After their recent setback in the Europa League against SC Freiburg, West Ham United faced Burnley, a team struggling to find their footing in the Premier League after a challenging season. The match, anticipated to be straightforward for the Hammers, ended in a surprising 2-2 draw, with Burnley fighting hard and nearly causing an upset at the London Stadium. The game saw goals from David Fofana and an own goal by Konstantinos Mavropanos for Burnley, countered by Lucas Paqueta and a late equalizer from Danny Ings for West Ham. This result leaves Burnley 11 points from safety and West Ham in the seventh position.
James Ward-Prowse, who moved to West Ham from Southampton, found himself under scrutiny for his lackluster performance in this match. Despite beginning his tenure at West Ham promisingly, his performance against Burnley was notably subdued, culminating in his substitution at halftime. The critique was especially vocal on West Ham News on X, expressing disappointment over his impact on the game.
The criticism of Ward-Prowse stemmed from his inability to secure a single ground duel during his time on the pitch, highlighting a significant shortfall in midfield battles that West Ham needed to win. While some may argue that the critique was severe given the overall circumstances, it serves as a reminder of the high expectations placed on him following his move.
Looking ahead, Ward-Prowse has an immediate opportunity to redeem himself in the upcoming Europa League match against Freiburg. Whether he will be given a chance to start after being substituted at halftime remains uncertain. However, his fresher legs might provide him with the edge needed to contribute effectively in midfield for West Ham.
