Joel Ward

[Whaleoilbeefhooked]

Much needed cover at RB and CB. Provided he gets up to speed fairly quickly, someone of his Premiership quality, even at 36, has to be a good signing, especially with a 6 mth deal, which makes good financial sense
Plus it means Galbraith moves into midfield, so 2 birds with one stone springs to mind.

 

[JackSomething]

He's 36, been out of football since last season and even then only played 3 games in all competitions (one of which was a token farewell appearance). He hasn't played at right-back since the season before that.

To put his age into context, he's almost exactly 1 year younger than Kyle Naughton. Naughton was 36 last season and managed to play in 25 games, but no-one was clamouring for him to stay on another season.

I'm sure there's reasons he's been brought in and hopefully they pay off, but I'll be shocked if he gets up to speed anytime soon (if ever) and I'd be surprised if he sees the pitch that often. If Key is out injured, I'd expect Galbraith to stay at right-back for the foreseeable future.

 

[J_B]

It's a shame that we haven't got a young player that the manager trusts to fulfil the role.
Hopefully Ward has kept himself reasonably fit and a good moment to join and presumably get some minutes in on Sunday.

 

[Smurph]

I'd rather we brought Ashley Williams out of retirement or failing that utilised our managers skill set from promoting and developing youth.

Maybe we're branching out in to the retirement home space.

 

[3swan]

So Rak-Sakyi will have a familiar face when he comes

​

 

[3swan]

It's a shame that we haven't got a young player that the manager trusts to fulfil the role.
Hopefully Ward has kept himself reasonably fit and a good moment to join and presumably get some minutes in on Sunday.

You'd hope that with limited funds, the club will have thought long and hard over the benefits of the signing.

 

[Swanjaxs]

Jon McLaughlin is still looking for a club; he did a job for us last season.

 

[jackharris]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2009579597197902254

 

[jackharris]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2009582727385805010

 

[Treehuggerjack]

He's 36, been out of football since last season and even then only played 3 games in all competitions (one of which was a token farewell appearance). He hasn't played at right-back since the season before that.

To put his age into context, he's almost exactly 1 year younger than Kyle Naughton. Naughton was 36 last season and managed to play in 25 games, but no-one was clamouring for him to stay on another season.

I'm sure there's reasons he's been brought in and hopefully they pay off, but I'll be shocked if he gets up to speed anytime soon (if ever) and I'd be surprised if he sees the pitch that often. If Key is out injured, I'd expect Galbraith to stay at right-back for the foreseeable future.

With how Key has performed this season and with Galbraith being a cracking midfielder, I actually wouldn’t have minded Naughton staying in another year.
If this guy is a year younger and of better quality ( I’ve not seen him play?) then I’m not altogether against it.
Worry is as you say his lack of game time over such a period.
Guess we will have to wait and see if this is a master-stroke or a stroke-one-out signing.

 

[Andrew - North Hill]

Nothing against the lad and I'm sure he'll be good around the place but it strikes me as an odd signing when defence is arguably where we're most well stocked. Surely a 10 or a winger was a greater priority given funds are tight. But there we are

 

[Treehuggerjack]

With how Key has performed this season and with Galbraith being a cracking midfielder, I actually wouldn’t have minded Naughton staying in another year.
If this guy is a year younger and of better quality ( I’ve not seen him play?) then I’m not altogether against it.
Worry is as you say his lack of game time over such a period.
Guess we will have to wait and see if this is a master-stroke or a stroke-one-out signing.

Ps and of course we would have all preferred a young dynamic solid RB but probably in the summer unless key improves

 

[Moorlands]

Give the man a break!!!
You don't achieve his record and reputation unless you are a truly solid athlete and a good pro..Club needs a couple more experience and wisdom in the dressing room.

 

[monmouth]

I assume it's cheaper than a loan, adds some experience to the dressing room and emergency covers two positions. Hard to get excited either way.

I hope we can get shot of Santos. Now that was a rampantly stupid signing as long as we keep Casey. Lissah should be brought through into the back up/rotation role next season if Matos thinks he has the minerals.

 

[exiledclaseboy]

Seems a solid enough squad/back up signing to me.