Elliott Ward

[Bill 1,788]

[quote user="Mister Chops"] If this whole episode teaches us one thing, it''s that we should never ever ever sign defenders whose names are somehow related to the medical industry.  First we had the Doc, now there''s Elliott Ward - the link is clear to see for everyone except the blind and stupid.[/quote]Who can forget poor old Arthur Cottage-Hospital who turned out for City in 1934, and lasted a mere 27 mins before being stretchered off.He was not injured, but had conceded five own goals, and as there were not substitutes in those days, he was clouted round the head by the City keeper when the ball was in the other half and then tied to the stretcher and removed from the pitch before he could come round.Arthur later became one of Norfolk''s most well known Elvis impersonators, though he struggled to find work until the mid fifities

[nutty nigel 7,509]

Maybe Ward''s strength is also his weakness. He is very much an intercepter rather than a tackler. This has been obvious throughout his career. Remember when he got to five bookings last season it was his first ever suspension. He said at the time that it was because he rarely tackled before he came here. It''s not in his game.

Two things I''d say here. Lambert signed him for his strengths. Lambert has played him every minute of every game he''s been fit for. There can be no doubt that Lambert rates him. Whether nutty nigel rates him or not doesn''t really matter.

[nutty nigel 7,509]

[quote user="Mister Chops"][quote user="Shyster"]You people are crazy - one bad match and Wardy isn''t good enough. I guess none of you witnessed his outstanding display against Dereham pre-season?[/quote]

[Y] If this whole episode teaches us one thing, it''s that we should never ever ever sign defenders whose names are somehow related to the medical industry.  First we had the Doc, now there''s Elliott Ward - the link is clear to see for everyone except the blind and stupid.

[/quote]

 

I do think the fans could be a little more patient.

 

 

[king canary 7,580]

Its no coincidence the defense has looked so much weaker since Ward returned. Ayala and Whitbred were working well together so its a shame they both picked up knocks. For someone with Ward''s experience he lacks any form of leadership skills and it shows up badly when he is next to someone young like Bennett. He is just not good enough for this level.

[nutty nigel 7,509]

[quote user="king canary"]Its no coincidence the defense has looked so much weaker since Ward returned. Ayala and Whitbred were working well together so its a shame they both picked up knocks. For someone with Ward''s experience he lacks any form of leadership skills and it shows up badly when he is next to someone young like Bennett. He is just not good enough for this level.
[/quote]

But if that''s so King then why did Lambert make him captain?

 

 

[king canary 7,580]

[quote user="nutty nigel"]

[quote user="king canary"]Its no coincidence the defense has looked so much weaker since Ward returned. Ayala and Whitbred were working well together so its a shame they both picked up knocks. For someone with Ward''s experience he lacks any form of leadership skills and it shows up badly when he is next to someone young like Bennett. He is just not good enough for this level.[/quote]

But if that''s so King then why did Lambert make him captain?

 

 

[/quote]I don''t know- because Lambert makes mistakes? Many teams over the years have had successful managers who have what fans may see as a blind spot when it comes to a particular player. For me Ward is Lamberts blind spot.

[nutty nigel 7,509]

[quote user="king canary"][quote user="nutty nigel"]

[quote user="king canary"]Its no coincidence the defense has looked so much weaker since Ward returned. Ayala and Whitbred were working well together so its a shame they both picked up knocks. For someone with Ward''s experience he lacks any form of leadership skills and it shows up badly when he is next to someone young like Bennett. He is just not good enough for this level.
[/quote]

But if that''s so King then why did Lambert make him captain?

 

 

[/quote]
I don''t know- because Lambert makes mistakes? Many teams over the years have had successful managers who have what fans may see as a blind spot when it comes to a particular player. For me Ward is Lamberts blind spot.
[/quote]

 

Refreshing that someone is bold enough to say that[Y]

 

Ward made mistakes today. And they were costly. But I guess another poster probably sees Morison as his blind spot. It''s all about opinions.

