Today we look at a player who seems to have been in the first team for an eternity, yet is still only 21, I am of course referring to James Ward Prowse.

James Ward Prowse or JWP as we shall refer to him as to save an hours typing on this article is one of those home grown players who perhaps does not get the recognition he deserves due to that very fact.

The problem for JWP is that he made his debut at 17 and has spent all of the time since in the first team spotlight, his has meant that supporters don't really notice how much he has come on in the four full seasons since. They cannot see the difference between his performances in the past and the standard now.

If he had signed from a Championship club last summer we would be waxing lyrical about what a gem we have for the future, but as he has been playing for us all that time there is the opinion that he has not quite made the leap forward that he should have in four years.

Whilst I can understand the thinking behind that opinion, I have to say it isn't quite true, there are few players at 21 who have played as many Premier League games as James nor who are first team regulars.

Therefore this has been another very good season for James, he started only 14 games in the Premier League, but came on as sub in another 19, this shows what a vital cog he is in the Saints squad.

When you look at the strength in depth Saints had in the midfield areas, it emphasises just how Ronald Koeman rates him.

The modern game is about the squad and not the team and Saints did not earn sixth place by not haing strength in depth and JWP was part of that.

Having said all this he is now at a crucial stage of his development, he cannot be a promising youngster all of his career, he is Premier standard, but he now has to kick on and truly become the talent he has promised to be.

That means taking the game by the scruff of the neck more, scoring more goals and getting that arrogance that all truly great players possess.

It is great that he has signed a new long term deal, he is coveted more by other teams than he is his own fans it seems, the club have shown faith in him and he now has to use that faith to give him the confidence that he is now a true first team player on merit and not just making up the numbers.

That also means finding his true position, at the moment he can play in several, but where is his best, perhaps his future lies in sitting in front of a holding two in the centre of midfield, this would make sense as he can take the ball forward and hit killer passes that is for sure, however there has been talk that sitting deeper might be better, picking up the ball and using it to move it forward quickly.

This again could be his calling, he has the ability to hit long range passes with vision and accuracy from deep lying positions.

So a good season for JWP, hopefully he will take another great leap forward next season and I would like to see him start 19 games plus 14 off the bench rather than the other way round.

Watch What Nick, Clive & Freddie Give James Ward Prowse By Clicking On The Video Link Below.

Photo: Action Images

saintsnutcase added 11:31 - May 31 It is really tough to get into our midfield, so we need to take that into account. But I do not think he impacts enough games -- look at his very low figures for goals scored and assists. Also, he severely lacks pace. He clearly has a lot of talent on the ball, and did well in the Toulon tournament, when he might have found his best position. I think he has a great attitude, and hope he can still make it as a top Premiership player, but he did not make any real progress last season.

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perazi added 11:53 - May 31 Nick I acknowledge that my assessment of JWP's value to Saints may have become negatively entrenched over the last four seasons because frankly, I can't see that he's improved his game much in that time apart from corners and free kicks. I think he will continue to struggle because he lacks the speed, strength, trickery, guile and attacking instincts you see in other young English midfielders like Ali, Dier, Barkley, Redmond etc. Far from his home grown status working against him being recognised, I'd argue his academy background, Englishness and photogenic appearance have afforded him more opportunities and recognition than he has earned through performance. As for taking the ball forward and hitting killer passes, I can mostly only see a "water carrier" style of midfielder with a tidy, safe range of passing, leaving to others to do something with the ball in dangerous areas. We would agree on thing with JWP though - if his next season for Saints meanders along in the way that most of his 100 plus appearances have gone then surely some re-evaluation of his likely development as a promising must take place. By the way, who are these other teams who covet JWP? I

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davepid added 12:07 - May 31 A success from the Cortesse years! Seriously, thanks for your player reviews. Brilliant thought provoking series.
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simmo400 added 06:30 - Jun 1 JWP has had a good career so far, for a player who has no pace, no shot, and no ariel ability good luck to him.
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vanmans added 19:46 - Jun 1 JWP has to be the most over rated Saints player ever. As simmo400 said he has no pace, no shot, and no aerial ability. His corners and free kicks are also rubbish. Get rid of.
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