"Strange one" - Derby County told to keep ex-Peterborough United ace | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk‘ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

When Derby County snapped up Joe Ward on a free transfer last summer, it felt like a shrewd signing.

Ward had just had another fantastic season in the third tier, helping Peterborough United reach the play-offs, scoring six goals and registering 10 assists.

Furthermore, this was a player with extensive, promotion-winning experience in the division, having clocked up 165 appearances in the third tier and won promotion with Peterborough in 2020/21.

Joe Ward's season at Derby so far

Despite the above, it has not been plain sailing for Ward since his arrival at Derby. In fact, it has been far from it.

Having started the first three league games of the season, Ward sustained a heel injury that saw him miss two months' worth of action, and since then, he has been constantly in and out of the side.

To date, for example, he has made just 16 appearances in League One, with just 10 of these being starts.

Indeed, for large parts, it has been Kane Wilson or Ryan Nyambe preferred at right-back and right-wing-back, respectively.

Joe Ward's future at Derby County

Despite this, though, Ward has started three games consecutively recently, and grabbed two assists in those matches, once again highlighting the ability he has at this level.

But, with his lack of game time, we asked FLW's Derby County fan pundit Shaun Woodward what he thought the club should do with Ward in the summer and beyond - get rid or keep?

“Strange one with Joe Ward,”Shaun explained to FLW.

“Pre-season [he] looked an absolute baller, brilliant delivery - that’s never been in question really, but he just doesn’t really suit playing as a full-back.

“Wing-back? 100 percent. If we play a 3-5-2, he’s right up there with anyone in League One, possibly even the Championship, because of his delivery, and as we’ve seen in the last few games, play him in his right position, and hes an excellent player - he’s almost like a new signing.

“Yes, there’s lots of competition with Wilson and Nyambe, but I think Nyambe suits a back four far better, because he’s much better defensively, but he doesn’t offer us anywhere near as much going forward, so it all depends on which formation Warne wants to play.

“But, it’s good to have them both because it means he can be flexible with his formations, so I would keep him.

“Regardless of what league we’re in, I’d keep him because he’s shown over the last few games what he’s worth.

“It’s good to have all three of them [Ward, Wilson and Nyambe] so yeah, exciting times.“

Paul Warne factor key

Given what our fan pundit explained above, it's clear that Joe Ward has real talent.

The crucial factor appears to be Paul Warne, and which formation he wants to play.

What you would say is that, given how good he is at this level, if Derby remain in League One, and he does not see more game time, he may begin to seek a move.

At third-tier level, he is far too good to sit on the bench for as much as he has done this season, and if his situation does not change, he will surely have plenty of suitors out there.

Derby are well in the mix for promotion at present, though, and he would surely fancy a crack at the Championship if they go up.