austsaint

One of the differences between Roy Hodgson's assessment of JWP and those who have seen each of his 24 appearances for Saints this season is that Roy's hype doesn't measure up with what we have seen him do on the pitch. As for Faz' claim about JWP being head and shoulders over Harry Reed....we will see; Reed has the goods to be a better DM than JWP has as an AM, the only position he has a chance of performing in. Reed's played a handful of games; JWP has nearly 70 appearances. This debate needs to be revisited in a year or two.

Amid all the gloom and teeth gnashing one thing we have to be grateful for is the continuing quality of our "back 6". One particular moment involving Bertrand covering for Toby who had been nutmegged inside the box (McCarthy?) remains one of the highlights for me. I was worried about how Kelvin would go but he really didn't have a save to make and he had little chance with the goal.

For someone who cops a lot of stick, you make a lot of sense. If we'd only paid 4-5 mill for him and weren't relying on him quite so much lately, this thread probably wouldn't have come up.

Yeah, it feels a bit like that doesn't it.

We are missing S. Davis; JWP has done some nice things, Vic terrific, Eli has to come off for Mane and Tadic and Djiricuc must be in the frame. Nothing going on down our left side, Coleman has controlled everything.

He really is a clinical striker. And why did Man U let Welbeck go?

They've been good today, Arsenal.

How do you include Ward-Prowse on current form? How do you not include Mane on current form? Has he been late for lunch again?

Your summary may not appeal to those who want this lad to be as good as they hope - but your analysis is right. JWP is certainly a confident, self-promoting type, but he doesn't have the game to bring it off. I wonder what Harry Reed thinks about the fuss being made about JWP compared to his low key profile. The irony is Reed has enough qualities to go much further in the game.

Yes. I wish he was our back up rather than Kelvin for the last 8 games. Paid a high price for that game where a tame shot managed to elude him into the net....was it against Arsenal?

The thing is, when talking about comparing players like K. Jones, Walcott, Sadio etc., there's really no need to add the term "mixed race" to describe someone like Theo. If you want to point out detail of family background then West Indian parent and UK parent (for eg) will do, or Sengalese or West Indian. The comparing of Mane's playing style to people like Camara and Walcott is a good debating point but who gives a ****e about their biological origins.

Fair enough. One of us is going to look like a bit of a goose, yet I'm sure you don't think the gingernut is a mug player, nor do I see the Prowse lad as a complete plodder.

The thing I find most perplexing about this "debate" concerning JWP - is he a star in the making or a bit of a plodder, is the amount of coverage, comment and opinion the young man attracts compared to someone like our own Harry Reed. My own assessment is that Reed has the attributes and qualities already to convince me he will go further in the game than Prowsey, (just like I thought Chambers would a couple of years back). By the way, that was a very well taken goal by JWP for England 21's during the week. Let's hope he goes on a run of goals.

I think he is easily as good as Lallana. One part of his game that gets overlooked is his ability to deliver penetrating passes and assists - he really is a winger, striker and AM rolled into one, though 10 is probably his best spot.

Well he's too polite to be smashing any other type of door.

Thank goodness you are not the Manager. Did you see the game against Burnley?

Nothing about Hodgson inspires confidence. He just looks like an old man going through the motions, enjoying the comfortable, well paid position of England Manager.

Mane wasn't poor, far from it and Long wasn't magnificent! Second half performance was so much better with the introduction of Wanyama crucial. Thought Bertrand, Steve Davis, Morgan were great for most of the game - Vic very influential after the break; Long was busy and involved and much praise for Kelvin to come on and hold up the dangerous first half Burnley spell - whether he's up to the role until season's end is very debatable.

Think we need him - the back four looking exposed. Should probably be 2-2; well done Kelvin.

Looks like Artur will be returning to St Marys next season - for one game!

There really is a strong case for giving Roy the gold watch and wishing him well. If it's him who thinks JWP is good enough to play for England then maybe hold the watch and just wish him farewell.

Just the same I am worried a big Club is going to come in for Sadio. He really has a special factor about his game, and he's 22! We have to keep hold of him.

There is definitely a worry that a "big" club will recognise the talent of Sadio and lure him away. I would say he has doubled his value already. He really is a striker/attacking mid-fielder and winger rolled into one. Quite apart from his attacking runs on Sunday, some of his one touch passing and distribution was superb.

Would be a good destination for Morgan. What a game he had on Sunday - the way he covered the LB space for Bertrand if RB had tracked into attack was superb, keeping the dangerous Willian under control. Will remain a Saints legend long after his departure.

You have to admire the people who defend young Prowsey, week in, week out, pointing to his youth, technical ability, potential, dead ball delivery and the promise of so much to come in the future with a Captain's armband for England the glittering prize. Then you remind yourself of what you've mostly seen of him on the pitch in the last two or three seasons and the conclusion is something quite different. The lad's limitations leap out at you; lack of pace, slowness of decision making, no left foot to speak of; safety first passing, inability to advance with the ball or beat an opponent, defensively poor. It will be interesting to see how much longer RK and co. persist with the JWP project. If I was Harry Reed (yes I know they play a different style of game) I'd be tearing my short red hair out - the difference in opportunity these two have been given is bemusing - I can see the coaching staff's assessment of the side's best 18 players changing eventually to include players like Reed or even Hesketh at the expense of JWP. Hugely disappointing for a likeable young lad who continues to fall short of the required standards many have predicted for him.