James Ward-Prowse

[Willo of Whiteley]

3 minutes ago, goodymatt said:

Just read an interesting point about Larin signing this summer as a 31 year old. Prowsey the same age and always been very strong on the fitness and stamina. His dead balls will be good for Larin too. Free kick winner in the derby in front of the Northam please, thank you.

He could assist 30 goals this season and @Baird of the land would still call him a liability.

[Baird of the land]

Just now, Willo of Whiteley said:

Pompey fan.

No a saints fan that wants a midfielder to go forwards not sideways and backwards

[CSA96]

 

[Turkish]

This is a piece of player trading genius

Sell the player for 30m, get a big earner off the payroll

sign them back three years later for 1m on a reduced wage

29m profit on the player, massive saving in wages

Plus they gave as best part of 50m for Fernandes

Maybe Rasmus does know what he's doing. Taken Wet Spam to the fucking cleaners here

[Willo of Whiteley]

Can I pipe up now and say: When I said he wouldn't leave (three years ago) I meant he wouldn't leave for very long 🫢

😂

[Baird of the land]

We've taken on his big wages for 2 years and given west ham money, that's laughably horrible.

[NewYorkSaint]

During the last match there was a lot of moaning that the team lacked energy. This is one piece that JWP will bring us in spades. On many stats he's pretty much the most fit player in English football.  It must have been pretty crushing for him to see his post-Saints career work out so poorly, but I could see him doubling down on determination to have a glowing chapter two at Saints. Possibly more should be made of the fact that he equalled Beckham's free kicks record while he was here. That, right there, speaks to stupendous talent. We now have a highly technical manager who may be able to unlock a couple of missing pieces to his game. James also, at least in my mind, represents the ethos of the club in a powerful way. Personally, I'll be among those celebrating if and when he returns. 

[beatlesaint]

Just now, Willo of Whiteley said:

Can I pipe up now and say: When I said he wouldn't leave (three years ago) I meant he wouldn't leave for very long 🫢

😂

It will be interesting to see if they put any spin on this, or if JWP himself does cos the basic fact of the matter is the past 3 years have been a bloody disaster for him. Failed loan spells, no goals from free kicks, bit part at West Ham. He's wasted 3 years of a career where he should have been at his peak.

[AlexLaw76]

2 minutes ago, Baird of the land said:

We've taken on his big wages for 2 years and given west ham money, that's laughably horrible.

Have we?

[Baird of the land]

1 minute ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Have we?

You really think he's gone one of highest paid at WH to peanuts here

[CSA96]

5 minutes ago, Baird of the land said:

We've taken on his big wages for 2 years and given west ham money, that's laughably horrible.

Er, no

Far more likely that Saints looked at his weekly salary and have said we're only comfortable to afford half your wages but we could stretch it over two years so you're getting the same amount and get an extra year's security before you're a free agent. West Ham don't want to be subsidising wages so they are accepting a nominal fee and JWP signs for Saints on a Champ salary for 2yrs vs sitting on a PL salary for 1yr and not playing

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

3 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

It will be interesting to see if they put any spin on this, or if JWP himself does cos the basic fact of the matter is the past 3 years have been a bloody disaster for him. Failed loan spells, no goals from free kicks, bit part at West Ham. He's wasted 3 years of a career where he should have been at his peak.

I'm half coming back to thinking this could be a good signing. 

Can you imagine if he scores in his first free kick? There'll be an earthquake in Southampton!

[hypochondriac]

6 minutes ago, Baird of the land said:

We've taken on his big wages for 2 years and given west ham money, that's laughably horrible.

Some reports he's lowered his wages to come to us.

[LiberalCommunist]

I've got a good feeling about this. And that is highly unusual. 

[HKsaint]

8 minutes ago, Turkish said:

This is a piece of player trading genius

Sell the player for 30m, get a big earner off the payroll

sign them back three years later for 1m on a reduced wage

29m profit on the player, massive saving in wages

Plus they gave as best part of 50m for Fernandes

Maybe Rasmus does know what he's doing. Taken Wet Spam to the fucking cleaners here

But Westham earned a huge profit from Frenandes 

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, HKsaint said:

But Westham earned a huge profit from Frenandes 

So did we.

