Bristol Rovers player should be seriously considering future despite transfer blow: View | OneFootball

Bristol Rovers Goalkeeper Jed Ward should be considering his options amidst failed transfer

Bristol Rovers have an intriguing dilemma when it comes to their goalkeeper position going into the new season.

During the last campaign, the Gas saw the departure of former number one and fan favourite James Belshaw, with untested Matthew Hall brought in. Belshaw fell out of favour with former Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton, who then looked to the Brentford loanee to be his last line of defence and the trigger for his desired attacking style of play.

It didn’t quite work out for Cox, however, who, following a drop in form, would be replaced by Bristol Rovers Academy graduate Jed Ward.

With the departure of James Belshaw, and Cox being one of several players who returned to his parent club, the Gas have been left with two young and inexperienced goalkeepers, which wouldn’t be an ideal situation for any manager. Naturally, this led Rovers to reportedly agree (a now failed deal) to sign experienced out of contract goalkeeper Cameron Dawson -only to have Rotherham United swoop in.

Presumably, this means that Taylor has made his choice to go with experience and the Gas will be back in the market for a more established goalkeeper in the Football League. That brings into question whether Ward will be comfortable as the number two keeper, biding his time and fighting for his place. Honing his skills in what is rapidly looking like a squad full of exciting young talent balanced with some experienced heads.

Ward was already well into his development, enjoying loan spells in the National League, and when called upon for the Rovers senior team, made himself very much at home. He is still trying to find his feet – or his hands – at this level, but Ward could be on a fast-tracked path to success, having had a breakthrough season last campaign as a stand-out for the Gas in a lacklustre season, leading to securing a new contract and being called up to the newly rebranded England Elite League Squad.

On signing his new contract with the Gas, Ward spoke personally and directly to fans via the club’s media. In which he said: "Hello everyone, I’m really happy to sign my new contract with Bristol Rovers. It’s great to get it sorted out and get it done. The past few weeks playing in the first team have been unbelievable and I’m really happy to now keep it going. Coming back and signing my new deal comes at the end of a mental week for me. I went away with the England Elite League squad, which formerly was the U20s..."

Ward continued: "It marks another big step on this journey that I’ve been on so far. It’s not even close to being done but it’s really nice to be rewarded for my hard work with these things. I can still remember joining Bristol Rovers as a kid. I remember playing in a tournament over in Deerswood, and I can remember my Dad talking to me after the game and saying that Bristol Rovers wanted to take me on trial, and would I like to play in goal or outfield. I made the decision to go in goal."

Uncertainty could make Ward question his future

The Rovers' leadership have expressed their desire to build a strong ethos of youth development at the Gas. Seeking to enhance the academy and develop their own base of youth players. They will, of course, need to demonstrate this in how they manage their talent, and you can argue a new contract for Ward showed their commitment to that cause.

While it’s possible the club will have already had conversations with Ward about his immediate future, if not, the uncertainty currently surrounding that position might make Ward question where his future development may be best served. All of the above, however, should make Jed Ward currently indispensable for Bristol Rovers - unless, of course, we encounter a situation similar to that of Nigel Martyn, and we see England youth Ward sold for a colossal figure.

Quite what the player's view is on his future, after the collapsed move for Dawson, remains to be seen.