Joel Ward
UPDATED: Joel Ward chose Crystal Palace over Ipswich Town for football reasons
By Dave Gooderham
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
6:40 AM
JOEL Ward chose Crystal Palace over Ipswich Town after assurances that he would start the season as the Eagles’ first choice right-back.
We understand that the Portsmouth man – who was at the centre of a tug-of-war between six Championship clubs – had grown frustrated with his versatile tag.
And while Blues boss Paul Jewell and owner Marcus Evans had impressed Ward during negotiations, the fact that the 22-year-old was seen by the Town manager as someone who could play in many positions was a drawback to the player himself.
Whereas Palace boss Dougie Freedman is expected to start Ward at right-back, his preferred position, with Nathaniel Clyne destined to move to the Premier League.
Ward last night completed his switch to Selhurst Park on a four-year deal for £400,000.
Sources close to Palace suggested that they had watched the defender-cum-midfielder more than 20 times last season.
The move was seen as something of a coup after Palace beat off the challenge of Ipswich, Leeds United, Burnley, Sheffield Wednesday and Blackpool for his signature.
It also ends a five-month pursuit of the player by Jewell who first declared his interest in Ward in January.
He met with the player in March with a view to a loan signing but on both occasions Portsmouth refused to sanction a deal.
The Ipswich manager had never hid the fact he was looking to sign Ward in the close season, following Pompey’s financial problems and subsequent relegation, but he was pipped to the post by Freedman.
Ward left Portsmouth with words of praise ringing in his ears from manager Michael Appleton who also hinted that the player had grown restless by playing in different positions.
Appleton said: “I have said it enough that if he was given an opportunity in my squad next season, he would be competing at right-back. This season, in an ideal world, that would have been his position, too.
“But we had to mix and match a lot of the time and he helped us out by filling in all sorts of positions.
“I think he will now get the opportunity to nail down a regular position at his new club and that will be at right-back.”
Palace assistant boss Lennie Lawrence was understandably delighted to beat off competition from his Championship rivals and convince Ward that his football was best served in South London.
Lawrence said: “Joel has been a long-term target for Dougie Freedman and this signing is a real coup for the football club.
“We have had severe competition for his signature from other championship clubs and he has spoken to them as you would expect him to do.
“We are absolutely delighted he has chosen us and we firmly believe that he will be a Premier League player one day and he obviously sees us as his best way forward in terms of his career.”
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45 comments
Spartacus, so everything the eadt prints that is written in the manner you state, must be true. I now understand why you are so confused.
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Cyril Baker
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Obviously PJ sees Edwards as the number one right back for next season and Ward realised that. I prefer specialists in defensive positions and thought that too much effort was being made on Ward. I would rather we had focussed more on Pearce. Anyway Elliot looks like a very promising understudy to Edwards will be interesting to see how long it is before he takes over as first choice..... any predictions....?
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Lindsay Ferguson
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
My god- we miss out on one player and its the end of the world. I think there are some over reactions below- Players still come to town, Chops had his suitors and so did Bowyer regardless of what the supporters thought of him he had options as did Dury. There were other clubs that apealed to him even less than Town did, so we cant of done that bad a job on someone who clearly dosnt want to be far from home. Lets look at the apparent impending arrival of Hewitt as postive and keep it and see who else arrives before we write of next season.
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TrueBlue
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
@ Cyril: To be fair, even when speech marks are utilised within the stories you choose to accuse the journos of lying, or something similar. I'd easily be convinced it was for football reasons (C. Palace do seem to be better set up for the future with their youth system). If it was for money, and there was little in it, bearing in mind the small sum he was purchased for I can't believe we would be that tight- especially after the wasted money in salaries over the last few years. Why do you think he turned us down for Palace? I don't buy the geography angle... not for a moment. I think he just didn't trust the set up (sic) that Jewell has at the club.
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I am Spartacus
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
PLAYERS ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN HOW LONG THE CONTRACT IS AND HOW MUCH MONEY IT PAYS,, NO MATTER WHAT CLUB IT IS
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MIGUEL100
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Paul The Alien - you HOPE ? Remember that 'hope springs eternal' but reality is always present. The reality at PR can be seen by supporters who hope that improvements emerge but deep down they feel that it is unlikely under the present ownership and management.
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Brian Betts
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
The eadt are at it again, nowhere does the player say he choose Crystal Palace for footballing reasons, it was his previous manager who suggested this could be the case, but of course it suits the eadt agenda to try and stir things up.
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Cyril Baker
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
If these comments are true, then it shows even more, what a disaster Jewell is. He could have started Ward as first choice right back, and that would have allowed Carlos to play as a wide right midfield player, which would have strengthened the team both defensively, and offensively. Instead, we have the usual hot air and failure, with yet another so called target going elsewhere. Still, maybe it was for the best, as maybe he didn't do that well in training.
