Really? I mean we've got a smallish striker in Archer that would score 6 in 6 at League One level already. Ballard has scored 6 goals in his senior career prior to this point. It might end up being a mistake, but he wasn't going to get game time here because we already have someone of that profile who has been demonstrably better. So why would you want to stand in the way of Dom's career?
I don’t understand why his height is a factor in letting him go. He’s a goal scorer, simple as that. Only six goals in his senior career? He’s just turned 20. A lot of players at that age haven’t even started their senior career. We didn’t even give him one minute during preseason. If we’d at least given him a couple of starts, or played him in the Carabao Cup, and he wasn’t good enough, okay let him go. But we literally didn’t give him a chance.
So what were they seeing in the U21 games that mean he wasn't seen as worth giving a chance? If he was such a brilliant U21 player, why did nobody more than Leyton Orient come in for him, seeing his potential? The height comment is more a profile thing - he's a channel runner type, and we have one of those already in Archer, who is a far more proven player. We have another of those coming through with Oyekunle. As I said in the other thread, evidently we didn't think he would break through this season (for the reasons just stated) and he will have wanted (one presumes) to try and make his name elsewhere so why stand in his way? How is that "inexcusable"?
He’s been hampered by injuries, and his loan spells weren’t great for him (although it always surprises me that fans think an 18 year old will simply walk into a completely new team and start performing immediately). Fact is he is so young, and should have been given at least half a season of sub/cup appearances. He was given his debut in the Prem two seasons ago, so he was obviously considered a top talent before the injuries. If we’d have signed a decent striker, then yeah, I doubt we’d care so much. But we didn’t. And that’s why it is inexcusable. A double cock-up.
He might turn out to be a useful player, but he's scored 6 goals in League One. The fans calling for him back would lose their mind if SR bought a League One level Striker
Well no, it's inexcusable if he's actually anywhere good enough to play for us, and a hat-trick in League One just doesn't prove that. If he dominates L1 then comes up into a Championship team and is very good there too, then fair enough, but we really don't know in any way he's likely to do that.
6 goals in 6 games. In fact, he has the best minutes per goal in the whole division. But anyway, you're argument is a bit daft, because buying a player, is different from holding on to an academy player, who has been at the club over a decade, and is on a very small salary. I don't think anyone would be losing their mind anyway, about signing a player from League One, seeing as we bought Ronnie Edwards from that division, and most fans were very pleased with him being signed.
Was top scorer in PL2. Scored hat-tricks for fun for the u21s. Scored on his debut for the senior team. I mean, if our coaching staff don't think it's worth giving a chance to a youngster like that, then you have to wonder why we bother with an academy. But yeah, maybe you're right, and Dom will never make it above League One, but we should have at least given him a chance.
I do find this strange. For the last two years, the mantra has been Ross Stewart what a waste of money. Now, he has had a couple of good games, my God what are we going to do now. You bunch of fickle loons. Not at you Brendy, just at the forum in general. And yes, I feel for Ross
I may have missed it in the back and forth but did anyone consider if Ballard may have actually wanted to leave as he knew he was bound to be behind Archer, Armstrong, Stewart Downs etc etc
