "James Ward-Prouse, my Lord, one more year" song didn't work. What's sad is that Saints legends are truly special, and for someone like JWP, he could have inched his way in to legend status. Instead, he goes to some mediocre club paying a few more bob and offering premiership football. How much is the agent persuading him to move and our club pushing him out isn't known to us, but players like JWP are already set up financially for life so I don't get why these players value a few quid over recognition. Loyalty eh? A thing of the past. 

Remember when the club were going to bin him off to Watford a few years ago? You also have fans demanding we get shot of Paul, McCarthy, Lyanco etc. Funny how this "NO LOYALTY IN FOOTBALL" crap doesn't work both ways.

[sydney_saint]

Pretty disappointed with some fans reactions. I get that everyone deals with their disappointment differently. But imagine staying at one club for about 20 years, working through the academy, captaining that side, and working your ass for that team and being one of their top few performers over several years. Then you get a move as you are headign towards the twilight of your career with an opportunity to play in front of 60,000 people, for a side historically bigger than us, and one with European football, and your own fans turn on you? Like I can't believe people saying 'don't show up on Saturday'. After a decade of playing for our first team, do you not think he's entitled to say goodbye? I bet the same fans turning on him are the ones bemoaning there is no loyalty left in football. Cos yeah there is some, but it's got to work both ways. And all other players will see is a fan base that turns on you as soon as you leave, regardless of the years you played. 

I hope he does do a farewell on the weekend, and I am sure the actual fans on the stadium will give him a proper send off rather than the sad internet trolls. 

[Bad Wolf]

1 minute ago, sydney_saint said:

Pretty disappointed with some fans reactions. I get that everyone deals with their disappointment differently. But imagine staying at one club for about 20 years, working through the academy, captaining that side, and working your ass for that team and being one of their top few performers over several years. Then you get a move as you are headign towards the twilight of your career with an opportunity to play in front of 60,000 people, for a side historically bigger than us, and one with European football, and your own fans turn on you? Like I can't believe people saying 'don't show up on Saturday'. After a decade of playing for our first team, do you not think he's entitled to say goodbye? I bet the same fans turning on him are the ones bemoaning there is no loyalty left in football. Cos yeah there is some, but it's got to work both ways. And all other players will see is a fan base that turns on you as soon as you leave, regardless of the years you played. 

I hope he does do a farewell on the weekend, and I am sure the actual fans on the stadium will give him a proper send off rather than the sad internet trolls. 

100% this

Football fans have a certain autistic quality about them

[SaveloyMush]

Just now, Bad Wolf said:

100% this

Football fans have a certain autistic quality about them

It's not autism.

It's retardation.

[Bad Wolf]

1 minute ago, SaveloyMush said:

It's not autism.

It's retardation.

I dunno, as an actual auty myself (I may have mentioned it once or 800 times), this is exactly the sort of crap I come out with when emotion clouds my rationality and I take leave of context.

[jasonb]

Sad to see Prowsey go as I truly considered him one of our own despite the connections to that lot down the road. As others have mentioned you can't suddenly discount his efforts over a considerable amount of time. I'm sure 99.9% of Saints supporters will remember his efforts and his dedication to the shirt. I'd rather have a team full of Prowsey's than some of the utter tripe you see pretending to give a shit. 

Having said that, as one chapter closes another one begins. Onwards and upwards. Wilcox, its over to you son to get the players in through the door that you've clearly had waiting in the wings. Lets see if we can mould a team fit enough to compete at this level. 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

10 minutes ago, Bad Wolf said:

Remember when the club were going to bin him off to Watford a few years ago? You also have fans demanding we get shot of Paul, McCarthy, Lyanco etc. Funny how this "NO LOYALTY IN FOOTBALL" crap doesn't work both ways.

That's the point. There's no loyalty in football - both ways. And as for those thinking West Ham are some 'big' club, they were always a yo-yo club. They've wangled some deal for a soulless stadium but they're no Man City/Man Utd/Newcastle. He could have led/guided us back in to the premiership; instead he's run off to some bang average premiership team. Perhaps I've been watching too much Ted Lasso, but I think he's made the wrong decision. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Since he's one of our best players, it's obviously a shame that he's going. It would have been lovely if he led us straight back into the Premier League and kept us there, staying as a one club player.

