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
He has always said how he is desperate to play for Saints, in the interviews I’ve read. There’s just no way of twisting this into a smart move by the club. Admire the effort though. Edit: Also, you’ve alluded to the f*ck up in your own post. If I was told I was behind Downs in the pecking order, I’d leave asap too.
I get what you're saying, but equally you're trying to twist it into a terrible move by the club far, far too early.
Not really twisting it though. Just look at the facts: 1. Got rid of youth player with excellent goal scoring record, without even giving him a chance. 2. Spent 8m on a striker who the entire fan base has recognised - after just a handful of games - is clearly not good enough. I called out both the Downs transfer and Ballard leaving on the days they happened, so this isn’t just a reaction to the hat-trick (okay maybe a bit). PS- Go watch his hat-trick and then tell me that’s not a decent looking kid we let go.
Depends what facts you want to play with though. And as I mentioned he’s a completely different profile to DD. The other facts would say: 1. 6 goals in senior football at L1/2 in 45 games. 2. The coaching set up clearly didn’t rate him enough to keep hold of him, and will have seen him an awful lot more than we have. 3. L1 is probably his level. 4. Everyone is massively overreacting on something none of us really know the answer to. Including Ballard himself. 5. Shall we give DD 45 games at a lower level before we “recognise he’s not good enough”? What if he only scores 6 goals during that period? You’d be chasing him out the door.
I wasn't actually twisting anything by this post. I personally haven't seen enough of him to have an opinion on his playing level / quality either way. I was just wondering if the option that he chose to leave was considered at all in the debate.
The way I see it is: 1. Ballard has had some major injuries which has likely impacted the plans/path to the first team the club first had envisioned when he made his debut 2. He wasn’t going to be ahead of at least 3 players this season in the pecking order so wasn’t going to get too much opportunity here 3. Had one year left on his deal so this was an important year for him to secure a contract somewhere 4. His options were potentially go out on loan and see how he does, maybe hoping he does well enough that Saints offer him a new deal, or at least enough to earn a contract somewhere else. Stay at Saints and likely not get much first team playing time and hope does enough to earn a deal. Leave permanently if a decent offer comes along and he can secure his longer term future and be at a club where he’s seen as a first team player. 5. Leyton Orient, who were playoff finalists last year in League One, came in for him and, probably with an internal conversation none of us will know about, it was seen as the best move for all parties, but probably with a focus on what’s best for him from Saints side Will it turn out to be a mistake? Possibly. But I dont think I’m going to be really criticising the club for sanctioning the move.
Agreed. Given that this thread is for Ross Stewart, whereas the other thread is a general discussion about our strikers, I think it would be appropriate to leave the Ballard discussion to the other thread please.
