“Principles remain the same” – Joel Ward reflects on Premier League career with Crystal Palace

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

After moving to South London in 2012, Eagles full-back Joel Ward has gone on to break the club’s all-time Premier League appearance record, currently sitting on 294 appearances, three ahead of Wilfried Zaha (291).

But the former Portsmouth player is not so concerned about the numbers so far.

“I’m the type of character that keeps my head down and goes about my business. Maybe in years to come I’ll look at numbers a little bit closer,” said Ward, speaking to Premier League Productions last night in his role as a television pundit.

“I’m just thankful and count my blessings that I’ve been able to play for this period of time at a club like Palace in the Premier League.”

Ward was signed by Dougie Freedman on 28 May 2012 playing under Freedman as well as Curtis Fleming, Ian Holloway, Keith Millen, Tony Pulis, Neil Warnock, Alan Pardew, Sam Allardyce, Frank de Boer, Patrick Vieira, Paddy McCarthy and Roy Hodgson at various times in his 12 seasons so far.

When asked if, under Hodgson, he is playing as more of a ‘traditional’ full-back, Ward said it varied.

“You can say that [but] it all depends on who you’re coming up against and the opposition you face,” explained the 34-year-old.

“Every manager has various different ways of going about things and doing things. There are only slight tweaks here and there because the fundamentals – the main principles by and large – remain the same.”

Under Patrick Vieira, the Eagles played an attacking, fluid football best evidenced by Conor Gallagher’s goal away at Brighton in January 2022. In a move which saw all 11 Palace players involved, Ward made a number of passes across the field before ending up on the left wing in the box.

And he was asked about that goal and playing under Vieira.

“This was kind of almost a little bit off the cuff,” explained the right-back about his role in that Gallagher strike. “With Vieira, we almost went into a back three. I would kind of swing ‘round, which allowed the wide man to come deeper and wide to hopefully create more of a one-on-one opportunity.

“When I did get the ball the space was there to exploit. A natural instinct kicks in and you kind of follow, just carry on charging up the pitch and thankfully it worked out. They didn’t catch us on the break because I certainly would have got it in the ear if I was out of position.

“If the opportunity arises,” he added about being encouraged to push up the field under Vieira.

“Ultimately, you’re on the pitch. You make a decision on the pitch. You’ve got a split second to make a decision. You have to trust in the team. You have to trust in your teammates. If it does break down, someone will fill in, someone will get back in, and with the type of players we certainly had (then vs Brighton) and we do have (now), everyone’s going to go that extra yard for one another.”

Ward was then asked if that freedom of movement would be encouraged under a manager who preferred more of a rigid, back four position (“if it led to something”) before using the opportunity to explain his philosophy of defending.

“My principle is to make sure that I stay in the correct position because ultimately, from that shape and from that foundation, if you do lose the ball, if you do win the ball back, you’re in a better position to affect the game anyway,” he explained.

“If you have that control, and if you have that shape about you, then you actually find yourself in better positions.

“We always say that even with wide players or midfielders, having that discipline, understanding of where you are supposed to be in certain moments and certain times, can enable you to be in a better position, an advanced position or just somewhere where you can affect the game a little bit more and a little bit quicker.”