Ward V Wilson

**mark12345** · 18/03/2012, 8:12 PM

Hate to say it lads, because he has been there throug thick and thin on the road to the Euro finals, but Stephen Ward is looking more and more shaky with the passing days. He was never a solid defender to begin with but his recent displays for Wolves and that today against United show him up as a real liability for club and country.

Wilson on the other hand is going from strength to strength with Stoke. He was brilliant today against Liverpool and plays generally at a much higher standards (defensively) than ward.

And while I'm handing out plaudits - full marks to Whelan today. I'm usually his biggest critic, but he was Stoke's best player at Anfield today.

**backstothewall** · 18/03/2012, 8:19 PM

Not a fair comparison imo. Ward is playing is a shambolic Wolves side stuck in a death spiral. It is simply impossible to look like a decent left back in that side at the minute. Maldini at his peak would be getting torn to bits.

I also don't see why it has to be Ward V Wilson. If you ask me the correct answer is Ward & Wilson. I doubt any other team going to the Euro's will only take 1 left back. In truth we don't have a single specialist left back to take, but Wilson and Ward can both do an adequate job there. Given the cover they also offer in other positions I think they should both go.

**SwanVsDalton** · 18/03/2012, 9:16 PM

I'd definitely take Wilson instead of Paul Green. As said above, should have a left back option beyond Ward and Darren O'Dea.

Didn't see the games today, but agree it's not entirely fair to compare like for like. Wolves are shambolic and, down to ten men against United, were always liable to take a thumping. I think Ward has his limitations but I like his willingness and his track record suggests an ability to improve game-after-game. He's pretty die hard and passionate as well, which is useful in tournament situations and contrasts with the perceived apathy of Wilson after his friendly no-show.

Wilson though looks like he's coming back into form, though wasn't here having a bad spell a couple of months back? Either way getting them on the training ground together would be the best way to go.

**mark12345** · 18/03/2012, 10:44 PM

Your point is well taken about the Wolves defence. No doubt it would be hard for the best defenders to look good with that bunch. But you still can't take away the fact that every time someone runs at Ward he is an open door. Wilson on the other hand offers a pretty decent obstacle when in a one on one situation. But having said that both should go to Poland, just Wilson ahead of Ward in starting eleven.

**Colbert Report** · 19/03/2012, 2:24 AM

Ward is a terrible player, Wilson is miles ahead of him but Ward will start because Trap likes him and Wilson probably won't even be in the squad because Trap doesn't like him. However, Trap knows a tiny bit more about football than me so I'll go with his opinions over mine...

**liamoo11** · 19/03/2012, 1:00 PM

think wilson is far more solid as a defender and is a fine passer of the ball. He is never going to be an overlaping type full back and not been naturally left footed he does not offer a lot in an attacking sense. He seems to me to be very much an o shea type full back who would look far better in midfield like oshea does at centre half. Ward is an excellent overlaping full back and has a sweet left foot in attacking positions and has the odd trick to beat a man but is woefully short defensively. Considering he played with bohs and wolves when he moved as a striker or a left winger that is hardly surprising. It amazes me that Trap picks him as he seems way too attacking for Traps liking! Even more so since Coleman is considered incapable of been a fullback despite the fact that he has played so much football with sligo and blackpool and bits with everton there. Traps polar thinking on Ward and Coleman is hard to understand. Stll its great to be discussing this as we head to a tournament happy days

**SwanVsDalton** · 19/03/2012, 2:02 PM

Originally Posted by liamoo11

Even more so since Coleman is considered incapable of been a fullback despite the fact that he has played so much football with sligo and blackpool and bits with everton there. Traps polar thinking on Ward and Coleman is hard to understand. Stll its great to be discussing this as we head to a tournament happy days

In fairness, hasn't Trap always said he's considered Coleman more a full back? Hasn't played him there much mind you...

**drummerboy** · 19/03/2012, 6:00 PM

In fairness to Ward, Valentia is the best in his position in the PL and has been terrifying most full backs he has played against this season.

**Colbert Report** · 19/03/2012, 9:29 PM

Ward has been terrible all season though.

**Charlie Darwin** · 19/03/2012, 9:32 PM

So has every other Wolves player. Any time he's played for Ireland, he's been more than able to up his game to match the higher standard of players around him, which suggests there are other reasons for his poor performances.

**Colbert Report** · 19/03/2012, 9:35 PM

I watch almost every Wolves match and Ward is far and away their worst player, and that's saying something. He might be able to do a job as a striker but he's a terrible, terrible defender. Slow, poor positional sense and worst of all, lazy lazy lazy. I don't think I've ever seen a lazier player at the Premier League level.

**Charlie Darwin** · 19/03/2012, 9:38 PM

Probably because you spend all your time watching Stephen Ward.

**Colbert Report** · 19/03/2012, 9:39 PM

How often do you watch Wolves? Can you tell me one match where his rating would be higher than a five out of ten?

**Charlie Darwin** · 19/03/2012, 9:50 PM

I've seen them a couple of times this year. He was solid as a rock against Arsenal. Other times he's been shaky but he generally gets little help from his winger (except on the rare occasion Hunt plays in front of him) and the centre halves don't do much either. Like I said, for Ireland he's much better and offers a lot going forward.

**SwanVsDalton** · 20/03/2012, 10:08 AM

I think Wolves currently have the one of the Premier League's worst ever defences, particularly their centre backs. They're awful and have been for ages. Ward doesn't do himself favours at times but it's hard to judge when he's part of such a dreadful unit.

Certainly don't think he's lazy by the way, never seems that way when I see him play.

**Crosby87** · 20/03/2012, 10:38 AM

I thought this thread was going to be about a lawsuit.

**Carrigaline** · 20/03/2012, 1:33 PM

I have never been a fan of Ward but his perfromances this season and against the Czech Republic (Flop of the match according to goal.com - http://www.goal.com/en-ie/match/7711...player-ratings) suggest to me that Stephen Ward should not be going to Poland at all. People need to remember, we're playing Spain, Italy and the Croatia this Summer. If Ward is going to struggle against the Czech Republic, I really do fear for him against even superior opposition, because he'll be doing much more defending than attacking.

My first choice back 4 would be.

O'Shea - LB
Dunne - CB
St. Ledger - CB
Kelly (a player who has been cracking this season but will get no plaudits because he's getting on) - RB

As back up, I would take O'Dea, Foley and Wilson.

Don't get me wrong though. No matter who we pick (and that goes for the rest of the squad too), I think we're going lose two games and pick up one point in the group stages this Summer. The difference between Ward and O'Shea could be a narrow loss to being destroyed.

**geysir** · 20/03/2012, 2:53 PM

Originally Posted by Carrigaline

I have never been a fan of Ward but his perfromances this season and against the Czech Republic (Flop of the match according to goal.com - http://www.goal.com/en-ie/match/7711...player-ratings) suggest to me that Stephen Ward should not be going to Poland at all.

That goal com review of Ward is farcical
Of all the back 4, he had the least culpability for Baros' goal.
I do admit though, Ward was on the pitch when Baros scored.