James Ward-Prowse

[madge]

Think he’ll be heading to Newcastle, well that’s what I believe. As much as though I’d love to keep him, he’d still have aspirations. I don’t get all the criticism. Been a great player in our recent history with some amazing goals. 

[harvey]

On 22/04/2023 at 01:29, Master Bates said:

I only hit like because my OCD interfered and wanted to see all 4 emojis. I personally think you're nuts.

Personally, I don't care if you think I'm nuts.....I really do think that JWP is massively overrated on here......throw all the stats you like, passes etc, but most are sideways and backwards and very few forwards. He's slow, weak in tackling and no way a captain.

I appreciate his free kicks in general are exceptional, but corners are mediocre.

I just don't get the JWP 'love in'....he's good in parts, but not good enough.

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

14 minutes ago, harvey said:

Personally, I don't care if you think I'm nuts.....I really do think that JWP is massively overrated on here......throw all the stats you like, passes etc, but most are sideways and backwards and very few forwards. He's slow, weak in tackling and no way a captain.

I appreciate his free kicks in general are exceptional, but corners are mediocre.

I just don't get the JWP 'love in'....he's good in parts, but not good enough.

But what about all of the other attributes he brings to the party. We are at best a mid table premier league team, we don't have world class players they just leave. He is as good a player that we can have who is prepared to stay.

[suewhistle]

Exactly! Lavia may have more potential, particularly physical and pace, but not much good if he isn't here.

JWP is far too intelligent not to know his own limitations, but he still surprises me by turning up in support of his team mates in all areas of the pitch. If we had more players with his work ethic we wouldn't be in the sh*t we are now.

[harvey]

2 minutes ago, Sergei Gotsmanov said:

But what about all of the other attributes he brings to the party. We are at best a mid table premier league team, we don't have world class players they just leave. He is as good a player that we can have who is prepared to stay.

Sorry, I don't see any other attributes, and apart from the free kicks....he's hard working but in no way inspirational.

[Guest]

5 hours ago, Turkish said:

Our spokesman on Twitter has voiced his unpopular opinion on a Friday afternoon too, so out there

 

What a bellend. No other way to describe him. Why do prats like this exist in our fanbase. 😂

He had over 20,000 or so tweets, so either he started again or he’s had a serious flush out of his past tweets - which I doubt he’s smart enough to do. 😂

Literally joked yesterday about the old “unpopular opinion” quote. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Edited 13 May, 2023 by FarehamSaintJames

[Ed Rooney]

10 hours ago, Toussaint said:

What about his England aspirations?

😂😂

[Ed Rooney]

2 hours ago, suewhistle said:

Exactly! Lavia may have more potential, particularly physical and pace, but not much good if he isn't here.

JWP is far too intelligent not to know his own limitations, but he still surprises me by turning up in support of his team mates in all areas of the pitch. If we had more players with his work ethic we wouldn't be in the sh*t we are now.

Lavia is a far better midfielder than him now, not potentially, but as you say he will not be here which is the biggest loss for us. Yes JWP works hard, but his limitations as a central midfielder have had a big impact in the football served up and why we are where we are. Unfortunately a lot of fans have the “came up through the academy” blinkers on and will not have a bad word said about him. 

[suewhistle]

I haven't got enough posts left to engage in a debate - got to keep one for the post match celebrations... - but if you think we are going to have anybody as good in our midfield next season I think you need to reconsider. Either way it will be interesting to see how he does in a stronger team and the best thing is he won't get the opportunity to score against us!

[Nemi]

15 hours ago, Hodgey said:

Some people see things differently I suppose - but stats wise (from the athletic)

Ward-Prowse is as close to a one-player team as you can get. He is Southampton’s can-do man, invariably topping most statistics across attacking and defending. He has played the most minutes (3,105), scored the most goals (eight), registered the highest xGA (6.0), completed the most passes (1606) and crosses (235), recorded the most shot-creating (120) and goal-creating actions (eight) and made the most tackles (58), ball recoveries (209) and interceptions (49).

