‘Frightening’ – Crystal Palace defender hails attacking duo

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

Crystal Palace captain Joel Ward has praised the attacking talents of teammates Michael Olise and Ebere Eze and there is no doubt that they can be difference makers for the club going forward.

Speaking to Premier League Productions last night in his role as a TV pundit, Ward admitted he is glad to be on the same side as the young pair.

“I’d much prefer to play with them than against them, put it that way,” said the 34-year-old. 

“Individually, they’re a special talent and then collectively, when they start linking up and playing with each other, then it’s another ball game.

“We certainly saw that at the back end of last season when they got a run of games together. They’re a frightening talent.

“Ebs makes it effortless and just glides on the pitch. Michael adds a different element to it too – he has that killer instinct. He has that arrogance – in the right way – to go about the game.

“For such a young talent, he’s got a very wise head on him. He’s very tactically astute, he wants to learn, he wants to develop and you can see that he’s got that desire to go and make things happen. When you need him to grab a game by the scruff of the neck, he does that, and he takes it upon himself to go and be the difference.”

 Ward has not played for the Eagles since picking up a hamstring injury in December, forcing him off at Manchester City in a 2-2 draw, and now finds himself part of a busy medical room, which also features Olise, who has been out of action since the end of last year.

Along with Cheick Doucoure, another long-term injury, key missing players have not helped the current plight of the Eagles, who have registered just one league win in their last 11.

But with Olise and Ward set to return soon, the former Portsmouth player is in no doubt that the SE25 side can return to winning ways.

“If you can get your best players on the pitch for a long period of time, the talent of the two (Olise and Eze) speaks for itself,” he said.

“They’re itching to go. Michael wants to get back, he wants to make that change. He will ignite the place – he sets it alight.

“(If) we get them two on the pitch, as well as the other lads that we have throughout the squad, we’ve got more than enough to frighten teams going forward.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD