James Ward-Prowse

[Guest]

All the best Prowsy, thanks for the memories!

JWP Top Moments include:
1) Thunderbastard of a free kick vs Wolves
2) Double whipped free-kick vs Aston Villa
3) Winding up and pocketing Wilfried Zaha 

[Dragon_man]

He'll be back in 2 to 3 years time.

[OldNick]

Very disappointed that on the West Ham arrival video he didnt arrange or stroke his hair

[Disco Stu]

The only ones to be upset with are Sports Republic. They let JWP and the fans down by failing to sign a decent goalkeeper and striker and also selling his trusted partner in midfield. He's only leaving because we failed to fix our glaring weaknesses last summer.

[davefizzy14]

Thank you for everything you have done for the club Prowsey, you are a legend  All the goals, world class free kicks and assists. Also the kind of class person you are and what you did for the wider community and the Saints foundation. Will miss you lots 🥲 Good luck for the future. 

[sfc4prem]

James' direct email is actually worded much better than the message on the official site/twitter...

 

To everyone associated with this incredible football club… I’ve been trying to think of the best way to write this message, but finding the words to express exactly what you all mean to me isn’t easy. Nevertheless, I’m going to try my best. Whether it’s been your amazing support as a fan, your work with me at the training ground, playing alongside me on the pitch, or guiding me off it, each and every one of you has made the last 20 years better than I could have ever had any right to expect. It has given me such pride to represent this club, and it was one of the greatest honours of my life to be made its captain. I have fulfilled so many of my dreams in both football and life while I’ve been here, so it is by no means easy for me to leave. But, at this point in my career and with the desire I have to play European football and also to hopefully still represent my country, I feel it is the right decision for me. I appreciate some of you will understand and that others might not, but I hope you will all know that I have poured my heart and soul into everything over these past two decades. While I may be leaving the club, I can assure you it will not be leaving me and that I will always consider myself a member of the Southampton family. This truly is a special place and I will miss it ever so much. Thank you for everything,

James

[Yorkshire Saint]

Thankyou. Sincerely.

Goodbye

Next.... looking forward to Downes...

[beatlesaint]

I think Adam Blackmore nailed it 100% with his comments on Saturday.

 

 

Edited 14 August, 2023 by beatlesaint

[S-Clarke]

This day was always going to come once we got relegated, he was never going to hang around in the Champ. He's a solid PL player and you can't help but appreciate the effort he's given us for many years. The consecutive appearances without missing a second, the highest stats for distance covered in most games etc - gave his all every week.

He was limited in some ways, certainly, but him leaving feels like a big chapter is closing. He was the sales pitch for our academy and the pathway, now it's someone else's turn to take up that mantle.

Can't help but wish him all the best, hope he gets into the England squad again.

[do i not like fizzy pop]

So was the West Ham offer the only proper bid? Hard to criticise JWP if that's the case. 

[Harry_SFC]

Shame that he's gone and I wish him well but certainly won't lose any sleep over it. 

I expect him to beat the free kick record but doubt he will get back into the England squad. I also think West Ham will struggle this season.

Would be great if we went straight back up and they got relegated (doubtful but you never know) 

[Fabrice29]

1 hour ago, beatlesaint said:

I think Adam Blackmore nailed it 100% with his comments on Saturday.

 

 

They were piss poor comments. It's not anyones place to go around telling JWP or anyone else, what they will be feeling and make comments like "won't see his family as much" and to suggest he should be stay and sacrifice his ambition because his family can come on the pitch and he's appreciated here. Comment on whether the move works out or even whether you think it will work out but to go around telling him that he's going to regret t and should shove his ambition aside because he's 28 now is just really poor., Even more so because James granted him an interview before the end of the season and told him face to face exactly what he's in football for and what he's feeling and chasing. All of which he'll get from this move.

[SNSUN]

49 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

This day was always going to come once we got relegated, he was never going to hang around in the Champ. He's a solid PL player and you can't help but appreciate the effort he's given us for many years. The consecutive appearances without missing a second, the highest stats for distance covered in most games etc - gave his all every week.

He was limited in some ways, certainly, but him leaving feels like a big chapter is closing. He was the sales pitch for our academy and the pathway, now it's someone else's turn to take up that mantle.

