Many West Ham fans are experiencing first and second-hand embarrassment over James Ward-Prowse which proves Nottingham Forest right.
History has been rewritten somewhat when it comes to James Ward-Prowse and West Ham.
There has been much talk that Hammers fans could not believe Julen Lopetegui shipped Ward-Prowse out on loan to Nottingham Forest.
The midfielder had weighed in with a combined 18 goals and assists in his debut season with the Hammers.
So Lopetegui’s decision to let Ward-Prowse leave for Forest did divide opinion among some fans and observers at the time.
But Ward-Prowse’s contribution in open play and lack of dynamism had many supporters feeling West Ham were right to move on and send him to Nottingham Forest.
West Ham get rude awakening over Ward-Prowse delusions
After all the Hammers were spending big revamping their team and West Ham have a history of failing to upgrade the team in the right areas at the right time – holding on to players for far too long.
With Carlos Soler and Guido Rodriguez being signed to add to Lucas Paqueta, Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez, the suggestion was that Ward-Prowse was not going to play much under Lopetegui.
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Some felt it was worth keeping Ward-Prowse around for his set-pieces. But in typical West Ham fashion, he has been on the club’s books for nearly two years and is yet to score from a free-kick.
‘Only West Ham’ as many lifelong Hammers would attest.
Ward-Prowse was a complete flop at Nottingham Forest.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
He made less than a handful of starts and ended up struggling to make the matchday squad.
Forest fans were highly critical of Ward-Prowse – with some labelling him a sideways passing merchant and Championship player.
It showed just how bad things have been at West Ham been that Ward-Prowse’s return – following the early mutual termination of his dismal Forest loan – was celebrated as a major positive by Hammers fans.
You could hardly blame them given what had been served up this season.
And with the benefit of hindsight, there is a justifiable argument that Ward-Prowse offers a lot more than the likes of Rodriguez.
Nottingham Forest proven right over Ward-Prowse
That pedestal has always looked questionable to most West Ham fans who realise the hodge, podge, immobile midfield that is weighing their team down like an anchor needs to be completely ripped up.
Now West Ham have been given a rude awakening over Ward-Prowse as Nottingham Forest proven right.
Graham Potter said he was baffled by Lopetegui’s decision to let Ward-Prowse go to the City Ground.
Bringing him back was one of his first orders of business.
The Athletic claim that internally, letting Ward-Prowse leave was viewed as a mistake.
“Ward-Prowse is likeable and a valuable presence behind the scenes. The 30-year-old is part of Potter’s plans for the foreseeable future,” Roshane Thomas says.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Well if that’s the case then the future won’t be very bright.
Ahead of the game against Wolves, Ward-Prowse claimed his loan flop at Nottingham Forest was one of the best things that has happened to him in his career.
His rationale being that it lit a fire in his belly again.
While nobody is questioning Ward-Prowse’s dedication, professionalism and work ethic, the reality is he just does not bring enough to the table for a team which, ultimately, needs to get back to competing for Europe.
Ward-Prowse, with 3/10, was one of West Ham’s worst players at Molineux, putting in a 3/10 display.
The fanfare around having him back has been proved ridiculously over the top. The harsh truth is Ward-Prowse looked like a Championship player up against Wolves’ young, hungry midfield. And this is Wolves we are talking about here, the only team separating the Hammers from the relegation zone.
The 30-year-old was not helped by Potter’s tactics which left him isolated in midfield. But when he was subbed off in the second half it wasn’t a minute too soon.
Take one look at Forest and what they are doing this season.
Hammers must move on if they want Europe again
Many feel that should be West Ham up there playing swashbuckling football, taking advantage of so many of the so-called elite falling way below expectations.
But they quickly realised Ward-Prowse wasn’t going to fit into their exciting side and moved on accordingly.
If Potter and West Ham are serious about getting back to competing for Europe then they must do the same this summer.
When West Ham played Southampton towards the end of the Europa Conference League winning season, speculation was rife Declan Rice would be leaving and that Ward-Prowse was one of the players David Moyes wanted to replace him.
In the game Rice completely ran over Ward-Prowse. It was men against boys as Rice made him look like the Championship player Forest fans said he was.
The fact of the matter is Ward-Prowse – as good a pro and person he unquestionably is – should be nothing more than a squad player at a club like West Ham. At best.
If the Hammers have the chance to make some money back on him and reinvest in a pacy, powerful box-to-box midfielder then they simply have to take it.