Blackpool's matchwinner Joe Nuttall 'needs people to give him a pat on the back' according to caretaker boss David Dunn

It comes after the 23-year-old came off the bench to score the stoppage-time winner in Blackpool’s 2-1 win against Ipswich Town on Saturday.

It was just the striker’s second league goal of the campaign, his other strike also coming against Ipswich in the return fixture at Portman Road in November.

It’s fair to say it’s been a frustrating season for Nuttall, who was a big-money signing from Blackburn Rovers during the summer.

But caretaker boss Dunn, who worked closely with Nuttall during his time coaching at Ewood Park, believes there is definitely more to come from the forward.

"I was so happy when he got the goal, because he works hard and he’s a great kid,” he said.

“I know he’s got a bit of pressure on him because he came in for big money during the summer, but I’m delighted for him because he needs to show people what he’s all about.

“I don’t think people have seen the best of him yet, but then again he’s still relatively young in terms of how many games he’s played at first-team level.

“The kid needs a chance to just do well and he needs people to give him a pat on the back.

“Players are different and he’s a thinker, so I just feel he’d benefit from everyone encouraging him and getting behind him - as most footballers do.”

Nuttall was introduced into the action in the 67th minute on Saturday to jeers from the Blackpool fans who were disappointed to see Connor Ronan brought off.

Dunn admits he was taken aback by that reaction, stating: “The crowd reaction...I wasn’t too sure.

“Connor is a wonderful little player and no-one thinks more of him than I do in this building.

“A big reason he’s here is because I wanted to get him in, I vouched for him because I had seen him so many times in Under-23 football and I really like him.

“It wasn’t his fault, but I just felt we didn’t find him enough and as it panned out we weren’t getting him on the ball.

“We felt going a bit more direct might cause them a few problems so we dropped Nathan Delfouneso into that position and put Nutts on up front to stretch them in behind. I felt he did that well.”

Expanding on the crowd’s reaction, Dunn added: “I was a bit surprised, but I get it.

“Connor has become a bit of a fans’ favourite so of course when they see one of their favourite players coming off the pitch, they might be frustrated. But there’s a reason why we did it.

“As long as we have a reason to make those subs. It might not have worked, but luckily it did.

“If I make another sub, hopefully they might not give me the same reaction.

“I hope the fans still go home happy though. I’m delighted for Joe, for him to get the winner is great. He’s a good kid so I was delighted for him.”