James Ward-Prowse

[musesaint]

What on earth were West Ham thinking? From their perspective as promotion rivals, JWPs transfer home to Saints now looks like potentially the worst piece of transfer business they’ve ever done. 

[Midfield_General]

26 minutes ago, musesaint said:

What on earth were West Ham thinking? From their perspective as promotion rivals, JWPs transfer home to Saints now looks like potentially the worst piece of transfer business they’ve ever done. 

I’m not sure. Have you seen how much money they have spunked historically on failed transfers? JWP’s probably not even in their top 20. They’re a horrifically run club.

Although yes, strengthening us almost for free while losing a good player and writing off tens of millions into the bargain, is some shocking business, I agree. 

Even more so when it seems it was because the manager somehow had a personal problem with him even though every other manager says what a model pro he is (slapheaaaaaaaaad) 

[saintant]

3 hours ago, coalman said:

I didn't want him back. I was wrong. £800k is a ludicrous bargain. Yesterday he was everywhere. Loving the cross field passing and willingness to play it forwards.

I suspect West Ham let him go for 800k to get his wages off their books. The low transfer fee allowed us to pay JWP a very high wage so I think we cut a deal that we'd only take him for the 800k. If they'd asked for what he's really worth in today's market coupled with his high wage we'd have walked away.

[Lord Duckhunter]

14 hours ago, Toadhall Saint said:

In the position he plays he is head and shoulders above any player in this division in the same position. 
 

 

Calm down…..

He’s not even the best central midfielder at the club, yet alone head and shoulders above the rest of the league. 

[a1ex2001]

7 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Calm down…..

He’s not even the best central midfielder at the club, yet alone head and shoulders above the rest of the league. 

Which central midfielder is better?  Genuine question as I don’t think any of them are currently!  Jander has the potential to be better and I think Brag has a pretty high ceiling but JWP would be among the first names in the team sheet for me!

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

Flynn Downes and JWP are certainly 2 of the very best in this division, Jander  is up there but still more to come and Bragg has great potential.

We’re currently blessed with an abundance of talent in that area.

[bangkoksaint]

JWP for Charles

 

Schlott for THB

 

#outstandingbusiness 

[Lord Duckhunter]

1 hour ago, a1ex2001 said:

Which central midfielder is better?

If everyone’s fit, and it’s a must win game, Jander & Downes start for me. 

[tdmickey3]

1 hour ago, a1ex2001 said:

Which central midfielder is better?  Genuine question as I don’t think any of them are currently!  Jander has the potential to be better and I think Brag has a pretty high ceiling but JWP would be among the first names in the team sheet for me!

Whilst he is not head and shoulders above everyone he is very good but you need to remember the duck has and agenda against him so best not to engage too much with him

Edited yesterday at 12:12 by tdmickey3

[Lord Duckhunter]

Just now, tdmickey3 said:

the duck has and agenda against him

What’s the agenda then chump? 

Is preferring Downes & Jander an agenda now. 

[tdmickey3]

Just now, Lord Duckhunter said:

What’s the agenda then chump? 

Is preferring Downes & Jander an agenda now. 

Well,chump ( hilarious by the way 🙄) you have an historical dislike of him and you know it, I don’t need to say any more

[trousers]

On 03/02/2026 at 19:41, Willo of Whiteley said:

I think most would take James Ward-Prowse back.

 

On 03/02/2026 at 20:14, Lord Duckhunter said:

The nods might, but it’s a no from me. Over rated, done fuck all since leaving. The last thing we need is another son in law recycling the ball.

 

Edited yesterday at 13:44 by trousers

[UpweySaint]

49 minutes ago, trousers said:

 

 

IIRC Lord D has accepted bringing JWP back was a positive. All for people having opinions but accepting when evidence suggests they’re wrong. I was very much pro JWP returning but he’s done better than I expect many hoped on either side of the argument. We’ve not obviously missed Jander which, given his quality, speaks volumes.

[trousers]

32 minutes ago, UpweySaint said:

IIRC Lord D has accepted bringing JWP back was a positive. All for people having opinions but accepting when evidence suggests they’re wrong

Maybe there's a train of thought that says people who express opinions in a repetitive derogatory sneering 'holier than thou' manner perhaps deserve a tad more flak when said opinions turn out to be bunkum...?

