A player who for a 17 year old at the start of the season has had a remarkable start to his Saints League career

In 2011/12 James made his debut for the club still a week short of his 17th birthday & looked the part even though a youthful Saints team went out of the competition, he followed that up in the January by scoring the equaliser in the FA Cup tie at Coventry, but that was his sole contribution to that season, not getting his chance to make his league debut.

That came though in suprising circumstances, on the opening weekend of the the season, Ward-Prowse was preferred in the centre of midfield to new signing Steven Davis who was also joined on the bench by Rickie Lambert, again Jamie looked the part  and played over an hour of the game, he was on the bench for the Wigan game but played the full 90 minutes against Man Utd at St Mary's and again at Arsenal, but there would only be one other start for JWP, that being at Everton in October and for the rest of the season he was very much a fringe player being seen as one for the future rather than the finished article, it didnt help his cause that the midfield was jam packed with seasoned players in front of him and he found himself fifth choice for one of the central three positions.

After October things went a little quiet for him, but as we turned into the new year he started to get himself back into the picture, firstly coming on as sub on new years day against Arsenal and following that up with a number of appearances off the bench usually around the 10 -15 minute mark in duration, but also a very good 30 minute stint in the home win against Chelsea, not to mention his impact when coming on against Sunderland when he crossed the ball for Jason Puncheon's goal. In short when JWP came on as sub, it was rarely a minute or two cameo to run down the clock, he usually came on at a vital time of the game to add fresh legs and help close it out. 

Many forget just how young JWP actually is, only turning 18 in November, im sure that this time last year he would have been very pleased if he had been told in this season he would start 4 Premier League games as well as another 11 appearances off the bench, the problem he has now though is breaking through to that next level with so many in front of him in the pecking order and next season I would think that it would be something similar in terms of appearances furthering his football education, gaining that little bit more experience and readying himself to establish himself in the first team, as I said he is till young and most players arent truly ready to blossom till they reach 20, so I expect 2014/15 to be his season, although I wouldnt be surprised is it was next.

So more of the same next year, I cant see the benefit of a loan spell for James, he is getting that experience here on the fringe of the first team and in his case that will be better here than elsewhere, anyway he is a valuable member of the squad whose contribution is vital.

James signed a five year deal in Novemeber on his 18th birthday which perhaps shows that he is considered the long term of the club, within the next two years I think we will see him mature and blossom into a great player.

So 7/10 for James, a good contribution in what was a season of taking steps forward for him, if he continues to do that at the right pace, then it can only benefit Saints.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters