---
title: "Crystal Palace fans are loving impact of defender Joel Ward"
canonical: "https://readcrystalpalace.com/2019/09/26/crystal-palace-fans-are-loving-impact-of-defender-joel-ward/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Murray"
section: "Articles"
published: "2019-09-26T11:04:50Z"
modified: "2019-09-26T11:04:51Z"
---

# Crystal Palace fans are loving impact of defender Joel Ward

Crystal Palace fans are loving the impact of defender Joel Ward, and are impressed by a particular stat about the long-time Eagles full-back.

Ward netted a rare goal for Palace against Wolves at the weekend but was unable to help Palace maintain their lead with Nuno Espirito Santos’ side netting a late equaliser.

> Twitter: Joel Ward has the best tackle success \[85%\] out of the teams considered to be outside the top 6
>
> Consistency from W… https://t.co/jdjeT7udXU (@PalaceEaglesc0m)

Ward has shown his defensive abilities for Palace, and some Eagles fans have made their opinions of the defender very clear on Twitter.

> Twitter: @PalaceEaglesc0m Still some will say we need a RB! (@jelthecaddy)

> Twitter: @PalaceEaglesc0m He was excellent against Wolves. Kumbaya Joel Ward! (@CroydonLuke)

> Twitter: @PalaceEaglesc0m WHO NEEDS WAN-BISSAKA ????? (@jbcpfc2004)

> Twitter: @PalaceEaglesc0m @iancnoble He’s been quality (@sean\_collard)

However, some Palace fans still doubt Ward and reckon Palace could do with a new right-back.

> Twitter: @PalaceEaglesc0m Wait till Arsenal city and Chelsea play is, he was destroyed against spurs (@Hape9999)

> Twitter: @PalaceEaglesc0m That diving header attempt undone all his decent work. I miss AWB (@xbmcpimp\_g)

> Twitter: @PalaceEaglesc0m Bet hes got the best ball watching state aswell (@graham\_brooksy)

### Read Crystal Palace’s verdict

The Eagles were hugely weakened when Aaron Wan Bissaka moved to Manchester United, but you can’t fault Ward for his effort.

He scored a good goal at the weekend, but he will need to improve at the back, especially after Palace conceded a late equaliser against Wolves.

The clash with Norwich will be huge for the Eagles season, as the Canaries have struggled on the road so far this season.