Nick Ward Joins Wellington Phoenix

[Macmoish]

I remember him... ~ !

Phoenix sign midfielder

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:37a.m.
Midfielder Nick Ward has signed with Wellington Phoenix FC for the remainder of the A-League 2010/11 season.
www.3news.co.nz/Phoenix-sign-midfielder/tabid/415/articleID/173661/Default.aspx

The 25-year-old joins the Phoenix from Melbourne Victory, with whom he won the premiership in 2008/09.

Ward, an Australian age-group representative who has played Championship football in England with Queens Park Rangers, will add further depth and creativity to the Phoenix’s midfield.

“Nick’s a good addition to the squad and adds depth into the midfield in a more attacking role,” says Phoenix head coach Ricki Herbert.

“He’s the sort of midfielder who gets more advanced (up the pitch) and he has a great engine.”

Ward has also proved his worth as a goal-scorer, chipping in with five goals in his 46 appearances for the Victory and another five in 21 games for the Perth Glory in their 2005/06 A-League campaign. At Perth he was named the A-League’s Young Player of the Year.

Herbert said Ward’s eye for goal would be a bonus.

“In the Victory’s premiership season in 2008/09 Nick was quite prolific scoring goals for the club and played a major role for them, so bringing a proven goal-scoring midfielder will certainly add something for us.”

The Phoenix now have plenty of depth, quality and versatility in their wide and central midfield, with Ward boosting the current stocks of Tim Brown, Leo Bertos, Paul Ifill, Vince Lia, Daniel and Oscar Roberto Cornejo.

Ward will be available for selection for the Phoenix’s match away to Perth Glory on Sunday.

“He’s been training with the Victory and he’s coming here fully fit and ready to go,” says Herbert.

www.3news.co.nz/Phoenix-sign-midfielder/tabid/415/articleID/173661/Default.aspx

[londonranger]

Hes versatile as an egg, or was that someone else, think I got it wrong oh yeah Ned Zelic.

[Lonegunmen]

Don't start me! Th Nix midfield has been a real concern this season. Leo Bertos is still in the clouds on the World Cup. Great guy he is, but not up to his form of last season. Tim Brown has not been the same either. Mind you a shoulder operation will have the psychological effect and it has affected his game. Againsgt Boca he was an animal for the wrong reasons. He let them get into his head. This season he's been disappointing. Worse of the bunch is Vince Lia. Cant Shoot, Can't pass, Clumsy tackles but is as good a game disrupter you can get. An engine on him that goes the full 90. But he's been out of sorts this season too.

Ricki needs to make the hard call and bring in Daniel for Leo, Ward for Brown and move Durante out of the back four and play him as the defencive midfielder in for Lia. He can then have Jade North and Ben Sigmund as the CB pairing.

These players are actually quite nice off the pitch Brown and Sigmund actively involved in raising money for a rescue helicopter. Lia, Daniel etc all friendly guys. Not sure how Ward will fit in. there's a bit of a click going on in the camp at the moment which is not a good thing.

Ricki, Play Daniel FFS!!

[eastpaddoknutta]

ooooooooooohlllll its all down hill from there loney lol

[Lonegunmen]

Not really, Ifill and Greenacre have been good up front, so too Macallister. Sigmund is actually covering the more experienced durante. Muscat is off to play for Malta.

[eastpaddoknutta]

i used to think ifil would of went onto big things back when he was at palace or shef united

muscat - dirty git lol

[Lonegunmen]

No, not that Muscat (Spit) - he plays for Melbourne Victory, Ours, is Manny Muscat - not relation. His nickname is "Sex Panther" God knows why.