 

I don''t believe Lambert has thrown these last few games away but I do think he''s put young Bennett on a very steep learning curve. A young talent who is lacking in experience is getting an intensive course during these games. And I suspect Lambert and his coaches are taking Bennett back through the heartache all week so that he can learn where he went wrong. And hopefully the lad will be a better and more experienced player in time for next season. It''s unsettling for the whole defence though.

 

[GJP 79]

I don''t really get why there''s a thread about Elliott Ward but not one about Ryan Bennett. Oh yeah...wait.... it''s because some Norwich fans love to find fault with one player and totally turn a blind eye to another.

 

Today there was some absolutely shocking defending from Elliott Ward but there was even worse from Ryan Bennett.

 

In my opinion, having been made captain it seemed to be like Ward let his manager down.

 

But....Elliott Ward was a free signing, having previously been frozen out at Coventry. We''ve just paid £3m for Bennett and does he look £3m better than Ward, Whitbread or Barnet? Not even close. I am very, very worried about how much Bennett is struggling in the Premier League.

 

If Bennett and Ayala is the partnership that many people think and hope we''ll see next season then we are in big trouble.

 

It surprises me how little criticism Bennett attracts for some of the awful defending he has offered up. There was a moment during the game when Elliott Ward lost the ball on the half way line and everyone around me immediately put their head in their hands and I was almost deafened by moans and groans...yet when Ryan Bennett did the same thing just minutes later there was hardly mutter.

 

Very selective.

[Indy_Bones 441]

[quote user="GJP"]I don''t really get why there''s a thread about Elliott Ward but not one about Ryan Bennett. Oh yeah...wait.... it''s because some Norwich fans love to find fault with one player and totally turn a blind eye to another.[/quote]I''d disagree about the reasoning here, even if the result is the same.Whilst I''m happy to agree that Bennett has looked very shaky at times, I can allow some leeway due to his age, inexperience and our recent formation shuffles, but Ward has a good 8-9 years experience over Bennett so WTF is his excuse?At times people expect too much from younger players, and I''d suggest that Bennett still isn''t quite ready, and that he should be the one providing the backup at the minute, but in many ways PL''s hand has been forced due to injuries to Zak and Ayala.I''d also suggest that if PL thinks we''re safe (even if it''s still not quite mathematically secure), then the experience Bennett will get from this run of games now, will be of vital benefit next season, even if it costly at times at the minute.Assuming all our current defenders were fit next season, I''d think that Ward would be 4th choice behind Whitbread, Ayala and Bennett, with Barnett being moved on in the summer and R.Martin providing additional cover if needed.

[Yellowbeagle 0]

[quote user="GJP"]

I don''t really get why there''s a thread about Elliott Ward but not one about Ryan Bennett. Oh yeah...wait.... it''s because some Norwich fans love to find fault with one player and totally turn a blind eye to another.

 

Today there was some absolutely shocking defending from Elliott Ward but there was even worse from Ryan Bennett.

 

In my opinion, having been made captain it seemed to be like Ward let his manager down.

 

But....Elliott Ward was a free signing, having previously been frozen out at Coventry. We''ve just paid £3m for Bennett and does he look £3m better than Ward, Whitbread or Barnet? Not even close. I am very, very worried about how much Bennett is struggling in the Premier League.

 

If Bennett and Ayala is the partnership that many people think and hope we''ll see next season then we are in big trouble.

 

It surprises me how little criticism Bennett attracts for some of the awful defending he has offered up. There was a moment during the game when Elliott Ward lost the ball on the half way line and everyone around me immediately put their head in their hands and I was almost deafened by moans and groans...yet when Ryan Bennett did the same thing just minutes later there was hardly mutter.

 

Very selective.

[/quote]

Give it time, if Ward goes and Morison is hounded out, we''ll need a new person to get on the back of. I actually think Bennett is going to be a decent player he''s just very inexperienced as is Ayala, arguably this is the time to give Bennett games, but I''d be very worried with such a inexperienced pair at the centre of our defence as first choice next season.

 

 

[Show Me What You Gooot! 0]

Must be me but I actually think Ryan Bennett looks pretty good overall. Not perfect yet but certainly glad we forked out the money for him.

 

Ward on the other hand has lost my vote of confidence. The sooner we bring another Bennett or Ayala into the back line the better.

