Stephen Ward - unsung hero?

RingoMcCartney · Post by **RingoMcCartney** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 12:21 pm

For me, he's been a vital part of the first 11. He's got a great footballing brain. Rarely drops a clanger and I reckon he's one of the gaffer's first names on the team sheet. Mr consistency who does his job in an excellent professional manner. A credit to our club.

Does he get the recognition I reckon he deserves?

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 12:22 pm

Best full back at the club for me.

taio · Post by **taio** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 12:28 pm

You're right he's been very good. But I wouldn't describe him as an unsung hero - his performances have been well recognised with many people saying he's been within the top three or four of our best players this season.

Top Claret · Post by **Top Claret** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 12:30 pm

Yes Ward has been an excellent signing. Ward can also deliver a good ball into the box, who unfortunately does not do it enough has he is told to sit deep. If Ward pushed up more away from home we would be coming home from places like Hull, Sunderland & Boro with 3 points

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 12:37 pm

Ward or Mee players of the season so far for me. As said above well noticed by fans watching the games.

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 12:53 pm

He was mega yesterday. I don't think he is unsung. Definitely the best left back we've had for 30 years.
He's even better when allowed to attack the back line like yesterday.

what_no_pies · Post by **what_no_pies** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 1:15 pm

He's probably the most consistent player I remember at Burnley. Class act and just look at the progress we made since he got into the 11.

kaptin1 · Post by **kaptin1** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 3:45 pm

Seems to have got a bit of a swagger about him at the moment, which is great to see. Excellent full back.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 4:01 pm

The whole defence including Heaton have been brilliant. Look at the table - outside the top 9, we've conceded the fewest number of goals.

Rileybobs · Post by **Rileybobs** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 4:02 pm

Mid table defence, mid table team.

boiledclaret · Post by **boiledclaret** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 4:19 pm

Once he got the shirt again last season we've never looked back.
Cost a pittance in comparison to other left backs. Plus he's a likeable old skool (sic) pro who plays the game fairly and gives as good as he gets.

Very astute signing by our gravel voiced gaffer.

fatboy47 · Post by **fatboy47** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 5:10 pm

Very astute signing by our gravel voiced gaffer.[/quote]

our very astute gaffer who stumbled along preferring Mee at left back long beyond the point when it was obvious to just about everyone else that his true place was in the centre

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 5:17 pm

We are strong right across the back line, the best defence in the League considering what's in front of them.

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 5:19 pm

fatboy47 wrote:our very astute gaffer who stumbled along preferring Mee at left back long beyond the point when it was obvious to just about everyone else that his true place was in the centre

Who was it that said 'even Ben now considers himself a left-back' ?

JayMeStar · Post by **JayMeStar** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 5:39 pm

23, 23, Ste-phen W-ard.
Playing left back for Bur-ne-lee.

My man of the match yesterday, great player.

boiledclaret · Post by **boiledclaret** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 6:52 pm

fatboy47 wrote: our very astute gaffer who stumbled along preferring Mee at left back long beyond the point when it was obvious to just about everyone else that his true place was in the centre

I was one of the posters who regulary argued that on Claretsmad, so I know what you mean.

If asked to name two obvious Dyche flaws then I would say he's a bit too robocop over risk and flair, which can serve up some fairly forgettable football and he's too loyal to players.

It's served him well so far though.

Woodleyclaret · Post by **Woodleyclaret** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 6:58 pm

A brilliant signing and had seen off the need to replace him.We seem to have gone very quiet on the Charlie Taylor front

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 7:37 pm

fatboy47 wrote:

our very astute gaffer who stumbled along preferring Mee at left back long beyond the point when it was obvious to just about everyone else that his true place was in the centre

Not really, and even Eddie Howe played him there with Edgar (yes that's David Edgar) preferred in the centre.

Mee wasn't moved because Dyche stumbled along (promotion to the Premier League with Mee at left back).

Mee was moved because Duff was done and that we had a very good left back to come in and move Keane and Mee along the defence. At the time we didn't have a centre back on the bench.

We all agree that we prefer Mee in the centre.

Pstotto · Post by **Pstotto** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 7:38 pm

keep it quiet.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 7:43 pm

Colburn_Claret wrote:He was mega yesterday. I don't think he is unsung. Definitely the best left back we've had for 30 years.
He's even better when allowed to attack the back line like yesterday.

Over 30 years sureley? We were fighting to stay in the league then.

Giftonsnoidea · Post by **Giftonsnoidea** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 7:46 pm

We've Definitely come a long way since Stephen Jordan that's for sure.

Would like to see us get Robertson in to keep the pressure on, we're lucky he's kept fit all season.

