Wrexham’s backup keeper, Danny Ward, is back in the club training sessions as the 32-year-old was seen assisting Okonkwo ahead of the QPR matchday visit.
On the back of a winless run of a couple of games, Wrexham head into matchday 29 wishing for a change. While the challenge against QPR on the road is no easy feat, Wrexham’s training footage affirms the trust of the fans.
Directly or indirectly, a major inhibitor holding back Wrexham’s best performances recently has been a lack of flow.
With the form of scoring machines like Kieffer Moore and Josh Windass plagued by disrupted continuity, the Reds’ goals have dried up. This directly reflects on their numbers, which have dropped from 14 goals in the 5-game winning streak to just 2 goals in the last couple of games.
A 3-day break from the last game to the upcoming QPR contest provides promise for star players to return to full fitness. And what better than this for a good first omen? Given Wrexham nears a clean bill of health with Danny Ward’s return.
Recently, Ward was caught on camera while training alongside the rest of the roster during the Reds’ camp ahead of the QPR visit. In a capture, the 32-year-old was seen mentoring and assisting Arthur Okonkwo as the latter attempted a reaction save drill.
Danny Ward’s return helps Okonkwo’s growth
Unequivocally, Arthur Okonkwo has been the backbone pillar of Wrexham’s appreciable January spell. While he’s consistently delivered solid displays, his heroics against Nottingham have already cemented him amongst the best Wrexham keepers in history.
Even statistically, Okonkwo has recouped his form by going from averaging 2+goals at a point to just conceding 5 goals in as many Championship games lately. Needless to say, he has won over both the fans and Phil Parkinson’s trust even more.
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Having said that, there’s definitely room for improvement for the 24-year-old. If one glaring weakness needs to be pointed out, it would be his succumbing to pressure situations.
Be it the Leicester game or the Swansea defeat, Okonkwo has conceded multiple late goals this campaign. While he alone isn’t to be blamed every time, he’s one of the primary stakeholders responsible for Wrexham’s dropping points tally.
That’s where veteran keeper Danny Ward comes into the picture. Having been witnessed while assisting Okonkwo in training drills, the former Premier League regular can help the prodigy rise up to the Top Flight level with his years of experience.
Though Danny Ward has clearly lost ground as the starting candidate to Okonkwo, the 32-year-old’s return puts a healthy performance pressure on Arthur by competing directly with him for a spot.
Can Danny Ward ever become the 1st choice again?
After being brought in as the starting keeper last summer, it’s been a disappointing spell for Ward individually. Already off to a substandard start with 7 goals conceded in 4 games, a dislocated elbow forced him to the sidelines.
As of now, Ward stands unregistered from Wrexham’s 25-man Championship squad list. While his way back into the squad is a matter of time, the 32-year-old’s return to the starting berth is a distant prospect.
Given Okonkwo’s rise at Wrexham with the keeper hitting the 100+ appearances landmark recently, it’s unlikely Ward can have the role soon. His best case can emerge if Arthur’s form slips up midway through the season.
Having made his first start of the season against QPR, the upcoming rematch comes as a crucial game for Okonkwo. Should he ship multiple goals today and Wrexham’s winless streak extend longer, then only the Reds can even think of recalling Ward again.
Except for this, Danny Ward’s only possibility remains to present his candidature for the FA Cup. Given the unwritten rule of rosters to rotate in Cup competitions, his Premier League pedigree can convince Parky to give him a go-ahead to help advance Wrexham deeper in the FA Cup.
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