" A Rotherham fans verdict on Danny Ward "

A mate of mine called Andy is a Rotherham United season ticket holder and is very passionate about his football. He's supported Rotherham all his life, despite the lures of the bigger clubs in the vicinity of his Northern England based home. I worked with Andy - aka "Budgie lips" due to his inability to drink - for 10 years and he's an extremely honest and likeable guy. This was his view on Danny Ward, just weeks before we signed him:


"Danny Ward was a shining light in what was a poor team, shot in confidence last season. He got the Captains armband and led the front line on his own brilliantly. Looking back, when we signed him he didn't look fit and struggled out on the wing, but played brilliantly in a match that sealed our safety setting up both goals. It was well documented preseason last season that he was going to do a lot of fitness work with our fitness coach (now our manager) and it showed.

He's deciptively big and strong, ideal for leading the line. He's a 100 percenter too and his attitude was still top notch in a struggling side. When Danny didn't play for us we struggled to hold the ball up and he's no slouch in the air either. I can't imagine you guys would go into the season with just one recognised striker (Danny) like we did.

If anything, he does tend to have chalk bones and get injured pretty regularly, but that's partly due to his commitment to be fair to the lad.

In a decent side, played as a striker and injury free, I'd say you'd be looking at a return of 15 goals in a season at most. You'd probably need an out-and-out finisher up top with him.

We turned down £2 million for him in January from QPR, but that would be fantastic business for us now. I'd say he's worth between £1 million and £1.5 million. We have just triggered a 12 month extension on his contract so that we can command a fee.
Danny is a good Championship player, but I'd be surprised if he made an impact higher. If I was a Cardiff fan, I'd be happy if the club payed a million for him, but I'd know his goals won't get you out of the championship on their own, so if not already in the squad, I'd expect more goal scorers to follow.

P.S. Tom Adeyemi was fantastic for us, I can't believe you guys are letting him go.

Good luck for the new season!

Ward to cover centre forward with Zohore. And keep Pilks for out wide.

That way we probably don't need another striker. If we're only gonna play one up top anyway. Got plenty of options at 10.

Centre mid has to be the priority now.

Ward to cover centre forward with Zohore. And keep Pilks for out wide.

That way we probably don't need another striker. If we're only gonna play one up top anyway. Got plenty of options at 10.

Centre mid has to be the priority now.

Can't argue with any of that. Ward will be a good option instead of Zohore or alongside him perhaps in the later stages if we're chasing the game. Centre midfield definitely the priority. Is there a particular individual you'd like to see us sign in that department?

Ward to cover centre forward with Zohore. And keep Pilks for out wide.

That way we probably don't need another striker. If we're only gonna play one up top anyway. Got plenty of options at 10.

Centre mid has to be the priority now.

Can't argue with any of that. Ward will be a good option instead of Zohore or alongside him perhaps in the later stages if we're chasing the game. Centre midfield definitely the priority. Is there a particular individual you'd like to see us sign in that department?

I think the calibre of the midfielder we sign will depend on what happens elsewhere. If we can ship a few on. Noone, John maybe one other. Then we may see a well known 'name' who can push for a start. If we can't. It'll probably be a youngster or a loan and mainly for cover.

Do still think O'Keefe could do a job there mind, especially just as cover. But obviously Warnock doesn't.

I think he'd rather halford or Bamba moving infront of defence like he did the end of the season.

Ward to cover centre forward with Zohore. And keep Pilks for out wide.

That way we probably don't need another striker. If we're only gonna play one up top anyway. Got plenty of options at 10.

Centre mid has to be the priority now.

Can't argue with any of that. Ward will be a good option instead of Zohore or alongside him perhaps in the later stages if we're chasing the game. Centre midfield definitely the priority. Is there a particular individual you'd like to see us sign in that department?

I think the calibre of the midfielder we sign will depend on what happens elsewhere. If we can ship a few on. Noone, John maybe one other. Then we may see a well known 'name' who can push for a start. If we can't. It'll probably be a youngster or a loan and mainly for cover.



Do still think O'Keefe could do a job there mind, especially just as cover. But obviously Warnock doesn't.

I think he'd rather halford or Bamba moving infront of defence like he did the end of the season.

First time I've seen him on Friday and was instantly impressive. To be fair, all who played looked sharp and I think Burton is an ideal fixture to start the season. I also think we will get a result against Villa too.

First time I've seen him on Friday and was instantly impressive. To be fair, all who played looked sharp and I think Burton is an ideal fixture to start the season. I also think we will get a result against Villa too.

I can't wait for the season to start, I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas. I'm not going to Burton, but my vocals will be well rested for the Villa game.

Cheers