Jamie Ward - Hit or Miss?

[Alf-engelos Mindminackers]

It's not about whether he's good or not, it's about whether said fan gets what he's in the squad for.

What he's in the squad for - getting under the opposition's skin, stifling their effectiveness, providing a competant (if unspectacular) attacking option - he's fine at and at 10/wk on a free a great signing.

Similar to Tudgay, Blackstock, McKenna, Morgan etc, too many fans want him to be something else without realizing how much they's have to pay for that, and what we'd also lose in the process.

For the job he's here to do, Ward's fine.

 

[Rzar]

He's better than Burke but not better than Mendes. Which makes him a good squad player. His aggression and willingness to take on players/try things will be beneficial over a season.

 

[Zydol]

He was brought in to play just of the striker, or wide attacking midfielder and hes scored Nil, not only that he doesn't look like scoring anytime soon - Poor signing

 

[Matt]

It's not about whether he's good or not, it's about whether said fan gets what he's in the squad for.

What he's in the squad for - getting under the opposition's skin, stifling their effectiveness, providing a competant (if unspectacular) attacking option - he's fine at and at 10/wk on a free a great signing.

Similar to Tudgay, Blackstock, McKenna, Morgan etc, too many fans want him to be something else without realizing how much they's have to pay for that, and what we'd also lose in the process.

For the job he's here to do, Ward's fine.

Agree with that completely. He's not a bad player, he's a player as someone else said who works best as part of a team that performs.

And I haven't been/seen enough games to completely judge his tracking back but on the occasions I've seen him I thought he was alright covering Pinillos and getting back quickly.

 

[GaribaldiReds]

One more journeyman added to a team of journeymen when we are crying out for players who have skill and intelligence.

Merry Christmas.

 

[Cortez the Killer]

He's okay. I don't regret signing him. However I still think Chris Burke is a better crosser and might benefit someone like O'Grady or Blackstock in the centre.

 

[Danga]

It's not about whether he's good or not, it's about whether said fan gets what he's in the squad for.

What he's in the squad for - getting under the opposition's skin, stifling their effectiveness, providing a competant (if unspectacular) attacking option - he's fine at and at 10/wk on a free a great signing.

Similar to Tudgay, Blackstock, McKenna, Morgan etc, too many fans want him to be something else without realizing how much they's have to pay for that, and what we'd also lose in the process.

For the job he's here to do, Ward's fine.

^^ This ^^

I think we look a better team when Jamie Ward is in the side.

The most ridiculous comment on here so far is that he doesn't track back, I really do doubt what some people are watching.

Good signing, free, 10k per week.

 

[UndisclosedFee]

Well those praising Burke and saying he's the much better player are some of the ones saying we should get rid of him so we'll ignore that!

As for Jamie Ward, yes the stats don't look great, but it's his overall presence that has been a factor in our team, his passion just ups the tempo and helps us perform better. We've created so many chances this season, and all chances have to start somewhere, and a lot of the time he's involved with the play.

I think a lot of people get caught up in stats, for example if David Vaughan plays a killer ball through to Oliveira and he shoots, misses and O'Grady fires in the rebound, despite it being Vaughan who made the precision through ball, he wouldn't be credited with the assist.

The 'Key Pass' is often ignored. I suspect that Vaughan has made a few of those, though some may have been spurned by the strikers.

I think that Ward is capable of more, judging by how much of a thorn in our side he was for Derby. He is a good squad player, for me.

 

[Trickie Trees]

^^ This ^^

I think we look a better team when Jamie Ward is in the side.

The most ridiculous comment on here so far is that he doesn't track back, I really do doubt what some people are watching.

Good signing, free, 10k per week.

I think he spat in mouldy's pint. He really doesn't like him.

 

[Castus]

If he spent more time focusing on football rather than diving and cheating he might be half a player. No clearer sign of how poor he is than people using ' he winds up the opposition' as a something at the top of praise top trump card.

 

[Cortez the Killer]

Like a faster, more skillful Robbie Savage.

 

[Barry]

Like a faster, more skillful Randy Savage.

Ohhhhh yeahhhhhh!

 

[bullittboy]

He costs the club less than £10k per week. What were people expecting?

