Option on Ward

I've always rated Ward, when I saw him at Lincoln away last season he was light years ahead of most of that team in terms of ability and reading the game. What he lacked was fitness and confidence in his own body, oh and players on the same wavelength as him. A no brainer to extend his contract.
 
Good option as a central midfielder, not sure why he was ever considered to be a winger.

Presumably because of how good his delivery is from wide. He's great as a CM though and still puts in great crosses from deep when he drifts over to the flank to help create an overload.

As already mentioned, 2 footed and great balance. Doesn't waste possession and as his fitness has grown so has his defensive contribution. Sign him up.
 
Brings a really good energy that was missed. He's not a right winger anymore.

He's a centre mid. Who's getting better and better.
 
I would take up the option, however my concern is who would we play when everyone is back -Ward,Dougal,Stewart, Virtue. This is without giving any of the younger players a chance or bringing anyone new in.
 
I've always rated Ward, when I saw him at Lincoln away last season he was light years ahead of most of that team in terms of ability and reading the game. What he lacked was fitness and confidence in his own body, oh and players on the same wavelength as him. A no brainer to extend his contract.
Cant say anyone impressed me at Lincoln last year!
 
Wouldn't have thought so. He was a decent Championship player at Ipswich before his nasty injury and is now getting back to his best.

Not for a second was my reasoning that he isn't good enough. I meant it will depend on where Critch wants to go. Would he need (in his opinion) a better player for the Championship? Either way, it remains to be seen if the club take the option up.
 
Not for a second was my reasoning that he isn't good enough. I meant it will depend on where Critch wants to go. Would he need (in his opinion) a better player for the Championship? Either way, it remains to be seen if the club take the option up.
Fair enough but I would be amazed given his current form if he is not here next season.
 
I would definitely extend his contract.
He adds great movement to our team and, as with other players, has the ability to play several roles within the team.
 
Great player to have! Although I’d consider him a centre midfielder now, there is also the option to play him right wing or even in that #10 role.
 
That's assuming he wants too stay. He's had a very good ' shop window ' to be viewed in. There will be more than us after him that's for sure !
 
I had the feeling in Saturday that he was just as pleased with the pass he played in to Sulley as Sulley was to score, like an artist standing back pleased with his brush work.
 
I would take up the option, however my concern is who would we play when everyone is back -Ward,Dougal,Stewart, Virtue. This is without giving any of the younger players a chance or bringing anyone new in.
Good problem to have, 2 or 3 of them will start, 1 or 2 of them on the bench, then there are injuries, suspensions and squad rotation, then we have the added bonus of competition for a starting place.
Having a few good players in a similar position isn't a problem at all when you think about it.
 
I would be looking to offer an improved contract he is definitely a Championship level player. His fitness and confidence have improved as the season has progressed and one extra quality he has over the other midfield options is that little burst of speed to get away from opponents.
 
I think he's another player that has come on this season under Critch.
I'd personally like to see him in Embleton's role in the 2 Sunderland games.
PS.
I think activating the option is a no brainer. Offering him a new contract would probably depend on whether we go up.
 
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I'd be giving him a new contract pronto, rather than just taking up an option on his existing one.

Dougall and Ward work together really well in midfield imo. Both absolute quality.
 
I think he's another player that has come on this season under Critch.
I'd personally like to see him in Embleton's role in the 2 Sunderland games.
PS.
I think activating the option is a no brainer. Offering him a new contract would probably depend on whether we go up.
I agree but it's a massive shame we don't have virtue to play in Ward's role. Who would you play there? Robson?
 
Funnily enough when Grayson played him in centre midfield last season everyone was saying 'why is he playing a winger in midfield' and now it's 'he's definitely a midfielder and not a winger'

Regardless, I'd definitely extend his contract
 
Sign him up ASAP. A real favourite of mine, a centre midfield player with a cool head who gets all over the pitch and can cut either way. Not many of them around 👍
 
I agree but it's a massive shame we don't have virtue to play in Ward's role. Who would you play there? Robson?
I've been thinking about that.
The only real option is Robson from what we have available, with a licence to move forward. If we are looking at the Sunderland games specifically then at least he should be up for it.
When Stewart returns I wouldn't want to see him alongside Dougall, for me it's an either or and my vote would go to Dougall because he gives us a bit more positivity.
 
I would take up the option, however my concern is who would we play when everyone is back -Ward,Dougal,Stewart, Virtue. This is without giving any of the younger players a chance or bringing anyone new in.
It would obviously depend on who we're playing and how Critch thinks is the best way to play against them.

Ward and Dougal are the best balanced option.
Ward and Stewart for a more defensive option.
Ward and Virtue for a more attacking option and
Dougal and Stewart for a backs to the wall, hold on for dear life option!
 
Depends on what league we are in next season IMO
Couldn't agree more someone out of Virtue, Ward, Stewart,Robson and Dougall is going to miss out as we need someone with a little more attacking quality if we get promoted in a 25 squad.
Virtue is under contract for another 18 months Stewart and Dougall only just signed Robson also contracted till 22 so it could by default we have to move him on.

Be a shame really as he's come good but if we go and get another CA(if in Championship) type does he stay anyway.
Not promoted no brainer cheap and free.
 
A championship proven midfielder, we have 10 players that are ours with experience at that level.
 
It would obviously depend on who we're playing and how Critch thinks is the best way to play against them.

Ward and Dougal are the best balanced option.
Ward and Stewart for a more defensive option.
Ward and Virtue for a more attacking option and
Dougal and Stewart for a backs to the wall, hold on for dear life option!
That's a fair analysis.
 
No brainer to keep him. We will need some continuity when promoted - just imagine starting with 17 new players in the Championship!

A lot of our players will step up a level when promoted just like the 2010 promotion squad did.
Quite. It's not a good idea to trade in your top performers when you get promoted. Swindon can attest to that.
 
Not my favourite player but when he plays we tend to look more cohesive as a team, even when out wide. I’d keep.
 
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We have the same option on Sullay Kaikai, but for me Ward would be the more important of the 2.He is always an 8 out of 10 player, we know how talented Sullay is and on his day is brilliant, but he goes missing too often.
 
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