Really not sure what people expect of a midfielder in our team !!

Thing is stats never tell the full story.

He takes all the free-kicks, corners and penalties. That immediately inflates his stats. He also by far plays the most. I'm not saying these are bad things, but it hides his open-play deficiencies. 

Stats can't measure his positioning - my biggest complaint of him (how many of his passes come from the times he drops into the backline and we spend the next five minutes passing it across the sideways not going anywhere?). Stats don't measure composure on the ball - he panics under pressure and that reflects across our whole team in the number of points we've chucked away from winning positions. Stats don't measure how quickly he moves the ball - we all know how slow our build-up play is. Stats don't measure how a midfielder dictates the play - can you name me the last time we've truly controlled the game, even against the lower league teams (and I'm not talking about loads of possession but not going anywhere).

Personally, I don't care how many goals our midfielder gets, I just want someone who can control the game, manage the tempo,  play the ball quickly with one touch when needed, and for me JWP doesn't do that. It's definitely nowhere near all his fault, and with better players I'm sure he'd also be better. But the best midfielders raise the level of the whole team: on the rare occasion JWP hasn't played it really hasn't made much difference (though I know its a choice between terrible or awful). And there is a reason why no other teams (apart from Villa when they were chucking silly money at anyone) have really made a big push for to get him. He'll be a decent squad player for someone I'm sure - but given the importance of having a midfielder who can break the lines in today's game, I can't see him displacing many of the current PL starters.

[Saint Gifford]

He is in my opinion, a great player in our team.

Could he play for either Manchester clubs, in the London so called three, or at the top table in Spain or Italy.

I very much doubt it.

We are Southampton and as much as I love the club, we would not and would never attract a world class player in their prime.

Would I like us to sell our soul to Middle East or American Sports washing, I don’t know. That’s a completely different debate. 
 

Im sure we will miss him, but we are about his level. That’s the bottom line. 

[Saint Garrett]

I think he deserves a bit more respect from our fan base than what’s on here, personally. 

Yes he has his downfalls, yes he isn’t KDB, but he’s still a top player for us and has been for years. Is he good enough to go and play for one of the top 6? I think it’s unlikely, but he’s a top 10 player no doubt about that. He’s also given his all for this club, which so many players have failed to do, especially this season! 

[Guest]

He deserves way more respect. He’s got a bit of a barrage recently from parts of the fanbase.

I still think he’ll stay, but ultimately wouldn’t blame him if he left.

[ErwinK1961]

He’s been a top servant for us and the loyalty isn’t to be sniffed at, will be a loss.

But it’s also ok to think he’s a middle of the road player and the fact he’s captain and an integral part of our team, is an indictment of how far we have fallen since 2016. 

We will miss Lavia more in my opinion (will miss both obviously).

Edited 13 May, 2023 by ErwinK1961

[Wade Garrett]

He's a very good footballer that is being criminally used as a defensive midfielder.

So much better when he's more advanced.

I think he'll stay, and hope he does.

[Fabrice29]

7 hours ago, Wade Garrett said:

He's a very good footballer that is being criminally used as a defensive midfielder.

So much better when he's more advanced.

I think he'll stay, and hope he does.

You will be sorely dissappointed.

Anyway, his comments after the game today are laughable from a captain. "The way we’ve done it this year, that’s the disappointing thing. We didn’t really go down with a fight and given everything we can. That’s the disappointing thing.” 

Media trained cliché comments are not ideal from a captain and this doesn't smack of someone who was ever going to sort out the issues inside the dressing room. 

[harvey]

20 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

You will be sorely dissappointed.

Anyway, his comments after the game today are laughable from a captain. "The way we’ve done it this year, that’s the disappointing thing. We didn’t really go down with a fight and given everything we can. That’s the disappointing thing.” 

