Arsenal have learned to their cost how fast the football tide can turn. In August, Lopetegui decided on his ‘discards’ and shipped sever ever presents off on loan to make way for his own imports. Soler and Rodriguez arrived on the last day of the window as West Ham’s own Cornet, Ward-Prowse and Aguerd were summarily dispatched to clubs far and wide. No matter their reputation or value 12 months past- Ward Prowse was a £30 million signing just a year earlier.
Back at London Stadium after ‘Forest and West Ham agreed to terminate his loan spell, Ward-Prowse suddenly found himself back in the starting eleven and part of the team who took three points away from The Emirates in a memorable 0 – 1 Hammers victory.
Labelled by the mirror.co.uk as “West Ham’s forgotten man “- and there have been a few of them in recent seasons – Ward Prowse is now ‘revitalised under Graham Potter’.
By his own admission, James Ward-Prowse suggested it needed a big combination of hard work and luck to achieve the win:
“To win at Arsenal you need to have a good game plan, you need to have lads willing to do the ‘dirty’ work and you need a bit of luck. and I think we had all three of those elements”
The visual takeaway of Ward-Prowse being out-sprinted to the half way line by Arsenal’s keeper David Raya for the ball in the closing minute was denied to MOTD fans in their highlights package – but speed is not what Ward Prowse is about, however much ribbing he gets in the dressing room as a result. West Ham’s latest forgotten man is now back for another shot. Not before time.
JWP had just run several miles giving everything for the cause. How far had the goalkeeper had to run?
your persistent sideways snide remarks at J. W. P.’S expense really shows you up TREASURE . if you covered 15 x the distance than the opposition goalkeeper towards the end of a match , how would you feel . KNACKERED ? that’s of course if you ever played football .
Thought it was a mistake loaning him out in the first place & happy he’s back, adds organisation to the midfield.
Thought it was a mistake loaning him out in the first place & happy he’s back, adds organisation to the midfield.
I have to admit that I wasn’t sad to see JWP go out on loan in the summer. With the promise of the incoming Soler and Rodriguez I thought it was a wise move.
However, after seeing how those players have performed and how dysfunctional our midfield has looked for large parts of this season, I have to say I’m glad he has returned.
We have been crying out all season for a midfielder who can get his foot in the ball and keep possession ticking over. JWP certainly offers that. He does the sensible things well. In addition to his set-piece threat.
Sometimes it’s nice to be completely wrong!
Add me to the list who got it wrong. Not the future, perhaps. but JWP always put in a shift.