 

Thanks Ward for your efforts but this level isn''t for you.

[Baldyboy 0]

BUT how many mistakes of Bennett led to goals? 0, Ward made mistakes that led to 2 goals so it is simple really, also, when Suarez almost chipped Ruddy for a hat trick he beat ward so easily it was unreal!! bennett made a couple of decent blocks ward made none!! they even said on the radio he wimped out of the tackle for the 2nd goal!!! Not good enough for an experienced defender!!!

[Jacko 0]

Still don''t why people are 100% certain Ayala is the solution. Very good on the ball but defensively has looked very shaky at times. Prime example being the West Brom game. He was clear favourite to win the ball in the penalty area, yet somehow gave away a penalty with a challenge which on another day could easily have seen red. I would be very uneasy if Ayala and Bennett was our first choice back line next season. I think next season you would an greater level of very basic mistakes being made through sheer inexperience. They are both still very young and need an older head to help guide them through games.

 

Wardy will be the first to admit he was dire today. The way he put his shirt after Suarez chipped Ruddy showed how much those mistakes hurt him. However he was excellent against Swansea for one. He must have done something right against Spurs considering they threw Defoe, Saha and Adebayor at us too. For me not being able to hold on to one of either him or Whitbread woud be a massive mistake. Both are excellent talkers who can help guide people through games.

 

Rather than slaughter the central defenders I am amazed people arent showing more concern for the fullback situation. Naughton will go back to Spurs after his loan expires. So we are left with Tierney and Drury at left back who have both had pretty wretched luck with injuries and Martin as the only right back option. That for me is a much greater area of concern right now and desperately needs to be prioritised during the summer.  

[Supermarket Prodigy 0]

26 goals conceded since Ward returned. (13 games) 2 goals per game.

45 goals conceded games before Ward returned. (27 games) 1.67 goals per game.

It''s more since Ryan Bennett and Elliott Ward has been the partnership which doesn''t really indicate it''s working. I know it''s the defence as a whole but the centre-backs are the last line more often than not with the full-backs going forwards. Take Ayala, yes he''s not a smooth centre-back yet, but he''s got the potential. He''s young and learning and looked competent next to Whitbread. Ryan Bennett has had a bit of a rocky time some games, but for a young lad from Peterborough coming in, it''s a bit of a ''wham'' of an introduction to Premiership football the teams he''s playing. He''s got the potential too, needs to iron out the creases but will be a big player for us.

I''ll support Ward while he''s wearing the Yellow and Green, but I would be surprised if he''s here next season. He just doesn''t seem Premiership standard.

[drurys testamonials V 15 0]

Cost us 2 goals and didn''t floor Suarez so won''t be sorry to see him go over the summer. Has cost us dearly with his mistakes this season. We''ve been punished enough for them. No second chances in this league.

[GJP 79]

[quote user="drurys testamonials mark 15"]Cost us 2 goals and didn''t floor Suarez so won''t be sorry to see him go over the summer. Has cost us dearly with his mistakes this season. We''ve been punished enough for them. No second chances in this league.
[/quote]

What about the goals Ryan Bennett has cost us? Are we to ship him out too?

 

Fair is fair. You can''t go slating Elliott Ward for things and not slating Ryan Bennett for the same. Although it is something Norwich fans specialise in, finding a target and turning a blind eye to others.

[ZLF 271]

It was a poor game overall yesterday and liverpool could have had 6. Bennett did not have a great game either and the marking from the pair of them was attrocious. On top of that Howson, Johnson & fox were just about invisible in midfield and should all have been subbed for the impact they had.

The issue with ward is that his two mistakes were entirely preventable and lead directly to two goals. Liverpools finishing has been poor this season (see Shelveys two glaring misses) and had we not gifted all three goals (the first was also a present) even playing so poorly we may have got a point. This is not a knee jerk reaction either - his performances have been consistently below par (the only time I thought he outperformed his partner was at st james'' park) with the only leg block becoming his trademark defending style as he is so often caught out of position its the only option he has been left with.