He'll be a big miss for us this season. Had SR not made a monumental balls up of practically everything they touched last season, we probably wouldn't have been in the situation where he's going at all.

I can't begrudge him the move. He's been part of some excellent teams and put in some excellent performances (He's also been part of teams going through horrible slumps). His goals have made the difference on a number of occassions and it's been great to have one of the best free kick takers around as part of our team.

He's been versatile, playing a number of roles in various tactics for several managers, getting his head down and not making a fuss. Often when those instructions didn't really get the best from him (or anyone around him). He's not the most creative central midfielder we've had. He's not been the best defensive one we've had either. We've even been blessed in having had a cracking free kick taker before. His skills are a mix, and has worked best when paired up another spcialist player, with him having license to link up further forward. He's been practically ever present, through his fitness and that reliability has been important as a lot of the better players left.

A wage increase (probably on what we paid in the premier league, or at least back to those levels), some European football at the age where he will be getting into his prime. He may not have ruled out another call up, whether that's realistic or not. So, a thank you for all the service and effort. We'll have to move on, and we can show our current and future youth players that there is a clear path through to our first team, that brings a successful career.

[Katalinic]

16 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Had SR not made a monumental balls up of practically everything they touched last season, we probably wouldn't have been in the situation where he's going at all.

I'm not so sure about that. I think he felt it was time to move on, just a shame it was on a low.  The meltdown on here would have been worse if we were still in the PL and he had left. In some ways having the excuse of relegation helps all parties.

[imadirtyurchin]

I’m disappointed he’s chosen to leave. But that his choice. So no farewell, let’s just draw a line under it and he can join the likes of fonte and lallana as “yeah whatever” when talked about in relation to saints. I won’t boo but I won’t cheer either.

my main concern like others have said : his leaving leaves the first team weaker whilst not really helping with squad size. Think it might get worse before it gets better. I don’t feel confident we will be buying players of his calibre any time soon. Hopefully we can shift the 8 or so dross players before we lose anyone decent. 

[rallyboy]

Never mind, he was good for us most of the time, let's not let the crap times ruin all of the memories.

It's difficult to turn down an offer from a big club.

If only he'd waited a bit longer, that might have happened.

 

[Osvaldorama]

1 hour ago, sydney_saint said:

Pretty disappointed with some fans reactions. I get that everyone deals with their disappointment differently. But imagine staying at one club for about 20 years, working through the academy, captaining that side, and working your ass for that team and being one of their top few performers over several years. Then you get a move as you are headign towards the twilight of your career with an opportunity to play in front of 60,000 people, for a side historically bigger than us, and one with European football, and your own fans turn on you? Like I can't believe people saying 'don't show up on Saturday'. After a decade of playing for our first team, do you not think he's entitled to say goodbye? I bet the same fans turning on him are the ones bemoaning there is no loyalty left in football. Cos yeah there is some, but it's got to work both ways. And all other players will see is a fan base that turns on you as soon as you leave, regardless of the years you played. 

I hope he does do a farewell on the weekend, and I am sure the actual fans on the stadium will give him a proper send off rather than the sad internet trolls. 

Mate he can literally fuck off. 
 

Why would any saints fan want to clap and applaud a West Ham player? He’s made his bed, he can lie on it. 
 

He is the one that chose to walk away and leave us in the shit. I hope the rest of his career is a spectacular failure, the same I do when any player leaves us. Because all I care about is saints. 
 

[aintforever]

West Ham have got a bargain there in today’s market. Good luck Prowsie.

Edited 9 August, 2023 by aintforever

[Marino]

1 hour ago, Osvaldorama said:

Mate he can literally fuck off. 
 

Why would any saints fan want to clap and applaud a West Ham player? He’s made his bed, he can lie on it. 
 

He is the one that chose to walk away and leave us in the shit. I hope the rest of his career is a spectacular failure, the same I do when any player leaves us. Because all I care about is saints. 
 

Typical gormless fan.

