His ACL is fully repaired, we wouldn’t have signed him initially had there been a problem, and he’s played plenty of games since. I had my ACL 25 years ago, and as the surgeon said, it’s stronger than my other knee. It’s a routine repair nowadays.Quality player, someone who I've really liked since we signed him and I defended him when it was the 'in thing' to slag him off.
But the lad has had two serious injuries in the last 3-4 years that have kept him out for a long time, he ruptured his cruciate ligament at Ipswich and ruptured his achilles tendon last season. I know there's no guarantees I'm football but I'd rather we had someone with more chance of actually playing a full season for us. In CM we've already got Kevin Stewart who can't seem to play more than a handful of games (or training sessions it seems) without breaking down and Matty Virtue who's returning from a serious injury, both are on decent contracts as well which given their injury records is absolute madness.
So for me, as good as a player Grant Ward is, we'd be mad to take the risk.
His ACL injury is the only reason we could sign him, he's a Championship player all day long, we only managed to sign him in League One as no Championship clubs would touch him due to his recent injury. Surely now as a Championship club we shouldn't be the ones who need to take that risk? Especially considering he's since had a ruptured achilles tendon.His ACL is fully repaired, we wouldn’t have signed him initially had there been a problem, and he’s played plenty of games since. I had my ACL 25 years ago, and as the surgeon said, it’s stronger than my other knee. It’s a routine repair nowadays.
The Achilles can be more problematic, but again, we wouldn’t offer a contract until he’d passed a thorough medical. If he does, the club is then insured.
For me, we couldn’t afford to buy a player of his class, so we need to make every effort.
No that’s Stewart but the point is well made.Our best midfielder when fully fit. That performance away at Sunderland was probably the best by any Blackpool player in our promotion season. If it wasn't for his injuries he would be a top half Championship player without a doubt.
Quality player, someone who I've really liked since we signed him and I defended him when it was the 'in thing' to slag him off.
But the lad has had two serious injuries in the last 3-4 years that have kept him out for a long time, he ruptured his cruciate ligament at Ipswich and ruptured his achilles tendon last season. I know there's no guarantees I'm football but I'd rather we had someone with more chance of actually playing a full season for us. In CM we've already got Kevin Stewart who can't seem to play more than a handful of games (or training sessions it seems) without breaking down and Matty Virtue who's returning from a serious injury, both are on decent contracts as well which given their injury records is absolute madness.
So for me, as good as a player Grant Ward is, we'd be mad to take the risk.
His ACL injury is the only reason we could sign him, he's a Championship player all day long, we only managed to sign him in League One as no Championship clubs would touch him due to his recent injury. Surely now as a Championship club we shouldn't be the ones who need to take that risk? Especially considering he's since had a ruptured achilles tendon.
Tricky one this and very risky, do the club give him some form of contract and include him in the 25 man squad which is already tight especially with another 3-4 rumoured players to come in!
He's better than Virtue.I like Ward but it's difficult to justify signing him when we already have injury prone midfielders like Stewart and Virtue in the squad.
I disagree with myself. Doesn’t deserve another chance based on that performance. Shame.Deserves another chance on a short contract if he can stay fit in pre season.
What ** planet are you on ?He's better than Virtue.
He’s woeful. Got hooked at half time will be very very surprised if he pulls on a tangerine shirt again.I wouldn't sign him
He certainly didn't suit the 433 that Critchley started playing in lg1, teams just ran through us
Are you ** mentalHe's better than Virtue.
Virtue is average at best......Ward is marginally better but also a lot quicker.Are you ** mental
Why? He didn’t impress in pre- season friendlys, didn’t impress on trial at Reading, what would he add? Serious question.Id sign him on a pay as you play contract for one year
Problem is that is a place in the 25 taken up. I think Ward was class but I wouldn’t keep him, even short term he’s going to take time to get back up to speed and we need ready to play players.Id sign him on a pay as you play contract for one year