James Ward-Prowse names Danny Ings ‘heart and soul’ of West Ham United dressing room
James Ward-Prowse has revealed that former Southampton teammate Danny Ings is the “heart and soul” of the West Ham dressing room.
Speaking to the Hammers’ social media team (24 August), the free-kick maestro claimed that he is “buzzing” to be reunited with the striker as he is a positive presence in the dressing room.
Ward-Prowse has got his Hammers career off to a good start after clinching two assists as West Ham beat Chelsea 3-1, with Ings seemingly a significant factor in his seamless squad integration.
Speaking to the West Ham social media team, Ward-Prowse said: “Yeah, buzzing to be back with him. He’s a great player, first and foremost. But what a guy as well.
“A character. He never fails to make you laugh. He’s kind of the heart and soul of any changing room I’ve been in, so I’ll say I’m buzzing to be back with him.”
Friends
When moving to a new club, it would certainly help if there were one or two familiar faces to help you settle in.
Ward-Prowse seems to have found the perfect man to make him feel right at home in Stratford following his £30million move from the Saints earlier this summer.
Ings has been far from a mainstay for the Hammers in recent weeks and has played just 12 minutes (plus stoppage time) of Premier League football in the opening fixtures this season.
He has also only made two starts in West Ham’s last 12 Premier League matches, with Michail Antonio often preferred by David Moyes.
However, his lack of game time does not seem to be getting the former Liverpool man’s spirits down, according to Ward-Prowse. It can be very important for players across the squad, whether they’re regular starters or rotation players, to have good relationships and even strong friendships.
Players can have a real impact behind the scenes, and if Ings has been a significant factor in Ward-Prowse’s setting into the Hammers side and finding his feet, then West Ham fans will surely appreciate the 31-year-old.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers could enter a bidding war to secure a highly-rated Colombian League prospect amid Premier League interest.