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James Ward-Prowse has new lease of life thanks to what West Ham teammates told him about Graham Potter

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West Ham United head coach Graham Potter brought James Ward-Prowse back to the London Stadium on transfer deadline day earlier this month.

Ward-Prowse has already shared how excited he was on the day that Graham Potter was confirmed as the new Hammers head coach.

The 49-year-old has already made a big impact at West Ham, and James Ward-Prowse being back has definitely contributed to the feel-good factor returning to the London Stadium.

The 30-year-old had his loan deal with Nottingham Forest mutually terminated on transfer deadline day

And the Hammers owners are believed to have admitted behind the scenes that they made a big mistake by letting him leave.

West Ham United FC v Brentford FC - Premier League
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

At least they atoned for that error by forcing the issue and bringing him back to the club.

Now the only way is up for Ward-Prowse, his teammates and Potter of course.

James Ward-Prowse has a new lease of life at West Ham

The former Southampton star bagged 18 goals and assists for the Hammers during his debut campaign at the club last season.

However, after he was bizarrely let go by Julen Lopetegui, he struggled for regular action with Forest.

He made just 10 appearances for the Tricky Trees, for a total of 483 minutes of action.

It seemed like his career was drifting away into obscurity, until he returned to the London Stadium that is.

Ward-Prowse suits Potter’s system perfectly, what with his impressive passing ability, incredible work ethic and leadership traits.

His ability from dead-ball situations and wealth of experience should make a big difference for us over the next 12 months or so, when Potter embarks on a big squad overhaul.

West Ham United FC v Brentford FC - Premier League
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images

It took everyone by shock when he returned to the Hammers on deadline day. However, he clearly knew that it was always a possibility.

What West Ham players told Ward-Prowse about Potter

The 30-year-old is clearly over the moon to be back at the London Stadium.

And he lifted the lid about what his teammates were telling him about Potter on the day he was named the new Irons boss, as quoted by WHUFC.com:

I spoke to a few of the lads when he first came in and they all gave him a lot of praise.

Had the Hammers players not been so complimentary about Potter, there’s a real chance that Ward-Prowse would not have returned to the London Stadium on transfer deadline day.

I absolutely love the fact that the West Ham players all seem to have bought into what Graham Potter wants, James Ward-Prowse included of course.

That in itself is a major difference from Julen Lopetegui’s ill-fated time in East London.