By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Whilst there hasn’t been a whole lot for West Ham fans to sink their teeth into during pre-season, one of the more interesting redemption arcs has been that of James Ward-Prowse.
It would be fair to say that over the last two friendlies against Stevenage and Rangers, Ward-Prowse has probably been the Hammers’ best overall player. Quite a shift from his previous position as an outcast following an alleged fallout with manager Nuno Espírito Santo, who apparently didn’t appreciate the midfielder referring to him as “Baldie”.
Back in from the cold
Quite why the 31-year-old has been welcomed back is anyone’s guess. Perhaps it’s simply pragmatism on Nuno’s part, given that West Ham don’t currently have a squad equipped for a hectic Championship season.
That said, I think there’s a little more to it than that.
If it was merely a case of integrating experienced players and bulking up the numbers, then a case could easily have been made for either Freddy Potts or Lewis Orford to start ahead of Ward-Prowse. But that’s not been the case.
It appears that, as Espírito Santo begins to build something resembling his strongest XI ahead of the Carabao Cup opener against Portsmouth, Ward-Prowse is very much part of the manager’s thinking.
Championship football could suit him
There were certainly plenty of us who became frustrated with Graham Potter’s continued selection of Ward-Prowse last season. But that was as much to do with Potter’s reluctance to play Mateus Fernandes as it was with Ward-Prowse himself.
At Championship level, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Ward-Prowse turned out to be one of West Ham’s better, more consistent and reliable performers.
So don’t be surprised if we witness a complete turnaround in his fortunes over the coming months.
It’s entirely possible that he goes from Hammers outcast to one of Nuno’s most trusted lieutenants.
2 seasons ago Potts and Earthy were impressing in the Championship with their loan sides. Now we are there, it seems they won’t get much of a look in. Not against JWP being in the squad but hope Nuno gets the blend right. Plenty of speed, physicality and creativity required.
Sorry Gonzo I don’t see it, he has been a little more forward facing than before but playing in a couple of slow paced friendlies is different to the actual league. I think it will be a matter of 90 minutes before people are calling for him to be axed for good and by the look of the performance on Sunday and the defensive set up they will be calling for Nuno’s head also
Ward Prowse may have something to offer whu.
Unfortunately the lacking pace is not going to be available from him.
Nuno needs to smell the coffee and listen to Bowen who recognises need to replace Summerville and Fernandes.
Creativity and motivation can’t rely on academy players.
Need to drop ambition and get in good championship players (forget premiership grade) they can come later.
Build squad that can give you 60pts in January which might lead to premier league players in January.
Nuno needs to get to a position where he’s not worrying about his job in December.
Bad management Should have been in the side months ago May well have been enough to keep us up
Pleased to see some mentions of West Ham focusing on Premiership players on loan, surely this is a better way to go than risking millions on them or championship players and once we are up then we will be an attractive option for decent players again!
I really hope not, sideways and backwards will not be any more acceptable or beneficial in the Championship than it was on the Premiership, give him back to Southampton and pay them for the privilege of we have to. Barely made a mark at Burnley in a team about half as good as ours .
Well if that is the case he will have to put in more effort and play the ball forward more!
OMG … Kilman as well. We are doomed .
What a joke it is that we will either have him playing as a left sided midfielder or winger, or we will end up with the joy of him and sioucek plodding around in the middle of the park offering very little in terms of ball carrying, pace, drive or anything else that would see us play front foot football. This really makes me realise how bad the club is and if you are right and he does play a big role there’s no way we are getting anywhere near the top of the league.