U's lacked quality, admits boss Ward (From Gazette)

U's lacked quality, admits boss Ward

6:28pm Saturday 15th September 2012 in Sport By Jonathan Waldron

U's lacked quality, admits boss Ward

Colchester United manager John Ward admitted his side lacked the necessary quality after watching them slump to a third successive defeat.

The U’s are now bottom of the League One table, following their 2-1 home loss at the hands of Doncaster Rovers this afternoon.

Colchester fell behind to David Cotterill’s fine third-minute strike.

And although Magnus Okuonghae equalised with a deflected shot on the half hour, an own goal by midfielder Andrew Bond handed Rovers all three points at the Weston Homes Community Stadium .

Ward said: “We’ve tried as hard as we can.

“In basic terms every player put their best effort in and I don’t think anybody shirked that, with the substitutes too.

“The whole squad has put their best efforts in to win the game.

“But we’ve conceded two exceptionally soft goals from our point of view.

“I know there’s no good time to do anything but we put ourselves in a position where we’ve been chasing the game for a large part of the match.

“We tried hard to do that but we want to be in a position where it’s a bit safer and better and we haven’t been able to do that in either penalty box.

“I thought we stood up and fought but at least the team went in at half-time level and with pride restored.

“We stood up well after the second goal went in against us too and I feel for my team a little bit because we’ve lacked a bit of quality – I accept that – but at the same time we had to chase the game.”

See Monday’s Gazette for a full match report, pictures and reaction to Colchester United ’s defeat to Doncaster Rovers.

Comments(28)

Bampotonian says...
7:33pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Wearing a bit thin now??

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We're not singing anymore!!! says...
7:37pm Sat 15 Sep 12

I didn't go to the game today and part of me thinks I'm glad. That's never nice as supporter to say that.

On paper the team is full of quality. So why don't you question yourself Ward ????

One win in twenty
Four goals scored (three of them by defenders)
One clueless manager

I'm seriously questioning if I'll go again while Ward is in charge.

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Steve86 says...
7:44pm Sat 15 Sep 12

We're not singing anymore!!! wrote:
I didn't go to the game today and part of me thinks I'm glad. That's never nice as supporter to say that.

On paper the team is full of quality. So why don't you question yourself Ward ????

One win in twenty
Four goals scored (three of them by defenders)
One clueless manager

I'm seriously questioning if I'll go again while Ward is in charge.

A lot of fans are saying that they won't go again. Hence the 2,700 odd U's fans today at the stadium. And tbh I don't blame them.

Reference to the article, how can Ward say that everyone played their best?? I really hope he doesn't tell them that in training or after the game, as they will think a loss is OK, as long as they play well. Well I'll tell you now U's players the only players that played well are Bean and Massey, the other lot looked demotivated and shocking at times. I really don't understand how a team that can't pass the ball well to each other can play in league 1. Hence why we are bottom. WARD OUT!

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wellnow says...
7:56pm Sat 15 Sep 12

what an unlucky game.another day we would have had four.can't blame jw today.lady luck was just not with us.just one question what did we get clinton morrison for?

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Ozzie says...
8:07pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Just exactly WHAT do the players do in training? I saw little evidence of the 'high quality' training showing through on the pitch today!. JW always uses the excuse that 'we didn't have the rub of the green' or 'lady luck wasn't on our side today' or ' we worked hard but just on the day didn't win'. We are absolutely sick to the back teeth with excuses! We want action! We need a win and fast! Prove us wrong, Mr Ward! That's your challenge! Up the U's!!

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We're not singing anymore!!! says...
8:34pm Sat 15 Sep 12

wellnow wrote:
what an unlucky game.another day we would have had four.can't blame jw today.lady luck was just not with us.just one question what did we get clinton morrison for?

Maybe Lady Luck will be with us tomorrow and Cowling will sack Ward.

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Catboy says...
9:00pm Sat 15 Sep 12

We didn't deserve to lose, we had all the chances. However, they are a very poor team that mugged us through our own mistakes. That said, it is clear to anyone that went that change is needed. Time for JW to leave.

I find it incredible that Rose plays ahead of White, who is light years ahead of him.

I hope we can move on very soon. Sadly it is time for JW to leave.

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crazy comments says...
10:00pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Robbie Cowling get on your bike.
Please take John Ward for the Hike.
If you lose him on the way.
Colchester supporters will chant Horay!
Please dont bring him back.
Your easy answer is the sack.

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super waluigi says...
10:03pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Awkward game today. I am feeling very sad indeed.

