Sky Sports pundit Aaron McClean was blown away by what one Derby County star did in the 2-2 draw against Portsmouth.
Derby County‘s automatic promotional credentials were tested on Tuesday night and the Rams passed that test with flying colours by coming away from Fratton Park with a point.
An end-to-end game took centre stage as Portsmouth dictated possession, but Derby were dangerous on the counter, as Paul Warne perfectly executed his game plan.
Joe Ward started as a winger for the second game in a row, encouraging him to stay high and take advantage of the space left behind by attacking full-back Connor Ogilvie.
Warne’s decision to play Ward as a winger paid off, with the 28-year-old scoring two strikes from outside the box, including one assisted thanks to the electric pace of Corey Blackett-Taylor.
Joe Ward hailed as ‘magnificent’ by Aaron McClean
Ward waited eight months to score his first goal for Derby then two came along at once.
Captured from Peterborough United last summer, the fleet-footed winger has been predominantly used as a right-back this term. However, he’s shown Warne that his best position is down the wing as he’s given extra license to wreak havoc in attack.
That is exactly what the Englishman did against Pompey, reaping the rewards for taking a strike from range and beating Will Norris on both occasions.
Ward also got through lots of defensive work to help right-back Kane Wilson, with former Peterborough striker Aaron McClean praising him for his ‘magnificent’ all-round performance.
Speaking on Sky Sports commentary, McClean pondered giving his Man of the Match award to Ebou Adams – who was equally excellent – but explained why he gave it to the Derby winger instead.
“It was a toss-up between Ebou Adams and or this man Joe Ward,” McClean said. “But his two goals could be priceless towards their chances for promotion and I think he covered every blade of grass whilst he was on the pitch with two magnificent goals, so I’ve got to give it to Joe Ward.”
Warne has to play Ward as a winger permanently
During his time at the Posh, Ward was one of the best right-sided players in League One.
He registered 17 goal contributions during his final campaign at the club, and while he’s failed to reach those heights at Derby, he has been restricted.
Warne has played him in a more defensive role at Pride Park and he has been lambasted for being a liability defensively.
As a result, Ward was deployed on the right side of midfield in the last two matches, while given extra license to create an overload centrally.
It shows he’s much better placed higher up the pitch as he can thrive in dangerous situations instead of rarely getting forward from a deeper position.
Warne, therefore, must continue to play Ward as a right winger to get the best out of him.