Joel Ward. left
TRANSFER LATEST: Sheffield Wednesday pull out of the race to sign Ipswich Town target Joel Ward
By Dave Gooderham
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
9:23 AM
IPSWICH Town are now battling four Championship rivals for the signature of Joel Ward after newly-promoted Sheffield Wednesday pulled out of the race to sign the versatile Portsmouth player.
With the Ward transfer saga set to conclude in the next day or two, the Sheffield Star has reported that Wednesday boss Dave Jones has decided against making a move for the 22-year-old.
The defender-cum-midfielder has already spoken to Ipswich, Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Burnley while Blackpool are believed to have entered the hunt at a late stage.
But Wednesday, who I understand would have interested Ward, have opted out of the scramble amid claims the Owls were reluctant to pay the fee of around £500,000 that Portsmouth are said to have agreed with others, including Town.
- Keep checking this website and tomorrow’s Ipswich Star/EADT for all the latest on Joel Ward
More Ipswich Town news
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- Mick McCarthy seeing red as new Ipswich Town kits are launched!
- Aston Villa prepared to offer £4.5m for Ipswich Town defender
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13 comments
Although we desperately need some young talent injected into our joke of a squad, it's unlikely we will get any that are worth having. Probably just the leftovers from everyone else's pickings.
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Ed Taylor
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Brian, at last something we can agree on, get rid of SC and bring in MM
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Cyril Baker
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Have to say I'm a bit tired of the 'perhaps we are in for him', 'perhaps we are in for them' nonsense from the EADT. It is journalism worthy of rags like The Sun, but not of a local paper that should stick to facts and local views rather than clinging to any old rumour. It isn't news, just monitor filler. The comments made to each 'possibility' say it all- inane, groundless and not really serving the readers. An online sports version of OK or HELLO. The bar is not being held very high... disappointing.
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I am Spartacus
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Cracking player, I would be astonished if he came here.
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Kevin Bailey
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Can we pull out of this pathetic race as well please, he didn't want to sign in January so why bother now. Also, as David Peters has stated we need a GK and RB & CB than yet another midfielder..
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Vanmunt
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Milhouse -fair enough- But you cant blame the club for that. It is the press and fans who have bestowed those nicknames and comprisons. Not PJ or the club. David Peters- I wouldnt worry to much. Its silly season and Town will be linked with all kinds of players. Half of it is agents talking players up in the hope that someone else might take notice, half is the press guessing. Lets see what the squad looks like come the new season. In the mean time we can look forward to euro 2012, might some bargains on display
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TrueBlue
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
why r all the players we r connected with midfielders instead of GK RB CB or is this just a cunning plan?
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david peters
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
true blue - not at all. I am saying judge these young players on their own merits and stop trying to compare good or average lower league players with champions league winners. part of the success with winning over fans is to manage expectations. Up and coming lower league players is definitely a positive move away from ageing has beens who just want to top up their pension, this I support, but don't add to the pressure by calling them the Irish Messi !!
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millhouse
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
These are indeed the type of players we should be looking at. However, so much talk and meaningless bluster has come out of PR since PJ took over that I have little faith that they mean it and even less faith that we’ll land any of these targets, especially when PJ continues to play down the club and the area.
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Mike Rotch
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Milhouse, So having spent the entire season complianing that we needed more hungry, young players we are now complaining because we are looking at some?
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TrueBlue
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Well done you EADT scribes.. you breathlessly stated that Ward would make his decision on wednesday - and lo it has come to pass.
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Rob Steroo
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Seems like another Leadbitter situation !!!!! What is required at PR is a well respected figure as a director of football, someone like Mick Mills or Terry Butcher who are 'true blue' to the core 'selling ITFC to the prospective signing and sitting in on final negotiating discussions with CEO Clegg.
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Brian Betts
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
BREAKING NEWS - we have pulled out of talks with Joel Ward because he has not been likened to anyone famous. We are instead chasing the Irish Messi, an Ibrahimovic imitator and an undercover Ronaldo
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millhouse
Tuesday, May 22, 2012