Derby County backed to strike new deal for 'absolutely superb' pair | OneFootball

FLW's Derby County Fan Pundit has weighed in on the futures of Callum Elder and Joe Ward as their contracts near their end.

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…

Derby County make the trip to Hertfordshire on Saturday afternoon, as they face Watford away from home, with the possibility of making it four away victories in a row as they continue their push for promotion in the Championship.

The Rams entered the top six over the weekend as they defeated Swansea City 2-0 at Pride Park. It was just their fifth home win of the campaign, and there is plenty to be excited about in DE24 as Patrick Agyemang scored his 10th goal of the season, while Carlton Morris returned to action after nearly four months out.

It was against the Hornets where the East Midlands outfit lost their talisman, as he suffered a foot injury in the first-half of the clash, with Watford coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and take all three points.

Despite the injury to Morris, Derby continued to find form and goals. However, they could not have done this without their full-backs providing excellent deliveries from out wide, but with both Joe Ward and Callum Elder out of contract in the summer, a decision must be made by the club soon.

Derby County told to hand Callum Elder and Joe Ward new contracts

Both full-backs were involved in the goals that the Rams scored on Saturday. While Ward was not awarded the assist for Rhian Brewster's opener, Elder was given the credit for his spectacular corner that allowed Agyemang to grab the second goal.

Together they have been involved in 15 goals, and when asked if they should be handed new deals in the coming months, Football League World's Derby Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, said: "Both Joe Ward and Callum Elder have been excellent this season. Yes, they were League One signings, but if anything, they've got better since they've been in the Championship.

"I thought Elder really did struggle when he first joined Derby. I wasn't sure he was going to really kind of establish himself. Joe Ward, I always thought the quality was there, but he had a lot of injuries, and I never really thought I saw him being a right-back.

"He still makes me nervous at times, especially when he's running towards his own goal. But he has improved so much as a defender. I've never doubted his ability with the ball and he's one of the best crossers of the ball in the league. That's without a doubt."

Shaun continued: "But I think both of them on merit this season, they really do deserve a new contract, regardless of what league we're in. I think if we did make it to the Premier League, then I do believe they'd be replaced, but they'd be really good squad players.

"If we stay in the Championship, then I think they deserve to keep the shirts at the moment. I know we've now got Murkin and Johnston, but I mean Johnston's injured a lot. But at the moment, they're the ones that are going to have to be patient and wait for the shirt, because I do believe Elder and Ward deserve to start. They've been absolutely superb the season.

"Their crossing, their set-pieces. It's all been excellent. It's really worked for Derby. They've been integral to what John Eustace has wanted to do. They've really stepped up and given us so many assists, which has been excellent for the team. Both deserve to have at least a one or two-year extension, in my opinion."

Derby County would not have had their success this season without Callum Elder and Joe Ward

Having full-backs who can consistently produce excellent deliveries into the box will always make a team a threat, especially one that has players such as Agyemang, Morris and Lars-Jorgen Salvesen in their ranks.

Elder and Ward have been vital to Derby's climb up the table this season, with the former having five assists and a goal to his name, while the latter has also scored once, while also registering eight assists.

Their combined talent has been too much to deal with for opposition sides, and when given the opportunity to deliver from a set piece, there is arguably nobody better in the division than these two.

However, if promotion is won, then Derby may just look to move on from the two as they will need Premier League ready players throughout their squad to ensure that they have a chance of survival.