Goal made up for being dropped says Blackpool matchwinner Gnanduillet

Don’t miss the latest football news and gossip from leagues in England, Scotland and Europe with footballwire.co.ukThe Frenchman was named among Blackpool’s substitutes against Fleetwood Town at Bloomfield Road, despite scoring and impressing in the Seasiders’ 3-0 win against Northampton Town four days earlier.

But the 26-year-old used that disappointment to spur him on as he came off the bench to net a dramatic stoppage-time winner and seal a superb comeback for Gary Bowyer’s men.

Gnanduillet admits he was frustrated to be dropped but understood his manager’s decision.

The striker said: “Yes, I was disappointed but what more can I say?

“Sometimes the manager has to make tough decisions and it’s not easy for him.

“It’s not easy for the players either after what we achieved on the Tuesday against Northampton. To not start on Saturday, I was disappointed.

“But if I don’t start every week but still come off the bench and score, I’ll settle for that.

“I don’t know which team he will pick for the next game but if it’s me or another player we will be ready’ don’t worry about that.”

Gnanduillet wasn’t the only man to make an impact off the bench, with Dolly Menga providing the crucial cross for the Frenchman to head home his fifth goal of the season in the fourth and final minute of injury time.The striker added: “After the game the gaffer came to me and told me he’s been waiting for this type of goal from me for the last two years.

“I think with a player like Dolly, he’s got the ability to cross the ball and take the ball past people with ease. We were practising this type of cross a few weeks ago and it’s worked out against Fleetwood – so we’re both happy.”

Bowyer was delighted with the impact of both Gnanduillet and Menga as victory lifted the Seasiders above Town – last night’s results saw Pool drop a place to 11th.

He reserved special praise for Gnanduillet and the way he rose to head home Blackpool’s winner. Bowyer said: “You’ll not believe me but the pair of them try that every day in training. Dolly tries to find the big man at the back. This time it’s paid off.

“We’ve been dying for the big man to score a Rudy Gestede-esque goal and that was it.

“Rudy was one of the best headers of the ball I’ve seen. Rudy would have been proud of that one, that’s for sure.”