Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Five or Six Sides Chasing Portsmouth's Ward
Five or Six Sides Chasing Portsmouth's Ward
Saturday, 5th May 2012 09:37

Portsmouth boss Michael Appleton says there may be five or six sides in the chase for Blues target Joel Ward, who he expects to be the next player to leave Fratton Park. Town have been chasing Ward since the summer with chief executive Simon Clegg telling TWTD that there “are ongoing discussions” earlier in the week.

Appleton believes Ward, who underwent surgery on a hernia injury on Monday, is interesting a number of clubs in addition to Town with Crystal Palace and Leeds reportedly amongst them, while Watford have previously been linked: “There could be five or six in the race for Joel. That can only be a good thing.

‘He had his op but I’ve seen him and he’s walking about fine. The operation is straightforward. It’s one about 75 per cent of players have in their career.”

The Blues are still believed to be the frontrunners having initially had a fee agreed in January. That deal and a move for keeper Stephen Henderson, now with West Ham, broke down over personal terms in the final hour of the transfer window.

Ward was subsequently at Portman Road to hold talks regarding a move to the Blues prior to the March loan deadline but Portsmouth’s administrator decided to keep hold of the 22-year-old with Pompey at that point still in with a chance of holding on to their Championship status. Jewell said Ward was “keen to come” to Town when he spoke to him.

Pompey central defender Jason Pearce, who the Blues also targeted in January but are understood not to have made moves for since, completed his switch to Leeds for £500,000 yesterday, signing a four-year deal.

Appleton says he expects Ward to follow his close friend out of Fratton Park soon: “I would be very surprised if he’s not the next one to move on.”

Photo: Action Images


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



DiamondGezzer added 06:11 - May 6
Would we sooner pay over the top for players [ and their wages ] or have a club left at the end of the day to support should things suddenly go sideways ? Fine dividing line between sensible and rash methinks.
0

buryblue77 added 09:22 - May 6
@SpivySpackyChops, well said. I too am a Jewell supporter but in no way a fan of Evans and Clegg and their lack of understand of football (as a business) has shown time and time again. Not only to say that I believe detrimental to our club. Fine, let's have an owner who doesn't understand the game, but he then needs backing up by a CEO who does have the experience.
I like your use of Laurel and Hardy to describe them, so sorry mate but I'm going to have to copy you on that one!
0

walberswick added 10:35 - May 6
What has a tractor got to do with football or Ipswich?
0

walberswick added 10:37 - May 6
Former Town manager Jim Magilton commented in the local press that he disliked the nickname, saying that it conjured up, "images of carrot-crunching yokels"
0

TimmyH added 11:28 - May 6
Have to agree this is a deal that should have been sorted by now, the longer this goes on the less likely it will happen - be a disappointment if we don't get him as he's very versatile.
0

RegencyBlue added 14:24 - May 6
Personally I only believe we will get a player these days when he's signed on the dotted line!

We are desperate for someone who knows football to replace Clegg and lets hope once the Olympics are over and Evans no longer needs him for his ticketing contacts he will be consigned to the dustbin of history!!
0

buryblue77 added 20:10 - May 6
Oh the irony walberswick.
How do you know I'm not a farmer?
0

buryblue77 added 20:13 - May 6
And I was thinking of changing my avatar, to something more current, may just have to keep it a bit longer........until I get my new tractor!
0

buryblue77 added 20:20 - May 6
I've got a brand new combine harvester.......
0

ClassyCranson added 20:43 - May 6
We are lucky to have Marcus Evans at the football club. Since when has an owner of a football club ever really known too much about football.

There are not too many benefactors about and even less who pick up £5 million plus losses every year.

However his choices of Clegg, Keane and Jewell so far have been poor.
0

WestNorfolk_Blue added 21:34 - May 6
I know Pompey were asking far too much in Jan but the fact pearce left for only £500K and we didnt follow up means we wont pay the wages. If we stick rigidly to the new rules that dont actually take effect for a couple of years regarding wages I think we will struggle all summer.
0


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024