I think every player had good and bad periods in this game and that includes fans favourite massey and fans enemy Rose.
For example at one point Rose put in a peach of a corner and then 20 seconds later he put in the most awful corner that never got of the ground.
We seem to have consistency in our results (3 draws in a row then 3 defeats) but our performances are inconsistent and thats not even game by game but down to inconsistent minute by minute.

I can only hope that the form turns to a consistent 3 wins in a row, or the players gel quicker and perform better.

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Catboy says...
10:12pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Rose isn't an enemy how (what are your thought processes) - he is a U's player. But he is appalling as a full back anyone that knows anything about football can see that.

I don't believe in knee-jerk reactions but Ward must go. The attendances are plummeting and there is no belief in the team.

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super waluigi says...
10:14pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Perhaps enemy was the wrong word. But he is not popular amongst the majority of u's fans.

Any how I hope you know what I mean.

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Boris says...
1:28am Sun 16 Sep 12

Catboy wrote:
We didn't deserve to lose, we had all the chances. However, they are a very poor team that mugged us through our own mistakes. That said, it is clear to anyone that went that change is needed. Time for JW to leave.

I find it incredible that Rose plays ahead of White, who is light years ahead of him.

I hope we can move on very soon. Sadly it is time for JW to leave.

As I have said before on another thread, once I see reports that John White is playing, I shall be back there at the Breezeblock Palace. Until then, I'm staying away.

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RB, Lexden says...
8:57am Sun 16 Sep 12

Is Michael Rose jinxed?.
In 2009-2010,he made 24 league appearances for Stockport County
and they finished bottom of League One and they were relegated.
In 2010-2011,he made 35 league
appearances for Swindon Town and they finished bottom of League One and they were relegated.
Now ,with Rose in the team,we are
bottom of League One and heading
for relegation.
If Michael is not careful,he could become the subject of a pub quiz question : which footballer starred in three relegated teams in the space of
four seasons?.

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We're not singing anymore!!! says...
10:16am Sun 16 Sep 12

I feel sorry for Rose. I'm not a fan of his so don't get the wrong impression as I'm usually one of the first shouting out when he makes a mistake. But I have seen glimpses of what could be a good player.

He seems to be a confidence player, and lets face it, Ward is not someone you can imagine installing a lot of confidence in anybody.

Currently the way Rose is playing it would appear that we have much better fullbacks. Going forward, at times, he doesn't look too bad but defending, he definitely looks like a weak link.

Lets not use Rose as a scapegoat, I think most of us know this is derived from bad management.

Up the U's

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ranter125 says...
11:58am Sun 16 Sep 12

A new poster here - I (until last year) had been a season ticket holder for 30 years. Like those of us older in the tooth, I've seen many U's teams, many a lot worse than the current.
I've heard many comments about levels of expectations being too high. It's easy to say that we've had our best finishes over the last few seasons, but then we should, the investment in the team since RC became chairman has been the largest in the clubs history!
I don't think it unreasonable to expect the current squad to be performing a lot better than they are. We have a squad who should be pushing for a play off place, even if we don't achieve it. We have entertaining, pacy players who have done well elsewhere or who are held in high regard by other clubs. So why are they not performing?
Personally I think it's the negative way we have played over the last 2 seasons, and the motivation provided by the management team. Fans look for two things from their team, firstly performance, and secondly results. No-one would mind if we had seen a pulsating game full of effort and passion, and the result goes against us, We know we have off days, and we know we get lucky sometimes. Thats football. But for too long, we've not seen a great game, and 1 win in 20 speaks for itself. The buck should stop with the manager.
However, it appears the owner and funder of Colchester United is happy with the manager. RC runs the club as a business, and the fans are the customers. To be honest, everyone can rant and rave "Ward out" but whilst you continue to pay your hard earned through the turnstiles, nothing will change. The only thing I believe that will get Robbie to change his mind is if you vote with your money and not go, as I have done.It's a personal choice, if you're happy continue to go, but if you're not, save your money.
This is written with a desire to see the team do well, and as someone who has spent a lot of time and money following the U's.
I hope it changes soon before the fan base dwindles even further.

