100% duels won, 3 key passes: Derby County star was brilliant in Northampton win
Derby County got back to winning ways on Tuesday night with a 4-0 thrashing of Northampton Town, with Joe Ward starring off the bench.
The Rams needed to respond after a disappointing 3-1 loss away at Stevenage on Saturday afternoon, and certainly reacted in the right way.
A brace from Max Bird and goals from Conor Washington and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing gave Derby all three points at Pride Park.
The result now means Derby are in seventh place, two points off of the playoff places.
Whilst Bird will take all the plaudits for scoring two goals from midfield, Ward also should receive some praise.
Ward makes statement
The 28-year-old came on just past the hour mark for in-form Ryan Nyambe, and put in a brilliant showing at right back.
This was the second appearance for Ward in a row for Derby after recovering from a knee injury sustained in mid-August, which had kept him out for two months.
He played very well on Tuesday night, in defence and his passing. He received a 7.6 out of 10 rating on SofaScore for his performance.
Defensively, he won all of his duels, winning two on the ground and two in the air. He also made two clearances, the joint most of any player on the pitch.
Going forward his passing was exceptional, making three key passes, again the joint most of any player on the pitch.
After playing for the under-21s, he has managed to build up his match fitness and play a part in the last two games, also coming off the bench against Stevenage.
He has certainly made a statement to manager Paul Warne to take the starting position of right back off of Nyambe, if he keeps his form up.
