11 Nov 2025 08:11:40
Hi Edds.
The centre back at Sunderland Ballard. Put in an outstanding performance on the weekend.
It was barn storming type of play. First time I've seen him, only highlights, but would he be worth a look?
TIA
YNWA.
{Ed001's Note - I actually like him, good leader as well, technically decent and big and strong. I am not sure about injuries, I know he was out for the start of the season due to injury, so I would want to look at that, but if that checks out I think he could be a decent option. He would run through brick walls for his team.}
11 Nov 2025 10:04:20
Look at Kerkez, so called barn storming left back too! What happened? Poor coaching, poor tactics, unclear instructions plunge him into abyss.
{Ed001's Note - not sure how that is relevant.}
11 Nov 2025 10:47:16
Nothing this person says is relevant Ed.
11 Nov 2025 10:52:15
Hi Eds, why do not see the relevance? A good player in a different team set up like Kerkez for Bournemouth, became a bad player in Liverpool set up. Can anyone guarantee this Ballard will perform at same level at Sunderland?
For me it's just pure logic to ask this question.
{Ed001's Note - ok let's just not sign anyone then as they might not work out. That better?}
11 Nov 2025 11:21:32
Personally, I'm not sure he would be an upgrade on Konate.
11 Nov 2025 11:29:49
First time I saw him was this weekend. He had an excellent game. Certainly looked like an old fashioned brute of a centre half. Not sure if he's got the speed and agility to go to the very top though.
11 Nov 2025 11:48:55
Still don't see the logic comparing Kerkez with Ballard, mate. Just saying.
11 Nov 2025 12:00:39
The fella plays for the GAWA so I’m biased and can only dream of him playing for Liverpool too.
In all honesty I don’t think he’s a shoe in at Sunderland, is he? I do like Trai Hume tho, plays right back and fits well into a back 3, still on 23 too . Back to reality ??.
11 Nov 2025 12:29:21
That lad Virgil from Southampton clearly didn’t work out did he BTS?
11 Nov 2025 13:26:32
Rome . anyone is an upgrade on Konate. how on earth he is still ar our club nevermind the 1st team is beyond me.
11 Nov 2025 13:54:37
Stroms, it's fair to say Konate is inconsistent! He was solid against Villa and Madrid and there have been times this season he's bailed VVD out. There have also been times, I agree, where he's been calamitous. At this moment in time our only option is Gomez and, personally, I'd stick with Konate.
Ultimately, in the next 12 months, we will need 3 new CBs and I wouldn't mind betting, there will be times when folk will be saying "I wish we had Konate"! They're saying that about Nunez! Gawd help us!
11 Nov 2025 14:34:58
All comes down to tactics for me. Play on the front foot and konate is great. Start faffing around playing slow they are all crap but konate gets called out the most. Play like we did v Madrid he/ they will be sound.
11 Nov 2025 14:39:36
Gomez or Konate is the question - I'd rather have Gomez on. Konate makes me far too nervous every single time, he's a mistake waiting to happen and it happens too much. He needs replacing as soon as possible but I fear that isn't until next summer.
11 Nov 2025 15:27:05
I go back to how Gomez was against Southampton, when he had a chance to step up. In a word, he was useless. All about opinion.
11 Nov 2025 15:30:46
Nat Phillips 2.0.
11 Nov 2025 16:00:09
Rome. he isn't inconsistent, he's very consistent at being awful. he had a good run of games s last year . but VVD carries him . when he's played as the main defender he hasn't got a clue .
he is the weakest link in our team . id play gomez until Jan transfer, he has the odd game so he not upto speed but even so he better than konate .
11 Nov 2025 16:54:04
All about opinion, Stroms. It just so happens I disagree with yours.
11 Nov 2025 17:17:29
Don't forget the assist from Gomez for Palace's first goal the other week, Rome.
11 Nov 2025 17:25:25
Joe deserves a run of games, you can’t judge on one game when then back out of the team. Konate has had his chance, so now give Gomez his.
11 Nov 2025 18:43:50
How could I forget, Rigsby!
I just don't get this clamour for Gomez. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem if we bin Konate in the summer but, at this moment in time, I'm taking him over Gomez. If we were to bin everyone who's underperformed the last 6 weeks, we would be playing a side full of academy kids. If Leoni hadn't got injured, I'd perhaps be calling for him instead of Gomez.
If we're judging players on how they've performed so far this season, there are a few others who are more deserving of being dropped than Ibou. Salah and Mac Allister to name 2.
{Ed001's Note - neither of those have been as bad as Konate - he has been by far and away the worst player at the club and should be dropped from a great height. Even at his best he is massively overrated by some and was always the weak link anyway. Just get rid.}
11 Nov 2025 18:48:34
I'd go back to Gomez too.
11 Nov 2025 19:08:57
Disagree with you, Ed. Salah has been way worse than Konate this season. Let's agree to disagree.
{Ed001's Note - nobody in the top flight has been worse than Konate.}
11 Nov 2025 19:29:21
Rome . we 100% disagree on konate.
11 Nov 2025 20:43:00
Beauty of football and this site, Strom. I've said before, I treat it like we're sat around a pub table, with mates. We will never always agree.
What occasionally annoys me, is the posters who consistently agree with the Eds point of view to curry favour. If I don't agree with an Ed, I'll say so. My opinion is every bit as valid. I don't consider any Ed to be more knowledgeable of football than me, nor do I consider myself more knowledgeable than posters on here. Most of the discussions are subjective and not fact.
11 Nov 2025 23:42:23
Rome . I have my own opinion like you about players n everything else . i certainly don't need to curry flavour with the EDS whatever that means, so not sure what you're on about there .
. on this Konate subject we both agree that he is a dreadful defender who shouldn't be starting games for us . but you think he's great fair enough. that's opinions .
12 Nov 2025 08:00:24
Strom, with my "curry favour" I wasn't referring to you mate. I may have used the phrase wrong. I was meaning posters who always agree with the Eds. Not you.
For the record, I don't think Konate's great, far from it. He's been lousy in games this season and last. My argument was Gomez is worse, in my opinion, and Konate isn't our only player who's stunk the place out this season. All the best to you.
12 Nov 2025 08:31:50
Ok Rome no worries mate.