Dom Ballard

[Pwoite]

6 minutes ago, Tank said:

Dang it's Grealish's younger brother.

Be BOLD Ralph ... get this young guy in the A team.

I can't see why Ralph isn't blooding some of these youngsters on the bench, even if he is reluctant to play them. With eight outfield players getting named every game, there are always two or three who are very unlikely to be called upon. Sure, always have the 'spare' central defender, but do we need to have Smallbone and Diallo, and if Djenepo is Ralph's answer, I hate to think what the question might have been! So, let's get two or three experienced in first team match days, rather than shunting along those unlikely to be in stripes, (or whatever brave option is adopted), next season.

[S-Clarke]

9 minutes ago, Pwoite said:

I can't see why Ralph isn't blooding some of these youngsters on the bench, even if he is reluctant to play them. With eight outfield players getting named every game, there are always two or three who are very unlikely to be called upon. Sure, always have the 'spare' central defender, but do we need to have Smallbone and Diallo, and if Djenepo is Ralph's answer, I hate to think what the question might have been! So, let's get two or three experienced in first team match days, rather than shunting along those unlikely to be in stripes, (or whatever brave option is adopted), next season.

Isn't that always the clamor though, if the team is struggling field all the youth players etc.

I'd say throwing young players into a struggling environment is counterproductive and can actually derail them entirely, you get the most out of talented young players when they are brought into a confident, fresh and stable team in my opinion. I'd argue the best time to blood some of these young players was during our run when we beat Brentford, Spurs, Norwich etc - but we are seemingly never comfortable enough in games (bar Brentford) to actually relax to give anyone a chance.

Hopefully we'll have better players in the first team next year so we can have more comfortable wins, then we'd be able to bring on some of the kids for little cameos to expose them to the environment. There are some players who will just be ready straight away, but it's still risky throwing them into a really shit team.

[Tank]

23 hours ago, Pwoite said:

I can't see why Ralph isn't blooding some of these youngsters on the bench, even if he is reluctant to play them. With eight outfield players getting named every game, there are always two or three who are very unlikely to be called upon. Sure, always have the 'spare' central defender, but do we need to have Smallbone and Diallo, and if Djenepo is Ralph's answer, I hate to think what the question might have been! So, let's get two or three experienced in first team match days, rather than shunting along those unlikely to be in stripes, (or whatever brave option is adopted), next season.

When asked Ralph said "the problem is when we see how good he is other teams see it too"

... I thought that was SFC policy

[Holmes_and_Watson]

21 minutes ago, Tank said:

When asked Ralph said "the problem is when we see how good he is other teams see it too"

... I thought that was SFC policy

It's a cunning plan, hiding all our best players until they're on long contracts with giant release clauses. Perhaps the lack of such clauses is why we've not seen AA. He's too good to risk other clubs seeing him. 🙂

[david in sweden]

22 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

It's a cunning plan, hiding all our best players until they're on long contracts with giant release clauses. Perhaps the lack of such clauses is why we've not seen AA. He's too good to risk other clubs seeing him. 🙂

.....not to be too conspiratorial ..but if AA has a contract clause based on appearances ?.... we may have saved a few quid this season.

At any rate he's worth a few starts in the remaining matches....    ( Elyounoussi is the only striker to have scored for us .... in the last 9 Prem. games !)

[Holmes_and_Watson]

4 hours ago, david in sweden said:

.....not to be too conspiratorial ..but if AA has a contract clause based on appearances ?.... we may have saved a few quid this season.

At any rate he's worth a few starts in the remaining matches....    ( Elyounoussi is the only striker to have scored for us .... in the last 9 Prem. games !)

If he looks remotely like scoring in training, over Long and Broja, it would seem odd to lose a couple of million for every lost place in the table, just so we could save some money on his deal. Unless we're giving his old club a 5 odd million sum, and thought we'd take a chance with a view to offloading AA in the summer.

[The Cat]

On 05/05/2022 at 11:24, Tank said:

When asked Ralph said "the problem is when we see how good he is other teams see it too"

... I thought that was SFC policy

It's especially dangerous when the player in question is so young they haven't signed a pro contract, this leaves us in a perilous position if other clubs become interested.

Every top club in the country already knows how good our youngsters are because they have been playing against them in Academy games for years, however if they make a debut for the first team and look good in that environment it increases the chances of one of them muscling in and making a serious move.

 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

25 minutes ago, The Cat said:

It's especially dangerous when the player in question is so young they haven't signed a pro contract, this leaves us in a perilous position if other clubs become interested.