Edited yesterday at 14:59 by trousers

[Lord Duckhunter]

2 hours ago, tdmickey3 said:

you have an historical dislike of him and you know it

What a load of old pony. I don’t dislike the bloke, I don’t know him.
 

I have always said he’s a bang average premier league player who was over rated on here. That still stands, the difference is we’re not playing in the Premier league. If he’s anywhere near the starting 11 if we’re promoted I wouldn’t put much on us staying up. 

It’s fucking obvious to everyone that a bang average premier league player is decent for the championship. Decent, but he’s still the 3rd best central midfielder at the club. 

[SNSUN]

3 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

If everyone’s fit, and it’s a must win game, Jander & Downes start for me. 

When all the CMs are finally fit together then it is going to be a tough decision who to pick but I trust Tonda to get it right. But Downes and JWP have both been excellent this season, it's going to be very tough to drop either for Jander. But I like Jander, I think he has skills the others don't have... which is why it is a tough decision. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

Bragg starting yesterday really concerned me but I thought alongside JWP he looked very calm and assured, he probably just needs to speed up his turn and awareness, he can dither a little.

Jander is excellent but has been injured, and Downes has been a shoe in and should continue to be for a while.

Ultimately you shouldn’t change a winning team, but I can see there being a similar rotation schedule to what we saw at the end of last season.

[Patrick Bateman]

8 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

The lad is class, and probably a significant part in a bit more defensive solidity. He is constantly sweeping up in front of the back line and dropping to the left side to cover for Manning/Leo

consistently 8/10 every game.....

Love how he drops into a centre back role to fill or into the more advanced midfield positions when needed. 

[UpweySaint]

2 hours ago, trousers said:

Maybe there's a train of thought that says people who express opinions in a repetitive derogatory sneering 'holier than thou' manner perhaps deserve a tad more flak when said opinions turn out to be bunkum...?

Fair 😅 Lord D would probably agree he’s no diplomat!

[Saint Pete]

9 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

The lad is class, and probably a significant part in a bit more defensive solidity. He is constantly sweeping up in front of the back line and dropping to the left side to cover for Manning/Leo

consistently 8/10 every game.....

That's a very good point, he may not be as obviously combative as Downes, but I think his positional sense and experience/know how is already proving invaluable to us and as you say can be considered a contributor to our much improved solidity in recent weeks. 

On the debate over which 2 of our CMs will be first choice in big games when all our 100% fit, only time will tell and it's a nice problem to have. But JWP has something that the other 2 contenders don't have at this point in their careers and that's the experience of over 400 games at the very top level, which I think gives the best managers a high level of trust in him. So my gut feel is it will be JWP plus one of the other 2 for the biggest games depending on Tonda's tactical plan, if he wants to be more on the front foot and pressing high Jander, if he wants to be more protective of our defence then Downes. 

[Saint Pete]

3 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

What a load of old pony. I don’t dislike the bloke, I don’t know him.
 

I have always said he’s a bang average premier league player who was over rated on here. That still stands, the difference is we’re not playing in the Premier league. If he’s anywhere near the starting 11 if we’re promoted I wouldn’t put much on us staying up. 

It’s fucking obvious to everyone that a bang average premier league player is decent for the championship. Decent, but he’s still the 3rd best central midfielder at the club. 

How has Downes faired as a Premier League player in his career to date? 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

22 hours ago, Midfield_General said:

I’m not sure. Have you seen how much money they have spunked historically on failed transfers? JWP’s probably not even in their top 20. They’re a horrifically run club.

Although yes, strengthening us almost for free while losing a good player and writing off tens of millions into the bargain, is some shocking business, I agree. 

Even more so when it seems it was because the manager somehow had a personal problem with him even though every other manager says what a model pro he is (slapheaaaaaaaaad) 

Reminded me of the articles saying they had signed 50 strikers in the Gold/Sullivan era, many with a rubbish return.

