CRYSTAL Palace fans have taken to Twitter to express their anger that Joel Ward wasn't picked to solve England's right-back problem.
The former Portsmouth man had a fine season and was touted for a call-up, especially following an injury to Spurs full-back Kyle Walker and question marks over the form of Liverpool's Glen Johnson.
But he wasn't selected by Roy Hodgson who, after an indifferent display by Johnson at Wembley against Peru on Friday, has now turned to Man City midfielder Milner to fill the void against Ecuador this evening in Miami.
@Inhousehotshot wrote on Twitter: "James Milner at right back? Why not just pick Joel Ward? Statistically the best English right back in the Premier League last season."
@Stephen_M_Ellis agreed, saying: "Roy, I hear you're playing Milner at right-back? Should have taken @joelward20!! #CPFC #England."
And @Littlejoniesta wrote: "If Joel Ward was at a different club he would get the recognition he deserves and be picked for England #cpfc."
But some attempted to add perspective to the debate.
Robert Sutherland, an Advertiser columnist and editor of Palace fanzine Five Year Plan, tweeted: "Please tell me that #cpfc fans won't go on about Joel Ward for England throughout the whole World Cup, too?"Would you have picked Joel Ward for the World Cup? Have your say below...