Media trained cliché comments are not ideal from a captain and this doesn't smack of someone who was ever going to sort out the issues inside the dressing room. 

And that's coming from the 'captain!'......Jesus H Christ 🙄

[angelman]

He was absolutely pathetic today. No fight in him what so ever. If I was a prospective club looking at him, I'd maybe thing twice after today's abject performance by him. 

[aintforever]

28 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

You will be sorely dissappointed.

Anyway, his comments after the game today are laughable from a captain. "The way we’ve done it this year, that’s the disappointing thing. We didn’t really go down with a fight and given everything we can. That’s the disappointing thing.” 

Media trained cliché comments are not ideal from a captain and this doesn't smack of someone who was ever going to sort out the issues inside the dressing room. 

This, his performance in the interview was as lame as his performance on the pitch. I was hoping for once he would show a bit of anger and have the balls to call out a few people but he just delivered the usual rehearsed comments. 
 

He’s been a good player for us but he’s not a leader, needs to go in the summer.

[Fabrice29]

11 minutes ago, angelman said:

He was absolutely pathetic today. No fight in him what so ever. If I was a prospective club looking at him, I'd maybe thing twice after today's abject performance by him. 

In fairness to him I think he's fed up with the whole thing, which I get from his point of view because he's one of the few that has performed this season, he's lost close friends and allies he could rely on in the dressing room and like the rest of us he's probably resigned to relegation. However, when you remember he's the captain, I just find his comments lame and a very good summary as to why we are so soft. Just smacks of a man who either A) hasn't called out his thoughts to others in the dressing room personally or B) has done that but hasn't been able to get through to people because he's not a leader of that nature.

There was a moment in the game today he got smacked in the face with an elbow, and he sprinted over to the guy who did it and looked like he was going to take him out but he controlled himself at the last moment and just trotted back into shape. I know it's too late James, and I also know it's hardly the greatest quality in the world but that's the first time I've seen him riled up for quite a while. I'd love to have seen him smash into someone a few weeks or months ago and turn to the crowd and rile people up. Feels like those days of him winding up Zaha are way behind him, which is concerning when he's the captain and he's the one who clearly thinks we haven't shown enough of those exact qualities.

Edited 13 May, 2023 by Fabrice29

[harvey]

3 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

In fairness to him I think he's fed up with the whole thing, which I get from his point of view because he's one of the few that has performed this season, he's lost close friends and allies he could rely on in the dressing room and like the rest of us he's probably resigned to relegation. However, when you remember he's the captain, I just find his comments lame and a very good summary as to why we are so soft. Just smacks of a man who either A) hasn't called out his thoughts to others in the dressing room personally or B) has done that but hasn't been able to get through to people because he's not a leader of that nature.

That's a fair statement and probably not too far from the truth.

[Kermitzasaint]

On 11/05/2023 at 03:58, Saint86 said:

Its obvious that jwp is class for us. I swear, the guy gets lynched for not being the perfect all in one midfielder by some... He isn't part kante, part kdb, and running the midfield of every Premier league game singlehandedly - and therefore he's seemingly utter shit... 🤔).

Meanwhile he's been in demand by numerous Premier league clubs and consistently played by all our Premier league mananger from being a kid under adkins / poch / koeman, to being the main man under Ralph... Its not by fluke that be is our record Premier league appearance holder and still only 28. Let alone the fact he basically hasn't missed a minute in 4 seasons... 

I personally hope jwp stays to lead us back up - doubt it will happen obviously - but it would send a very important signal and he remains easily one of our best players. 

How many teams have put in a serious bid for him?

[Kermitzasaint]

Personally I think he will stay as he is too much of a coward to move teams. I also think he will struggle in the Championship as he is too soft. He would need a midfield enforcer type player to protect him. His free kicks would be useful there as the teams are of a lower standard. I also don't think he should be captain. 

[Wade Garrett]

Listened to his interviews after the game.