A new poster here - I (until last year) had been a season ticket holder for 30 years. Like those of us older in the tooth, I've seen many U's teams, many a lot worse than the current. I've heard many comments about levels of expectations being too high. It's easy to say that we've had our best finishes over the last few seasons, but then we should, the investment in the team since RC became chairman has been the largest in the clubs history! I don't think it unreasonable to expect the current squad to be performing a lot better than they are. We have a squad who should be pushing for a play off place, even if we don't achieve it. We have entertaining, pacy players who have done well elsewhere or who are held in high regard by other clubs. So why are they not performing? Personally I think it's the negative way we have played over the last 2 seasons, and the motivation provided by the management team. Fans look for two things from their team, firstly performance, and secondly results. No-one would mind if we had seen a pulsating game full of effort and passion, and the result goes against us, We know we have off days, and we know we get lucky sometimes. Thats football. But for too long, we've not seen a great game, and 1 win in 20 speaks for itself. The buck should stop with the manager. However, it appears the owner and funder of Colchester United is happy with the manager. RC runs the club as a business, and the fans are the customers. To be honest, everyone can rant and rave "Ward out" but whilst you continue to pay your hard earned through the turnstiles, nothing will change. The only thing I believe that will get Robbie to change his mind is if you vote with your money and not go, as I have done.It's a personal choice, if you're happy continue to go, but if you're not, save your money. This is written with a desire to see the team do well, and as someone who has spent a lot of time and money following the U's. I hope it changes soon before the fan base dwindles even further. ranter125

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Layer Road Exile says...
12:44pm Sun 16 Sep 12

ranter125 wrote:
A new poster here - I (until last year) had been a season ticket holder for 30 years. Like those of us older in the tooth, I've seen many U's teams, many a lot worse than the current.
I've heard many comments about levels of expectations being too high. It's easy to say that we've had our best finishes over the last few seasons, but then we should, the investment in the team since RC became chairman has been the largest in the clubs history!
I don't think it unreasonable to expect the current squad to be performing a lot better than they are. We have a squad who should be pushing for a play off place, even if we don't achieve it. We have entertaining, pacy players who have done well elsewhere or who are held in high regard by other clubs. So why are they not performing?
Personally I think it's the negative way we have played over the last 2 seasons, and the motivation provided by the management team. Fans look for two things from their team, firstly performance, and secondly results. No-one would mind if we had seen a pulsating game full of effort and passion, and the result goes against us, We know we have off days, and we know we get lucky sometimes. Thats football. But for too long, we've not seen a great game, and 1 win in 20 speaks for itself. The buck should stop with the manager.
However, it appears the owner and funder of Colchester United is happy with the manager. RC runs the club as a business, and the fans are the customers. To be honest, everyone can rant and rave "Ward out" but whilst you continue to pay your hard earned through the turnstiles, nothing will change. The only thing I believe that will get Robbie to change his mind is if you vote with your money and not go, as I have done.It's a personal choice, if you're happy continue to go, but if you're not, save your money.
This is written with a desire to see the team do well, and as someone who has spent a lot of time and money following the U's.
I hope it changes soon before the fan base dwindles even further.

I'm not convinced that Cowling takes any notice of the fans at all. I recall him being challenged in the bar after a game by a fan who asked why he didn't make some offers to encourage casual fans back. His answer was "because I don't have to". Having rarely missed a home game since the sixties, I attended five last season (all awful) and none so far this season. It's very easy to get out of the habit of going to games and that's the problem Cowling will have if the poor to mediocre fare continues to be served by Ward. Hopefully he has a big family to keep him company at games because it's going to be an increasingly lonely place if this regime continues. On the upside, he could rename the team Cowling United without the need to change the acronym.

[quote][p][bold]ranter125[/bold] wrote: A new poster here - I (until last year) had been a season ticket holder for 30 years. Like those of us older in the tooth, I've seen many U's teams, many a lot worse than the current. I've heard many comments about levels of expectations being too high. It's easy to say that we've had our best finishes over the last few seasons, but then we should, the investment in the team since RC became chairman has been the largest in the clubs history! I don't think it unreasonable to expect the current squad to be performing a lot better than they are. We have a squad who should be pushing for a play off place, even if we don't achieve it. We have entertaining, pacy players who have done well elsewhere or who are held in high regard by other clubs. So why are they not performing? Personally I think it's the negative way we have played over the last 2 seasons, and the motivation provided by the management team. Fans look for two things from their team, firstly performance, and secondly results. No-one would mind if we had seen a pulsating game full of effort and passion, and the result goes against us, We know we have off days, and we know we get lucky sometimes. Thats football. But for too long, we've not seen a great game, and 1 win in 20 speaks for itself. The buck should stop with the manager. However, it appears the owner and funder of Colchester United is happy with the manager. RC runs the club as a business, and the fans are the customers. To be honest, everyone can rant and rave "Ward out" but whilst you continue to pay your hard earned through the turnstiles, nothing will change. The only thing I believe that will get Robbie to change his mind is if you vote with your money and not go, as I have done.It's a personal choice, if you're happy continue to go, but if you're not, save your money. This is written with a desire to see the team do well, and as someone who has spent a lot of time and money following the U's. I hope it changes soon before the fan base dwindles even further.[/p][/quote]I'm not convinced that Cowling takes any notice of the fans at all. I recall him being challenged in the bar after a game by a fan who asked why he didn't make some offers to encourage casual fans back. His answer was "because I don't have to". Having rarely missed a home game since the sixties, I attended five last season (all awful) and none so far this season. It's very easy to get out of the habit of going to games and that's the problem Cowling will have if the poor to mediocre fare continues to be served by Ward. Hopefully he has a big family to keep him company at games because it's going to be an increasingly lonely place if this regime continues. On the upside, he could rename the team Cowling United without the need to change the acronym. Layer Road Exile

