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It takes a while for most players to settle into international football. Ward has been converted to full back in recent years but his performances have continued to improve at club level. He needs to bring that improvement to international football. Perhaps if he had have been blooded earlier in friendlies, he would have been well settled in by now.
Ward is improving and incrementally becoming a better player season by season. As you mention he started off getting booed by a section of Wolves "Supporters" following his transition to Left Wing, then Left Back a couple of seasons ago. However, his determination and willingness to learn has resulted in an absolute transition with the fans, so much so that having previously been the boo boys favourite dubbed "Son of Mick" I heard various remarks around me yesterday saying how he should be made Captain as "he's the only one who tries".
Even when we went to 1-1 and could have potentially toppled, he was the one taking the game to them with his marauding runs. I'm not saying that he is Paulo Maldini by any stretch of the imagination, however attack is the best form of defence and rather than getting beat by his first half performance, he had the strength of mind to fight on and provide a much better performance in the 2nd half. You could see the way that he ran into the fans and how well he was received by them to see how much the fans now love him. We appreciate that he is not the best left back in the world, however he is a good, intelligent, progressively improving footballer and his fight and determinantion are second to none (the latter of which is the most important thing to me when ever I see someone playing in an Ireland Shirt).
Also Paul, when you ask how long have we got to wait and see? - Ask yourself how many has he played in a settled defence considering we haven't played the same back 4 once in the last 5-6 games (this may not be completely accurate, however isn't far wrong). Also, it takes time to build partnerships with wingers on the flank.
Finally, it appears that we're giving a trial to Grahan Cummins of Cork City, so we might have another Irishman in the ranks. Does anybody know much about him? Or, think that he'd make the grade?
http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/co...-2927628.html?
I have to say the thing about Ward that most impressed me is his willingness to get on the ball. Particularly I remember when half the team appeared to be hiding against Slovakia, Ward continually offered Given an out ball and he more often than not drove forward with purpose. He didn't always use it brilliantly but he stood out compared to some more experienced players who didn't appear to want to know. Moreover Ward had a totally out of sorts McGeady in front of him that game.
And if my auntie had balls...Quote:
Originally Posted by drummerboy
He was blooded in friendlies. Don't think we really have the squad depth to give people 5/6 friendlies, he played in two and proved himself ready for a competitive game.Quote:
Originally Posted by drummerboy
You are focussed on people being right and being wrong, most things are guesswork at best, depending on a myriad of factors which you can't predict.Quote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
I don't know what you are on about McCarthy. He turned up, he wasn't good enough then, though he was given a tough ask. He didn't turn up after that and now he can barely get into the squad and no one is complaining that he should start ahead of the others. Simply, he is not good enough to start and nothing to do with Trap not liking his style of play or Trap's ultra conservative approach.
Paul may well be right (or wrong), and who knows how long it'll take. Anyone here interested in economic history (you should be given the state of the world!)? It reminds me of John Maynard Keynes' riposte to Hayek, who contended that if a laissez-faire approach is taken, the Great Depression will cure itself given long enough. Keynes replied "in the long run we're all dead".Quote:
Originally Posted by Manc Irish Wolf
Hayek would say that left in the side long enough Ward will be found out. Keynes would have said "the alternative is an even worse left back".
I think people should remember that Hunt won a penalty as well as gave away one.
1+-1=0.
Well he would have had a penalty if he had 'dived' anyway, but he should have had one anyway. Very rare to see such honesty in the game.
Secondly if it were not for Hunt Wolves would be in the Championship.
The also did a very nice back heel, something Wolves appear to have been practising!
Moses clattered into Hunt ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
That was Boyce...Quote:
Originally Posted by tricky_colour
Did I mention that Ward is the highest rated player on the Actim index at #46?
Well who whoever it was he needs to look where he is going!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by theworm2345
They've obviously got the list upside down.
