Stephen Ward - **UPDATE@14:00: signs on season-long loan**

[maltaseagull]

But I doubt whether Oscar would know him from Adam. He's relying on others. I would like to know how these decisions are made.

I am sure he is on a DVD somewhere?

 

[Icy Gull]

But I doubt whether Oscar would know him from Adam. .

I imagine he would, they look very different from each other, one is bald too

 

[New Carpet?]

If this is true I would be very happy with that. Despite Wolves having a disaster of a season last year they still have some very good players they probably cannot afford. I would not mind having that Bacary Sako from them either. Who on earth are people expecting to sign as a left back then? No pleasing some people

Agreed - despite Wolves being absolutely awful in general, Sako was excellent for them last season. Think he'd fit it very well with the way we play and would give us a decent left-sided attacking option. Mind you, he was linked with a £4m move away from there last month (Fulham and Forest were interested), so surely he'd be out of our price range.

As for Ward, he may not be Wayne Bridge but he is an experienced full-back that likes to get forward, and could be just what we need for this season anyway until we get someone more permanent.

The first thing that sprung to my mind when his name was mentioned was how he was widely acknowledged as the worst player in the Euro 2012 tournament (including in this Guardian poll: http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/jun/20/euro-2012-readers-player-ratings), but then again he won't be dealing with a Torres, David Silva, Balotelli or Mandzukic at this level every week.

 

[Driver8]

Stephen Ward

Agreed - despite Wolves being absolutely awful in general, Sako was excellent for them last season. Think he'd fit it very well with the way we play and would give us a decent left-sided attacking option. Mind you, he was linked with a £4m move away from there last month (Fulham and Forest were interested), so surely he'd be out of our price range.

As for Ward, he may not be Wayne Bridge but he is an experienced full-back that likes to get forward, and could be just what we need for this season anyway until we get someone more permanent.

The first thing that sprung to my mind when his name was mentioned was how he was widely acknowledged as the worst player in the Euro 2012 tournament (including in this Guardian poll: http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/jun/20/euro-2012-readers-player-ratings), but then again he won't be dealing with a Torres, David Silva, Balotelli or Mandzukic at this level every week.

I see he was a team mate of Van Persie in the "worst XI" so not putting too much faith in that poll.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Probably better than Shorey, more experienced than what we have (or Mattock who everyone was lamenting the departure of), not Wayne Bridge. Solid enough, plugs a gap, adds more versatility.

 

[imissworthing2]

Apologies to put abit of a dampener on things but imho he is complete dogs***. Being Irish I've watched him since he 1st broke onto the international seen. He can't defend at all and isn't particularly fast as mention by someone on here already. His proformance in the Euro's was appalling and is really a striker who got put left back due to player injuries.

He'll get my support and hopefully the championship will be his level but if he is all that's available then I'd have stook with Maks. Atleast for now and see what the end of the transfer market brings.

 

[CAPTAIN GREALISH]

Agreed - despite Wolves being absolutely awful in general, Sako was excellent for them last season. Think he'd fit it very well with the way we play and would give us a decent left-sided attacking option. Mind you, he was linked with a £4m move away from there last month (Fulham and Forest were interested), so surely he'd be out of our price range.

As for Ward, he may not be Wayne Bridge but he is an experienced full-back that likes to get forward, and could be just what we need for this season anyway until we get someone more permanent.

The first thing that sprung to my mind when his name was mentioned was how he was widely acknowledged as the worst player in the Euro 2012 tournament (including in this Guardian poll: http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/jun/20/euro-2012-readers-player-ratings), but then again he won't be dealing with a Torres, David Silva, Balotelli or Mandzukic at this level every week.

He went to the Euros !! cant be that bad?

 

[mikes smalls]

The whole Irish team was an embarrassment in the Euros, not just Ward, but defensively in qualifying they were excellent.

 

[Acker79]

What?

That's not HOW he rolls.

What?

Nope, can't help with that one EDIT unless, did he score at Anfield?

I imagine he would, they look very different from each other, one is bald too

Adam Chicksen is bald?!

 

[Seagull58]

Woeful at LB according to the Wolves fans on that site...

According to one or two only.

 

[Seagull on the wing]

Exactly , another Irishman joining the ranks isn't the same as a Spaniard with a flair name.

