Joel Ward is not one to dwell on disappointment because it helps no one, least of all Crystal Palace.

The 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur sent the Eagles to the bottom of the Premier League, but Ward is adamant there were positives to be taken back to SE25.

Palace now enter a brace of games at Selhurst Park against Stoke City (January 18) and Hull City (January 28), where Ward is looking for a reaction to Saturday’s defeat.

And having moved from his natural role at right back into midfield, the 24-year-old knows he has a key role to play in getting the Eagles airborne again.

“We try to take the positives from every game we play, and we played some good stuff in the first half against Spurs,” he said.

“Of course, every single one of us was gutted that we did not come away from Spurs with the points, but you cannot dwell on it.

“You can’t change what has happened, instead you have to bounce back and everyone is looking for a reaction.”

He added: “The next two games are massive games. We wanted to make Selhurst Park a fortress and we have not done too badly.

“Since the gaffer has come in, we’ve played good football, been more solid and conceded a lot less goals.

“If we can keep on building on that, not dwell on the past, I believe that little by little, we can get out of where we are.”

Ward moved into the Palace midfield for the Newcastle United game, and despite a 3-0 defeat, boss Tony Pulis has kept faith with the former Portsmouth man.

Ward said: “I have moved in there to do a job and I have enjoyed it.

“I know I am a right back by trade, but it is about helping the team and if me moving into midfield does that, then I am happy to play there.”

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Happy times: Joel Ward and Wilfried Zaha celebrate the play-off win over Brighton & HA last season