Leave her alone Keynes, you bummer!Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
http://www.salmahayek.in/uploads/ima...ayek-img-1.jpg
thanks stu, best post ive seen on here!
Wow, she slipped into my mind when stutts mentioned that, but never would i have the time ah no been able to find that photo :D
Well done is right stu.
Stu - your cache of talent photos is difficult to top.
Can't say.. I've only seen Norwich highlights on MOTD and the like so haven't an informed opinion.... I haven't placed too much stock in his presence in a premiership side though cos it wasn't too long ago that the like of Geary spent a full season in the Premiership with Sheffield at left full and that didn't amount to much.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
Hopefully it'll bare fruit...
Interesting passage of play just now, Coleman with an excellent run down the right, beat Elokobi to get in to the box, cut it across and Cahill had a great chance but a great block for Ward (at right back?) to keep it 1-1. Coleman appears to be having a very good game, been watching more of the Stoke game.
Ward gave away a poor penalty at the end I hear. Hunt scored one.
I switched back just as they were showing the replays and the commentary was in Greek so I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I thought the foul was on Elokobi for the penalty, knocking someone over as a corner was being taken.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
just seen it now - it was 100% called against Elekobi for a non-existent push. BBC got it wrong in their text updates. So did the ref, terrible call for Wolves and McCarthy.
Yeah, didn't look a penalty but didn't get a great view of it.Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
The Irishmen at Stoke were similarly unlucky, Huth was hauled down by Barton in the box around the 90th minute and the ref just waived play on. Delap and Walters played the full 90 and Whelan came on late and went close with two opportunities in injury time.
http://watchhighlightsonline.blogspo...ights-and.html
Wolves highlights, nice peno from Hunt.
Bit difficult to make out who is who on the second penalty.
I think Ward clears one off the line at some point.
MOTD focused on Ward's on Saha for the peno. Didn't even notice Elokobi if it was him? Either way if it was for Ward, it was a soft give.Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
He made a very impressive goal saving block at one point. Everton dominated though.
Watched the whole game. Ward was the best player for Wolves - interestingly he played at right back for the last 30 mins. He saved one on the line which was immense. Doyle was off form if you ask me.
Was a very soft penalty but in fairness, Wolves were terrible. didnt really attack until the last 5 minutes so they got what they deserved in the end
by the way, i now think the penno was called against Ward. The FSW crew had changed their version of events by late last night. Either way, terrible decision from the ref.
A Wolves fan I know directed me towards this: Why Irish Eyes Will Be Smiling On Molineux
Quote:
Glancing at the Irish squad from their recent 5-1 play-off win against Estonia, our club is the most represented – not through current players, but also ones that have come about from the result of our excellent youth set-up. What was also interesting is that all five of the goals that Ireland scored against Estonia over the two legs, there was a Wolves part played in every one of them. Let’s cast an eye back over those two games to refresh.
Goal one – Ireland go 1-0 up in Estonia after just 13 minutes. Aiden McGeady chips in a cross for midfielder Keith Andrews to head in. Wolves link – Keith Andrews began his career with Wolves, working his way through the youth system before breaking into the first team. Eventually moved on to Hull, before spells with MK Dons, Premier League Blackburn, and now Ipswich.
Goal two – Jonathan Walters doubles the lead with his first international goal, heading in a Robbie Keane cross. Wolves link – An easy one. Robbie Keane is often regarded as one of the best players to ever come through the Wolves youth system. Sold for £6 million in 1999 to Coventry. Went on to play for a host of clubs over the continent, now turning out alongside David Beckham at LA Galaxy. Also the country’s leading goalscorer.
Goal three – Andrews’ 30-yard free-kick is deflected to the feet of Keane, he slots in to make it 3-0 to Ireland. Wolves link – The links from goals one and two make the third goal. The two products of the Wolves Academy combined, albeit unintentionally, to all-but kill off Estonia.