Every top club in the country already knows how good our youngsters are because they have been playing against them in Academy games for years, however if they make a debut for the first team and look good in that environment it increases the chances of one of them muscling in and making a serious move.

 

True, and another indicator of the many, non skill related, issues that impact team selection. Ballard has signed a contract. So he could get a nod. It would also be a further incentive to the others to sign once they are old enough too. Sibling etc.

The academy part of the Pathway hasn't shown anything this season in terms of the first team squad. Ideally, we'd have liked a couple more points on the board before bringing in younger players. But it's a big bench, and could bring him on if thing are going well (for a recent change).

[The Cat]

6 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

True, and another indicator of the many, non skill related, issues that impact team selection. Ballard has signed a contract. So he could get a nod. It would also be a further incentive to the others to sign once they are old enough too. Sibling etc.

The academy part of the Pathway hasn't shown anything this season in terms of the first team squad. Ideally, we'd have liked a couple more points on the board before bringing in younger players. But it's a big bench, and could bring him on if thing are going well (for a recent change).

Partly due to the league form, partly due to the 18's fielding strong teams because they had a chance to win their league. Otherwise I expect we would have seen a few of them appear in the matchday squad, even if they didn't get on the pitch.

I imagine the club are comfortable with the U23 game time a lot of the 18's have had. That's quite a step up in itself, especially with the physical aspect of the game.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

6 minutes ago, The Cat said:

Partly due to the league form, partly due to the 18's fielding strong teams because they had a chance to win their league. Otherwise I expect we would have seen a few of them appear in the matchday squad, even if they didn't get on the pitch.

I imagine the club are comfortable with the U23 game time a lot of the 18's have had. That's quite a step up in itself, especially with the physical aspect of the game.

Agree with that. The success at various levels of the club is definitely a consideration and selling point. Also being able to show that straight, early path into the senior squad is also something special, continuing that perception of the club. It's a good place for the club to be, in that respect, at the moment.

[Saint Garrett]

Another 2 goals this weekend, wonder if we'll see him in the first team picture at all this season. Possibly on the bench at Cambridge, or towards the end of the season if we're safe with a bit of wiggle room (which lets be honest is looking unlikely)

[The Curse of St Mary's]

20 minutes ago, Saint Garrett said:

Another 2 goals this weekend, wonder if we'll see him in the first team picture at all this season. Possibly on the bench at Cambridge, or towards the end of the season if we're safe with a bit of wiggle room (which lets be honest is looking unlikely)

This lad is a brilliant talent along with Edwards, Doyle and Morgan. They should be knocking on the first team door but I would rather have a manager in place who is more likely to nurture their talent rather than negatively impact it. 

[egg]

1 hour ago, The Curse of St Mary's said:

This lad is a brilliant talent along with Edwards, Doyle and Morgan. They should be knocking on the first team door but I would rather have a manager in place who is more likely to nurture their talent rather than negatively impact it. 

What do you mean by this? 

Personally I'd have Edwards and Doyle around the squad, and given mins off the bench, whilst playing for the B team. That's my idea of nurturing. 

Edited 15 August, 2022 by egg

[Turkish]

1 hour ago, The Curse of St Mary's said:

This lad is a brilliant talent along with Edwards, Doyle and Morgan. They should be knocking on the first team door but I would rather have a manager in place who is more likely to nurture their talent rather than negatively impact it. 

Are they signed up to pro contracts yet?

[egg]

Just now, Turkish said:

Are they signed up to pro contracts yet?

Doyle is now, he signed after his 17th birthday earlier this month. Not sure how old Morgan is, but if he's 16 we can't toe him down yet. 

[Turkish]

5 minutes ago, egg said:

Doyle is now, he signed after his 17th birthday earlier this month. Not sure how old Morgan is, but if he's 16 we can't toe him down yet. 

According to transfer market Ballard has a contract that expires next year, need to get that extended quickly. 

[Matthew Le God]

1 minute ago, Turkish said:

According to transfer market Ballard has a contract that expires next year, need to get that extended quickly. 

