Grant Ward has “guaranteed” Town won’t finish in the same position they currently occupy at the foot of the Championship table.

The former Tottenham winger or midfielder turned in an impressive second-half display in Tuesday’s 1-1 home draw with second-placed Brentford and is convinced he and his colleague can climb to safety under new boss Paul Hurst.

Town have banked four points from eight games, one fewer than at the same stage of the season six years ago when Paul Jewell was in charge.

He only added a further two from his next four before losing his job, caretaker-manager Chris Hutchings presiding over a 3-0 home loss to Sheffield Wednesday before Mick McCarthy arrived to take charge and made a winning start, 1-0 at Birmingham.

Ward, 23, said: “We know where we are and we don’t want to be in and around that position, never mind right at the bottom.

“But I’ll guarantee now that what the table looks like now, it probably won’t look like that at the end of the season.”

Town are next in action at Portman Road on Saturday against Bolton and Ward added: “We need to keep the momentum from the second half against Brentford. I think the fans were on board with us as well, so hopefully we can do that.

“That second half against Brentford was very important. Obviously, we knew that it wasn’t good enough going into the break and we knew we had to do something to change that.

“I think we did in the second half. We were a lot better — better on the press, a bit more comfortable on the ball and we looked like we could have nicked it.”

Ward admitted there were a few home truths from Hurst at the interval, the manager deciding to make immediate changes as Jordan Spence and Ellis Harrison were replaced by Gwion Edwards and Jon Nolan respectively upon the restart.

Hurst had started with a 3-5-2 formation for the first time since taking charge and Ward continued: “I think he could tell from the shape we had that we needed to change something and that everyone had to give a bit more, which I think we did in the second half.

“We didn’t win, however, and we are still looking for that first win of the season. It’s obviously disappointing but all we can do is look to the next game and hopefully we can get our first win then, and after that I think we’ll push on.

“There is more to come from this side, 100 per cent I believe that. Obviously, we are a new team with a lot of new faces and we’re still trying to learn how everyone plays.

“New system, new manager as well, and hopefully it will all click into place sooner rather than later.

“I think we’re still confident and the boys all know what they can do. Sometimes you just need a bit of luck and hopefully we’ll get that in the next game, and all the boys can perform at their best.”

Ward started life at Portman Road with a bang just over two years ago, marking his debut following a £500,000 summer move from Spurs with a hat-trick in the 4-2 defeat of Barnsley on the opening day of the season, having only been introduced at the break.

He recalled that memorable day and grinned: “It was a great start but you could say it began to weigh on my shoulders a bit. I think a lot of fans thought I was going to get a hat-trick in every game!

“I know what I can do and I believe I can bring a lot more to the team. Consistency in terms of scoring is something I need to add to my game and I’ve been trying to do that. I hope to achieve it this season.

“I’m at an age now where I need to be consistent and help the team by scoring goals and providing assists.

“I won’t deny I’ve been a bit frustrated at not being a regular starter this season but that’s normal.

“If you’re not frustrated when you’re not playing you obviously don’t like football. I just try my best in training and when I get a chance hopefully I’ll take it.”

Photo: Action Images

WaffleMan added 16:26 - Sep 20 Seem to be able to talk a good game but not play one. Grant Ward one of the sloppiest players in possession I've ever seen
-4

agravenor added 16:37 - Sep 20 @WaffleMan Great championship player on his day and when played in the right system. Did you see second half on Tuesday night?!
4

cornishnick added 16:42 - Sep 20 He'll "guarantee" that the table will "probably" not look like that! Sounds like a definite maybe to me!
2

flimflam added 16:45 - Sep 20 As good second half as he was poor first but to be fair the shape was all wrong first half and allowed Brentford to get the ball out to their wingers everytime without opposition. Deffo a player in there but needs to be used in his best position as can be unplayable at times and make you pull your hair out others!!
3

geminimustang added 16:48 - Sep 20 Looking at the upcoming fixtures,ITFC have a chance of picking up 15 points from a possible 24.If it happens,happy days.If not,maybe PH & ME need to have a discussion regarding spending on proven Championship players in January.Mid table is still a possibility starting on Saturday.
2

TimmyH added 17:33 - Sep 20 Generally Ward is an average player, correct formation or not. Yes played well 2nd half on Tuesday but 1st half did diddly squat, he was very average under Mick too...
5

jas0999 added 18:02 - Sep 20 Not sure anything can be guaranteed. But let's hope we pull away from the bottom very soon.
3

ihatecanaries added 18:05 - Sep 20 I guarantee it will, we may finish second bottom if a team gets a big points deduction
0

blueboy1981 added 18:42 - Sep 20 ......... I like the words Grant - BUT, you will have to be a little less generous in giving the ball away as freely as you have. On your toes Grant - most people will be of the opinion that your game can improve significantly. Quite simply you are capable of more.
4

pragmatic added 19:07 - Sep 20 Agravenor sorry meant to mark up yes Ward like a few other players when played in best position capable of a lot, did well at Rotherham playing wide 3 seasons or so ago.
0

Monkey_Blue added 19:29 - Sep 20 It shows you how dire the situation MM inherited was....
0

Warkys_Tash added 22:43 - Sep 20 CONSISTENT being the key word for you Grant, thats one thing you are not. You either have a decent half or just go missing for a whole game. Dont think I have seen you play well for a whole 90 minutes.. and never two games in a row. Make or break for you this season..
2

shakytown added 01:41 - Sep 21 We are not hot favourites for relegation for no reason. Sure we might improve( and need to drastically on and off the field) but so will everyone else. And other teams will have money to buy players as well so you lot have a massive job just to survive.
1

Cloddyseedbed added 08:17 - Sep 21 Grant Ward, good 1st game and scored a hat trick. Good 2nd half against Brentford on Tuesday. Not much to show is it in all the time he's been here. Too many players talk a good game but can't give one. They think there're brilliant, unfortunately they are not. Kevin Beattie, now there was a player, never heard him go on about how good he was or the team.
2

BobbyBell added 13:01 - Sep 21 It's hard to get a tight knit team playing well as it's constantly changing. I know PH is looking for his best eleven but injury and bans have hindered him. Players need to play together and build up understandings. I know we always harp on about the glory days but back then it was basically the same 11 week in week out with one substitute. They all knew each other so well and everything clicked. These days it's all about squads and things get changed too often. PH needs to find his preferred 11 and let them play together for a few games. Then one or two changes where needed shouldn't upset the team too much.

0

Skip73 added 08:34 - Sep 22 23rd then
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