SAINTS star James Ward-Prowse has insisted his side must not “become dependent” on his free-kick goals, after the captain’s stunning effort rescued a point at Leeds United. The 27-year-old scored his 13th direct free-kick in the Premier League to equalise shortly following the break, after Jack Harrison’s opener in the 1-1 draw at Elland Road. Ward-Prowse moved within five of England icon David Beckham’s Premier League record, after the former Manchester United set-piece specialist netted 18. The effort versus Leeds was Ward-Prowse’s third of the season, after scoring from range at Crystal Palace and Wolves. They add to his total of seven goals in 28 matches this campaign.
James Ward-Prowse said: “Expecting it? No. I feel very confident in my ability, routine, and practices I’ve done over the years. It’s more about composing myself and allowing myself to concentrate on the technique. When it was awarded I felt confident in my ability and thankfully it came off. I think it is a good weapon to have but we don’t want to become dependent on it. But I think it is a good strategy for us to have. The more free-kicks we win around the edge of the box, the better.”
Ward-Prowse is just one strike from equalling his best goals total in one Premier League season, after he scored eight last term – before missing out on the European Championship with the Three Lions.
James Ward-Prowse added: “Sitting down at the start of the season, I like to make targets. And for a midfielder to get maybe 10 goals a season is a good return, it’s a good contribution to the team. So of course, it would be nice to reach those targets and keep improving year on year. But I’d sacrifice that if it means we can break into the top 10 and finish the season well.”
The point at Leeds stopped a rot of three consecutive league defeats for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, after losses at St Mary’s to both Newcastle and relegation-threatened Watford. It keeps Saints within one point of ninth-place in the table, as the Austrian boss targets a first top-half finish of his tenure.
James Ward-Prowse said: “It feels like a new chapter in the season for us, coming off the international break. Nine games before today to finish strong and reach that goal of finishing in the top 10. We came to a really hostile atmosphere, the fans make it an incredible place to play a game of football. We rode our luck a little bit in the first half but we felt we were in the game at half-time and it was just a case of getting that chance and putting it away in the second half. That’s the maturity that we’ve gained this season. Coming here last season we lost 3-0 and we didn’t really manage the game well. To come away to a tough place and be a goal down, get back in it and not give any more points away I think was really important. I think it’s a good point when we look back at the end of the season and a good foundation now to go into the next few games.”
