Ward Prowse takes aim at Nuno after ‘bizarre’ West Ham freeze-out

James Ward-Prowse’s fall from grace at West Ham United was swift: Moyes’ £30 million acquisition became a mainstay of the starting eleven and subsequently Graham Potter’s first name on the team sheet.

Yet no sooner had Potter been sacked and Nuno Espírito Santo arrived than Ward Prowse’s West Ham career was effectively over.

Nineteen appearances under Nuno’s predecessor and thirty four starts under Moyes mattered for nothing as the Portuguese manager called ‘time’ on his future and subsequently sold him back whence he came for around £800,000.

Some twenty nine million down on his purchase price just two years before.

And in todays Sun.co.uk, Ward-Prowse barely conceals the disappointment he still feels at what he sees as the inept way his fall from grace was explained to him:

“It was a bizarre feeling to be cast away. It took time to get my head around that..

Asked if Nuno in particular was honest with him during his tumultuous spell away, Ward-Prowse admitted the lack of communication hurt — but refused to sulk.

“I came away from a difficult situation where things weren’t explained to me well enough, unfortunately.

“But I left with my head held high with how I handled it — and that was out of respect to the club and the fans.”

(But not to the manager, evidently). Ouch.

Always ready to train, Ward-Prowse actually looked to be heading towards being back in favour when he started appearing in pre-season games this summer – all of which came to nothing as Nuno ditched him mercilessly.

No lid-lifting on truth behind those ‘baldy’ comments, then, but a clear sense of grievance  as to how his fall from grace was never fully explained to him.

All of which leaves him in a far better place this season than before, back at a club where he’s universally adored and respected. And good luck to him.

Just as long as he doesn’t bang in a free kick on 24th when Southampton come to London Stadium. But don’t bet against it.