Norwich City and Swansea City are battling to sign League One Player of the Season and Leyton Orient striker Dom Ballard this summer.
Ballard rakes in awards after playing major role in Leyton Orient staying up
Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens launched a scathing attack on his own players after a 2-2 draw against Burton Albion on the final day of the League One season, which saw them finish in 20th place, three points clear of the relegation zone.
“We’ve got a weak group – really, really weak, OK? And when our supporters give them criticism, I try and take the criticism off them.
“So I come out and say the atmosphere wasn’t great and then supporters come at me.
“I don’t feel that my protection of them, or going on the verge of ruining a relationship with a group of supporters I’ve got an unbelievable relationship with, is worth it. Week in, week out – especially the past six or seven weeks – they get served up with rubbish.
“There are too many players that have wasted 10 months of their career and wasted my time. I’ve had one year of my management that has been wasted by the players.”
However, one player who Wellens was clearly impressed by was Ballard, with the Orient boss confirming he wants to keep the League One Player of the Season beyond the upcoming transfer window.
The 21-year-old also won the League One Young Player of the Season award, after playing a key role in the O’s avoiding the drop, chipping in with 23 goals and five assists in 40 matches.
Championship clubs circling to sign Ballard
As such, it is no surprise a number of Championship clubs are now sniffing around to secure the centre-forward’s signature, according to a report from Sports Boom, which names Norwich, Swansea City and Wrexham as contenders.
The youngster, who was also named in the League One Team of the Season, has been described as “scary” by Wellens, and his goal record this season suggests he is ready to make the step-up to the Championship.
Championship award winners named as season comes to close
Swansea’s Zan Vipotnik may feel a little hard done by not to have won Championship Player of the Season, off the back of winning the Golden Boot by scoring 23 goals, but Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney was the preferred choice.
Despite Leicester City being relegated, Jordan James was named young Player of the Season, whereas Frank Lampard won Manager of the Season, after guiding Coventry City to promotion.
Norwich will have their sights set on a return to the Premier League next season, after a strong end to the campaign under the helm of Philippe Clement, taking 29 points from their final 15 matches, which wasn’t quite enough to reach the play-offs.
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