Unsung hero for Burnley: Stephen Ward
The likes of Tom Heaton and Michael Keane may have taken most of the credit for Burnley’s defensive performances but there were other heroes in the Clarets backline.
Ben Mee and Matt Lowton’s praises were sung but nobody epitomised Burnley’s industry and true grit like Stephen Ward.
The Irishman missed just a solitary league match in Sean Dyche’s side’s Premier League survival and the consistency he gave helped keep Burnley above the drop zone.
The 31-year-old even popped up with a crucial goal for the Clarets in their 3-2 victory over Bournemouth in December.
Ward’s top flight career seemed to have come to an end after he played just nine Premier League matches in the 2014-15 season for Burnley.
But the former Wolves man has come back with a vengeance and after Mee was pushed into centre-half, Ward took his chance at left-back and hasn’t looked back.
Photo credit: Getty Images
After completing a solid campaign helping Burnley bounce straight back to the top flight, the industrious full-back held down his spot in the starting XI.
And his experience helped Burnley keep nine clean sheets and concede just 55 goals as they came 16th in the Premier League.
He may have gone under the radar for praise by many but his manager always had faith in the Irishman, who hailed his consistency.
“Ward played ever so well, a number of them are, who probably go under the radar a little bit,” said Dyche.
“Wardy is in a really good place, it bodes well, but you can’t take it for granted.
“I really like the shape we have got at the back. They have got good industry and I like the demand of the back five – the way the accept responsibility.
“They have got good players in front of them who work ever so hard for the team. that has helped us in a defensive sense.”
