....................."It's good to see us all coming together as one as we look to push on into the First Team." Nigel certainly left his mark on our boys.
He also said that it's part of football to carry on as players and managers come and go. They really seem to rate JWP and use him in promotions, but where does he really fit in for us. He seems to be good all round, but may find it hard to be more than a bit player. This season could be very important for Prowsie.
It's easy to forget he is still 18. It would be great for him to be a regular but realistically in central midfield I would be concerned if we had an 18 year old in our starting 11 unless they were exceptional. I think if he continues to be a regular in the match day squad after the signing of Wanayama then that would be a good achievement.
I know that everyone loves Ward-Prowse as a person and the fact that he has come up through our academy is even better. But, is he actually a good enough player to make it in a top Premier League team? I ask this in all innocence because I really don't feel I've seen enough of him to be able to judge.
This is what I feel...there is just a little bit missing. I think he has to find his way through this season or yet another player will come in and go above him in the pecking order.
Compare him to an 18yr old Schneiderlin and he obviously misses the height but I don't think he quite displays the same range of passing at that age. If I had to compare him with a saint in the recent past it would be Matt Oakley. A very neat and tidy player but won't wow anyone. He is a bright lad and has a clear enthusiasm for the game and a willingness to learn. I believe that mentality has got him this far and will be what gives him a good career in football. He has already seen off Hammond and Chaplow.
As most of you have already said, JWP is just 18. He won't be the full measure until he's 23 and over. A young Schneiderlin wouldn't have got anywhere near this team. The fact that JWP is on the fringe of it says a lot about his quality. It's tough being a youngster in a squad where the quality is just going to get better and better. It may well be that Saints end up selling a major percentage of their academy players in order to help fund big name acquisitions. That won't make Saints a selling club, but just one that makes money from its excellent academy. Occasionally, a Luke Shaw or two will pop up to slot into the side. Maybe JWP is going to show us that he's more than capable himself, this season..?
I think JWP can and will score goals. He has a poachers instinct for getting in the right lace. Massive plus for a midfielder.
Still think this is a massive year for him. Has to carve his place or someone else will be bought in and he will shift down a space. I hope he does it.
Watched him in one of the mid week cup games, last season. Stood out a mile, very impressed with him especially as he is only 18. Could be 'Paul Scholes' in the very near future. If we are going to push on to the top end of the table, then we will need to progress not only In the league games but all cup competitions.
Well I think he has done better than Morgan at that age. Not the range of passing admittedly, but he certainly dropped straight into the team, played well and didn't make me think "oh no" when selected. Morgan also started in the championship and James against Man city and Man Utd. I'm not saying he's as good as Morgan, just pointing out that he has done very well. Fran's comment above is great, is there a little something missing? I hope we keep him until he's 20/21 and I think he could have developed into something special and let that something develop.
May be misjudging him...perhaps his strength is in being ever reliable and not making mistakes. Very easy to fall into the trap of admiring flair players, then forgiving their errors. Btw..Are you going in for shorthand, FLT.
You must have typed that before I edited.... It's the problem of chubby fingers on a phone touch pad.... Yesterday I had to re-type my honest opinion of saints as I deleted it in error the first time.
One big thing is that Morgan and Lallana developed in lower leagues. If they were the same age as JWP now it is doubtful that they'd be playing.
Agreed. It is usually easier to blood youngsters lower down the pyramid and often more of a necessity.
I recall Jack Charlton's description of David Armstrong. "He's a really good player who doesn't fanny about" This was, I think, comparing him to Brooking who, as Cloughie said, floated like a butterfly and stung like one! Whenever I've seen JWP I've been impressed. He has this terrible habit of passing to members of his own team (bring back Jermaine Wright). He can handle himself as well too. Saw Baines clatter him at Everton last season and he simply shrugged it off and refused to hide. In terms of reliability, he reminds me of these tail end batsmen that Australia have discovered. The established players don't need to shield them as they can do the business. JWP has had some ordinary games, but I haven't seen him have a shocker. Yes, he'll struggle to make the team, but he won't be alone.
Rather interesting rj_02 that you asked that question immediately after my post! Are you trying to tell me something?