[Saint86]

11 minutes ago, Baird of the land said:

We've taken on his big wages for 2 years and given west ham money, that's laughably horrible.

Yes, its the sub £1M that saints have given them this window that's going to make the difference. Not the other £200M 😄

[CSA96]

Very kind of West Ham to agree to pay us a £10m per season loan fee before returning him back home

[Turkish]

Why did Nuno hate him so much? Even if he doesn't fancy him as a player he always seemed like the model professional. 

[goodymatt]

1 minute ago, Turkish said:

Why did Nuno hate him so much? Even if he doesn't fancy him as a player he always seemed like the model professional. 

Baldy banter apparently.

[AlexLaw76]

10 minutes ago, Baird of the land said:

You really think he's gone one of highest paid at WH to peanuts here

No idea 

[Turkish]

Just now, goodymatt said:

Baldy banter apparently.

Heard that but it cant be true, pathetic if it is.

[The Kraken]

6 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Some reports he's lowered his wages to come to us.

Hopefully so.  It was rumoured he was on £100K - £120K a week when signing for WH.  It's also rumoured that WH players have endured a 50% relegation clause, so current earnings £50K-£60K a week at a guess.  Which is too high, I'd say, even for 2 years. 

I have no evidence for this whatsoever, but it's not inconceivable that the £1M or so fee to WH could be going directly to JWP from them as a payment to consolidate the lesser wages he'll be earning here for his final year.  So bringing him 'down' to about £40K a week which supposedly some other of our players are on.  Dunno, just throwing it out there.

[The Kraken]

8 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Why did Nuno hate him so much? Even if he doesn't fancy him as a player he always seemed like the model professional. 

JWP called him baldie when they were at Notts Forest.  Allegedly.

Edit: already covered....

Edited 3 hours ago by The Kraken

[swedish dave]

Not for the first time, I find myself in the minority compared to those who regularly dissed him even 

when he was playing regularly for Saints. Although not the first role model for Saints Academy, his

contribution to the club in terms of service, and appearances puts him in a class of his own.

There have been those on this site who condemned him for his "sideways passing" whilst denying 

the prestige of his (16) ? free-kick goals (second on to Beckham) at Prem. level. His club tally was

more than "just freekicks" , and in his last season with Saints he was our top scorer with 10 goals.

 

JWP played his best games as attacking MF, although it was clear that at the worst times our

successive managers had little alternative than playing in a more defensive roles, where he 

excelled alongside Romeu at his best.  I am sure that his "defection " (as some might term it), was

reluctant as after Saints' first relegation he still harboured hopes of making an England World Cup

squad and needed to be a Prem. League player, but was sadly discarded whilst others who travelled

could rarely take a good corner, or put a freekick into the 6 yard box.  For this oversight, I blame

Gareth Southgate who (as U21 manager) played James over 20 times and even made him captain.

After gaining the England managerial post, GS ignored Prowsey in favour of TV / media favourites

who pushed for other "big club" names.  David Moyes recognised James' qualities and his first season

with WHam yielded 8 goals and 8 assists, only then to be disgarded by Moyes successors. 

 

No-one should expect a 30 year old to show the same quality as he was as a 20 year old, but JWP 

was always the epitome of fitness and has a good footballing brain.  His vast experience is needed

now - more than ever - in a side that looks like imploding, when all are expecting a promotion push.

Time will tell, but I hope than his (potential) return will help steady the ship in the season to come.

[imadirtyurchin]

12 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

JWP called him baldie when they were at Notts Forest.  Allegedly.

Edit: already covered....

unlike Nuno's head...

[DellBlockH]

We just need a Championship club to sign Zaha now for full comedy value.

[Toadhall Saint]

1 minute ago, swedish dave said:

Not for the first time, I find myself in the minority compared to those who regularly dissed him even when he was playing regularly for Saints. Although not the first role model for Saints Academy, his contribution to the club in terms of service, and appearances puts him in a class of his own.

