Key Points
- Dom Ballard, a forward who plays for Bristol City in the Championship, has assessed the season as really positive for his club, although he recognizes that there is much more to be done.
- Robins have found themselves in eighth position in the Championship after defeating Watford 1-0 at Ashton Gate due to a header by Ballard in the first half.
- Under the management of Michael Skubala, Robins have collected 13 points from their first eight games and won four matches and drew one.
- According to Ballard, the majority of players on this team, along with him and the manager, are newcomers to the club, and hence, it is a really successful transition period.
- The 21-year-old signed for Bristol City from Leyton Orient in early August after being the golden boot winner in League One under Richie Wellens.
- Manager Michael Skubala and the team will utilize the international break period to play friendly matches.
Bristol, (Bristol Express News) September 22, 2026 — Dom Ballard knows Bristol City still have room to improve butthinks the Robins’ start to the season has been “really positive,” particularly when considering how much change there has been at Ashton Gate.
The Reds head into the campaign’s first international break sitting eighth in the Championship after Friday evening’s win over Watford. Ballard’s first-half goal proved to be the difference as City beat the Hornets 1-0 in front of the Sky Sports cameras at Ashton Gate.
Michael Skubala’s side have managed to claim 13 points from their opening eight league matches, courtesy of four wins and a single draw. On the whole, performances have been positive, with last week’s defeat to Lincoln City perhaps the only below-par display.
Although the three points gained — and the goal scored — against the Hornets have ensured Ballard and his new teammates are heading into the interval happy with their league position, they are keen to take further strides over the break with some friendly fixtures said to be on the agenda.
How has Dom Ballard assessed his personal transition and the squad’s development?
Speaking about his adjustment to the club, the forward told BBC Radio Bristol that “For me personally, it’s really nice. But more importantly for the squad, the gaffer’s now got three weeks to really gel us together and maybe try a few bits as well.”
He added:
“I think we’ve got a few friendlies in there as well, so it will be good for everybody to get a few minutes and hopefully, we can get some more form going into the Championship games after that.”
Ballard further explained to Bristol Live:
“Half the boys, me included, are all new and the gaffer’s new. So obviously this period’s been really positive for us, I think. Look, you want to win every game, and you look back to the Birmingham game where you think we could have won the game, but the position we sit in now is very good and definitely something to build on.”
“We’re in a really good position now, and you can always win more games,” he continued to Bristol Live. “If you look at the past few weeks we’ve had, I think it’s been a really good start. Now, with these three weeks coming up, we can use that time to push on.”
What milestones has Dom Ballard reached during his early career at Ashton Gate?
Personally, Ballard has made a positive start to his time as a Robin. The 21-year-old made the move to Ashton Gate from Leyton Orient in early August, having won the League One golden boot under the management of Richie Wellens last season.
On just his second league outing with the Reds, the striker opened his account in red and white in spectacular fashion with his ‘Goal of the Month’ winning strike against Birmingham City, a backheeled volley beyond the reach of Blues stopper James Beadle at St Andrew’s.
That strike was followed by a composed finish away to Preston North End on transfer deadline day. Ballard’s header against Watford was, however, his first in front of the City faithful in BS3 and his first goal as a starter under Skubala, two milestones he’s pleased to have reached.
“To do it here in front of the City fans was really special,”
Ballard smiled, as reported by Daniel Carter of Bristol Live.
“You come to a new club, you’re always a little bit worried, I guess, about getting a goal at the stadium, so I’m buzzing.”
“I think we were the only team that were probably going to win the game and probably should have scored more, but I think the biggest point for us is the fact that we kept a clean sheet. It’s what was emphasised at half-time, and the boys pulled through,” Ballard told Daniel Carter of Bristol Live.
Background of the Particular Development
The recent developments at Bristol City stem from a significant squad and managerial overhaul leading into the 2026/27 Championship campaign. Following the appointment of manager Michael Skubala, the club undertook major roster restructuring, bringing in numerous fresh faces—including 21-year-old striker Dom Ballard, who arrived from Leyton Orient in August after securing the League One golden boot. Integrating a predominantly new group of players while maintaining competitive league form presented an immediate challenge for the coaching staff. However, securing 13 points from the first eight matches has established a stable foundation, positioning the club in eighth place heading into the international break and validating the early strategic direction implemented by the new management team.
This ongoing transitional phase and the productive use of the international break—featuring scheduled friendly fixtures and tactical experimentation under Michael Skubala—are expected to benefit Bristol City’s core supporters and the wider club community by fostering deeper squad cohesion. For the fans and stakeholders, a settled team identity and improved on-field understanding could translate into greater consistency when Championship fixtures resume. If the squad successfully integrates new arrivals like Dom Ballard during this developmental window, the team is well-positioned to maintain its competitive standing in the top half of the table and mount a serious challenge for higher league ambitions throughout the remainder of the season.