Bennett was not great (have not seen anyone saying he was), but wards performance was beyond bad -and his poor efforts were pointed out on espn and motd and warrant discussion - and most of the criticism on here for wards performances are justified.

And surely better on here than at the ground? or are we all meant to be mute nodding dogs blindly happy we have avoided relegation and slowly turning into compliant funding machines for the club instead of true fans able to share opinions and discuss?? sheesh

[Damo 0]

It''s much easier to slate Ward, as his mistakes led directly to goals. Bennett had an equally poor game over the period of 90 minutes. His mistakes led to pressure on our team as a whole - he played poorly, just in a different way.

I do agree with the criticism of Ward over the past month or so. Unfortunately the standard of the Premier League seems a bit too much for him.

Also, to reference a point someone made previously, Lambert may have that "Blind Spot" for a player, but it''s not something that even the best haven''t had. Sir Alex Ferguson and Eric Djemba Djemba springs to mind.

[drurys testamonials V 15 0]

[quote user="GJP"]

[quote user="drurys testamonials mark 15"]Cost us 2 goals and didn''t floor Suarez so won''t be sorry to see him go over the summer. Has cost us dearly with his mistakes this season. We''ve been punished enough for them. No second chances in this league.[/quote]

What about the goals Ryan Bennett has cost us? Are we to ship him out too?

 

Fair is fair. You can''t go slating Elliott Ward for things and not slating Ryan Bennett for the same. Although it is something Norwich fans specialise in, finding a target and turning a blind eye to others.

[/quote]Ward has played more games than Bennett. Is older than Bennett. Has more experience than Bennett. Has been playing in our squad longer than Bennett. Had hoped Ward would be first choice but feel he''s not played as well as expected.I don''t do targets. Just say what I see.

[ZLF 271]

Bennett was poor - but wards failings have been visible to city fans for 2 seasons now. Bennett has been criticised.

[GJP 79]

[quote user="drurys testamonials mark 15"][quote user="GJP"]

[quote user="drurys testamonials mark 15"]Cost us 2 goals and didn''t floor Suarez so won''t be sorry to see him go over the summer. Has cost us dearly with his mistakes this season. We''ve been punished enough for them. No second chances in this league.
[/quote]

What about the goals Ryan Bennett has cost us? Are we to ship him out too?

 

Fair is fair. You can''t go slating Elliott Ward for things and not slating Ryan Bennett for the same. Although it is something Norwich fans specialise in, finding a target and turning a blind eye to others.

[/quote]

Ward has played more games than Bennett. Is older than Bennett. Has more experience than Bennett. Has been playing in our squad longer than Bennett.

Had hoped Ward would be first choice but feel he''s not played as well as expected.

I don''t do targets. Just say what I see.
[/quote]

Fair enough, although I''m sure you''ll agree that some fans do make targets out of players.

 

Ward is more experienced but Bennett isn''t inexperienced and I am worried about how out of his depth he looks. I mean he got beat in the air by Carlos Tevez for a goal. Tevez out jumped him. That is absolutely woeful.

 

Again, I''m not saying Ward isn''t without his faults and that he has made some massive mistakes but Bennett has been just as bad, if not worse.

[ZLF 271]

[quote user="drurys testamonials mark 15"] I had hoped Ward would be first choice but feel he''s not played as well as expected.[/quote]

Thats true Smudge - at the start of the season you did - so you are hardly out to get him are you?

If players have not performed well criticism should be allowed - and ward has been poor.

Its a part of the team to strengthen - bennett, ayala and whitbread is not enough and I would replace ward - but as 4th choice I would keep him at the club. I dont think the likes of roger johnson are any better - and I said so last summer.

[Phillip J Fry 0]

Naughton should''ve done better with the pass to Ward for their second goal, he undersold Ward and left him struggling, but Ward should''ve done better and stopped Suarez (was he already booked at the time?), but Naughton deserves some of the blame for their second goal. 

[djc 0]

For the second goal, Ward had the chance to stick the ball, Suarez and all into row Z... and bottled it!

For me, there can be No excuses on a wet pitch - even sunday league centrehalfs would relish the chance of a crunching slide tackle like that on a much disliked opponent.

