Having come through the Staplewood Academy ranks, midfielder James Ward-Prowse has long been highly rated at the club, but it’s not unfair to say in recent seasons he saw his early promise stall.
There are a few reasons for that and individual fans will have their own favourite pick, whether it be manager preference or JWP had to show further improvement to name just two. Under new manager Ralph Hasenhuttl though, the 24-year-old has definitely found a second lease of life at the club, and he now has four goals to his name since the turn of 2019.
With the midweek victory over Fulham at St Mary’s Stadium seeing him grab the second goal of the night to secure all three points from the game as we moved back out of the relegation places, JWP credited the gaffer for his recent improvements as he feels he’s now being played in a way that more suits his strengths.
Speaking to saintsfc, he explained.
“It’s nice to get on the scoresheet. I think that’s the way I feel at the moment, I’ve got the confidence that the manager has given me and I’m playing in my natural position. I’m getting forward and I’ve got a licence to do that under the new manager. I’m enjoying the run and hopefully there’s more to come before the end of the season. He wants to play quick, direct, attacking football and I was a little bit more advanced tonight, so I knew I had to get into the box. I was anticipating Redmond to score with his quality but the keeper has made a save and I’ve just tried to be a bit of a striker and get a poacher’s finish.”
On to Manchester United with a bit of renewed hope.
