Crystal Palace right-back Joel Ward was linked with a reunion with former Eagles boss Tony Pulis at West Bromwich Albion this summer.
Joel Ward could be forgiven for breathing a sigh of relief when Frank de Boer was hounded out of the Selhurst Park exit, just four games into his managerial reign at Crystal Palace.
The long-serving defender had struggled more than most in the Dutchman’s adventurous tactical system, struggling in a new-look wing-back role that never looked likely to play to his strengths.
In fact, The Sun reported that the 27-year-old was even open to the idea of leaving Selhurst Park with West Brom ready to offer him a lifeline – not to mention the chance to return to his favoured orthodox right-back role.
While Palace’s return to a flat-back four under veteran gaffer Roy Hodgson promises to make Ward feel far more at home, Pulis would not have been too impressed by Ward’s performance in Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Manchester United.
The wrath of Pulis
Ward, even in his natural position, was given the run around by a rampant Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford, sent ‘for a hot dog’ as the teenager breezed past him to put a third minute opener on a plate for Juan Mata.
And while Ward will come up against easier opponents than Manchcher United’s in-form number 19, the former Portsmouth youngster may have given Hodgson food for thought about his first-choice pick at right-back with Tomothy Fosu Mensah, who was unavailable against his former club, adept in that role.
On this evidence, there’s little reason to suggest Ward would have fitted in under Pulis, a manager who prides himself on defensive discipline first and foremost.
Pulis famously froze out Everton loanee Brendan Galloway following a disastrous performance against West Ham last season, while James Chester was rarely seen again following a troubled debut versus Manchester City two years ago.
Ward, on the back of this performance, would surely have felt Pulis’ wrath.
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