Sorry it was misquoted to you....Stevano Wardente is his real name

 

[spring hall convert]

Recommendations , scouting reports , matchday video and game highlights , individual match stats and performance analysis. It wouldn't surprise me if a few NSCers form an instant opinion by how a footballer performs in virtual reality on FIFA13 or Football Manager.

There's certain football clubs that are known for using football manager as a scouting tool. Especially in the lower leagues.

 

[spring hall convert]

Sunderland and West Ham fans told us Bridge was shite and we were wasting our money. Lets see him play for us before we decide he's the new Mark Farrington.

Did West Ham fans really slate Bridge? I know 2 or 3 that actually go and they all said that he had a disaster of a debut against Arsenal (that was televised if I remember correctly) but subsequently was pretty good.

 

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

My god! I predicted one right!!! I said this a week ago!

Was worried about his wages which I suppose is why we got him on loan. Played OK in the prem and cant be blamed for the rubbish that was wolves so not too bad.

 

[Seagull kimchi]

Agreed - despite Wolves being absolutely awful in general, Sako was excellent for them last season. Think he'd fit it very well with the way we play and would give us a decent left-sided attacking option. Mind you, he was linked with a £4m move away from there last month (Fulham and Forest were interested), so surely he'd be out of our price range.

As for Ward, he may not be Wayne Bridge but he is an experienced full-back that likes to get forward, and could be just what we need for this season anyway until we get someone more permanent.

The first thing that sprung to my mind when his name was mentioned was how he was widely acknowledged as the worst player in the Euro 2012 tournament (including in this Guardian poll: http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/jun/20/euro-2012-readers-player-ratings), but then again he won't be dealing with a Torres, David Silva, Balotelli or Mandzukic at this level every week.

If you scroll down on that link we find we have Ireland's best rated player at the 2012 Euros!

 

[strings]

I would take Stephen Ward in a hartbeat. I watch Wolves a fair bit, living relatively locally, and I tend to think he is one of the 'good guys' at the club - i.e. one of the players that actually bothered trying to win games in the Championship last season. Wolves problems last year derived from far too many players thinking they were too good to play in the Championship, who consequently didn't bother.

I would put Ward straight into the side tomorrow, if he has signed.

As for Wolves, they'll do well this season. With Sako and Baath, amongst others they have some exciting young talent. Like us, they are also building a (bigger) academy to focus on youth for the future.

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

Wayne bridge to Stephen ward. Worrying.

I wonder how much we're saving by not keeping Wayne Bridge. I'm told he's on £24k at Reading, but would have taken much less to stay with us. Was an offer ever made?

 

[dicks-bar-bouncer]

so we have signed an international left back on loan.someone with lots of premier league expierience.
Last year we signed wayne bridge and at the time there was loads of doom and gloom..he is past it..too old and slow...was rubbish for west ham,although im sure NONE of the lads said that.obviously bridge turned out great but so could this guy.both signings seem very similar to me...as for those of ypu going on about our squad being rubbish.its better then last year when all our fit.we lost bridge/hammond/harley and dicker and gained kemi/ince/andrews and ward...i know there have been more in and outs but concentrating on people who will actually play...plus we got leo for whole season..personally think the 4 that have come in are better then the ones leaving!! 2 league games in stop your f***ing moaning..

 

[strings]

so we have signed an international left back on loan.someone with lots of premier league expierience.
Last year we signed wayne bridge and at the time there was loads of doom and gloom..he is past it..too old and slow...was rubbish for west ham,although im sure NONE of the lads said that.obviously bridge turned out great but so could this guy.both signings seem very similar to me...as for those of ypu going on about our squad being rubbish.its better then last year when all our fit.we lost bridge/hammond/harley and dicker and gained kemi/ince/andrews and ward...i know there have been more in and outs but concentrating on people who will actually play...plus we got leo for whole season..personally think the 4 that have come in are better then the ones leaving!! 2 league games in stop your f***ing moaning..

I sort of agree with you, but also disagree.

As someone that has seen both Ward and Bridge play on numerous occasions, I would take Bridge every time. Having said that, Ward is a class player with experience of winning this league. He will do very well for us.

Only thing is, I guarantee Ward will make a huge mistake in his first few games for us. I can feel it coming. After that, he'll be fine.

 

[kevtherev]

Good solid signing,part of Wolves championship winning side and only 28. Thats left back taken care of, now a striker needed and all the holes are plugged.