Blackpool manager Mick McCarthy has praised Leeds United loanee Ian Poveda as "different class" following a change in approach during training with the Championship side.
Poveda left Elland Road at the beginning of the season in a bid to get some valuable first-team football under his belt. He has endured a hap-hazard spell so far at Blackpool and has only started six of their 18 Championship matches this term. He scored his first Blackpool goal in last month's FA Cup third round win over Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest.
The 22-year-old initially struggled to make an impact following his arrival from Leeds on a season-long loan back in the summer. However, Poveda has improved remarkably since the World Cup break and McCarthy has praised the youngster for what he sees as a clear change in approach.
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"I think he wasn’t that consistent and I don’t think he’d been that good and it can be difficult with loan players," the Blackpool boss said (via LancsLive).
“They come in and if they’re not playing, they think ‘why should I be here?’ and it affects the performance. I think when they went to Spain, he’s really knuckled down and what I’ve seen of him in training is different class He really is a good footballer. He’s got a lot to offer us.”
Blackpool take on Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon in the Championship and Poveda will be hoping that he can continue to impress McCarthy, as well as his parent club ahead of an Elland Road return at the end of the season.
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