Player Focus: Joel Ward's Seamless Transition to the Premier League

When Crystal Palace won promotion to the Premier League last summer, most neutrals predicted that the Eagles would drop back into the Championship at the first time of asking. Initially, under the stewardship of Ian Holloway, those critics weren't being answered.

Palace lost 7 of their 8 league games under the guidance of their former boss and with the club caught in the midst of a relegation battle; it appeared they were doomed. However, after the charismatic 50-year-old departed Selhurst Park for the final time, Tony Pulis was drafted in as his replacement with the sole purpose of securing their top-flight safety.

The Welshman was confirmed as the Eagles’ new boss on the 23rd of November, watching from the stands as his new side secured a 1-0 win over Hull City, 1 of only 3 league defeats the Tigers have suffered at the KC Stadium this season. With Pulis at the helm, Palace have won 4 of 10 league games, while the 3 points picked up against former employers Stoke last time out moved the club out of the relegation zone.

The likes of Mile Jedinak, Julian Speroni and Marouane Chamakh have largely contributed to the results that have lifted the team up the table, but the performances of Joel Ward have largely gone unnoticed to non-Palace supporters. The 24-year old has started all but 2 of Palace’s league games this season and his displays have seen him gain an average WhoScored rating of 7.31; a figure bettered only by captain Jedinak (7.48) of every Palace player.

Such has been the impressiveness of these outings that many Palace fans feel Ward has credited a potential England call-up ahead of the World Cup and it may not be any less than he deserves. The former Portsmouth youngster's averqage rating has come down to the fact that he's been one of Palace’s most consistent players in his debut campaign in England’s top tier, most notably at right-back.

His performances in defence have seen only Mathieu Debuchy (7.47) garner a better average rating then Ward (7.42) of every regular right-back in the Premier League this term. With a figure higher than that of England regulars Kyle Walker (7.14) and Glen Johnson (7.1), the calls for Ward to be handed the opportunity to impress on the international stage are not without reason.

With a WhoScored strength of ‘tackling’, Ward has been excelling in this area in his favoured position. Averaging 3.9 tackles per game at right-back, the most of every regular in the role, showcases his impressive defensive ability and perhaps stands him in higher stead than rival right-backs in England’s top tier.

Granted, a team in Palace’s place in the table will be forced to defend more than those above them, but he’s clearly able to perform these defensive duties to a high standard. Denying the opposition from creating goalscoring opportunities minimalises the number of attempts Speroni faces, while winning possession back for his side will help instigate attacks.

Should it be Ward who starts such transitions, he's able to flaunt his WhoScored strength of ‘dribbling’. Averaging 1 successful dribble per game at right-back, Ward is evidently more than capable of carrying the ball forward into more advanced positions. Meanwhile, the fact that he possesses a WhoScored style of play of liking to cross allows for the likes of Chamakh and Cameron Jerome to maximise their aerial ability.

Seeing as Palace boast a WhoScored strength of ‘aerial duels’, Ward’s ability to stride up the pitch on the right has only benefitted the side. Nevertheless, Ward hasn't just operated at right-back this term, with Pulis also calling upon the player to perform in midfield in 5 of his last 6 league appearances.

Alongside Jedinak, however, Ward hasn’t been as impressive as he is in defence, with his average WhoScored rating dropping from 7.42 at right-back to 6.99 in midfield. While he has the attributes to succeed in the middle of the park, with his liking to play short passes representing a style of play that matches his statistically calculated strengths, it’s evident that his abilities are a little wasted when he isn’t deployedat full-back.

Providing a direct offensive outlet from deep, Ward is able to surprise the opposition when pressing forward and it’s here that his greatest strength lies. With the onus on the modern full-back to overlap the wingers, Ward excels, as his heatmap suggests.

Despite this being his debut campaign in England’s top tier, Ward has seamlessly made the transition to the Premier League from the Championship. Should he continue his impressive form in his favoured position, Ward will play a crucial role for Palace between now and the end of the season as Pulis' side strives to stave off relegation.

How impressed have you been with Joel Ward in his debut Premier League campaign? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below