Can't help but wish him all the best, hope he gets into the England squad again.

This is a good point, and why I would be surprised if we sold Smallbone. Not only has he been one of our best players over 3 matches whilst playing out of position, he's our only first choice academy boy left bar Tella (who we effectively got from Arsenal).

[Saint Gifford]

Just had a look at West Ham’s statement in the signing of JWP. 
 

It looks very strange seeing him in anything other than Red and White. 
 

Good luck to the lad, wish him well.  Interesting to see how Moyes plays and sets up with him

[Saint IQ]

Just now, Fabrice29 said:

They were piss poor comments. It's not anyones place to go around telling JWP or anyone else, what they will be feeling and make comments like "won't see his family as much" and to suggest he should be stay and sacrifice his ambition because his family can come on the pitch and he's appreciated here. Comment on whether the move works out or even whether you think it will work out but to go around telling him that he's going to regret t and should shove his ambition aside because he's 28 now is just really poor., Even more so because James granted him an interview before the end of the season and told him face to face exactly what he's in football for and what he's feeling and chasing. All of which he'll get from this move.

I actually thought he was leaving this time last year as he did an interview with Blackmore end of last season along the lines of I need to leave to play in Europe etc. Maybe he should have.

[Osvaldorama]

I have to say, just been on Twitter and the West Ham fan base are being… actually quite nice about it? Some genuinely classy message and wishing us well etc. 

I know it doesn’t really mean much, but there’s a world of difference between their fans & Liverpool/Everton fans 

[Leighsterrr]

2 hours ago, Saint Gifford said:

Good luck to the lad, wish him well.  Interesting to see how Moyes plays and sets up with him

Watched the WH podcast thing earlier and from something he said it sounds like he'll be taking on the skippers role, not sure if that's been announced anywhere, heard it was a possibility though

[Dark Munster]

15 hours ago, LGTL said:

As many of us predicted, relegation = losing all our best players and being left with the shit. Anyone thinking he would stay out of some misplaced loyalty was in fantasy land. 

Massive few weeks for SR and Wilcox now. 

But, but, isn't relegation a blessing in disguise? A chance to offload all our deadwood? That's what some geniuses have been telling us.

[farawaysaint]

6 hours ago, Dark Munster said:

But, but, isn't relegation a blessing in disguise? A chance to offload all our deadwood? That's what some geniuses have been telling us.

Shockingly like most things it’s not black and white… We have brought in £130mi? If we can’t do well with £130mi plus the parachute payments in the Champ then it’s a shocking failure of upper management. 

[hypochondriac]

10 hours ago, Osvaldorama said:

I have to say, just been on Twitter and the West Ham fan base are being… actually quite nice about it? Some genuinely classy message and wishing us well etc. 

I know it doesn’t really mean much, but there’s a world of difference between their fans & Liverpool/Everton fans 

I think they can relate having had similarly loyal players in the past. Losing jwp hurts because of what he represents more than his abilities as a footballer and Hammers fans can understand that. 

[david in sweden]

22 hours ago, Wade Garrett said:

I don’t get all this fucking essay writing when a professional footballer changes employer.  He’s gone, get over it.

Good luck to you JWP.

....but you have to admit that he is more than " just a professional footballer " to Saints fans.   

He was the role model for his generation, and won't be easy to replace in the short term - no matter who we sign.

His career is / was unique in length of service to the club, as is his fitness / playing record.. missed only two games in the last 3 seasons .

and they were because of a somewhat dubious red card decision, and not to mention goals / assist stats. which is v. good for a " non-striker ".

 

As you say ...he's gone"  and in time we will get over it, but there is nothing wrong with paying respects to a loyal club servant.  I wish him well.  

Edited 15 August, 2023 by david in sweden

[hypochondriac]

Saw this on twitter today and thought it was relevant to this thread:

🎙️ Sir Alex Ferguson on Alessandro Del Piero: "After a game against Juventus, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville asked me to do everything possible to sign Del Piero for United because he had destroyed our whole defence. So I contacted him, but he refused to listen to my proposal.

In 2006, when Italy won the World Cup and the match-fixing affair in Serie A came to light, I contacted him again, knowing that Real Madrid wanted him too. I was sure he would end up playing for us or for Real this time, so I said to him: ‘Alessandro, after so many years, I still want you. Don't go to Madrid, now is the time to come here to England. You will be the star of our team.’.

