James Ward Prowse
The 28 year old cut a frustrated figure as he chatted through Monday’s 4-3 defeat at a sodden City Ground, Nottingham Forest.
Ward-Prowse converted an added-time penalty after having set up Lyanco with a corner-kick delivery at the start of the second half but Saints could not salvage a result.
The defeat leaves them eight points adrift of safety with only nine more to play for – relegation could be confirmed as early as this weekend.
Ward-Prowse, who admitted he does not know where his future lies next season as he told the Daily Echo his focus is on the remaining games, assessed how the club have reached rock bottom.
James Ward Prowse said: “Ultimately it is players on the pitch that reflect where the club is. But we all know the changes that happened at the start of the season have had an impact. They have had an impact going into the season in terms of where we are as a group with the players we lost and the players we brought in.”
Saints doubled down on their policy of signing talented young players to replace experienced leavers such as Fraser Forster, Oriol Romeu and Nathan Redmond.
The St Mary’s side have been beaten by one goal in all but one of their meetings versus relegation rivals in 2023, just not exhibiting enough to get over the line in key moments.
They have also suffered definitive physical breakdowns in young players such as Romeo Lavia, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Juan Larios and Tino Livramento over the last 13 months.
James Ward Prowse said: “Of course, the young players we have brought in are going to have fantastic futures and we are all hoping that they will do. But equally the players that we lost and the experience that we lost in the dressing room, and not just on the pitch, did take an effect and has led us to where we are now. We gave away two sloppy goals, pulled a goal back and to concede four goals says a lot about where we are as a team. We know the situation we find ourselves in. It is not over until it is over. I don’t think it is any different to the previous weeks. We know we have to take maximum points now and hope results go the right way. That is our focus going forwards now.”
Ward-Prowse also addressed some interesting full-time scenes at City Ground after the defeat, which saw Saints players standing rooted to the spot staring blankly back at their supporters. Many of the travelling contingent applauded their players while others made their feelings known with a season in the Championship next campaign almost a guarantee.
James Ward-Prowse said: “There was a lot of frustration. As players you feel the responsibility of why the club is where it is. Decisions can be made off the pitch about personnel or managers but ultimately it is you as players going out to deliver on the pitch in those fine moments. We all know the fine margins of the Premier League. Right from day one of pre-season we have not done that as a club. Not just the players, but as a club and that is why we are where we are.”