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Kevin Bailey
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
New headlines, with same old rubbish and same old moaners. If his priority was to stay near his home it suggests little ambition, and we are better off without him. Brian and Kevin your negative comments are missing from the Hewit headline page.
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Cyril Baker
Monday, May 28, 2012
we are a joke i'm unemployed due to health reasons and only missed a few home games last season when you go to an ipswich game you can sense the air of inevitability of ipswich town supporters that you're going to get another inept performance from inept players there's to belief desire or ambition to get us into the promised land we supporters are always getting fed the preferbial bull about new signings that never happen always will do i think its to sell more season tickets.
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blueyessex42
Monday, May 28, 2012
It's interesting to read other peoples comments. Yes there probably are one or two who post constant negative comments and maybe the general feeling is of negativity. But how can you be positive when player after player rejects Town in favour of other teams, often with no visible advantage over us. No one suggests that ITFC should be held to ransom, either by current players or future possibles but it does beg the question "Why do they always pick the other team" ?
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whymarkmariner
Monday, May 28, 2012
Atmosphere works when the team and fans and club are UNITED. We are disunited, due to the ineffective CEO, the manager who is rather like the nodding dog from the advert, and an owner who is redefining what investment means. There is discord and division, as the club has been ripped to bits, leading to a massive fall in attendances, which in turn perpetuates the poor atmosphere, and so on. A classical downward spiral. Actions are needed to reverse this, starting with a CEO that understands football, and a manager who can remember what he said on Tuesday, when speaking on Thursday so that he does not contradict it and make himself look foolish. I doubt much will alter whilst Evans remains here, although if he replaces Clegg and Jewell it could. Look what happened at Chelsea with a change of manager. Ipswich has been lacking it's spirit since the North Stand was knocked down, it has never really been the same since then, which was worsened by administration, and I fear it is lost forever.
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Kevin Bailey
Monday, May 28, 2012
Interesting debate. Ed has a point, there are a lot of boring. negative people on here but in fairness what has there really been in the last few seasons to get us fans really going? Very little I'm afraid, but I'm hopeful this will change and yes, with the 'magical trio'.
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Paul The Alien
Monday, May 28, 2012
Ed, it is finally up to both manager and the players to produce performances that get the fans smiling and shouting again. Surely you cannot claim that in the past 5 seasons there has been many positive or sparkling performances.!!!!!
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Brian Betts
Monday, May 28, 2012
Ed Taylor - what planet are you from ???????? I've never hear anyone before suggest that the performance of the players & manager is a result of the attitude of the fans. ??????? All conventional wisdom is that the mood of the fans is a direct result of the performances of the players & manager rather than the other way around - if you want proof of this I would suggest that you go to Manchester City, Chelsea - or dare I say it - even Norwich - & try & find a 'miserable' fan. The basic premise of football is that the fans pay over their hard earned cash to managers & players to live a life of comfort & ask in return that we get some committment exitement & entertainment from them - if you like we employ them - in what other walk of life would you expect to pay someone & still feel there is an onus on you to be Jolly & upbeat whatever they gave you in return ??????????????????????
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Old Timer
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sky have this as a done deal...I can't for one second believe that geography was the only reason for choosing Palace over town...Are we to really believe that he would have turned down a move to Barcelona or Manchester for instance and sign for Palace because its closer to home ???...Good luck to him and hopefully Town wont be out muscled in their bid for 17 year old Elliott Hewitt....EADT - Please no stories Monday quoting Ward saying how it was the most difficult decision of his life, that he was impressed with ITFC and Jewell and Clegg and Evans and the fans and the facilities and...you get my drift
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bluearmy78
Saturday, May 26, 2012
can you blame him. with a ceo and useless manager. and a blind owner that cannot see what is goining on at portman road. good players who maney years wood love to come ipswich now stay clear.
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mike benham
Saturday, May 26, 2012
...and we're still in the hunt for Sigurdson? Seriously? What do they think!?
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ITFC <3
Saturday, May 26, 2012
I want to be able to say that Jewell, Clegg and Evans will learn from this. I want to; but it just won't happen. They will just continue to work using their ancient system for transfers, and then sign a load of poor players in order to please the fans.
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ITFC <3
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Cyril, you've at last woken up and smelt the coffee and can hopefully appreciate what all us 'moaners', whingers' and negative supporters are concerned about with ITFC. Of course CEO Clegg is not up to the job he holds but he is convenient for the invisible man and does as he is told. If as you say ME is a busy man and trusts Clegg to negotiate signings then he is not as astute as he is given credit for (but don't forget the Olympics link) in which case why should supporters have any faith in his other appointment PJ ? I am absolutely with Kevin Bailey on this one, that for ITFC the 'three wise men' are hopeless and we are unlikely to make any progress any time soon ( apart from seeing the debt rising steadily ) which Tom will undoubtedly disagree with !!!!!
