The BBC Football daily podcast has been broadcast with a claret and blue tinge, with two former Hammers’ Skippers giving their verdict on last weekend’s Premier League games.
Nigel Reo-Coker and Kevin Nolan are both well qualified to comment on all things West Ham with over 320 Hammers’ caps between them, plus of course Nolan’s four years as an assistant coach under David Moyes.
Interesting, then, to hear Kevin Nolan’s comments regarding the Summer’s comings and goings, and in particular his opinion on the loaning out of James Ward Prowse to Nottingham Forest. Ward-Prowse arrived at London Stadium just a year ago as a David Moyes marquee purchase for £30 million and had a pretty decent first year: 53 appearances, seven goals and eleven assists.
Nolan ‘surprised’ to see James Ward Prowse leave
Nolan commented on Ward Prowse’s move, and his new loan club Nottingham Forest getting such a good result against Liverpool: (25.05 mins):
“I must admit I’m very surprised that West Ham let him go. I get that Julen wants to bring in his own players but James Ward-Prowse is one of those players who never does anything wrong. He makes the correct decision and just gets the game. His set-pieces are phenomenal.”
Being Moyes assistant, Nolan was always going to support those players recruited during his regime: Interesting to hear his opinion and veiled criticism of Lopetegui’s decision regarding the Hammers’ midfielder leaving on deadline day.
We all have our own opinions on Ward-Prowse but we will only know further into the season whether Carlos Soler is an upgrade: after a 20 minute cameo it is too soon to make a judgement. What is clear is that Ward-Prowse has hit the ground running for Nottingham Forest: Maybe he has a point to prove to coach Lopetegui: Certainly to Kevin Nolan he doesn’t.
Not a very useful comment re J.W.P.
CUBBIE I will remind you later in the season re your assessment of him .
It is hardly surprising that Nolan was not kept on if his comments reflect his ability as a coach . Ward Prowse is a very expensive luxury who gets away with being a one trick pony. He contributes zero in defence or in quick transition and is painfully slow . He delivers the occasional good set piece but so do others in the team and he never came close to scoring from the free kicks . Indeed he wasted most of them . Unfortunately it seems Forest have no obligation to buy so he will end up back at the Hammers next season once he is found out again when Forests early form dissipates . .
One of the biggest problems last year was the lack of energy in midfield – this was made worse by playing both Soucek and JWP (the latter to provide the set pieces for the former)
Now we have Alvarez, Rodrigues and Paqueta with Soler waiting – so I think that JWP wasn’t going to get much time – so I think his departure on loan can be understood
It’d be interesting to see his stats for us last season. From the games I watched his set pieces didn’t seem phenomenal at all really
Good morning Martin.
Correction to Nigel’s surname needs to be made.
thank you, autocorrect strikes again.. glad you’re paying attention!