Dan Ballard Reflects on Sunderland's Premier League Journey and Upcoming Challenges
Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has expressed his initial doubts about adapting to the Premier League, admitting he has been pleasantly surprised by both his and the team's performance since their return to the top flight.
The 26-year-old has featured in 17 of Sunderland's 21 league matches, scoring twice, including a standout goal against his former club Arsenal in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Ballard has played a crucial role in helping Regis le Bris's side maintain a comfortable distance from the relegation zone, currently sitting in 10th place. He is grateful that his hard work during pre-season has secured his spot in the lineup, despite the competition from new defenders such as Omar Alderete and Nordi Mukiele.
"I probably surprised myself with how well we’ve done in the Premier League. Remaining in the team and performing well has been an added bonus," he told BBC Sport NI's Thomas Kane.
"There’s always doubt when you play in a new league, especially with the challenges of the Premier League. Some players have struggled in the past, and with the arrival of many new signings, competition has increased. However, I was determined during pre-season to prove to the manager, the team, and the fans that I can compete at this level, and I believe I’ve done that so far."
Safety Remains the Primary Objective for the Black Cats
Ballard scored a dramatic injury-time winner against Coventry City in the play-off semi-final, leading Sunderland to victory over Sheffield United in the final at Wembley last year, securing their promotion to the Premier League.
The Black Cats' impressive start to their first top-flight season since 2017 places them just 10 points shy of the 40-point threshold, which is typically enough to ensure survival in the league.
Reflecting on his journey, Ballard, who at times "did not think he would play in the Premier League" after leaving Arsenal, emphasized that the club's immediate goal is to secure their place in the division before contemplating future ambitions.
"Our goal is to stay in the division; we haven't achieved that yet, so we are focused on reaching that target as quickly as possible," he added. "We have navigated a busy Christmas period and gathered some valuable points, but with half the season still ahead, we need to reset and return to our strengths. Hopefully, we can secure our league status early and take it from there."
Northern Ireland Aiming for World Cup Play-Off Success
In addition to his Premier League commitments, Ballard is preparing for a World Cup play-off match against Italy with the Northern Ireland national team.
Michael O'Neill's squad will be without key right-back Conor Bradley, who is sidelined with a season-ending knee injury, and goalkeeper Pierce Charles is also doubtful for the match in Bergamo.
Despite being considered underdogs, Ballard, who has earned 33 caps for his country, believes their performance in two recent matches against Germany has instilled confidence in the team as they aim to qualify for their first World Cup since 1982.
"This is an exciting opportunity; I can't recall an occasion in the last three or four years that compares to this in terms of qualifying for a major tournament. Our performances against Germany have given us confidence that we can compete with the top nations," he stated.
"There’s no real pressure on us going into this match against a tough opponent. We can approach the game without fear and enjoy the experience. The pressure will be on them, and we know how challenging we can make games for the stronger teams."