Might be looking for something that’s not there, but he said ‘it (the club) will be back’.  Not WE will be back.

Reckon he’s gone.

[Sheaf Saint]

11 hours ago, Fabrice29 said:

You will be sorely dissappointed.

Anyway, his comments after the game today are laughable from a captain. "The way we’ve done it this year, that’s the disappointing thing. We didn’t really go down with a fight and given everything we can. That’s the disappointing thing.” 

Media trained cliché comments are not ideal from a captain and this doesn't smack of someone who was ever going to sort out the issues inside the dressing room. 

Absolutely this. His post match interview was pathetic. For all his plus points, he shows no leadership whatsoever. To come out snd say he doesn't think we did everything we could, and that standards have been dropping since day one of pre-season is such a cop out. It's his job as captain to make sure that doesn't happen.

I wouldn't want him to stick around now after that. It's clear he is a massive part of the problem. He is undoubtedly talented but he simply doesn't have the necessary winning mentality, and he's far too lightweight and cowardly for what we will need in the Cshp next session.

Thanks for some memorable goals James, but I really think it's best for everyone that we part ways and cash in. We really don't need that weak mindset stinking the place out if we're serious about trying to get back up next season.

[East Kent Saint]

11 hours ago, harvey said:

And that's coming from the 'captain!'......Jesus H Christ 🙄

Who else in the team would be a good captain ?  or is the percieved role of a captain out of date in modern football ? Not sure a hear any mention of captain during match commentry , apart from may be interaction with the ref as spokesman but any player nstill gets in the refs ear !

[East Kent Saint]

Just now, East Kent Saint said:

Who else in the team would be a good captain ?  or is the percieved role of a captain out of date in modern football ? Not sure a hear any mention of captain during match commentry , apart from may be interaction with the ref as spokesman but any player still gets in the refs ear !

 

[Verbal Kint]

6 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

To come out snd say he doesn't think we did everything we could, and that standards have been dropping since day one of pre-season is such a cop out. It's his job as captain to make sure that doesn't happen

This. Good captains and leaders don't allow standards to slip in the way he's suggesting they have

[Weston Super Saint]

2 minutes ago, East Kent Saint said:

Who else in the team would be a good captain ?  or is the percieved role of a captain out of date in modern football ? Not sure a hear any mention of captain during match commentry , apart from may be interaction with the ref as spokesman but any player nstill gets in the refs ear !

Lyanco.

[East Kent Saint]

4 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Lyanco.

and get picked every match ?

[Chez]

2 minutes ago, East Kent Saint said:

Who else in the team would be a good captain ?  or is the percieved role of a captain out of date in modern football ? Not sure a hear any mention of captain during match commentry , apart from may be interaction with the ref as spokesman but any player nstill gets in the refs ear !

Messi captained Argentina to world cup victory. He doesn't say boo to a goose on the field. You need guys that lead by example on and off the field. A club captain sort, off the field. You need some vocal players, but the captain doesn't organise or change anything on the pitch. We have the ring master managers doing that these days.

[Saint Billy]

11 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Lyanco.

To be honest, as crazy as it sounds I think he is captain material.

[Chez]

25 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Absolutely this. His post match interview was pathetic. For all his plus points, he shows no leadership whatsoever. To come out snd say he doesn't think we did everything we could, and that standards have been dropping since day one of pre-season is such a cop out. It's his job as captain to make sure that doesn't happen.

 

 

Rather than saying players were not training hard or giving their all, I interpret that as quality has gone down and we fucked up the season leading to relegation. 

[Hodgey]

I do get some of the comments here - going down is raw and inevitably people look for someone to blame. But JWP the reason we’re down, really ?

