Jed Ward: Walsall goalkeeper producing 'Premier League' displays

New Walsall goalkeeper Jed Ward is producing "Premier League" contributions with both his hands and feet, according to his dazzled manager and team-mates.

The 23-year-old has kept eight clean sheets in 13 games in all competitions - making a string of superb saves in the process - since joining the Saddlers from hometown club Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee in the summer.

And he added another string to his bow with an outrageous assist in Tuesday's 3-0 League Two win over Oldham Athletic - pinging a pin-point 50-yard low through-ball for Tai Sodje to score the Saddlers' opener.

"The pass from Jed is different level - I was shouting at him to play Tai in, but I didn't think he'd do it in that way," said impressed Walsall top-scorer Aaron Pressley.

Ward leads League Two in percentage of shots saved - 86% with 43 stops from 50 efforts on target faced, which is almost four saves a game on average.

Only Swindon's Connor Ripley (58) has made more saves while Exeter goalkeeper Jack Bycroft (seven) is the only keeper to have kept more League Two clean sheets than Ward's six.

He has spent much of the past two seasons on loan at National League clubs Yeovil and Forest Green, but did make 18 League One appearances for Bristol Rovers in 2024-25.

In addition to his unexpected assist, Ward made three stops at key moments of Tuesday's game to continue to delight Saddlers boss Lee Grant, himself a former goalkeeper for Sheffield Wednesday, Burnley and Derby during his playing days.

"In terms of what he's bringing at the moment, [Jed] is very, very high level," Grant told BBC Radio WM.

"There's a big save at 0-0, a big save at 1-0. There's an incredible assist, then there's distribution in the second half which is just so well thought-out and executed. His level of performance has been so high."

Grant: 'We got to see both sides of the group'

Pressley: 'One of our best performances'

EFL's last unbeaten record 'down to depth'

Walsall's collective level of performance under new boss Grant - with a largely overhauled squad - has been just as high as their last line of defence.

After 11 games, they are the only unbeaten team remaining in the EFL, although a surplus of draws compared to wins - seven to four - means they only sit fourth.

Two goals from Pressley, including one from the penalty spot, after Sodje's opener, comfortably saw off Oldham despite Walsall playing the final half hour with 10 men after Elicha Ahui's red card.

"We got to see both sides of the group - we got to see a team that was really going after the game in the first half, dominated and controlled large parts," added Grant.

"Then we got to see the other side of the group which is becoming a clear trend in terms of the character, the fight and the determination and I think in some ways that feels sweeter."

Walsall have led League Two at Christmas in both of the past two seasons, only to fall away and fail to gain promotion on either occasion.

Pressley, who joined in the summer of 2025 and was part of last season's slide, has already overtaken his goal tally from last term with eight so far - including seven in the league.

Both he and his manager, however, pointed to Walsall's strength in depth - Grant has regularly tinkered with his starting XI, never fielding an unchanged side despite their solid results - as a beacon of hope they can last the course this time.

"I've just trusted my whole group," said Grant. "So, for the long run, it's good to have this sort of depth and be able to utilise that."

Pressley added: "We made four changes on Tuesday and that's the strength of the squad. The players coming on have been outstanding and the way we can change the team from game to game is such a strength."

Arguably, Walsall's biggest test of their unbeaten start will come in their next home game when they host leaders Salford on Monday.

"Obviously it's quite a big game next Monday, but we just need to focus on what we can control in a way on the training pitch and prepare properly," Pressley added.

"That should put us in a good place for next week."

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