He only signed a pro deal in April this year, I doubt they only made it until next year. I'd guess at the very least it is until 2024, possibly 2025.

https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-04-06/dom-ballard-professional-contract-southampton-fc-april-2022

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, Matthew Le God said:

He only signed a pro deal in April this year, I doubt they only made it until next year. I'd guess at the very least it is until 2024, possibly 2025.

https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-04-06/dom-ballard-professional-contract-southampton-fc-april-2022

That makes sense then as he signed a 2 year scholarship last July they've got him down as joining 1/7/21 ended 30/6/23 so cant have updated the dates with his pro deal

[egg]

6 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

He only signed a pro deal in April this year, I doubt they only made it until next year. I'd guess at the very least it is until 2024, possibly 2025.

https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-04-06/dom-ballard-professional-contract-southampton-fc-april-2022

Do we ever give the 17 year olds more than 2 years for their first deal? Seems like that's the max we give for some reason.

[Saint Garrett]

Looked like he knew he was going to score last night, from the moment he stepped on the pitch. Huge talent. Congratulations on your first senior goal Dom! Chant needs some work…

Edited 24 August, 2022 by Saint Garrett

[Doctoroncall]

40 minutes ago, Saint Garrett said:

Looked like he knew he was going to score last night, from the moment he stepped on the pitch. Huge talent. Congratulations on your first senior goal Dom! Chant needs some work…

It’s an attitude thing, the self belief. A good poacher’s goal. He did have a shot blocked in the previous attack when Mara was better placed, however, the confidence is there without the being overawed (I know it was against Cambridge but first team debut counts). 

[Saint Garrett]

9 minutes ago, Doctoroncall said:

It’s an attitude thing, the self belief. A good poacher’s goal. He did have a shot blocked in the previous attack when Mara was better placed, however, the confidence is there without the being overawed (I know it was against Cambridge but first team debut counts). 

Yup absolutely, you see it with all the great players, that they have the self belief, he certainly has that. Great to see. 

[Saint_clark]

What I liked was seeing how much of a popular figure he clearly was with the rest of the squad, they all looked absolutely made up for him, Djenepo in particular. Even though it's his first appearance it really feels like he's one of the group already. 

It would have been great for the other youth players to see as well, something to strive for. Do we have room on the bench for Ballard in league games? I guess we must do, if Walcott was on the bench for Leicester.

[Bad Wolf]

23 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

What I liked was seeing how much of a popular figure he clearly was with the rest of the squad, they all looked absolutely made up for him, Djenepo in particular. Even though it's his first appearance it really feels like he's one of the group already. 

It would have been great for the other youth players to see as well, something to strive for. Do we have room on the bench for Ballard in league games? I guess we must do, if Walcott was on the bench for Leicester.

Djenepo probably be happy for Hitler if he came back to life. He seems the type that just doesn't have a bad word to say about anyone.

[Wadge]

Need to get him signed on long term.  Someone I knows son is in the England squad that Dom is in, and says he is the best player in the whole squad.  Don't want Chelsea nabbing him, especially on the cheap if they do come in.

[SW5 SAINT]

9 minutes ago, Wadge said:

Need to get him signed on long term.  Someone I knows son is in the England squad that Dom is in, and says he is the best player in the whole squad.  Don't want Chelsea nabbing him, especially on the cheap if they do come in.

I imagine they’ve already tried……!

[LGTL]

We have some serious, serious talent coming through with this bunch. I was delighted for him last night, he was absolutely made up and why not, what a feeling it must have been for him. 

[Bad Wolf]

10 minutes ago, LGTL said:

We have some serious, serious talent coming through with this bunch. I was delighted for him last night, he was absolutely made up and why not, what a feeling it must have been for him. 

Hope we can find a happy medium between turning on them as soon as they misplace a pass and keeping them until they're 38 in the hope they'll turn world class and then on releasing them claim "they wern't given a chance"

[Mr Nimbus]

Forgive my ignorance on this one, is he a CF/striker?

[SuperSAINT]

11 minutes ago, Mr Nimbus said:

Forgive my ignorance on this one, is he a CF/striker?

Correct

[skintsaint]

Think he needs to work a lot harder, should have scored first time last night as well. Get more games and goals under his belt for the B team and come back full of beans for the next cup tie.

 

 

*this is to motivate him for when he reads this thread.

Edited 24 August, 2022 by skintsaint

[VectisSaint]

2 hours ago, skintsaint said:

Think he needs to work a lot harder, should have scored first time last night as well. Get more games and goals under his belt for the B team and come back full of beans for the next cup tie.

 

 

*this is to motivate him for when he reads this thread.

Does he get an assist for his goal?

[revolution saint]

Just watched the pitch side video and the celebration for the goal and the way the whole team came up to congratulate him puts a great big smile on your face. Whatever happens in the future, it’s really good watching kids desperate to do well and enjoying moments like scoring their first senior goal.