I don’t understand the criticism of his interview - he’s right - standards have slipped, but do people really think a captain can sort those problems, he’s not the manager, he’s not the coach, hes not the director of football, he’s not the person who brought these awful players in who are mentally weaker than before (if that’s possible)

Maybe he isn’t the best captain, but as someone else said - who else ? I mean Lyanco has been suggested, I’m not disparaging that suggestion as he clearly cares, but let that sink in as a best alternative, JWP is a shit captain - let’s give it to Lyanco ???. Then think of JWPs job - who in that dressing room would help him, be his deputies ?? . He’s had zero support, everyone around him has made his job as captain harder. Meanwhile, as evident on here, the pressure for him to also be the sole creative and defensive force of the club increased. Expectation on him from some is utterly ridiculous.

I hope when he goes, and when people calm down, he is recognised for what he gave over 20 years and 400 appearances and is given the accolades he deserves. I still remember the ridiculous comments of some happy to see Romeu gone as ‘his legs had gone, he was too slow etc etc’. Turns out he was still a very good player, just being dragged down by the utter circus that saints was starting to become. A circus that got much worse and which somehow now means that a player who we should be at least deeply respectful of, will leave with the legacy of many as a key reason for our demise and a note of ‘good riddance - you won’t be missed’

what a shambles our entire club is
 

 

[Whitey Grandad]

46 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Lyanco.

Please God, no. He’s a terrible footballer. Even if he did get an assist for their first goal yesterday.

[obelisk]

A captain for the Championship? I wonder whether Jack Stephens might want to give it a go. Trouble is it's a team of bottlers with not much captain material in there so I'm having difficulty coming up with ideas.

[whelk]

38 minutes ago, Chez said:

Messi captained Argentina to world cup victory. He doesn't say boo to a goose on the field. You need guys that lead by example on and off the field. A club captain sort, off the field. You need some vocal players, but the captain doesn't organise or change anything on the pitch. We have the ring master managers doing that these days.

International football is completely different to club football. You don’t have inexperienced kids who need encouragement and instruction - none of which JWP  appears to do. Very poor captain IMO

 

[Lighthouse]

I wouldn't want any of the current squad being captain next season, we need someone new who's not a habitual loser. That's not aimed at JWP, it's aimed at the whole squad. We need a player who's only recent experience is not passing sideways and backwards, hoping to get a 0-0 'from now on' when we're already two or three down to some bottom half mediocrity.

 

JWP needs a fresh start too. There're a few clubs he'd do okay at, although I think their fans are going to be surprised at just how 'okay' he actually is, when you take away the free kicks.

[east-stand-nic]

Alcaraz for captain. Great player, seems to want to stay, so this might seal the deal for him. Plus he is South American and they are very passionate.

Next season, build the team around him.

[SaintsFan86]

Just now, east-stand-nic said:

Alcaraz for captain. Great player, seems to want to stay, so this might seal the deal for him. Plus he is South American and they are very passionate.

Next season, build the team around him.

Not for me, He isn't a captain. Let him play his game. We need a dean hammonx type.. Well we need a Roy Keane tbh with the dogshit we've been served this season.

The only player we have I'd even trust in our actual ranks is Stephens and he is leaving for B'mouth.

[Mr Brightside]

34 minutes ago, Hodgey said:

I do get some of the comments here - going down is raw and inevitably people look for someone to blame. But JWP the reason we’re down, really ?

I don’t understand the criticism of his interview - he’s right - standards have slipped, but do people really think a captain can sort those problems, he’s not the manager, he’s not the coach, hes not the director of football, he’s not the person who brought these awful players in who are mentally weaker than before (if that’s possible)

Maybe he isn’t the best captain, but as someone else said - who else ? I mean Lyanco has been suggested, I’m not disparaging that suggestion as he clearly cares, but let that sink in as a best alternative, JWP is a shit captain - let’s give it to Lyanco ???. Then think of JWPs job - who in that dressing room would help him, be his deputies ?? . He’s had zero support, everyone around him has made his job as captain harder. Meanwhile, as evident on here, the pressure for him to also be the sole creative and defensive force of the club increased. Expectation on him from some is utterly ridiculous.

