Elliott Ward in his first taste of Premier League action this season at the Liberty Stadium.

Elliott Ward: The darkest six months of my career

Michael Bailey Tuesday, February 14, 2012
10:55 AM

Elliott Ward admitted missing out on Norwich City’s Premier League adventure has been the darkest time in his career.

The centre-back played a key role in the Canaries’ Championship promotion last season and was all set to add to his handful of top-flight appearances, having risen through the ranks at West Ham United.

There was going to be a delay – a knee injury suffered by Ward on Norwich’s pre-season training camp in Germany during July was supposed to keep him out for six weeks. Ward’s return was pencilled in for the first international break of the campaign, ahead of the Canaries’ visit from West Bromwich Albion at the start of September. But six weeks turned into six months – and a journey Ward had to tackle without ever knowing exactly when it would end. Fortunately the finalé arrived on Saturday in south Wales, with Ward’s first appearance and 90 minutes of Premier League quality his manager Paul Lambert rightly described as “colossal”.

Ward acknowledged he felt proud to come through the entire game at Swansea after so long out – and relief he can now concentrate on playing his role in what is turning into another memorable Canaries campaign under Lambert.

“Yes, it’s pride, it’s good; I’ve had one 70-minute reserves match so to have a 90 minutes is testing but it’s probably the best game for me – the lads around me were brilliant as well,” said Ward.

“It has been the darkest time in my career. I’ve been injured before but you tend to have a time scale and you know how long you’re going to be out.

“This one I had a time scale, didn’t reach it and it just happened again and again. I got back running and broke down again for something else and it was definitely dark. They were some very, very low points in my career and I just thank those for helping me out.

“Every time we put a time scale on it I didn’t reach it and that was frustrating, and at those times you do wonder what’s going to happen and how long it will take.

“It was tough. It’s tough when you think you are only out for a short period and it ends up being six months. There have been a lot of ups and downs and a lot of mountains to climb and sometimes you think, ‘Is it going to happen?’

“I got a little break away and that definitely helped clear my head and helped my knee out, and from there I kicked on and got fit. I had to stay strong and work a lot with the physios, and I just thank them and my family and my missus for being there for me as well.”

Ward’s comeback is ultimately well-timed – Zak Whitbread was some way off making the game in Swansea with a hamstring strain and his centre-back partner of recent times, Dani Ayala, is officially out for a month with the same ailment.

By the time the final whistle arrived on what was a superb win for the Canaries at the Liberty Stadium, it was just like old times for Ward as he found himself playing alongside Leon Barnett – who while being fit, has also found first team opportunities hard to come by in recent weeks.

“It’s unfortunate for Zak and Dani – they have been brilliant,” said Ward. “I’ve seen a lot of the recent games and they have done well. They have been a big part of why we’ve done well over the last few months.

“But it’s probably a perfect game for me to come back into. Leon has had to be patient as well and he has been brilliant as well this season, and he’s unlucky to be out of the team.

“But the way the lads play, everyone has got confidence and sometimes you’re not going to get into the team and you have to be patient, and when he came on he definitely helped me out.”

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23 comments

If you are correct, Crab, long may it continue!

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, February 19, 2012
Take a closer look at "Sian", guys! "She" didn't appear till Ged claimed to get his leg (end) over her after the Swansea game. Since then they have reportedly fallen out, and "she" has been publicly vilifying him! I get more of an impression that "she" is actually one of ours taking the p155 out of Ged! As such "she" should be encouraged!

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The Crab

Saturday, February 18, 2012
What does not kill us, makes us stronger - the Trolls are not going to spoil my fun - looking forward to seeing what the FA Cup Team is going to be.

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Swiss Canary

Thursday, February 16, 2012
The thing is, Bogaz, genuine NCFC fans will have their moans & groans but it`s because they care. These ersatz "supporters" do it purely as a wind-up. As you say, fuelled by petty envy and delivered with spite. WHY do they bother to play out this charade? Just admit they support a different team. Be honest!

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Mad Brewer

Thursday, February 16, 2012
I'm with MB on this. I cannot believe with City now doing so well in the Premier League our fan pages are spoilt by people ( obviously jealous of our success) who prefer to post spiteful comments instead of praising our amazing team and management. Stick to Twitter or Facebook if you want to be controversial

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Bogaz John

Thursday, February 16, 2012
What's occuring Mr Brewer? Polluting this forum or do you think its your forum? Who died and made you Darth Vader? Sort it out!

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Sian

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
WHY does Archant encourage this Ged-Sian-Knott-Sterile-btb, etc pollution of a Norwich supporters` "forum"? Encourage may be the wrong word. Construct may be closer.

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Mad Brewer

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
No more dark days for you Elliott my friend. All bright and all yellow..unless of course you defect to all blue and all dark

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YorkCanary

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
What's occuring Ged? You told me that you could not manage it due to the distress of your game prediction being completley wrong and now your galavanting around here again. No body leaves me in the lurch, not even the leg-end. Sort it out Steroo!

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Sian

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Don't worry yourself Elliot, I have a feeling there'll be plenty of "dark days" to come for you and the rest of the squad.

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Ged Steroo

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I understand that Rowan Atkinson has been booked to play Ged.

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Swiss Canary

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
No.

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Mad Brewer

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Is it true that they are making a film of the Lambo miracle called "Crouching grasshopper, hidden horse"?

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Swiss Canary

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Good man, Wardy! Knee-high to a Crouch.

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Mad Brewer

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I believe we have seem the whole back line mature over the last few months, from those shaky moments in the first few games. This current team really does learn from its mistakes

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jharding

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
ether again.

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Mad Brewer

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The last 3 years have seen us come from as bad as it could get to as good as it can get. Except Lambo may think differently! Last year I thought Ward looked class. What`s pace got to do with it? He looked like a slightly lanky Bobby Moore at times v Middlesborough. Now he`s challenging Crouch. The sky`s the limit. He`ll never be a leg end. Maybe an endless leg? OTBC.

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Mad Brewer

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
He's another quality player that Lambo 'rescued' and provided with belief. With him leading the back line, City can only improve.

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Soglio Star

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I have to admit that the photo of him with Holty makes him look as if he'd go eye to eye with Peter Crouch. Yeah I have to say he was awesome in his comeback, especially coming straight into a premiership game. PL and his team must have certainly prepared him well.

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jharding

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I've heard many times that our centre-halves were not premier-class. What's interesting is that if the young lad from Peterborough is as good as everyone says he is, we'll then have him, Zac, Ayala, Ward and Martin, all of which have played really well at centre-back in recent weeks. And Leon didn't let anyone down when he came on Saturday either! Add to that Ruddy having been pretty much immaculate for the last few weeks, and I'd say we're now looking pretty strong defensively. As long as Fox stays fit, sitting in front of the back four, I'd suggest we should be able to look forward to quite a few more clean sheets in the coming weeks...

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Johannesburg Chris

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Fair enough, jh. I must have another look @ that Wickipedia entry. I only saw a couple of games last season and I must admit I thought Ward looked a bit taller than 6`1". But never would have thought he`d "tower" over Holty. P`raps Holty just looks bigger than he really is? The power of his personality. Mr. Ward made a top-notch come-back, didn`t he?

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Mad Brewer

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Have to say MB, got a photo of my lad with Mr Ward in the pub after they gained promotion last year. My lad is 6,1'' and Ward towers over him.

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jharding

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Onwards and upwards now, Mr. Ward. You played a stormer! PS. Have they stretched you while you were out? You left Holty looking knee-high to one of Lambo`s grasshoppers! In the EDP photo, anyway.

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Mad Brewer

Tuesday, February 14, 2012