Arsenal loanee Daniel Ballard was sent off for the first time in his senior career during Blackpool’s 1-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon last night but Seasiders manager Neil Critchley felt the decision was harsh, speaking to the Blackpool Gazette.
Things move fast in football – as this 21-year-old centre-half is starting to discover.
Three days after producing an “outstanding” defensive performance in Blackpool’s win over fellow League One strugglers MK Dons, Ballard was heading for an early bath at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.
Ballard collided with a Wimbledon player in the second half but, in Critchley’s eyes, it was an unfortunate “coming together” rather than anything malicious.
“The player has gone down. He’s got up and there doesn’t seem to be a lot wrong with him,” says the former Liverpool U23 coach.
“Maybe we’ve fallen into the trap there a little bit. I thought Danny Ballard was otherwise excellent and I feel really sorry for him.”
Blackpool finished the game with nine men after Ethan Robson was handed his marching orders too.
The result leaves the Tangerines 18th in the third-tier table, having won just two of their seven games in 2020/21.
And with Ballard suspended, it remains to be seen whether Blackpool can pick up valuable points without their in-form defender.
Arsenal’s record transfer deals
- Nicolas Pepe
£72 million
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
£56 million
- Alexandre Lacazette
£52 million
- Thomas Partey
45 million
- Mesut Ozil
£42 million
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