Priorities everywhere with a limited budget. Welcome to life at West Ham, Graham Potter. No sooner had the head coach taken to the dugout than three Hammers limped off. Fullkrug is likely finished for the season, to all intents and purposes. Summerville hopefully not so, who along with Mavropanos could be back shortly.
But it makes the case for looking again at players already in the current employment of West Ham who can be recalled – Lopetegui’s loan decisions made in August- all need to be revisited by the new coaching regime.
The absolute, stand-out, must – fix cock up from the summer is the James Ward-Prowse loan to Nottingham Forest. Arguments can come and go as to whether Ward-Prowse was ever worth the £30 million, that isn’t the point. The whole question now is ‘does he make West Ham’s midfield stronger’ and the answer to that is a resounding ‘yes’.
Indeed, as reported in Nottingham Forest news (“Graham Potter could be about to make huge West Ham decision on Nottingham Forest loanee James Ward-Prowse”) – West Ham fans could not argue that the squad would be stronger for his recall: It would allow Rodriguez to leave, at which there’d be a universal sigh of relief. Bringing Potts and Earthy, too, lest I forget the dynamic duo of Hammers youngsters, would further strengthen the squad and regular readers will know I have been banging on about them for weeks too.
Forest have hardly utilised Ward-Prowse since his red card and as per our earlier discussion with Claret and Hugh’s source in December, the possibility exists, if both clubs agree, to end his loan.
Strengthening the squad’s midfield depth at zero cost to the club will also allow the financial resources to be fully utilised on buying a striker. And that, until the summer, will likely have to suffice.
Fullkrug’s three months-plus hamstring injury means improving the pace in the midfield is likely second priority now.
It doesn’t make us stronger
What for a corner
For a free kick
Would be what he is at Forrest
A squad player nothing more
What about Irvine had blinding pre season
Interesting stats from whoscored.com West Ham have only scored 7 goals from set pieces this season, plus 12 coming from open play plus 3 penalties. In 2023/24 season James Ward-Prowse scored 7 goals and contributed joint highest number of assists in our Premiership games with 7 plus 4 assists in the Europa League. Definitely a good idea to recall him from loan if both teams agree plus bring back Earthy and Potts. Ollie Scarles is also excellent on set pieces which we lack due to Bowen’s injury and hope he gets another start tomorrow night.
Before the whole world starts speculating about recalling JWP, maybe those who keep suggesting or reporting this as an option should check the small print to see if its actually possible. From my understanding, both teams have to agree, not just West Ham deciding they want to terminate the loan because they want him back. In reality, if forest don’t agree to terminate then the loan situation stays as it is. If Forest want to keep him there as cover to the end of the season, then they are perfectly entitled to do so. Maybe you have different information to me Martin, but I’m quite sure mine is accurate.
Just re-read it on a big screen instead of my phone and realised you had already mentioned that in your article Martin. Sorry, I do apologise 🤷😇
no problem., I do it all the time…
Can’t see a problem really. Someone check the figures but I roughly counted 14 or 15 goals/assists last year. And he’s properly English. No acting and diving
I give you Jack Grealish little Englander
Great call John. Whoscored.com show JWP scored 7 goals plus 11 assists last season including 4 in the Europa Conference League so 100% agree. Let’s bring him back if we can plus Earthy and Potts.
Good call, Martin.
Not the total solution – but heading in a progressive direction.
I have always thought Soucek and Ward Prowse are luxury players – to be used like a American Football kickers. You bring them on in the last 15 minutes if a game as a last roll of the dice to score one goal. I would love us to sell them to Everton and become their problem. Come on Moysie put us out of our misery
Don’t think you can carry Soucek and JWP with their deficiencies in the same team unfortunately
JWP set pieces were ok, although I don’t remember him scoring from direct free kicks.
His pace, energy and overall influence on the game were less than spectacular.
…so it’s a wind-up? 🙄 you said what you said
sorry mate. accidental re-post 🙄
JWP hasn’t scored from a free kick since teams started deploying the “door snake” (bring back Pabloooooo!). the wall can jump as high as they like now. not a gifted player but 7 goals and 11 assists was pretty handy under Moyesies turgid tactics. he’s a free sub and yes, if we bring him back and get rid of pound-store Rodri we are a stronger side. easy
Sorry, but you are wrong on this one. Go back to last season and re-read all the articles and comments about him being too slow. It was the right decision to move hi. On just a shame it wasn’t a permanent deal
Nothing resounding about it, he’s a set piece merchant with no pace, no creativity outside set pieces. The only thing he improves is set pieces.
And it would be at a cost as I’m sure there would have to be some negotiation on the loan fee and of course his wages.
Let’s try get someone with a bit of pace, that’ll get stuck in and link play.
Honestly think a lot of the articles that get posted now are either a wind up or click bait.
ah ok, so if you don’t agree with it, its ‘click bait’.
Think you missed the “or” part of my comment mate.
…so it’s a wind-up? 🙄 you said what you said
So, we’re gonna have JWP and Soucek In midfield? That’s makes us stronger does it? lol.
I tend to agree with some of the other comments on JWP apart from dead ball situations he hardly strengthens the midfield. Forest don’t start him on a regular basis. On the other hand he gives 100% on the pitch.
Ward Prowse is not a world beater and maybe not a starter, but 100% he would make us stronger and we should recall him. He gives us quality set pieces, which we’ve missed all season until Scarles started the other day.
JWP would definitely make the midfield stronger he should never have been loaned out he may not light up the world when he plays but he’s solid a great dead ball player @ free kicks etc he gives his all he gives the team that edge that we seriously lack at the moment
Potts yes, but a rusty Ward Prowse-No.
In the press conference today Potter said Mavropanos is fit, Summerville is not serious and may be fit for tomorrow night.
Whoopee.
Mavro maybe fit.
JWP could be recalled from loan.
Thought we were looking for additional speed and a c/bk of robust quality.
Beggars can’t be choosers comes to mind.
Apart from corners and free kicks what does Ward Prowse add? He isn’t defensive, isn’t creative or skillful and not particularly fit or mobile. A side passer for dead ball deliveries is a bit of a luxury in an ineffective midfield. On balance he may add more than Rodriguez but notmuch?
No two ways about it.
West Ham looked a stronger outfit with JWP in the squad/rotation.
Some complain he’s a bit lightweight and gets out-hustled, but few players offer his dead ball prowess?