COLUMNIST Zoe Messenbird writes in praise of Palace's player of the season so far...
WHEN we bought Joel Ward for mere £400,000 back in May 2012, I don't think any of us really knew how great a signing he would turn out to be.
I spent three years living in Portsmouth while at university, and when we bought Ward, I was constantly told how we had got ourselves a fantastic player and at such a great price.
So many Portsmouth fans praised his work ethic and talent, but I never thought he would turn out to be as good as a player as he has been for us.
Coming from a League One side to now being a regular player in our Premier League squad, I really think the transition Joel has made from League One to Premier League has gone unnoticed among the rest of the football community.
I think most Palace fans developed their love for Joel Ward during the Play-off final at Wembley. His clearance of Fernando Forestieri's shot off the line in the final minutes of injury time is a moment which will stay with many Palace fans for the rest of their lives. If it wasn't for Ward we may not even be in the Premier League today.
In recent games, Ward's versatility has been highlighted, as he has had to fill in at central midfield and left back. Tony Pulis' choice to put Ward at left back while two other specialists in that position have been on the bench illustrates how highly the boss rates him.
So far this season, I think Ward has been our most consistent player. Even at the beginning of the season when we were struggling under Ian Holloway, I would walk away from games and praise Ward's work ethic.
If Ward carries on playing the way he has been this season, I think there is no doubt that he is a massive contender for player of the season.