There have been those on this site who condemned him for his "sideways passing" whilst denying the prestige of his (16) ? free-kick goals (second on to Beckham) at Prem. level. His club tally was more than "just freekicks" , and in his last season with Saints he was our top scorer with 10 goals.

JWP played his best games as attacking MF, although it was clear that at the worst times our successive managers had little alternative than playing in a more defensive roles, where he excelled alongside Romeu at his best.  I am sure that his "defection " (as some might term it), was reluctant as after Saints' first relegation he still harboured hopes of making an England World Cup squad and needed to be a Prem. League player, but was sadly discarded whilst others who travelled could rarely take a good corner, or put a freekick into the 6 yard box.  For this oversight, I blame Gareth Southgate who (as U21 manager) played James over 20 times and even made him captain.

After gaining the England managerial post, GS ignored Prowsey in favour of TV / media favourites who pushed for other "big club" names.  David Moyes recognised James' qualities and his first season with WHam yielded 8 goals and 8 assists, only then to be disgarded by Moyes successors. 

No-one should expect a 30 year old to show the same quality as he was as a 20 year old, but JWP was always the epitome of fitness and has a good footballing brain.  His vast experience is needed now - more than ever - in a side that looks like imploding, when all are expecting a promotion push.

Time will tell, but I hope than his (potential) return will help steady the ship in the season to come.

 

[S-Clarke]

He's certainly not been side-lined due to his ability at WHU, something odd going on with Nuno. (Baldie)

He started well there a few years ago, popped up with a good few goals at the start of his time under Moyes who seemed to know what he was all about. 

I mean you cannot really complain about getting him for under £1m, that's frankly ludicrous really for a player of his ability. No, he's not a world beater, but if played regular I do believe he's better than this level currently.

[Badger]

6 minutes ago, DellBlockH said:

We just need a Championship club to sign Zaha now for full comedy value.

Providing it’s not us 

[mikee]

I am hoping he can have a similar effect as Jimmy Case did, using his vast experience to marshall the team from midfield.

[hypochondriac]

Assuming that THB goes I wonder if he will be captain in the games that Stephens doesn't play?

[Ken Tone]

5 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Assuming that THB goes I wonder if he will be captain in the games that Stephens doesn't play?

Hoping that might be quite often then  😉

[Midfield_General]

When he dissed Nuno I hope he didn't settle for the frankly rather pedestrian 'baldie' and went for a proper old school SLAPHEAD insult, yelled while getting in his face and rapidly slapping his own forehead for emphasis.

Maybe even throwing in a TEFAL here and there, for the real purists watching on. 

It makes me realise that since Smallbone moved on, we no longer have a genuine proper slaphead in the squad any more, despite having a proud history by way of Romeu, Chaplow, Marsden, David Armstrong and so on. 

Coincidence, or follicular prejudice at work? 

Edited 3 hours ago by Midfield_General

[S-Clarke]

1 hour ago, Charlie Wayman said:

If our aim is to build a side that can stay in and compete in the PL should we win promotion, then the last thing we need is to waste our very limited resources on bringing back a 32 yo Ward Prowse for largely sentimental reasons.

He has no future value to the club, will be over the hill soon if not already and lacks the athleticism that will be essential in midfield to compete at the higher level and even at thios level. It's all very well pointing to his considerable experience in the PL and free kick record but more recently he has failed to cut the mustard at WHU, Notts F or Burnley. Why do people on here expect anything to be different if he re-joined Saints? It won't.

We don't need a geriatric passenger who happens to take free kicks well, we have one of those already. Worse still he will be blocking the progress of youngsters like Akachukwu and our youngsters is where our future must lie.

Signing JWP will be a munumental folly that we must not commit or will come to regret.

I think you need to look at this another way.

When we were in the PL it's fair to say that he wasn't at the elite level we all craved for It was a fair argument that we felt we could potentially do a bit better, or at least add players around him so he wasn't in there on his own.

But you need to realise where we are now, in the Championship, miles off of that PL team he was regularly part of. It's not fair to judge him based upon our expectations from then. In terms of where we are today, he's a great signing for the fee. He's clearly more than good enough for this level, and when you combine his set pieces with the arial ability of Larin and hopefully THB, we could be a big issue for teams. The only fair concern people have is his lack of physicality and that we haven't really replaced Charles 'lung busting' midfield runs in that sense, but we'll have to see how that pans out.

