[Archived] Lambert Loves His Elliots - Ward Signs

[Commondore]

http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/elliott-ward-new-signing-2912099.aspx

2,5 year contract for a 31 year old journeyman centre-half. Seems excessive for someone most thought would be coming in on a short term deal to cover for Duffy's injury, but hopefully he'll exceed expectations. Does this mean Lambert has been unhappy with Duffy and/or Hanley?

[Iceman]

Key point Ward made here

"Paul Lambert demands standards and he definitely brought mine up a few notches at Norwich and that's something I want to get back to on a regular basis."

[G Somerset Rover]

2.5 years seems a heck of a lot for a guy who's barely played any football for a while.

Regardless, welcome to the club Elliott.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/elliott-ward-new-signing-2912099.aspx

2,5 year contract for a 31 year old journeyman centre-half. Seems excessive for someone most thought would be coming in on a short term contract to cover for Duffy's injury, but hopefully he'll exceed expectations. Does this mean Lambert has been unhappy with Duffy and/or Hanley?

He's only just 31 and that's not ancient for a centre half. How old was Craig Short when he played for us ? Could be cover for Hanley if we get an offer we can't refuse. Could be someone to put pressure on Duffy. I think Lambert may be think Kilgallon is injured too often for a centre half. He puts pressure on them all. Both Ward and Graham could be captain material.

[Iceman]

He's only just 31 and that's not ancient for a centre half. How old was Craig Short when he played for us ? Could be cover for Hanley if we get an offer we can't refuse. Could be someone to put pressure on Duffy. I think Lambert may be think Kilgallon is injured too often for a centre half. He puts pressure on them all. Both Ward and Graham could be captain material.

How old was Maldini and Costacurta welcome Elliot Ward

[VinjayV4]

Or Tony Gale for that matter...

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

How old was Maldini and Costacurta welcome Elliot Ward

Centre halves can go on playing for longer than any other outfield player given a fair wind regarding injuries.

It show how much the game has changed though when one of our best centre halves of the past, Matt Woods, retired at around 30 to emigrate to Australia.

[D-side17]

Some relatively positive comments about Ward (in terms of ability) from some Bournemouth fans on their message board:

http://www.bournemouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=74392&posts=9

References to him struggling to stay fit are a concern though.

[chor808]

He's only just 31 and that's not ancient for a centre half. How old was Craig Short when he played for us ? Could be cover for Hanley if we get an offer we can't refuse. Could be someone to put pressure on Duffy. I think Lambert may be think Kilgallon is injured too often for a centre half. He puts pressure on them all. Both Ward and Graham could be captain material.

Are they the leaders we are currently missing? I don't know either of them from watching them so are they natural leaders, I hope so because we really need some big voices out there.

[Mattyblue]

For all Duffy's ability as a no nonsense blocker, his ability on the ball is very poor, hopefully we may get a bit more compusure form Ward.

As an aisde, a bloody Bournemouth fan saying this though:

'If he can stay fit he should do a decent job for a lower league club.'

We live in strange times!

[ABBEY]

Lower league club ??? What a prick he is .. 1 year in hundred and odd they've been in a higher league ... That's not strange times than dickheadness

[rovers11]

Presume he's a replacement for Killa who will leave in the summer. Duffy and Hanley are first choice, nice to have a n experienced option as back up. Imagine his wages are fairly low. Shrewd signing.

PL is clearly signing players he knows in order to help change the culture at the club. Hughes and Big Sam did the same when they first came here.

[Iceman]

Centre halves can go on playing for longer than any other outfield player given a fair wind regarding injuries.

It show how much the game has changed though when one of our best centre halves of the past, Matt Woods, retired at around 30 to emigrate to Australia.

I never saw Woods, but was he the guy that picked up a serious injury. Or am I thinking of Whelan Here in the 1960 FA Cup final? Woods played around the early to late 60's?

Think I read somewhere, that he was regarded as the greatest defender to not play for England. Is that about right?

[oldjamfan1]

Lower league club ??? What a prick he is .. 1 year in hundred and odd they've been in a higher league ... That's not strange times than dickheadness

Now now chaps, we said many similar things when we first got promoted to the top league. Let them have their time in the sun, they've endured plenty of crappy times and technically, he or she is absolutely spot on - we are a lower league club at the moment and there's no getting away from that.

[danger19_80]

Now now chaps, we said many similar things when we first got promoted to the top league. Let them have their time in the sun, they've endured plenty of crappy times and technically, he or she is absolutely spot on - we are a lower league club at the moment and there's no getting away from that.

I don't think the poster was talking about us anyway. They posted that comment after hearing he'd had his contract terminated, they didn't know he'd signed for anyone else at that point.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I never saw Woods, but was he the guy that picked up a serious injury. Or am I thinking of Whelan Here in the 1960 FA Cup final? Woods played around the early to late 60's?

Think I read somewhere, that he was regarded as the greatest defender to not play for England. Is that about right?

I don't what you'd need to injure Matt Woods. A chain saw maybe or an axe. He hardly ever missed a game. I don't know about the " greatest defender not to play for England " quote but I do know several other centre halves got caps that weren't in his league. He was unfortunate that some of his best years overlapped Billy Wright's 100 and odd cap career in the same position. Woods did play for the " English League " which was seen as a try out for the first team.

It was Dave Whelan who got injured in the 1960 Cup Final.

[Iceman]

I don't what you'd need to injure Matt Woods. A chain saw maybe or an axe. He hardly ever missed a game. I don't know about the " greatest defender not to play for England " quote but I do know several other centre halves got caps that weren't in his league. He was unfortunate that some of his best years overlapped Billy Wright's 100 and odd cap career in the same position. Woods did play for the " English League " which was seen as a try out for the first team.

It was Dave Whelan who got injured in the 1960 Cup Final.

Yeh thought it was Whelan, fractured/broken leg or something.

[bluebruce]

Now now chaps, we said many similar things when we first got promoted to the top league.

What, back in 1888?

[had.e.nuff]

pitty they did not sign him monday then a 2.5 year deal for a 30 year old might have been ok we have needed more cover at CH for a long time and as long as the wages are not silly then he could be a good signing. was kevin moran not 32 when we got him and he did ok

[danger19_80]

Thoughts of a Bournemouth fan: "Very composed and relaxed centre back. hard to tell quite how good he is as we never got to see the best of him due to Cook and Elphick."

[ABBEY]

Now now chaps, we said many similar things when we first got promoted to the top league. Let them have their time in the sun, they've endured plenty of crappy times and technically, he or she is absolutely spot on - we are a lower league club at the moment and there's no getting away from that.

stuff em...are they still in the cup ..the turd has wound me up

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

pitty they did not sign him monday then a 2.5 year deal for a 30 year old might have been ok we have needed more cover at CH for a long time and as long as the wages are not silly then he could be a good signing. was kevin moran not 32 when we got him and he did ok

If he turns out to be half as good as Kevin Moran he'll do for me.

[donnermeat]

I'd say 31 is round about prime for a centre half. Still fit to go with younger players, with extra experience in reading the game etc.

Lambert has had a good couple of months to assess what we need, he's gone for some players he's had before. I see that as a good thing, as he obviously knows what they bring and what he can get out of them. I doubt they are signings for signings sake.

Time will tell obviously but on the face of it, I'd say good business today.

[davulsukur]

Lambert said he wanted 4 CB's at the club and (for now at least) he does. Duffy and Hanley will be first choice but they need pushing and pressure to know they could lose their place. Can be said about a few players in our squad really.

Anyway, welcome Elliott.

[Amo]

I'm turning 30 this year. It breaks my heart to see people calling a 31 year-old over the hill.