Loan defender Ward comments on Bolton victory
- Elliott Ward reviews win over Bolton Wanderers
- Loanee happy to have joined Huddersfield Town
- Defender says team showcased skills in second half
As home debuts go, Elliott Ward’s Huddersfield Town bow was pretty good on Saturday!
The centre back impressed during his first two Town appearances on the road at Cardiff and Charlton and carried that form into yesterday’s 4-1 win over Bolton Wanderers at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Despite the victory, the AFC Bournemouth loanee told htafc.com that he wasn’t satisfied with the team’s performance during the first 45 minutes.
“It was a bit mixed really. In the first half we didn’t start as well as we have done in the previous two games and it took us a while to get going. I think we were happy to go in at 1-1 and be back in the game at half time.
“They came here to try and frustrate us and I think we fell into their trap a little bit in the first half. They got the goal and their game plan was working.
“In the second half, we showed what we are about. Our first goal got us going and then we showed what we were worth, getting the goals and looking comfortable.”
An early feature of the 30 year-old’s game has been his willingness to bring the ball out from the defensive line; something he explained had roots in the footballing education he received at his first club, West Ham United.
“Passing it out is my ideal way of playing; it’s something I’ve been brought up to do since I was a kid. It’s in my nature and that’s the way I like to play.
“I can do all the other defensive stuff – that’s not a problem – but every Manager and team is different and has a different style, so you have to adapt.
“I think this week has been good for us as we’ve played well, building out from the back and getting it wide. As soon as we do that, we have been very dangerous. We’ve shown how well we can do as a team.”
In fact, Ward was a teammate of Town boss Chris Powell during his time as a Hammer; something he felt helped him make his decision to move north on loan.
“It helped that we played together 10 years ago. I don’t know whose age that shows; the Manager or mine!” Elliott joked.
“I know what he expects of me, which helps. He doesn’t have to tell me too much because I know what he wants.”
As for his loan, the defender believes he has made the correct decision in moving 265 miles up the country to play First Team football:
“I made the decision to come here and I’m glad I did so far.
“There are things to deal with behind the scenes when you have a family, like sorting out a place to live, and that has made for a busy week; I’m glad that’s out of the way now and we’re settling in.”
Watch Elliott and his teammates take on Nottingham Forest on Thursday night for just £15 per adult - click HERE for info!