I hope when he goes, and when people calm down, he is recognised for what he gave over 20 years and 400 appearances and is given the accolades he deserves. I still remember the ridiculous comments of some happy to see Romeu gone as ‘his legs had gone, he was too slow etc etc’. Turns out he was still a very good player, just being dragged down by the utter circus that saints was starting to become. A circus that got much worse and which somehow now means that a player who we should be at least deeply respectful of, will leave with the legacy of many as a key reason for our demise and a note of ‘good riddance - you won’t be missed’

what a shambles our entire club is
 

 

Saved me a lot of typing. 

[alehouseboys]

11 minutes ago, east-stand-nic said:

Alcaraz for captain. Great player, seems to want to stay, so this might seal the deal for him. Plus he is South American and they are very passionate.

Next season, build the team around him.

JWP would be at his best without the captain's armband (and playing further forward), he's an ideal ambassador for this club but I've never felt he's captain material. But I certainly wouldn't burden Alcaraz with it, too young and South American passion certainly wouldn't be enough to gain the respect he'd need. Agree with the bit in bold though.

A deeper-voiced Alan Ball-type wouldn't go amiss!

[Sussex_saint]

Ward Prowse was is the only properly experienced player of the club right now. Since we got rid of Romeu etc, it's inevitable that he would step up. I think many judge him by his personality. He's not a chest beating, foul mouthed footballer, he's a more restrained one. It seems people here would rather a more aggressive captain - but that's just not his character. Also, with this bunch of fuckwits what else can he do? He's one man.

Yes, I will admit he hasn't shown much grit on the field as captain, but he's put in effort every match he's played. I don't think anyone can fault his playing this year - from his free kick goals to the penalties to the likes of his last minute block against arsenal, he's tried with all his heart to keep the club up. I would love him to stay - really love him to stay, and the only way I can see he will is with a decent, long term manager who can play to his strengths, much like NJ did ( playing him more forward, something which Selles is allergic to). Other wise, I think we have lost him. I hope he's remembered as the guy who proudly played for saints since 2012, the guy who was the best set peice taker in the prem.

Edited 14 May, 2023 by Sussex_saint

[Dan Johnson]

We’ve built a team around Ward Prowse and that’s one of the reasons we’re so passive.

He’ll be a better player when he moves into a team where not everything has to flow through him like it does for us.

his worst 2 asset are his inability to pick a pass that unlocks defences or running at defenders with the ball, as a result the ball always goes back or sideways when he’s in possession and our attack and build up play is pedestrian as a result.

in a team where you have a more creative player who can get on the ball and make those passes he’ll flourish because his biggest asset (work rate) will be better utilised 

we need him to move on, he needs to move on. I’m not going to lose any sleep over it 

[Mosin]

22 hours ago, Nemi said:

Thing is stats never tell the full story.

He takes all the free-kicks, corners and penalties. That immediately inflates his stats. He also by far plays the most. I'm not saying these are bad things, but it hides his open-play deficiencies. 

Stats can't measure his positioning - my biggest complaint of him (how many of his passes come from the times he drops into the backline and we spend the next five minutes passing it across the sideways not going anywhere?). Stats don't measure composure on the ball - he panics under pressure and that reflects across our whole team in the number of points we've chucked away from winning positions. Stats don't measure how quickly he moves the ball - we all know how slow our build-up play is. Stats don't measure how a midfielder dictates the play - can you name me the last time we've truly controlled the game, even against the lower league teams (and I'm not talking about loads of possession but not going anywhere).