Gets in the oppositions faces, grafts, plays for the team.

He can only score goals if the opportunities are presented.

He can only make goals if we play further up the pitch, as a team.

Hit, in my opinion.

 

[valspoodle]

It's a squad game, the manager sees him every day at training as well as match days, so I go with the opinion of the manager. After all, it's his job if it goes tits up.

 

[BryanRoy22]

I think a lot of people get caught up in stats, for example if David Vaughan plays a killer ball through to Oliveira and he shoots, misses and O'Grady fires in the rebound, despite it being Vaughan who made the precision through ball, he wouldn't be credited with the assist.

It's a good point. Sometimes the player who plays the pass before the assist rarely gets the credit, however it might have been all their work that created an opening.

Similarly, if they make a run (or a dummy run) that opens up a gap that allows another player to move into, it all helps the team in an attacking sense, however only the 'goal' and 'assist' are noted as significant contributions.

Jamie Ward does a lot of donkey work off the ball that is required at this level. His game isn't based on skill or finishing but he works very hard. For what he contributes as a team player and bringing a different dimension, I'm alright with it.

 

[DizzyBala]

He did tend to score a few for Derby though, I can't put my finger on why it's not happened for him so far. Not like he's been in and out of the team really either.

 

[BryanRoy22]

He did tend to score a few for Derby though, I can't put my finger on why it's not happened for him so far. Not like he's been in and out of the team really either.

I don't think he always played as an orthodox winger for them. More in a roaming role as I remember he'd be running all over the park. Also took penalties.

 

[Strummer]

For the sheep, he played usually off of a striker or as the right-side of a "three".

As noted he also took spot kicks as well.

 

[Rhods]

He's a typical example of us signing a player who is past his best due to age or injury (see also Chris Burke, Fox, Hobbs)

He's fine as a squad player and ok for an average Championship side, but I suspect we are paying well over the odds on his wages.

I'd rather we gave Ollie Burke some game time instead.

 

[siforest65]

A grafter who will give 100% when he crosses that white line. Not the most spectacular player but does make a difference. Past his best but still a decent signing I reckon.

 

[adam09]

I'd rather we still had McGugan or Paterson than Chris Burke or Jamie Ward but I'm not a professional football manager so who am I to argue with the outstanding contributions they've made to our goals and assists columns.

For me, next season Oliver Burke needs to be getting substantial game time. We need to not expect too much of him but do need to get him involved and learning and gaining in experience in forming partnerships and understandings on the pitch and about opposition at this level of football. If he's good enough he will succeed but we won't find out with him just being on the bench every now and then which will stunt his development.

 

[Trickie Trees]

I'd rather we still had McGugan or Paterson than Chris Burke or Jamie Ward but I'm not a professional football manager so who am I to argue with the outstanding contributions they've made to our goals and assists columns.

For me, next season Oliver Burke needs to be getting substantial game time. We need to not expect too much of him but do need to get him involved and learning and gaining in experience in forming partnerships and understandings on the pitch and about opposition at this level of football. If he's good enough he will succeed but we won't find out with him just being on the bench every now and then which will stunt his development.

These youngsters need to go out on loan. Burke, Walker and Grant will only learn by playing week in week out against men. I don't think they will get that at Forest at the moment.

 

[Carlos]

He's a typical example of us signing a player who is past his best due to age or injury (see also Chris Burke, Fox, Hobbs)

He's fine as a squad player and ok for an average Championship side, but I suspect we are paying well over the odds on his wages.

I'd rather we gave Ollie Burke some game time instead.

I'd argue we probably aren't paying over the odds considering legally we can't.

 

[Tutts]

I'd argue we probably aren't paying over the odds considering legally we can't.

Based on the reports at the time we are. A player approaching 30 coming off of some pretty bad injuries wouldn't get a 4 year deal. He wanted £20k a week and a two year deal - we offered £10k a week for 4 to get round the rules.

 

[Psycho's Dragon]

There might be a hidden bonus in that if he's still worth something in 2 year's time we don't have to let him go on a free. Where as if he was on a 2 year contract it'd be 20K a week and could leave on a free. If he does end up being in the shop window at euro 2016 it might be a nice bit of business.