I PRACTISED THAT FREE-KICK IN MUM AND DAD’S GARDEN ... I FELT LIKE A KID AGAIN!
Jamie Redknapp meets James Ward-Prowse
THE likes of David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo have lit up Old Trafford with some stunning free-kicks in recent years. Last week, though, the famous ground was silenced by Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse as he stepped up to curl the ball past David de Gea and haul his side level against Manchester United.
Jamie Redknapp caught up with the in-form 24-year-old this week. As someone who knows a thing or two about free-kicks himself, it is no surprise where the conversation started…
REDKNAPP: We’ve got to talk about that free-kick. I was about to go on air at West Ham and was watching on a screen with Kevin Nolan. When you stood over it, I said to him, ‘He scores’. Was that the best one you’ve ever hit?
WARD-PROWSE: It was. Most of the ones I have hit well have been for the England Under 21s. It was going to take something special to do it at Old Trafford against De Gea. I said to Ryan Bertrand at the time, these are the ones that as a kid I have practised in mum and dad’s garden — scoring in the World Cup final or big games for your club. I felt like a kid again.
REDKNAPP: When I was growing up, we had a bird table in our garden. I had to hit it a certain number of times before I could go in for dinner. Did you do anything like that? WARD-PROWSE: I was more worried about trying to get the dog off the grass so I could practise in peace! I was scared of the old man’s greenhouse at the back of the garden. I had to pop round to his house to collect the balls. He wasn’t too happy about that! REDKNAPP: I like your technique, the way you quickly get your left foot out of the way. Was Beckham a big influence? WARD-PROWSE: He was. Beckham winds his arm back and that helps me get the ball up and over as quickly as I can. I jump up and skip over the ball which helps me to dip it down the other side. REDKNAPP: Do you have a routine?
WARD-PROWSE: I normally bounce the ball twice. I don’t know why — it’s just a habit. Then it’s just four steps back, feel comfortable, then pick your spot.
REDKNAPP: A colleague of mine saw you out in Tenerife during Southampton’s recent training camp. He watched you train and said you were out for ages afterwards practising free-kicks. How much time do you spend working on them?
WARD-PROWSE: As much time as I can. I would say twice a week on direct free-kicks. The games are so hard and physical that you have to be careful, but we know when to practise and when not to. I’ll be excited going to sleep knowing I can practise the next day. I don’t hit many. I’d rather take three in training and put pressure on them than take 20. You only get one chance in a game if you are lucky so I have to put it away.
REDKNAPP: There is nothing worse than someone trying to take a free-kick off you. It’s hard enough trying to focus as it is! Does anyone try to take the ball off you?
WARD-PROWSE: Hopefully I’ve settled a few doubters among the lads now. Ryan will hopefully just accept that I’ll take it. Nathan Redmond likes to get involved as well. I’ll brush him aside now. I’ve got the bragging rights for another week at least!
REDKNAPP: Nah… you’ve got five games’ grace now.
WARD-PROWSE: I’ll take five! REDKNAPP: You are in great form under Ralph Hasenhuttl. What has changed for you personally?
WARD-PROWSE: It’s the first time I’ve had a manager who is brutally honest about me. Good and bad things. He has told me I need to win more tackles if I want to play in midfield. Not to go and smash people but to be aggressive.
REDKNAPP: I had that levelled at me, ‘ You don’t tackle enough’. Sometimes you have to have that nasty streak. How have you gone about changing that?
WARD-PROWSE: We have a really detailed way of playing without the ball now. It requires a lot of running and physical work which thankfully I’m good at.
The manager showed me clips of teams he has worked at before and told me what he expects of a No 6 or a No 8. A lot of the goals we have scored have come from tackling high up the pitch. My goal against Everton was similar to that. It’s just about learning.
REDKNAPP: My dad always used to say to me that when things aren’t going well, just go flying into a tackle. It’s amazing how that can lift you and the crowd.
WARD-PROWSE: I had one the other day against Fulham. I’ve
got a bit of a sore back from it even now! Those moments get me up for the game. Just by making a tackle or a good pressing run, the stadium lifts and we are on the front foot. It’s not just me — all the lads are winning more tackles. You get a buzz off that. REDKNAPP: Who is the toughest player you’ve faced? WARD-PROWSE: Paul Pogba was good the other day. REDKNAPP: You left a bit on him. What did he say after that? WARD- PROWSE: Nothing! I remember facing Paul Scholes in my third Premier League appearance. He came on when we were 2-1 up and changed the game. His passing, his decision-making — you couldn’t get near him. REDKNAPP: You have had seven managers at Southampton and were in and out of the team under Mark Hughes. Who do you look to in the low moments? WARD-PROWSE: When Mark Hughes came in, there was optimism that things would change for the better. I got a couple of games here and there but I didn’t feel he really liked me that much. It was my worst six months in terms of productivity on the pitch, but the best off it. My girlfriend gave birth to our first son, Oscar, in the summer. That took so much pressure off me. When I go out to play now I don’t think it’s the be all and end all. I’ve got something greater than football at home. If I had a bad game I’d dwell on it and not be in a good mood. Now I don’t have time for that. I’ve got to be a good role model for him. Hopefully when he looks back on the early months of his life I can show him the goals I scored. REDKNAPP: I’ve heard you’re a keen golfer. Who’s in your fourball? WARD-PROWSE: Steven Davis when he was here, Shane Long, a few of the staff play. I’ve not played with Charlie Austin yet. REDKNAPP: I can just imagine Charlie having a scruffy swing. I don’t know why…
WARD-PROWSE: I wouldn’t judge him before I’ve played with him! He played in a fourball ahead of me in pre-season once and didn’t look bad. REDKNAPP: People are talking about England. You have worked with Gareth Southgate and were Under 21 captain. Do you think, ‘I’ve got a real chance’?
WARD-PROWSE: A while back I wasn’t even thinking about it. I was just making sure I could get in the squad here. It’s been a big turnaround but if I keep performing well, hopefully that call will come.
REDKNAPP: Has Gareth been in touch? WARD-PROWSE: Not yet! Hopefully he does but we’ll have to see. It’s a tough squad to get into and I’ve just got to be ready if it comes.
REDKNAPP: Having been in the squad before, was it difficult watching the World Cup?
WARD-PROWSE: It’s a weird one as a player. When you are close to getting in the squad but don’t quite make it, you’re watching with delight. England are doing well, but you are frustrated, too.
REDKNAPP: A professional jealousy… WARD-PROWSE: Yes. You want to be there making the nation proud. That gave me real determination to get back in the squad. You’ve played for Gareth before, you want to be in it but you just have to wait for the chance and be ready.
REDKNAPP: You’re playing Tottenham today and in midfield you’ll be up against Eric Dier, someone who has been in the squad for a long time. Is there an extra challenge when you face an England player?
WARD-PROWSE: There is. He’s been my room-mate for quite a few of the trips with the Under 21s. I know him quite well. But as soon as the whistle blows that goes out of the window. It’s a game I think we can win. Spurs have played in midweek and if we give ourselves good energy at the start we can get on top of them and create some pressure.
REDKNAPP: I can’t wait to see you take another free-kick.
WARD-PROWSE: Yes, I’ve had a taste of what it’s like to score at Old Trafford and I’m excited for the next one.
REDKNAPP: You’ll have goalkeepers guessing now. Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris will be thinking, ‘He’s going to go this way…’ WARD-PROWSE: I’m not going to give too much away! I’ve not watched his clips yet, but a lot of it is just how you feel in the game. Hopefully I’ll send him the wrong way. James Ward-Prowse and Jamie Redknapp were in conversation with JAMES RESTALL