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Brian Betts
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Comeing second AGAIN in the race to sign players(how many time's have we heard that). But haveing a second RATE, C.E.O- Clegg.. Plus a manager who can't manage no wonder we are were we are 10years out of the the top flight... When will some body wake up down at Portman Road and give us something to believe in once again............
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david bradley
Saturday, May 26, 2012
What did anyone expect? With our joke of a club, and the depressing views of the fans on here, who would want to play or manage for us? Get real people! Every time I go to a game, I see the misery in the fans, it gets the team and manager down.
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Ed Taylor
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Some good news at last. Out of interest, what are the statistics of players rumoured to sign for ITFC that actually do sign vs those that don't. I suspect you'll find it's not worth writing about the rumours. I know I'm sick to death of seeing them.
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Metal head
Friday, May 25, 2012
Good Luck to Joel Ward and Crystal Palace. I expect that Joe Ward chose Palace over a 4 year deal. These were the same terms offered that Ipswich lost out on Pearce to Leeds. Jewell's target list is good enough to get us promotion. It is either our inbility to close deals (Evans control)?, or our poor reputation is the transfer market (weak offer'sshort contracts)? or our media tycoon (Evans) deliberately leaking transfer targets with little or no intention to buy in the first place?. Ipswich seem very active with talk but very quiet with physical actions. It appears we demonstrate a club with limited ambition. The money we sold for WaltersWickham (10m) was not reinvested was it? The season ticket sales will be flat due to our actions in the transfer market (currently ideal time) and due to this our owner will have to keep putting money in the cookie jar to keep us afloat which will reduce Jewells spending budget in transfer window. And the circle will continue until we realise that we have to back Jewells targets to get anywhere in the first place. Two months ago Lee Martin stated he wanted a new deal. Jewell said he would either sell players with a year to go or offer a deal. When is Lee Martin going to be looked after? Or is that why we are looking to hire more midfielder's when we have plenty of quality on the books. What we need is two strong central defenders and a very good forward last time i looked. Plenty of young, hungary alternatives out there if we dont go cheap. Good Luck Paul Jewell this summer!!
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Stiff Talking
Friday, May 25, 2012
As Queen said "Another one bites the dust" No surprise really, have we since PJ, ME and the like arrived bought anyone when there's competition. We can't even buy players who's club is in administration. Looks like another closed season of getting loanees and has beens. It has to be that the management are not convincing these players enough to get them to sign. You don't just go for a job because it's closest to you. You go for the prospects both financial and furtherment. Both of which Ipswich are clearly lacking. Disappointing, frustrating and galling for our prospects of ever seeing the promised land. Matty Holland recently said on a radio interview that ITFC had spent more time in the Championship than any other team. Maybe PJ has heard that you get a trophy for 20 years in the Championship?
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whymarkmariner
Friday, May 25, 2012
Same old rubbish different season. I see Towns search for a new No.1 Keeper has already seen them miss out on Lewis and Kirkland because as per usual they are putting all their eggs in one basket with the Man Utd Pole (whose name I can't spell !) when he turns us down to sit on a Premiership bench we will be left up a finilar creek without a paddle and have to rely on loanees again.
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Pencil Pete
Friday, May 25, 2012
Although you may be a club higher then us in the league and are way closer to promotion than we our. Ward is deciding to join a progressing club building a bright future for it self and is good at managing young players (although you did produce Conner Wickham) as he is only 22 and I think he will be a top quality replacement for Clyne for a reasonable fee. We too have our moments and are slowly trying to build a squad which can push for the playoffs and aim to be in a similar position to the one you are always in and challenge for a top 6 spot each season. Ward must see this and want the move for many more reasons than 'it is closer too home'. Despite your higher attendants and position he may just feel we are the right club for him and his future.
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CPFCkirby96
Friday, May 25, 2012
Deg get real - Palace have a fine tradition of devleping players, have a highly impressive young manager & a location not unadjacent to london. It is far more depressing that ambitious young players are now prepared to leave Town with no club at all, rather than accept the derisory short-term contracts on offer - coupled with minimal playing opportunities.
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Rob Steroo
Friday, May 25, 2012
Of course he was never coming here, as I said all along. Why would he uproot his family when he doesn't need to. He is a good player, and the first of many we will be unable to sign, despite Jewell saying in January that he had identified targets, and that we would move early on......really? JewellCleggEvans are all hopeless
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Kevin Bailey
Friday, May 25, 2012
It would be a sad day if a young decent and ambitious player picks Crystal Palace over Ipswich Town..o my days....