[Chez]

8 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

. I’m not sure Downes on loan is the answer - why would a non-starter for an average team like WH put any more effort into his game playing for Saints? Don’t like it one bit…there must be better options to buy.

What has being a non starter at a prem side got to do with the amount of effort he puts in for Saints? I'm not sure his effort was ever questioned at West ham.

He hasn't quite been good enough to conquer the Prem. But we are in the championship.

Who are you expecting us to sign? If they are good enough for the Prem...they will be in the Prem.

 

[Chez]

I don't build Saints players up anymore, so when they go, it's no big deal. I knew he would depart and don't blame him for doing so. 

I am concerned what we will have in the middle. Smallbone couldn't lace his boots right now.

[Saint_clark]

Would be pretty funny if he picks up an injury on Saturday. 

Nothing serious, just something that keeps him out for a few months.

[CB Fry]

8 hours ago, sydney_saint said:

I hope he does do a farewell on the weekend, and I am sure the actual fans on the stadium will give him a proper send off rather than the sad internet trolls. 

He is not coming to St Marys to wave on Saturday.

West Ham United have a league fixture at 3pm that day. He will be with that squad, most likely in the bloody squad.

The only exception is if something goes wrong on his medical today/tomorrow but even then I don't see him being at SMS this weekend.

[CB Fry]

10 hours ago, CB Fry said:

The responses to this news on here.... 

You've had more than two months to prepare for this lads, and you're still shitting the bed.

Jesus wept.

 

9 hours ago, Osvaldorama said:

 

Don’t see anyone shitting the bed?

 

We’ve just lost our club captain… what do you expect? Joy and rainbows?

I see some people:

7 hours ago, Osvaldorama said:

Mate he can literally fuck off. 
 

Why would any saints fan want to clap and applaud a West Ham player? He’s made his bed, he can lie on it. 
 

He is the one that chose to walk away and leave us in the shit. I hope the rest of his career is a spectacular failure, the same I do when any player leaves us. Because all I care about is saints. 
 

 

[Fan The Flames]

7 hours ago, Osvaldorama said:

He is the one that chose to walk away and leave us in the shit. I hope the rest of his career is a spectacular failure, the same I do when any player leaves us. Because all I care about is saints. 
 

Real life is more nuanced than this.

[david in sweden]

12 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

It was inventible, as the window drew to a close there was a point at which this would move. We'll see similar with a few more of our players now, just not the ones we want out.

You can't help but wish him all the success in the world, he has been pretty much an ever present for us for years - never missing a minute, running more than anyone else - always committed. Maybe not the most vocal or strongest of captains, but the gap he leaves in this team will be huge. 

I imagine Flynn Downes is on his way here now, another Martin-ball player, like Manning (knows the style). Let's see how it pans out, but he is levels below JWP of no doubt.

well said S- Clarke. 

I hope Prowsey's deal is a good one for him personally.  He has given the best part of his footballing career to Saints - with little success to show for it.

Continually ignored by Gareth Southgate, where his free-kick /penalty taking abilities might have made the difference in tournaments , and his place in the 

squad was given others who never got to take off their tracksuits - and quickly disappeared from the national squad afterwards.

He is not too old to regain some respect from England where his long experience has been ignored and replaced by lesser "media favourites" who might benefit 

from watching his You Tube masterclasses on free kicks,  and any set of given "circumstances" his time may well come again. 

His continued presence as a  Prem. level player may well be some sort of revenge by scoring against those other Prem. clubs who have so blatantly

ignored him  whilst squandering multi millions on foreign imports who are obvious, over-rated square pegs.

 

At the moment - we have no suitable replacement, and no-one even close to his sort of team contribution but in time maybe a Downes (or a Smallbone) may 

become a worthy successor but that challenge may not be so hard - given the difference between top-end Championship sides and the Premier League's

drop zone.  If we get back up, it may well be at the expense of a Luton, or even a Burnley side who will look so clearly out of place in the Premier League. 

[chiknsmack]

12 hours ago, SaintStinger said:

So who will take the free kicks now?

Left foot Manning or Perraud, right foot Alcaraz or Smallbone.