Joel Ward on Crystal Palace leadership duties – and learning off the likes of Jedinak, Dann, Milivojevic and Puncheon

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Joel Ward is hoping to emulate the “great leaders” he has worked under during his time at Crystal Palace after being handed the club captaincy by Roy Hodgson ahead of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign.

The 33-year-old joined the club in May 2012 under Dougie Freedman and has made 336 appearances in all competitions, winning promotion to the Premier League and reaching an FA Cup final with the South Londoners.

Ward wore the armband 14 times last season and is the club’s ninth-highest appearance holder.

Palace needed a new club captain after Luka Milivojevic left at the end of last season after his contract
expired.

Mile Jedinak, Jason Puncheon, Scott Dann and Paddy McCarthy have also all been club captain during Ward’s time at Selhurst Park.

“It’s a huge honour to lead this team and to be given the responsibility of being captain,” Ward told the South London Press following the opening day 1-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

“Hopefully I can emulate the guys of the past. I have been fortunate enough to play under some great leaders over my period here. Hopefully I can spur these lads on to be better and better and we can achieve great things as a team.

“The beauty of our team that goes out there week in, week out, it is not just me or Marc [Guehi] as leaders or captains. On that pitch, everyone takes responsibility and everyone takes the weight upon their shoulders to make sure we set our standards and continue to raise them.

“Everyone plays their part.”

The Eagles kicked off their 2023-24 season with a win at Sheffield United thanks to Odsonne Edouard’s 49th-minute strike.

“It was a professional, positive performance,” said Ward.

“We nullified their threats and we did the nitty gritty.

“It’s the other side of the game, which is such an important thing at times – you have to match whoever you’re coming up against.

“We know that if we do that, then we have the quality to hurt teams when we get the opportunity.”

Palace registered 24 shots on Saturday – eight on target – and had 68 per cent possession against the Blades, who only managed one shot at Sam Johnstone’s goal.

The Eagles also had two goals ruled out for offside, with Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Edouard having efforts chalked off.

“When you’re on top of a game like we were for such a large period of time, the last thing you want to do is let them get a bit of wind up their back,” added Ward. “We gave them a couple of opportunities but as a squad, we reacted really quickly and our response to a mistake here or there was really positive.

“There is lots to build on. We’re just getting started and we have to strive for excellence in everything we do.”

Former Celtic forward Edouard only scored five goals in the Premier League last season for the Eagles.

“He got a few over pre-season as well,” said Ward of the Frenchman’s strike last Saturday being a confidence boost ahead of the new campaign. “We know the quality that Eddy has.

“If we put him in front of goal, he’s going to get opportunities and goals. We also know that we don’t necessarily have to rely on him – everyone plays their part.

“We have a great foundation and spine to the team. But we also have an enormous amount of talent and threat going forward.”

Summer signing Jefferson Lerma made his debut last weekend, starting alongside Cheick Doucoure in the heart of the Palace midfield.

Colombian Lerma won 12 aerial battles, made two blocks and won three tackles.

He also completed 68 passes and had 82 touches.

“The balance between them both was brilliant – they mixed up their play,” said Ward of the duo.

“They did the basics very well, controlling the pace of the game. Then their quality on the ball shone through.

“When you have the base and foundation that we have, with the balance of the squad, we have an incredible amount of talent that runs through the spine of the team as well.

“It gives us a great opportunity, and on another day, it could have been four or five.

“It’s a positive start for us. Hopefully, we can continue to raise the bar week in, week out. We have some big games coming up, but that’s the Premier League.”

Ward signed a new Palace contract extension over the summer to take his association with the club into its 11th year after joining from Portsmouth for £400,000.

“I wanted to continue to play at the highest level, and this has given me the opportunity to do so,” added Ward of extending his stay at Selhurst Park.

“I feel like I can offer an enormous amount on and off the pitch, and I want to continue as the younger lads come through as well – to show them the way of the culture and the ethos of this club.

“To be a part of that and to show them the way is an honour.”