Southampton 2-1 Tottenham: Premier League – Three Key Players

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Ralph Hasenhuettl, Manager of Southampton celebrates victory with James Ward-Prowse of Southampton after the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium on March 09, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Ralph Hasenhuettl, Manager of Southampton celebrates victory with James Ward-Prowse of Southampton after the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium on March 09, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 09: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton celebrates after scoring his teams second goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s Stadium on March 09, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 09: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton celebrates after scoring his teams second goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s Stadium on March 09, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

James Ward-Prowse

Can you be more in-form than James Ward-Prowse at the moment?  When he stepped up to take the free kick, did anyone believe it was not going in?  Ward-Prowse scored his 6th goal in 18 appearances this season and is at the peak of his game while his team needs him the most.

It is more than just the goal-scoring, Ward-Prowse’s fitness levels are impeccable. He is the midfielder joining the attack, and can consistently be seen recovering with intensity.  The technical ability, touch, and pace are arguably the best we have ever seen out of the Academy product, who is the largest contributor to Southampton’s recent form.

Ward-Prowse’s tactical understanding and adaptation should also be recognized.  He appeared to take a starting position against Tottenham, more a part of a front three than a centre-midfield three.  Then, in the second half, was asked to drop into Romeu’s role as two strikers were brought on, where he went on without a hitch.

The Southampton star was a no-brainer in this article after being left out last week.  As much as Ward-Prowse is a no-brainer when Ralph Hasenhuttl pencils in his starting eleven from here to the end of the season.