Ward's saves and assist help unbeaten Walsall impress Grant
Walsall goalkeeper Jed Ward has eight clean sheets in 13 games and an assist for Tai Sodje in the 3-0 win over Oldham, earning praise from manager Lee Grant and top scorer Aaron Pressley.
Walsall goalkeeper Jed Ward is drawing praise from his manager and team-mates for his form with both hands and feet since joining from Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee in the summer. The 23-year-old has kept eight clean sheets in 13 games in all competitions, and he added an assist in Tuesday's 3-0 League Two win over Oldham Athletic, playing a low 50-yard through-ball for Tai Sodje to open the scoring.
Ward leads League Two in save percentage, stopping 43 of 50 shots on target faced, an 86% rate that works out at almost four saves per game. Only Swindon's Connor Ripley has made more saves, while Exeter's Jack Bycroft is the only goalkeeper with more League Two clean sheets than Ward's six. Ward spent much of the past two seasons on loan at National League clubs Yeovil and Forest Green, and made 18 League One appearances for Bristol Rovers in 2024-25.
Top scorer Aaron Pressley said he had urged Ward to play the pass to Sodje but had not expected it to be executed that way, describing the assist as "Premier League stuff". Manager Lee Grant, a former goalkeeper at Sheffield Wednesday, Burnley and Derby, told BBC Radio WM that Ward's overall level is "very, very high", citing key saves at 0-0 and 1-0, the assist and well-executed distribution in the second half.
Walsall are the only unbeaten team left in the EFL after 11 games, though seven draws and four wins leave them fourth. Pressley scored twice, one from the penalty spot, after Sodje's opener as Walsall beat Oldham comfortably despite playing the final half hour with 10 men following Elicha Ahui's red card. Grant said the first half showed a team controlling the game, while the second displayed the character and fight that have become a clear trend.
Walsall led League Two at Christmas in each of the past two seasons but failed to win promotion either time, and Pressley, who joined in summer 2025 and was part of last season's slide, has already surpassed his goal tally from last term with eight, seven of them in the league. Both he and Grant pointed to the squad's depth as a reason for hope, with Grant never having named an unchanged starting XI. Pressley said four changes against Oldham showed the squad's strength and that replacement players have been outstanding.
Walsall's unbeaten start faces a significant test when they host leaders Salford on Monday. Pressley said the team must focus on what they can control in training and prepare properly.
Image: Shutterstock / BBC Sport