[ally_uk]

Yeah i watched the moment he scored must of been a magical feeling all the hard work coming into fruition. Good to see the team cheering him on class stuff! 

[Charlie Wayman]

Every now and then the Academy has produced  a huge talent, it's time for the next one and Dom Ballard could be it. Well done Dom.

[Nolan]

 

[niceandfriendly]

 

3 goals for Ballard in 3 games for England U18s. A Saints player scoring while wearing number 9 for England is a fairly pleasant sight I must say.

[niceandfriendly]

Only a year younger than Lavia too. Hope we see his progression as quickly as some of our recently imported youth.

[SaintJackoInHurworth]

It has been great to see some of the younger players appearing during pre-season and doing so well, but there seems to have been a glaring omission from all of this: Dom Ballard. If any player has looked ready to break into the first team in the past few months it has been him. So I have been surprised and disappointed that we have seen nothing of him in pre-season - he has not been given his chance to break into the first team. Why is this?

My guess is that he will get his chance to go on loan and to shine for another team before being given his chance for Saints. Hopefully he will take that chance with both hands and surpass the successes of Tella and Smallbone, but I still feel disappointed that, if that is the case, we could be missing out on the chance to see him shine at Southampton.

Does anyone know anything? What does anyone else think?

[The Cat]

Been injured as far as I know

[Dusic]

He's been injured. Big blow for him and seeing as he played the final game of the season and hasn't featured at all in pre season you have to assume he did it over the summer.

If he misses all of pre season I wonder if a loan til Jan might be best for everyone to get him regular starts which he is still unlikely to get for us IMO.

 

[SaintNewForest]

Injured. Made his return for the u21s on Satursay.

[qwertyell]

9 minutes ago, Dusic said:

He's been injured. Big blow for him and seeing as he played the final game of the season and hasn't featured at all in pre season you have to assume he did it over the summer.

He was training with the first team squad during the first couple of weeks of pre season. Would almost certainly have played a role in the friendlies, given Doyle, Meghoma, Amo-Ameyaw and Dibling have.

Sounds like it's just a minor knock and he'll be available soon.

[64saint]

I think we'll see him as a regular in the first team squad this season.  I don't think there will be so many youngsters going out on loan now we're in the Championship and they'll be getting more chance here. If we were still in the Premiership then he might well have gone out on loan for a years experience.

Edited 24 July, 2023 by 64saint

[SaintJackoInHurworth]

Ah!! That makes sense!! In that case, let's hope he gets his chance in the last couple of pre-season games as it would be great to see him make his mark with the first team.

[Pamplemousse]

There were some rumours Derby were interested in a loan deal.

I think a loan to a League 1 team would make sense rather than making the odd appearance off the bench or starting cup games.

[Fabrice Fernandes no.1 fan]

1 hour ago, SaintNewForest said:

Injured. Made his return for the u21s on Satursay.

An interesting side from the u21s. 

Bycroft, Finnigan, Simeu and Olaigbe all played having been on loan last season, interesting that they've slotted back in at that level

Abu played 76 minutes, Doyle, Dibling and Meghoma all got minutes too.

Feels like a strong squad overall

[SaintJackoInHurworth]

Disappointed that he wasn't brought on as a sub last night against Gillingham. I think he would have offered more than Tall Paul - and potentially he could offer a lot to our first team.

I understand what some are saying about sending him on loan, but I wonder whether we would be saying that if he had not been injured in pre-season. Personally, I think he should be given his chance.

It is worth noting that he was one of 8 nominees for PL2 player of the season last season. The winner of that particular award, Carlos Borges, has recently been transferred from Man City to Ajax for over £17m.

Ballard was on fire for our U18 and U21 side last season, but also the season before. Sam Amo-Ameyaw was well behind him in the pecking order for the first team so it is quite strange that it is he who has had his chance (and taken it so well) while Ballard has sat on the bench several times but has only been given a few minutes playing.

[trousers]

Dom Ballard is now 2 years older than Theo Walcott was when he started playing regularly in the Championship. Do we think Dom is ready to start playing regularly at this level? If not, why not...? Maybe he's another Seager rather than another Walcott...?

#thinkingoutloud

Edited 31 August, 2023 by trousers

[Streaky]

5 minutes ago, trousers said:

Dom Ballard is now 2 years older than Theo Walcott was when he started playing regularly in the Championship. Do we think Dom is ready to start playing regularly at this level? If not, why not...? Maybe he's another Seager rather than another Walcott...?

#thinkingoutloud

I'd like to see him more this season. Should at least be coming off the bench in most games.