Football Daily Sunderland's Dan Ballard on derby win, promotion & Xhaka impact
Dec 20, 2025
Dan Ballard, a central defender for Sunderland known for his impactful performances, chats with Betty Glover about their thrilling Wear-Tyne derby victory. He shares how the atmosphere fueled the team's spirit and reflects on the motivation from a past own goal. Ballard emphasizes how Granit Xhaka has raised training standards, benefiting the entire squad. He discusses his nerves turning into performance boosts during high-pressure games and celebrates the pride he feels representing Sunderland as they aim for survival in the Premier League.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Derby Day Emotion And Personal Redemption
- Dan Ballard described the derby as tense, chaotic and a blur, but he watched it back afterwards.
- He used the previous own-goal experience as motivation rather than dwelling on backlash.
Harnessing Hostile Home Atmosphere
- Ballard described the derby crowd as having anger and aggression that you must not buy into.
- He said players used that energy but stayed calm to perform under intensity.
Post-Match Picture Moment
- Ballard recounted the post-match picture and revenge feeling after the derby, calling it 'nice crack'.
- He viewed the gesture as less important than the win, but understood its emotional impact for teammates.