07 Aug 2015 21:48:18
Im proud of our academy, and really like the look of our up and coming players. But no matter how hard I try, the only one I can't back/praise is JWP. This may be surprising as most of my friends disagree with me but I feel like he has so much to improve to be first team material. He is not fit enough (can't make runs for a full 90) not strong enough, or fast enough, which you'd think a youth player would be, or have a good turn of speed at least, and JWP has neither. His set pieces is what keeps the praise about him around, but he doesn't challenge the goal keeper on free kicks, his set pieces are 50/50 whether they hit the spot, and his corners rarely beat the first man. I've tried to support him but he's a player which if a prem team came in for, for 10 mill, I wouldn't say no.

1.) 07 Aug 2015
07 Aug 2015 23:27:59
Some would agree with you, but I'm sorry, I don't. The kid is still only 20 - an age when most pro players haven't played a game at the top level.

To say that a youth player would be fast is quite frankly extremely bizarre. What does age have to do with speed, or strength? Some kids his age will have the pace, but many won't.

JWP is being tracked by several top top sides, and as I mentioned a few days ago on here has been tipped recently as having more potential that Stirling - not quite sure I agree with that one, but there are top pro's out there with far more experience than you or I that rate JWP very highly.

2.) 08 Aug 2015
08 Aug 2015 00:22:05
The lads at the club already have enough to deal with, being unsettled by the press 24/7, they don't need people turning backs on them with the season not starting yet. I mean, he's 20 ffs, not 28. it's not like he won't improve. Give the lad some time and get off his back.

3.) 08 Aug 2015
08 Aug 2015 00:40:26
Jwp needs to step his game up ten fold since poch left and he signed his new 5yr deal .his free kicks have been non existent and corners the same.and with regards to pace and speed you are fast from start or you just ain't never going to be fast,name a player that was slow at the start of his career then at the age of 28 became speedy Gonzales.i agree that you get more powerful if u was already a strong player but that is just improving wot u already have through training .
And in truth I can only think he had the quality and has still got it but he never ups his game .

4.) 08 Aug 2015
08 Aug 2015 02:07:01
the amount of absolutely clueless fans on here has reached tipping point. only 20 and nearly 100 games. but hey what does the best club in the country when it comes to young players, know about young players.

5.) 08 Aug 2015
08 Aug 2015 02:12:20
seems like JWP will be the scapegoat this season then?

6.) 08 Aug 2015
08 Aug 2015 06:22:59
Too many fifa fans on here. "He's not fast or strong so he's rubbish"
nail on the esso, CLUELESS fans!!

7.) 08 Aug 2015
08 Aug 2015 10:46:20
Possibly people hold too high expectations, shame really, we are one of the few clubs in the EPL who follows and instills the philosophy of giving youth a CHANCE and this is good not only for the Saints but also English football.
Regards to JWP he is progressing and developing (possibly not at the pace everyone would wish/want) but let's not forget he did have an injury last season that put him out of action for some time. If JWP is so bad why is he picked for the England under 21 squad?

8.) 08 Aug 2015
08 Aug 2015 12:56:11
People need to remember that the lad is only 20 years old. Give him time and he will come good. What were you doing at 20. Certainly not playing football in the hardest league in the world

9.) 08 Aug 2015
08 Aug 2015 21:10:33
hes not a flashy player and what he does do goes largely unnoticed. his attitude is absolutely perfect and is a role model to all the youth players. his quality of passing is 1st to none out of any english PL player atm, bold claim yes. u21 captain v germany, scored the winner. the free kick v brazil. was it 5 assits in 4 games last season after his broken foot? why always attack the weakest area of his game, tackling?

10.) 08 Aug 2015
08 Aug 2015 21:21:16
Beckham was pretty pacey, wasn't he!LOL

If you have the skill, you do not need to be able to outsprint everyone else.

11.) 22 Aug 2015
22 Aug 2015 20:53:21
Ok, I guess maybe I was being too harsh assessing his strengths/weaknesses, considering he is only 20 years old. I apologise. But my main point I was trying to make is that he has played a lot for us at such a young age, nearly 100 caps, but he has yet to truly improve. He has always been decent at set pieces but his physical game has stayed the same. i'm not saying he needs to be as fast as Walcott and Bale, but he needs to have at least a turn of pace to beat a player. Yes I agree he is young and has time to improve, and I hope I'm wrong that there is more to come from him, but from what I've seen, as a home and away supporter, he really needs to step up.