West Ham fans have been using the decision to loan James Ward-Prowse to Nottingham Forest as a stick with which to beat Julen Lopetegui.
West Ham loan ranger James Ward-Prowse was in action for Nottingham Forest in their 1-0 home defeat to Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Hammers and Tricky Trees were among the busiest clubs in the summer.
And there was still room for more deals on deadline day – including one big one between the two clubs themselves.
It had been on the cards for some months that Ward-Prowse could leave West Ham.
But interest from Nottingham Forest came late.
After 18 goal contributions last season, Julen Lopetegui’s decision to let Ward-Prowse leave for Forest has divided opinion among some Hammers fans.
But with Lucas Paqueta playing centrally, World Cup winner Guido Rodriguez already a fixture in the side after arriving from Real Betis, Edson Alvarez fundamental in midfield and Tomas Soucek ahead of him, it was clear Ward-Prowse was not going to play much.
Besides set-pieces, Ward-Prowse has seen his contribution in open play questioned since joining West Ham.
Throw in the fact the Hammers pushed to sign Carlos Soler from PSG and it’s no wonder Ward-Prowse was looking to seal a move elsewhere.
The Ward-Prowse to Nottingham Forest and Soler to West Ham deals were announced as straight loans.
Forest fans are saying the same thing about Ward-Prowse
It seems one club may end up regretting that more than the other.
Hammers fans have been divided on what the big issues are in their new-look team.
There is a definite lack of leadership and character.
West Ham have looked vulnerable at the back and lack guile in attack.
Many feel it is central midfield that is the major problem, though.
There is a distinct lack of chemistry and balance among Lopetegui’s hodge-podge of midfield options.
West Ham’s set pieces have also been poor so far. And that’s having an impact on results given it was one of the team’s biggest weapons last season.
For all the good business the Hammers did in the summer, one decision just didn’t make sense to supporters.
The loan of Ward-Prowse to Nottingham Forest.
Ward-Prowse was far from sensational in open play for the Hammers. But he contributed 18 goals and assists in his debut season.
He worked hard, was a good leader in the middle of the pitch and a consistent, reliable performer.
Many pundits – including Don Hutchison and Kevin Nolan – have questioned why Lopetegui would let Ward-Prowse go to replace him with the likes of Guido Rodriguez.
Yesterday Gareth Bale named Ward-Prowse as the best free-kick taker in Premier League history.
That made Lopetegui’s decision to let him leave look somewhat ridiculous.
But Nottingham Forest fans are already saying the same thing about Ward-Prowse and it proves West Ham right.
West Ham and Lopetegui proved right?
After a disappointing draw at Brentford, many Hammers fans are using Ward-Prowse as a stick to beat the manager with.
Ask Forest fans, though, and it seems Lopetegui knows exactly what he is doing.
Nottingham Forest lost 1-0 at home to Fulham on Saturday.
Ward-Prowse was subbed off.
And it is fair to say Forest fans have been far from impressed by what they’ve seen from him so far.
Ward-Prowse has been described as a ‘sideways passing merchant’ by one Nottingham Forest fan.
It’s been said that the West Ham-owned midfielder ‘hasn’t got a creative bone in his body’.
In response one West Ham fan noted ‘that didn’t take long’. While another said ‘glad you’ve seen it too’.
Here’s a selection of reactions to Ward-Prowse’s performances from Nottingham Forest fans – and a few responses from Hammers supporters – which prove Lopetegui probably made the right call.
‘Not a creative bone in his body’
Football data experts WhoScored gave Ward-Prowse a 6.4/10 rating for his performance against Fulham.
Last season at West Ham he averaged a rating of 6.99/10.
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