This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…
Amidst Southampton’s terrible campaign so far, one man is receiving more backlash than others – James Ward-Prowse.
The long-serving academy graduate – who has been in the first-team since 2011 – firstly looked like he could be a casualty of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s 4-2-2-2 formation given his lack of pace and previously ineffective showings.
Then, Southampton fans on Twitter took aim at their No.16 for a terrible performance in the 4-1 defeat to Chelsea.
After that, the most recent bout of ill-feeling towards the 25-year-old came when some Southampton fans were shocked to see him in the starting XI against Manchester City on Saturday as a result of his consistently drab performances.
However, Ward-Prowse truly silenced the doubters in emphatic fashion with an all-action showing at the Etihad Stadium.
The two-cap England international helped Southampton take a shock lead against the reigning champions, following in from Stuart Armstong’s shot to prod home after Ederson failed to keep the ball in his grasp.
As well as his goal, Ward-Prowse was heavily involved in numerous areas in what was truly a busy afternoon’s work from the midfielder.
He won three tackles, made three interceptions and also contributed a whopping seven clearances, while also making two blocks.
Aside from such fine defensive work, Ward-Prowse completed one dribble and drew two fouls on a day where he was unlucky to be on the losing side.
Evidently, his monstrous efforts weren’t enough to take any points back to the south coast from Manchester, although it wasn’t for the want of trying from this heavily criticised figure, who responded to his doubters in the best way possible.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men remain in the Premier League relegation zone with eight points from their opening 11 games, but the players proved against City that they are better than their 9-0 loss to Leicester suggested.
No player epitomised that more against the Citizens than Ward-Prowse.
