Ballard: We need to step it up a gear

SUNDERLAND’S opening-day draw against Coventry was evidence of the step up in class between League One and the Championship, according to debutant Daniel Ballard.

The Black Cats earned a deserved point against the Sky Blues at the Stadium of Light, taking the lead through Jack Clarke early in the first half before Viktor Gyokeres levelled six minutes from time.

Summer signing from Arsenal Ballard, who was making his Sunderland debut at the weekend, says their performance was promising having gone ‘toe-to-toe’ with Coventry.

The 22-year-old centre-back, who has played in both League One while on loan with Blackpool and then last season in the Championship while on loan at Millwall, claims it has also shown the Wearsiders the levels they will need to reach this term.

The Northern Ireland international said: “Of course it is a big step up from League One and I think a lot of games throughout this season are going to be very similar to Sunday’s.

“Teams don’t drop off towards the end of the game, they ramp it up and you saw Coventry used four substitutes and they have a great quality squad.

“It is about keeping your concentration, keeping fighting every game.“

Ballard added: “We wanted to start off on the front foot with a win and give the fans three points but I thought our performance was very good.

“We went toe-to-toe with Coventry and then naturally when you are winning you drop deeper in the game and in this league it is about grinding out results.

“I am sure there will be similar scenarios to that one.”

More than 40,000 fans were at the Stadium of Light to watch Sunderland’s return to the Championship after four seasons in the third tier and Ballard admits the intensity of the atmosphere came as something of a shock.

He said: “First of all I was taken aback a bit by the crowd and the stadium. I have not really played in front of many atmospheres like that, especially at home.

“I was really surprised by that and it gave me a boost I had not really had before.

“I have played in front of big crowds before but it was usually opposition fans.

“There are not many clubs with the sort of ambition and history Sunderland have and of course the fanbase here is huge.”