Bristol Rovers boss John Ward 'moving towards' the start of talks over long-term future
Bristol Rovers boss John Ward expects talks to extend his stay at the Memorial Stadium beyond the end of the season to begin shortly.
Ward agreed a short-term deal until the end of the season to succeed Mark McGhee in December at a time when Rovers were fully embroiled in scrap against relegation.
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Bristol Rovers manager John Ward
The new manager has since sparked a considerable turnaround in fortunes that sees his side nine points clear of the drop zone ahead of Saturday’s clash at Chesterfield.
Chairman Nick Higgs went on record to say that talks over an extended contract for the manager would begin once Rovers’ status in League Two beyond the end of the current campaign was guaranteed and when asked about it this morning, Ward replied: “We have been thinking about that.
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It is something that I will be trying to sort out with the chairman. We haven’t set anything up right now, but it is certainly something we are moving towards.”
Rovers, meanwhile, could move another step closer to guaranteed safety if they could overcome Chesterfield on Saturday to follow up Wednesday night’s 2-0 victory over Exeter City, which Ward described as the team’s ‘best result’ since he took charge.
When asked whether a mid-table finish was now a realistic aim, Ward said: “We’re looking at that. I heard somebody talking about the play-offs after we won the game on Wednesday night and I had to say: “Calm down.”
“We are in a position in which we are able to achieve and improve ourselves. I want that to be the focus of everyone involved in the football club. Yes, we could win our ten remaining games, but we could also lose all ten. We just have to remain realistic and balanced in our views and that’s all I am saying at the moment.
“We’ve done well, but let’s concentrate first and foremost on trying to win the game at Chesterfield on Saturday. If we could do that we would climb another place in the table and that would be another good boost for us.”
Ward, meanwhile, gathered his players in the centre-circle at the final whistle of Wednesday night’s game to acknowledge the part the supporters played in helping his side overcome Paul Tisdale’s promotion chasers.
He said: “I think it was important for us to do that. The whole thing is together and there is a feel of the old days at Twerton Park about it.
“We lost games during that period, but the supporters came back the next week full of optimism that we could win the game. We were going through a period where we were trying to survive and this situation has a similar feel to it.
“What has helped us in recent games is that the supporters have not been getting on the back of the players when they make a mistake or when we lose a game.
“They are all very much behind us. I’ve been at clubs in the past where the supporters come to watch, but this group we have here come to join in.”
19 Comments
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by Towngas
Saturday, March 09 2013, 9:21AM
“Marksy
If you don't stop coming on our threads making stupid, juvenile comments I'm going to take your white stick off of you.
Solomon.
Please, share your knowledge with us!”
by Solomon243
Saturday, March 09 2013, 8:05AM
“Gasincider.
I must admit that I did not know that John Ward was being touted for the next US President - you obviously have inside knowledge.
As for the rest of your comments, they merely illustrate your ignorance and show that you are unaware that other people may have 'insider' knowledge on subjects closer to home.
Keep taking the tablets.”
by chinesegas
Saturday, March 09 2013, 7:02AM
“i think the board are waiting to get the decision on the stadium first , then with that a certanty they wiil sort out a contract for wardy , then they have to work out a critcal path one to gain promotion ,so we can move into the new stadium in div 1 ,then they have to give jw as much time as possible to get his squad together , for two promotions in two years ,along with the permited resoures .”
by TOTEENDTONY
Friday, March 08 2013, 11:41PM
“Although the board have been useless regarding past manager selection ( top of thier list had to be i atkins, but we can thank dungford for that error). Ward is one of thier better decisions.The players are responding to him, the fans love him, theres no better option out there. Give him a worthy contract now.”
by gasincider
Friday, March 08 2013, 12:59PM
“Soloman 243, dont talk such utter garbage.
I know for a fact he has been touted for the next president of the US as well.
Why do people dream up such rubbish just to attract attention.
JW has aleady stated that this will be his last managerial role, and that what he wants more than anything is to lead Rovers into the new stadium. He will then be able to say he was the only manager to lead us into 3 different stadiums.
In the next few weeks,his contract will be sorted out, thus allowing him to start deciding who he wants and doesnt want next season. Nobody is more aware of this than NH.
I would suggest that he will remain manager until we go to the UWE then Andy Tillson who will join us in the summer will take over.”
by ToulouseRover
Friday, March 08 2013, 8:36AM
“Talking about the Gas supporters, JW said
"They are all very much behind us. I've been at clubs in the past where the supporters come to watch, but this group we have here come to join in."
That sums up what being involved in Bristol Rovers is all about.”
by bluecamel
Friday, March 08 2013, 8:12AM
“The board have to let JW get rid of the dead wood, we all know who they are !! and let him bring in and add to the quality that he did manage to bring in under an incredible difficult situation.
Not sure what they do regarding his contract - time wise, and they cant really do anything until the maths say we are safe, but they have to back him in pre-season otherwise we will be in another mess - know what i mean?”
by Solomon243
Friday, March 08 2013, 8:02AM
“John Ward is currently under the scrutiny of several clubs, some of whom have much more money to spend than The Gas.
Ward should be given a three year contract immediately and - equally important - be allowed to bring in and ship out the players he feels he needs to make the team successful next season.
He wasn't allowed to do so last time and he left - don't let history repeat itself. Ward has made watching The Gas a pleasure again...well done”
by THEIRONS
Thursday, March 07 2013, 5:01PM
“He is doing a dam good job for you Blues , more than deserving of a shiny new contract.
IAINTCLEVER-- Quality comment as usual ,without even a comment on the job JW has done.”
by Iaintno82er
Thursday, March 07 2013, 3:18PM
“@Marksy seeing you are a village green ssssshhhhh it head whom wouldn't have a clue regarding the attraction of a club like Rovers to Mr Ward so I won't waste anytime trying to explain.
Maybe you should take an exodus from Trashton and spend a few games at the Mem and experience what can only be described as some Gas sprinkled magic.
Other than that you could always spend the rest of the season at Trashton hoping not to be relegated (the false hope that it is) UTG,FTS!!!”