Where is Dom Ballard? Will he be given his chance this season?

[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.