Personally, I don't care how many goals our midfielder gets, I just want someone who can control the game, manage the tempo,  play the ball quickly with one touch when needed, and for me JWP doesn't do that. It's definitely nowhere near all his fault, and with better players I'm sure he'd also be better. But the best midfielders raise the level of the whole team: on the rare occasion JWP hasn't played it really hasn't made much difference (though I know its a choice between terrible or awful). And there is a reason why no other teams (apart from Villa when they were chucking silly money at anyone) have really made a big push for to get him. He'll be a decent squad player for someone I'm sure - but given the importance of having a midfielder who can break the lines in today's game, I can't see him displacing many of the current PL starters.

https://www.football365.com/news/premier-league-most-chances-created-feature

Bruno is top, Takes all Uniteds corners and free kicks.
Trippeir 2nd, Takes all newcastles free kicks and corners.
KDB 3rd, Takes all Citys free kicks and corners.
JWP 4th, takes all Saints free kicks and corners

Not doing to bad and what good company he is in whilst playing at the worst team in the in the league, If only JWP had a Halland / Gundogan / Mayraz / Foden and co next to him......... He cant do it on his own....

[Chez]

1 hour ago, whelk said:

International football is completely different to club football. You don’t have inexperienced kids who need encouragement and instruction - none of which JWP  appears to do. Very poor captain IMO

 

that is what a manager is there for. 

[ooh it's a corner]

I think the recent pages on this thread sum up the difference in opinion that Saints fans have with JWP and the outside world has with JWP.

He is a decent enough footballer, well worthy of a place in an established premier league team. He has a wonderful free kick technique which has earned him many goals and assists. Undoubtedly he would have more goals and assists with better forwards in front of him.

But, for all his qualities there are some flaws and these tend not to make the MOTD highlights reel. He is not a fast runner, he does tend to slow the transition from defense to attack down, he naturally looks sideways rather than forward, which means he never finds that killer through-ball and he frequently hits the first defender when taking a corner. 

He seems a thoroughly likeable young man, and we can only thank him for his time at Southampton. I hope his new club treats him as well as he has been treated here and I hope we spend any transfer fee more wisely than we have done

[david in sweden]

2 hours ago, Chez said:

Rather than saying players were not training hard or giving their all, I interpret that as quality has gone down and we fucked up the season leading to relegation. 

For those people who say they can't hear Prowsey's voice when they are sitting in Row D,  should note that he covers more ground than any other Prem. player,

in part because he gets around the entire pitch covering everyone else's " absence " from their designated positions. 

I watched him yesterday and he played everywhere and - even late as the sole striker.   In one spell when we couldn't penetrate Fulham's wall, everyone

consistently passed back to him - wherever he was - and however he tried to bring others into play, he still ended up getting the ball back. 

Goodness knows what we will do when he isn't there any longer ! 

 

When we buy players we concentrate too much on their ability with their feet,  and seldom on that in their brain.  There are very few "brains " in the

current squad - especially amongst those young players who were still playing " boy's football " last season.

Prowsey has been with the club - man and boy - for the best part of 20 years, whatever else you may think, he deserves better than we can provide. 

[S-Clarke]

My issue with JWP's statement, outside the generic media coached nature of it, was the acceptance that standards dropped, we haven't done it right since the first day of pre-season etc. Well James, you're the captain, why the fuck have you not be tearing shit up to raise those standards? As club captain he sets the standards for others to follow, if they're not following those then he needs to call them out. But he won't as he's too meek, he sums up our entire team and fan base.

I can't criticise him for the effort he's given us over the years, the free kicks and such, but as a leader - in my opinion - he has been our worst ever PL captain and has been captain of our WORST ever team (going by defeats in a league season). 

I don't have much time for him saying standards dropped after the event, where the fuck was he in September and October? Where the fuck was he galvanising the group when we were 3-1 up against Arsenal on 88 mins? Where was he against Wolves when we were 1-0 up, against 10 min, on 77 mins? Where was he when we lost 9-0 - not once, but twice.

And where the fuck was he yesterday?

[Weston Super Saint]

3 hours ago, East Kent Saint said:

and get picked every match ?

In the Championship, where his lack of skill won't be so obvious, yes.