Ward shines as Rams win five in a row

Last week I touched on how the squad's togetherness is having a positive impact on their performances, a trait which once again shone through, as Derby County overcame Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Another important factor in being able to hit such a good run of form has been the way Derby have scored goals, and created chances for their strikers.

Four of the Rams' past seven league goals have come from crosses, with right wing-back Joe Ward providing three assists in that time.

Since joining the club, he has been credited for his crossing and ability at set-pieces. These are qualities which had been hard to showcase consistently because of the lack of physicality, and the presence of an 'out-and-out number 9' in Derby's attack.

Until this season of course.

With the introductions of Ben Brereton Diaz, Patrick Agyemang, and the man of the moment, Carlton Morris, Derby now have a presence up front.

They are attacking players who have bags of stature and strength, and excel by utilising those qualities to get on the end of balls into the box. This has allowed Ward to have arguably his best run of form in a Derby shirt.

There have always been glimpses of brilliance with Ward. The main moment that comes to mind is his wonder free-kick against West Bromwich Albion in the Carabao Cup earlier this season. Not forgetting that he had spent seven months sidelined with injury before that moment.

As more of an attack-minded defender, it wasn't suitable for head coach John Eustace to play him as part of a back four at the beginning of the campaign and, until the return of Sondre Langas, Derby couldn't deploy their preferred back-five system.

With summer signing Max Johnston's injury sidelining him for six to eight weeks, Ward has been offered the chance to reignite his Derby career, and so far I would say he's done exactly that, consistently creating chances that have produced match-winning moments.

I would also argue on current form it may be difficult for Johnston to walk back into the starting line-up when he returns. With Derby possessing such an aerial threat in the box at present, you would be surprised to see perhaps the club's best crosser of a ball drop to the bench.

However, being able to have such strength in depth in pretty much every position this season only reinforces the ambitions of all at the club, and the direction Derby are heading.

Once more we're seeing Eustace bring the best out of players who haven't been able to make their mark consistently in the past. As a supporter, it feels extremely refreshing to have so much competition for places rather than a predictable starting XI and bench because we're having to make do with what we've got.

I'm excited to see what else is to come from Ward after the international break. If he can maintain his form and, more importantly, his fitness, he could play a really key part in where the Rams finish come May.