Looking better at getting forward than Brady recently, hope we've got him for a few more years yet!

scouseclaret · Post by **scouseclaret** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:25 pm

Think he's been absolutely outstanding in recent weeks. As well as being a great defender, he seems to be the only player at the club who can deliver a half decent ball into the box at the moment.

jurek · Post by **jurek** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:40 pm

He has been a very good signing and has made an important contribution since he has started regularly.
How much he has left in the locker is debatable and we probably need a replacement but
could still make a decent contribution - even if coming on as sub.

warksclaret · Post by **warksclaret** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:42 pm

Our most polished full back since Keith Newton, and he reminds me of him

dpinsussex · Post by **dpinsussex** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:03 pm

Top top full back.
Not the best in the premier league. But really really good for us .
Thanks for a great season Stephen. Here's to many more from you

Dark Cloud · Post by **Dark Cloud** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:17 pm

I think SD kept playing Mee at left back as long as from a "team point of view it was working". I.E. we were being successful and (mostly) winning DESPITE Mee not being particularly great or comfortable in that position and most of us could see that. Dyche changed it (along with a number of other things) when it was clear that we weren't doing great as a whole team and because he knew he had a more than capable body waiting to come in and play there. And in truth we've never looked back and neither have Ward or Mee

Harrygate · Post by **Harrygate** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:25 pm

I was thinking about Stephen Ward a few weeks ago. The single word that came to mind to best describe him was warrior. He will seldom win man of the match but every game he gives us everything he's got. He must work incredibly hard off the pitch to give the best performance he can.
Sometimes he looks as though he is in for a difficult afternoon but he always seems eventually to get the better of his opponent. He's a real asset.

Wokingclaret · Post by **Wokingclaret** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:31 pm

Both fullbacks have got stronger as the season has gone on

joey13 · Post by **joey13** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:47 pm

FactualFrank wrote:The whole defence including Heaton have been brilliant. Look at the table - outside the top 9, we've conceded the fewest number of goals.

For someone called Factual you don't half get a lot wrong!

Tribesmen · Post by **Tribesmen** » Mon Apr 10, 2017 7:14 am

Jezzzz even the Irish fans are starting to say he is playing well . Now in the past he has been given some shocking stick from them I must say .

mikeS · Post by **mikeS** » Mon Apr 10, 2017 7:39 am

Fingers crossed we can keep the same back five for next season.

Claretmatt4 · Post by **Claretmatt4** » Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:22 am

He could do with a song that's for sure. I voted him player of the season.

FulledgeClaret · Post by **FulledgeClaret** » Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:53 am

He's good but he's no Brian Easton, Thank God.

jedi_master · Post by **jedi_master** » Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:41 am

Fantastic player and is so easily the best left back I have ever seen play for us (although his competition to that statement is pretty laughable).

A true Premier League player.

boiledclaret · Post by **boiledclaret** » Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:07 am

Wokingclaret wrote:Both fullbacks have got stronger as the season has gone on

At the start of the season I was worried for Lowton but he's really impressed. Both our FB's have had very commendable seasons so far.

Only Keane pips Ward for Player of the season imo.

Jakubs Tash · Post by **Jakubs Tash** » Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:18 am

Excellent player.

Said for some time now, he's the best left back in my lifetime of watching the Clarets (so far). Granted we haven't been blessed in that position but still nearly 30 years.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:52 am

I thought the full backs were again our best two players at Middlesbrough

KateR · Post by **KateR** » Mon Apr 10, 2017 1:52 pm

back 5 for me are definitely the stand outs in the team that makes us a mid table team, hopefully further forward will see some competition when we start the next season in the PL

Hopefully a full PL season and not being 17th or only just managing to stay up by our coat tails will help us attract players who would like to play /improve the squad generally.

Think there will be a few leaving, some for so called better futures and others seeking there final payday to their careers but will wish them all luck for the future but meanwhile we can still look up the table and think/dream about where we will finish SW has played a pivotal role in the season and expect nothing less in the remaining matches.

Let'sChaseTheDragon · Post by **Let'sChaseTheDragon** » Mon Apr 10, 2017 2:24 pm

Good OP, Ringo. Another Ward fan, here. Just the sort of player (quality and type) we want representing our club.

gandhisflipflop · Post by **gandhisflipflop** » Mon Apr 10, 2017 4:30 pm

It was no coincidence that our form dropped drastically last time in the PL when ward got injured. As said above we have been lucky he has stayed fit all season and extra cover is needed. He provides so much balance to a great back line.

CharlieinNewMexico · Post by **CharlieinNewMexico** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 6:00 am

I love Stephen Ward. I've never seen a player get so many early yellow cards (to the point where I'm like oh ****, here we go, down to 10 soon) and yet he seems to completely recover and play even better.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 10:04 am

He is having an exceptional season. Great defensive work and super going forward on his lung bursting runs. Would not swap him!