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Deg
Friday, May 25, 2012
So it looks like we have missed out again due to our dithering. It has just been announced Cardiff have almost certainly captured Joe lewis of Posh. We miss out yet again on a player we need and a goalkeeper at that. We need a goalkeeper as well as others and, when one of quality - as Lewis is, becomes available we should be challenging not dithering. Frank Fielding can be captured. Yet again Managers, MANAGE!
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Graham Vine
Friday, May 25, 2012
Stu, Ward is only going to Palace based on where they are located, which is a lot nearer to his home than we or the northern clubs are. It is typical of us to miss out on such a quality young player for such a cheap fee, especially for our standards. This guy would of been a clear success just like Cresswell is at left back. It's a real shame, as speaking to my Palace mates, they reckon also that Freedman looks set to get him as that Clyne is leaving for a top 4 side,which means Ward would be a clear replacement. Also, I disagree that Palace are a 'little' club, they have had their moments just like we have and on their day are just as big a club as us and Norwich. Saying that, although our stature is similar to theirs, we are surely a more attractive club currently because a) we finished above them b) we get a lot larger crowds than them and c) we are a modest club desparate for promotion. Well, I guess now we can just hope for the very best! COYTB
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TractorTombo
Friday, May 25, 2012
This will always be our problem whilst we have a CEO who is not up to the job, Evans is a busy man and cannot fix appointments soon enough so we lose out. Clegg has to go if we have any future.
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Cyril Baker
Friday, May 25, 2012
I wouldn't sign him anyway. It is obvious he doesn't want to sign for us by the fact that it is taking him so long to make up his mind. All this transfer talk has become very boring. We will lose out on all of our so called targets and once again resort to old stages and has beens. It pains me to say it but ITFC is in a mess. Players no longer jump at the chance to play for us; I wonder why!
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Brian Ball
Friday, May 25, 2012
Good, why are we trying to sign people that do not want to play for ITFC.. mental.
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Vanmunt
Friday, May 25, 2012
How many more times does this player have to demonstrate that he doesn't really want to come here ????? Have some pride Ipswich - pull out of negotiations now !!!!! Concentrate on lower league players who want to come & play for the club - young hungry & wanting to prove themselves is worth more than an established player tryiung to get the 'right deal'
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Old Timer
Friday, May 25, 2012
If Ward goes elsewhere then it looks like it will be the same old story this summer as last...Jewell identifies his top targets, we enter into negotiations and they go elsewhere...I would suggest to Mr Jewell needs to arrange a very urgent meeting with the CEO and owner as this cannot continue - all last summer Paul Jewell's top transfer targets went elsewhere or stayed put. How on earth are ITFC going to do anything meaningful in the league unless they can secure the players the manager wants ???? It almost seems like the desire of the fans to gain promotion is not shared by that of the owner... No doubt we will soon be fed the "financial fair play" nonsense if it transpires money came into the equation on this "deal"....
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bluearmy78
Friday, May 25, 2012
Not the best news to hear but if we really have to twist his arm or try and tempt him with a bigger offer, is that the kind of player we want, i agree with the previous comments i doubt palace are in the running for promotion but am realistic and believe we should put off our aims for promotion for 3 years and spend that time building a strong competitive squad, just seen that portsmouth have released Jamie Ashdown and Villa have released Brad Guzan, theres alot of players out of contract and i personally feel we should try and sign a few, especially Gavin Hoyte
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Jonesey
Friday, May 25, 2012
After having a medical at CP I'm sure that's the last we'll hear of him joining Town, A complete waste of time and very similar circumstances as the Leadbitter fiasco, keep us hanging on until a better deal is put on the table. Oh well I wish the lad well he has to do whats best for him, just one more thing that's adding to our frustration.
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Jerry1961
Friday, May 25, 2012
dilly dallying around has cost us another signing by the looks of things . We seem to concentrate too long on one target then when they turn us down we have no time to look for another . Same old stuff this season with emergency loan deals . Mr Jewell Watford have a keeper called Loach who would walk out on Watford given half the chance to come back to Ipswich . URRRRM HELLO !!!!!
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jason slaymaker
Friday, May 25, 2012
Surprise, surprise !!!!!!!!!
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Brian Betts
Friday, May 25, 2012
We should go for Joey Barton stand a chance there!
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david bennett
Friday, May 25, 2012
Mr Ward is impressed by ' owner Marcus Evans’ hunger to lead Ipswich into the Premier League'. What evidence is available to fans of that hunger, please?
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Bertie Shrimp
Friday, May 25, 2012
Are they really a better option than us? He said one of the key things in his decision was who would offer best chance of promotion - sorry, but I don't believe Palace can do that. But if they do then it's a sad day that even a little club like them have got above us in the football pecking order.
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Stu
Friday, May 25, 2012
this must be the perfect lesson in how not to carry out a transferour ceo hasnt got a clue.
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david peters
Friday, May 25, 2012