Dan Ballard: I'm at Blackpool to play ... and win

Dan Ballard says he was still able to enjoy his debut despite Blackpool suffering another costly defeat.
Dan Ballard, here challenged by Charlton's Paul Smyth, came on for his Blackpool debut after only three minutesDan Ballard, here challenged by Charlton's Paul Smyth, came on for his Blackpool debut after only three minutes
Dan Ballard, here challenged by Charlton's Paul Smyth, came on for his Blackpool debut after only three minutes
Read More
Virtue signs new Blackpool contract

The 21-year-old entered the fray in unusual circumstances against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday, replacing Grant Ward after just three minutes.

It came after James Husband was shown a straight red card after just 58 seconds, the defender’s second dismissal this season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Arsenal loanee went on to impress in the 1-0 defeat and looks sure to be handed a first start against MK Dons on Saturday.

“It was a bit of a shock. I didn’t expect to be thrown on in the first few minutes,” Ballard admitted.

“I made sure I was ready to put a performance in for the team. I really enjoyed it. I relished the opportunity.

“This is why I’m here – I want to play. I want to help the team to victories. It’s frustrating we couldn’t do that but I loved every minute.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Hopefully I can work hard and get a lot more opportunities, and the results will follow.

“I thought I did okay but it was a tough game. They’re a good team but I thought we defended well. I can’t think of many chances they had.

“It’s another one where the performance has been good and it could have gone either way, so it’s a frustrating result. All the boys know they’ve got to keep working hard and if they do the results will come.”

Charlton snatched the three points when Chuks Aneke glanced home a header seven minutes from time in a game both teams finished with 10 men.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Only goal difference is keeping Pool off the bottom of the table after this fifth defeat in seven league games and Ballard said: “The whole team is really disappointed. We worked so hard, especially in the first-half after what happened (Husband’s red card). We stuck together, dug in and we got ourselves back in the game and I felt we were the more dominant side throughout.

“For them to get one chance and put it away, it’s hard to take but we’ll bounce back.

“We had another conversation and everyone is up for the challenge, everyone wants to win. We’re not playing badly, the commitment is there as well, so it’s just fine lines.

“The more we play with each other, the more confidence we’ll get and then results will come.”