He just laughed and replied: ‘Mister, I believe we already had this conversation several years ago. I respect you a lot, but Juventus have problems at the moment (relegated to Serie B) and I can't to be a coward now’. 

He preferred to stay at Juve to bring the club back to Serie A rather than sign for United.”

[benjii]

Skate.

[Behind Enemy Lines]

21 hours ago, whelk said:

Fucking free kick record. Who gives a fuck on a stat just used by commentators that seems to now be such a thing?

Which player has won the most free kicks? Who has taken the most throw-ins? Quickest player to leave the pitch when substituted?Most goals scored  in red boots? Completed passes? 

Think he already holds this one? 😂 

[Lighthouse]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

Saw this on twitter today and thought it was relevant to this thread:

🎙️ Sir Alex Ferguson on Alessandro Del Piero: "After a game against Juventus, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville asked me to do everything possible to sign Del Piero for United because he had destroyed our whole defence. So I contacted him, but he refused to listen to my proposal.

In 2006, when Italy won the World Cup and the match-fixing affair in Serie A came to light, I contacted him again, knowing that Real Madrid wanted him too. I was sure he would end up playing for us or for Real this time, so I said to him: ‘Alessandro, after so many years, I still want you. Don't go to Madrid, now is the time to come here to England. You will be the star of our team.’.

He just laughed and replied: ‘Mister, I believe we already had this conversation several years ago. I respect you a lot, but Juventus have problems at the moment (relegated to Serie B) and I can't to be a coward now’. 

He preferred to stay at Juve to bring the club back to Serie A rather than sign for United.”

A bit different when you're one of the greatest players in the history of Italian football, have won everything domestically five times over, as well as the CL and WC. He was 32 then and had nothing else to prove.

[Fan The Flames]

So the 'one more year' song is one of our shortest featured songs only beaten by 'you look like a wotsit'. 

[waterlooville saint]

I find the negative comments about JWP really odd. He's been an amazing servant to the club and once Ralph came in and gave him some guidance, he's been one of our best players, if not the best.

Yes I'd have loved him to stay for the season to lead us back to the Premier League, or even until January if things weren't working out, but I can understand the reasons he's given for moving.

West Ham seem to have been the main club firming up interest and they are in Europe this season. I'm a little surprised Liverpool haven't gone for him, partly because of all the holes that are appearing in their midfield lineup, but mainly because Garth Crooks said he should join them every time he put JWP into his team of the week!!

[Yorkshire Saint]

19 hours ago, beatlesaint said:

I think Adam Blackmore nailed it 100% with his comments on Saturday.

 

 

What did he say ?

[CB Fry]

18 hours ago, Yorkshire Saint said:

What did he say ?

 

[rallyboy]

That was balanced comment from Blackmore I think, it is a gamble for Prowsie and he's been a great servant to Saints so I hope he breaks the free kick record, but West Ham?

It doesn't sound like there's much of a pay rise, it's a valid point about travel and family, yes it's a bigger stadium and he might get to play against the mighty Qarabag FK, Slavia Praha and Sheriff, but the second time a free kick misses the target the fans will be on his back, they want another Declan Rice, so it could all go a bit Ingsy on him.

Maybe it's a reflection on him thinking we are unprepared for a swift return and he could be right, but he has taken a gamble.

 

[VectisSaint]

JWP will be relieved, Maguire transfer off.

[SotonianWill]

Just sold my house... to super james ward prowse

[Fan The Flames]

3 hours ago, rallyboy said:

That was balanced comment from Blackmore I think, it is a gamble for Prowsie and he's been a great servant to Saints so I hope he breaks the free kick record, but West Ham?

It doesn't sound like there's much of a pay rise, it's a valid point about travel and family, yes it's a bigger stadium and he might get to play against the mighty Qarabag FK, Slavia Praha and Sheriff, but the second time a free kick misses the target the fans will be on his back, they want another Declan Rice, so it could all go a bit Ingsy on him.

Maybe it's a reflection on him thinking we are unprepared for a swift return and he could be right, but he has taken a gamble.

