Let’s be honest here. Most West Ham fans — myself included — were relieved to see James Ward-Prowse dropped from the first team.
Nothing against him personally, but he appeared to be something of a teacher’s pet under Graham Potter, keeping the likes of Mateus Fernandes glued to the bench. His removal from regular first-team duties was an easy early win for incoming manager Nuno Espírito Santo, who quickly took Ward-Prowse — and Tomáš Souček — out of the starting XI.
However, unlike Souček, Ward-Prowse was not simply benched. He was removed from the squad altogether. That feels far more significant, particularly when you consider the former Southampton midfielder had been part of Potter’s leadership group and remains one of the most popular figures around the training ground.
That is what makes recent reports all the more uncomfortable.
James Ward Prowse has not been treated well by Nuno according to todays reports
Ward-Prowse Marginalised at Rush Green
According to a report published today by The Athletic, Ward-Prowse has been marginalised to an extraordinary extent since Nuno’s arrival — to the point where he has reportedly been excluded from parts of training.
In a piece titled Ward-Prowse’s West Ham Exile, The Athletic describe the situation bluntly:
“When James Ward-Prowse arrives at West Ham’s training hub in Rush Green, he does so knowing he will have no involvement in certain sessions. They do not train together until there is an 11-v-11 but, at this point, JWP trains alone”
Unnecessary Punishment for a Popular Player
This comes at a time when stories of unrest at Rush Green are becoming increasingly common. Nuno is said to have had multiple fall-outs with players, with morale described as being at an all-time low. Most of these rumours do not make it into the pages of Claret & Hugh because, frankly, they are difficult to substantiate.
But there is an old saying: there is no smoke without fire — and right now, there is a lot of smoke coming from multiple directions.
Let’s be clear. A manager has a job to do, and personally, I do not think Ward-Prowse should be in the team. But to exclude him entirely when morale is already fragile feels like an unnecessary own goal.
There are ways of dealing with people, and it is hard to see what benefit there is in publicly sidelining someone who is popular in the dressing room. Hopefully, Ward-Prowse secures a move soon, because this does not feel like a fair way to treat a good professional — no matter how limited his performances may have been.
JWP, while not our best player, has always been lauded as a top professional. I always rated him above the likes of Guido Rodriguez and Andy Irving he was also a big help to the likes of Bowen and Souchek in the senior player leadership department. So to treat him the way Nuno has treated him is not right in my opinion.
Can you imagine a 30mln assett( whether you think he worth it or not) being completely excluded in any other business . What ever Nunos reasons surely he has to be answerable to board as to why? It’s disgraceful treatment of a top professional.
As said, it’s another one where it’s completely unnecessary, if true.
If he were out publicly saying the manager is useless and he wants to leave and things like that then, sure, isolate him in training or make him train with the kids. But just because Nuno doesn’t see him as part of his plans there’s no need to treat him like that.
From what I’ve read on him then (as mentioned) he’s apparently pretty popular in the dressing room so surely all it does is risk creating a divide when we’re needing everyone pulling together. Another day, another doozy, I guess.
Now I know why players are paid millions for doing something so incredibly enjoyable as playing football – it’s for having to put up with today’s useless football managers.
If JWP leaves in the window I wish him the best of luck
If he doesn’t leave in the window then he may well outlast Nuno – and who knows could even be a valuable captain in the Championship
COYI
It must be strange for someone who absolutely ruled Southampton and to banish someone from the squad is definitely personal rather than tactical. He was a Moyes signing and did well for him (11 assists and 6 goals I think) but subsequent managers have struggled to get the best out of him. He doesn’t look like a negative influence
Completely agree.
This is a grudge against Prowse which was continued from Forest.
Another case of accepting him on loan and then not using him.
Similar pattern to other whu managers.
It’s not as if there is a winning formula without Prowse.
With luck he’ll get a transfer and add to Nuno’s very restricted band of merry men.
merry men? Are you sure now? 😊
just being clever; have a good one.
3 words BAD MANAGEMENT Decision
I would imagine his team mates will not be impressed by his treatment. It is not necessary
JWP is silently showing tremendous character and why he was a captain, am fairly certain there will have been no interest in him because people won’t have a clue if he is match fit because he isn’t in the main training and isn’t playing. Best we could do if someone was interested is loan him out, or terminate contract by mutual agreement. Doubt he will go for that though as he is on a high salary, the board should lay the law down to Nuno and insist he is part of training even if he won’t be part of the match day squads otherwise their asset is going to sink without trace at a high cost.
Really well said mate
definitely agree board should intervene. WHU is a football club and that includes everyone.
Get him back on the bench, if not in the starting 11