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totallyfootball says...
2:34pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Never mind them lacking quality you are lacking all sorts, mostly ideas and a clue of what the basic elments of what the modern game is all about.

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United we stand says...
2:51pm Sun 16 Sep 12

I couldn't attend yesterday's game but the words "Inept" and "woeful" have been used by those I know who did get along to WHCS.......in other words, more of the same it seems!
I have responded to Robbie Cowling's request for planning application support for asking for two things in return:
one is the obvious one......a change of team management;
the other is a request to show the fan base that he can put football matters before his extensive personal and family business interests - e.g. by reinstating the BBC commentaries of home games so that people like my elderly father (also a life-long fan) can "support" in the only way possible for him - through listening to his radio every Saturday afternoon. His health prevents him from attending matches these days.
How sad I too found it yesterday to realise how the profile of the club is further lowered when fans tuning into their local station were finding just an occasional 30-second snippet from WHCS injected into the full-match commentary of Braintree's away match at Mansfield.
How on earth does this help those who want to support and those who might be encouraged to give Col Utd a try?....although to the latter I would recommend holding back until the JW-era is a distance if still painful memory!

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Steve86 says...
4:41pm Sun 16 Sep 12

E I E I E I O... Down the football league we go, when we get relegated... This is what we'll sing... We told you, we told you, we told you COWLING!!!!!! (new chant)

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Blue & White Robbo says...
4:46pm Sun 16 Sep 12

I have read the posts on this link and others with interest. I agree with most but would just like to make some simple observations.

Take Stevenage, They lost their manager last year after years of good performances. The new man comes in and has a mediocre start, then a massive clearout of players for numerous reasons. Now look where they are. doing well and only on 2,500 gates (less than us)
It shows if you have round pegs in round holes it works.

Last week I went to see Cambridge United play Wrexham. It ended 1-4 to Wrexham but could have been 1-7 easily. Again round pegs in round holes. Andy Morrell has them playing superbly and the game was great to watch. Once they took control of the game the formation changed to 3-2-3-2 playing to their strengths. I admire the team and how they play. (Cambridge were poor to be fair)

Conversly, I went to watch Norwich play West Ham yesterday - a match I had been looking forward to but alas left disapointed. lots of expensive talant on show - I think it would still be 0-0 if they were playing now. First half not bad second half dire !

I think I'm trying to say it doesen't matter what level you are at or what you pay people, get the ballance, attitude and desire right and you will succeed.

Sadly I feel we have lost the plot a bit when we needed managerial stability and it just doesn't seem to be working.

Whilst I am ambivalant about John Ward, if he goes, then it's another two years of 'not my team / players' and we are back to square one.

Come on boys - win a few on the bounce - gates creep up and Cuckoo Farm becomes a better place - and the likes of me come and watch more games.

Please !!!!!!

Up the U's

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New forward says...
6:24pm Sun 16 Sep 12

It is sad to see the Us at the foot of the table with a manager who fails to inspire players or fans, has put together a fair squad but plays in ways that does not get the best use of the undoubted talents of the individual players. The gates are dwindling because of poor management. Find a budding 'Phil Parkinson' type YOUNG manager, Mr Cowling and you'll find a dramatic improvement in results and probably more important, gates. Continue the present way and the Tiptree planning application changes won't be needed!

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NOTTHEREALNORM says...
9:38am Mon 17 Sep 12

A true supporter supports - too many on here are just good weather supporters who want quick expensive fixes which just arn't going to happen. Robbie Cowling has put his money where his mouth is and has the manager he wants - don't like it? Tough. The moaners were vociferous even in the Parkie and Championship days - it's their way - moan, moan, moan on the internet and in the stands.
I've supported the U's since 1960 - good times and bad - simple fixes don't work - hard work and time does, just like in real life. The hard core of Colchester United supporters is exactly that - there whenever, wherever supporting - be one or go elsewhere - there's always Ipswich or Southend you can go and support in your meager way.