Perhaps for Wardy its a mentallity issue - as he is often injury prone?

[Trent Canary 0]

[quote user="djc"]For the second goal, Ward had the chance to stick the ball, Suarez and all into row Z... and bottled it!

For me, there can be No excuses on a wet pitch - even sunday league centrehalfs would relish the chance of a crunching slide tackle like that on a much disliked opponent.

Perhaps for Wardy its a mentallity issue - as he is often injury prone?[/quote]Sliding tackles are great, but it leaves you at risk of a sending off if you get it wrong. That said, staying on his feet and launcing it into row Z would have had the desired outcome

[priceyrice 123]

[quote user="ZippersLeftFoot"]Bennett was poor - but wards failings have been visible to city fans for 2 seasons now. Bennett has been criticised.[/quote]agree with this.There must be a reason city fans don''t like Ward, i think he has been dodgy ever since we signed him, anytime the ball comes near him i get nervous, as i think he does. I really don''t get why Lambert rates him so highly, perhaps he is a completely different player in training and a good leader.I think we have looked best at the back when Martin and Zak played together. Ayala has looked ok, made a few silly mistakes but is good with the ball, same with Bennet. they both need time and experience. I really don''t get why we haven''t seen more of Martin at CB, i know it''s not his natural position, but he has looked much better there than at RB this season and had some terrific games as CB. I am worried about Zak''s injuries, not sure what this most recent one is, but for me when he''s fit is is our best CB so he should be given a new contract. Barnett has to go, not up to the prem league at all, which is a shame, i liked him last year. Ward for me should stay as back up for injuries, but i would still like to see an experienced head come in, i know Upson hasn''t had the best of seasons, but he''s experienced, knows the club and could give a hand.

[Boyo 0]

That was probably the worst performance I''ve seen from a centre back since we were relegated to League 1.  Absolutely shocking.  I have no idea why Lambert likes him so much.  Fancy having a centre back who can''t tackle and even admits himself that he doesn''t like to tackle!

 

On the subject of Ryan Bennett I actually think he has been ok.  Yes he gave away a few goals against Man City and he didn''t have the best game today but I think he looks promising.  This run of games will help him mature and become a better pro even if we are shipping goals every week.  It must be hard for a young defender thrown it at the deep end when you have to partner Elliott Ward.

[Fromage Frais 10]

+1

I think he has done ok also but then again he does not have the pace to play in the premier so really he has overachieved.

One of those players that are very good for any champ side but not quite good enough to hold it out against the big boys.

But then again who can we afford that can do that?

[Binky 0]

Have never been convinced by Ward and after yesterday I will worry every time he plays. As for the young Bennet - I''m with the minority on this thread who thinks he''s been doing all right and did OK yesterday.

At Blackburn Bennet made one clearance which more than compensated for that Man City pass-back. To me, he looks as if he has some real class for the future - and importantly yesterday, he actually wanted the ball almost as much as Vaughan - and was prepared to do something with it. Ward on the other hand just wanted to get rid as quickly as possible.

[nutty nigel 7,509]

We came out of  League One with Nelson and The Doc coping admirably[;)] (Even though so many of the judges on here though Askou was far better than both of them) In the Champs Doc''s contract wasn''t renewed while Nelson played a few games before leaving. We then came out of the Champs with Ward, Barnett and Whitbread. We added Ayala and finally Bennett for the Prem. It''s called progress and by doing what we''ve done the club moves forward instead of standing still and slipping back. This has to continue. But for it to be successful there has to be some continuity. Perhaps Lambert''s greatest quality is to improve the team and move us forward without upsetting the players we need for an effective Premier League squad.

 

Elliot Ward played 39 games for a team that won promotion from the Championship. It''s unreal to believe he was as bad as some have made out. But he''s certainly not the future. I would guess the future is Ayala and Bennett. But it can''t be just them and having spent all that money on Ayala and Bennett we can''t now get rid of all the players they have replaced. It wouldn''t be unusual in a squad to have one central defender injured and one suspended. So we''d still need two more to play and one for the bench. So I make that five. And five is what we need next season.