Rotherham United attacker Danny Ward has praised Leeds United defender Kyle Bartley.
Rotherham United attacker Danny Ward has told Sky Sports’ EFL Weekly that Leeds United defender Kyle Bartley has been his toughest opponent so far this season having locked horns last weekend.
The Millers are in disarray right now, as not only did they sack Alan Stubbs earlier this season, but his replacement Kenny Jackett resigned earlier this week after just 39 days in the job.
Rotherham’s Danny Ward in action
Rotherham are not only searching for yet another new manager, but have picked up just seven points this season, winning once in 18 games and are already 12 points adrift of safety.
Things look bleak for Rotherham right now, but attacker Danny Ward has spoken to Sky Sports’ EFL Weekly about his career and season so far ahead of this weekend’s game against Burton Albion.
Ward was asked who his toughest opponent has been this season, and he went with a Leeds defender in centre back Kyle Bartley.
Leeds’ Kyle Bartley
Ward, a former Leeds youth ace, noted that he had a great tussle with Bartley in Leeds’ 2-1 win over Rotherham last weekend, noting that he is a ‘big strong boy’ in the heart of the Leeds defence.
“I’d say Bartley, after the Leeds game,” said Ward. “He’s a big strong boy, I had a great tussle with him, so I’d have to put him down for that one,” he added.
Blackburn Rovers’s Martin Samuelson in action with Leeds United’s Kyle Bartley
In terms of Leeds defenders, Pontus Jansson has stolen the show this season with a string of superb performances, but the Swede was suspended for last week’s game against Rotherham, meaning that Ward has yet to go into battle with Leeds’ star centre back.
However, Bartley – currently on loan from Swansea City – has also starred for Leeds this season, and fans will be hoping that both he and Jansson sign permanently and become the club’s centre back partnership for years to come.
Bartley receiving such praise from Ward is a sign of how impressive he has been this season, and few Championship attackers will relish facing Bartley and Jansson this term given their size and power in Garry Monk’s back line.
How impressed have you been with Bartley this season?
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