Ward is set to begin the search for a new winger as part of his plans to restructure his squad over the coming weeks. Ward has confirmed this week that he is in the process of shaking up his squad and is hoping to loan "one or two" of his fringe players out in an attempt to free up funds to add a new face or two. The manager has also confirmed that the signing of a winger on loan will become a top priority if and once deals are concluded to ship out the existing members of his squad deemed surplus to requirements. Ward has struggled to find any consistency of selection in wide areas following a season-ending injury to Fabian Broghammer, and also recently confirmed that Ellis Harrison, who has played predominantly as a winger since breaking into the first team at the turn of the year, will be deployed as a central striker for the forseeable future. Ward said: "It doesn't take a genius to spot that we need to do something in wider areas. I think we are pretty strong in that we have full-backs who are willing to push on and lend their support in attacking areas, but I would ideally like to add a wide player to increase our creative threat down the flanks. It might take a little bit of time because I have to manipulate one or two areas to allow me the opportunity to make it happen, but a wide player or a winger would certainly be a really good addition for us. If we can move one or two out on loan, maybe we can look at getting one or two in to help us out. We managed to bring Andy Bond in a couple of weeks ago because of the money we made out of the Bristol City game, but now we are back to working in other ways to see if we can add to the squad." Limited options forced Ward to start last Friday night's game at Southend United with central midfield pair Andy Bond and Oliver Norburn patrolling wide areas, and Ward added: "It is clear that Andy Bond and Ollie Norburn are not regular wide players, but with Michael Smith and Lee Brown willing to bomb on it does offer the opportunity for my midfield to play a little narrower. I picked a team of players that were workmanlike and solid at Southend and I was pleased with the overall performance, but if I can add a bit of flair and creativity in the wide areas then I will work hard to try to do that." http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Ward-k...gning-winger/story-19879211-detail/story.html
Ok so Ward says.... "It doesn't take a genius to spot that we need to do something in wider areas." He has also been saying for ages that.... "we have nothing left in the wage budget to get players." He now says.... "We managed to bring Andy Bond in a couple of weeks ago because of the money we made out of the Bristol City game." Can someone explain why when money became available to Ward that he uses that to bring in a CM in Andy Bond and use him as a winger instead of actually getting a natural winger which apparently "doesnt take a genius to spot that we need someone out wide"???? About time that we get a winger, especially if we now that Harrison will now be considered as a striker only. I understand why its taken until now to sort out some new players as we have been waiting for people to return from injury so Ward can let players leave to free up money to get new players, that makes sense. Just the Bond signing as confused the hell out of me!
FINALLY! Without Broghammer our wingers look feeble. We need someone who can take players on down the wing, ACTUALLY BEAT THEM, and deliver a GOOD END PRODUCT, something which Harrison has not been doing.
Perhaps there was no one of the quality and monies that Ward wanted for the wing role.He obviously sees bond as a potential CM pairing with JJOT as they played together at Colchester so brought him in and is using him to bring some stability to the midfield area he looks as if he is not quite match fit either that or he is Vslow definately not a wide midfielder but helps with the cover for Brown to take more risks going forward something that Harrison was not capable of doing consistently which left Brown vunerable and always in two minds what to do with the ball as he had little support. Sounds as if Kenneth Gill possibly Clarkson are going to be shifted off to pastures new to release much needed funds for the revamp. Clarkson out of the three still offers good potential but has been a bit of a spare at a wedding since joining us. COR
I was quite impressed watching Smithie playing against Wimbledon, first match under F$ckall. I liked the way he went forward with the ball and looked very promising. I'm happy with Harrison up front. I feel that Smithie could take on a role a bit higher up the pitch and drop someone else in behind him at full back. I know it means a bit of a reshuffle in the defence, but that unit hasn't been as solid as last year. We have experienced players who can fill the slot left vacant OR wasn't there a youth player who was getting rave reviews at full back last year??
Josh Southway is the lad. U18s last year, now under contract. Regularly plays RB in the Development Squad. Started career as a CF but converted in youth teams to RB. Built like a ****house door, very fast. Rumoured to be the quickest in the squad over 100m. Good level-headed attitude (like so many of those coming through). Been on the bench for most of this season. We won't know unless we try!