Goal four – Stephen Hunt is fouled in the area late on, allowing Keane to step up and confidently convert the penalty to seal the win. Wolves link – Keane again making the telling impact, but assisted from the work of current Wolves winger Hunt. Players of past and present seal the impressive 4-0 away win for the Irish.
Goal five – Fast-forward a few days and we find ourselves back in Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. With the tie realistically over as a contest, all Ireland need is a professional performance to deny Estonia any hope of an unlikely comeback. Step forward Stephen Ward, who fired in his second international goal from close range after Kevin Doyle had seen a header parried by the goalkeeper. Wolves link – Easiest of the bunch. The hard-working Wolves striker Doyle, regarded as one of the club’s most valuable assets, combining with jack-of-all-trades Ward, to open the scoring.
Doyle and Hunt both missing today for injury-ravaged Wolves. Spots on the bench for Ireland U19s Matt Doherty and Anthony Forde - the latter's first bench appearance if I'm correct.
Ward playing in midfield, and Wolves 1-0 down after 7 minutes.
theyre getting spanked but Ward has done alright compared to the rest of the Wolves. Had a decent chance from a good run into space that he dragged past the keeper and wide.
Forde comes on for the last 15.
Ward just missed another chance but it was tough and was a good save from Cech.
Great couple of minutes there. Wolves 1-0 down, Larsson drives at Craddock, goes down, and Dowd gives a penalty. Replays show Larsson with a shameful dive that actually started outside the box. Justice is done when Larsson takes a poor penalty that Hennessey saves low to his left. Wolves go down the pitch where Fletcher puts a great header past Westwood (got fingertips to it)...1-1.
Wolves 2-1 up now, again in contentious circumstances. Ball played in from the right, O'Hara knocks down for Fletcher who blasts past Westwood. Sunderland players are upset...Fletcher was clearly offside when the ball from the right was played but appeared to get back on for O'Hara's knock down. However, the ball came off O'Hara shoulder it appeared, about the same place as the Armenian keeper's.
It should be noted that this Wolves resurgence only occurred after Doyle and Hunt were hauled off for Ebanks-Blake and Hammill. Of course the story lines here are that Mick is a former Sunderland manager, Quinny is Sunderland chairmen (is at the match), etc.
Disappointed to see both Hunt and Doyle being subbed. I wonder has Doyle not really got back to his form since that injury?
Doyler dropped after getting the dreaded vote of confidence from McCarthy earlier today. Hunt and Ward start for Wolves with Forde on the bench again. Hoolahan and Tierney start for Norwich with Pilkington on the bench.
Brilliant football from Hoolahan and he crosses for Surman to head in for Norwich. Beautiful. He's playing in a midfield two today again as well.
wolves are truly awful at the back and you know who was at fault for norwich second goal and also a goal at the weekend, also at the back post....really hope we find a decent left back between now and June and trap plays whoever that might be.
Not sure about that Paul. I think the goalscorer is Johnson's man. Ward darts in the centre to anticipate a cross.
Yeah, but when your whole agenda is obsessively pushing pins into a home made effigy of Ward, Johnson's part becomes invisible.
Ward is one of the positives on that Wolves's team.
We have been crying out for a LB who gets forward and makes an impact with support play etc.
Ward's attacking play hasn't been great - very much hit and miss. I recall a number of (very) poor crosses in the Slovakia and Russia games. He hasn't impressed me anytime I've seen him at LB for Wolves either. Whatever about last night's goals, Ward should have dealt with the ball that lead to Crouch's goal in the recent game with Stoke. Personally would prefer Cunningham or Wilson at LB ahead of Ward but I don't pick the team. :)
Don't know how you could justify someone like Cunningham playing ahead of Ward. The young lad is playing for a struggling team at the bottom of the championship, and is hardly pulling up trees. Ward is also a work in progress, but is a further up the ladder than Cunningham. As regards Wilson; he is paying for his lack of interest last summer and rightly so.Quote:
Originally Posted by ifk101