Here's one version

https://www.claretandhugh.info/52-strikers/

[SNSUN]

3 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Reminded me of the articles saying they had signed 50 strikers in the Gold/Sullivan era, many with a rubbish return.

Here's one version

https://www.claretandhugh.info/52-strikers/

They were living off the success of Antonio for years. Much like they're quite heavily reliant on Bowen now. 

[SW5 SAINT]

4 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Reminded me of the articles saying they had signed 50 strikers in the Gold/Sullivan era, many with a rubbish return.

Here's one version

https://www.claretandhugh.info/52-strikers/

Goodness, and since then they’ve had Niklas Fulkrug £32m, 20 appearances and 3 goals in 3 years, and only god knows how much in wages….

Edited 5 hours ago by SW5 SAINT
Edit

[Lord Duckhunter]

17 hours ago, Saint Pete said:

How has Downes faired as a Premier League player in his career to date? 

What’s that got to do with anything?  He’s been the stand out midfielder in Tonda’s reign, and should be starting as many games as possible. The time to consider whether he can play in the premier league, is when we’re in the premier league. Until then, his premier league record is as relevant as his skills as a Bongo player. 

[Saint Pete]

1 hour ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

What’s that got to do with anything?  He’s been the stand out midfielder in Tonda’s reign, and should be starting as many games as possible. The time to consider whether he can play in the premier league, is when we’re in the premier league. Until then, his premier league record is as relevant as his skills as a Bongo player. 

It's completely relevant! 😁 You have said with certainty that JWP is only the 3rd best midfielder at the club currently so it's fair to evaluate that based on their careers and performances to date and for JWP and Downes that includes their time at clubs at the top level in the Premier League. 

Also, bizarrely, you have described JWP's Prem career of over 400 games, 50 odd goals and nearly 50 assists as "bang average", so I was interested to hear your description of Downes's efforts in that top league to date when he has had opportunities for West Ham and Saints since you clearly rate him as the better player? Care to respond on that?! 

[franniesTache]

He's playing well at the moment but that doesn't stop him from being a skate cunt

[suewhistle]

21 hours ago, UpweySaint said:

Fair 😅 Lord D would probably agree he’s no diplomat!

No, he's a pony diplomat from the Donald Trump school of diplomacy..

[UpweySaint]

9 minutes ago, suewhistle said:

No, he's a pony diplomat from the Donald Trump school of diplomacy..

If he had a “pony” swear jar it could find Trumps’s legal bill … I expect he may respect Trump’s direct style. If we’re being polite and diplomatic.

All the same. There are plenty of fixed absolutists on SaintsWeb. I’m a classic fence sitter a lot of the time and appreciate the range of opinions along with posters having the self awareness to accept when they’ve got something wrong.
 

I’ve had Broja as potentially top drawer, Still as an exciting coach, Cedric’s debut filled me with far too much confidence and had massive doubts about Tonda - I mean, sticking a rookie in charge midway through a season shouldn’t have worked. I wasn’t ripping up season tickets and burning Sports Republic effigies but I felt we needed championship experience. I think I even suggested Eustace who is having a mare at Derby this season. 

 

[suewhistle]

Another fence sitter here, although obviously not to the same level as Trousers who I swear probably has splinters in a painful place.:-)  But I do try and give people a chance and don't make snap judgements. It's good to see Dobbin, for example, working his way to form, and most fans give additional points for effort.

With Broja he did seem to have the attributes even if he came from Slough (Maidenhead United chant from around 1972 "We hate Slough and Slough Town, Slough Town we hate you.."), but there injuries seemed to have had large impact. My worries about the return of JWP I didn't voice as they weren't strong, and I could see he was no Walcott or Romeu. As for Tonda, I wonder if he wasn't always going to be the replacement, just not as early as expected? Eustace though? Rash!;-)

For other views you don't really have to be an expert. BBD a footballer?? Lavia a real shame to lose. But then there are the pleasant surprises like the Who? brothers, Larin and Schlotterbeck.

[Turkish]

23 hours ago, Patrick Bateman said:

Love how he drops into a centre back role to fill or into the more advanced midfield positions when needed. 

Agreed, he plays that hybrid advanced quarter back role so well.