I was typing something out like this and deleted it before posting. Basically saying glad I don't have to pick that midfield as there is a case for all of them. Only one I'd be 100% on is Dan Neil!
A long season, need to make sure we dont burn either Jobe or Rigg out....it looked like we were doing that with Jobe last season, manage them both well & pair if them will be full of beans every start & sub appearance
100% and of it is the main reason it's a sign the club are doing things right! Keeps the player happy and if any clubs were seriously looking at him they now know he will cost more!
Sunderland AFC is delighted to announce that Dan Ballard has signed a new contract on Wearside. Committing his future to the Club until 2028, the defender has put pen to paper on a one-year extension at the Stadium of Light. Ballard has been a standout performer in red and white since his arrival from Arsenal in 2022 and he also captained Northern Ireland for the first time in May. After committing his future to the Club, the defender said: “Sunderland gave me the opportunity to come and play in the Championship and I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far. When they came forward to talk about a new deal, it was the only thing I wanted to do, so I’m delighted to have signed it. I’m now looking forward to the season.” Kristjaan Speakman added: “We are all really pleased with Dan’s progress throughout the past two seasons, and he has become an important player in our dressing room. The level of his performances and his potential to improve further are clear, and it’s a great endorsement of all the work happening behind the scenes that a player of Dan’s calibre has reiterated his commitment to our Club.” Ballard, 24, has featured on 66 occasions since his arrival on Wearside and he is known as one of the best defenders in the second tier. He featured in all but three of the club’s Championship fixtures last term, contributing three goals. The defender underwent a minor procedure last week after sustaining a knee injury in the Black Cats’ pre-season opener at South Shields. After missing the trip to Spain to continue his recovery at the Academy of Light, Ballard is expected to return to action in August.
He looks a talent but I’m not sure he’s better than Ekwah yet. It’s whether we want to take the hit and give him minutes and maybe sacrifice a bit to do so. He was average more times than not off the bench and then played a bit out right where he was meh. The only game I can remember him starting in midfield was with Neil at Southampton and they got tortured. Granted it’s Southampton away though and most midfields struggle there.
Will Still in the mud, love it on a serious note, Ballard is my favourite player by a mile, I am over the moon with this, him and Rigg singing new contracts is mental
I think there's plenty of doubt about it to be honest. O'Nien is a good captain, Ballard is quite quiet. Ballard clearly the better centre back but that doesn't make him a better captain.
Great decision. Had a long time on his deal anyway so it's clearly a significant increase in terms to show his worth and stick the middle finger up to those that are fishing
That AEP fella seems to have stopped posting. He (or she) seemed to be quite on the money with stuff.
Agree with your comments....but we also need to take into account hes a young lad learning his trade, i think a lot of our slow transition, especially by the youngest players was we had no real centre forward...so it was sort of look up....ah nobody is making a run, not really sure what to do so retain possession was chosen, be interesting to see what hes like a year on, a new manager & a proper centre forward to look for
I'm more enthused about this one now that I've seen @Scout73 say he was good for Sheff Wed last season.
I think they were a little cheeky tinker from the club. So on the money, spoke well and set expectations.
Agreed, none of us know what these lads are like with their teammates n what they are like in the dressing room. So we have no idea who makes the best captain, I like when theres a leadership group at teams as no 1 shoukd be a guarenteed starter just because they are captain Sounds like Neil n Hume have kicked on from a leadership point of view n might be ahead of ballard in the pecking order Ballard is class at what he does doesnt mean he would be a great captain
