Southampton 2017/18 season review: James Ward-Prowse
By Marc Walker
For a spell of 2017/18, it looked as though James Ward-Prowse was going to claim a role in Southampton’s starting 11 for good.
However, his playing time and influence during the last two months of the campaign dwindled somewhat as other Southampton players had more effect on the performances of the team.
It cannot be denied though that this was another year of slow progress for Ward-Prowse, who looked to be the man for Saints to look to for creativity over the middle part of the season.
His four goals during 2017/18 equalled his best season return in a Southampton shirt, and he almost managed to match his goal involvement of nine with 2016/17 after collating four assists too.
With Saints not being in the Europa League, his number of appearances dropped from 43 to 33 and he would operate in a range of positions over the course of the season.
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Ward-Prowse’s main position when playing over the last two terms has been at Right-Midfield, where he can use his crossing ability to find attacking teammates early in behind as well as provide defensive support for Right-Back Cedric.
However, he was also utilised as a number 10 and a Central-Midfielder under Mauricio Pellegrino but looked uncomfortable in those roles.
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A new side to the England international seemed to appear in this season though. He looked assured in front of goal as we saw him score a brace against Watford, the winner in the FA Cup at Fulham and a free-kick at West Brom.
His strike at the Hawthorns in the morale boosting 3-2 Premier League win in February was the last time he would get on the score-sheet though. This was a particular shame as Saints fans perhaps thought this could be his defining spell in the red and white.
As a player to come through the ranks at Southampton’s youth academy, Ward-Prowse always has a close affiliation with the St Mary’s faithful. Despite this, they are still waiting for him to blossom into the player that he could be for the club.
He isn’t a player of potential anymore at 23-years-old, so he needs to turn recent progress into stamping his authority on a role in the team.
He started out as a Central-Midfielder, but now seems more capable of influencing out wide. If he still wants a central role, his positioning needs to improve a lot to make up for a lack of pace. In many ways, being a set-piece or crossing specialist just isn’t enough anymore.
This will also be needed for him to break into the England senior set-up as a wide-midfielder like him will not be desired at that level.
For that reason, 2018/19 must be the season for him to make great strides and not just steady steps.