 

I'm sure the experience of playing the mighty Qarabag FK, Slavia Praha and Sheriff will be enjoyable to look back on when he is retired.

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, Fan The Flames said:

I'm sure the experience of playing the mighty Qarabag FK, Slavia Praha and Sheriff will be enjoyable to look back on when he is retired.

as opposed to Rotherham, QPR and Plymouth?

[Fan The Flames]

1 minute ago, AlexLaw76 said:

as opposed to Rotherham, QPR and Plymouth?

I know, who'd have thought it. 

[Wade Garrett]

On 15/08/2023 at 03:22, david in sweden said:

....but you have to admit that he is more than " just a professional footballer " to Saints fans.   

He was the role model for his generation, and won't be easy to replace in the short term - no matter who we sign.

His career is / was unique in length of service to the club, as is his fitness / playing record.. missed only two games in the last 3 seasons .

and they were because of a somewhat dubious red card decision, and not to mention goals / assist stats. which is v. good for a " non-striker ".

 

As you say ...he's gone"  and in time we will get over it, but there is nothing wrong with paying respects to a loyal club servant.  I wish him well.  

So do I.  My point was the essay writing bullshit that footballers write when they move clubs.  
Not fans paying their respects to said player.

[david in sweden]

11 hours ago, Wade Garrett said:

So do I.  My point was the essay writing bullshit that footballers write when they move clubs.  
Not fans paying their respects to said player.

Whilst I agree that many players seemingly " have " to write some sort of "departure note" ; I don't believe that it's the case here.

I don't see a lot of b*ll shit in what Prowsey wrote - do you?    I think he expressed himself very well in his comments. 

Certainly those fans who have praised his service to the club on this site (and others) seemed to think so. 

He's given 20 years of his life to Saints and he's worthy of a better class of football than playing on with us in the Championship.

Whilst he has a career left... he deserves the best level of football that a club in this country can offer, and who knows.. in other 

circumstances, he may even find his way back into an England squad in the future.  

 

[Saint86]

West ham fans very pleased with jwp on KUMB 😢. 

I just hope he has a good season and makes the England squad. Was an absolutely class player for us, criminally underrated by some of the fanbase. 

Edited 21 August, 2023 by Saint86

[badgerx16]

8 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

West ham fans very pleased with jwp on KUMB 😢. 

I just hope he has a good season and makes the England squad. Was an absolutely class player for us, criminally underrated by some of the fanbase. 

It is possible for JWP to have a good season without WHU doing the same ?

[david in sweden]

8 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

It is possible for JWP to have a good season without WHU doing the same ?

 

8 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

It is possible for  JWP to have a good season without WHU doing the same ?

...Oh ....you mean like when he was with Saints for all those years? 

He consistently logged more mileage than any other Prem. player and  * missed only 2 games in the last 3 seasons. 

NOTE:  * for suspension after red card - and not injury.

[teamsaint]

Not sure if anybody else has mentioned this, but Liverpool might be kicking themselves for missing out on a really decent player at a sensible price.

[John Boy Saint]

18 minutes ago, teamsaint said:

Not sure if anybody else has mentioned this, but Liverpool might be kicking themselves for missing out on a really decent player at a sensible price.

Probably why those 2 Chelsea sporting directors who popped up on the screen during the match both had faces like smacked arses - "how much did this lot pay for their number 7?"............."best stay out of Todds way for a couple of days!". 

 

[Disco Stu]

Was easily a £40m player.

[redkeith]

On 21/08/2023 at 15:13, teamsaint said:

Not sure if anybody else has mentioned this, but Liverpool might be kicking themselves for missing out on a really decent player at a sensible price.

I thought JWP would be have been an obvious replacement for Milner, right footed, high work rate etc , but the scouses knew better.

[Saint Scott]

[Turkish]

His start Couldn’t have gone better. West Ham fans loving him. 

[LeBizzier69]

Really pleased for him, but it’s definitely like seeing an ex you still  hold a candle for being really happy with another bloke.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

1 hour ago, Saint Scott said:

Is that our badge on his shin pads?

[East Kent Saint]

9 hours ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Is that our badge on his shin pads?

And england , perhaps WH is below it ?

[AlexLaw76]

Early days, but 😞

https://www.kumb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=186773&start=260