No, he's not a world beater and he never was - but for where we are now, we'd be stupid to turn our noses up at this opportunity - certainly for the fee in question.

[saint francis]

Having thought about it, "if" he's as capable as he was when he left us I think it could work.  He showed he was adaptable over the years and could work well in whatever system was asked of him.  Good attitude.  If his set piece ability is as good as it was, teams used to hate challenging us around their box in case of giving away a free kick.  Adds another dimension.  

[OneMrsWallace]

1 hour ago, Baird of the land said:

We've taken on his big wages for 2 years and given west ham money, that's laughably horrible.

I'd like to see them call on him when they've got injuries and suspensions though 😉

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

58 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Heard that but it cant be true, pathetic if it is.

But we now have a chant when we play West Ham 😀

[Turkish]

19 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

When he dissed Nuno I hope he didn't settle for the frankly rather pedestrian 'baldie' and went for a proper old school SLAPHEAD insult, yelled while getting in his face and rapidly slapping his own forehead for emphasis.

Maybe even throwing in a TEFAL here and there, for the real purists watching on. 

It makes me realise that since Smallbone moved on, we no longer have a genuine proper slaphead in the squad any more, despite having a proud history by way of Romeu, Chaplow, Marsden, David Armstrong and so on. 

Coincidence, or follicular prejudice at work? 

I heard he led the West Ham players into a chant of

Oi Baldie, over there

What's it like to have no hair?

Is it good or is it bad or is it like a brillo pad?

To which all the players slapped their heads and Nuno got proper rage baited 

Edited 3 hours ago by Turkish

[Wade Garrett]

1 hour ago, HKsaint said:

Who will take the free kicks.

Judging by Manning's last effort that hit someone on the kneecap in the middle of the wall, I'm going to say JWP.

[trousers]

4 hours ago, SaintsFan86 said:

Jwp is done.

Is he Finnish?

[Zorba]

Underwhelming. 

My recollection before he left was that every pass was premeditated. He’d run around a lot, find space, receive the ball… and then knock it safely backwards, over and over again. I hope we’re not going to see that shit type of football again.

Welcome back Prowsey!

[Football Special]

Beautiful video, box of tissues required 

 

[Zorba]

7 minutes ago, trousers said:

Is he Finnish?

That was Antti Niemi

.. not Anti Ward-Prowsey

[sockeye]

From what I've seen the last few games we need more pace, physicality and aggression in the side. I'm not sure JWP will be that for us. But the transfer seems a done deal so can only hope we see more of the JWP that shined most when he took more of an attacking role. Although following the Walcott, Lallana and Romeu pattern of old player returning at the back end of their career he's younger than those when they rejoined and the game he plays dulls less sharply with age so here's to him being a decent squad member for us this term rather than set dressing.

[trousers]

20 minutes ago, Zorba said:

Underwhelming

There's "underwhelmed" and there's "overwhelmed", but is it possible to just be "whelmed"? If so, then count me in... 😁

[bpsaint]

If true let’s hope it’s more Chaplow and Cork than Walcott and Romeu.

[Osvaldorama]

Tbf, for £800k and a reduced wages, if that’s true, it’s a no brainer.  
 

Hope he scores a free kick against West Ham now

[macca155]

Anyway you look at this it's a good deal. No other Championship side gets JWP for such a nominal amount. He's clearly dictated this contract and release fee

He's secured the medium term future for his family, and will add experience to the side. Without a transfer fee his wages are irrelevant.

If he gets back into the groove on set pieces, Saints will be cooking.

Good for him, good for Saints. I expect Scienza to mug Cooper on Saturday. Buy a free kick in JWP territory, and we are off and running.

[dinosaint]

Very happy with this. I thought the club let him down, rather than the other way round, by getting relegated so feebly.  I also wonder whether he might have spoken up re the spying and told Tonda how stupid it was if he'd been around. Whatever, it's a good deal in a position we need reinforcements and brings another experienced leader in.