West Ham United suffered a demoralising 3-2 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion yesterday, leaving the Hammers in 17th place on the Premier League table.
The Irons bounced back from a goal down before two late goals from Brighton turned the game on its head, leaving West Ham manager Graham Potter utterly frustrated.
West Ham were down by half-time, and the former Chelsea boss rang the changes, taking off midfielder James Ward-Prowse following his underwhelming showing in the engine room.
The change seemed to work before the dying minute capitulation.
However, it is telling that in the first 45 where many West Ham players did not deliver, Ward-Prowse was the man who got hooked.
Ward-Prowse was guilty of letting the game pass him by. He could not take control of proceedings and was not physically strong enough to impose himself against the Seagulls.
While he completed 36/38 passes, most of them did nothing to unlock the West Ham defence. He won only one of his four ground duels and failed with his one attempted dribble.
West Ham must prioritise the midfield in the summer transfer window. The hierarchy must upgrade players like Ward-Prowse, who have struggled to make their mark in this shirt.
West Ham fans were up in arms when Julen Lopetegui let the 30-year-old leave for Nottingham Forest, but Lopetegui knew what he was doing. Ward-Prowse doesn’t move the needle.
West Ham must cut ties with James Ward-Prowse this summer – View
West Ham must ship Ward-Prowse off the books this summer after his underwhelming tenure in East London.
His passing stats may look tidy on paper, but they mask his lack of real influence on games.
Against Brighton, he was passive, lightweight, and invisible when the Hammers needed leadership and grit.
Ward-Prowse will not evolve into the dynamic force the West Ham midfield desperately needs. Clinging onto him would only delay the necessary rebuild.
The top brass must make tough decisions if the club is serious about climbing the Premier League table next season.
They should start by moving Ward-Prowse on and investing in more athletic, progressive midfielders.
(Stats from Sofascore)