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TheCaptain says...
9:45am Mon 17 Sep 12

The problem with Rose that whilst he's okay going forward he can't defend and he's a full back. We need white or coker at laft back.

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We're not singing anymore!!! says...
10:03am Mon 17 Sep 12

NOTTHEREALNORM wrote:
A true supporter supports - too many on here are just good weather supporters who want quick expensive fixes which just arn't going to happen. Robbie Cowling has put his money where his mouth is and has the manager he wants - don't like it? Tough. The moaners were vociferous even in the Parkie and Championship days - it's their way - moan, moan, moan on the internet and in the stands. I've supported the U's since 1960 - good times and bad - simple fixes don't work - hard work and time does, just like in real life. The hard core of Colchester United supporters is exactly that - there whenever, wherever supporting - be one or go elsewhere - there's always Ipswich or Southend you can go and support in your meager way.

A true Manager manages too. The only thing JW is managing to do is take us down to League two. Under Ward we don't look like we could beat an egg.

I'm not disagreeing about Robbie Cowling putting his money where his mouth is. In fact, I feel sorry for him as he has a lot of ambition for Colchester United and Ward is falling way short of delivering.

Every fan has the right to voice his/her opinion in whatever way they see fit. Just because you don't agree with it doesn't make it wrong, that's what makes football the exciting game that it is.

Most Col U fans don't expect a quick expensive fix but most fans do expect to see their team trying their best. Something we've not seen for a while.

I agree that hard work changes things but can you honestly say you've seen hard work put in by the Col U players lately ? We have potentially a very good team. We just don't have a manager who's bringing that out. That point will be proved when Ward is given the boot.

Up the U's

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Originally from ... says...
11:12am Mon 17 Sep 12

Well I have always been a voice of reason on here and argued against knee jerk reaction/changes as I am not convicned that there are better availble managers out there but ........... we seem to be plunging into crisis so (reluctantly) i am now inclined to agree that change is needed and soon.

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Banbury U says...
12:11pm Mon 17 Sep 12

The only way the fans can help is to really get behind the 11 players that pull on the strip on a Saturday. After the final whistle, we are all entitled to opinions and all have different views on what needs to change or be done. I spent all of last season backing JW as it seemed the lesser of all other evils and our final league positions have justified it, I think.

However, with one win in 20 and poor performances all over the pitch barring a handful of players who are busting a gut, JW just isn't cutting it for me now. His language is not positive enough for example of the use of "trying to win" rather than "going to win" or having "reasonable confidence in himself" as opposed to "full unwaivering confidence in himself" and this lack of positivity is translating onto the football field, I fear.

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romantic says...
12:57pm Mon 17 Sep 12

NOTTHEREALNORM wrote:
A true supporter supports - too many on here are just good weather supporters who want quick expensive fixes which just arn't going to happen. Robbie Cowling has put his money where his mouth is and has the manager he wants - don't like it? Tough. The moaners were vociferous even in the Parkie and Championship days - it's their way - moan, moan, moan on the internet and in the stands.
I've supported the U's since 1960 - good times and bad - simple fixes don't work - hard work and time does, just like in real life. The hard core of Colchester United supporters is exactly that - there whenever, wherever supporting - be one or go elsewhere - there's always Ipswich or Southend you can go and support in your meager way.

For me, the central thing is that players give 100%, do as well as they can do. If a team loses having done that, fans will accept it. There is no quick fix, it does take time, but ultimately, the buck stops at the manager´s door.

1 win in 20 is not just relegation form, but humiliation form. The people who pay their hard-earned money to follow Col U do have the right to expect more than that form. Changing the manager might not change that, but how long do we go on before accepting that it seems not to be working?

Yes, the hardcore fans are loyal, but their numbers are dwindling. Like it or not, it also takes the "fair-weather" fans to come and watch games to get more bums on seats. Some of them might become hardcore fans over time, some will come once in a while.

This town is full of "fans" who support Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham, Man U by watching them on the TV. The challenge is to get those people into watching Col U live, but why would they leave the pub or sofa for a team which is not really trying?

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SamPR says...
1:02pm Mon 17 Sep 12

Never commented before, but at this difficult time think I should. On the matter of left back, feel that Ben Coker has not been given a fair chance. He hasn't started a game since just before Xmas. He started at Brentford, on a steaming hot day. Surely he wasn't match fit but gave his all and played well. Actually he was 'star man' on the Skysports live link at 75 mins!! He defends well, doesn't stray out of position as some I could mention, and puts in dangerous crosses when he gets forward. Ward needs to give him a run of games. He was 'young player of the year' two seasons ago and can't have become a bad player - he can only improve given the chance.

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