http://mobile.saintsfc.co.uk/news/a...owse-100-appearances-southampton-2729081.aspx Jwp becomes the fourth youngest post war academy graduate to reach 100 appearances. He seems to be getting better and better, the deeper role suits him and he is turning into the player we all knew he could be. I'm excited to see how far the kid can go. Although with JWP playing like he has, I wonder where Clasie will fit in! It's a good dilemma to have.
JWP improvement/starting to realise potential is down to good coaching and advice on the training ground methinks. It seems our players have the magic touch - when they're with us and lose a bit of it when they leave. Good on you Prowsey, you have a right foot most prem players would kill for!
No doubt he is beginning to show his potential, which others saw in him-years ago. There is still more to come in my view. I said I thought he was a future international in the making. Another couple of years at his current progress should see that happen.
JWP developing well and is having his best season but remember he is still very young How we miss his set piece delivery when he isn't available
Yep. First half versus Chelsea, without JWP, we had half a dozen corners and a bunch of free kicks, but the keeper caught nearly all of them.
I'll be the stick in the mud and say I do not understand why people have been describing JWP as "sensational." Mane and Tadic tore the Chelsea defense to shreds. Which is fine, I don't think there's a particular need for JWP to try and insert himself by doing anything amazing there. If there's a horrible defensive mismatch, just keep exploiting it. But still, JWP didn't do anything particularly fantastic against Chelsea. I'm not at all unhappy with JWP's play mind you. I feel like this year he's sort of gradually inserting himself in the game more. Not in any way I could easily point out. But just during the games as you watch you sort of notice a decent pass, or who was defending the player with the ball, etc. And I remember JWP and the things he did this year. Gut feeling he seems to be more involved or making his presence felt or however you describe that intangible. Everything is good. I feel like JWP steadily improving, I have no concerns about him. I hope they can find him as much playing time as possible. I don't expect him to be sensational... I'm just saying he hasn't been. Sensational to me would imply that he's pulling all the strings, has to be on the team sheet every game, and we suffer without him. As it is, other than for development reasons, I still don't think I would start him over Davis (who I also like and has been good this year, but who I would also not describe as "sensational"). Plus Clasie when he gets back will provide more competition.
His role is to harass the opposition when they have the ball, not to be a destroyer like VW. when he has the ball to give it to one of the wide players or a player in space. its not a sexy role or one that gets noticed but his energy levels are invaluable. He gets noticed from his set pieces but for me he is battling with Romeo for that role next to VW not for the Claise role which SD will be fighting for
Okay, maybe sensational was a little OTT, but I thought he was one of the best players on the pitch against Norwich, and he made a real difference against Chelsea when he came on. For a 20year old to be mixing it with Ramires, Fabregas and Matic (even when they aren't playing well) is a real achievement. I think it's just how much his strength and "bite" is improving that is exciting - because that's exactly what he needs.
He is certainly better positioned in a deeper role at the moment. Not sure he has to tools to deliver further forward but who knows in time.
For me, he's never really shown the attributes needed to play the advanced midfield role, and has looked better in a deeper role, which should also help him to showcase his long passing ability. We will need to be patient with him, however, as he will need to learn the new role, especially positional sense, when we don't have the ball.
Let's not be hung up too much on the 'forward' and 'defensive' midfield roles when talking JWP. When JWP plays it is about carrying out a function like Sunday. He can harass in the forward role as much as he can harass in the defensive role. For example, one of his best ever games was when he played as a no.10 away at Old Trafford last season. Now that wasn't a role that most people think of a number 10 playing, as his job was to sit on Carrick and stop him dictating. Carrick plays deep, so JWP that night played forward but in a defensive/stopper role. He did it brilliantly that night. There can be more than meets the eye sometimes.
What annoys me a lot is that players like Alli are called in the senior England squad only after a handful appearances in the EPL, while JWP with a three seasons of EPL experience under his belt doesn't even get a look in.
Is just spot on.. Flexible, dependable... And now authoritative, looking like a man rather than a boy..
he is the capatain of the U21s, playing an important part for the team, rather than going into the full squad and sitting on his arse. Englands senior teams games are pretty pointless so god knows who will be given a cap in the upcoming games
And the senior squad simply acts as a recruiting ground from Saints to the highest paying waged clubs as we have seen over the past 2-3 seasons
Also agree 100% with this observation. Was at that game at OT and me and my son were commenting on JWP's positioning and performance afterwards - as were Man Utd supporting friends when we were discussing the game in a pub in Wilmslow. They had never seen Michael Carrick dealt with so effectively before. I would also say that i wouldnt describe JWP recent performances as 'sensational', that is media over hype talk, but he has been damn good ! Great tactical move on Saturday by Koeman to bring him on for 2nd half to make Saints more attack minded.
Am I the only one that thinks in certain departments Ward-Prowse is overrated? His free kicks are great and he has been unlucky not to score some, but come on, for all the hype about his set piece taking he has yet to score a single one for the first team. Willian scored his 4th free kick of the season against us, but it's Ward-Prowse touted as being one of the best set-piece takers in the league. Didn't Erikson score two against Swansea at the weekend? Question I have is, why do Ward-Prowse's free-kicks never seem to go in? Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Ward-Prowse and want to see him with us for many many years and want to see him in the first team more and subbed/rotated less, but what is his game missing that would assure that?
