Ward on Glasner's changes and his future…
Crystal Palace captain Joel Ward says Palace are making changes under new boss Oliver Glasner as the Eagles approach the run-in...
Ward’s defensive solidity has seen him recently deployed as a right-sided centre-back, a role in which the 34-year-old has impressed since new manager Oliver Glasner’s arrival in February.
But it is not a position altogether new to Ward, whose fledgling career saw him used across the back line – including as a centre-back during a loan spell at Bournemouth in League Two, in 2008/09.
As Palace prepare for their 30th fixture of the 2023/24 Premier League season, the captain sat down with Premier League Productions to discuss the impact Glasner has made at the club; his previous experiences at the Vitality Stadium; and what the future might hold come the summer….
On changes since Glasner came in…
The way in which we've performed in the last handful of games, since the gaffer has come in, I think you can probably see tweaks and differences here and there.
He's tried to do that over the time that he's been here, so I don't think it's a big overhaul all at once, but each week, each day he's tried to raise our bar and implement his way of doing things as we go.
So I think there's certainly quite a few differences now in the team, and the shape, and how we play, etc. So yeah, it's an exciting period and I think hopefully we can put things right [against Bournemouth] from earlier on this season.
I think obviously their results and their position and the points they've got on the board speak for itself. We want to disrupt that, and I think we have more than enough firepower to do that, and the squad to do that as well.
On Glasner himself...
I've been very impressed so far. The way in which he holds himself, the way in which he articulates his message and wants us to perform and play and shape up in training, it's very clear what we're trying to do and what we're trying to achieve.
I think we're all working towards that same page and that same vision. I think obviously with this gap in the season, with the games getting rescheduled and the international break, we've been able to hit the training pitch hard. We had a little break away as well, in which we worked hard and had some nice weather to help with that.
It was a real chance for us to implement new things, new ideas and to work on those things.
[As a defender], if you nullify a team and you hold them away, you give yourself a great chance. I think as a team we've done that since he's come in really, certainly against Burnley.
We've limited the opportunities opponents have had. I'm not sure what the stats are, but we've done pretty well in doing that. It gives you that spring in your step as well when he [Glasner] comes out and gives you that praise and recognises the hard work that's gone into the games.
Memories of playing as a centre-back…
When I went on loan to Bournemouth, I kind of went there as a centre-back, and Portsmouth as well, starting off there. With the circumstances that we found ourselves at Portsmouth, I was playing in pretty much every position on pitch.
I think obviously they're obviously very fond memories for me. That's where it all began for me, so I think you owe those clubs so much when you look back.
But right now, I'm on to the next step and I'm focusing purely on that. My focus is very, very much on that position right now and I'm going to look back on those things in the next few years.
Since I’ve been at Palace, it's been dominantly right back, a little spell here at left-back... but yeah, I'm enjoying it. I'm really enjoying it.
That position as a right-sided centre-half is like something a little bit different, but I'm really enjoying learning the ins and outs, and obviously hopefully getting a clearer understanding of that position and just enjoying the time on pitch.
On Adam Wharton's first England U21s' call-up...
I think it's fully deserved for Adam. I think he's stepped into the Premier League and stepped into this squad like water off a duck’s back really. To obviously go into the England set-up as well, and do what he's doing, is all credit to him and it's fully deserved.
I think obviously he's got a bright future and I think he's only really getting started, so it'll be an exciting time for him and we're obviously excited to see him grow as a player and as a man as well.
For him it's a milestone. It's one of many to come I think. I think if he carries on the trajectory that he's going then the sky's the limit, and the numbers will just clock up and he'll go on to have a very successful and enjoyable career.
On his role as a leader at Palace...
I don't necessarily think too much about those things. I'll probably look back in years to come and realise some of the milestones and this and that. But for me, I'm just enjoying my football, and that's a way off for me in my mindset.
To be honest, obviously things do change a little bit [as captain]. The responsibility and roles and this and that and a few more media duties and a few more appearances here and there. But I've really enjoyed it.
I've really enjoyed it. I think obviously getting to know the lads more gives you an opportunity to just kind of learn a little bit more about players and the way they work and how you get across to them and how you get your message across to them and how you kind of bring everyone together. I think a leader is someone that tries to bring that message forward.
Hopefully I can give a helping hand and share a little bit of wisdom along the way. And obviously enable them to go out there and be free and enjoy themselves.
On his recent punditry, and the future...
I really enjoyed it. Really enjoyed it. Obviously, I think it's made it easier when you've got obviously the people around you who do it day in, day out, so for me it was an enjoyable experience.
Hopefully in the future there'll be many more opportunities to step into the studio and just kind of learn and develop in that space.
I think you have to find a balance. I mean, for myself, I may well have been able to do a few more bits here and there.
But I think there's always a time and a place for it. For me, my sole focus right now is football, making sure that I give myself the best opportunity to be fit, to be ready and to keep on learning and changing as a player, and the opportunities post-football that will obviously come about.
And once I step into something different, then I'll make sure that that's my focus. And I'll give 100 per cent, like I do, day in, day out for football.