"I would be slightly shocked" - Reaction given as Portsmouth plot Derby County transfer | OneFootball

FLW's Portsmouth fan pundit has had his say on the latest links to Derby County's utility man Joe Ward.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Portsmouth are keeping tabs on versatile Derby County man Joe Ward ahead of the January transfer window.

Football League World have exclusively revealed that Pompey and Oxford United are considering making a move for Ward when the window opens next month.

The right-sided player can operate as a right-back or wing-back, as well as playing as a winger too in his career. However, he has found minutes difficult to come by since the Rams won promotion from League One last season.

The two sides that joined Derby in returning to the Championship from the third tier have taken an interest in the 29-year-old, with all three clubs hoping to survive relegation this season.

Ward joined Derby in the summer of 2023 after his contract at Peterborough United expired, and he has made 33 appearances in that time, with only six of them coming this term.

We asked FLW’s Portsmouth fan pundit Miltos Ioannidis for his thoughts on if Ward would be a good addition and if the club need to bolster in that area of the pitch.

He said: "I would be slightly shocked, and perhaps underwhelmed, if we were after Joe Ward.

"It's not even the fact that he is a bad player, as he's far from that. He's a very good, versatile, and experienced full-back.

"One who has played well at League One level for a number of years and now this season in the Championship.

"But I feel that, given our current depth in the right-back spot, this rumoured move feels unnecessary.

"At the moment, we have three very solid right-backs. Terry Devlin, who has been an absolute revelation for us; Jordan Williams, who is coming back from injury at the time we are speaking; and Zak Swanson, who is just coming back as well.

"Three very solid right-backs, and each of them bring something different to the table.

"Arguably, right-back is probably the position in the squad that we are most well stocked in. It makes the prospect of another signing there even harder to understand.

"I think having to work through this list of right-backs, creates an unnecessary selection headache. There are other positions that we should be prioritising, at the moment.

"Of course, football is unpredictable. You can never know with injuries what will happen. We can be here sitting and talking about reinforcements that Portsmouth can make all day long, but I don't think right-back is a priority for us.

"That's what makes this whole rumour puzzling, and we will have to wait and see its validity and if it turns out to be true.

"It's one that, given where we are as a squad right now, makes it a bit harder to understand."

It's fair to say Portsmouth are in need of fresh faces in a few areas in January, and a utility man would be a solid addition. However, John Mousinho's side definitely have greater priorities.

Another central defender, given the injury issues that have hampered them there all season, as well as another creative player, would not go amiss.

Teams around them will strengthen, and not always with the flashiest and biggest names, but reliable and solid players that are raring to go and to prove a point.